Greetings!
As another Election Day comes and goes, my heart and mind are stirred by two Martin Lloyd-Jones quotes from an article that I will post down below.
He said, "Alas, far too often the church has tried to meet the world and its persecuting power with like weapons to those employed by the enemy. She has made alliances with the state and she has tried to strengthen herself in a material sense. She has been slow to discover what David discovered long ago in his fight with Goliath, that she cannot fight in the armour of Saul, but must ever use her own weapons with which she is familiar and with which she is meant to use."
The church must realize that our fight is not with "flesh and blood", but against the "cosmic powers over this present darkness" (Eph. 6:12).
This means the church bears a responsibility for the welfare of people's souls. And the primary way we ensure that welfare is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's Jesus who saves and delivers us from our sin, not a political candidate or agenda.
What Lloyd-Jones said almost a century ago still rings true today. Churches that abandon their true mission and abdicate on their responsibility to advance the one true gospel do a disservice to the kingdom. Churches that merely focus on achieving political goals miss the mark when it comes to the life and ministry of Jesus. The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). That doesn't mean he wasn't concerned for people's physical wellbeing, but it does mean he came to earth for one ultimate purpose- to reconcile sinners to God.
And the church must go and do likewise, before we do anything else.
Another MLJ quote that I find mentally and spiritually stirring is this:
"I well remember certain men who were concerned about social and political matters, and who constantly preached on such themes, and packed their chapels for a while, but only as long as they preached politics. The moment they began to preach the gospel truly the crowds left them. Politically-minded people are always ready to make use of the church, but they always abandon and shun her when she ceases to be of any value to them."
This quote is a warning to every church that puts a priority on "preaching politics". Though they be filled with people, there's no real concern for the things of God.
So, how does the church respond in an age dominated by politics? I stand with Lloyd-Jones by simply affirming the church's continued need for genuine, heartfelt, soul-enriching, demonic-resisting gospel preaching.
Oh! And check out this article (https://us.list-manage.com/15_a3tkYAnW?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
NXT GEN EVENTS
NxtGeners will be meeting up again this weekend.
Also – between Christmas and New Year’s, we are planning to take a group of 18-25 year olds to St. Louis for Crosscon 27, where John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Ryan Fullerton, David Platt and others will be speaking. Details are here (https://us.list-manage.com/zx5wdMGeLfP?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf). If you’re interested in going, contact Pastor Matt and he can answer any questions you have and get you signed up.
ROOTS STUDENT MINITSRY
Please be in prayer for everyone involved in the Rent-a-Youth weekend. Pray for the students who are serving and pray for those who are being served. And, most of all, pray for lasting connections to be made as students rub shoulders with other church members.
It's about that time for another Saturday Hangout. All teens of the church (and their friends) are invited to spend an evening with me and Hannah! Hope they can make it for a fun time of food, games, and fellowship. Happy to host!
RCC WOMEN
If you are a mom in search of encouragement and support, check this out! Elizabeth Gaines and Zoe Hutsell want to connect you with other mothers and help you walk with Christ as you raise your children.
The fall Women’s Retreat happens in 9 days! Please be in prayer for the weekend-Pray for the women who plan on attending. Pray for Dana James, who is the speaker of the weekend. And, most importantly, pray for the Lord to work in mighty ways as the women work their way through 2 Corinthians 4.
Also, there are still a few spots open if you haven't registered yet. Reach out to jengurney.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:jengurney.rcc@gmail.com) if you're interested in going.
BRINKLEY HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Each year right before Christmas, our students take a carload of gifts to the kids at the Brinkley Heights Academy in Memphis. Some of the kids there are the same kids we minister to when our students go to Memphis for Street Reach in the summer.
Stop by the Christmas tree in the lobby to receive further instructions on how you can donate! The tree will be filled with ornaments that represent each of the 160 students we’re hoping to provide a Christmas gift for this year.
We try to give each child something fun, something practical and an age appropriate book or Bible study.
So a younger child will get a box that might have squishes or fidgets, slime, a coloring book or an activity books, crayons, pencils, erasers, and pencil pouch and an age appropriate devotional or Bible story book.
Middle school kids might get pencils, pens, and notebooks, costume jewelry, games, keychains, sports socks, and a book like Lies Young Women Believe, What Are You Made For or Big Questions.
Older kids will get hair clips or body spray, perfume, sports socks, an inexpensive bluetooth speaker and a copy of Kevin DeYoung’s book Just Do Something
Each box will include about $40 worth of gifts.
Our students will travel to Memphis in mid-December to deliver the gifts, along with a Christmas card for each of the children.
This is where you come in.
We’d like to invite you to select one or more names from the Christmas tree in our lobby and sponsor the gift for each child whose name you select.
We’re going to ask you to do the following:
- Pray for the child or children whose names you select both during and after the Christmas season
- When you select a child’s name, take one of the Christmas cards we’ll have for you and write a short note to the child wishing him or her a Merry Christmas and letting them know you are praying for them
- Write a check for $40 to cover the cost of the gifts we’ll be giving each child
Your completed Christmas cards will need to be turned in no later than Sunday, December 6.
And the following Sunday, December 13, you’re invited to stay after church for a Christmas wrapping party for all the gifts!
This is a great project for you and your kids to do together.
I hope you’ll take part in this special outreach during the Christmas season this year.
Stolzer Memorial Service
Much to our saddest grief, Linda Stolzer went home to be with the Lord this past Saturday. Memorial service is to be held on Tuesday November 10th at 1 PM with visitation starting at noon and burial following the service at 2 PM. The service will take place at Pinecrest Funeral Home and Memorial Park (7401 Hwy. 5 North Alexander, AR 72002) and will be officiated by Rick Tarter. Please contact him or Mike Morledge if you have any questions.
READY FOR SUNDAY
Here is the preview (https://us.list-manage.com/1D0eUTJB2ca?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) of the songs we’ll be singing together this weekend.
And here is this week’s catechism question and answer:
Question 42: Why do we tell people about Jesus?
Answer: We tell others about Jesus because of love: love for God who gave his only Son as the only Savior, love for our neighbors whose salvation we desire, and love for the gospel that reveals the truth about our world.
This Sunday we will learn what it means to no longer live as thieves but to do honest work so that we may give unto others (Eph. 4:28). In talking to Rick Tarter, I know that he is excited to deliver God's Word to you! The question is... will you be there to hear it?
See you Sunday!
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Cole
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