Carson Valley Bible Church

We heard some great truth from the pulpit last Sunday. Especially for those of you who stayed awake in the new sanctuary chairs! All kidding aside...

Pastor Luke told us that the Bible is probably the most brutally honest book there ever was/is - that it doesn't hold back. That it doesn't sugarcoat anything. It calls it at it is.

We learned Genesis 27 reveals this. It's about a dysfunctional family. It's about sin - and every family has sin. What? Why? Because every family has people! And people are sinful!

Despite the sin, we saw that God is not thwarted by it - we saw that through all of it, God has His perfect plan - which was already in place. And we see in our text this week, that God redeems all of this, including the lies and deception, in order for His perfect plan to evolve to the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Our greatest need as people.

If that's not enough to listen/watch, even multiple times, Pastor Luke says "even God can make straight lines with crooked sticks."

Where is God in all this? What is He doing? Would God actually use the "bad things" that people do?

Watch it all explained here - on our CVBC Vimeo Channel link: https://vimeo.com/793865773

We're very grateful for Ben Eddis, who led song worship last Sunday - he's simply the best!

This week, you can see what we are singing by reading the Liturgy column above. We're choosing to feature

"In Christ Alone"

20 years ago, this song was co-written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, the song became very popular, and right away. Townend writes “I think content is vitally important to our corporate worship,” Townend shares. “Sometimes great melodies are let down by indifferent or clichéd words. It’s the writer’s job to dig deep into the meaning of Scripture and express in poetic and memorable ways the truth he or she finds there. Knowing the truth about God and who we are in Him is central to our lives as believers. Songs remain in the mind in a way sermons do not, so songwriters have an important role and a huge responsibility.” It's why we have this song in our Team playlist - the words are rich and deep, and essential to us here at CVBC. Learn more about the song here: https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-in-christ-alone-1275127.html.

Here are those words we will sing - and remember - this Sunday!

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

CCLI# 11519802

... Your song worship team!

There are many seasons of life. There are many seasons of love.

There are many kinds of life. There are many kinds of love.

Let's hear from the One who created Love - Galations 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Galatians. Just exactly was he getting at?

Well, back in the late 40's AD, he's writing to these people who were probably members of the churches of the southern region of the Roman province Galatia. Most of his letter to this specific audience regard false teaching, division and according to Paul himself (Gal 1:6-7) "turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some that trouble you, and want to distort the Gospel of Christ."

Knowing this, Paul continues to speak to them - yes, in love. He reminds them of his personal story - he didn't receive the Gospel from any man, but from "a revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal 1:12). Paul reminds them of his former Judaism, persecution of the church, and literally trying to destroy it - from his hate for the early church.

John writes about Jesus' commandment - "to love one another as I have loved you." Even though John was the one who wrote about this, it truly is the subject matter of all Paul's New Testament letters to those whom he loved. This man practiced what he wrote about. He was in prison for years - persecuted himself for his faith. Yet he personally knew about this kind of love, speaking about it over and over in his letters, and encouraging them to do the same.

What about us? What is this kind of love, to truly love one another, maybe in spite of ourselves and circumstances? It's easy to love people when things are good. But how about when they are not so good?

For me, it's something I've had to practice (yes, mindful, purposeful practice!) for quite some time. It needs to be said this is not an easy task sometimes (or if I'm being real), easy ever. I don't think John meant the kind of love that our animals, who are "excited to see us when we get home no matter what kind of day they had", kind of love. He meant determined, deliberate and even persistent kind of love - I might even say "hard core" love. For people you probably don't feel like doing that with - ever. I have had that "practice". There are no words to describe doing this! So why even try?

Jesus gives us the reason to do this:

"By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Meaning it's difficult, and that some people won't even understand how you could love someone (still) like that. Maybe he's talking about the marriages plagued with infidelity, the victim of a crime, the betrayal of a family member... so many more. We are being challenged as believers by John, who recorded this very important conversation Jesus had with him and the disciples.

I know I have been challenged. And will continue to be challenged this side of heaven.

I also know that this love has been displayed for all to see, for all to remember, and for all to practice.

It took place on the cross, right before Jesus died. "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

Love them anyway friends...

Till He comes again,

Julie

"Hold us together" Matt Maher: https://youtu.be/Kaem0ThvW3c

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