Laura Leatherwood presented the children’s lesson. Laura spoke about love and understanding; she told the children about God’s unconditional love for them. This is God’s grace and we should love unconditionally also.
Pastor Ken Lunsford continued with the Lenten Series and preached from the Book of John 3: 1-21.
Pastor Ken recalled a story Rodney Wilmouth once told about a man who died and showed up at the pearly gates of Heaven. St. Peter was waiting there. The fellow said “I want to enter Heaven,
“You may enter, “replied Peter, “if you have accumulated 100 points on earth.”
The man revealed he had been baptized in the church and scarcely missed a Sunday in his life. “That’s good,” said Peter that is one point!” “Only one point said the man.” He quickly thought of other good works.
“Well I served on the Administrative Board for 20 years, and I taught Sunday school for 25 years.” Peter said again, “That’s good, you get another point.” “What! Only one more point! Well I tried to live a good life and to be a good father and husband.”
Peter said “That’s worth one more point.” By then the man cried out, “Oh my, the only way I will get into Heaven is by the Grace of God!”
“That’s right! said St. Peter with a smile on his face. And that is worth 97 points, come on in.”
Despite the witness of scripture and our own experience, we continue to question grace.
Nicodemus questions Jesus “How can a man be born again?” “How can he return to his mother’s womb?” Jesus told him you must be born of water and the Spirit. All through the New Testament, the notion of rebirth, being born again, or recreation occurs.
Paul writes in II Corinthians 5:17 “If any person is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away; behold the new is come.”
Our salvation is not our doing, but it is God’s grace.
Daylight savings time begins on Sunday, March 10, oh boy! Palm Sunday occurs on March 24. Let us give thanks to the Lord and attend church.
If you have a prayer request call the
office at 254-445-2157 or email us at fumcdublin@embarqmail.com