Preparatory Service

Overview of Evening

Announcements

Simon is still hospitalized

appreciates phone calls and short visits

surgery planned for Friday to remove infected part of toe

Anabaptist HealthShare

Applications for those interested available

please complete and return to me by Sunday if possible

Update on hearing regarding Britney from Joe/Dar

Examination

We are assembled this evening to stop and carefully allow the Holy Spirit to examine our own hearts… no one (except you and God) really knows your heart

1 Corinthians 11:23–30 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

1 Cor 11:23-

1 Cor 11:27-

1 Corinthians 11:27–28 ESV

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

This evening will primarily be testimonies and prayer… I will share a few things God has been doing in my heart, and then each of you will have the privilege of doing so in a smaller group setting

The Lord has been showing me several things over the last several weeks and months...

Where is my faith?

Over the last week my faith has really been challenged… I would have said I had faith, but several events (and my honest reactions to those events) really caused me to step back and ask myself how much faith I really have...

I was subpoenaed to testify at Tom & Tammy’s divorce hearing last Tuesday. I prayed that I wouldn’t have to actually testify - and was almost surprised when I received word I didn’t need to appear after all

After meeting with each of them and pleading with them to drop the divorce proceedings and praying that they could be reconciled, why is it that I was totally surprised when Tom emailed me telling me they are not going through with the divorce?? what does that reveal about my faith?

I specifically prayed that Darlene would not have to testify on Monday at their hearing… and (to my surprise) she didn’t need to

We are in a battle…

The Christian life is not easy. No where in Scripture is there any indication that taking up the cross and following Christ will be easy. Quite the opposite… persecution is guaranteed… sacrificing our lives over and over is expected.

We are in a battle… a battle that each of us alone could likely not face or endure. Satan and his army of demons are relentlessly attacking anyone who wants to stand for King Jesus. That is where the church comes in… Even though we may falter on our own, when we stand shoulder to shoulder… with our brothers… with our sisters… we can help each other, encourage each other, fight for each other, support each other, carry each other, and standing TOGETHER faithful to Jesus Christ, we have the assurance of ultimate victory.

Quite a few of our fellow soldiers are going through some difficult times… there are a number physical health challenges, several are dealing with difficult emotional struggles - feelings of worthlessness, discouragement, damaged relationships, depression, mistrust, and hopelessness, others are struggling spiritually - distant from God, asking why, bitterness, unforgiveness, distracted and loss of passion for God...

Let’s not lose heart - let’s not give up! Where’s our faith? Where’s my faith?

Let’s come alongside each other and face the battles together - with the help of each other rather than attempting to do so alone.

Where is my heart?

Where is my heart?

1 John 1 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Six IF statements… if we do something, this is what the result is

Jesus gave two great commandments...

Love God

Love others

In looking at these six IF statements, these two commandments are woven in...

if we say we have fellowship with God (love God) while we walk in darkness, we lie!

if we walk in the light… we have fellowship with one another (love one another) and the blood cleanses us

As we allow the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts tonight, let’s focus on these two commandments - love God, love others… but also, measure our hearts according to these six statements

PRAYER

We are going to divide the brothers and sisters into several small groups this evening…

Each person share a verse / testimony / struggle / confession / victory / need / openness to the Holy Spirit to examine your heart - be gut honest with each other

Following testimony, someone in the group pray for that person specifically

This will allow for each person to share and be prayed for this evening

Following this time, we will allow for anyone to share publically what you have on your heart… may be similar to what you shared in the group or something totally different

Carlin & Hadassa Beiler and Kris Schrock have been invited and plan to join us for Communion Sunday night