Pastor Mark's Weekly Update - 9/30/16
Dear CHBC Family and Friends,
As we approach another's Lord's Day worship service I am reminded of how dependent we are on the strength and power of the Lord. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Really? Nothing? No fruit bearing comes about apart from Christ. Our good efforts, our attempts at morality, our sensible and kind acts toward the weak or less fortunate, our religious zeal - all of it amounts to nothing if it is not cross-centered and gospel rooted.
As we come together for worship this week let's come with a tremendous sense of our need for the cross and a trembling awe of Christ.
Sunday afternoon at 4 PM we will gather in the Activity Center for the Least of These. This is a family outreach to the homeless of OKC. We meet, pray, and then go together to extend the gospel. Let us not mistake social action for the gospel. We will take sandwiches, chips, cookies, and fruit, but if we do not take the goodness of salvation alone through faith in Christ, then we have missed our purpose.
Some are on the street because they choose to be. Some are on the street because they have made poor choices and are running from the consequences. Some are on the street because they prefer to receive a handout than to work, but perhaps some are there because God wants to show His amazing power.
“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, " It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” John 9:1-4 NASB
There are no Equip Classes this Sunday while we engage the homeless community with the gospel. I desperately hope that many of you will come to see if God might indeed pour out His power of saving some while we share sandwiches and Christ with those who need both.
Pastor Mark D. DeMoss