Sunday School, 9 a.m.
Sunday’s Schedule
8am: Doors open
8am–9am: Coffee & Conversation in our Dining Facility
9am-10am: Sunday School (see classes below)
9:15am: Coffee & Convo Devotion in our Dining Facility
10am: Sunday Morning Service in our Sanctuary (which is our gym).
Sunday School Classes & Their Location
To those leading and serving, thank you!
Classes run August 9th-October 4th and will begin at 9a.m.
Classroom 1: 0-2 year olds: Church Nursery
Classroom 2: 3 & 4 year olds
Classroom 3: Kindergarten-Second Grade Class
Classroom 4: Third-Fifth Grade Class
Classroom 5: Tweens & Teen Boys
Classroom 6: “Gospel in Life” — Co-ed Class
Classroom 7: Theology Class, led by Mike Hare
Classroom 8: Tweens & Teen Girls
Dining Facility: Life Class Devotion (Ongoing throughout the year)
Prayer Guide
4th Strand of Stewardship — North Highland
“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24).
I was cutting my front yard last weekend. When I was cleaning up, a group of neighborhood kids were walking by. They came up to me. Two of them were intrigued by the fact that I was working! They asked if they could help me. Being that I was finishing up, I told them to return next Saturday. I explained to them they could help me with yard-work in my backyard. These two children asked me a few detailed questions. I answered them, then they left.
Now, I have had many of these types of conversations with others over the years. Typically, those who inquire about working do not return. So, I did not expect these two children to show up yesterday. As a matter of fact, I had even forgotten we even had the discussion. So, you can imagine I was quite surprised when I saw those two children walking up my walkway yesterday at the time we had arranged. They were ready to work! Even wearing work gloves!
Due to my surprise, I talked to Carrie. We made arrangements for projects and agreed on prices, then they got to work! They did such a great job!
As we pray for North Highland this week, let’s celebrate the value of work being cherished, as in the eyes of these children! As Truth Spring Trade School is kicking off another year, let’s pray for Megan, Jared & Andrew, who make up Trade School’s core leadership. Let’s pray, asking the Lord to grant them wisdom and stamina. As with these children, may diligence in work characterize the hearts and hands of our neighbors enrolled in Truth Spring Trade School.
chapter 18
continuing our series through Matthew
Highland,
Unfortunately, we were unable to record last Sunday’s sermon. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this causes you. However, I do have an overview to offer of our sermon on Matthew 18:7-20:
Humility & Compassion Are Main Ingredients
Recap of Matthew 18:1-6
David Klaus preached last Sunday. He led us into Matthew 18. He eloquently drew out the fact that this passage centers upon how we, the Church, do life together. It’s a glimpse as to what Jesus expects our community to entail. David really helped us adopt a proper outlook by allowing us to see how humility and compassion must be main ingredients within our Christ-centered Community.
Working in the Royal Law
Matthew 18:7-9
As we consider personal Christ-centered living and corporate Christ-centered community, we would be wise to insert here what’s referred to as the Royal Law. That being – to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
In his gospel, Luke points out a discussion between Jesus and a religious leader. In this discussion, we see the Royal Law brought to light. Jesus actually tells this leader that to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is to live.
To Love The Lord is to Hate Sin
Matthew 18:7-9 Continued
Loving the Lord is to be in relationship with Him. To behold Him; not just know about Him. To want to honor Him, not willfully offend Him in our sinfulness. Those who repent of sin, declaring Jesus to be Lord, enter into relationship with the Lord. They know the Lord hates sin because sin destroys. Sin separates to the point of isolation. Sin leads to death. Those who submit to Jesus as Lord undergo a heart change by way of the Holy Spirit.
As our hearts are renewed, we begin to share in heart agreement with the Lord. What He sees as wrong and sinful, we agree with, hating sin, as He does. What He deems right, we agree with, seeking after it with every breath! As we submit to Jesus as Lord, beholding Him, the eyes of our hearts have been enlightened. We find life in being near Him, our good shepherd. Jesus as Lord, choosing to persist in willful sin, results in us going to hell.
Turning Toward The One Who Strays In Mercy
Matthew 18:10-14
In belonging to this community of repentant sinners, we come to recognize that being near our Good Shepherd is our only source of rest. When one strays, our hearts turn toward that one in mercy. We long for their return, knowing that they are restless, unable to find mercy apart from the Good Shepherd.
We are not to be huddled together as His flock celebrating our own self-righteousness. We find our good, our righteousness, in being nearer to Jesus. We don’t turn to back biting or gossip as our way to handle those who stray. Rather, we recall being lost, the loneliness and anguish we felt in being deceived in our sin. We rejoice over the mercy we’ve received! It remains our eager expectation for the one who strays to also encounter the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness, eager for them to return.
When they do return, we rejoice – along with the Shepherd. We don’t look at them sideways, or make facial expressions that express our doubt. Rather, we celebrate the Shepherd’s fierce love and pursuit after the one who strays, praying the lost sheep who was found will also find rest and goodness in being near Jesus. As part of the ninety nine, we must crucify that secret criticism in our hearts toward the one who strays. Rather, we must intercede for them, rallying around them in support.
Handling Offense in the Huddle
Matthew 18:15-20
While in the Christian huddle, this truth also applies to one who sins against us. How we handle this offense is, even still, supportive of the offender in nature. Jesus lays out the policy here.
We are to go to our offender personally. We do not want to call any further attention to the offense or bring shame on the offender. In doing so, even in the middle of problems, we’re promoting peace.
In promoting peace, we reveal that we share in nature (in heart agreement) with our Heavenly Father. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says peacemakers shall be called “Sons of God.” Therefore, when we are offended, let’s especially be peacemakers, promoting the glory of God and seeking to promote even the good of our offender.
If the effort to restore the relationship is unsuccessful, then Jesus instructs us as to what to do. First, we are to take a small group of trustworthy witnesses to address the offender, seeking to iron out all of the wrinkles.
If the offender continues to foster discord, a lack of agreement, then the church is to be made aware that there’s apparently a wolf in sheep’s clothing in our midst.
As one submissive to the authority of Jesus there’s a delegated sense of authority Jesus is referring to here, entrusting those who lead to address, receive or refuse those who are being divisive.
While peacemaking is to characterize the hearts of believers, especially in the face of offense, we must also be protectors of those in our huddle as well.
When a person persists in being quarrelsome and divisive, they are promoting and celebrating these kinds of fruits – they are fostering division. They are not pursuing unity in Christ, they are exalting themselves, either in pride or self-righteousness – or both! This sin-soiled heart will spread these fruits throughout a Christian Community like a poison. Thereby, the person must be excused from the huddle.
Yet – Scripture does not permit those with delegated authority to receive or rebuke with an aire of self righteousness or personal-avenging, which means to cause someone pain for being difficult, because we deem ourselves to be right and them wrong. That’s self-justification – not the right play here.
Rather, we are to preserve and to protect all from the further spreading of the offense - even the offender as much one can. Clearly, this does not mean we conceal the truth, or sweep offenses under the rug. Though, Scripture does tell us that as much as possible, peace is our aim.
In Romans 12, Paul further applies these truths directing us to even care for our enemies. Paul directs us this way so that we do not give over the control of our emotions to our enemies. Rather, when we continue to treat them with kindness, we know and display a strength that can only come from the Lord. Next Sunday, we will be working through Mathew 18:20-35. This text is centered upon forgiveness.
Highland Cafe’ is open next week. Summer hours: Tuesday—Thursday, 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m.
Highland Cafe’
The Highland Cafe’ is open. If you want to serve, please contact us. We are going to transition to summer hours. Doors will be open Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30a.m.—11:30a.m throughout the summer.
August 12th — this Wednesday
Men’s Bible Study
Men, let’s get together. Let’s spend some time studying God’s Word and doing life together. We will have a meal, spend time together, then study God’s Word together. We will begin at 6pm. Register below. Please note — no childcare will be provided. If you are reading this in our weekly email, see the original post to access the form to register.
I love you, Highland.
See you Sunday,
Rob