Red Letter Edition

Obviously, everyone is not going to agree with the idea we have begun a new decade. Some believe the new decade starts, technically, on 1/1/2021, but for the sake of this article let’s believe the next decade has begun. As we journey into this new decade, I’m very optimistic about what the next 12 months holds for all of us as we continue to live out our faith. A couple of months ago I informed our church family this year‘s sermon theme will be called “Red Letter Edition”. All 52 sermons (give or take a few), for 2020, will be based around the words of Jesus. Yes, one could say every sermon is about the words of Jesus since He said He is the “Living Word”. More specifically I am referencing what is recorded in the gospels; primarily, the actual spoken words of Jesus when He walked on the earth. For example, we will spend a number of weeks discussing the beatitudes. You’re probably wondering how can we spend weeks on the beatitudes? Consider this, there are multiple books that have been written just about the beatitudes. On my first Google search, I found one online book store selling 20+ books just on the subject of Matthew 5:3-12. Just one of these books would take a week of intentional reading to finish in seven days. Hopefully, you are following along with our S.O.A.P. reading for 2020. Our January reading starts in Luke and within a few chapters, Jesus, as a young boy, is already quoted by the earthly physician who penned the 3rd book of the New Testament. I am challenging everyone to take the next 30 days and read all of the sayings of Jesus; consider doing this during our prayer emphasis (which starts tonight). An average reader can read all of His words in about 5 hours. Make it very doable, you could divide up the reading over seven days which correlates to about 45 minutes a day, or you could read 15 minutes a day for three weeks. During 2020 it will end up being about 40 actual Sundays because of missionaries and other special guests who will share from the pulpit. Let me also remind our church family we have 6 individuals within our fellowship who need opportunities to share from the Word of God. Please use this sermon series as an invite to family and friends. Possibly a work associate that you’ve been trying to connect with on a spiritual level will be interested in the sayings of your Savior. Jesus is not only the reason for Christmas; Jesus is the reason for everything about life. Jesus said, He is the way, the truth, and the life and no man comes to the Father but by Him. My hope in 2020 for those who call Hawthorne Assembly their church home is we will walk closer than ever with our Savior. Our salvation will be more real than ever. Our burden for the lost will be more evident than ever. Our desire for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to manifest will be more obvious than ever. I’m looking forward to the next 52 weeks, how about you? No one knows how many more days, weeks, years, decades, centuries we have, so let’s make the most of what we have. Here are our first red letters…”We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5