Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
Last week we witnessed a showdown between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus had a lot going for him. He was “the teacer of Israel,” a top-notch Pharisee with an impeccable record of law-keeping. He knew the Scriptures inside and out—and yet Jesus indicates that Nicodemus had entirely overlooked the one thing he so desperately needed: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus, for all his credentials, was spiritually dead. His efforts and good works wafted up to the Lord as the odious gases of a corpse. He imagined them pleasing in God’s sight, but in reality they could only offend.
Even Christians fall into Nicodemus’ way of thinking. We imagine that if we simply try harder, clean up our act, exercise more self-discipline—then God will accept us. We forget that spiritual life is not about what we do, but about what God has done. The good works we perform are the result of the spiritual life God has given us, and that is why they are pleasing in his sight. How does the fact that God has caused us to be born again change the way we view the good works He calls us to do?
New Connection Classes
This Sunday we begin a new round of connection classes.
1. God’s Church God’s Way will be taught by Todd Diehl during the first service (9:30 -10:45am). Come and learn about the precious church that Christ died for–what it is and does.
2. Knowing God will be taught by Randy Hagler during the second service (11:15-12:30pm). Come and learn more about what God is like, and what it means for us.
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
