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Greetings!
Our thanks go to God for sending us Jesus, the Messiah, who gives us a new beginning when we accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives. We hope that this season reminds us what all the celebration is about. From the humblest place to be born on earth to the throne in Heaven where He sits, Jesus remains our Redeemer, our Advocate, our Friend and our Brother.
Do we listen to God when He talks to us? Sit still and be quiet then, so we can hear Him.
The Church Staff |
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What the Gospel Is Not About......
"The Gospel Is Not About Mere Hell Avoidance"
Pastor John's sermon yesterday was the second in the series "What the Gospel Is Not About." In discussing why the gospel is not about avoiding hell, he pointed out a misconception among many, including Christians, who think we do missions to avoid going to hell. In fact, the gospel is about knowing God and becoming intimate with him. He pointed out that the biblical gospel is not about avoiding hell but that it is primarily about His plan about God's royal destiny for humanity.
However, because man was originally created to have dominion over everything on earth, prayer is important because God will not intervene unless we ask, since we have dominion on earth. It is, therefore, not logical to assume that we don't need to pray for anything because God knows everything and He knows what we need or what is in our mind before we even ask. This is also known as the Earth Dominion Principle: God's will and plan on earth is done only through man acting as God's surrogate or representative.
Although sin disabled man from fulfilling God's purpose during creation, the gospel brings about man's restoration into the image of God. This is embodied in the three elements of God's image in man: 1) the power of choice, 2) the capacity for love, and 3) the intimacy of God. Pastor Jon further explained that man can't rule with love if there is no freedom, that our capacity for love is only as good as our connection with God because if we are disconnected from Him we can't love.
Christ came to earth as a man, as a Restorer of man's lost earth dominion, quoting Luke 4:18,19 as the restoration message of the bible. Pastor John also said, based on scriptures, that we can't have an abundant life if we don't understand the gospel. But the good news is that God gives eternal life, and that it is His pleasure to give us the kingdom so we can reign with Him forever.
Our part, he said, is to put our faith in Jesus and to believe in God because He doesn't want for anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). As a Sovereign God, His purpose is eternal. The Holy Spirit is the one who trains us, and by "training for reigning" we are moved out of our comfort zones so we can move forward. Thus, He restores our lost capacity for love and intimacy with Him.
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Happenings this week
The administrative offices of Gospel Life will be relocated at the Marukai strip mall complex along Azusa Avenue. Work will begin this week to give the place a fresh look by repainting the walls and laying down new carpet on the floor. Meanwhile, packing things that will be moved over is still going on. A lot of stuff are either being given away, consigned to the thrift or goodwill shop or destined to the trash heap.
The Christmas Program is lined up for this coming Sunday. Invite your friends and family members to join us at next Sunday's services.
Fellowship Lunch on Sunday after church will be hosted by all the lunch groups combined. This will also serve as the Christmas celebration lunch for Gospel Life. We hope everyone will attend.
Our first Saturday evening service will be on Saturday, December 29, at 5:00 p.m.
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Marketplace Ministry
Dying for Lack of Knowledge
The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God." 1 Chronicles 13:10 A business friend of mine confessed that he did not like to read. He found it a difficult discipline. I replied, "If you do not commit yourself to knowing what is in God's Word and following it, you will fail to know and experience God. God's Word is life to our souls. It provides knowledge that leads to life." The prophet Hosea tells us, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children" (Hos. 4:6). God has given us His Word that has specific laws and principles that must be followed if we expect His blessing. King David forgot to follow one of those laws related to the ark. "...But they must not touch the holy things or they will die..." (Num. 4:15). When they were transporting the ark, Uzzah innocently reached to steady the ark but was immediately stricken dead when his hands touched the ark of God. Did David know this law or did he simply forget? Did Uzzah know this law? If so, did he really believe it? David thought it was okay to carry the ark the way Uzzah did. A man lost his life for his presumption. Many workplace believers I know take God's Word lightly. They believe they can violate His Word without consequence. This is not true; the Lord stands by to uphold His Word. It can be life, or it can bring death. When God provides instructions, we need to follow them.
We must all have a fearful respect of God's Word. For truly, it is life or death. Do you take God's Word seriously? Is it life or death for you? Do you feed upon His Word daily so that you might know Him and know His precepts? Feed upon this knowledge and be blessed of God.
Knowing this about God brings a healthy fear of the Lord. "David was afraid of God that day and asked, 'How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?' " (1 Chron. 13:12)
(Copyright, TGIF, Os Hillman)
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Meditation
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. ~ Psalm 91:11-12. God, this is one of my favorite comforts from your Word. Thank You for my trust that you will command your angels concerning me, my family, my friends, my pastors and their families, that through your power and your command guardian angels will be around about to protect us and lift us up so that we will not "strike our feet against stones."
Thank You for protecting us from all harm and evil, for making us pure and devoted to you. And for those I know and love who are fighting addictions of various types, I thank You for giving them strength and power to overcome, to protect them and keep them from stumbling. In the name of Jesus I pray and give you thanks, amen. |
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Gospel Life Community-Church Without Walls / Tel.:(626)965-4300 / Walnut, California 91789 / 626-965-4300
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