Bethel Community Church Orlando

THIS IS OUR GOD // FAITHFUL

In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah cries out to God. Lamentations reminds us of the importance not only of mourning over our sin but of asking the Lord for His forgiveness when we fail Him. Despite Jeremiah's hopeless feelings at times, he is able to push God’s faithfulness to the front of his mind and remember when God demonstrated His grace and mercy. Whatever hard things we go through, we must never doubt God’s faithfulness.

THIS IS OUR GOD // SLOW TO ANGER

Many people today see God as vengeful. The Bible shows us that God felt two rightful emotions toward us: wrath and compassion. In his sovereignty, He chose to bring one emotion close and push the other far away. God is fully justified in letting us feel the wrath of our sin. However, He chose to be patient with us and bring compassion near. His anger actually grows out of His love for us — His love for goodness, purity, and holiness. God’s judgment often consists of allowing us to experience the painful consequences of our choices, but He is always near to offer forgiveness and reconciliation. This is never more evident than when God sent Jesus to die for our salvation.

THIS IS OUR GOD // LOYAL LOVE

The parable of the Prodigal Son shows us God’s steadfast love
and loyalty at work. God’s loyalty is based on His love for us, and it
endures rejection, accepts repentance, and rewards faithful service. All we have to do is accept God's love for us -- repenting of our sin and believing in Him.

THIS IS OUR GOD // SOVEREIGNTY

Throughout the life of Joseph, we see how God was at work throughout every situation Joseph faced. Whether he was being treated as the despised brother or the slandered slave, Genesis 50:20 rings true throughout his life. "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

THIS IS OUR GOD // GRACE

Ephesians 2:7 says, "so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2 goes on to tell us that by God's grace is how we are saved from eternal death. But God's grace doesn't just save us; it permeates every aspect of our lives. 

THIS IS OUR GOD // COMPASSION

In Isaiah 49, the Israelites accuse God of forsaking them. God’s reply to Israel’s foolish allegation is one of compassion. God asks, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

God goes on to tell the Israelites how much they actually mean to Him. They are so loved and so dear to Him that He has carved their names on the very palms of His hands. God’s compassion would not and could not allow Him to forget His children.

THIS IS OUR GOD // JUSTICE

Justice is one of God’s attributes and flows out of His holiness. Because God is a just God, He must judge everyone who does not meet His standards for perfection. However, God, in His loving mercy, sent Jesus to the world despite the fact that our sin demands our death. God sent His Son to be our substitute upon the cross, and Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. God's mercy and grace are not in spite of His justice, but because of it. 

Why We Work

Although work was part of the punishment for mankind after the sin of Adam and Eve, I Corinthians 15:58 tells us that our labor is not in vain. We are instructed to always be working for the Lord. This can be sharing the gospel with others or going to our day job. Our work provides finances and resources for the Lord's work and for our daily lives. Not only is work part of God's provision, but He promises that we will receive a reward for our hard work. You never know what kind of impact your work will have on others or in the future!

JOSHUA - WEEK 12 // SERVE THE LORD

In the last chapter of Joshua, we see that Joshua is nearing death and leaves his last words of wisdom with the Israelites. After all the fighting and wars in the land of Canaan in order to take the land God had promised, Joshua urges the people to continue serving the Lord. He essentially tells them to make their choice; choose their god/God. If they chose not to choose, then they had already made their choice; and it wasn't the one true God. Joshua chose to serve the Lord, and he wanted the Israelites to as well. 

 

JOSHUA - WEEK 11 // FAILURE

In Joshua 16-17, Joshua continues to divide up the Promise Land among the tribes. Ephraim and half of Manasseh are assigned their plots and given land in Canaan. Immediately there are problems. These tribes did not completely drive out their enemies like God had told them. Once again, the people of Israel didn't fully trust that God would bring them the victory. We, too, are in a spiritual battle with the world. We cannot get fatigued in fighting against the evil of today. We must not compromise our calling or beliefs and take the easy way out.