An Unforgiving Christian?

Dear friends,

Someone has said, “To be an unforgiving Christian is a contradiction in terms.” This is true because the Christian person has experienced the blessing of forgiveness before the throne of God. When we place our trust in the Lord Jesus, believing he died for our sins, then our sin is not held against us. Therefore, it is very strange when Christian people continue to hold the sins of others against them.

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells a powerful story to illustrate the absurdity of an unforgiving Christian. In the story, a man who had been forgiven the equivalent of millions of dollars goes out and viciously demands that a debtor of his pay back a few cents. He even tries to choke the fellow and throws him in prison! It is an ugly story. Sadly, however, it is repeated all too often.

When we hold grudges against others or when we refuse to seek reconciliation because someone else has sinned against us, then we are like that man. Perhaps our unwillingness to forgive others is proof that we do not fully appreciate the gravity and ugliness of our own sin, which Christ had to die for. Let’s ask God to give us a forgiving spirit toward others today.

“Then his master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18:32-33).

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

Identified With Christ (includes audio)

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:9-15)

To find courage in a sin-filled world, we must look to Jesus Christ!

1. We see Christ identified as God.
2. We see Christ identified with people.
3. We see people called to identify with Christ.

Click below to listen:
Mark 1:9-16

Announcements for the Week of August 16

Men’s Bible Study (evening edition) will be this Wednesday at 7 PM in the JIBC Office. Come for some good food, fellowship and Bible Study.

Looking for a way to serve the church? Rob MacKay is in need of an assistant for the Children’s Church toddler class. The class is held during the service for toddlers up to five years old, and teenage or adult volunteers are welcome. Please talk to Rob if you are interested.

Friday Youth Fellowship will meet in the church office on Friday, August 21 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Uran The will be the guest speaker, and dinner will be provided. Please come for fellowship and Bible study!

RBI Students may pick up their class information starting today. Please see Dina or Pastor Stephen for more information.

Attention all Bowlers! There will be a JIBC bowling tournament on Saturday, August 29 at the Plaza Senayan Lanes. The church will sponsor three eight player teams: Youth Group Team; Young Adult (YAF) Team; and Adult Team. Trophies will be awarded for the winning team, the best player, and the worst player! If you don’t want to be on a team, you are still invited to come and cheer while enjoying good fellowship and fun. To sign up, or for more information, please see Dina or Ian Beech

Members and Regular Attendants, please fill out the JIBC data form for the 2009 church directory found on the welcome table in the back. Everyone over sixteen needs to complete a form, even if your spouse or parent has already completed one. We need individual information from members, associate members, and regular attendants. Please give completed forms to Dina.

You Are Never Alone

Dear friends,

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Ps. 139:7)

You are never alone. God is always with you.

This truth is a source of great conviction. It should inspire us to live differently. If I remember God is with me as I go about my work, then my performance will be different. If I know God is with me when I sit in front of the computer or TV, then my entertainment will be different. If I know God sees the way I handle my time or money, then my choices will be different.

This truth is also a source of great comfort. God is not a stranger to you. He knows you personally and completely. He understands your struggles, your needs, and your desires better than you do! Not only does he know what you are going through, he is Almighty and able to help. As Francis Schaeffer said, “He is a God who is there.”

Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

Refreshment in the Wasteland (includes audio)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:1-8)

Because we live in a world wasted away by sin, we must learn from the ministry of John the Baptist.

1. We must know John’s Messiah.
2. We must understand John’s Message.
3. We must continue John’s Mission.

Click below to listen:
Mark 1:1-8

Announcements for the Week of August 9

Men’s Bible Study (lunch edition) will be this Wednesday at 12 PM. We will meet at Outback Steakhouse in Ratu Plaza Come for fellowship and Bible Study.

Members and Regular Attendants, please fill out the JIBC data form for the 2009 church directory found on the welcome table in the back. Everyone over sixteen needs to complete a form, even if your spouse or parent has already completed one. We need individual information from members, associate members, and regular attendants. Please give completed forms to Dina.

Attention RBI Students! Books, course schedules, and other materials will be available next Sunday morning for you to pick up. Our first class, Systematic Theology I, will begin on August 25 at 7 PM.

You are invited to a wedding! David and Rene will be renewing their wedding vows in a Christian wedding ceremony at the Tirtayasa Church next Saturday at 11 AM. Members and friends at JIBC are invited to attend the service and reception afterward.

Girl’s Only Bible Study will now meet on the first and last Saturdays of every month in order to accommodate school. The next meeting will be Saturday, August 29 for lunch.

What Would You Give for Your Soul?

Dear friends,

“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Many in this world have vast fortunes, fame, and power. Yet none of these things will be useful for them in eternity, because they have not taken care of their souls. They amass wealth and resources to be prepared for whatever might happen, but they have paid too little attention to something that is certain to happen - the end of their lives on this earth.

In contrast, the poorest and lowest Christian believer is richer than the wealthiest and greatest person who does not know Jesus. Through faith in the completed work of the Savior, the believer’s soul is made safe for eternity. It is not necessary to take a vow of poverty or shun positions of influence. If the Lord gives us wealth and comfort, we can thank him, but the Christian does not live for these things! For the believer, the greatest gain is to come in the blessed heaven of our Lord.

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

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