To the Ends of the Earth

Paul commands the Thessalonians to “give thanks in all circumstances”. How can we do this with so many hard things in our world? This week we will study Psalm 118 and learn the contours of Christian thanksgiving. We are fortunate to have a holiday that directs our hearts to gratitude. May we be a grateful people before our Lord.

Some of us think that when we become followers of Jesus, life becomes easy. This week, we will think about 2 Corinthians 1.3-11 and how Paul experienced many afflictions. We will hear a testimony from a member couple on how God delivered them from a time of trial. We want to be the kind of church family that talks openly and truthfully about the hard realities of our journey in this life. Wonderfully, the Lord Jesus can comfort us in our afflictions through His body, the church.

“Love is the epicenter of the distinctively Christian way of being in the world… it is both the pattern of Christ’s actions and to be imitated by his followers” (Watkin, Biblical Critical Theory, 390). This week, Dr. Lincoln Chirochierwa will preach from John 13.34-35 on the importance of love in the Christian life. We will also have a special focus on global missions.

As our series on stewardship draws to a close, we will spend time in Psalm 95 as a reminder that all we do as a church is about worshipping God in Spirit and truth. We will prepare our hearts before the offertory by singing, hearing God’s Word, and discerning His voice. We can rest in His salvation as the sheep of His pasture.

It is a special time at Providence as we weigh the opportunity to expand our facility to Form Families, Equip Saints, and Multiply Churches. As we near the end of our series on stewardship, we will think about “the cost of discipleship”. Is there anything worth doing that does not come with sacrifice? What could it mean for followers of Jesus in the suburbs of Cleveland to “take up the cross” (Matthew 16.24)? When we consider what Jesus did for us, we find great joy in sacrificing for His kingdom.

As we think about our stewardship series for Forming Families, Equipping Saints, and Multiplying Churches, we will turn to the idea of trusting God with our resources. Why are we tempted to “lay up treasures on earth”? In contrast, Jesus tells us to invest for eternity. Can we see giving to gospel ministry as an opportunity?

Forward Together: Following

What happens when we die? Who can answer this question with any credibility? As we look at the last two articles in our statement of faith, we will see that Jesus speaks authoritatively on Heaven and Hell and His return as judge of all. The certainty of Christ’s return should fill the believer with hope and a sense of mission.

The Christian Life