Come To The Father + Tonight at Immanuel (RSVP Closed)
Good morning Immanuel. Christianity is an exclusive religion. There is only one way to get to God. But Christianity is an inviting religion because of the heart of Jesus.
John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
When I read, “no one comes to the Father except through me,” my gut reaction is to think that Jesus is excluding people. He sounds like a bouncer at a bar telling people they have to get past him to get to the Father. For some reason, my sinful instinct is to think Jesus is playing keep away with salvation and eternal joy. How stupid of me.
To hear Jesus this way is to miss the first sentence in this verse. He is the way, and the truth, and the life. He is the means of drawing near our heavenly Father, not the obstacle to it. Jesus isn’t saying we must fight through him to get to God but rather that trying to get to God any other way will lead to death. He is pointing us to salvation and eternal joy, not excluding us from it. Instead of putting up a locked gate in front of God, Jesus is putting up a neon billboard pointing to himself as the way to God.
Christianity is an exclusive religion. There is only one way to get to God. But Christianity is an inviting religion because of the heart of Jesus. He doesn’t want to shut people out but to invite us into closeness to God through faith in Him.
June 7, 2023 - Immanuel At a Glance
Celebration
SUNDAY SERMON - If you missed Sunday’s sermon from Pastor Barnabas, we’ve got you covered! You can get caught up here!
MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT - Scott Thomas, Immanuel’s very own Minister in Residence, recently began a ministry to support church-planting pastors. Church Planting Partners is a non-profit ministry partnering in the gospel for healthy church planting and healthy servant leaders. The ministry he provides is helping to make the real Jesus non-ignorable through church planting. Would you consider supporting Scott and CPP today? Learn more here!
Tonight at Immanuel: RVSP Event (Full Capacity Reached)
1 John with Pastor Sam Allberry - During the month of June, Pastor Sam Allberry will be teaching an interactive four-part series through 1 John. The class will be filmed as a resource and will be held in the cafe. We are currently at full capacity for recording in the cafe, and the RSVP link is currently closed.
If you are unable to attend in person, the series will be recorded and made available as a resource for Immanuel and other churches.
On the Horizon
ONLINE PRAYER - Every week, Jenn Ross, one of our Discipleship Groups leaders, facilitates two online prayer meetings that everyone is welcome to join. Join us every Thursday afternoon from 12:00-12:45 pm, or every Sunday morning from 7:30-8:00 am.On the Horizon
Discover Luncheon - The next Discover Luncheon will be hosted in the cafe on July 9th. If you are new or newish and looking to learn more about Immanuel, feel free to RSVP here.
Next Steps One Day Event - Join us on Saturday, August 5th, from 9 am-2 pm in the cafe for Next Steps Day. We will cover the material for all four sessions. Coffee and lunch will be provided. RSVP here.
Young Professionals Gathering - Every third Thursday, Immanuel hosts our monthly Young Professionals Fellowship from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Invite a co-worker, or come and meet a friend! Our next gathering is on June 15th. Food will be provided, with a suggested optional donation of $7 to help cover the food costs. RSVP here.
Wow, so helpful. Thank you 🙏🏼