The Founder & Perfecter + Midweek Updates
Good morning Immanuel. It is not the strength of our faith that matters, but the object.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
We grow as we turn away from self-reliance and look to Jesus by faith in the gospel. But as we live by faith, it’s easy to unwittingly begin to put confidence in the strength of my faith rather than the one who is the founder and perfecter of my faith. My hope is not the size of my faith or the strength of my faith, but the object of my faith - Christ himself. I’m helped by C.H. Spurgeon here:
Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith.
C.H. Spurgeon - Morning and Evening
July 12, 2023 - Immanuel At a Glance
Celebration
SUNDAY SERMON - Pastor Barnabas Piper preached a sermon on the Friendship of Jesus. Listen here!
DISCOVER LUNCHEON - The Discover Luncheon was a blast! More than 25 people were in attendance and are on their way to getting connected more at Immanuel. God be praised!
No Wednesday Nights In July
TONIGHT - Wednesday Nights are on summer break, but we’ll be back in August!
On the Horizon
NEXT STEPS ONE DAY EVENT - If you are interested in membership at Immanuel, 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.
Engage
GIVE - Your generous giving enables us to plan for strategic gospel ministry as we seek to make the real Jesus non-ignorable in our city and far beyond. You can give online here.
This is so helpful. I have been clinging to these two verses specifically and intentionally since about May of last year. Thank you Tony 🙏🏼