Genesis 34 - Rated M

We hope we have your attention now... this is challenging bible chapter to preach!  We're pretty lucky here at CVBC... We have a Pastor who is able to apply the Word of God to our current world, and who teaches expositionally - meaning chapter by chapter, verse by verse.  And if you listen to this sermon, you will hear why this is so important!

First of all, did you realize there is no mention of God in this entire chapter?

But there is mention of many things.  Worldly things.  Lies, deceit, bribery, rape, shame, exploitation, anger and killing.

Pastor Luke makes more than one important note.  But these lies that Shechem told to get Dinah as his wife (this bribery and all the things that go with that), are "a lie - all the way back to the garden (of Eden)." God has already given all of these promises to Israel.  Israel had no need for more... yet look what happens...

So, where is God in all this?  We know that He is there - in fact, the very first word of chapter 35 is "God."  

What can we do to apply this chapter to our lives today?  Through these tragedies, God is still sovereign.  Watch/listen from the links below.  

You'll agree that we are lucky at CVBC - to be able to hear the Truth from our Pastor Luke!

Vimeo Channel: Vimeo video link

Spotify Podcast:  Audio sermon link

Welcome to our weekly Liturgy!  We're thankful to be back in Genesis for one last week until September!

We hope you continue to find it useful to see the way we are planning to worship our King in advance!

SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2023

ORDER OF WORSHIP:

Call To Worship - Matthew 11:28-29

Responsive song - All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

Hymn - Come to Jesus, Rest in Him

PASTORAL PRAYER

RESPONSIVE SCRIPTURE READING:  Psalm 113

Responsive song - Behold Our God

SERMON -  Pastor Luke Wartgow  "Arise and Go Home"  Genesis 35-36

Hymn - Whatever my God Ordains is Right

BAPTISM

The Lord's Prayer

BENEDICTION

Looking forward to yet another blessed Sunday with our church family!

New CVBC Directories are available - if you didn't get one last week, you can get one at the Connect Desk!

Ephesians 4:16 "from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Our church family is continuing to grow in Christ, and in our relationships with each other.  If you'd like to be a part of that, come and join one!  Right now there are 3 groups, getting bigger by the minute, which means yes!  We will have to add another!  :)

If you're not plugged into one, we are praying you are able to do so.  Jesus taught us having regular fellowship with other believers is so beneficial. There is a group for all schedules, even bi-weekly.  Try one out - you won't be disappointed!

  These groups are weekly or bi-weekly that meet to discuss the previous sermons being taught at CVBC.  Held at CVBC member's homes, or at the church due to weather lately!

Here is the schedule...

Wednesdays

This Community Group meets at 6:00pm in the Foothill and Waterloo Road area.  This group meets every other week.

Thursdays

Both of these groups meet in the Minden area at 6:00pm.  One meets every week, the other meets every other week.

These groups are special and always open for new attendees!  For more information, address, etc., please reach out to us here at the church - we'll direct you to your new best place to be during the week!  admin@carsonvalleybiblechurch.com.  

Hope to see you there!

~ Marriage Conference 2023 ~

The date and schedule is set!  This is a special Conference of God's design for marriage - anyone who is married, wants to be married, knows someone who is married, and desires to know what a biblical marriage was created and designed for, are welcome!

This is offered in conjunction with Fellowship Bible Church and Grace Bible Church!

Registration is free for this event - so register now to reserve your spot, right here!  Register for Marriage Conference

We're looking for Hospitality volunteers - you will help welcome people in, answer any logistics questions, and help with snacks.  It's a great place to serve your church - espeically if you are new!  Please let us know if you would like to serve at this important Event, email admin@carsonvalleybiblechurch.com

Are you ready to Be a Christian?

We're looking forward to next month, where we will explore how to "Be", in May's "Be" Series!

May 7 - Be a Worshipper

May 14 - Be in Community

May 21 - Be a Discipler

May 28 - Be in the World

You're going to love it!

We're excited to celebrate Baptisms this weekend!  Truly one of the most significant events in our church family's lives!

If you've never been baptized and want to know more, or sign up, let Pastor Luke know at luke@carsonvalleybiblechurch.com...

Here's the schedule for all of our weekly CVBC Bible studies...

Tuesdays

Every Tuesday at 5pm with "Blessed Hope"! 

Fridays

Men's Friday 9am bible study Pastor Luke is continuing to teach through the book of Romans - Bootcamp Style! 

Ladies Friday 9am bible studies every other Friday, from the Dr. Steve Lawson series, "Rejoice in the Lord" - a look at Paul's book of Phillipians.  If you haven't studied this incredible author's work, you will learn so much in this in depth study!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact admin@carsonvalleybiblechurch.com.  Have a great week!

Men's Breakfast - always the first Saturday of the month!

Join us a 9:00am for bibles and bacon... and more!

"Whatever my God Ordains is Right"

We get to learn another new song this Sunday!  We hope you enjoyed singing "My worth is not in what I own" last Sunday - thanks Luke for finding that one!

"Whatever my God Ordains is Right" was originally written by Samuel Rodigast in 1676 to comfort a sick friend. In it, he lays out what it means to deal with the problem of pain and suffering through the perspective of faith. Our God is sovereign and full of love, and every circumstance he brings us through is good and right and true. His promise is that he will never leave us in the midst of any adversity through which he takes us.

Here are the lyrics:

Amen!  Can't wait to sing this with everyone this weekend!

... Your worship team!

Here at our church, we pray often about keeping the Gospel at the center of who and what we are.  Ever since we explored the Gospel Driven Church series last summer (Gospel Driven Church series), I feel we've made so much progress as a whole. Continuing on this journey together, we will improve all the more, this side of heaven. 

Remember when you were a new believer?  A baby christian?  Brand new to the faith, and all that comes with it?  The excitement of doing life in a new way!

I've been reminded of such recently.  When the "Jesus Revolution" came out, I went and saw that.  Reminded me of my own salvation "back in the day", when we were "Jesus Freaks."  Apparently, now it's some kind of being "cool".  Well, our parents didn't think so back then, did they?  Nevertheless, we were getting saved.  SAVED.  I reflect on one scene of that film, about the middle of it, where Kelsey Grammar (playing Pastor Chuck Smith), was washing the feet of the "Jesus Freaks" who came in for service that day.  

That metaphor means so much - and not only what the film portrayed (one of the elder leadership was complaining about the dirt on the carpets!), but the humbleness of a community of servants.  Christ-like servants, that faithfully gather a few times a week to be with one another, break bread together, read the Word together, and live out a Gospel driven church by helping one another whenever/wherever needed - yes, like us!

 I've also been reminded of the joy of new salvation.  Being born again.  Fresh, anew, almost exhilarating feeling.  Like the kind in Acts 2, where everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit - all at once!     Uh, wow!

By the way, if you haven't heard, here are a few revivals going around the country right now, and if you haven't heard, one of the popular ones is the one at Ashbury University, where they have gathered for weeks/months now, praising God, singing together, praying together.  All you have to do to learn more about that (and others) is google search it.  It's truly amazing, the power of God being seen througout the country - a true revival.  It's an amazing thing to see and read about, especially nowdays...

How about a revival right here?  Right where you are.  Right now.  Just like when we first believed... it changed everything, didn't it?

It can change for you again today.

John reminds the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelations, chapter 2: 2-5 "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.  I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first..."

He was talking to the church where the believers were not new in their faith.  They had even done many things right, even "enduring patiently."  But, they had forgotten about their joy.  The joy of their salvation.  "The love they had at first."

And friends, that's what we need!  It's similar to the prayers of a new believer - the kind that God answers, and boldly.  It helps new believers see God's hand, His sovereignity and power, and if nothing else, confirming their belief in Him!

We need our own revival.  Right here in our hearts.  

Open your bible - ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit - and read.  He will answer you - in ways you cannot imagine!

Oh, and give that testimony to a friend.  Wear this revival everywhere you go.  Literally wear it!

And keep the first thing, first.

Till He comes again,

Julie

"First thing first" Consumed by Fire:  https://youtu.be/bpTOcZN9JB4  

photo credit: http://www.clker.com/clipart-767128.html