How much does Jesus love believers?
There are a number of different ways we could answer that question. The Bible is filled with all sorts of wonderful verses about Jesus’ love for His people.
Let me give you one example though, which at first, might seem a little odd.
It’s something Paul tells the Corinthians as he’s giving them instructions about eating food offered to idols. In 1 Corinthians 8:12, he writes, “Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.”
In other words, when I sin against you as a Christian, I am sinning against Jesus.
Jesus is not far removed. He’s not up in heaven unconcerned. He is committed to you. He’s connected to you. He’s united Himself to you in such a significant way that what other people do to you, there is a sense in which they are doing it to Jesus.
That’s heavy.
It’s huge. And, we know of course who Paul learned this from.
Jesus!
You remember what He asked Paul when He confronted him on the Damascus road?
“Why are you persecuting me?”
Now who was he persecuting? Believers. But when he attacked believers, he really was attacking Jesus.
Jesus loves His people.
If you are a Christian Jesus loves you. But listen, He doesn’t just love you, He is committed to other believers as well.
The question is:
Are you?
As people who are loved by Jesus, we want to love what He loves. And He loves His people so much that He’s united HImself to them. This means when someone persecutes a believer, they persecute Jesus. When someone sins against a believer, they sin against Jesus. But it also means when someone loves a believer, he is loving who?
That’s pretty exciting!
And it is another reason gathering together as believers Sunday after Sunday is so important.
We have the opportunity to gather together with people Jesus died for and express our love to Him together through worship, through prayer, and by trying to love each other the way He loves us.
Isn’t God so good?
Joshua
Time with Sam. Our friend Sam will be back in town and preaching on June 4th! He will also be speaking at Equipping Hour on June 11th. Equipping Hour on June 11th is for members only. If you are not a member but would like to attend, please speak to one of the pastors/elders.
Church Park Day with our missionaries Joshua and Julie Lee will be on June 4th after worship service at 1 p.m.
Babysitting Fundraiser for Alaska Service Team. The Alaska team will be hosting a babysitting fundraiser at CBC on June 9th from 6–9 p.m. The team will provide safe and fun care, pizza, snacks, games, and movies. Register HERE or contact Sarah Bulis for more information. Funds received will go toward team members' airfare.
Mission Offering. On June 18th, there will be a special offering for the Alaska Service Team. These funds will go toward the expenses of the team and campers while in Alaska.
Women’s Fellowship with our missionary wives will be on June 10th at 7:30pm
Summer Missions Conference. June 24th from 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Details to follow.
Missions Spotlight. This month we are praying for the Tuareg People of the Sahara Desert. Check out the Missions Board for information.
Member’s Meeting. June 18th, 9am.
VBS is a Children’s Ministry event on the evenings of June 26–29 for kids entering Transitional Kindergarten to 6th Grade in the Fall of 2023. Please use this link to register.
Angels Game. Mark your calendar! Thursday, August 3rd vs the Seattle Mariners. Tickets will be $8. Polus and Desiree Ting will be managing tickets again this year.
Transformation Group. These are small groups designed to help each other grow in Christ through prayer, time in God's Word, and accountability. Everyone is invited to participate. For more information, please contact Francis Orejudos.
Directory. Members can view it here and update information here. Please check your information if you haven't already done so!
Calendar. www.cornerstoneoc.com/calendar. Please let us know if you have ideas how to improve! If you would like to subscribe to this calendar using your calendar application, use this URL.
Pre-Service Prayer. Sunday mornings in the upper room, 8:15–8:45am. (There will be no pre-service prayer meeting on May 21st because the church will meet at 9 a.m. for corporate prayer.)
Roots Summer Retreat. Save the dates! Junior High and High School. July 28–July 31
Resolving Conflict for God’s Glory Part 4: Grace and Forgiveness.
Order of Service
Welcome and Call to Worship
Singing
Announcements
Scripture Reading – Isaac's Birth and Sacrifice – Genesis 21:1-7; 22:1-19
Pastoral Prayer
Sermon - Ephesians 3:7-13
Singing
There will be no livestream