Celebrating Freedom

Happy July 4th Parkside Family!

Monday is July 4th, and my family, like most families across America, will celebrate with food and fireworks!  As you take time to celebrate our freedom as a nation, I want to encourage you to also take time to celebrate the freedom we have as followers of Jesus.

I Corinthians 15:1-4 provides for us a clear picture of the freedoms we have because of our faith in Jesus.  First, "Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said".  Jesus died for one reason:  to pay the penalty for our sins, so that we can experience freedom and eternal life.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we stand righteous before a holy God.  This is our justification. 

Second, "He was buried",  Romans 6 tells us that because of Jesus' death, sin no longer has dominion over us.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to live righteous lives.  This is our sanctification.

Third, "and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said".  His death alone could not save us; it was the resurrection that showed God's acceptance of Christ's sacrifice, and that gives us power unto salvation.  The resurrection guarantees a future in Heaven for us.  This is our glorification.

As you pray for our country, take time to thank God for the freedom we have because of Jesus.

This Sunday at 9:30am, Pastor Norm will continue our series, Postcards with a Punch.  This week, our focus will be on the second shortest book of the Bible, which coincidentally is II John.  While II John has fewer verses than III John.....13 vs.15...II John has 26 more words.  So, which book you consider to be the shortest book in the Bible, depends on what method you use.....word count or verse count.  For our purpose, we are using the word count method, which makes II John the second shortest book in the Bible.

The short postcard letter of II John was written, out of love for fallen humanity, to save us from our own foolishness by letting us know that eternal life is knowable and that it is definitely discoverable in Jesus.  And the blessing is this:  Discovering the truth of God is the way everyone can experience the love of God.  In fact, it is the only way.  This Postcard with a Punch, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, shows you and me how we can have both God's truth and God's love guiding, inspiring and transforming our lives.  Take time before Sunday to read II John and let God's love and truth shape and mold you into the likeness of Jesus.

It's not too late to join one of our Adult Bible Studies.  These discipleship opportunities meet every Sunday at 10:45am.  Below are the details for each:

Study #1:  Prayer that Moves Heaven
Facilitator:  Martha Bailey
Time:  Sundays at 10:45am

Study #2:  Psalms and Proverbs
Facilitator(s):  Mark Hester and Jonella Malinowski
Time:  Sundays at 10:45am

Thank you for being a church body that prayers for one another.

Blessings.

Pastor Doug