Blessings in Christ,
I hope each of you have a blessed week and are excited as we move closer to celebrating ‘reformation’, both on Reformation Sunday, and Reformation Day. We have some church activities lined up to bless you regarding reformation.
A few announcements as we move into the weekend;
Tomorrow, Saturday, 10/26, we have our Saturday Morning Bible Study at 9am.
Sunday, 10/27, we will not have Adult Sunday School. Our Worship Service will begin at 10:30am and we will be marking out the 507th year of “Reformation Sunday”. We have encouraged folks to dress up, or wear something or resembles, the Rennaissance era, or “Reformation”. We will have a small meeting of minds regarding ‘reformation’ and our annual Bible conference, after the Worship Service.
We will also be watching the film ‘Luther’ on Wednesday, 10/30 at 7pm.
Here are a few resources that were produced this week for your edification;
Sermon Notes, “The Fall, Falling, & Failing”, from Pastor Mike;
I.) The Fall
In Genesis chapters 2-3, we read about God creating His covenant people and placing them in the garden. This is related to how God has created you and placed His Spirit inside of you. Our being in relationship with God, being in His presence, being “In Christ” as we often call it, is wholly a work of God. By His sovereign grace. A garden is a place of beauty and provisions. Adam and Eve were placed in such an environment, an environment of beauty and provision, but what happened?
They leaned on their own understanding (in defiance to God-provided wisdom).
They did what was right in their own eyes (in contrast to what God said).
They died, or we could say they experienced “a fall”. The Fall.
We can learn from this.
We all fall. We have, we will.
II.) Biblical insights regarding falling.
Ps. 37:23-24
Prov. 24:16
1 Cor. 10:12
Rom. 15:5-7
III.) The difference between falling & failing.
Falling is an opportunity to learn and grow, while failing is not.
Falling is a reality, whereas failure is not an option.
“Failure is not the falling down, but the staying down”. – Mary Pickford
“Failure is not in falling but failing to rise after you fall”. – Noel Rivers
“The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried”. – Roy T. Bennett
Conclusion
What’s your slogan for the season?
What self-examination & institutional-examinations have you, or will you do?
What are your disciplines & habits that you are intentionally putting into place this season?
What are your declarations?
We had an interview with Sean McMahon on the Preterist Power Hour this week. You can review that session on YouTube at the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCnYbU2lycI
We also have our end of the month Preterist Power Hour earlier today. We mentioned the 2024 Fall Power of Preeterism Strategy Sheet, which will be soon updated to include other resources. You can acess that at the following link, https://powerofpreterism.wordpress.com/2024/10/10/fall-2024-power-of-preterism-strategy-sheet/
Pastor Mike, Rachanda, Deacon Ed, and Brian and Sandy, were spotted at the Bayport Blue Point Expo this week. Enjoy the attached pictures.
We of course continue to encourage folks to register and help promote our annual Bible conference. You can visit our church website (www.bluepointbiblechurch.org) and/or www.bluepointbibleconference.wordpress.com for more information.
We continue to trust God to bring healing to those we have continued to pray for (including but not limited to Terri and Colette). We pray for those who are sick and those who are taking care of them. We thank God for the blessings and riches we have in Him and through our fellowship together. We ask God to continue to give us wisdom and stength in falling but not failing. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray.
I look forward to our study, fellowship, celebration, and worship this weekend.
By His goodness & grace,
Pastor Michael Miano