ALL HUMAN AUTHORITY IS UNDER CHRIST

At this juncture of the household code, the ancient and contemporary household composition contrasts sharply. The immediate context of Paul’s words here and the gospel-shaped principles for exercising and experiencing authority, are set in the relationship between slaves and their masters. Before we make the jump to apply them to our modern workplace, we need to grasp the situation into which these words were initially spoken. But far beyond a history lesson, or even an intellectual wrestling with what the Bible has to say about the institution of slavery, the reality that Paul is aiming at in this passage is simultaneously timeless as well as the very thing that has spurred on the abolition of slavery in time. This is the reality of the gospel which teaches us that every Christian is a slave to Christ. Being reconciled to him, we experience a reconciliation to one another which eroded the system of slavery from the bottom up. Being reconciled to him, we’re freed from our slavery to sin and self and get to serve a Master who is committed to the good of those who are his. There’s no one like Jesus and there’s no better life than one lived for him.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

GROW AS A LEADER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CHURCH

Identifying and equipping new leaders is always a high priority for the health of our church, fruitfulness in our life together, and the future of our gospel mission. For this reason, we’re eager to host our first-ever Leadership Development Cohort! Why should you sign-up? Because, in one way or another, we all have the experience of leading and being led. It’s our desire that God’s word would shape our expectations, expression, and reception of leadership wherever we encounter it in life - and especially within our church.

THE FIRST SESSION STARTS THIS SATURDAY @7AM

Who is it for?

• Anybody aspiring to leadership.

• Men with a sense of calling to the office of elder.

• Men who may be positioned as small group leaders.

• Men and women who may want to serve in the office of deacon.

• Anybody who wants to know what the Bible says about growing into a Christ-honoring leader and become more effective in offering biblical counsel and encouraging the church.

How will it run?

• We’ll read The Cross and Christian Ministry by D. A. Carson, learn how to articulate theological concepts and ideas, and become equipped to offer biblical counsel to one another. Each session will be a mixture of biblical teaching, group discussion, and evaluation of course assignments.

• Once a month, we’ll meet on a Saturday from 7am-9am. Dates subject to vary to ensure max attendance.

• Sessions will take place at the Cunningham home. Light snacks and coffee will be provided.

• All participants will need to purchase their own copy of the Carson book. Scholarships are available upon request.

REGISTER FOR THE Leadership Development COHORT HERE

EVERY 1ST & 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month at 7pm, three different groups meet throughout our city to share in the joy of Jesus, encourage one another, and apply the gospel to each other’s lives. Outside of Sunday mornings, small groups are the most important moment in the life of our church. Make it a priority to attend one this Friday.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL GROUPS, CLICK HERE

JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4

Every Tuesday we publish a blog post to lay out in one place what’s going in the life of the church for the upcoming week. See below for a snapshot of what’s on the calendar this week:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1: FRENCH PARK RUN CLUB

• 6:30am - French Park Grass Area

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2: SMALL GROUPS

• 7:00pm - Houlton, Roenicke, and Erkelens Home

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COHORT

• 7:00am - Cunningham Home

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4: SUNDAY GATHERING AT THE EBELL CLUB

• 10:00am - Meeting Room: Ballroom

WE ARE ALL MADE IN HIS IMAGE

This past Sunday, our church observed Sanctity of Life Sunday. A day that President Reagan established in January of 1984 - corresponding to the date that Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973 - to memorialize and commemorate the countless unborn lives that have been lost to abortion in our nation - a number that, since 1973, exceeds 62 million. All these years later, even with Roe now overturned, this issue still matters and there’s still much work to be done in the cause of protecting life.

But ultimately, the reason we mark this date is not merely political, it’s theological. It’s because we believe that every human being, from conception to death, is an image bearer of God, deserving of dignity and the equal protection of the laws of the land, and a neighbor that we’ve been called to love. We don’t proclaim the sanctity of all human life because the president issued a proclamation in the 80’s, but because God has issued a proclamation in his holy word (see Gen 1:26-27, 5:1-2, 9:1-7; Ps 139:13-16). God’s own proclamation of the inherent dignity and value of all human life is summed up in our Statement of Faith, section 4, paragraph 2, “Man’s Creation in God’s Image”:

God created man, male and female, in his own image as the crown of creation and the object of his special care. God directly created Adam from the dust of the earth, and Eve from Adam’s side, as the parents of the entire human race. They were created to know and glorify their Maker by trusting in his goodness and obeying his word. God gave them dominion over all creation, to fill, subdue, and steward the earth as his representatives. All human beings are likewise made in the image of God. Despite the effects of the fall on sinful humanity, all people remain God’s image bearers, capable of fellowship with him and possessing intrinsic dignity and value at every stage of life from conception to death. Redemption in Christ progressively restores fallen men and women to their true humanity as they are conformed to the image of Christ.

WE ARE CALLED TO PROCLAIM THE RIGHT TO LIFE FOR EVERY PERSON MADE IN HIS IMAGE

As image-bearers of God who have been remade in the image of Christ, we have a calling from God to promote and protect the sanctity of all human life. We encourage you to join us in the following ways:

• Praying that God would:

• Protect the unborn in our country by changing the hearts of men and women participating in abortions, changing unjust laws that promote abortion, & passing legislation which protects the right to life

• Pour out his mercy and grace upon those who have participated in abortions and provide them with his forgiveness in Christ

• Provide his people with a zeal to proclaim the the intrinsic dignity and value of every person at every stage of life

• Learning more about Sanctity of Life Sunday.

• Getting involved with our local crisis pregnancy center, Living Well Pregnancy Centers. At the table this past Sunday, Angie shared 2 immediate ways we could get involved:

  • Baby Bottle Drive: If you took a baby bottle home, ask your friends and family to help you fill up the bottle with coins, cash or checks and return the filled bottles to church on Sunday, February 18, 2024.

  • Walk for Life Fundraiser: Join our team and raise money as we walk for life on Saturday, March 2, 2024. If you’d like to join our team, contact us here.

CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM THE LORD

We continue on in our journey through the "household code" in Ephesians. After describing how the realities of the gospel both shape and are reflected in marriage, Paul turns our attention to the fruit of marriage: children. The second pillar of the household code concerns how the gospel shapes our exercise of authority in parenting the children the Lord has given to us. With this, God's word gives us the timely reminder in our world today that children are not a burden to be avoided but a blessing to be received as a good gift of God to the glory of God. Would the Lord work through each of us - those yet to be parents, those in the thick of the parenting task, empty-nesters, and each and every member at Cross of Grace - to commend his mighty works to the next generation (Ps 145:4) and invest in the future members and leaders of Cross of Grace. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

GROW AS A LEADER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CHURCH

Identifying and equipping new leaders is always a high priority for the health of our church, fruitfulness in our life together, and the future of our gospel mission. For this reason, we’re eager to host our first-ever Leadership Development Cohort! Why should you sign-up? Because, in one way or another, we all have the experience of leading and being led. It’s our desire that God’s word would shape our expectations, expression, and reception of leadership wherever we encounter it in life - and especially within our church.

THE FIRST SESSION STARTS 2/3/24 @7AM

Who is it for?

• Anybody aspiring to leadership.

• Men with a sense of calling to the office of elder.

• Men who may be positioned as small group leaders.

• Men and women who may want to serve in the office of deacon.

• Anybody who wants to know what the Bible says about growing into a Christ-honoring leader and become more effective in offering biblical counsel and encouraging the church.

How will it run?

• We’ll read The Cross and Christian Ministry by D. A. Carson, learn how to articulate theological concepts and ideas, and become equipped to offer biblical counsel to one another. Each session will be a mixture of biblical teaching, group discussion, and evaluation of course assignments.

• Once a month, we’ll meet on a Saturday from 7am-9am. Dates subject to vary to ensure max attendance.

• Sessions will take place at the Cunningham home. Light snacks and coffee will be provided.

• All participants will need to purchase their own copy of the Carson book. Scholarships are available upon request.

REGISTER FOR THE Leadership Development COHORT HERE

this thursday, Friday, and Saturday

This weekend, the pastors and wives of Sovereign Grace Churches across the West Region (California, Colorado, Arizona, and West Texas) will be gathering in Irvine to engage in fellowship and to strengthen their marriages. Pray that the Lord would meet them and accomplish much among them before this upcoming Sunday.

VISIT THE RESOURCE TABLE THIS SUNDAY

The month of January is Sanctity of Life Month. In the midst of this month, our church has set January 28 apart as a special Sunday to pray for children yet-to-be-born and for mothers who are either considering an abortion or who have made the decision in the past to abort a pregnancy.

This Sunday, Angie Cunningham will have a table set up on behalf of Livingwell Pregnancy Centers where you can learn more about how you can love our unborn neighbors and gather helpful resources for walking alongside those who have had or are considering having an abortion.

TAKE A BOTTLE WITH YOU

As you stop by the resource table, make sure to grab a bottle to participate in a three week fundraiser for Livingwell Pregnancy Center. This is important work and it strikes near to God’s heart for the most vulnerable among us. Ask your friends and family to help you fill up the bottle with coins, cash or checks to help fund Livingwell’s mission.

EVERY 4TH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM

This month the ladies of CGSA are in for a special treat! We’re meeting at Rebecca Erkelens’ home to enjoy a sourdough bread making class. She’ll walk us through the steps of making a Sourdough Boule and along the way we’ll grow in our appreciation of what Jesus, the very Bread of Life, does in our lives. You don’t need to bring anything, but if you would like to bring starter home, bring a small glass jar with you.

For location information please contact us here.