TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
This Sunday’s sermon will be from 2 Kings 8:7-15 where Elisha is involved in appointing a new king for the country of Syria — a man who is a murderer and who will bring great harm to the kingdom of Israel!
What a strange turn of events! Is it possible that God is involved in stories of political intrigue? Politics seems to many like such a dirty business, it’s hard to imagine God being involved! Mao Zedong once said, “Politics is war without bloodshed; war is politics with bloodshed.” What can we learn about our wonderful God from this surprising story in Elisha’s life?
One of the concepts we’ll talk about Sunday is God’s sovereignty in world events. Knowing that God is sovereign (having supreme rank, power, or authority; being above all others) should give us great comfort. God is in control over the events of the world as well as the events of our own lives! That’s a comfort! It should also move us to pray. It should move us to repent of our sins and to seek His forgiveness.
In the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, God says the following to the prophet Ezekiel. (Events in the book of Ezekiel take place 250 years or so after Elisha.)
“Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and if I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it, and cut off from it both man and beast, even though these three men — Noah, Daniel and Job — were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves” (Ezekiel 14:12-14).
I thought of our own nation and how God has allowed various hardships to hit us — a pandemic, natural disasters, shortages. I wondered about His sovereign thoughts and plans for America. Are we moved, as American Christians, to repent of our sins and those of our nation?
There are some wonderful things to learn about God through Elisha’s role in political events that took place in nations of the Middle East long ago! I hope you’ll join the church family this Sunday morning!
Happening at Crossroads
Nominating Committee
If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to this year’s Nominating Committee, please let one of the elders know soon. The elders will be putting together a Nominating Committee in October. The main task for the Nominating Committee this fall will be to nominate an elder candidate to replace Shane Dahmer who will finish his term of service on the Elder Board at the end of the year.
Help with Sunday Set-Up
We could use a couple extra hands setting up for worship on Sunday, October 8. If you could help, please let me know. It would involve being at the Community Center at 9:00 and helping to set up worship equipment and seating for worship. Thank you!
Small Group Bible Study
Most of you have by now met Mark Tice who has been attending Crossroads recently. Mark is beginning a new Bible study at his house for his neighbors! I love Mark’s initiative and heart for reaching out! Mark would like to include any of you from Crossroads who would like to join him and a few of his neighbors for this study. The study will begin Thursday, October 5, at 7:00 and will meet every other Thursday evening, finishing each night around 8:00. The first study will be on the origins of the Bible. Where did our Bible come from? *Contact us for more information*
Church Hayride
Mark Saturday, October 28, on your calendar for a hayride at the Reedy home in Moundville, starting with food and a hot dog roast around 4:30!
Finally…
Since we were talking about politics earlier, here’s a final word from a politician:
Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, once said, “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”
I hope you’re persevering through this week with God’s help!
Here’s a final word from the Bible:
Song of Solomon 8:7 says, “Many waters cannot quench love; nor will rivers overflow it. If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.”
Another version of the Bible puts it this way: “Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.”
I’m glad to know God loves me … and you!
— Tom