Weekly Encouragement from Pastor Tim
Palm Sunday is arriving THIS Sunday and then there's just one more week until we celebrate an empty tomb!
Dear KCBC family,
In our series Preparing for Easter, we’ve learned a lot about why we need Jesus. We need him because our sinfulness makes it completely impossible for us to help ourselves. That’s what the last four sermons have been all about:
The Temptation - [Luke 4:1-13] Jesus was tempted to have something, be somebody, and do something other than God intended. In other words, Jesus was tempted to get everything he wanted, but without hardship, suffering, or the cross. Satan tempts us in the same way. He tempts us to seek our own will instead of God’s. He tempts us to avoid hardship, to have our cake, and eat it too, right now without waiting for God’s timing. Thankfully our hope isn’t in our ability to avoid temptation but in his.
The Transfiguration - [Luke 9:28-36] After Jesus was revealed to be greater than even Moses or Elijah, a voice from the clouds said “listen to him.” In other words, obey Jesus because he is the very glory of God. If we want to realize our full potential, our lives need to revolve around Jesus as the very center of our universe.
Repent or Perish - [Luke 13:1-9] Tragedy happens all around us, and although Jesus cares deeply when tragedy occurs, the greatest tragedy is when people spend their whole lives pointing out the sins of others while neglecting to deal with their own. So trust in Jesus before it’s too late.
Two Lost Sons - [Luke 15:1-3, 11-32] Too many people see the gospel simply in terms of morality, and it’s common to think good people are “in,” and bad people are “out,” but that’s not the way it works. The true gospel says, “the humble are in, and the proud are out.” The humble see their need for God and run to him, while the proud rely upon their works for salvation and avoid him.
So the last four sermons have all been focused on our need for Christ, but the next sermon is going to focus on who Jesus is. And since this Sunday is Palm Sunday, I’m planning to speak about The Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28-48), but I’m also aiming to look at the verses that follow, which describe Jesus’ weeping for Jerusalem and cleansing of the temple. What do these three consecutive events say about who Jesus is? They say a lot, and they clear up some common misconceptions. See you Sunday, Lord willing.
For the gospel,
Pastor Tim
Parsonage Update
I wasn’t able to accomplish much this week, but I did manage to do some more demolition. I’m learning that making holes in walls can be quite therapeutic!
Announcements/Prayer
Good Friday - April 15th, 5:30 pm. This will be a traditional service with hymns, scripture reading, and a message from Pastor Tim about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Easter Breakfast - KCBC will be hosting a breakfast on Easter Sunday at 9 am. This is an opportunity to invite our neighbors to church for a great meal and worship following at 10 am. Aletha will be coordinating the food so see her for more details, if she doesn’t see you first :-)
Village Missions Visit - Sean and Jani Carney will be visiting KCBC Friday, April 22nd at 5:30 pm. Dinner will be provided.
Charlotte - Please continue praying for Charlotte’s son Greg. They are waiting for him to get strong enough to remove his gall bladder.
Village Missions Spotlight
Tim & Kelley Kirschner, Breezewood, PA
Breezewood is set in a beautiful mountain area right between 2 major highways and is a rest stop for weary travelers. The population is about 1,400. Residents either farm, work at the truck stops or rely on government assistance. Our goal as the Body of Christ is to love our community so that they might come to know Christ! We do that through six annual outreach events: we start the year with a Youth Retreat, then Easter Egg Hunt weekend, end-of-the-school-year Backyard Bible Club, community Worship @ the River picnic, Trunk or Treat, and finally a Christmas Eve Candlelight service.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Pray that our community would be open to hearing the gospel.
Pray that our church body would continue to grow in God’s Word!
Pray for Kelley and me as we adjust to a new phase of life – we became empty-nesters this year. We miss our ministry sidekicks, although the cheaper lunch costs are nice!
Breezewood Community Church, PO Box 79, Breezewood, PA 15533 tel. (814) 735-4593