That was the sense of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:40, where Jesus says "Whoever welcomes (or receives) you, also welcomes (or receives) me." It's a great blessing to be carried by the Lord! Where we go, He goes too. Why? Because he carries us. Because we depend upon him.
For more on this subject go to the http://sermon.net/crossroadsdc# website and listen to what was recorded of Crossroads worship from from July 19. I believe the Lord gave us this "image" or "picture" of God's grace that we can share with the world.
There is no pride in being a Christian. Only because we are carried by the King of the Universe do we have any rights or hope at all. By his grace alone we carry on--and by his grace alone others are blessed too.
As the following hymn says, it's all through Jesus' grace that we have a claim to be part of the wonderful city of God (Zion), that is, the church throughout the world.
- Glories of your name are spoken, Zion, city of our God; He whose word cannot be broken Formed you for his own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake your sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, You may smile at all your foes.
- See, the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love, Well supply your sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove. Who can faint, while such a river Ever will their thirst assuage? Grace which, like the Lord, the giver, Never fails from age to age.
- Round each habitation hov'ring, See the cloud and fire appear For a glory and a cov'ring, Showing that the Lord is near. Thus deriving from their banner Light by night and shade by day, Safe they feed upon the manna Which God gives them on their way.
- Savior, since of Zion's city I through grace a member am, Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in your name. Fading are the worldlings' pleasures All their boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting treasures None but Zion's children know.
(John Newton 1725-1807 alt.)
-----------------Here's what's coming up at Crossroads:
Tonight at 6:30 any adults (and older youth) who know how important an active youth group will be for our church are invited to a preliminary conversation about youth ministry. We'll meet at Dassel Covenant Church -- come if you can. We do not have very many email addresses yet, and actually I don't think we have any youth emails on the list I used to send this out, so please pass this along or personally invite anyone you think might be interested in this conversation.
Please come for prayer on Wednesdays if you can, 6:30 at the church, often followed by a meeting of our Board of Directors.
Upcoming Sundays:
- July 3 - Pastor Peter Churness of "Life Together Churches" and Lutheran Evangelistic Movement "Deeper Life" will lead worship and share the Word of God. We had discussed sharing a video link from North Heights Lutheran Church but we'll need to have some practice with the technology first.
- July 10 - We'll share the Lord's Supper together, hear from Pastor Paul Gustafson of Holy Trinity Street Ministry and, after worship, our Board of Directors will host an informational and update meeting.
- July 17 - Some of you may remember the unexpected blessing that came to Cokato when Crosswalkers from Bethany College of Missions visited in April 2010. We're hoping to have one of those young people with us to share how the light of God shined in the darkness of her life and how she is preparing a mission to share the love of God with those caught in the sad business of "human trafficking."
Please pass this on to any and all who might be interested, and please pray and ask lots of questions! Encourage others to visit or learn more about what the Lord is doing among us, in Jesus' name.
If you would like to be on the Crossroads email list, please email me or Veda Davis and ask to be added.
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