The Thursday Update

Lakeshore Friends—

Why do so many people reject the Good News of Jesus Christ?

Think of all that the Good News offers people.  We can be totally forgiven of every sin we’ve ever committed (and ever will commit!).  We can be fully relieved of the guilt of sin that plagues our lives.  We can be dramatically empowered to live brand new lives filled with joy, purpose and satisfaction.  And we can be made relationally right with the One, True, Almighty God of the universe.  There’s so much more that awaits all those who will receive the Good News of Jesus into their life.  How could anyone refuse that?

No more trying to go on a self-improvement campaign to earn heaven.  No requirement to perfectly follow every rule laid out by God to enter heaven.  No need to go to a human religious leader for the forgiveness ritual they claim is required for heaven.  Instead, all of it comes to us by the undeserved graciousness of God through simple faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross just over 1,993 years ago.  We can simply receive the gift of God by faith because Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves.

You would think that an offer this good would be accepted by everyone who hears about it!  But it isn’t.  In fact, most will simply reject it.  They may say they believe but deep down inside, they really don’t.  It’s the greatest tragedy that can ever befall a person because the consequences are terrible and eternal.  Heaven will not be their final home.

Why is that?  Why do people not genuinely and fully respond to the Good News that is truly this good?

Jesus will answer that question in the parable of the Sower and the Seed in Mark 4.  This parable is straightforward— in fact Jesus does most of the interpretative work for us.  But the depth of it requires us to reflect on our own lives and honestly discern which of these four soils in the parable best describes us today.

The Good News is that no matter where you are when you walk in on Sunday morning, you can walk out in a much better place in life afterward.  That’s why I can’t wait to share it with you.  I hope you’ll be here to hear it.

Warmly,

Vince

P.S. My sincerest thanks for the special birthday party after services last Sunday!  Hearing you sing Happy Birthday meant so much to me— more than you may realize for reasons very few would know.  My birthday is actually today.  You are the best congregation anyone could ever pastor.  I really mean that.  Thank you!  Much love!

Greetings everyone,

I pray you are enjoying all that an Upstate New York summer has to offer. Between the beauty of this season, the many activities that fill our calendars, and all the preparations underway as we move toward three services, it’s understandable why it feels like summer has just begun and yet it is now half completed!

This Sunday, we will be looking at a parable that may be the most personally significant and eternally consequential of all the parables Jesus taught. The importance of understanding its message could not be greater. How we respond to this truth and how we help others understand it has implications not only for this life, but for eternity.

As we examine the Parable of the Weeds in the Field in Matthew 13:24-29, and the following parables in Matthew for that matter, we will find that there are a lot of opportunities for us to underestimate: The Kingdom of Heaven, the coming judgment, and even Jesus Himself. 

My prayer is that God would use this parable to stir within each of us a holy urgency and a deeper love for those around us who do not yet know Christ and to draw many to saving faith as they hear and respond to the gospel this Sunday and over this next year.

Love and Blessings,

Pastor Brian