The Daily + This Sunday!
Good morning, Immanuel. Sunday is just around the corner. Here's the daily and what's on the horizon.
“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).
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, reminding us that we belong to Him. Notice how Peter says 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, then let’s proclaim His mighty acts on our behalf!
Helpful Resources
Article: Pastor Sam Allberry writes about opening our services with a gospel welcome at TGC. Check it out here!
Podcast - Our Wed. Night special edition, “How to disagree without being a jerk,” led by Gavin Ortlund, can be heard on the Immanuel Podcast! Check it out here.
Save The Date: The Immanuel Staff is planning another Women’s Retreat for September 27th and 28th at Deer Run. Be on the lookout for more info!
This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning…
Worship - Join us for our 9 am and 10:45 am services as we continue our series in 1 Timothy!
Seminars…
9 am: Studying the Bible Together led by Dr. Tom Cox in the Staff Lounge
9 am: Exit Signs - A Study in Exodus Seminar led by Dr. Russell Moore in the Cafe
9 am: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald in the gymnasium (grades 5-12)
On the horizon…
Weekly on Fridays - Join us every Friday at 6 am in the Cafe for prayer as we seek the Lord for a long-term home in Nashville. Let’s see what the Lord will do!