Listening to the Cross- Dr. Jeff Lowman Winter/Spring 2021 Sermon Series at Evangel Church PCA2/8/2021 Join us in person on Sunday mornings for our 8:00 a.m. service and our 10:30 a.m. services. (also, click button above to join live stream or Recording will be shared here each week- Also streaming on Facebook Live @evangelchurchpca and on YouTube)  The Christian Life
You Fool ? “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21) In Matthew 5 -7, called the sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches how his followers are to live. He starts by describing the effects of spiritual rebirth and then goes on to describe what that new life should look like. Jesus opens this verse referring to what they had heard concerning the Old Testament moral law. Some teach Old Testament moral laws no longer apply yet in reality Jesus amplifies and builds on them. Here he is referring to the accepted understanding of the verse by saying “what you have heard". His statement “but I tell you" indicates the teachings were incomplete. They addressed only the external nature of the command which was not to commit murder and gave no thought to the source of the problem. Here Jesus is telling us that just because we don’t commit murder doesn’t mean we’re not guilty. God knows the truth in our hearts. When pride leads to anger that seeks to tear down, and the tongue is used as a weapon to destroy, it reveals a murderous heart. Often we use anger and words of criticism deceitfully, to appear more righteous than others. If you are a true follower of Christ, then he has placed his Spirit in you and called you away from such evil to do good. Jesus is not talking about counseling or confronting sinful behavior with the intent of teaching and protecting from evil. He is certainly not condemning corrective discipline to help lead someone away from sin. This is an act of love. But to make sport of tearing someone apart or to lash out in a temper tantrum with no good intentions is evil and brings judgment on ourselves. We may think little of a few careless words or what’s behind our anger but Jesus warns that these things reveal the heart. The things we say and do should reveal a heart for Christ and others. An evil tongue brings the danger of judgment and Hell. Jesus is teaching us to consider carefully our motivations concerning what we think, say and do. The Bible teaches that the tongue must be controlled and the great need to understand the scriptures in order to guard our heart from all evil. “15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” (Ephesians 5:15). As Christians we must ask, are we reflecting Christ? Are our words evil or good? This is part of the ongoing theme of dying to self. Where we leave our old lives behind and imitate Christ. Where we relate compassionately to others to do good and share the gospel, God’s offer of eternal life. “For we are God’s handiwork, created( in Christ Jesus to do good works,” (Ephesians 2:10) Come! Colby Reeves - member Evangel Church PCA – All are welcome 423 Thompson Rd., Alabaster evangelchurchpca.org - worship live or online – see website  Appalachia Mission Trip 2021! Mark your calendars for the interest meeting on Sunday, January 17, immediately following the 10:15 a.m. worship service for more information about our 2021 family mission trip with Thirst Missions to the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky. The dates for this mission are scheduled for July 19-24. Click for Video: https://vimeo.com/451233300  Wednesday Night Connection resumes January 13th at 6:15 p.m. Evangel Kids (4K—6th Grade) & Youth Group! Also, a new Adult Worship and Bible Study begins at 6:15 “The Upside Down Kingdom: Pursuing Happiness and Approval in a Counter-Cultural Way” Matthew 5:1-16 Rev. David Maginnis
“The Upside Down Kingdom: Pursuing Happiness and Approval in a Counter-Cultural Way” Matthew 5:1-16 Rev. David Maginnis January 13-Happy are the Beggarly Poor January 20- Happy are the Broken Hearted February 3-Happy are the Undemanding February 10- Happy are the Hungry and Thirsty February 17- Happy are the Compassionate and Forgiving March 3- Happy are the Holy March 17- Happy are those that Fight for Peace March 24- Happy are those that Suffer April 7-Happy are the Salty April 14-Happy are those that Shine  Lonely as a Cloud
Most of us are familiar with William Wordsworth poem, “Lonely as a Cloud.” The first two lines of the poem read as follows: “I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills,” In so many ways, especially during this pandemic, we may feel like this lonely cloud. We feel alone, unnoticed, and disconnected. As we encounter other people, many times we are unable to determine a person’s emotion or response; smiles, grins, frowns and smirks are all hidden behind masks. For some of us, in fear of the Coronavirus, it’s been a long time since we have experienced the human touch: hugs, kisses, handshakes, high-fives, knuckle punches. Here at Evangel Church we want you to know that you are never alone or go unnoticed by God. Hagar, an Egyptian servant, in the book of Genesis (Gen. 16:13) refers to God with the name, El Roi. El Roi means He sees. Not only does God see you behind your mask, but He sees and hears you each moment of your day and night. Better yet, He loves and cares about you. And most importantly, He wants to have a relationship with you – He wants to be your father (a good father). The Bible encourages us and says, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) If maybe in the past you decided that Jesus, God’s Son and the Savior of the world, isn’t for you, perhaps you might reconsider. Although being a follower of Jesus doesn’t guarantee a pain free life, with a sincere acknowledgement of your need for Jesus, and as you surrender your life to Him, He will become your comforter through all of life’s struggles and you will live with him eternally. One last thought: Jesus, God’s son, has another name – Sar-Shalom. Sar-Shalom means Prince of Peace. For the Bible says “He (Jesus) will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Surrender your life to Jesus today and He will become the source of all your peace. If you have any questions about Jesus, you are welcome to email our church staff at evangelinfo@evangelchurchpca.org The Christian Life
"What does it mean to “die to self'?" “It is no longer I who live..” Galatians 2:20 Dying to self is part of being born again and is described throughout the New Testament. The old self is left behind and the new self emerges as an effect of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3–7). Not only are Christians born again when we come to salvation, but we enter the lifelong process of sanctification. Ephesians 4:24 says “to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”. Sanctify means to make holy, to consecrate, to purify, to be free of sin, and to become like Christ. We are being sanctified when we actively pursue growing in our faith by choosing daily to fight against sin, obey our Lord, take in the preaching and teaching of His Word, and reading the Bible regularly. This work of sanctification becomes evident, but not completed in this life. We are to confess our sins daily for forgiveness and renewal to resist. The Bible says when we die the sinful and mortal body will take on a perfected and immortal body and we will be like Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:53). The Christian's perseverance in this is evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christ said that those trying to hold on to their old lives would lose their lives in the kingdom of Heaven. But those who would give up their lives for His sake would find eternal life (Matthew 16:24–25; Mark 8:34–35). Jesus emphasized the necessity when he said that those who are unwilling to sacrifice their lives for Him cannot be His disciples (Luke 14:27). Paul says he is “crucified with Christ”. As such, Paul no longer lives, but Christ lives in him. The old life, with its inclination to sin and to follow the ways of the world, has died, and the new life is the dwelling place of Christ who lives in and through him. (Galatians 5:24). Where we once pursued selfish pleasures, we now pursue that which pleases God. Dying to self is never portrayed in Scripture as optional in the Christian life. It is the reality of the new birth and required for salvation. Jesus also warns lukewarm followers, who try to live partly in the old life and partly in the new, by saying He will spit them out (Revelation 3:15–16). Lukewarm is how Jesus characterized believers in the church of Laodicea and is also characteristic of many in churches today. Jesus asks no more of us than he was willing to do in dying on the cross for our sin debt. He gives us the ultimate example of putting aside one’s life in obedience to God. For us, death to self is to sincerely trust and follow Jesus, the one who offers abundant and eternal life. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18) Come! Member – Colby Reeves All are welcome – worship in person or live stream from website Sunday 10:30 am evangelchurchpca.org Evangel Church PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) 423 Thompson Road, Alabaster The Christian Life
Can I stop sinning? Hebrews 10:26,” If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,” 1 John 1:8,” If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Romans 6:6,” For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” The Bible teaches that the Christian must come by faith, repenting of his sin willing to follow Jesus in a serious and sincere manner. It reveals the genuineness of his belief. To continue in blatant sin reflects a lack of repentance. However, the Bible also teaches that, though weakened, sin is still in us and we must sincerely confess our sins for forgiveness and renewal. Some sins are accidental and some are out of stubbornness and weakness. So, we must realize that obedience in this life will be an ongoing struggle. Romans 7:15 explains,” For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate”. Our sin nature is still active and must be dealt with daily. Genesis 4:7,” sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." The Bible teaches that struggle develops perseverance which brings growth in our journey to perfection. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to help in our struggle. He also gave us the Church, the Bible, and the ability to go to God directly in prayer. Church – “Do not be misled, bad company corrupts good character”. 1 Corinthians 15:33. The importance of membership in a biblically based Church cannot be over emphasized. A Church that seeks to glorify God by taking His word seriously and that shows evidence of following it. A Church dedicated to providing experienced and qualified teachers for understanding. We need our Church family for education, to encourage perseverance , and to unite with other Christians in ministry. Bible study –How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word”. Psalm 119:9 We need to know and understand God’s word for living. We can’t obey what we don’t understand. Biblical knowledge doesn’t come by accident. It takes time and work. God’s revealed will comes through His word and it is our guide in all things. Bible study keeps Gods instructions constantly in our thoughts. Prayer – “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9 Dedicate time to pray regularly. We must acknowledge our sin. Share your praises, requests and confessions with God. God does not call us to pray and then not listen to us. You are his child. Pray for strength. Pray with expectation. These are the tools, along with the Holy Spirit, that men and women of faith use in their struggle to obey God. Not sinless, but determined in the fight to sin less. Jesus lastly promises. “and I am with you always". Matt 28:20. Evangel Church PCA –Alabaster - All are welcome! 205-664-0889 evangelchurchpca.org - Live webcast
Evangel Communion this Sunday, Both Services- July 12th 2020
Drive-up option available in 10:30 a.m. service only, available until 12 noon. evangelchurchpca.org
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