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Good morning (or afternoon... or evening... whatever time it is...), reader,
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Hope you've been enjoying the slightly cooler temps this week before they soar back to immediately-sweat-inducing for the weekend. (If you are a runner, better get in all your miles before Saturday!)
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This week, Erin continues our Punch in the Face series with some truly startling words from Jesus about heaven (or rather, who He will let in to heaven...)
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Knocked out of Heaven
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If you pay attention to what is typically said at a funeral or visitation in the Midwest, you would discover most "Christians" are actually Universalists, meaning, they believe everyone goes to heaven. Unless the deceased was a mass murderer or pedophile, you will most likely hear that the dearly departed is "in a better place" regardless of how he or she lived life.
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"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven..." (Matthew 7:21a, ESV)
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What gives? Why is the all-loving Son of God going to deny some people entrance to eternal paradise?
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Knocked Out by my own Fist
As we near the end of our Punch in the Face series of Jesus' shocking words found in the Sermon on the Mount, we come to verses 21 through 23, which say...
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“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV)
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Imagine a husband who says he loves his wife, regularly buys her flowers, routinely helps clean the house, dotes all over the kids, yet repeatedly cheats on her. Obviously, he says one thing, even displaying actions that seem to verify his words, yet his unfaithfulness reveals where his heart actually lies.
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Likewise, Jesus is showing how a person can say one thing (calling Him "Lord"), even engage in actions that seem to verify his/her words (prophesying and casting out demons), yet not truly love Him. In Matthew 15:8 (quoting from Isaiah 29:13) Jesus says that such a person "honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."
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All of this means Jesus doesn't just want your words or mindless actions. He wants your heart! He wants you!
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So, come to the Worship Gathering on Sunday, but don't just come out of duty; come with a heart to seek Him. Spend time in the Word and prayer, but don't do it mindlessly; do it to know Him. Give God your heart out of love, not obligation.
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Kids Creek Sunday
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Join us this Sunday, July 26, for a wonderful all-family worship experience as we bring the fun and discipleship of our elementary class into the Worship Gathering with our annual Kids Creek Sunday.
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Partnership Class
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Curious what it looks like to become a Riverwood Partner (our term for membership)? Sign up for our Aug 16 Riverwood 101 class, which will be held after the Worship Gathering. Lunch will be included!
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Spiritual Growth Resources
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Did you know we have "customized" spiritual growth resource suggestions readily available for you? Simply stop by the column in the lobby, determine your spiritual "depth," then select the appropriate card to take home with you.
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Just for Fun
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