Building on the Cornerstone

Exodus: A (reluctant) Leader is Born. This week explores the birth of Moses and the revelation of God to him. We read of the subversive heroics of women who work to counter Pharaoh’s plans. We see how failure is a part of the learning process, as Moses must flee his home. We listen as God reveals himself to Moses in the burning bush and tasks him with leading God’s people out of Egypt. We see how Moses throws excuse after excuse back to God and try to get out of this calling. We listen to Moses put his frustration on God’s shoulders and can be reminded that God can take it. God wants us to turn our pains and complaints over to him. God loves us this much.

The Rise of Evil – This week begins a new series looking at the book of Exodus. It is a story that even people unfamiliar with the Bible have some reference too. At the start of this story (Exodus 1:1-22) we see what one people can do to another when their hearts are full of ignorance, fear and hate. The evil that rises up in Egypt results in a great destruction of life, an uncreation. We can see many similarities throughout our history, even today. We can learn a lot about our day by studying this old story. We must remember that we are God’s people. Where uncreation is breaking out all around us, we must trust in the God of all creation.

This week wraps up the series in Matthew, reflecting on Jesus’ journey to the cross and his call for us in this world. As followers of Jesus, we must take up our cross and go out into the world with the gospel.

John Smith delivers the closing message in the Embrace series with a strong and challenging message – Love Never Fails. God’s message is for everyone and we are called to love one another. And whoever does not know love does not know God, for God is Love (1 John 4:8).

This week in the Embrace series turns to Jonah to see God’s ability to love even through the haters. Jonah went to amazing lengths to avoid God’s will – Jonah knew God is a loving and merciful God yet Jonah had nothing but hate in his heart for the people of Nineveh. Jonah held so tightly to his hatred, that he prayed for death rather than to live and see the people saved. Fortunately, God’s love for all people is greater than one man’s feelings.

But we must look inward and identify any hatred in our own hearts. We are called to be the people of love. To go out to the world and show God’s love and mercy. We are called to embrace one another regardless of labels. For God is Love.