DEVOTION: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (ESV)
We don't like to talk about the gifts of the Spirit too much, because there is a lot that is unknown and mysterious about them, but I want to take a few minutes and just look at what these gifts really are.
First of all, it is necessary to understand that God, the Holy Spirit gives these gifts in His own way and at His own time. For instance, at Pentecost He gave the disciples the ability to speak in all the different languages that were present. As far as we know, this is the only time that happened.
We always tend to gravitate and give attention to those more peculiar gifts like:
healing
working of miracles
prophecy
the ability to distinguish between the spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues
These aren't gifts that we see every day, and they aren't gifts that are given to everyone. It is also difficult to authenticate these gifts, because there are so many charlatans and fakers out there. This isn't new either. They're already seen within the book of Acts trying to buy the spirit and trying to do the same thing the apostles did.
Yet, there are also other gifts that are listed here:
wisdom
knowledge
faith
We often overlook these as being normal every day things, but they are just as important, if not more, than the other ones mentioned. We are saved by grace through faith! Everyone who believes has faith. How do we know? Listen to what Paul says, "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit."
Don't ever think that you are any less of a Christian because you can't preach, or because you can't speak in tongues or do miracles. Don't ever think that, because you didn't live as holy a life as you wanted to from the beginning, or because you aren't as "good" as someone else. Because of your faith in the Lord Jesus, that He died and rose for you, you are just as holy as anyone else. Your faith is just as important a gift of the Holy Spirit as is wisdom or tongues.
Rejoice today that there is evidence that the Holy Spirit is in you simply because you can say "Jesus is Lord."
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your gifts. Help us to use them for your good, and to stay out of your way so that you can manifest them in us to their utmost. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Board of Outreach and Evangelism meeting 5pm
Fri- No school; Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; worship 5pm; Soup, Sandwiches and Game night 6-9pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Kalene Masters; 11- Hailey Blechle
Ushers- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher, and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Randy Fischer
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Randy and Kathy Fischer
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Steve McDowell 11 - Steve Robine
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: ???????
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: Who was Ishmael?
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12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.We don't like to talk about the gifts of the Spirit too much, because there is a lot that is unknown and mysterious about them, but I want to take a few minutes and just look at what these gifts really are.
First of all, it is necessary to understand that God, the Holy Spirit gives these gifts in His own way and at His own time. For instance, at Pentecost He gave the disciples the ability to speak in all the different languages that were present. As far as we know, this is the only time that happened.
We always tend to gravitate and give attention to those more peculiar gifts like:
healing
working of miracles
prophecy
the ability to distinguish between the spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues
These aren't gifts that we see every day, and they aren't gifts that are given to everyone. It is also difficult to authenticate these gifts, because there are so many charlatans and fakers out there. This isn't new either. They're already seen within the book of Acts trying to buy the spirit and trying to do the same thing the apostles did.
Yet, there are also other gifts that are listed here:
wisdom
knowledge
faith
We often overlook these as being normal every day things, but they are just as important, if not more, than the other ones mentioned. We are saved by grace through faith! Everyone who believes has faith. How do we know? Listen to what Paul says, "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit."
Don't ever think that you are any less of a Christian because you can't preach, or because you can't speak in tongues or do miracles. Don't ever think that, because you didn't live as holy a life as you wanted to from the beginning, or because you aren't as "good" as someone else. Because of your faith in the Lord Jesus, that He died and rose for you, you are just as holy as anyone else. Your faith is just as important a gift of the Holy Spirit as is wisdom or tongues.
Rejoice today that there is evidence that the Holy Spirit is in you simply because you can say "Jesus is Lord."
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your gifts. Help us to use them for your good, and to stay out of your way so that you can manifest them in us to their utmost. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Board of Outreach and Evangelism meeting 5pm
Fri- No school; Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; worship 5pm; Soup, Sandwiches and Game night 6-9pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Kalene Masters; 11- Hailey Blechle
Ushers- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher, and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Randy Fischer
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Randy and Kathy Fischer
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Steve McDowell 11 - Steve Robine
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: ???????
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: Who was Ishmael?
From Michael Stewart (Dianne Hance's brother)
Abraham's wife Sarah had a maid servant named Hagar. Sarah was impatient in waiting for God to bless her and Abraham with a son… so she had her maid servant Hagar (Egyptian) sleep with Abraham. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. Later, Sarah was jealous of Hagar and the attention that Abraham gave to Ishmael and got Abraham to send them away. God promised Abraham that Hagar and Ishmael would be taken gave of… as well as the fact that God promised Abraham that through Ishmael he would be the father of many.
The followers of Islam trace their linage to Mohamad and then back to father Ishmael… who they state is the 'rightful' son of Abraham and that the birthright given to Isaac (passed down to Israel) belongs to Ishmael or to the Arab/Islamic nation. That's why they have been fighting for the land in Jerusalem for hundreds of years. The current Muslim mosque, the Dome of the Rock, sits where the Jewish temple of Solomon once stood.
From Don Nolte: Ishmael was Hagar's son and the illegitiment son of Abraham.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Jacob's first wife?
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NEWS!!!!
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!
Come and join us for some pancakes, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs. RSVP if you are able to come so I know how much food to buy and make. We will be continuing our video series called "Christianity and the Competition" as we go through Part Two of our study of Islam (Muslims).
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GAME AND SOUP NIGHT THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 6-9pm!!!
Bring your favorite card games, board games, or even dominoes! Soup, chili, coffee and tea will be provided!! All attending should bring a snack or dessert to share. You may also bring drinks of your own choice! Please sign the sheet in the narthex if you plan on coming.
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PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!
One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA NEXT SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!
Pastor K. wants to get back in touch with the high school kids after Christmas break, and start to prepare them for the youth gathering coming up this Summer! Please plan on being there!!!
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YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS WENT ON SALE SATURDAY
Tickets are $25 a piece. All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.
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NEW ADULT BIBLE CLASS STARTED SUNDAY!! There's still time to get in on it without missing too much.
What makes Lutherans different than other Christian churches? Is it the good potlucks? Is it our staunch German heritage? Is it our constant singing of hymns and liturgy? Well..... maybe. But there is something even more substantial than these that sets us apart. It is our clear distinction of Law and Gospel. "What does this mean?" You ask. You'll just have to come to Bible study at 9:45am on Sunday to find out!
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WE NEED ONE MORE PERSON TO ORDER TO GET THE BULK RATE OF HOPE FULL LIVING DEVOTIONS FOR SENIORS!!!
"Hope Full Living" is a daily devotional booklet just for seniors that Pastor contributes to. He usually has one or two of his own devotions in it. If we get 10 or more people to order it and each person gives $8 we can order them in bulk and have them mailed to church. Order yours today by calling the church office!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!
You can also do individual size cups.
(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)
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GENERAL PRAYERS:
For JOHN AND ANNA HOENIG as they mourn the loss of Anna's dad due to complications from Alzheimers.
For PAUL AND TERESA BROCKFELD, soon to become members of St. John's, as their gunsmith business was torched yesterday morning.
For MARIANNE LINKE, as she has healed enough to be able to go home from the nursing home this Thursday, that she would stay well!
For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.
For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.
For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.
For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help.
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.
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