Good morning all,
GIVING THANKS:
* We give thanks for this church and body of believers.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
* To Joe & Lori Nuzzo on their 32nd wedding anniversary!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Nadine's friend Christine Nelson is home from the hospital but is not doing well. She's had many losses and quite ill from her cancer. Continued prayers.
* Prayers for the people living in Maui. What was once a beautiful tropical paradise and travel destination, is now a field of devastation. How quickly life can change.
* Prayers for the truth seekers, and the lost
* Prayers for the church as we try to hold out the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
LOTS COMING UP:
* There will be a brief Congregational meeting right after worship this Sunday, August 20th.
* Derin & Kristen Wilson are hosting a FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN EVENT and having a cookout on Saturday August 26, 2023 from 11-2, and they will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and ice cream after. There will be some water activities such as a sprinkler, a fishing activity and water “balloons”(they will be sponges). So please bring towels and a change of clothes (if needed). There is a sign up sheet on the door this Sunday for anyone that would like to bring side dishes.
* Friday, September 8th at 6:30 Ron & Lisa Saracino will be hosting a YOUNG ADULT DEVOTIONAL at the church building. Enjoy a fun time of fellowship and munchies. Please let Ron or Lisa know if you can attend.
* Saturday September 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the building will be the first of the Ladies' & teen girls Bible studies and planning session for the year. Ladies or teen girls who would like to lead any of these studies, please see Paula.
* The next Sunday Pot Lucks will be on September 17th and Sunday October 29th right after worship. Come 2024 the pot lucks will be held on every fifth Sunday of the year which will make it easy for everyone to remember.
Iron is a metal found in the earth.
Iron Fun Facts:
- Iron is the second most abundant metal on Earth.
- Iron composes about 80% of the Earth's inner and outer cores.
- Iron is the main component of meteorites.
- You cannot make steel without iron.
- Around 70% of the iron in the human body is found in the hemoglobin of red blood cells.
Iron is mentioned several times throughout scripture. It is often associated with strength and endurance. Its durability and ability to withstand wear- and-tear, make it a fitting symbol of God's enduring power. Iron represents strength, obstinacy, fortitude, honor, courage, sharpness (of body and mind), tenacity and confidence in power.
In Deuteronomy 8:9 we read that the land of Israel is rich in iron, signifying the strength of the land itself.
“…a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.“
Isaiah 48:4 we read of Israel's steadfastness in their faith like 'bars of iron', “For I knew how stubborn you were; the sinews of your neck were iron...”
Iron was also a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Iron was an important commodity used for trade. In Ezekiel 27:19 we learn of Tyre's trade in iron from Greece.
In 1 Kings 10:21 the wealth of King Solomon is described in part through his vast stores of gold and silver, but also through the large quantities of iron he possessed.
In Daniel 2:33-45 we read about an image of a statue with different parts made from various metals including iron, to symbolize different kingdoms throughout history.
Iron can also symbolize discipline and refinement. Believers in Jesus Christ are called to be “Iron sharpening iron” for one another as we read in Proverbs 27:17…
This scripture reminds us that in the Body of Christ, the church, we are not to be alone.
In order for us to become more like Jesus, we need each other. There is a mutual benefit to refining us as we maintain our spiritual relationships, within marriages, and within the family of God.
As we interact with each other, we help each other through life. We care for one another; we celebrate with one another; we grieve with one another ; we love unconditionally. Being with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are like-minded in Christ, and have a desire to continue to grow spiritually.
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.“
Philippians 2:5-11 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.”
1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to him, the living Stone, rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him, you also like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ Jesus.“
We've all had a dull knife in our kitchen drawers and they are basically useless. All knives and bladed tools have a tendency to get dull with use over time. Sharpening takes some time, but the process brings back the initial purpose for the tool. In order for sharpening to be effective, the two must come together!
We too grow old and can get rusty and dull. We need to be constantly encouraging each other to grow in our love and service to Christ. The church is the portal for that to be accomplished. God in all of His Glory has put us together, to help keep each other sharp. God did not mean for us to be alone, but we are part of the family of God.
Philippians 2:3-4″ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.“
Why must we be sharp? Our goal is to strive to be more like Jesus. To produce good fruit for His Glory. We must walk with wisdom and question, encourage, coach, and challenge each other!
The Word of God provides us with the tools to be sharp and effective. To be accountable to each other and more importantly, to God.
In Hebrews 4:12 we read “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts an attitudes of the heart.“
God expects us to live and serve in the church, and be part of a community.
Hebrews 10:24-24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Here are some ways we can sharpen each other in Christ…
Love one another…which is the greatest command
Matthew 22:36-40 …”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Edify one another…
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.“
Carry each others burdens …
Galatians 6:2-12 “But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions.“
Forgive one another…
Colossians 3:12-13 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.“
Show genuine care and concern for each other… People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
John 13:35 “A new command I give you, Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Encourage each other's strengths to serve the body of Christ, rather than tear down.
1 Thessalonians 5:11″Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact as you are doing“
Pray with one another
James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.“
Help someone on their spiritual journey:
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whatever, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Speak the truth in Love.
Proverbs 27:4-5 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
God loves His Church and when we love the things that He loves, it brings glory and honor to Him.
The church faces new problems today….
Regarding on-line worship, although virtual worship helped us get through the pandemic and is incredibly beneficial for the sick and immunocompromised, “on-line church” does not meet many of the biblical purposes, functions or promote the deep relationships that God intended by gathering in-person. No doubt that those who are not able to attend in-person worship due to illness, want to be there!
This is a very sensitive subject but so important.
Face -to -face worship, brings us together and we are unified. Unified in our signing, unified in our praise, and unified in the faith. We are encouraged to see one another.
As we read in 3rd John 13-14…”I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.“
The Church exists to provide Fellowship for believers. God designed people for fellowship, not for isolation.
Acts 2:42 -44 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
In stark contrast, there is not enough to be said about the benefits of true in-person worship. In-person worship creates the change within us which is the subject of this email… “iron sharpening iron”... because inward change glorifies HIM as we strive to be more like Jesus!
We must highly value the Godly relationships we have within the church and continue to build and grow them to our full spiritual potential.
KEEP SINGING:
HAVE THINE OWN WAY
“We are the clay, You are the potter.” Isaiah 64:8
Have thine own way, LORD!
Have thine own way!
Thou are the potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me,
After Thy will,
While I am waiting,
Yielded and still.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have Thine, own way!
Search me and try me,
Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord, Wash me just now,
As in Thy presence, Humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Hold o'ver my being,
Absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit,
Till all shall see,
Christ only always, Living in me.
MAKE ME NEW, LORD JESUS, MAKE ME NEW
Make me new, Lord Jesus, make me new,
For it seems that in so many ways,
I'm not enough like You.
Take this weary vessel I am in,
and mold me once again,
Take my life, take my spirit, make me new.”
Blades cannot sharpen themselves! It would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the other.
Iron sharpeners polish each other so we have an opportunity to grow, learn, share, expand and transform.
God gave us each other to help us reach our spiritual potential in Jesus Christ.
People need other people, and we can all strive to be better and to excel more in the Lord!
Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy,
to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is,
his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
In closing, let's sharpen ourselves and remain focused on the purpose of the church…. to seek and save the Lost.
The Apostle Paul shares in Ephesians 4:15-16
“Instead, speaking the truth in love,
we will grow to become in every respect that mature body of him
who is the head, that is Christ.
From him the whole body,
joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love,
as each part does its work.“
To Him be the Glory both now and forever.
In Him,
Bruce & Paula