Mt. Lassen Community Church

John 13 midweek study

Aloha MLCC family-

Coming up with a topic for my last message at MLCC has been a struggle. I wanted it to be an opportunity for some great Bible teaching and a little personal. After a lot of prayer and reflection I realized I had the topic right in front of me. For several weeks before leaving for Hawaii, I had been leading a group of young men through one of my favorite books in the Bible - 1 Timothy. The Apostle Paul wrote this book as a guide for his protégé Timothy as he undertook being the leader of the church in Ephesus. While doing research on 1 Timothy, I came across a list of questions for church leaders to consider when looking at the health of their churches. As I looked closer at this list, I thought it would be perfect for my last message at MLCC.

The list I'll share on Sunday has been heavily modified from the original - I made it more personal to MLCC and us. As I further went through preparing this message, I realized that it pertains to us individual Christians as well, after all we are the church. In chapter 3 Paul describes the church as the 'household of God' (1 Timothy 3:15 NASB). So Sunday my message will look at God's little mountain church (or household) as well as us individuals.

The goal list ties in with many of the New Year's resolutions I challenged you with at the end of last year, so we'll check in on the progress of some of those goals as well. I also plan to share how God has abundantly blessed MLCC and myself the past several years. I have so much to be thankful for - indeed my cup overflows with gratitude!

See you Sunday in church! Please stick around for some light refreshments and fellowship after the service that will include a couple songs from Kelvin and a short slide presentation.

Mahalo!

Curt

As I prepare for Sunday’s message I find myself choking back tears and feeling various emotions. Mary anointing Jesus is one of the most beautiful moments in all of scripture. For her, it was a no brainer—I must give Jesus the best gift I can possibly give Him. For us, this is a deep, deep moment, and so much to consider.

Ultimately, it is a challenge—How can I give the gift of MY LIFE to the One who gave it all for me?

This song has been on my mind as I study John 12

So I’ll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all

I’ll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered

All I have is Yours

—The Stand, by Joel Houston

Give it a listen and be blessed,

~Jeff

We find ourselves at a funeral service in our text this Sunday: Lazarus has died, and his sisters are there grieving, surrounded by mourning, wailing, and weeping. Jesus arrives on the scene and shows us what true love and comfort looks like.

Most importantly, Jesus brings critical truth about life and death, offering hope and an eternal perspective desperately needed in our broken and suffering world.

I have 6 amazing takeaways to share that can transform your life in your next crisis or tragedy—giving that critical eternal perspective we all need.

Elder Brian Tilford brings a message from Job chapters 1 and 2.

John 10:3–5

3 ...and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4 “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

5 “A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Spending time with Jesus and learning to hear and follow His voice is the most important, yet most challenging job for the disciple. And just as important and challenging—learning NOT to listen to the voice of the “stranger!”

This Sunday we will compare and contrast the voice of the Good Shepherd and the Door of the Sheep, Jesus, to the thieves and robbers wanting to steal away His disciples—such as the Pharisees, Priests, and Rabbis.

Only Jesus could offer abundant and eternal life, found in Himself; the thieves could only steal, kill, and destroy, following their father the devil.

Let’s learn to discern the Voice of our Good Shepherd. And let’s follow where He leads—because He leads into the good pastures where we find a feast and rest for our souls.

Be blessed as you listen to your Shepherd’s voice this week,