February 20, 2010

Opening Hymns:
Take My Life and Let it Be (http://nethymnal.org/htm/t/m/tmlalib.htm)
Through Good Report and Evil Lord (http://nethymnal.org/htm/t/h/r/thrugrel.htm)

Scripture Reading:
2Corithians 5:20b-6:10

Message Advertisement Strategy
I have often heard, eternity with God starts now. While it wasn’t something I commonly thought of as a child. It is comforting not needing to wait till heaven to enjoy God’s presence. That is one of the reasons why Paul may have been urging the Corinthians to turn to God at that moment. However, for the Corinthians showing and living out their Christianity would have been dangerous. Paul was not speaking of being “social outcast” he was talking about physical and emotional things that the Corinthians would have to go through as Christians. Was this an encouragement to them? Do you find it encouraging? This seems like a strange advertizing strategy, however, if you look at it closely it provides far more comfort than fear. For in each of the situations Paul describes (both good and bad) we will always have someone there with us. Some that is able to turn our sorrow into rejoicing. And though we all, in our own time perish, we shall live forever.


Time of Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
O Jesus I Have Promised
(http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/j/ojihprom.htm)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God