Echo. (Echo.)

Sermons aren't like watching TV. Television is primarily designed for short-term entertainment and short-term information. Sermons are what God uses to draw us to Himself and to bring salvation and the hope of eternal life, so as believers we are personally obligated to spend time thinking about (and doing) what God has said through what Scripture calls "the foolishness of preaching" (see First Corinthians 1:21). The word of God is our source of relevant information which bears eternal consequences. Because His word is eternal, as is He, it doesn't hurt us at all to spend lots of time engaged in the things that prepare us for spending eternity with Him.

The apostle Peter said, and I paraphrase, Guys, I know that you already know a great deal about the faith. But I am writing to get these scriptural truths from the back of your mind to the front of your mind (see Second Peter 1:13). It's a good thing to be reminded of what God has said, which we read in His word and hear through our pastors.

That said, below (in no particular order) are a few of the statements and thoughts from this past Sunday's sermon. I pray that as we are reminded of these things, we will seek the Lord for further insight, revelation, correction, and encouragement.

• Hebrews 12:14: Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
• The role of the Church is to be God's instrument in healing.
• Matthew 9:35: Jesus went through cities and rural areas to teach, preach, and heal.
• The Church is called to be curative. We don't just rescue people; we bring healing to them.
• "Shalom is the goal of God for society."
• Holiness has two dimensions: exclusive ownership and accurate reflection/representation.
• All those who can't say "no" will not see God; "the grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness".
• Jesus died "to purify for Himself a people that are His very own."
• "If you are pursuing holiness, you will want to do what is good."
• "Ownership is for the purpose of reflection."
• Second Corinthians 3: We gaze at Christ and are transformed.
• "Who owns you?"

Lord, give us grace to hear and obey You as You confront us with our need to be holy and to be agents of Your healing.