Public Bible Reading

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Why do we take time to read scripture during our Sunday Worship Service? This is an important question because we don't want to do anything by accident in our worship. And at Free Grace we have attempted to root the things we do in scripture. Also, we want all of you to know why this is a biblical practice and not a quirk of our little congregation.

If we are honest, taking time to read longer passages of scripture stretches us. Many of us have a pretty short attention span due to our television and social media habits. We are far more used to sound bites than sustained concentration. For what it is worth, at this point in our services we don't actually read longer passages, but more medium and short-sized ones. For instance, our reading of 3 passages this last Sunday (10/31) was a little less than 6 minutes in length. So if you find yourself struggling to follow along, that is OK. Our attention span for scripture reading is similar to endurance when a person starts a program of exercise. When we first start doing it, we may feel out of shape, but over time we will grow. 

Our practice of reading scripture may seem a little odd compared to what is done in many American churches. In the early years of planting the church we had numerous visitors that were "church shopping" explain that they had been visiting various churches for months and that we were the only church that opened the Bible and read from it more than a verse or two. That is not a flattering observation for us as Americans. Of course this is not enough to justify scripture reading. We don't do it just to be different. but we do it to be faithful to the teaching of God's word. We do it as an act of obedience.

Colossians 4:16 "And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea." (All scriptures from the ESV translation)

I Thess. 5:27 "I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers."

I Tim 4:13 "...devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."

Revelation 1:3 "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it."

  • The New Testament Churches, like the Old Testament believers in the synagogue, read the scriptures together out loud. They would often read entire letters in one sitting. This was all the more important because the average person did not have their own copy of the scriptures. This has been the pattern throughout church history. Most traditions (including the more liturgical traditions today) read from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and one of the gospels every Sunday. 

  • The reading of scripture was one of the ways that the church was "devoted to the teaching of the apostles" (Acts 2:42ff). It was serious business, note that Paul puts the Thessalonians under oath! 

  • In I Tim 4:13 Paul instructs Timothy in his pastoral duties not just to read the scriptures, or encourage others to read them but to read them PUBLICLY.

  • We see that the reading of scripture is connected to the teaching and exhortation (preaching) of the scriptures. 

  • God pronounces a particular blessing on the reading of scripture. This is because, "when we open scripture we are opening the mouth of God." When scripture speaks, God speaks.

Our pattern in the New Testament continues the pattern of reading that was commanded in the Old Testament and continued into the early church. This was even Jesus' pattern during his life. It was also a common practice in Paul's missionary work to go to the Synagogues and preach that Jesus was the Christ after the reading of the scriptures (Acts 13:15, Acts 15:21)

"This was the practice of the early church, as Justin Martyr notes in his famous description of worship in the second century. “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in the cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray” (1 Apology 1.67; ANF 1:186)." Quoted by Justin Borger 

Luke 4:16-17 "16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him."

Throughout the Old Testament the public reading of the law (aka the scriptures) was associated with times of revival and reformation, while the neglect of the reading of scripture was a portent for wandering and idolatry. 

Consider Joshua 8:34-35 "34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them." (See also Deut. 31:11, Nehemiah 8:2-3, and 13:1)

So, we urge you to see the public reading as an act of worship! to be done with attention, heart, and joyful faith!



Philippians 4:13 is more glorious than it's common mistranslation

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This coming Sunday we will be looking at Philippians 4:10-13 that includes one of the most famous verses in all of scripture for Americans. It is simultaneously one of the most misunderstood and abused. Kent Hughes comments:

“…Sadly, Philippians 4:13 has been widely misused as it has been removed from its context and employed as an inspirational snippet to say, “I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me” or “I can do everything (especially extraordinary things) through Christ who strengthens me.” It has been especially abused by those who view their Christianity through the lens of triumphalism, who think that through Christ they become superhuman.

As with every other line of Scripture, the assertion “I can do all things” is controlled by the context. Thus what Paul says is that in whatever circumstances I find myself, in whatever extremes—whether experiencing abundance with the wealthy or fellowshiping with the poor or struggling to proclaim the gospel to people who don’t want to hear or enduring the wrath of the establishment or bringing peace to the church or languishing in prison—I can be content and “can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul is confident that he will be divinely strengthened to do anything and everything that God calls him to do. Not only could Paul be content and confident in every circumstance, he could also be sure that he would be equipped with divine power to deal with it.”

 Hughes, R. Kent. Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2007. Print. Preaching the Word.

Outdoor Worship Sunday 7/17/20

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Watch a video version of this announcement here

FGC Family,
     
Covid19 cases and hospitalizations increasing in our state, thankfully the number of deaths has not matched those increases in recent weeks.  This week our governor announced that multiple counties including Fresno have returned to a modified version of lock down for 3 weeks.  What is banned right now is indoor meetings, and this has also been applied broadly to restaurants and other places of meeting.

If you remember in our previous position paper  we expressed our concern to honor 3 important principals: First, Obedience to God- which includes gathering for worship. Second, love for neighbor- which includes doing reasonable things to prevent the spread of the disease. But also includes the truth that not being able to gather for worship and fellowship is bad for us spiritually and physically. Thirdly, our desire to honor the government where possible.  Our current decision is still rooted in those principals.

Our plan is to meet at our church building, outside. Mostly under our carports. There is a lot of room there. We met there for our men’s meeting this morning. We will meet at 9am to avoid the heat. The most recent forecast says it will be around 81 degrees. We think that is reasonable since most of us attend outdoor events at that temperature.  We encourage you to dress for the heat. We will aim to have our service last about an hour.  

We will be following many of the same precautions. So if you have any symptoms like a cough or fever or loss of smell or taste please stay home (and contact us if you need help, prayer or encouragement). Also here are a few more tips: 

  • We will not have nursery or childcare during the service.

  • We will still be practicing social distancing and encourage you to wear a mask, though it is not required because we are outside.

  • Our service will still also be streamed to YouTube for those that cannot attend.

Based on previous attendance the majority of us should fit under the car port. But if a lot of people come we may need to have some folks sit in an area without shade, so if you are able and willing to help with that, please bring a hat and an umbrella for the sun. You can leave it in your car and we can use it if needed. Based on how things work out we will tentatively plan to do this for the coming weeks and will communicate any changes with you all. 

We do want you to know that we are concerned about the potential for government over reach in these orders. As of now we believe it is possible for us to honor the order without disobeying God. But we are prayerfully watching what is going on and if and when we believe that our government is preventing us from obeying God we will choose to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).  Where is that line in our current situation? We don’t have a certain answer for future actions,  but we are doing what we can to research and prayerfully think through all of this.  

We know that no matter what decision we make there are probably going to be some of the folks in our congregation that are not entirely happy with it. So our first concern is to do what we believe is right before the Lord, and then to patiently and humbly communicate with you all and listen. Feel free to contact us if you have concerns or would like to talk.

In the Love of Christ, Pastors Matt and Andy

Special Offering for Minneapolis

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Church family we are going to be taking a special offering for Hope Community Church in Minneapolis , they just blocks from the epicenter of recent events where George Floyd was killed and the rioting destroyed so much of that community. Dave and Sharon Johnson and their family have lived their for many years and attended Hope Community Church. They are currently working with the church there and many other christians and organizations to provide material and spiritual help to the community following these events.

The pictures below show some of the spontaneous help that they have been able to engage in. Sharon recently wrote to me, “Hi! Things are much more quiet.  Grace [their daughter] and a friend hit up their social media saying they are going to go pick up personal care items and groceries to deliver to distribution sites.  Their friends and those thre friends passed the info on to ended up raising about $1000. We were also able to pick up a bunch of food delivered to a food shelter that had no way to get the food delivered. It is good to have something tangible to do!”

Please keep them in your prayers! You can make a special offering at worship tomorrow, or by mailing a check

Free Grace Church. 373 E. Shaw Ave. #354. Fresno, CA 93710

Worship Gathering and the Corona Virus Outbreak

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Dear Free Grace Church Family and Friends,
We want to write to share with you a few church updates related to the current situation with the Covid-19 virus for our church. As you know our government at all levels is taking some unprecedented steps to prevent the spread of the virus. The Governor of California and our city government have issued statements strongly encouraging groups larger than 250 cancel meetings, as well as the postponing of nonessential meetings.  Sadly, while much of the public response in the news and social media has been characterized by irrational panic and fear, we want to be wise and take the advice of healthcare experts seriously. We are committed to avoiding the paralyzing fear that has upset the peace of so many, as well as avoiding a cavalier attitude. We want to rest in Christ but also be wise.  We want you to know that we have arrived at the conclusion below through some research, consultation and prayer.
 
As of now we are planning on having our normal Sunday services this week (prayer meeting at 9am and worship at 10am). We are doing this for several reasons. First, because we believe that worship is necessary. And even more necessary in times of fear and crisis. Second, because our church is smaller than the 250 cut off number recommended by health officials. Finally, because Fresno County at present is not seriously affected by the outbreak like other locations. Since the situation began, there has only been one confirmed case in Fresno County and that was travel related. The Fresno County Healthy Department COVID-19 webpage states (today), “There is no immediate threat to the general public in Fresno County. The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) has plans in place to inform and protect all residents, limit exposures to any new cases if identified, and address concerns as they arise.” You can read more at this page.  We will update you if there are any changes in the coming weeks.
 
In order to show love to one another and our neighbors we are taking several precautions:

  • We will live stream our service on Sunday for those who are unable to be present with us. We will share the link once the exact information is available.

  • We ask all those with any cold/flu symptoms, (cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, chills, body aches, etc), to stay at home for the sake of caution.  If you need prayer or help please reach out to us so we can be aware.

  • We will be making a few changes to our normal practices in the way we have snacks, share communion, etc. to lessen unnecessary exposure.

  • We are also asking that you all spread out a during worship, avoid shaking hands, and wash your hands before and after the service. We will also have some hand sanitizer for use.  Please DO consider other ways to encourage one another through fellowship, phone calls, and encouraging messages.

  • Finally, we encourage those who are elderly, and/or who have existing health challenges (heart problems, lung disease, cancer, immune compromise, etc) to consider staying home. We are NOT requiring that you stay away from corporate gatherings. We are just encouraging you to be more careful than the average healthy young person needs to be. If you feel shut in during this time or need help please let us know and we will be help you however we can. 

  • And as of now we are planning to cancel our monthly potluck on March 29th. 

  • We will certainly contact you if there are any changes.

 
Please contact us if you have any questions. You can email Pastor Matt at MattTroupe@freegracefresno.com
 
We also encourage you to reach out to those in need with love and service. Please make a phone call to or visit friends, neighbors and family that are elderly or have chronic illnesses to encourage them and offer to serve them (maybe you can bring them food or go grocery shopping for them).  This is a chance for us to be different from the self-centered panic that has characterized so many. 
 
I would like to leave you with this encouragement:
 
“31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, 
       “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; 
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
 
For His Glory,
Pastors Matt and Andy
 

  

What is the Primacy of the Gospel?

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Here is a helpful summary of DA Carson’s answer to the question, “what is the primacy of the gospel?”

What does “the primacy of the gospel” mean? I will answer that question from Don Carson’s keynote address delivered at The Gospel Coalition’s first conference in May 2007.2 Carson clarifies the gospel from 1 Cor 15:1–19 with eight summarizing words:

  1. Christological: The gospel centers on the person and work (the life, death, and resurrection) of Jesus Christ.

  2. theological: The gospel tells us that sin is first and foremost an offense against God and that salvation is first to last the action of God, not our own.

  3. biblical: The gospel is essentially the message of the whole Bible.

  4. apostolic: The gospel is passed on to us by Jesus’ disciples as authoritative eyewitnesses.

  5. historical: The gospel is not philosophy or advice on how to find God, but rather news of what God has done in history to find and save us.

  6. personal: The gospel must be personally believed and appropriated.

  7. universal: The gospel is for every tongue, tribe, people, and individual.

  8. eschatological: The gospel includes the good news of the final transformation, not just the blessings we enjoy in this age.

(quoted by Keller)