Sermon and Announcements for July 9

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

July 9, 2023

What About Us?

Colossians 3:1-10

We began a couple of week ago looking at Jude’s

concern for the churches. Jude saw there were those

trying to distort, dilute and in some way, do away with the

message Jesus and the apostles had given them.

Last week we took a look at the 10 Commandments that

had been given to Moses. We saw that Jesus had seemed

to state the 10 Commandments should still be viewed as

an important guide for all of God’s people. Jude seemed

to say the same thing. As we wrapped things up last

week, I felt the Lord asking you and me whether we

believe these commandments as well as the other laws

still apply in the churches and in our lives today.

Today we read what was said to the Colossians by Paul

about sin and the victory we have in Jesus. In verse 5

Paul says we should, “Put to death whatever belongs to

your earthly nature.” As we read that list most of most, if

not all of us probably thought this one isn’t a problem

and this one is no problem and so on. Were there any that

made you say, “Well I don’t see what the big deal about

that is?”

As we look at the list Paul was inspired to warn the

Colossians about, I noticed that virtually everyone of

them could be tied to the last 6 of the 10 commandments,

which also means that they also have to do with all of the

10 Commandments when you get down to it. In verse 10

we are reminded that if we have truly received Jesus

Christ as our Savior we should be growing in the love and

knowledge of God. Jude in his concern was talking to all

the churches here, on this occasion Paul is just talking to

the Colossians. In both cases the concern is not about

unbelievers, it is for those who are believers.

As we look at all we have read the past couple of weeks,

what does it mean to the church today? We could go

back to Exodus and Leviticus and read more detailed

laws or rules for living God gave to Moses to pass on to

the people. These laws, though they were given

thousands of years ago, address many of the issues the

church and the world face today. So, should we be

concerned about any of these “laws”, these rules for

living today?

After all, in Romans, Chapter 5, verse 21 and 22 we read,

“The Law was added so that the trespass might increase.

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so

that just as sin reigned in death so also grace might reign

thru righteousness to bring eternal life thru Jesus Christ

our Lord.”

As we see the concern by Paul, by Jude and the fact that

during Jesus’ ministry he believed the Law still had

meaning, what does any of this mean for us today? Do we

believe the 10 Commandments are exactly what they have

been called? Or do we view them as the

10 suggestions? Or the 10 thoughts to consider. Does

God still want the church today to use these 10 as an

essential guide to the heart of God? It is not easy or fun

to talk about sin for any of us. If we believe the Bible is

still the book that leads the church and all to believe to

salvation. We are forced to face the fact stated in

Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the

glory of God.”

For very personal reasons some sins highlighted in

scripture are more difficult for us to deal with and

acknowledge than others. We are going to spend one

more Sunday on the subject. I pray the Holy Spirit will

direct our look at this most difficult subject. What does

God expect of you and me, His church today? Do these

laws matter still today or in an ever-changing world have

they become outdated?

Next week we will look at some of the specific social

issues facing this nation and the church today. I pray the

Lord, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, will help us

understand just what it means to be a follower of Christ

and a child of God today. It does not matter what I say or I

think. It doesn’t matter what you think about these things.

What matters is what God expects of us and what he

thinks should be guiding us. I am looking forward to what

the Lord is going to do through you and me right here in

Cerro Gord. May we each come next week with open

hearts and open minds to see what the Lord has in store

for us.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

Sunday School 9:00

July 26 Full Board—6:15 executive committee; 7:00

commissions; 7:30 board

July 28, 29 Town rummage sales

July 31-Aug 4 VBS at Methodist Church

Aug 5 CUIC ice cream social

Needed: Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.

Madalyn Metzger, who grew up in the Springfield church, was

consecrated as the 2024 Moderator of Annual Conference.

BVS is celebrating 75 years. A new book is out to

commemorate this outstanding organization.

Donation Box: AC bills

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Keep in Your Prayers

Kenny Blair family; family of Valeria Martin; Pam and Tom; Carolyn Fansler; Iva Traughber Brunner; Nora Hanaver; 

Todd Henricks; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Michelle

West; Michelle’s mom; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy

Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen;

Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mindy Sawyer;

Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline

Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Shawn Cain; Robert

Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Stacie Warren;

Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; healthcare workers

and first responders; victims of disasters; victims of shootings;

shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for Camp Emmaus as it also

celebrates its 75 th year and all the campers and workers.