You are Welcome here!! We are so glad you are joining us for worship.

1. Our Faith Is Valid (vv. 14, 17).

· We are not living in a delusion.

· Those who go to the ends of the world to make disciples are doing a significant work.

· Those who go to their neighbors with the Gospel may do so with confidence.

· The sacrifices and deaths of those who have been persecuted for their faith are meaningful.

2. We Have Forgiveness (v. 17).

· We do not have to live under the oppression of guilt from past sins.

· The penalty and power of sin have been sufficiently dealt with in Jesus.

· The hope of being free from the presence of sin is a reality.

3. Our Heritage Is Meaningful, Trustworthy & Powerful (v. 15).

· The history of the Christian church is not a patchwork of fables, feel good stories and myths.

· The Apostolic witness has been shown to be true. These men would not have risked life and limb for something they knew was false. Take for instance, Peter, before the resurrection of Jesus. He was unable to even claim that He knew Jesus when asked by a girl at a campfire. However, following his time with the resurrected Jesus, he willingly suffered persecution, imprisonment, beatings and he even rejoiced because he was worthy to suffer disgrace for Jesus (Acts 5). Tradition tells us that he was most likely martyred by upside down crucifixion.

4. We Are to Be Envied (v. 19).

· Believers are not a pitiful band of misinformed, delusional humans chasing a lie.

· Believers have a rock solid belief system that is rooted in truth and which provides peace, stability and confidence like no other.

· Our faith conquers fear. Our profession gives purpose. Our hope is culminated in Heaven.

5. Death Is NOT the End (v. 18). Over the last 12 months we have seen many from our faith community leave this world and go to Jesus. We WILL see them again!!

· 02-15-20: Alvin Kunzi
· 02-19-20: Linda Sutherlin
· 04-13-20: George Oosterbaan
· 08-11-20: Kim VanderMolen
· 08-27-20: Lucille Gardner
· 09-03-20: Thomas Meyers
· 10-25-20: Bill Kotsifas
· 11-02-20: Tena Vunderink
· 11-17-20: Chuck Charron
· 12-04-20: Gord Brinks
· 12-31-20: Betty DeMeester
· 02-04-21: Cathy Maxwell