The Price of God’s Love-Free
Pastor Jason God is not like King George!
God promises abundant life:
John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
And that is good news.
So, what does all this bad news from King George tell me about the good news of abundant life – or as our theme says Living Abundantly Together?
Three things:
First, king George says the price of my love’s not a price that your willing to pay. Pricey love is not abundant life. Living abundantly together with God implies a different kind of love. God love.
And God’s Love doesn’t have a price. It has a covenant which is to say it has a relationship – which is to say it is a gift.
A price would be to lose a relationship. But this is a relationship gained, the gift of relationship with God.
God’s love is defined in the Bible by the word hesed – covenantal love, loyal love, steadfast love, merciful love, graceful love, loving kindness, faithful love put into action
Psalm 145:8
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Steadfast love in abundance)
Then the psalm says it another way in the next verse (Hebrew poetry)
V9 The LORD is good to all, (good news to all)
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
And good news is compassion – something king George lacked!
God’s covenantal Love is an gift that you receive. Not a commodity you buy for yourself for a price that can run out until you pay more. God’s love is abundant and it is about being together in relationship.
If you missed King George’s visit to worship on Sunday or the rest of Pastor Jason’s sermon, check it out here.
Ladles of Love (LOL)
Our church family has an amazing team to committed folks who prepare and deliver over 25 meals every Thursday to the residents of Cottondale. In addition, we visit the homebound folks within our congregation and deliver food from the DUMA Food Pantry to around 8 people in the Dunn-Erwin area that simply cannot get out of their house to the Food Pantry for pickup.
Ladles of Love is a tremendous mission opportunity for every single person connected to our church family! You can help in so many ways that will fill your heart, your head and your soul with goodness. So here’s the thing: Don’t believe the lie that you cannot help just because it’s Thursday mornings!
There is a space for you to be part of Ladles of Love. You can prepare something simple ahead of time on Tuesday or Wednesday evening from your home. You can personally deliver a snack-meal after work on Thursday to one of our homebound folks. You can even tell us what you would like to do and we will find a way to make it happen!
Contact Pastor Jason, John Johnson, or Beulah Pope to talk about ways you can help!
This week:
Wednesday, August 4 – 12 noon Bible study on Proverbs
Thursday, August 5 – 10:00 am Ladles of Love Meal Delivery
Friday, August 6 – 12 noon Prayer & Devotion (online & Free Conference Call)
Friday, August 6 – 8:00 pm Movie Night with Pelican’s Snoballs
Sunday, August 8 – 10:30 am Worship
Sunday, August 8 – 3:00 pm Churchwide Pool Party at Lashmits
Sunday, August 8 – 6:00 pm Board Meeting at Lashmits