January 4, 2014 - Church at Worship

Sermon: 'If Nothing Changes . . ." - Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Doug Mace

Responsive Reading: Christianity in Practice - Jeffrey Tan and Sarah Tan

Note: Child Dedications and Baptisms are on the extras section of the dvd

Sermon notes:

Most of us desire change in some area of our lives. In fact, some years ago I listened to a preacher speak to preachers, who said to us: “Most of us preach to people every week who are terrified with the thought that they are who they are.” In other words, people who think: “This is who I am. This is as good as it gets. I’m not going to get any better than this. I’m never going to change.” Have you ever thought about that? Was the preacher I heard right—does that thought terrify you?

If so, I have good news! The gospel of Jesus Christ offers the hope of change to each one of us. Ponder, for example, these simple but potent words penned by the apostle Paul: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, TNIV). In other words: Everything is different! We are changed!

What that means in a more specific, tangible way is our theme on this first Sabbath of the New Year. Pray for God’s changing power in our lives as we worship together today.

Happy New Year!

Randy Roberts
Senior Pastor