Lift Him Up

We saw this past week how Jesus' ministry of "eating and drinking" with sinners was offensive to the Pharisees.  Following Jesus' practice helps guard us from two common errors of how Christians interact with their unbelieving friends. 

First, we have no excuse to avoid spending quality time with unbelieving folks.  Jesus could have spent all of his time with the Pharisees, with people who thought they had their lives together.  But he intentionally didn't.  He chose to spend time with sinners.  And not only did he spend time with them, he "ate and drank" with them, showing his active enjoyment of their company.  This is an extremely challenging text.  In what ways do you actively enjoy the company of unbelievers in Culpeper?

Second, he spent time with them in order to call them to repentance.  In no way did Jesus condone sin by hanging out with sinners.  And it wasn't just that he was hanging out with sinners that were already penitent.  He spent time with sinners, invested in their lives in order to call them to repentance—the one thing they really needed.  Every sinner has a life and death need to bend the knee to God, confess their sins, and believe in his power to save.  And that was how Jesus showed up in your life when you were saved. 

I want you to take some time to think about how you might better approximate a ministry of "eating and drinking" in your life. 

Saying Goodbye to Ben

Ben Bailey has been a huge help to our congregation over the past months.  I know many of you have enjoyed getting to know him.  In God's providence, Ben has gotten a job that is going to take him to Newport News to work for Northrop Grumman as an engineer.  Make sure you show Ben your appreciation for his contributions to our church plant. 

Keep Inviting

I know many of you wore yourself out inviting folks to our launch.  Don't stop!  The same reasons you invited people then should be the same reasons you invite people now.  Because of what Christ has done, he has made a way for all types of people to come to salvation through his atoning blood.  But they won't know to come unless you invite them. 

Maybe you know someone who needs to hear the gospel.  We craft our whole service each week so that you can't miss the substitutionary sacrifice Jesus made of himself for all who trust in him.  If you can get someone in the door, they will hear the gospel. 

Membership

Don't forget that you can find out more about becoming a member of Christ Covenant by looking at our Becoming a Member Page.

This Week

I look forward to seeing each of you this Sunday as we continue to work through the gospel of Luke.  Jesus is going to go toe to toe with the Pharisees again and show us how his gospel in the antidote to entrenched legalism. 

Lift him up!