Midweek Updates + Ray Ortlund Tonight!

Good morning Immanuel. We are God’s own because it was God in Christ who entered the darkness of this world and bore the weight of our sin in His own body.

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash

Have you ever felt deeply valued by someone? Maybe it was a teacher, coach, parent, or friend. They singled you out, spoke to you in a way that built you up, pulled out your value, met you in a time of need, and gave you a sense of purpose. Do you remember what it was like to feel the wind put in your sail by their encouragement?

In 1 Peter 2:9, God puts the wind of encouragement in our sail with a reminder that we belong to Him. Notice how Peter says that you and I are “God’s own.” These two words should echo through the halls of our hearts. We are “God’s own.” These words together are shorthand for God’s own zeal to love us; words that put a claim on our lives unlike any other claim imaginable. God has taken us out of the darkness of our sin and into his marvelous light, making us His own. 

In this great transfer of status, we go from lost, impoverished, and accursed by sin and death to chosen, royal, and holy. This is amazing! This change of status is all of grace, a result of God’s own doing, to the praise of His glorious grace. We are God’s own because it was God in Christ who entered the darkness of this world and bore the weight of our sin in His own body. We are God’s own because the darkness could not overcome Him—He swallowed up death in the marvelous light of His resurrection! 

God’s deepest desire for you is to have you as His own. Let that sink into our hearts this morning, and then let’s proclaim His mighty acts on our behalf!

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October 11, 2023 - Midweek Updates

• CELEBRATION - Did you miss Sunday’s service? You can always check out our live-stream recordings here on Immanuel’s YouTube channel!

• WED. NIGHT - TEACHING AND COMMUNITY (6:30pm - 7:30pm) - Join us tonight as the Reverend Ray Ortlund helps us think through the Good News at Rock Bottom. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend. Let’s make a discovery (or rediscovery) of Jesus together.

  • Fall Break - With many area schools on fall break, iKids and Students are taking this Wednesday, October 11th, off from our regular meeting schedule, though teaching for adults will continue in the worship center!

On the horizon…

• WORSHIP NIGHT - Immanuel invites you to join us on October 18th for our Worship night at Immanuel at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to come and sing together and rejoice in the goodness of Christ. Doors open at 6 pm!

• YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FELLOWSHIP - Our next event is just around the corner. Join us for fellowship and encouragement on Thursday, October 19. Learn more and RSVP here.

• NEXT STEPS DAY - Interested in learning more about membership at Immanuel? Our Next Steps Event is for you! Join us on Saturday, October 21, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the cafe as we cover four sessions on membership at Immanuel. Coffee and lunch will be provided. You may RSVP here.