Views from The Ridge 2.14.23
Sunset Ridge is a church that desires to follow Jesus, reach people, and radiate God’s love and hope to all.
This week…
Tuesday, February 14, 6:30-7:45pm: Life Group, John & Linda Tuller (facilitators), meets in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, February 15, 7-8:30pm: Youth Group hosted by the Stirmans (232 Harmon Dr.)
Sunday, February 19:
9:15am— Roots Children’s Class and Life Groups (see hall signs for current offerings and meeting locations)
10:30am— Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: “Canaan Able”
Text: Joshua 3-4
12:00pm— Children’s Parent Meeting (childcare available)
4:30pm— Liturgy & Worship in the Chapel
Upcoming…
Monday, February 20: Church Office Closure
Wednesday, February 22:
9:30am— Women’s Wednesday Fellowship in the Fellowship Hall (please note the new time)
7pm— Ash Wednesday Service in the Chapel
Saturday, February 25:
6:30pm— Young Adult Group at the Stirmans’
“The Gift is not God”
Riley Stirman
In II Kings 18, we are told the story of King Hezekiah making striking reforms in the Kingdom of Judah. The people of Judah had turned away from God in a myriad of ways. There were idols from all sorts of neighboring countries that he demolished. But interestingly, there was a relic from their own past that had become an idol as well: the bronze snake that Moses fashioned in the wilderness. The people had been offering incense to it as if it was God himself.
As we discussed Sunday morning, God instructed Moses to fashion a snake so that anyone afflicted by the plague of serpents could look on it and be saved. In so doing, they were turning their eyes toward God as an act of faith. In John 3, Jesus compares himself on the cross to the bronze snake since any who believed in Jesus would be saved.
The problem, it seems, is the people have forgotten the God part. The part of the story they have chosen to focus on is that the bronze snake healed them, not that God healed them by giving them the bronze snake.
To put this another way, the people took the gift that God gave them and made it their God.
God chooses the ways he reveals himself. Often, they're not the ways we would choose. Sometimes he shows up in an intense spiritual experience that can have no other explanation but God. Other times it's something more subtle, like an answered prayer or a loved one showing up just when we need them. But either way, these revelations are gifts from God. They can't be demanded of him. And they certainly don't limit how he is supposed to show up for us.
And most notably, Churches of Christ have often been guilty of treating the Bible itself - arguably God's greatest act of self-disclosure - as if it were the living God.
The message from Hezekiah (told to us in the Bible, yes I see the irony) is that the gift of God is not God. The gifts that God has given us are meant to point us on to continually seek the God who provides for us.
God has showed up for us in the past, and I think it's a good thing to remember those times and strengthen our faith. But I don't want us to miss what God is doing in the present because we're hyper-focused on what he once did.
Listen to the prophets. They know what it's like to continuously seek God, believing that he will show up, not just once, but over and over again.
"The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a mighty warrior who can save you. He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
Daily Bible Readings
These passages supplement the upcoming Sunday sermon:
Monday: Psalm 102:25-27
Tuesday: Genesis 17:6-8
Wednesday: Philippians 3:13-14
Thursday: Exodus 14:21-22
Friday: Hebrews 12:1-2a
Saturday: Numbers 14:21-24
Tithe.ly - Our Online Platform for Scheduling Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who has set up their Tithe.ly accounts to volunteer in our worship service and children's ministry!!
If you still need to set up an account or sign up to volunteer, please contact chelsea@sunsetridgechurch.org.
To access the site, use the link: https://tithely-sunsetridge.elvanto.net/
Youth News
Register Now for Trek & MPulse
Register now for Trek in New Mexico (June 4-10). Trek is open to incoming freshmen through graduated seniors in our community. Sign up using this link: https://go.theflybook.com/manage/JT5PWZ#/full/home Pin: 2607
Register now for MPulse Camp at Abilene Christian University (July 9-14). MPulse is open to incoming 7th through 9th graders. Sign up using this link: https://www.acucamps.com/register
Please contact chelsea@sunsetridgechurch.org with any questions.
Prayers & Praises
We Express Sympathy To: The family of our former member and elder, Rudy Gaedke, who passed away on February 3. A memorial service will be held on July 23, 2023 (time TBD) at San Pedro Presbyterian Church in San Antonio.
Kacie Fry, Kyle Fry’s sister, is recovering from bladder cancer surgery.
Graham Jacobs, son of David and Brielle Jacobs, and grandson of Gregg & Kelly Alba, remains in NICU.
Geraldine Kiser’s daughter, Ellen Kiser, is awaiting test results.
Shirley Sanders has moved to an assisted living facility. Her new address is 6202 Hollyhock Rd. 78240
God, we gather in gratitude, thankful for the ways you seek to revive us! Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts work together to praise you in this hour. Grant your Spirit to move our hearts and inspire each of us to share your steadfast love with all whom we encounter. Help us to join in giving only what is good, not only today, but every day. Amen
