Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we looked from Genesis 19 at God’s righteous judgment of the grievous evils that occurred in Sodom and Gomorrah. These warnings from Scripture are difficult. However, they remind us that God is always just, and He will one day completely destroy all evil. The catastrophic judgments of the worldwide flood in the time of Noah, where only Noah and his family were saved, and the fiery judgment of wickedness in Genisis 19 of Sodom and Gomorrah, where Lot and his daughters were saved, serve as a permanent reminder to us of this: God will ultimately destroy and punish all evil. Today, God gives us a chance to turn from ourselves and our sin and receive forgiveness and life in Jesus. In Christ Jesus, God’s wrath was completely satisfied with Jesus’ death on the cross. The fire of God’s wrath against sin has been burnt out in Jesus. The place of safety is where the wrath of God against sin has already burned. That place of safety is in Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says this: “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.” When we are in Jesus, God’s wrath has been satisfied. However, all outside of Jesus, remain under God righteous wrath. Will you believe in Jesus and accept that He has already been punished in your place?Or would you rather have your sin than the forgiveness and life God offers you today? God will destroy all evil and bring punishment on those who would rather have their sin than the forgiveness and life of God.
As many of you know, Connie is in physical rehabilitation waiting to find a place to move to that provides an elevated level of care. Connie needs help to move her stuff out of her apartment by October 12. Connie’s daughte asked me to see if we could have some people help with this task. She does not have a firm date set to do this. I wanted to give all of you a heads up so we could find some people to help them when they need this done.
On October 12 instead of having a potluck luncheon after worship, we will have a celebration of the garage cleaning at 6:00 PM. We will have a fire pit and meet on the lawn. You can bring hot dogs and/or stuff for smores for your family.
On Saturday, October 25, we will have our annual Trunk or Treat community outreach from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You can prepare for that by bringing candy to the church building. Pray God would use this event to glorify Himself and to bear a caring witness and ministry to our community.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church