He Receives Sinners + This Sunday at Immanuel
Good morning Immanuel. Our sins and failings don’t hinder his love for us, they draw his love out.
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1-2).
The glory of Jesus is that he receives sinners! Is there any other kind of person he could receive? For this very reason, the Son of God came down to us and sought us out! He came to receive sinners and to welcome us into life and fellowship with Him through his blood. That’s amazing! He doesn’t keep us at arm’s length, but he welcomes us! In a sermon on this text, the African American Presbyterian minister and civil rights leader Francis Grimké (1850-1937) commented:
“What is it that Jesus is guilty of that so lowered him in their estimation? It was that he received sinners…What is it to receive sinners? The word receive means to admit, to welcome. And here it means that sinners of every description, however bad they be, however deeply dyed in iniquity, had ready access to Jesus; they could
come to him at any time; the way was always open to them; he invited them to come; he was glad to have them come; he gave them always a warm welcome. The way of access to him was open to everybody, good, bad, and indifferent: he drew the line on nobody. Yea, more, Jesus not only gladly received sinners who came in search of him, but he didn't wait always for them to seek him; he went out and buttonholed them on the streets or wherever he could find them” (Francis Grimke, The Works of Francis J. Grimke, 264)
Our sins and failings don’t hinder his love for us, they draw his love out. He welcomes us and seeks us out. This is the real Jesus for us today.
February 26, 2023 - This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning
SERMON - This Sunday, Pastor TJ will continue our sermon series in Ephesians.
HOLY COMMUNION - Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion!
Seminars
No First Word Seminar this Sunday. Dr. Moore will resume the class next Sunday.
9 am: Studying the Bible Together led by Dr. Tom Cox in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
9 am: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald in the gymnasium (ongoing for grades 5-12)
10:45 am: Next Steps 4, led by Tony Shepherd in the Staff Lounge (ongoing)
Engage
WOMEN’S RETREAT DEADLINE EXTENSION! - Due to the overwhelming response to our upcoming Women’s Retreat, registration will remain open until this Sunday. We already have 150 women signed up, so if you haven't yet registered, now is your chance! The cost is $85 per person. You can learn more and register here.
ONLINE PRAYER MEETINGS - Every week, Jenn Ross, an Immanuel Discipleship Group leader, facilitates two online prayer meetings that everyone is welcome to join. Join her on Sundays morning from 7:30-8 am via Zoom here.
LIVE ALBUM RECORDING SINGLE - Remember the Immanuel Live Hymns Album recording event last October? We are happy to announce that the song, “Tis So Sweet” will be released as a single next month, on March 10th! Be on the lookout, and let’s spread the word!
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