trust in danger

Good morning friends,
First, please join us for brunch and discussion after church today at Bayfront Restaurant. We'll be discussing some moral dilemmas or the morning's message; your choice. Our first reading today is a song of praise for God's great power and salvation. Israel faced all kinds of trouble and Isaiah proclaimed that even then God's salvation was near. When we trust in God we can be free from fear and full of joy.

Our passage from Luke will be the center of today's sermon, so if you're confused, come to church. The short version is that Jesus expected God's kingdom to break into the world very soon. Between his ministry and the end there would be all kinds of turmoil and trouble and the church would face serious persecution. Knowing that prepared the disciples for the dangers they would face and it equipped them to trust God through it all. When we put our trust in the Lord we are safe from every danger because we know that even in death we are safe in the arms of Jesus.

God bless,
Sam

Isaiah 12:1-6

1You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. 2Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

3With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. 5Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.


*Sunday

Luke 21:5-19

5When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6"As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." 7They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"

8And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them. 9"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." 10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

12"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.