Sunday – April 9, 2017
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Pastor David Higa
Reasoning from Love
Acts 18:1-23
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it
pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those
who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we
preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to Greeks foolishness,
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and
the wisdom of God. [1 Corinthians 1:21-24]
This is from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. Acts 18 records the church
plant in Corinth, which was only 50 miles from Athens. The Athenians [in their
wisdom] rejected [and even mocked] the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Corinth,
however, they received the Gospel and a church was planted.
But while there was a church in Corinth, the philosophy centered in Athens was alive
and well in Corinth, and so Paul wrote several letters of correction. Corinth was a
church with many gifts, but also with many problems. While they had God’s Word,
they continued to cling to philosophy. The two do not mix!
“Philosophy” is from the Greek phileo [love] and sophia [wisdom]. A philosopher is a
“lover of wisdom.” Sounds noble, but in reality it is a lover of self. When you study
ancient Grecian culture and their multiple gods it becomes obvious. They loved [and
indulged in] self. A lover of wisdom is contrary to a lover of God. That is why many
Athenians [and Corinthians] rejected the Gospel.
“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ
crucified.” The Cross resonates love; it reverberates grace and mercy. “Greater love
has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” [John 15:13] Then in
just a few short hours Jesus went to the Cross to die for our sins. The Cross
obliterates philosophy because the love of God is greater far than the wisdom of man.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is
not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” [1 Corinthians 13:4-8]
Arguably this is the centerpiece of Paul’s Corinthian letters, and it was penned to a
church surrounded by philosophy. You see, we can reason from the Scriptures and
we can reason from a philosophical apologetic like Creation. But the most powerful
reasoning comes from love.
“The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell.” Our reasoning [our
dialogue] must be from love.
Weekly Ministries:
Sun Morning Services – at Rosemont ES w/ Spanish translation.
Good Friday & Easter Sunday Services Schedule!
7:30 am
9:30 am with Children’s ministry.
11:30 am with Children’s ministry & Teens ministry [6th-9th grades].
Please join us for our Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.
Sun Morning Christianity 101 – During 3rd service.
11:30 am
Doctrines of the Christian faith. See Arlene for details
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right here in the Rosemont ES auditorium.
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with Children’s ministry.
Mon Evening Men’s Fellowship – at HT Church Office.
6:30 pm
Let’s be praying over who to invite to these upcoming
services!
Studying General Epistles.
Tue Evening Ladies Fellowship – at HT Church Office.
7:00 pm
There will be an all-church potluck lunch at 1:30 PM
after the 3rd service on Easter Sunday in the cafeteria.
So please come and spend some time with your
spiritual family here at CC Echo Park.
Bible study discussing Sun morning sermons in Acts.
Wed Afternoon Elderly Ministry – at Hollywood Royale.
No Elderly Ministry this week. Resumes next Wed.
Wed Evening Service – at Rosemont ES with Children’s ministry.
7:30 pm
Our own David Corpin will be sharing from God’s Word.
Thu Evening HT Bible School – at HT Church Office.
6:00 pm
6:30 pm
8:00 pm
Worship
Class 01 – New Testament Survey
Class 02 – Gospel of John
Sat Afternoon Elderly Ministry – at City View Villas.
2:00 pm
See Carl for details.
Worship Services:
Sundays at 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Rosemont Avenue Elementary School
421 N. Rosemont Ave., Los Angeles, 90026
Sunday Evening at 6:30 p.m.
Church Office - The Hidden Treasure Bookshop
1822 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, 90026
Easter Sunday services are next Sunday, April 16, at
our regular morning service times; 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM,
and 11:30 AM right here at the Rosemont ES
auditorium.
Sun Evening Service – at HT Church Office. 1 & 2 Samuel.
6:30 pm
Good Friday service is this Friday, April 14, at 7 PM
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No Sunday Evening Service on Easter Sunday.
Enjoy time with your families.
The Hidden Treasure Bible Bookshop &
Boutique is open for email & phone orders!
Call 213.483.3082 or email
[email protected].
Audio messages at: www.ccEchoPark.com. CDs for $1.
DailyBibleReading 04/10 – 04/16: 2 Samuel 19 – 1 Kings 11.
Reading plan at Info Table.
SpanishTranslation is available during our services using small
remote earpiece units. Please come to the Information Table.
PrayerRequests: We are available for prayer right after the service
or you can fill out a PrayerCard and drop it in the offering box.
As a courtesy, please turn off cell phones and pagers during service.