MEDITATION - Mark 12:41

‌And he [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box.

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CALL TO WORSHIP - Psalms 103:15-22

“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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OT READING - Proverbs 30:1-6

“The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” 

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Heidelberg Catechism -

QUESTION 78 - Do then the bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ?

ANSWER - No: but as the water, in Baptism, is not changed into the blood of Christ, nor becomes the washing away of sins itself, being only the divine token and assurance thereof, so also, in the Lord’s Supper, the sacred bread does not become the body of Christ itself, though agreeably to the nature and usage of sacraments it is called the body of Christ.

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SERMON SERIES - 2 CORINTHIANS - RENEWAL IN CHRIST

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SERMON TEXT - 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

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SERMON TITLE - A NEW & GRACIOUS ACCOUNTABILITY

SERMON SUMMARY:

We live in a world of passwords, security cameras, audits, reviews, logs and all types of systems that ensure we stay in-line. We all know why they are there, but also lament that they are needed. As we have discussed generosity and fairness the last few weeks, you come to understand that these two concepts can exist for a moment but are hard to maintain over long periods of time. For this reason, until Jesus returns, even the church needs to work hard to hold itself accountable. Moreover, accountability is not just for the average Christian. Church leaders do not require less oversight… they require more because they are responsible for more and are subject to the same temptations as all other Christians. In a beautiful display of humility, in this week’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul subjects himself to the same accountability of those he is called to lead and graciously establishes the principle of oversight and accountability in all matters within the church.