This Sunday at Immanuel
Good morning, Immanuel. Check out the Pulse and learn what's going on this Sunday at Immanuel!
“…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…” (Titus 3:5a).
We are saved, not by works done by us, but according to God’s own mercy. The “outside-of-me-ness” of the gospel is a glorious aspect of its message. Any “gospel” that locates our confidence within ourselves or our abilities destabilizes everything. But the good news is that salvation is of the Lord. We are not as secure as our strongest grip on Jesus; we are as secure as His sovereign grip on us. Praise God! I’m helped by this illustration from the Scottish churchman and poet Horatius Bonar, who compares faith to “letting go” and dropping into the safety of stronger arms than our own:
The vessel was pretty high out of the water, and there was no ladder, either of rope or iron, at his side for the poor lad to descend by, so as to reach the boat which lay below.
The lad looked over and saw his position. There was the boat, and here was the slowly sinking vessel. He heard shouts to him from below; he saw some five or six stout men waiting to catch him; but he could not make up his mind to quit his hold.
He saw the swell of the sea, as it heaved the boat up and down; he observed, too, the distance between himself and his deliverers below; and his heart failed him. What if he should miss the boat, and drop into the sea, instead of the stretched-out arms underneath? He clung to the rope with all his might, and made as though he would go back into the vessel. But the shouts came up again, “Let go the rope!” He dared not go back, and he was afraid to let himself drop. So he clung to the rope as if it were his only safety. Again the shouts were heard, “Let go!” His answer was, “I can’t let go.”
At last, as the danger increased, the loud but kindly voices from below overcame his fear and distrust. He did “let go;” and without an effort dropped into the strong arms which were waiting to receive him. He was safe; and as he realised his safety, he could not help smiling at his own folly in refusing to let go, and in saying, as his reason for not letting go, that he could not.
May we rest continually in the strong arms of Christ!
Source: Bonar, Horatius. How Shall I Go to God? And Other Readings. London: The Religious Tract Society, 1881.
This Sunday At Immanuel
Sunday Morning…
SUNDAY WORSHIP: Join us for our 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services as we welcome new members and as Pastor Sam Allberry continues our series in the book of James.
Sunday Seminars…
NEW! - 10:45 AM: How to Talk About Jesus Without Being Weird, led by Dr. Gavin Ortlund in the cafe
9 AM: Student Seminar led by Vince Greenwald (grades 5-12) in the gymnasium
9 AM: Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox, studying the book of Romans in the staff lounge
9 AM: Last Word: The Gospel of Christ in the Book of Revelation, led by Dr. Russell Moore in the cafe
Fall Events!
MEN’S & WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP: Starting September 9th, men's and women’s fellowship kicks off at Immanuel! Every Monday from 7 pm to 8:30 pm, the women, led by Amy Cox, will gather in the cafe, and the men, led by Tony Shepherd, will gather in the gymnasium. We hope to see you there!
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Starting September 19, Heidi Faulks will kick off Immanuel's Women's Bible Study. This study meets every Thursday morning from 10:00-11:30 AM. They will go through Abide, Jen Wilkin's study on 1, 2, and 3 John. Childcare will be provided. Register here!
MEN’S & WOMEN’S RETREATS: We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for our upcoming men’s and women’s retreats! This is a fantastic opportunity to build deeper relationships at Immanuel, whether you have been at the church for a week or a decade. We also have the wonderful privilege of hearing from Ray and Jani Ortlund as our respective speakers. Register for the women’s retreat here and the men’s retreat here.