I wanted to take a few moments and let you know our direction for the upcoming year in my preaching calendar. Yes I have a preaching calendar for the nutritional needs of our spiritual lives. The scriptures are our spiritual food and my responsibility is to provide a balanced diet for that need. Over the last couple of years we have spent a great deal of time in the Old Testament (Job and Psalms) and in topical study (the Holy Spirit).  Following our ministry map we have sought to focus on our worship and our power for witness (the Holy Spirit). This is where we have been. 

            Starting in May and going through the summer of 2019 we will dive back into Luke’s Gospel (Chapter 20) and Lord willing complete the Gospel this summer. Here we will primarily be in the final week of the Life of Jesus. He is continuing His trek to Jerusalem and to the Cross. There will be much to grow us here. 

            In September our plan will be to celebrate CBC’s 40^thAnniversary. September will be a special month of reflection and remembrance. We will have some special speakers and events to recall God’s faithfulness to our church family. We will hear testimonies and commemorate those things that have identified CBC over the years. My message to lead this month off will be from Deuteronomy 8 and will focus on verses 2-3 (Meditate on the instruction of these verses).

 

² And you shall rememberthe whole way that the Lordyour God has led youthese forty yearsin the wilderness, that he might humble you,testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. ³ And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed youwith manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

 

            In October I will begin an expository series on 1-2 Thessalonians and will pepper this series with excursions into areas of biblical prophecy (1-2 Thessalonians are loaded with prophetic references). The Thessalonian epistles teach us how to live as Christians (To Walk in Community with Jesus and His Church) in light of the fact that Jesus is coming Again. That’s it! 

            What then is the purpose of biblical prophecy? Is it so we have a timeline, can build charts, or satisfy our curiosity about the future? In all the debates and conjecture it is easy to miss the fact that biblical prophecy is about Jesus. It is about Jesus and living for Him. Biblical prophecy isn’t a “Christian Horoscope.” It is a foundation on which to build our lives and walk in a manner that pleases God. 

 

Here we go … See You Sunday,

 

Pastor Byron

 

A few helpful references for our upcoming studies: 

1. Let's Study Luke- Douglas Milne– Banner of Truth
2. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians- Mark Howell– Holman Press
3. 40 Questions about the End Times – Eckhard Schnabel – Kregel Press