Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This week, in our Sunday Service, we are back in 1 Peter. Specifically, we will be hearing what God has to say to us through 1 Peter 1:3-12. Peter packs so much into these verses that I would love to dive deep and split the passage up into three separate sermons! But we are going to keep it at one for now (though we may see a reprise of these verses later this year).
All of that to say, there is more to be said than can be shared in the sermon this Sunday. For example, one of those things is that in verse 6, Peter talks about the various trials that believers were going through. But if you look in older translations, the word used is “temptations”. So I want to clarify what the difference is between a trial and a temptation.
A trial is an adverse event or situation which is sent by God. A trial is something that we generally don’t want because it is a difficulty. It tests and refines our faith. It comes from outside of us. Trials challenge our fidelity to God’s will: “Will we keep trusting God, even in the midst of this hard time?” God’s word is clear that trials endured result in praise, honor and glory (1 Pet. 1:8).
Temptations are enticing situations or opportunities which are not sent by God (James 1:13). A temptation is generally something that we do want because it seems like it will be good for us in the moment. It leads us away from God and causes us to sin. It can come from outside of us but often comes from within our own hearts. Temptations also challenge our fidelity to God’s will: “Will we keep obeying God, even when presented with this seemingly desirable thing?” God’s word is clear that temptations indulged result in sin, and sin when it is full grown, leads to death (James 1:15).
May God carry each of us through trials and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil!
If the weather permits, next Sunday, CrossPoint Community is hosting its Annual Soup and Bread Luncheon on February 23rd. The luncheon is open to all CrossPoint Community members, their families and friends. Come and sample the many varieties of soups, breads and desserts we have to offer. At the same time, learn about our CrossPoint Community and make new friends! We’d love to see you there on February 23rd at 1:00pm. Bring your family and friends! Sign-up via the QR code in the previous post’s poster or this link.
Please continue to pray for the nations of Israel and Ukraine and South Sudan. Pray that the wars would end and the ceasefire in Gaza will hold. Here is a suggested list of prayers if you are at a loss for words in how to pray: https://send.org/story/hh_pray_for_ukraine. And https://worldrelief.org/blog-prayer-for-israel-and-gaza/ Thank you for kneeling on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Gaza and Lebanon, Sudan and South Sudan, and taking a stand (or a knee in prayer) against the forces of darkness in this present age.
This Week (Feb. 14-20, 2025):
1. Tonight, Feb. 14, 2025, the Living Stones Friday Night Bible Study is meeting from 7:30-9:30 to study “Treasuring those whom God treasures.” You can read Exodus 1:6-2:10 to prepare. Join in person in Room A-218 or online via the following link at 7:30 pm:
https://zoom.us/j/685376249?pwd=cWtyUk1pckJiRHJxZVZCSGdJZWw2UT09
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
Password: 840840
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. CrossPoint Community Sunday School meets this Sunday – Feb. 16 in the Koinonia Room (A-216). We will have our second lesson of Theology and Economics, led by Marina Lam. We will use the following link for those who wish to join online this Sunday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/491248585?pwd=RnpLcnpjQ01nTGZLSmhaZ3l4L3dKQT09
Meeting ID: 491 248 585
Password: 403767
Join by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
There will also be a connection hour, a time for conversation and prayer, in A-202.
3. This Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, at 11:25 am, our CrossPoint Community Worship Service will start and Pastor Nathan Willems will be preaching. Pray for him! Join us for worship at CBCGL and take communion with other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Text: 1 Peter 1:3-12
Title: The Outcome of Your Faith
Live stream via Youtube: https://www.cbcgl.org/live-stream/
4. Each Wednesday, such as this coming week (Feb. 19) at 7:45 pm, you are invited, encouraged, and requested to join our weekly prayer meeting. We will not grow in Christ without growing in our dependence on God through prayer. In February, we will be praying with a focus on the love of God. The link is found below in the section on prayer.
Administration / Events
1. We have a missions update (so check out the missions tab in the bulletin)! You can pray for the Panama STM team. They are working to prepare and plan for their time with students in March. For more information, you can talk with Pat Fung. Also, if you’d like to help with providing mission updates for CPC – let Pastor Nathan know!
2. CPCM has reserved the Multi-Purpose Room on Saturday’s from 1:30 to 4PM for sports (We are back on this week!). In general, we can play any game: Ping-pong, badminton, pickleball, volleyball, basketball; we can do it all. The room is reserved only for CPCM members and their guests, so it is highly likely you will have lots of space and time to play whatever you want. The goal is to build deeper bonds through shared interest and activity. The contact person is Joshua Zhang.
3. Sunday Lunch Service is available at CBCGL with $5 lunches that are first-come, first-served. Pizza is $2 per slice and Ramen is available (priced variously according to size).
4. Women’s Bible Study – “KEEPING IT VERTICAL” meets the first and third Tuesday of each month to learn, share and grow in the Lord. We are studying the Fruit of the Spirit. Come join us and meet new friends and bring more friends along! Contact jeannemic50 (at) icloud.com
5. Got a Hobby you want to pursue but don’t have the time, space or motivation? Come to the Hobby Bunch on Feb. 15, from 1:30 to 4 pm. See the Bulletin or Weekly worship announcement slides for a QR code for a permission slip for Youth. Bring your own hobby and supplies, or sign up to learn a hobby. All ages welcome (Children are to be accompanied by an adult.) Refreshments will be provided!
6. The Ladies Fellowship (Keeping in Vertical) invites you to register to attend a one-day women’s retreat at Calvary Bible Church in Derry, NH either Fri, May 16 or Sat, May 17, 2025 (a one-day event held on two separate days).
Online registration begins on Monday, February 24, 2025 via https://www.cbcderry.org/lda25
Cost is $45 which includes breakfast, lunch and registration details.
EVENT DETAILS including the event schedule, a short bio on the speaker (Katie Davis Majors) and important things to know can be found on the website noted above. PLEASE NOTE Tickets are NONREFUNDABLE AND NONRETURNABLE (Feel free to sell or give your ticket to a friend if you register and can’t make it). Also, plan to register ASAP as a WAITING LIST WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR. Registration starts on the website February 24th. For more info or to register as a group, please contact: Pat Fung (patriciafung5 AT gmail.com)
7. All other announcements can be found here (in our CrossPoint Community bulletin).
For Prayer:
1. From Bishop J.C. Ryle – “To be prayerless is to be Christless, Godless, and in the high road to destruction…It will always be found that when prayers are few, grace, strength, peace, and hope are small.” Please join our Wednesday night prayer meeting (7:45 – 9:15 pm) even if you can’t participate the whole time.
https://zoom.us/j/758587937?pwd=aS9sZUdxcm1janNNM2I2aXJ6Smx2QT09
Meeting ID: 758 587 937
Password: 030086
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. We’d be glad to pray for you. If you need prayer, you can submit your prayer request via the following link: https://www.cbcgl.org/pray/
In Christ, your servant, SDG,
Rev. Dr. Nathan Willems
Associate Pastor of CrossPoint Community – A Ministry of CBCGL