First Baptist Church, South Haven
We are currently only having VIRTUAL WORSHIP SERVICES. In addition, all in-person activities have been cancelled. Watch our emails or check the website for how to participate virtually.
While our place of worship has changed from the usual place and time, we are grateful to know that the Body of Christ can worship anytime, anywhere. And a building is just that - a building. The Church is the people, not the place where we worship. In these troubled times, our witness for Jesus Christ can be evident to those around us as we take wise precautions, while simultaneously living out our faith with what it means to have a peace that passes all understanding. May you be blessed this week as we see God at work through these unprecedented times. We can get through this together. Our God is able.
The God of Hope Gives
Matt. 11:28-29
Pastor Jerry Koller
Romans 15:13 NIV
Hope is a characteristic or attribute of God.
· Because God is a God of hope, He is the source and dispenser of hope for you and I.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
It is my prayer that as we look at this in greater detail, you will have a greater appreciation for what Jesus said and offered so that your love for Him may grow deeper and result in a life of praise and worship.
The word “I” is a personal pronoun.
· It is a simple substitute for the proper name of a person.
The word hope is commonly used to mean you wish for something to happen.
· It typically reflects some kind of personal desire that may or may not be fulfilled.
· When used in connection with God, it is the confident expectation of what God has said and promised.
I “will”
· If you are weary and burdened and come to Jesus, He will do something.
I will” give
· God gives as a part of His nature.
· Giving is motivated by love.
· Giving is an expression of love.
John 3:16 NIV
I will give “you”
· The word “you” is a word that identifies a particular group.
· It includes all who are weary and burdened.
· It includes all those who are weary and burdened that come to Him.
I will give you “rest.”
…taking a break from some kind of activity
…pausing for relaxation or to be inactive.
Rest has to do with being freed from the burden and weight of following the ways of the world or the teachings and traditions of men in order to find meaning and purpose in this life as well as in the life to come
· Verse 29 calls it, rest for our souls.
· The rest Jesus offers is not a result of our efforts as much as it is a result of His efforts.
· It is a rest that is the result of Christ’s work which leads to salvation.
Romans 5:1 NIV
Colossians 1:19-22 NIV
Notice, we were alienated and enemies of God (were—past tense). But now (present tense) Christ presents us to God as those who are holy—without blemish—free from accusation. Christ made this possible through His shed blood, through His death on the cross—through His resurrection from the dead.
APPLICATION
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
I guarantee it.
I will keep my word.
I will give it to you if you come because I am a God who gives and because I love you.
I will give you rest. In Me, you have peace with God. You will have rest for your souls.
Romans 15:13 NIV
· Tina Dell is going through withdrawals from a narcotic drug called Norco and she says it "is bad" and she is struggling.
· Todd Wiersum (brother-in-law of Linda Newell), is hospitalized due to Covid, on a ventilator and in critical condition. Please pray for healing and support for the family. Linda’s sister has cold symptoms and is doing better, but is still in quarantine so cannot be there.
· Robert Pollard (stepfather of Susan Seitz) has returned home following an ICU hospitalization and continues to heal from Covid. Susan’s mother, Loretta, doesn’t have any symptoms so far.
· Chet & Renee Goff and their extended family members: 1) Renee's mom has pneumonia; 2) Chet's mother is hospitalized due to very high sugar, a mini stroke, and a positive Covid test with no symptoms; 3) Chet's brother has Covid and is home resting well; 4) and their son Dylan tested positive for Covid and currently has no symptoms. Their immediate family is all quarantining. Please pray that no one else becomes infected and especially not Renee as she has other medical conditions. They have what they need at this time.
· Hailey & Grady Watson upon the birth of their daughter, Emberly Grace, on 11/11.
· Howard Robinson (brother of Stan Robinson, father of Bruce Robinson) is recovering from a stroke followed by surgery. Howard has been struggling since his first stroke several months ago from which he has not regained speech ability.
· Mary Ann Jones (Vasha Ferguson’s godmother) is currently hospitalized as she is recovering from a fall. She is also suffering from dementia and is undergoing testing.
· Leslie Robinson (friend of Vasha Ferguson) continues to have multiple health issues.
· Deborah Kirby (Vasha Ferguson's sister) has been moved to a rehab center following a massive stroke. Pray that medicare/medicaid insurance can be upgraded to cover needed treatment. She also has a wound that is not healing and is being tested for diabetes and cancer. Please pray for good results.
· Ginny Dorsey (Rhonda Dobberstein's mother) is receiving radiation for cancer.
· Lynn Rarick continues to deal with hip issues. Pray that a resolution can be figured out.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.
First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com