Dear Friends,
First things first tonight. We’ll start off with a look at what was happening all over our campus earlier this evening.
I love seeing our church filled with children who are planting God’s word deep in their hearts! And I’m so grateful for all the students and grown ups who are helping to make it all happen! Hail Awana!
I love when a sermon turns into a conversation.
Nothing is more encouraging for someone who labors to study and teach God’s word each week than to hear about how God has used that labor in someone else’s life. When the seed of the gospel is planted in good soil, it’s always a delight to see what sprouts and bears fruit.
After we spent time looking at Psalm 23:4 last Sunday and talking about how our Good Shepherd will take us into the valley of the shadow of death, I heard from some of you who shared with me how God’s Spirit had given you deeper and richer insight into the passage.
And then last night, when I heard that Tim Friesen had finished the race and had gone to be with Jesus, I looked back over what had been shared with me about Psalm 23 so I could remind my own soul of truth I need to cling to when I am in the valley of deep darkness.
What was shared with me was too good not to pass along.
I heard from Faithann who summarized some of the points I’d made and crafted them as a letter to herself. Here’s what she wrote:
This is my letter to myself regarding Psalm 23:4:
TRUTH:
1. “Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (the valley of deepest darkness), I will fear no evil, for You are with me. “
I believe that everything comes to me through the filter of Your hand.
2. In this valley, I believe that I will experience what it is like to share in the richness of the fellowship of Your suffering that I could not have experienced in any other way.
Jesus, You have been through all that is involved in my suffering and You promise to come along side me and walk me through this successfully to the other side.
3. I believe that in the valley I will experience Your closeness and love in ways that I could not have otherwise experienced. It will be a new level of trust and companionship.
You are leading me along the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake.
4. Even though I don’t understand it and I don’t like it, I will not lose heart or give into negativity because I do believe that You know what you are doing and I will simply trust You. You are with me!!
Curtis sent me a note with some great observations on how we can experience God’s presence in times of deep darkness:
“I was thinking about how the Lord is present with us when we are in the dark places. We cannot see Him and He cannot physically put His arms around us, but
(1) He is with us by the indwelling Holy Spirit as He personally witnesses with our spirit.
(2) He is with us by the many wonderful promises in His word.
(3) He is with us through the hope we have of glory.
(4) And He is with us through the presence and encouraging words of others of His people.
“Those things keep me going and comfort me, though sometimes the dark valleys are real.
“As I thought further about your message, a couple practical applications come to mind:
(1) We need to know His words in order to reap the comfort of His truths; and
(2) If we know his word we should be comforting and encouraging others when they are in the dark places.”
I also heard from Brenda, who shared with me about how what Psalm 23:4 says about knowing that Jesus is with us helps us battle fear reminded her of an insight she had recently related to a different text:
“A while back, I was reading (and hanging on to!) Philippians 4:6-7. The Lord prompted me to back up to the previous verse—verse 5—and I was blown away by what I saw there.
“Philippians 4:6-7 has been quoted to me many times, and I’ve quoted it to myself and others many times. It’s always been like this:
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“First, notice that ‘do’ isn’t capitalized. That means that isn’t the beginning of the sentence. So, I read verse 5. When I read the last phrase, my immediate thought was, ‘Why doesn’t everyone start with 5b?’ Add that, and it reads:
“THE LORD IS AT HAND; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
“When I’d quote Philippians 4:6-7, I confess I’d often tell myself that I try, but it’s not easy to do. When I quote 5b-7, I’m reminded WHY I don’t have to be anxious. THE LORD IS AT HAND! Or as the NIV says, ‘THE LORD IS NEAR!’
“Adding that short phrase has given so much meaning to that well-known passage that we all cling to at some point.”
Each of these notes was not only an encouragement to me, but also a reminder of how the Spirit of God works when His word is preached. By God’s grace, a sermon will lead to a time of contemplation, reflection and meditation that will reveal even more beauty and richness from the text.
As I read these notes, I was reminded that what we all look at together on Sunday mornings expands into a deeper understanding of scripture in living rooms around town each week, as our small groups gather to interact and share. That’s where a sermon really starts to come to life. It’s where we can gently provoke one another to love and good deeds.
Our small group ministry is starting up again for the fall. If you’re not currently in a small group, I want to encourage you to give one or more of these groups a try out over the next few weeks. Find a group of folks you can connect with and grow with.
To use volleyball terms, the Sunday sermon is a set. The small group interaction is where the spike happens.
Here’s our lineup of small groups for this fall. And if you need more information about any of our small groups, all the leaders will be available this Sunday after church to answer any questions you might have.
BECOMING A MEMBER AT REDEEMER
Because of some schedule issues, we’ve moved our upcoming membership class from this weekend to the weekend of September 19-20. If you’d like to learn more about life at Redeemer, plan to join us. Contact Pastor Matt Gurney to let him know you’d like to attend. Mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:Mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com).
CHRIST AND ALL HIS BENEFITS CLASS
This Sunday at 8:30 am, you’re invited to begin an eight-week journey exploring what the Bible tells us about our salvation. The class is called Christ And All His Benefits. And you can help us by registering for the class (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=b5c4d2abc8&e=fbb0a4052b) to let us know you’re planning to attend - especially if you have children and will need child care (yes, it’s being provided!).
PARENTING PARTNERSHIPS
Don’t forget. If you are parents whose oldest child is 5 years old or younger, make sure you are planning to attend our first Parenting Partnership workshop on Saturday morning, September 13 at 9:30.
If you have questions about the Parenting Partnership plan, contact Carlos Santiago at csantiago.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:csantiago.rcc@gmail.com)
LEADERSHIP IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
On Thursday night, September 11, we’ll have the first of six sessions for men in our church who would like to know more about how we understand what the Bible teaches regarding leadership in a local church.
These classes will meet on three Thursday evenings this fall and three Thursday evenings in the spring. Each class will be at church. There will also be some outside reading and study involved.
In fact, in preparation for the first class, we’d like to ask the men who are planning to attend to read I and II Timothy, Titus, I Peter 5:1-5 Acts 6:1-7, Acts 20:17-38 and Hebrews 13:17. Have a piece of paper handy as you read these passages so you can note what they tell us about the roles or responsibilities of elders in a local church. That’s part of what we’ll be exploring in our first class time together.
While this class is open to anyone, it will be of special interest to a man who has wondered if God might one day want him to serve the church as an elder.
If you have any questions, contact me. Boblepine.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:Boblepine.rcc@gmail.com)
FALL MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
The Fall Men’s Bible study kicks off the week of September 22. There are two meeting times. Pastor Matt will be leading through the book of 1 Peter on Tuesdays during lunch at his home and on Thursday nights at the church. Choose your preferred time and plan to attend. Contact him if you have questions or need more information. WOMEN'S FALL BIBLE STUDYThe Women’s Fall Bible Study will also kick off the week of September 22.
But before it does, every woman at Redeemer is invited to a Woman’s Fall Gathering – a great evening of fellowship, food and fun, on Monday, September 15. Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=45ce88b9ca&e=fbb0a4052b) for more info or to register.
The fall Bible Study is an eight-week study of 1 and 2 Peter. Women can choose the Monday night group or the Tuesday morning group, with both classes meeting at the church. Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=4f380e42fc&e=fbb0a4052b) to learn more or to sign up.
BAPTISMS ON SEPTEMBER 14
On Sunday morning, September 14, we’ll be once again hearing testimonies and baptizing all who desire to follow the Lord in this important first step of faith.
If you are interested in being baptized, please let us know so we can set up a time to talk with you.
ROOTS HANGOUTS
Roots students – your first of three Saturday Hangouts at Pastor Cole and Hannah’s house happens next Saturday night. Be sure you have these dates on your calendar!
PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR SUNDAY
Here’s our New City Catechism questions for this Sunday.
Here is the link to this week’s video (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=32f95ead98&e=fbb0a4052b) where Mark Dever talks about this week’s question and answer.
(https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=396502c25b&e=fbb0a4052b)
And here is this week’s catechism song (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=d34c7e66df&e=fbb0a4052b).
(https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=7f21daad47&e=fbb0a4052b)
And finally, as always, here is the link (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=ddde6d8167&e=fbb0a4052b) that will take you to the Spotify playlist of the songs we’ll be singing together this Sunday.
SUNDAY'S COMING
We will wrap up our study of Psalm 23 this Sunday, looking at how the Psalmist finds his joy in seeing God’s abundant provision for all his needs, his abounding care for him throughout his lifetime, and the assurance he has that he will be welcomed home when this life ends. A poignant reminder for us as we reflect on the death of a beloved friend this week.
See you in church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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Redeemer Community Church
11512 David O Dodd Road
Little Rock AR 72204
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