To help focus our hearts and minds on the Lord, we have organized a week long early morning devotion - a time to eat (breakfast provided), a time to hear from God's Word, and a time to reflect on the Lord's journey to death and resurrection for our salvation. Every day this week (Monday - Sunday) the church will be open:

• Breakfast served at 6:30am with the devotion starting at about 6:50am.
• On Friday, breakfast will be served between 8am and 9:30am, with a Good Friday service at 10am.

We invite you to join us as we meditate on the Word of God and draw closer to Jesus during this Holy Week. If you cannot attend, below are the readings we will follow, read along with your church family and be encouraged by the Lord.

Monday (Jesus Cleanses the Temple)

• 2 Samuel 7:12-13
• Isaiah 56:7
• Matthew 21:12-17
• Luke 19:39-48
• John 2:13-22

Tuesday (Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees)

• Matthew 21:23-22:46
• Mark 14:1-2
• Luke 20:1-47

Wednesday (Judas Decides to Betray Jesus)

• Mark 14:3-11
• John 12:1-8
• John 13:1-30

Maundy Thursday (The Last Supper)

• Matthew 26:17-30
• Mark 14:12-72
• Luke 22:7-20
• Luke 22:39-46

Good Friday (Jesus Crucifixion)

• Isaiah 53:1-12
• Matthew 27:1-61
• Luke 23:1-49
• John 1:29
• John 18:28-40

Saturday (Jesus was Dead)

• Isiaah 52:13-15
• Matthew 27:62-66
• Luke 23:50-56
• John 19:39-41

Sunday (Jesus Lives)

• Isaiah 52:7-10
• Matthew 28:1-10
• Luke 24:1-12
• John 20

Human Perfection

Ransom, an Englishman with previous galactic travel experience, finds himself sent to Perelandra by Maleldil for an unknown reason. Upon arrival, Ransom meets the Queen who is in search of the missing King. As Ransom dialogues with the Queen, it becomes apparent that she and the King represent the Adam and Eve of Perelandra. The Queen is seemingly the first of her species, having no children or knowledge of how to expand the species. In his initial conversation with the Queen, Ransom is overwhelmed by the knowledge that both he and the Queen are completely naked. He was neither embarrassed nor ashamed, but he was conscious of being ugly in comparison.

Ransom’s experience over his and the Queen’s nakedness was also experienced in creation. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and felt no shame over their nakedness (Genesis 2:25). In creating Adam and Eve, God created man and woman to perfectly complement one another. There was no barometer by which to feel shame for no imperfections existed. Adam and Eve could stand before one another and be completely satisfied in their nakedness for they knew no different; in perfection, there is innocence and freedom from the need to cover up. Lewis is not only hinting that Perelandra is the Garden of Eden, but he is also beginning from a place of perfect sinlessness, of an innocence that has not been corrupted by sexual immorality.

Subtle Distortion

The peace felt on Perelandra is abruptly interrupted by the introduction of Weston, a scientist with a checkered past. Ransom is concerned about his arrival, giving mention to his murderous tendency from a previous encounter on Malacandra. Weston’s arrival brings distortion to the perfect innocence of both male and female nakedness. He accuses Ransom of seduction, and mockingly suggests if he is meant to view it as sexless innocence. In Lewis using the word “seduction” he enters the first sinful connotation in relation to nakedness. Seduction is the act of tempting someone to take part in an activity (often a sexual activity). The mocking tone of the phrase “sexless innocence” suggests a silliness in believing that two naked people are not aiming to seduce one another. The beauty of naked innocence is now under question.

Scripture reminds us that there are two ways in which a man can look at a woman, one is pure in nature, the other is adulterous. Jesus taught that looking at a woman with lustful intent is adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:28). Desire fuels lust and ignites the motive for seduction. Lust and seduction are sins committed in the heart even without any outward action occurring. Sin will lead to shame, which is why Adam and Eve found themselves ashamed of their nakedness after disobeying God (Genesis 3:7). Nacked innocence has now become shameful and sordid situation.

A Looming Darkness

Weston is possessed by an evil force called the un-man. It is not entirely clear how this occurs, or even if Weston knows what is happening at the time of possession. The un-man wishes to destroy the innocence of Perelandra and will do so through the corruption of the Queen. Ransom watches on helplessly as the un-man spends hours even days trying to convince the Queen to question Maleldil’s commands. Interestingly, throughout these conversations the un-man consistently uses beauty and sexuality to tease out a different way of thinking for the Queen. His desire is for the Queen to become “like the women of his world,” even promising her that she will be “more beautiful than these women.” There is a self-deprecating doubt being inserted into the mind of the Queen – I am not the most beautiful. Going further, the un-man clothed the Queen in flamboyant feathers, leading to the self-absorbed question – “do you think we are more beautiful?” With the addition of a mirror, the Queen becomes completely obsessed by how she looks. Ransom is grateful that the Queen is only being taught vanity, for if the un-man led her to understand modesty, then he may also lead her to understand what is immodest. The innocent nakedness of the Queen is now the center of vanity with the potential to give way to uncontrolled sexual desire. A real danger is on the horizon!

Throughout Scripture, man is consistently warned about sexual immorality. We are to flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18), for the sexually immoral person will not inherit an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 5:5). We are to abstain from sexually immoral practices (1 Thessalonians 4:3) by controlling our passions (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Young women are encouraged to be modest (1 Timothy 2:9), remembering that beauty is a vain pursuit (Proverbs 31:30). With such serious warnings, why is sexual immorality so prevalent? The looming darkness of sexual sin is usually not first seen in an action, but in the heart of an individual. To desire and lust will often lead to the beautification of oneself. We seek to be more attractive so that others will notice us. We like to be seen. We crave the attention from the one we desire. Like the Queen in Perelandra, we become obsessed by what we see in the mirror. We ask what will make us look more beautiful. Soon, we are consumed by how good we look, and how we want others to see ourselves. Our heart propels us into action, and we walk through the door of self-worship into a room where sexual desire is uncontrolled. The darkness experienced through sexual immorality begins in the light of day, through the subtle self-worship of what we see in the mirror.

Conclusion

The story of Perelandra cleverly shows the reader how self-obsession and vanity destroy any assurance of an eternal inheritance. When the Queen has eyes on herself, she ponders her beauty and her greatness. Yet when the Queen was looking for the King, she walked in peace knowing that the plan of Maleldil would come to pass. The Christian is to take their eyes of themselves and seek after the King. It is only the seeking of King Jesus that truly frees us from the looming darkness of sexual immorality. Through Jesus, our innocence is restored, and we can live in harmony without experiencing shame. We are to worship the creator not the created. The story of Perelandra gives us hope that sexual sin can be defeated through reliance on the creator God.

As a new believer, you are yet to know all the ways in which you will change, but the Holy Spirit will guide you to the truth of God’s Word, in John 17:17 we learn that you will be sanctified (purified) with the Word of God (truth). As you read Scripture, the Spirit will lead you to conviction over sins you are committing (John 16:8) and bring you to an understanding of God and His ways (1 Corinthians 2:12). I would encourage you to daily read from Scripture, for reading Scripture is the primary way that the Holy Spirit will help you understand the life of a faithful believer.

Romans 12:2 declares that new believers will have their minds transformed, and in Titus 3:5 we learn that the Holy Spirit will bring whole life renewal to each believer. You are going to think more like Christ and His Word, which will lead to changed behaviors. The Holy Spirit will guide you to see that there is an old sinful way of living, but you are to reject that way and live in a new way. As you live this new way, the Spirit will grow in you behaviors and characteristics that reflect Christ, these characteristics are called the Fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:16-26, we learn that the Spirit will guide you to the truth and reveal to you how you are being washed clean of the old sinful ways. The Holy Spirit will then aid you in seeking the ways of God - a renewed mind will lead to a renewed heart, which will in turn bring a renewed way of behaving. You will no longer walk the way of the world but will walk in the way of the Spirit.

Although you are a new creation, transformation takes time. Don’t expect to immediately think and behave differently. Instead, we are to seek a daily growth in the ways of God. 2 Peter 1:3-15 reminds us that each day we can grow by adding the ways of God to our lives. The person you were before Christ is gone, the Holy Spirit now daily changes you to look, sound, and behave more like Jesus. Even when it doesn’t seem like you are changing, keep pressing on toward the prize of knowing Jesus and being like Him (Philippians 3:12). As a Christian changed by the Holy Spirit, seek through the Spirit’s power not to sin, instead, lean into the Holy Spirit working in your life and seek to live per the example of Jesus.

Considering this, Peoples Church has established EXALT classes on Sunday mornings - short classes covering key elements of the Bible and foundational doctrines of the church. For the month of January we focused on Ecclessiology (The Study of the Church). We would encourage you to watch each session and learn more about what the Bible tells us about church... these classes are just like riding a bike!

1. Conversion: https://youtu.be/KrGhC2wUEXo?si=WIt7LZP4kt_GmvFD
2. Baptism: https://youtu.be/gsaB6WP-1Wg?si=6yTGxtabcOduzx9W
3. Communion: https://youtu.be/1-YRf9vsuVQ?si=WtdC61SCGJ_4hKK8
4. Membership: https://youtu.be/RCszvOaT3xU?si=BW8IpeIa-XOFdXqj

I want to specifically help you understand that the regular gathering with your church family is not a lifestyle, rather it is an obedient and blessed gathering of the children of God, to worship our Lord and to proclaim Gospel truth. To help bring this understanding, let me ask and hopefully provide clear answers to a few key questions:

1. What is the purpose of our worship gathering? We do not approach worship services with a mindset of what we can get out of it, rather we consider God as the audience of our worship and our desire is to please Him.[1] Our goal in each worship service is to bring praise to Jesus, for He deserves and expects all the honor and glory (Revelation 4:11). From the singing to the reading of Scripture, through to the preaching of the Gospel, the service reflects our desire to please God by worshipping His Son and the completed work on the cross. It is for this very reason that as a church we have a liturgy that takes us through confession of sin, adoration for the Lord Jesus, and proclamation of His Word. The entire worship service is centred on the Gospel that saves.
2. Why are we to gather regularly? Scripture commands us to meet regularly (Hebrews 10:24-25). Obedience to this command brings many benefits that the Lord clearly has established in regular attendance. To name a few – we are spurred on by our fellow believers (Hebrews 10:24), we can serve others with our gifts (1 Corinthians 14:12), and it maintains unity within the family of God (Ephesians 4:3). Attendance is more than a lifestyle; it is a witness that you are obedient to the Word of God and blessed by the Lord’s plan for His church. “The church is not the incidental plan of God,”[2] it is His means of glory and blessing for His people. Our purpose is to please God, and He blesses us through the gathering of His church. He has planned for His people to join, to worship, to serve, to unite, and to reach out to the lost. Friend, you are part of that purpose and blessing.
3. How do I get into the positive habit of attending? I know that life is busy, and I appreciate that family and work pressures mean it is all too easy to hit the snooze button on Sundays and take a day off at home. However, I think H. B. Charles in his book “On Worship” gives a helpful reminder when he wrote, “Christ is the head of the church. And Christ does not have out of body experiences. To submit to the authority of Jesus Christ over your life is to live in fellowship with the church.”[3] As a believer in Christ, you have both the duty and responsibility to honor Him with your attendance each week. He has commanded it, and therefore you are to obey. Having said this, I would also remind you “to not show up just to say you were there. Be prepared to participate fully.”[4] What this means is that it would be helpful to create healthy habits during the week, especially on Saturday. Aim to get to bed early on Saturday so you are ready to go in the morning. Take the preaching passage for next week’s sermon and read it each day through the week. Tell the family you will be at church. Serve on one of our ministry teams. Be prepared and be active in the church and you will find that you look forward to Sunday, rather than seeing it as just another task to complete in an already busy week.
4. Why this letter? We love Jesus and we love you! Jesus has given His instructions for us to gather, to worship Him, and to be blessed. We love you as a fellow family member and we do not want to see you walk outside of the Lord’s commands. We pray that you read this letter through the lens of that love and recognize the seriousness of walking in faithfulness. Scripture reminds us that we are to help our family members honor God’s Word (Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20) and bring them back to faithfulness. Let me be clear – we desire for you to walk in faithfulness and return to regular attendance at the weekly Sunday worship service.

I hope answering these questions have given you something to think upon and mull over. I would be glad to take you out for a coffee for us to chat some more. When you come on Sunday morning, come sit by my wife and I, it would be our pleasure to stand in worship with you.

All for Jesus, Pastor Ross Ferguson

[1] H.B. Charles. On Worship: A Short Guide to Understanding, Participating in, and Leading Corporate Worship (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2022), 16.

[2] Charles, 43.

[3] Ibid., 40.

[4] Charles, 79.

Scripture speaks of two ordinances – baptism and the Lord’s supper. Ordinance simply means that Jesus has ordained/commanded for these practices to be undertaken as a visible portrayal of the Gospel.[1] To the outside world, baptism is the mark by which a member is recognized.[2] Shaun Wright, in quoting Stephen Wellum, notes that baptism is the “initiatory covenantal sign” with the Lord’s supper being an “ongoing covenantal sign.”[3] In other words, it is through baptism and the Lord’s supper that one is recognized as a child of God living in continued faithfulness. Both ordinances are “the Lord’s visible seal of His invisible grace.”[4] The outward act of baptism visibly displays that one is a child of God. The outward act of the Lord’s Supper declares union with Christ and unity between His people. In this manner, the ordinances are “outward means of grace that sanctify us.”[5] The Holy Spirit’s work through these visible signs has a purifying action in the believers life.

Baptism

Ordinances are such in that Jesus has commanded them. Baptism was commanded by Jesus as He commissioned His disciples to reach the nations (Matthew 28:19),[6] with immediacy obedience was expected from confessing believers (Acts 2:38). It is by the waters of baptism that a believer were “numbered among the children of God.”[7] Baptism is therefore a “mark of union with Christ.”[8] Therefore, the only individuals that can be baptized are confessors of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9) who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation.[9] The timing of baptism is a matter of determining a credible confession of faith in Jesus. The New Testament speaks of confessors being baptized almost immediately upon profession of faith (Acts 2:41, 8:12, 8:38, 16:15, 16:33). In the church today, the membership affirms each profession of faith and baptizes those who are deemed credible. Therefore, baptism should be as soon as practically possible and as soon as the church is able to determine a credible profession. The church should not rush to baptize (seeking to protect from lack of understanding of the Gospel) yet at the same time the church should not impose an arbitrary waiting time.

The baptism that the church performs is to be one of full immersion. Not only does the word baptism mean immersion in the original Greek,[10] but immersion is the picture of the union with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). The confessor is to be lowered entirely into a body of water (whether the sea, a river, or a baptismal pool) signifying death to the old life, and be raised out of the water, signifying new life in Jesus. As per the teaching of Jesus, one is to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). 

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s supper is the continued sign and proclamation of a believers unity in Christ’s church.[11] Believers partake in the Lord’s supper in obedience to Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). It is to be noted that participation is only for baptized believers, for it is only the church that has been commanded to celebrate the Lord’s supper.[12] Each element declares the Gospel – the bread representing the body of Christ broken and the cup representing the blood of Christ shed. It is through these elements that one is “reminded of Christ’s death for us.”[13] In partaking together, the church visibly displays the unity found in the body of Christ. When unity is threatened, communion acts as a regular reminder of the grace shown each believer and the call to brotherly affection for the sake of God’s glory.

Although church history indicates that only the clergy can baptize and administer the elements of communion,[14]Scripture does not give clear instruction to whom should administer the elements. It would however be wise to follow the example of the early church, and the example of Paul by having the Elders or Deacons administer the elements. The Lord’s Supper should also be undertaken in the regular gathering of the body (usually Sunday morning services).[15]There is freedom in how often communion is to be undertaken, however, a regular approach should be adopted to ensure obedience and encouragement in the church family. The Lord is present with His people in communion; therefore, each church should recognize the beauty of unity that comes through regular obedience and worship in the Lord’s supper.

References

[1] Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman. Baptist Foundations: Church Government for an Anti-Institutional Age (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2015), 88.

[2] Edmund P. Clowney. The Church: Contours of Christian Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1995), 104.

[3] Dever, 83.

[4] Clowney, 104.

[5] Ibid., 89.

[6] Unless otherwise specified, all Bible references in this paper are to the English Standard Version (ESV) (Wheaton: Crossway, 2001).

[7] Clowney, 104.

[8] Ibid., 80.

[9] Dever, 123.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Clowney, 80.

[12] Dever, 89.

[13]  Ibid., 154.

[14] Ibid., 159.

[15] Ibid., 161.

The Offices of the Church

            The church, consisting of members who are baptized believers in Jesus, seeks to organize itself “for service, not dominion.”[1] The head of the body (church) is Jesus, and “all authority in the church belongs to Christ.”[2] In order to advance Christ’s kingdom, each office stewards the authority that is given to them by Christ.[3] Scripture gives foundation to three distinct offices – Member, Elder, and Deacon. The three offices are dependent on one another in the pursuit of a God honoring, obedient, and healthy church.

Member

            A brief mention should be given to that of each baptized member of the church. Members, who have confessed Christ (Romans 12:2) and who have been baptized (Acts 2:38) hold a general office position. As members meet regularly together, they are to encourage one another (Hebrews 13:17). The members are also responsible for removing from their midst those who are under discipline (Matthew 18:16-18), and those who are false teachers (Galatians 1:8). The proper (also known as special) offices (elder and deacon) are selected from amongst the membership. Therefore, the membership holds general responsibility for selecting qualified individuals for positions of special authority. Furthermore, church members have mutual responsibility to expand the Kingdom of God through evangelism and discipleship (Matthew 28:16-20).

Elder

            The New Testament model is to appoint elders in every church (Titus 1:5). Elders are to lead the church,[4] and watch over the flock of God.[5] Each body of believers is to select from amongst the membership qualified men. Elders are to meet the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 which cover both character and ability. The elder is to be above reproach in all matters and are to be noted as well thought off by both the church and those outside the church. In serving the household of God, each elder is to manage his own household well as an example of one that honors God in both personal living and public service. In meeting the qualifications, each elder sets an example of holy living before the church that they are to imitate (1 Corinthians 11:1)

In Paul’s instructions to both Timothy and Titus, the office of elder is consistently described as a plural office. In other words, each church is to have multiple elders who serve together, with equal authority, shepherding the flock effectively as a team. Furthermore, the language used in both 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 indicates that the office of elder is a male only role. As elders derive their authority from the Word of God,[6] their power is limited to sound doctrine as declared by the Word of God. Elders are therefore should correctly handle the Word of God in both proclamation and application. Using Scripture as the foundation, elders are to protect the church from false teachers (Acts 20:17), visit and pray for members who are sick (James 5:14), and faithfully preach (2 Timothy 4:2).

Deacon

             The ministry of mercy “claims a special office of Deacon.”[7] The Deacon’s primary purpose is to serve the needs of the saints.[8] Deacons are to be selected from amongst the membership and are to meet the qualifications as defined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. As per Paul’s instructions, the deaconate is plural (multiple deacons) with qualifications focusing on the character of the individual. A servant heart is the core of who the deacon is. The membership is to identify, select, and vote upon each deacon. Unlike elders, deacons are not required to have an ability to teach for they do not exercise authority over doctrine, rather they are to lead in the practical management of the church.

The practical matters could range from the application of benevolence to management of building facilities. Deacons are to focus on benevolence, with special mention given to the administration of care toward widows (1 Timothy 5:3-16). Although not strictly correlated, the general ministry of deacons can be modelled after Acts 6 and the feeding of the widows.[9] The key to understanding the responsibilities of the deacon is to consider the needs of the church body and how best to facilitate those needs being met.

Conclusion

            The body of believers serves and are served by the head – Jesus. In seeking to expand the Kingdom of God, the church organizes itself through a general office of membership and special offices of elders and deacons. Each office is given limited authority over specific elements of the church, with each expected to take responsibility and contribute to the health of the church. 

[1] Clowney, Edmund P. Clowney. The Church: Contours of Christian Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1995), 206.

[2] Ibid., 202.

[3] Ibid., 207.

[4] Mark Dever, and Jonathan Leeman. Baptist Foundations: Church Government for an Anti-Institutional Age (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2015), 272.

[5] Ibid., 274.

[6] Dever, 279.

[7] Clowney, 212.

[8] Ibid., 213.

[9] Dever, 312.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he explains how sin has brought death to us all. Romans 5:12 states “as sin came into the world through one man…” It was Adam’s breaking of God’s covenant in the Garden of Eden that brought sin into the world. Adam disobeyed God’s strictest command not to eat from a certain tree (Genesis 2:17), when tempted he disregarded the Word of God and ate (Genesis 3:6). Paul continues in his letter “…and death through sin, and so death spread to all men.” The sin of Adam meant that mankind could no longer enjoy perfect relationship with God. Punishment was due, and death was the price to be paid. Paul notes “one trespass led to condemnation for all men...” (Romans 5:18) and “by one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners” (Romans 5:19). Even to this day, we are born into the wickedness of Adam, and must suffer the fate that every person has had to face – the punishment of death. Everyone is born dead! Dead in their sin.

Some deny that they are sinners before God. Just as Peter thought highly of himself (Matthew 26:33-35) we too fall into the trap of thinking of ourselves with high esteem. There are some who claim to be right before God, denying the presence of sin in their lives (1 John 1:8). Scripture makes clear that this denial is deception. Satan has blinded us to our own sin and set us on the path to death. Every man, woman and child has sinned (Romans 3:23) and deserves the punishment of death (Romans 6:23). It is true that some may indeed be moral people, good people who have done no major wrongs toward others. Yet remember - sin lurks! It exists in our self exultation and denial of our need for Jesus. It exists in our willingness to downplay the evil in our hearts and over sell our occasional good deed. Those tempted to deny that death reigns in their mortal body are those who live in arrogance before God. As disobedience entered through Adam, so we are now all wrestling with the arrogance of disobedience. Without rebirth we will remain languishing in our sin.

In the sovereign will of God, He has provided a way for regeneration. As death entered through one man in creation, so life will be brought through one man and His redemptive power. Paul declares “one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Romans 5:18). Jesus, the one who Himself is life, willingly took on death to present us with the free gift of life. Only Jesus holds the power to do so, for only Jesus was born alive without the shadow of death hanging over him – “so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Everyone may be born dead, but all can find life. It is not from within themselves that they will find this life, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. To kill the sin that has infected us, we must be born again (John 3:3).

Still thinking in earthly terms, Nicodemus asks the question that many will consider at this stage – how is one born again? (John 3:4) Jesus responds, “so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). Those dead in their sin must look to Christ on the cross and place their faith in Him. Only then will they be born into a new life, one marked by the blood of Jesus, not by the sin that once plagued them. In coming to Christ, we are washed by His blood and made completely new. Paul writes, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Faith in the Jesus brings death to the old way. Notice how after the old way is gone, “behold” new life is given. The old life must be destroyed for the new life to begin. Therein lies mystery of the new birth. Paul helpfully writes, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). As we experience new birth, we find that our sin is dead, our sin is buried, and our sin is defeated. Now we can rise into the newness of life in Christ Jesus.

Faith in Jesus leads us from death to life through the mystery of a new birth. You are no longer dead, but alive. You are a new creation, free to worship the Lord and to draw close to your Heavenly Father. There was once a time where death had its strangle hold on you, but not now! Now you are lifted High by the very hands of God and seated in the heavenly realms as renewed, refreshed and regenerated. New birth through Christ Jesus brings a new stunning reality – you are a child of God. You were once born dead, but now you are born alive! So live, o child of God! Live life to the full! Enjoy your creator and the gifts He bestows upon you. Live in the knowledge that sin is defeated. Live as one born to life!

How many of you have had similar experiences, when you view interaction with people as a hassle? People get in the way; they slow life down and challenge our self-centered way of living. So, what do we do? We avoid them! It is this avoidance that unsettles me. I wonder, is there a different way of thinking about our interactions with people?

Jesus gives us an example of how to view people in society. Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus did not view the crowds as a nuisance. He was not on a quest of efficiency. He saw lost sheep in need of a shepherd. He showed compassion toward their plight. He did not employ avoidance tactics but instead spent time with the crowd, healing them and casting out their demons. Jesus embraced each interaction as an opportunity to bring peace and good news to the harassed and helpless. For Jesus, the so called “inconvenience” of people was an opportunity to share life!

As I compare my heart during the mad dash to get snacks to the heart of Jesus, I recognize how mine has grown calloused to the plight of the lost. I treat the lost as an inconvenience to avoid. Yet I am reminded of Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” The heavens rejoice when one of these inconvenient people find Jesus, the good shepherd, who by His Spirit guides them to the safety of the Father’s arms. Suddenly, I do not see the staff member, or the person struggling to reach the item on the shelf, or even the frustratingly slow cart mover in the same way. I see a vision of the heavenly realms rejoicing and glorifying Jesus, as this once inconvenient person declares Jesus as Lord. We kill evangelism when we choose convenience, but we inspire evangelism when we choose compassion.

Here is the beauty of choosing the way of Jesus - inconvenience becomes a conduit for the salvation of lost souls. The slow cart mover in aisle seven is an opportunity to present God’s love for the one wearied by life. Eye contact with a fellow shopper is an opportunity to encourage another with the message of hope. Taking my headphones out long enough to engage in small talk with the staff member is an opportunity to share how Jesus defeated both sin and death. Oh, how the heavens will rejoice when a once inconvenient interaction leads to a lost sheep being welcomed into the family of God! Let us not be proud of our ability to get tasks completed on our to-do list. Instead, let us view this world as Christ did and search out the lost sheep! He searched for you and found you. Praise Jesus! You are no longer lost in your sin but are now found in the arms of God. Join the search party and search for others that are lost. May the Heavens sing loudly as each name is added to the book of life!

Pastor Ross Ferguson

What is Advent?

You will likely know this time of year as Christmas or even the Holiday Season. A time when we put up the Christmas tree, decorate our homes, plan the exciting gifts we are going to give one another, and some of us even go caroling. So, what do I mean when I say, “Advent is upon us?”

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which translates as coming or arrival. Therefore, advent is a time of anticipation and expectation that someone or something is about to arrive. It is a time to reflect on what has been and ponder on what will be. In church history, there is mention to advent in the 4th century, but it was not till the 6th century that Christians commonly celebrated advent in the weeks running up to Christmas Day.

How is Advent celebrated?

Christians over the centuries have used advent as a time to reflect upon the many biblical prophecies that point to the birth of Jesus, His ministry, and the finished work on the cross culminating in His triumphant resurrection.

Traditionally, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. Each Sunday has a specific reflection to consider, often shown through an advent wreath with candles marking each week. The reflections generally follow:

• 1^st Sunday – Hope (Isaiah 9:6-7)
• 2^nd Sunday – Peace (Luke 2:8-14)
• 3^rd Sunday – Joy (Luke 2:15-20)
• 4^th Sunday – Love (Matthew 1:18-25)

How is Peoples Church celebrating Advent?

Having recently concluded our sermon series in the letter of Colossians, we begin a new series on the 30^th of November (the first Sunday of Advent) called “The Promised Saviour.” It is our intention to reflect on how the Scriptures foretold the coming of Jesus and how we might be transformed through God’s redemption plan.

• 30^th November – The promise of a Saviour (Isaiah 9:2-7)
• 7^th December – Anticipating the Promised Saviour (Luke 1:26-38)
• 14^th December – The Birth of the Promised Saviour (Luke 2:1-7)
• 21^st December – Reflecting on the Promised Saviour (John 1:1-14)
• 28^th December - Conquering Life through the Promised Saviour (Romans 8:31-39)

So, get the Christmas carols playing, decorate that tree, but most importantly reflect this advent season on the coming of the promised Saviour. Join us each Sunday as we search the Scriptures and see how Jesus changed everything!

Pastor Ross Ferguson