Pathways Baptist Church
Welcome to worship at Pathways. We hope you will feel the presence of God's Spirit throughout today's worship service. Dr. Larry Eubanks will bring today's message from Matthew 5:38-48, “Is God Just?” Let God lead you to experience a life that knows His grace, mercy, and bringing about His justice to "restore things the way he made them and intended to be." Join us in person and online to find that yielding to the Lord brings a personal strength within. Feel free to take notes using the YouVersion app. Fill out a Connection Card (link provided below) and let us know how we can serve you better.
Praise Song: THIS IS AMAZING GRACE
Praise Team
Praise Song: PROMISES
Praise Team
Isaiah 30:18
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
Praise Song: TRUST IN GOD
Praise Team
Affirming and Welcoming New Members:
New members will be presented for membership at Pathways next Sunday, September 24. We give thanks to the Lord for leading them in joining our Pathways family. As a church family, we welcome our new members warmly and look forward to serving the Lord in unity.
Digital Photo Directory:
Help complete our digital directory at Pathways. We want to connect your name with your photo! Beginning next Sunday, September 24 through Sunday, October 8 photos will be taken following the worship service. Don't miss your opportunity to have your picture taken for our directory.
Photos will be taken in room 222-223 in the Adult Ed wing:
Sunday, September 24 - Last names beginning with A-J
Sunday, October 1 - Last names beginning with K-R
Sunday, October 8 - Last names beginning with S-Z
Greeting Time: Greet one another with the love of God. During this time you may use the prayer prompts on screen to pray for the needs of others and for the needs of Pathways.
Invocation and Offering Prayer:
Offering Song: MORE THAN ABLE
Praise Team
Sermon Experience: "Is God Just?"
Dr. Larry Eubanks, Preaching Interim
Matthew 5:38-48
Matthew 5:38-48
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
God's Nature:
It's not just that God loved us - it's that God is love. Love is not just something that God does, it's who God is, it defines His very nature.
God is just:
God cannot turn a blind eye toward sin. Sin has consequences. Sin must be punished. Sinners must be punished. And we're all sinners.
God's justice is absolute:
If God lets love get in the way of justice, He's a fraud.
God sends a Redeemer:
Jesus takes our place and bears the burden of the sins of us all.
Justice as Restoration:
Rather than thinking of justice in terms of punishment, Jesus invites us to think of it in terms of restoration.
Restoration vs. Punishment:
-Restoration can be a means to an end, but it's never the end itself.
-Rather than thinking of justice in terms of punishment, Jesus invites us to think of it in terms of restoration.
-The ultimate goal was the restoration of Israel as the light to the peoples, so that all people could be restored as children of God.
Jesus said for all to hear, "Today salvation has come to this house."
Closing Song: THIS IS THE KINGDOM
Praise Team
Benediction:
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
-Isaiah 41:10
https://spiritualgiftstest.com/faqs/
Free spiritual gifts assessment.
Read the FAQs
Take the assessment.
Read the definitions and Bible sources
Read the kind of ministries / teams that benefit from this gift
Let us know your gifts by emailing jder@pathwaysbc.org