The Gospel according to Compass

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes

The Christian good news (traditionally called the "Gospel") is not old news. It is ever-present and as much relevant today  as it was two thousand years ago. Over a period of two months we have studied through the Gospel as told by the disciple Matthew. This is our collective work that reflects upon the significance of God's good news in our lives today. 

Summer Retreat 2015 Preview!

Our Youth (Compass) and Young Adults / College and Career (Y.A.C.C.) retreat will be in July 24 to 26 at Spruce Lake Retreat in Canadensis, PA! Support us by prayer, buying from our fundraiser, and by donating! More details will follow.

5 Week Lenten Feast | 5 Weeks Before Easter

5 Weeks Before Easter

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Day 1

Paradise

Genesis 1:1-2
Genesis 1:26-31
Genesis 2:15-17

Paradise Lost

Genesis 3

Day 2

Prophecy

Genesis 3:15
Genesis 12:1-3
Genesis 22:1-19
1 Chronicles 17:11-14

Prophecy Fulfilled

John 1:1-5
John 1:9-18
Matthew 1:1-2:23

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Questions to Think

God did not have to provide a Savior, yet he did; what does this tell about the character of God?

In what ways did God foreshadow the arrival of the Messiah?

The Names of God

Photo Credits: Dan Samonte

In the Thursday Bible studies, we have been learning from Catherine about the traditional Jewish names for God. Here is a quick list of some of these names we've learned so far (source: http://www.gotquestions.org/names-of-God.html).

ELOHIM

God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7 ;Jeremiah 31:33 ) – the plural form of Eloah (God), which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible’s first sentence, the superlative nature of God’s power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1 ).

ADONAI

“Lord” (Genesis 15:2 ;Judges 6:15 ) – used in place of YHWH, which was thought by the Jews to be too sacred to be uttered by sinful men. In the Old Testament, YHWH is more often used in God’s dealings with His people, while Adonai is used more when He deals with the Gentiles.

YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH

“LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4 ;Daniel 9:14 ) – strictly speaking, the only proper name for God. Translated in English Bibles “LORD” (all capitals) to distinguish it from Adonai, “Lord.” The revelation of the name is first given to Moses “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14 ). This name specifies an immediacy, a presence. Yahweh is present, accessible, near to those who call on Him for deliverance (Psalm 107:13 ), forgiveness (Psalm 25:11 ) and guidance (Psalm 31:3 ).

JEHOVAH-JIREH

"The Lord Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14 ) – the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac.

JEHOVAH-RAPHA

"The Lord Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26 ) – “I am Jehovah who heals you” both in body and soul. In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities.

JEHOVAH-NISSI

"The Lord Our Banner" (Exodus 17:15 ), where banner is understood to be a rallying place. This name commemorates the desert victory over the Amalekites in Exodus 17 .

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/names-of-God.html#ixzz3Rb6P5ND3

If Jesus Came to Your House

For Sunday, February 8, 2015

Text

Revelation 3:14-22

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Summary

As we walk in our lives with Christ, we should always keep guard against the sin of complacency. The marks of spiritual complacency is being self-dependent apart from God, thinking that we "do not need a thing". 

We are not to be dependent on material wealth but rather seek the "gold refined in the fire" -- a richness that will last forever found only in Jesus. Secondly, only Jesus can clean us by placing his own righteousness over us ("white clothes to wear"). Nothing but Jesus can cover all the mistakes we've ever made. Thirdly, only through Jesus can we see clearly (as opposed to being spiritually blind, see here). 

Jesus rebukes any spiritually complacent follower so that they might repent. This is because he wants us to fellowship with him ("eat with that person"). The good news is that he extends this invitation to fellowship with him to everyone.

The Christian life is marked by a constant fellowship with Jesus, while avoiding complacency and compromise. In the end, only the victorious will be the ones who will be with Christ. 

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We talked about the following poem about how we would react if Jesus physically visited us in our homes. Would we live our lives differently if Jesus were physically present everywhere we go?

"If Jesus Came to Your House"
by Lois Blanchard Eades

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two - 
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. 
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest, 
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have him there - 
That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.

But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door 
With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor? 
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? 
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been? 
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard? 
And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud, hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? 
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? 
And I wonder - if the Savior spent a day or two with you, 
Would you go right on doing the things you always do? 
Would you go right on saying the things you always say? 
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up it's usual pace? 
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace? 
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you read, 
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed? 
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go? 
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends? 
Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? 
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? 
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? 
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do 
If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.