Dear Friends,
This week Bob spoke about the twin dangers of trying to achieve Christian unity. It sounds odd that there could be something dangerous about unity, but unity is one of those words that’s easy to assume we understand until we try to put it into practice.
As Bob mentioned, on the one end, if we understand unity to be large and all-encompassing, we can lose hold of the truth and our faith becomes meaningless. “What fellowship has light with darkness?” On the other end, we can make our definition so narrow that only people who agree with us on everything can be included.
(See Gavin Ortlund’s Finding the Right Hills to Die On (https://us.list-manage.com/NZtVpANiM_e?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) for help knowing where to draw the line.)
To be honest, I tend to lean towards the narrow side. I think life would be simpler if more people agreed with me. At very least, it would be less annoying.
Yet, while God calls for unity, we only need to look at the very first human relationship to realize that He doesn’t have “sameness” in mind.
When God presented Eve to Adam, Adam’s cried out, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). He was celebrating finding someone like himself. Yet for all the “sameness” he found, Eve was not Adam. God made someone like him, but also someone very different. These differences were not accidental. They were part of the plan.
“Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
The phrase “helper fit for him” comes from the Hebrew, “Ezer (עֵזֶר) Kenegdo (כְּנֶגְדּוֹ).” “Ezer” is usually translated as “helper”, but it's not just a menial helper; it's the kind of helper who is powerful enough to get the job done. It’s the same word used to describe God in multiple places. (Ex. Psalm 20:2, Psalm 33:20, Psalm 70:5, Psalm 121:1-2).
But God doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t just call Eve Adam’s “Ezer”; Scripture adds the “Kenegdo” modifier. An Ezer Kenegdo is a helper that is the same, but different. One that is alongside him but also opposite him.
Right there in the very first before the fall human relationship, the one that is to be such an example of unity that the “two become one”, God inserted differences.
The pattern continues in the church.
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
God’s plan for the church was to take people with absolutely nothing in common, who should have naturally hated each other, and give them a shared:
Identity – “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” (Ephesians 2:19)
Father- “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
Body – “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Purpose – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)
In doing so, He created something that just can’t be explained. People “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:9-10)
Sometimes its so easy to bicker over trivial matters that we loose sight of the fact that one day, they’ll all melt away in the presence of his infinite majesty.
REDEEMER SMALL GROUPS
Redeemer Small Groups will be starting back up in 10 days – the week of September 13.
If you’re not currently part of a small group, September is the perfect time to visit a few groups to find the place for you. And if you have any questions about Redeemer Small Groups, you can contact Pastor Matt: mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com)
(https://us.list-manage.com/eSIOr0Yuc8C?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf)
NXTGEN SINGLES & YOUNG ADULT HANGOUT
As summer winds down, the NxtGen group is gearing up for fall. If you are college aged or young adults, plan to join with others from the church for the NxtGen fall kickoff this Saturday, September 5 at the Gurney’s house. Contact Pastor Matt for more info or if you have questions. mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com)
NEW MEMBERS CLASSES
If you’ve been attending Redeemer for a while and would like to know more about what it means to officially become a member of our church, you’re invited to our upcoming New Members Meeting on Friday night September 11 and Saturday morning September 12.
Please register to attend by clicking here (https://us.list-manage.com/Kg3KtEQAdMs?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
(https://us.list-manage.com/15uIHl6dVqG?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf)
WOMEN'S FALL GATHERING
Ladies, Monday night, September 14 is the night for the Women’s Fall Gathering – an evening filled with great fellowship and great food.
If you’re planning to attend, please let us know. Click here to register (https://us.list-manage.com/QlJnHrCOMnE?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
FIRST FALL ROOTS HANGOUT
The first Roots Hangout with the Perkins this fall is coming up on Saturday night, September 12. Students, have you blocked out that evening yet on your calendar? Is it on your to do list? It should be.
MEN'S FOUNDATIONS STUDY
Men – the first of our Foundations – And Why They Matter is happening on Thursday night, September 17 at 7:00 pm at the church.
Although it’s not a requirement, you’ll be helped by getting a copy of Paul David Tripp’s book Do You Believe: 12 Historic Doctrines To Change Your Everyday Life (https://us.list-manage.com/Cnjd2T8nBOh?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) before the class begins and by reading chapters 1-2 ahead of time.
The class will be highly interactive and discussion based.
FALL BIBLE STUDIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN
This fall, the men and women of the church will have Bible study opportunities.
The men will be starting and extended study through the book of Genesis. Two class times each week – Tuesdays at lunch or Thursday evenings. Here’s the info. Or click here to register (https://us.list-manage.com/kx4Rf2Sj1LZ?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
Meanwhile, the women will be spending this fall going through the first eight chapters in the Gospel of John. The study will take place on Monday nights or Tuesday mornings. All the details can be found here (https://us.list-manage.com/Byv4aZxBYwg?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf). Sign up now to be part of the study this fall.
READY FOR SUNDAY
Here is a preview (https://us.list-manage.com/GHu4DIUhlBz?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: What Is Glorification?
ANSWER: Glorification is the Spirit's ultimate work, resurrecting us into eternal splendor as we are fully transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Our hope for immortality rests in God's promise, not human plans.
Pursuing unity apart from Truth is like pursuing an ice cream sundae, apart from cream, sugar, and eggs. You're not going to like what you get. This Sunday, we'll see what the essential ingredients for real unity are.
See you in church!
Carlos Santiago
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