 In today's service, we hear from two of our members - Elaine and Wes Pierce - about how Jesus changed their lives. Their stories of God's grace remind us that Jesus came to save sinners who could not save themselves - no matter how "good" we may be. Video of Service  George Reeves was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950's television series, Adventures of Superman. He often made guest appearances at public events, but his fame wasn't without risks. Kids kicked him in the shins or threw rocks to see if he was the "real" Superman or a "pretend". One public appearance was especially dangerous when a young fan brought his dad's handgun to see if bullets would bounce off his chest. After convincing the boy they could but the bullets would ricochet and might hit him or others, the danger was averted. Young fans wanted to know - is he real or pretend? As Christians we too need assurance that our hero is invincible. There are times when we too need to know if the Jesus we follow is real or pretend. In todays' passage from 1 Samuel, David discovers again that no matter the circumstances, God will always come to his aid. 1 Samuel 26 Video of Message  Did you know it was socially unacceptable for women to travel with men who were not their husbands in ancient times? Did you know that it was also rare for women to have an income producing job? So why did Jesus include women in his entourage? Jesus included women because he loved them and needed them. He was showing the world that women have just as important a role to play in God's kingdom as men. One of the best illustrations of this from the OT is 1 Samuel 25 where Abigail rescues the future King of Israel from himself and God's judgement. 1 Samuel 25 Video of Service  She stands 305 feet tall and weighs 250,000 pounds. Covered in a thin layer of copper, she welcomes all who come into New York Harbor with these words, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." The Statue of Liberty is more than a statue. It is more than concrete and copper construction. It is an icon, a symbol that represents something much larger than itself. The same is true for the American Flag or the Vietnam Memorial. In Matthew 28, we have another example of an image representing something much greater than itself. Every scene of the passion narrative from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday has profound significance but the resurrection scene is the climax. And one of the best symbols of the resurrection of Jesus is an angel sitting on his tombstone. Matthew 28:1-10 Video of Service |
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