Pastor Weekly - 10/21/26
Hello ICC Family!
This is a week of check-ups for me - both the dentist and an annual physical. I know the time is coming quickly when I will be in a doctor’s office every other day for some reason or another, but at this point in my life that is thankfully not necessary. No, at this point I just want to maintain my health to its (relatively) pain-free current state. And it wouldn’t hurt to get a little healthier as well - lose a little weight, eat a little better, and exercise a little more. (OK, start exercising at all would probably be more accurate.) My dental and physical check-ups are a good opportunity to get evaluated on how I am doing in these better-health goals. They will examine my body, look at the blood work, and then tell me if I should continue life as I currently am or whether I need to make some changes.
Jesus’ sermon in Luke chapter 6 (the Sermon on the Plain) serves a similar purpose in our spiritual lives as an annual exam does for our physical bodies. Like a good doctor, this passage speaks lovingly yet clearly about whether we are truly living healthy lives (the life of a disciple) or not. It can be eye-opening when told that we have perhaps let ourselves go a little bit. (My cholesterol is what???) Just as it can be shocking to us when Scripture shows us clearly how short we are falling in conforming to the image of Jesus. And then this passage doesn’t hold back from telling us the drastic changes that we need to make in our attitudes and actions if we really want to live the kingdom life.
The great thing, though, is that if we listen to the pleas of our Savior and make the changes that He calls for in Luke 6, there are guaranteed outcomes for us as Christians…
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven….
Luke 6:23
Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High…
Luke 6:35
I can do everything that my doctor would ask and get into great physical shape. I will feel better and be able to do more. It might even prolong my life a little bit. It is worth taking the time and doing what they say would be helpful. But as 1 Timothy 4:8 tells us… physical exercise might have some value, but spiritual growth has value for eternity! Please be reading and thinking about and praying over these verses in Luke 6 as we continue to study them for the next couple of weeks on Sunday mornings. I want us all to receive a “well-done good and faithful servant” review someday!
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
This is a week of check-ups for me - both the dentist and an annual physical. I know the time is coming quickly when I will be in a doctor’s office every other day for some reason or another, but at this point in my life that is thankfully not necessary. No, at this point I just want to maintain my health to its (relatively) pain-free current state. And it wouldn’t hurt to get a little healthier as well - lose a little weight, eat a little better, and exercise a little more. (OK, start exercising at all would probably be more accurate.) My dental and physical check-ups are a good opportunity to get evaluated on how I am doing in these better-health goals. They will examine my body, look at the blood work, and then tell me if I should continue life as I currently am or whether I need to make some changes.
Jesus’ sermon in Luke chapter 6 (the Sermon on the Plain) serves a similar purpose in our spiritual lives as an annual exam does for our physical bodies. Like a good doctor, this passage speaks lovingly yet clearly about whether we are truly living healthy lives (the life of a disciple) or not. It can be eye-opening when told that we have perhaps let ourselves go a little bit. (My cholesterol is what???) Just as it can be shocking to us when Scripture shows us clearly how short we are falling in conforming to the image of Jesus. And then this passage doesn’t hold back from telling us the drastic changes that we need to make in our attitudes and actions if we really want to live the kingdom life.
The great thing, though, is that if we listen to the pleas of our Savior and make the changes that He calls for in Luke 6, there are guaranteed outcomes for us as Christians…
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven….
Luke 6:23
Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High…
Luke 6:35
I can do everything that my doctor would ask and get into great physical shape. I will feel better and be able to do more. It might even prolong my life a little bit. It is worth taking the time and doing what they say would be helpful. But as 1 Timothy 4:8 tells us… physical exercise might have some value, but spiritual growth has value for eternity! Please be reading and thinking about and praying over these verses in Luke 6 as we continue to study them for the next couple of weeks on Sunday mornings. I want us all to receive a “well-done good and faithful servant” review someday!
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
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