What is offensive about the gospel? The Apostle Paul states in Romans 9:33, quoting Isaiah 28:16, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” The fact of the matter is that Jesus is a stumbling block to many; He is the rock of offense.
I have observed that we are in danger in our day of political correctness to take the offense out of the gospel. We want to make the gospel a safe, pleasant message that would offend no one. “If you are unhappy in life, try Jesus. He will make you happy. It is what my professor of pastoral counseling called the “happy Jesus view.” You don’t have to worry about your sin – no repentance required. Just believe and live as you’ve always lived!” My friends, that is not the gospel. Augustine pointed out, “If you believe what you like in the gospel and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”
The gospel confronts every sinner with his/her sin. It confronts the religious sinner with her pride. It confronts the immoral sinner with his immorality. It confronts the greedy sinner with his love of money. It convicts every sinner of his/her guilt before the holy God. And, it offers to every sinner the free grace of God, who sacrificed His own Son as the righteous substitute for sinners. It shows that no sinner can save himself, but that God will save everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ alone.
If we are saved, it is because God chose to save us, and all the glory goes to Him. If we are lost, it is because of our stubborn pride and disobedience. That message is offensive because it confronts human pride and glorifies God alone. And, that is the only message that we are to proclaim.
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen will continue his sermon series, Ephesians: Our Identity and Purpose. His message this Sunday will be “Gratitude for the Gospel,” based upon Ephesians 3:1-7. Please read this text in preparation for worship!!
Adult Sunday school
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday immediately after worship in the large Sunday school room. Please join Janet Coiner and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will study Matthew 21: Lessons from Jesus!! Please bring your Bible!!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Amazon Smile
Support Hope Community Church by choosing us as your Amazon Smile charity. Simply login to Amazon. In the upper left corner, Click Amazon Smile. If you are supporting a charity already, you will see that name. Click the dropdown arrow. Click “Change Charity”. Search for “Hope Community Church Waynesboro”. Click and select.
Mission Corner
During April we will be focusing on the evangelistic ministry of Gospel Hill Ministries. A Tent Meeting entitled “The Ingathering” will be held from May 1 – 7 at Constitution Park! Prayer Gatherings are being held every Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. at our church facility!
Comfort Care Hands-on Work Opportunity
Comfort Care has an opportunity for a few of us to help with their remodel. If you are interested in helping either day, please let Kim Holman know by May 1.
- May 17th (Tuesday afternoon) Comfort Care will need to move all of the furniture and prep the walls for painting (patch holes, etc). They are still working out details as to where the furniture is going (maybe just to the garage). They are NOT moving the exam table, so there shouldn’t be anything too heavy.
- May 18 and May 19 (Wednesday & Thursday) Comfort Care will need folks to paint the majority of their first floor clinic in Staunton. There are 4 rooms and an entryway. They can’t have too many painters or they’ll be in each other’s way but, yet, they need to get the job done.
You can visit our website and go to the Outreach Page.
Prayer Meeting
Our Weekly Prayer meeting is held at our church facility each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. We invite you to join with us as we seek the Lord’s face!
March Financial Report
Revenues: Monthly: $14,004.91 YTD: $53,393.53
Expenses: Monthly: $21,023.74 YTD: $47,169.27