July 5

Sunday School – Teacher – Steve Hershey

Subject – Vindicating Wisdom – Matthew 11:7-19

What can we learn about wisdom in the Gospels – especially from John the Baptist?

Wouldn’t it have been wiser for John the Baptist to cut a deal with the authorities instead of ending up in prison and eventually losing his head?

Come and See

Do you live your life in a way that people tell others, “Come and see? This is how a Christian should live.”

What is our world looking to see in a Christian?

How do we not “shake in the wind” due to all the happenings so far in 2020?

How do we not be a “band-wagon-leaper”?

By knowing Jesus – and that truth matters – nothing else matters.

When John the Baptist saw hypocrisy, he called it what it was and he called hypocrites what they were – snakes.

John the Baptist did not go with the flow.

John the Baptist saw the future way beyond his current situation – whether he was in the desert, in jail, or under the threat of death.

He was preparing a way for Jesus to come – and he knew it.

Opening announcements and devotions – David Wenger

Galatians 6:2 – Burdens are heavy and we need to help and bless those who are carrying burdens.

Sermon – John 17:1-26 – Jon Cassel

What is a high priest?

A priest who made atonement for your sins.

In Hebrews we read that we have a great high pirest.

John 17 is a prayer of intersession by our Great High Priest – Jesus.

He prayed for himself, for his disciples and for us.

Things we learn from this prayer:

We do not want to be part of the world or the world system.

We are His

We are one with God

He keeps us

Our joy will be fulfilled

The world hates us

He protects us from evil

He makes us Holy – through His truth

He sanctifies us through truth

People can see God in us when we are one with Him

We are one with other believers

Jesus is the only one who can pay our debt

When we understand God’s heart all fear goes away because we know He loves us dearly.

God says, (Doris) I love you. You are mine. Put your name in these verses to personalize God’s love for you.

He prayed for you – knowing what you would be facing in 2020.

Pray these things over your children:

That they will know oneness with Christ and with each other.

That they will know joy and not be distracted by Satan and the world.

That their souls will be protected from the evil one.

That they will develop a longing to spend eternity with God.

God’s desire is that we would become more and more like Christ.