I remember when I was young, I was finally introduced to what we call ‘chapter books.’ Do you remember that? Like most children, I loved being read to by my parents or a teacher. But in those early days all my books had one basic story, one main point, and were loaded with pictures to keep me interested. I couldn’t read the words anyway, but I began connecting the words that were read to me with the pictures I was seeing. As I got older and I began to read for myself pictures books became less prominent and chapter books were introduced. These books took the time and space to tell a longer story with ‘episodes’ in them. You would come to the suspense of one chapter and it would leave you hanging so that you would turn to the next chapter to see what happens. I remember falling in love with one of the earliest chapter books I read, “The Hardy Boys” adventure series. Some of you old timers might remember “The Hardy Boys” or the “Nancy Drew” stories. Great chapter book series for young kids to learn to read and gain the appreciation of a story that developed and needed chapters.
It’s funny how we all are attracted to books and stories that have chapters and interesting plots and TV series that have episodes, BUT —- we don’t want our real life to be that way! When we get comfortable with one specific chapter in our life, we somehow expect to keep it that way. No changes. No new challenges. No new learning. I do not want new chapters in my life! But life is just not that way.
On Mothers Day I shared a sermon that essentially launched this series of summer messages. I will be teaching out of Scripture to find out what God says about how to live out the Gospel in every stage of life. This Sunday, May 25, I am going to focus on the stage of life for the newly married. Why am I beginning here? First of all, in a practical way, there are two young couples in our church just about to get married. So I thought it would be fun to start here and pray for them. But over the next many Sundays I (and others) will be speaking to the teenagers; to the Single adults; to those raising children at home; to the empty nesters; to the retirees; and even to the Elderly. The Bible is NOT just a handbook on how to have a happy life, but trust me when I say that God has some incredible instruction for every stage of our life, and it is all centered around how the Gospel is to be paramount and prominent in each and every stage of life. Rich or poor; healthy or unhealthy; struggling or soaring; lean or robust; isolated or socially vigorous; exhausted or energized. Our life is a series of ‘chapters’ and God wants to show us how to LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL for Him in EVERY CHAPTER OF LIFE no matter what chapter we are in.
During this summer series of messages, which is very topical in nature, you will find that we will move around the Bible a great deal. Pay attention and take good notes. This week as you come to worship with the family I ask to read ahead and contemplate these passages to get started:
- Genesis 2:15-25
- Mark 10:1-9
I’m honored to do my best to bring this to you. By the way, the following Sunday June 1 the message will be to teenagers in that chapter of life, We will also recognize our graduates! It’s going to be very fun.
See you Sunday.
