A Message from Bob Henderson Friday, October 14, 2016
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Dear friends:
I won't mention him by name, but I know of a widely broadcasted preacher who actually said: "I gave away an expensive pair of shoes, and three or four more pairs of shoes came back to me. I gave away several watches, and this very expensive Rolex watch jumped on to my wrist."
It's a parody of the gospel, really, which some call a "prosperity gospel." This gospel says, "If you give, God will make you richer." Those who preach it ground their claim in this week's scripture passage.
 However, I would suggest this passage has nothing to do with how to get a Rolex watch to jump onto our wrist. Instead, Jesus is describing a truth embedded into the grain of the universe. The measure we use will be measured back to us. If I practice little grace, I will experience little grace. If I practice little forgiveness, I will experience little forgiveness. If I practice little generosity, I will receive little generosity.
It's axiomatic. If we practice little of the principles of God's way, we experience little of God's way, little joy, little peace, little gratitude, just little doses of all those qualities associated with the fullness of God's reign. And of course, the opposite is true: if I practice many of the principles of God's way, I will enter a deeper experience of God's reign -- more joy, more beauty, more love, more freedom, more peace, and deep gratitude -- no matter my financial station.
We'll explore it in depth at all services this weekend.
Warmly,
Bob Henderson, senior minister
PS. I rarely do program announcements here, but we have been invited to join The Park Church and others Saturday (tomorrow) at 11:10 a.m. for a special screening of "The Birth of a Nation" a challenging film telling the story of Nate Turn, an enslaved Baptist preacher who lives on a Virginia Plantation.
Turner's quest for justice leads to a violent and historic rebellion in Southampton County. We're trying to organize a lunch and discussion afterward. If you'd like to join us, the movie will show at AMC 22 Carolina Pavilion. Tickets are $6.75 and can be purchased at Fandango.com.
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Worship Services this Sunday
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Traditional
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Contemporary
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Bob Henderson preaching
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Bob Henderson preaching
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Bob Henderson preaching
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Bob Henderson by video
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