Preparing for the Lord's Day 

Perform a Google search of “phobias” and you’ll find an almost endless list of conditions characterized by fear. Acrophobia is the fear of heights. Atychiphobia is the fear of failure. Anthrophobia (not introversion, incidentally) is the fear of people. I’m convinced I have an ‘unnamed’ phobia… the fear of losing control. Sometimes, I fear losing control of circumstances or relationships. Oftentimes, I fear losing control of myself. In moments of emotional intensity or passionate conviction, I fear I’ll be left vulnerable for lack of self-control. While meditating on Sunday’s passage, it struck me that Jesus is the One thing/person for which/whom I need not fear being “out of control.” Jesus cannot be loved too much. A “woman of the city” (Luke 7:36) once crashed a dinner party that Jesus was attending. Breaking all social norms, she pours perfume on his head, wets his feet with her tears, and wipes his feet with her hair. Stunningly, Jesus responds, “she has done a beautiful thing to me.” She is not out of control. She is controlled by the love of Christ. She is, you could say, in love. 

The cross elicits this sort of response. God “demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) In response, we “love God with all [our] hearts, souls, strength, and mind.” (Luke 10:27). In preparation for this Lord’s Day, consider meditating on Luke 7:36-50. We will join together in singing the Hymn of Praise “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”, the Acclamation of Praise “Before the Throne”, and the Hymn of Response in "Christ Alone".

Sermon Information:

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 

Title: "The Love of Christ"

Outline:

     1. Controls us (vv.14-15)

     2. Re-creates us (vv.16-17)

     3. Reconciles us (vv.18-21)

Sunday's bulletin