6 Things I Saw, Felt, and Heard on Sunday at New City
1. Your knowledge of God is equivalent to your love of people
Yesterday we looked at 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. In this section of the letter, Paul is addressing the question about whether or not the Corinthian believers could eat the meat that was sacrificed to the pagan idols. Paul responds by saying there is nothing inherently sinful about eating that meat, however, many in the Corinthian church would be hurt by seeing other believers eat it for various reasons.
Because of that, he urged them to refrain from eating that meat. Why? Because if we know what we are doing could be painful or hurtful to someone, we should use that knowledge to show love to them. As followers of Christ, we demonstrate how much we really know God by how we love people.
2. The weather was perfect
It was in the early 70's all morning yesterday. I didn't want to go inside because it felt so nice. The nice weather makes it fun to see everyone hanging out outside, especially since it can get cramped really quickly in our lobby.
3. Apparently I can read better than I can talk
Because how we love others truly shows how much we know and have experienced God, I attempted to make the point that having an advanced theological degree, knowing the original Biblical languages, or have a bunch of verses memorized doesn't mean you actually know God. Knowing about God and knowing God are not always the same thing.
I then attempted to point out that you don't even have to know how to read to really know God. And at both services, I had the hardest time getting that sentence our without messing it up multiple times. I have no idea why. But the point is that knowing Jesus and letting his love change us shows whether or not we know God, regardless of whether or not we could even read the Bible :).
4. Roman loves the music
Roman loves to dance. Even when we go to the pool at the YMCA, he is more interested in standing near the speakers and shaking his booty than swimming. The same is true at New City. Every week when he gets to the church (Christina often arrives when are doing run-through in the auditorium) he walks right into the auditorium and dances all the right to the stage.
5. It was awesome having our Give Club recipient join us
Yesterday was Give Club Sunday, and at our first service our Give Club recipient was able to worship with us. It was so great to meet Teresa and for us to tangibly see how she was impacted by the Give Club (as well as some of her friends from Carroll's Kitchen).
6. Check out one of my favorite Give Club videos yet
Teresa has an incredible story of life change. We got to hear more about her story and Carroll's Kitchen, which is a nonprofit social enterprise restaurant group providing healthy employment for women leaving crisis on the Give Club this month. Grab a tissue and watch one of my favorite Give Club videos to date below.