Our final lesson in the series "Understanding the Church" was all about the power of doing good...WOW!
We began with a word of encouragement from Susan - she shared from Phil 2:8 - I love the way Susan draws us gently into scripture and softens our hearts to receive the teachings that Rose so faithfully shares each week...
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| Florence, Mauryne and Susan |
Rose shared 4 powerful consequences of doing good...First is that doing good allows Jesus to love others through us...
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| Leona and Rose |
Here Susan is reading the passage from Gal 2:20
Florence reading Matt 25:31-40 - both of these passages show us that Jesus sees a compassionate act demonstrated to someone in need as an act of service to Himself!
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| See the workers in the background? |
Rose shared that there are people placed into our community because we are to serve them - I had never thought of it that way before!
Second - Doing good makes Christ attractive to the world.
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| Group shot! |
When we serve others people are drawn to God and see Him as one who is approachable, one who cares and loves...
We were a bit challenged by the noise being made by these workers as they 'beautify' the church where we meet each week!
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| They made much progress while we were there! |
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| Leona's thinking face... |
Mauryne read from Matt 5:14-16 in which we are told to "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven"
Third - Doing good protects our reputation and empowers our witness...
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| Leona reading 1Peter 2:12 |
When we serve the needs of those who are unbelievers, it changes how they see us and how they listen to us...
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| Elida |
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| Salome |
Fourth - Doing good benefits society by overcoming the effects of evil and sin...
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| Rose reading Titus 3:8 |
...we can actually overpower evil by doing good works in the place where evil exists...
...by doing good we actually can change the spiritual climate of a region...Christ wants the power of service and His love to overcome the power of evil.
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| Susan taking prayer requests |
We then spent a few minutes hearing from the ladies of thanksgivings/answered prayer and prayer requests...
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| Rose writing prayer requests |
Okay - I got distracted! This guy is mixing cement on the floor...for placing more tiles...
We then spent time praying individually for all the needs presented earlier...
Then Leona lead us with a worship song and closed our time of prayer...
Here Susan is finding a past lesson for Mauryne...
These toilets are such an improvement over the childrens' toilets we used to use that I just had to take some shots...
We then walked down the road to our new favorite spot to share a meal, debrief about today's meeting and plan for our final meeting and celebration next week!
