· COTN WILL YOU COME FIND ME IF IM DROWNING?

· WILL COME RESCUE ME?

· KEVIN COSTNER- RIGHT AT THE END/GRADUATION

· MEN/WOMEN- BEEN TRAINED TO PUT THEIR LIVES IN PERIL

· TO GO AFTER IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS TO RESCUE LOST INDIVIDUALS.

· NOT ALL LOST INDIVIDUALS DID IT ON PURPOSE

· THIS WEEK WE BEGIN A SERIES CALLED FOR ONE

· IF YOU LEAVE TODAY AND YOU MISS THE POINT

· 1912 HOPE DIAMOND PURCHASED FOR 180,000

· 1949 HARRY WINSTON PURCHASES IT

· 1958 HE DONATES IT TO THE SMITHSONIAN

· 45.5 CARROTS- PURE BLUE DIAMOND

· SENDS IT IN REGULARD MAIL- BROWN PACKAGE

· 145.29 SEND IT/2.44 WAS THE POSTAGE PART AND IT WAS INSURED FOR 1 MILLION DOLLARS.

· ESTIMATED WORTH TODAY IS 350 MILLION

“MAIL CARRIER SAID I JUST DIDN’T WANNA LOSE IT”

IT WAS A PRIVALEGE TO CARRY SOMETHING SO VALUABLE.

WE’VE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH SOMETHING GREATER

THE EXTRAORDINARY HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO THE ORDINARY.

TODAY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU UNTIL ONE

WE WILL LAND IN LUKE 15- BUT START IS LUKE 14

YOU HAVE TO GET THE CONTEXT AND SETTING BEFORE WE GET TO LUKE 15.

· LOST OPPORTUNITY

· LOST PRIORITY

· LOST SHEEP

· LOST COIN

· LOST SON

4 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a

prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

5. “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.

· LOST OPPORTUNITY

· LOST PRIORITY

· LOST SHEEP

· LOST COIN

· LOST SON

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

Luke 15:2

2.But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

LUKE 15:3-4

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

LUKE 15:5-6

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

 LUKE 15:7

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (MORE)

SLIDE 10: PICTURE OF SHEPHERD AND SHEEP

· SHEEP WONDER (THOUGH THIS SAYS LOST)

· SHEEP GET INJURED

· SHEEP NEED LED/FED AND RESCUED

· RELATIONSHP MATTERS HERE-TRUST

· SHEEP WEIGHS 70 LBS

· BOND TO CARRY LIKE THIS

 LUKE 15:8

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

 LUKE 15:9

9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

LUKE 15:10

10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

FOR ONE BUT THE ONE WENT FROM

1 OUT OF 100 SHEEP-VALUABLE-YES

1 OUT OF 10 COINS- MORE VALUABLE

1 OUT OF 2 SONS- MOST VALUABLE

· MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE HEAD BAND

· RING FINGER

· PEOPLE WOULD SEE HER HEAD BAND AND KNOW

· SHE LOVES ANOTHER

· SHE BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE

· THIS BEING MISSING COULD SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE

REPEATED WORDS IN LUKE 15 IN THESE 2 PARABLES

UNTIL. ONE REJOICE

MATTHEW 28:16

16. THEN THE ELEVEN DISCIPOLES WENT TO GALILEE, TO THE MOUNTAIN WHERE JESUS HAD TOLD THEM TO GO.

 MATTHEW 28:17-18

17. WHEN THEY SAW HIM, THEY WORSHIPPED HIM, BUT SOME STILL DOUBTED. THEN JESUS CAME TO THE AND SAID, “ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME.

MATTHEW 28:19

19. THEREFORE GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

MATTHEW 28:20

20. AND TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND SURELY I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE.”

WAYS PEOPLE ATTEND CHURCH

A FRIEND INVITED ME- 86 %

ORGANIZED VISITATION- 6%

PASTOR INVITE- 6 %

ADVERTISING- 2%

FRIEND SAID- PASTORS AREN’T DOING MUCH

THIS ISN’T ABOUT CHURCH ATTENDANCE

 SCRIPTURE ACTS 1:8

8. “BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”

· WHAT DOES A WITNESS DO?

· A WITNESS TELLS THE STORY

WE SEEM MORE INTERESTED IN BEING THE PROSECUTION

TEEN CAMP- TELL THE STORY

BEST WEEK EVER- TELL THE STORY VBS TELL THE STORY

CHURCH SERVICE GOD SHOWED UP- TELL IT

IN MY CAR

THE CHURCH FULFILLS ITS MISSION BY MAKING DISCIPLES THROUGH EVANGELISM, EDUCATION, SHOWING COMPASSION, WORKING FOR JUSTICE, AND BEARING WITNESS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

JESUS ISSUED HIS GREAT CO- MISSION TO GIVE HIS FOLLOWERS A REASON (SAVE THE WORLD) AND A PLAN (MAKE DISCIPLES)

OUR STRATEGY WILL NOT BE OUR BUILDING

OUR STRATEGY WON’T BE OUR MUSIC- JANETTE

OUR STRATEGY WON’T BE MY MESSAGES

OUR STRATEGY IS YOU-

IT’S THE SAME STRATEGY JESUS STARTED WITH 12 GUYS- THEN 120- THEN/NOW ALMOST 2.7 BILLION PEOPLE.

SO WHAT ARE YOUR EXCUSES?

WELL KEVIN I STILL CUSS A LITTLE AND I …

WELL KEVIN NOT MY PERSONALITY

YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHERE I GO TO SCHOOL

IM RETIRED KEVIN- TIME FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE

WELL I DON’T KNOW ENOUGH

HOW LONG DOES A PERSON HAVE TO WATCH A BRICK LAYER BEFORE THEY GET TO ACTUALLY TRY TO LAY A BRICK?

SO ULTIMATELY IM ASKING YOU TODAY

WHO IS YOUR ONE? UNTIL/ONE/REJOICE

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T A PRAYER CARD

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T A PROJECT

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T PLUERAL LANGUAGE

(WELL WE INVITE OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS)

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T EVEN ABOUT INVITING THEM TO COTN- THAT’S FINE- ITS GOOD, BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT

IT’S A PERSON YOU REARRANGE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE FOR

TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW JESUS.

I KNOW WHERE THEY SHOP-I KNOW THEIR KIDS T BALL GAMES SCHEDULE- I KNOW WHERE THEY GO ON VACATION

WHO DO YOUR GRIEVE- THEY MIGHT NOT END UP IN ETERNITY WITH ME- WHO IS THAT?

INVITATION TO COME- GET A CARD- PUT A NAME

SONG FILL OUT YOUR CARD- SO WHO IS YOUR ONE

LUKE 15:4

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

HEY COTN- WILL COME FIND ME IF I AM LOST?

YOU CARRY SOMETHING FAR GREATER IN VALUE THAN THE HOPE DIAMOND

https://www.bible.com/events/49300460

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

For One -Part 1 East Rock

Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

John 5:1-9

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

Have you ever noticed Jesus’ focus on just one person in this story?

Think about it, the teaching text says that there were a “great number” gathered around this pool. But we have no record of Jesus engaging with any of the other people here, performing any other miracles, or teaching any other lessons.

We see Jesus preaching to crowds, feeding thousands in other places, but this story is about a one-on-one encounter that changed everything for this man.

I want to welcome you to our new teaching series called For One.

Throughout this series we will seek to know and understand the power of the Lord’s one at a time pursuit of people. Our goal is not only that we would know the stories, but that we would adopt Jesus’ one at a time approach in our lives.

Often our focus is on the many. Our nation, our community, our family, and to be sure, that is a good thing. But the goal of this series is that together we will ask the Lord to give us just ONE person that we would pray specifically for. And not just pray for them, but that we would literally interrupt out days, our plans, yes, our lives to see them come to know Christ.

That’s what Jesus did, and we want to join him. We want to be for one, because in the kingdom of God, one is worth it all.

Luke 15:1-2

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

As more and more of “those people” are coming to hear Jesus, the local religious folks begin to voice their disapproval. They don’t think a prophet or a teacher like Jesus should be keeping company with notorious sinners.

God’s prevenient grace was at work drawing people in and not everyone was excited about that. The religious leaders thought he should keep his distance from those people, he certainly shouldn’t be sharing meals with them. But what becomes clear is that they don’t know God’s heart for his poeple.

Luke 15:3-6

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Rather than a direct rebuke for their self-righteous murmurings, Jesus tells a story to help the religious leaders understand His heart for the one.

The story begins with a man who owns 100 sheep. One of these sheep wonders away, getting lost from the rest flock.

Now from a practical standpoint, this is no big deal. 99% the sheep are still right there, doing fine. But this ONE lost sheep causes the man to take action.

The only explanation for this reckless accounting is that the man LOVES his sheep.

We arent told what the search involves, but we are told how long it takes. Don’t miss that key word of determination in the search: “The man looked for it UNTIL it was found.”

This wasn’t a quick look over the ridge, a convenient whistle here and there- whatever it took, however long it lasted, he searched until the sheep was found.

When he finally finds this sheep the shepherd puts the wondering sheep on his shoulders and carries it back to the flock.

When he arrives back home, he calls his friends and neighbors to help him celebrate the safe return of this one sheep. The man literally throws a party to celebrate. All for one sheep who wondered away.

While this makes a compelling and heartwarming farming story, that wasn’t the point. Remember, Jesus is telling this story to make a point.

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The tax collectors and the sinners that the religious folks were looking down on, who were murmuring about- they were God’s lost sheep.

Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, was giving his life to go after them. And to the shock and surprise of the pharisees and teachers of the law, there was more rejoicing in heaven over just one them coming home, than any of those who didn’t need rescue.

Friends, what we see in this story is God’s heart for the one.

God sees every lost sheep and his heart is to see them found.

He knows their names, he knows their story, he knows the pain and brokenness they have experienced. God knows his lost sheep, they are his, created in his image. And he wants to see them found, he wants to see you found.

Throughout Jesus’ life we see him pursuing one person at a time. He would change is plans, allow interruptions, and he would go where others wished he wouldn’t. All for one.

Are you ready to join Jesus and his heart for one?

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Establish COTN as Your Church on the App

In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Light & Sword: The Truth of the Bible – Harrisonburg

Today’s speaker is Brian Charette. After a long career at James Madison University, Brian has been on our church staff helping with the transition between lead pastors. He’ll retire in September. He and his family are long-time members of our church. His wife Pam serves on the church board. He does fill-in preaching for us on an occasional basis.

What do you believe about the Bible? How does that belief impact you?

2 Timothy 3:10-16

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Psalms 119:103-105

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Pastor Billy – August 4, 2024

“My great concern for you today and for the church today and for our world and the culture in which we’re living comes from the shocking reality that according to the Barna Research Group, as of 2023, 68% of Americans identified as Christians. And if the data stopped there, that might be encouraging. But of those 68% only 6% hold a biblical worldview. Therein lies my concern.”

Many Evangelical Christians have accelerated the drift away from commitment to the Bible.

> 82% only read their Bibles on Sunday at church.

> For a person to consider themselves a “frequent” user of the Bible, they would need to read the Bible just 4 times per year.

> 22% believe the Bible is inspired by God.

Those scholars who argue in defense of the Bible tend to use one or more of three descriptive words:

Inspired – that the Bible is the word of God and the words of God

Infallible – that it declares truth consistently, Genesis to Revelation

Inerrant – That there are no errors in truth, no deceit, no lies, no mistakes or contradictions that impact meaning. (Which is particularly true in the manuscripts in the originally languages.)

Harold Lindsell

The Battle for the Bible

The very nature of inspiration renders the Bible infallible, which means that it cannot deceive us. It is inerrant in that it is not false, mistaken, or defective. Inspiration extends to all parts of the written Word of God, and it includes the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit even in the selection of the words of Scripture. Moreover, the Bible was written by human and divine agencies; that is, it was the product of God and chosen men. The authors of scripture retained their own styles of writing and the Holy Spirit, operating within this human context, so superintended the writing of the Word of God that the end product was God’s. Just as Jesus had a human and a divine nature, one of which was truly human and the other truly divine, so the written word of God is a product that bears the marks of what is truly human and truly divine.

Matthew 4:1-4

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

From the Introduction to the Gideon Bible

This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.

Key Sources

Bruce, F..F. (2003). The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Eerdmans.

Geisler, N.L. & Roach, W.C. (2011) Defending Inerrancy. Baker Books, Grand Rapids.

Knechtle, C. (1986) Give Me an Answer. Intervarsity Press. Madison, WI.

Lindsell, H. (1977) The Battle for the Bible. Zondervan.

Wallace, J.W. (2023) Cold-Case Christianity. David C. Cook Publishing, Brighton, England.

Warfield, B.B. (1948) The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. Presbyterian Publishing Co. Phillipsburg, N.J.

It’s impossible to even scratch the surface of today’s topic in a 30-minute message. So, in January, Lord willing, we’ll present a four-part Wednesday night workshop series, Defending the Bible, which will start on January 8. (We’re choosing January so as not to interfere with life group meetings.) As the date draws closer, look for more information and an opportunity to register for the class.

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 9 – East Rock

The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.

Today we are concluding our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”.

Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus.

But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him.

The message from the writer of Hebrews is loud and clear: “There’s no life in the old way of doing things. The only source of salvation is Christ alone. He is above all.”

As chapter 13 brings the letter to a finish, the author applies the truth of Christ above all to the every day aspects of life for his readers.

Hebrews 13:1-3

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

The first commands of Hebrews 13 is right in line with what Jesus said in some of his farewell words: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

In just three short verses, we have been commanded to love those we know, to show hospitality to those we don’t, and to remember those who would be easy to forget.

What we believe about Jesus should show up in how we love those around us.

This is quite the farewell, and he’s just getting started.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

The covenant relationship between one man and one woman, as God has prescribed in his word, should be honored by all.

The word honor here has the idea of respect, cherish, something of value.

“The marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral”

The term “marriage bed” here is an idiom for the sexual relationship- and that is to be kept pure, as God has designed.

God’s judgement is assured to all those who would violate their marriage vows, or by any who would engage in sexual activity outside of marriage.

God has designed the covenant of marriage to be the sacred and holy space where our sexual desires are expressed and enjoyed together.

So, our sexuality is not a matter of preference, or pleasure, but of God’s design.

As if this farewell address wasn’t feeling awkward enough at this point, the author continues on into another touchy subject…

Hebrews 13:5-6

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

The author is encouraging his people to keep a proper perspective on money. Not to give themselves over to the pursuit of wealth at the expense of their focus on Christ.

Quoting from Deuteronomy and the Psalms the author calls the people of God to focus on the promises of God and his gracious provision in our lives.

With the Lord as our helper, we do not need to fear. This is the source of true contentment.

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Much like the Hall of Faith from Chapter 11, the author again encourages his audience to remember the faithfulness of the leaders who shared the gospel message with them. To consider not only their message but their life, allowing both to be a model for their own.

That Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever is a reminder that the same Jesus that was preached to them then, is the same Jesus with them now.

Their circumstances may have changed, but Jesus has not.

Verses 9 through 14 contain a warning that they would not fall victim to false teachings, especially those that were appealing to their Jewish roots, and that they would live with a resolute focus on the eternal reality of God’s kingdom through Christ.

Just as Christ suffered reproach at the hands of the Jewish leaders, so would they. Living a life that declares Christ above all, will draw persecution and pressure.

As we continue in verse 15 the author moves to give farewell guidance about worship and sacrifice offered to God.

Hebrews 13:15-19

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

While the offerings and sacrifices of the Old Covenant were fulfilled in Christ, Christians still have an offering to bring before the Lord.

The call of the church is to words of thanks, adoration, and celebration of God. To offer good works, acts of service and compassion done to others.

Another important aspect of life together in the body of Christ is leadership.

Here the author says that we should have confidence and submission to our leaders in regard to spiritual and doctrinal truth- That we would give ourselves to obedience and devotion to the teachings of scripture and the church.

The final chapter of this letter is just as jamb packed with theological and ethical application as the rest of the letter. And we haven’t even covered it to the end of the chapter. (Yeah, there’s more to chapter 13.)

What I appreciate about this concluding chapter is how real and practical it is.

Within a letter with this much deep and articulate teaching, it could have been easy to think that it was just a good informational course. that we learned some great theological truths, sharpened our scriptural knowledge, and that was it.

But in these final words, the author brings all the rich teaching about Christ right to bear on day to day realities in our lives.

What the author of Hebrews is showing us is that what we believe about Jesus, our faith in Him, should be evident in all these everyday areas of our lives.

What we believe cannot be separated from how we live. That’s what it is to live and believe “Christ above all”

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

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Establish COTN as Your Church on the App

In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

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