Bethel - Making Disciples

The memory verse for February 2012 is 2Corinthians 5:21.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

This is the first of a two-part post mining the depths of the Gospel of justifying faith in 2Cor 5:21 and showing that the Gospel is not just for entry into the Kingdom of God, but is also the key to Christian living.

In the Gospel we have deep and precious truth that saved us once and saves us still.  But in our tendency to lose and neglect even important things, we often treat the Gospel as basic and as something for one-time use only. We fall into the trap of believing that the Gospel is only for non-Christians and is disposable after our conversion.  We will always be grateful for it, but it somehow becomes less relevant after we first received it.

Most often, the Gospel is understood and expressed as the good news that even though each and every one of us has sinned against God, deserves to be separated eternally from God, and is unable to escape from God’s just wrath, God has graciously made a way to save us from damnation.  God sent his Son, Jesus, to live on earth as a human.  Jesus lived the perfect life without sin and obediently subjected himself to a violent death on the cross, where God punished Jesus in place of sinners for the forgiveness of sins.  Those who receive this by faith will be saved from Hell.

This common understanding of the Gospel fails to express half of what makes the Gospel SUCH good news.  We do not rejoice over the gospel merely because we are relieved that our sins have been forgiven in Christ and that we are saved from God’s wrath.  We also rejoice because in Christ, we have “become the righteousness of God.”

Grace is often explained as getting what you do not deserve (i.e., unmerited favor).  Mercy is often explained as NOT getting what you do deserve (i.e., withheld punishment).  The Gospel is full of mercy AND grace.  Your lifelong record of failed obedience to God was credited to Christ, who was slain in your place.  You have received mercy.  AND, Christ’s lifelong record of perfect obedience to God was credited to you when you trusted in him for your righteousness.  You have received grace.  Christ has no sin but ours.  We have no righteousness but his.  This is the glorious exchange of the Gospel.  As a result, in Christ, God sees us not only as if we had never sinned, but also as if we had always obeyed perfectly.

Tim Keller says “the Gospel of justifying faith means that while Christians are, in themselves still sinful and sinning, yet in Christ, in God’s sight they are accepted and counted righteous.  So we can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope – at the very same time.”

Rejoice and come back soon for Part 2, where we’ll explore how this Gospel is the way to address every obstacle and to grow in every aspect.

Where do you keep your verse packet? In your pocket? In your purse? By your kitchen sink? Take a photo of where you keep it and head over to our Facebook page and post the pic!

If you don’t have a memory verse packet pick one up for free (one per person) at the information table at this Sunday’s service.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

–2 Corinthians 5:21

Themes: justification, righteousness

Checkout upcoming events at Bethel with the February Crossroads!!

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT SUNDAY PM

Is Sunday PM going to be dramatically different?
Sunday PM will be just like coming to a morning service. We might mix up the order of service a bit or have more time for mingling but the music, teaching and the chairs will be the same!

Who is Sunday PM for?
Given the time of day we imagine there will be a lot of young adults at Sunday PM but everyone is welcome. Are you a shift worker? Does 6:30 on Sunday night fit in your schedule best? Sunday PM might be for you.

What will the sermon be like?
Most of the sermons will be a video of the morning sermon so you will get the same God-honoring, gospel presentation that you expect at Bethel. Pastor Dave will just be nine feet tall on the video wall instead of six foot!

Do I have to be dressed up and have it all together?
If that was the case none of us would be here. Sunday PM is a casual and comfortable environment. We want you to meet Jesus and you don’t need to be in your “Sunday best” to do that. Come as you are and see if Christ might change your life.

Will there be a children’s ministry?
We are making Sunday PM family accessible so childcare will be provided through Kindergarten age. Older children will join their parents in the service.

How will Sunday PM affect High School and Middle School ministries?
Intersect and Journey Groups will be meeting at 6:30 and we hope these ministries will grow. Students can drop their parents off in the auditorium and we will take care of them for the evening.

The memory verse for January 2012 is 2Timothy 3:16-17.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In 2012, we are memorizing 12 Scripture passages together. You can pick up a packet with all 12 verses at your local campus (one per person, please).

January’s passage is 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Stay tuned each month as we post teaching on each month’s passage.

When: January 8th from 6-7:30
Where: Start in the main auditorium and then throughout the church
Who: Everyone who has something to celebrate because of the work God has done through His Word. Even those who want to celebrate what God has done in someone in their family or a friend can come.

What Does The Night Look Like? Well, we will all start in the main auditorium for singing worship of scripture songs, laugh at some Bible humor, hear from Pastor Dave, attempt to learn the first all church Bible verse, hear from folks about what God has done in their lives through an open mic time and pray together. That will be the first 45 minutes of the event. The next 45 minutes will be free time for everyone to experience different aspects of the Bible in 5 locations.

• Discovery Auditorium – Bible charades/impov
• Desertview – Bible trivia game show
• 1^st-2^nd Grade Room – Sword drills
• Fellowship Hall – Praise/story wall/decorate the Bible cover for the all church verses
• Ridgeview - Bible questions (ask a Bible question and get an answer from the panel)

There will be wonderful desserts throughout the church
Last name A-W – Please bring desserts
XYZ – Please bring fruit

The January Crossroads is now available.

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, “Go and do likewise.”

For over 40 years, Samaritan’s Purse has done the utmost to follow Christ’s command by going to the aid of the world’s poor, sick, and suffering.  Operation Christmas Child along with Samaritan’s Purse, impacts the lives of vulnerable children through educational, feeding, clothing, and shelter programs that let them know they are not forgotten. This is your time to be involved in the mission of changing lives.

Packing a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child is easy; you can use an empty shoe box or pick up an Operation Christmas Child box from the Bethel Foyer, once packed all we ask is that you enclose $7.00 for shipping and bring the unwrapped box to Bethel before November 13, 2011. Give a gift that not only can bring joy to a child’s life, but a gift that can share the gospel with them too. Boxes are now available in the foyer. A list of appropiate gift suggestions can also be retrived from the Bethel Foyer.