This Sunday we are starting a brand new preaching series.
Things We Think The Bible Says (But It Doesn’t).
Over time, we tend to pick up ideas about God and the Bible that are not entirely accurate. Most of the time the ideas harmless, but sometimes the things we believe can profoundly affect our faith and our understanding of God.
Throughout this series, we’ll examine some statements we might think the Bible says, but it doesn’t. For example, here is our statement this week:
Incorrect Statement: Everything happens for a reason.
That statement is not in the Bible.
Yet many of us have picked up the idea along the way, haven’t we?
The Bible speaks of a God who is in complete control. The fancy theological word for this is sovereign. We believe God is sovereign over the whole world. Yet…does that mean that all events happen for a reason? What if I get sick? Is there a purpose behind my illness? Or my parking ticket? Or the weather?
The Bible describes a tension for us between a sovereign God and a world that operates with a profound amount of freedom. This tension is why the Bible never declares that everything happens for a reason.
The Bible does say there is a season for everything.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
—Ecclesiastes 3:1
The Bible does say God will finish God’s work in us.
Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 1:6
The Bible does say that God’s purpose will be done.
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
—Isaiah 46:10
This Sunday we’ll explore why many of us have come to believe this incorrect statement and what the Bible actually says on the topic. It should be fun!
Here’s the rest of the series:
Oct. 23—Incorrect Statement: Good people go to heaven (bad people don’t).
Oct. 30—Peace Service: a service dedicated to promoting peace in our world.
Nov. 6— Incorrect Statement: God won’t give you more than you can handle.
Nov. 13— Incorrect Statement: God wants you to be happy.
Don’t forget! This Sunday is the Pig Pickin!! Join us for a BBQ dinner at 5 pm. A children’s scavenger hunt will start at 5:30 pm.
Also, we are in the early stages of our annual Stewardship campaign. Please turn in an Estimate of Giving Card to Unity. Estimates are how we create our 2023 budget. You can fill one out at the following link:
https://unitypres.elvanto.net/form/31381eda-dd5f-4747-a524-dae95c13611d
See you on Sunday!
—Pastor David
