God's Eagerness + This Sunday!
Good morning Immanuel. God's eagerness to answer is always greater than our eagerness to pray.
“Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. (Acts 12:14-16)”
After an angel came and miraculously freed Peter from the gates of a heavily guarded prison, Peter went to the gates of a prayer meeting, where he was denied entry. As he stood knocking, those praying inside couldn’t reasonably entertain the idea that God had answered their prayers. The irony is that it was easier for God to break Peter out of prison than for Peter to get into a prayer meeting!
This irony teaches us a lesson about God’s eagerness: His eagerness to answer is always greater than our eagerness to pray. And that’s good news. Our prayers never outpace the Lord’s kindness toward us. Martin Luther said, “Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.”
The risen Jesus is not stingy, and so the problem is never that we must work to convince Him to be kind and generous. Rather, He loves to convince us that He is faithful and generous, just as He promised! His eagerness to bless far outpaces even our eagerness to pray!
May 7, 2023 - This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning
SERMON - This Sunday, we are happy to have Dr. Ray Ortlund preaching at our 9 am and 10:45 am services!
PASTOR SAM ALLBERRY INSTALLATION - All are welcome to join us at our 9 am service to celebrate the installation of Pastor Sam Allberry. What a joy!
Seminars
9 am: Studying the Bible Together led by Dr. Tom Cox in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
9 am: First Word Seminar led by Dr. Russell Moore in the Cafe
9 am: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald in the gymnasium (ongoing for grades 5-12)
The last week of the Student Seminar is May 21st, before the summer break.
10:45 am: Next Steps Class 1, led by Tony Shepherd in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
Next Steps will run through May before the summer break. If you are interested in attending Next Steps in May, sign up here.
On the Horizon
BREAKFAST IN THE BREEZEWAY - Sunday, May 14th, is Breakfast In the Breezeway! Bring your breakfast item (donuts & pastries are perfect). Sign up to bring something here.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FELLOWSHIP - 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 May 18th. RSVP here.
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This is so good!!! Thank you!!!♥️