Maranatha Reformed Church
42817 Hwy 3 RR 1 L0S 1V0 Wainfleet, ON, Canada

Children & Worship 11/22/20

25 - You Can't Make It Alone Hebrews 3:12-13 Dear Self, Let me be direct. You are not strong enough, or spiritual enough to successfully follow Jesus and be faithful to his mission on your own. The words of God recorded in Genesis, "It is not good for man to be alone," speak not only to the issue of marriage but also to a very basic need all people have. We are created by God to dwell in community. You have been considering your need to both hear and speak biblical exhortatio...n in community, but you also need to consider that the mission of Jesus, which you have been called to participate in, is carried out only through the church. Consider the mission of the church: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). The mission is to make disciples; and to make disciples, one must be a disciple. In both of these callings the church is essential to the work. To be a disciple of Jesus you must belong to and work with, for, and through the local church. You need the strengthening, encouragement, and reproof that only the church can give, and you need the church to be faithful to the command of Jesus. God calls his followers to live in community together, loving, sharing, and discipling one another. The church, for all of its faults, is essentially connected to God's mission and our spiritual life. You simply cannot survive spiritually on a weekly worship service, podcasts, and books. You need the community more than you probably realize. You can't make it alone; nor can anyone else. Prayer: Everlasting God, through Christ's resurrection you guarantee life restored, sharing your glory, victory, and righteousness. Inject my everyday living with that bright hope. lifting my heart, giving fresh legs for weary days, and steadying a sometimes woozy and wobbly faith. In Jesus' name, amen. Heidelberg Catechism 45 Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us? A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he obtained for us by his death. Second, by his power we too are already raised to a new life. Third, Christ’s resurrection is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection. Have a blessed day - may Christ in you, and the many benefits of that, move you to be engaged with others in discipling and being discipled.

24 - Speak to Others Hebrews 3:12-13 Dear Self, Are you connected to others is such a way that affords you opportunities to speak into their lives? Just as God has put people near you to speak to you for your God, so he has intended to use you to speak words of grace to others. The questions are - are you connected, and are you speaking?... It is not enough to just be around others, maintaining politeness and pleasantries. You must be connected to others more deeply, in true community, where you are doing life together and pursuing the same purpose together. And even then, you are not there merely to receive direction, encouragement, and comfort. God wants you there to offer these things to others as well. You will be called to do more than be aware of their needs and pray for them. That much is relatively easy. At times you will need to open your mouth and speak. And this can only happen in the context of community. At times you feel as if you have little to say, or that your words are too simple and not deep enough. But when you doubt that you have anything to offer, you question God's ability to use you beyond your own weakness. Your usefulness in the lives of others is not dependent on your intellectual or creative abilities, though God will use your talents whatever they are. Your usefulness to God and his people is connected with your dependence on God and his Word and your love for his people. The people around you need to hear from you. Share God's Word with those who need to hear it. Prayer: Saving God, startle me with the wonder of your forgiveness, the joining of justice and compassion in Jesus. Because of your mercy in the cross of Jesus, you will not hold against me any of my sins. Let me rest in the just verdict of your salvation, free forever from condemnation. Amen. Heidelberg Catechism 56 Q. What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins? A. I believe that God, because of Christ’s satisfaction, will no longer remember any of my sins or my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, by grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment. Have a blessed day - may your freedom in Christ loosen your tongue to speak His Truth, His Word, in love to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

23 - Listen to Others Hebrews 3:12-13 Dear Self, God has put certain people in your life and will lead others across your path to encourage and correct you. The problem is that much of the time you just are not listening. You like to think of yourself as a listener because you so desperately want God to speak into your life and provide wisdom. You think of yourself as open and willing to heed God's wisdom. You think you are ready to move once God provides direction, but you e...Continue reading

22 - Welcome Romans 12:13 Hebrews 13:2 Dear Self,...Continue reading