Table of Contents
Worship Your God:
Pay back double
Exodus 22:1-20 (Unpacking Commands 7 & 8)
Pastor Jose Lam
Order of Service
Welcome >> Worship in Songs
Community Spot: Pastor Fred Indagasi (JPEM)
Congregational Prayer
Scripture Reading >> Sermon
Response Song >> Benediction
Sermon Outline
Worship Your God: Pay Back Double
Exodus 22:1-20 (Unpacking Commands 7 & 8)
Compensation Beyond What Is Stolen (vv.1-9)
Notice in these laws concerning theft, that the compensation required goes beyond what is stolen every time. When a theft is committed, the loss is not just the thing that has been stolen. But it is the distress inflicted upon the one who was stolen from, and the breach of trust and relationship between people in God’s community.
That is why the compensation always exceeds the thing that has been stolen. Because what is really being sought after is proper compensation for the thing stolen, compensation for the distress caused and compensation of the trust that has been breached.
This helps us understand the nature of what Jesus Christ came to do when he died on the cross. It was not only to pay the penalty that our sins deserve, but also to turn away God’s wrath against us for turning our backs on him. Christ’s death pays the price and turns away anger so that our debt is paid and our relationship is restored.
Graciously Suffering Loss (vv.10-15)
These laws prescribe limits to how far an injured party may pursue compensation for losses. Because sometimes despite our best efforts and diligence, bad things can happen and losses can happen on our watch. And all we can say to the injured party is that we tried our best.
Without these laws, we could suppose that the injured party could in theory keep pressing the matter until his loss has been restored. And in the end we may get compensated, but it may come at the cost of relationship. Sometimes it is better to graciously suffer loss for the sake of relationship in order to commend the gospel. This is demonstrated most perfectly in the example of our Lord Jesus, who suffered great loss for the sake of bringing us into relationship with God.
Sexuality and worship (vv.16-20)
Sexuality and worship are held together throughout the bible. Sexual immorality and idolatry are consistently portrayed as going hand-in-hand. Conversely, sexual expression that is holy in the contexts of marriage and celibacy is portrayed as going hand-in-hand with being faithful to the one Lord God.
We demonstrate our understanding and faithfulness to the gospel of our Lord Jesus to the extent that we exercise holiness and self-control in our sexual expression either in celibacy (which paints a picture of our hope in the coming kingdom) or in marriage (which paints a picture of the joy of the coming kingdom). That is part of why sexuality receives such attention in Scripture and why we care so much about it today.
Announcements
Baptism Service
Our next baptism service will be in late Q1 2023. Further details will be published closer to the date.
Individuals wishing to baptized or confirmed should get in touch with Ps Jose and must apply in writing to the ESCCC Board of Elders (info@esccc.org.au).
Individual classes for men and women wishing to be baptised or confirmed at ESCCC are run as needed throughout the year. These cover the matters of personal faith, church membership and public testimony over the course of three sessions.
All baptism and confirmation candidates also participate in two group sessions in the two weeks leading up to the baptism and confirmation service, presenting their testimonies and learning about the baptism and confirmation service liturgy.
Pastor Fred from Kenya (JPEM) is in Sydney Mar 7-13, 2023.
Opportunities to interact with him and learn about what God has been doing through Ps Fred’s ministry while he is with us:
Fri Mar 10 Friday Prayer Group, 8- 9.30pm. This meeting will be held in the church and online (prayer.esccc.org.au).
Sat Mar 11 Lunch and Q&A hosted by the Young Adults 12.30 – 2.30pm, Church. Please let Bob Rick know if you are coming to assist in the catering.
Sun Mar 12 Community Spot, English and Mandarin Service.
P. Fred available to meet up individually or in your ministry group. Contact uncle Freddie.
ESCCC Annual General Meeting
ESCCC will have its Annual General Meeting on 19th March 10:45am-11:30am in the ESCCC sanctuary. All members must attend.
There are two resolutions:
1. To endorse the audited financial statements for 2022.
2. To nominate 2 member representatives to the Elder Nominating Committee for the upcoming elders term 2024-2025.
A formal agenda to be issued to all members at a later date.
Town Hall meeting with the Board of Elders March 19th 2pm-3pm in the downstairs breakout room.
The theme is ‘Connect and Interconnect’
The BOE will be sharing their thoughts on what it means for us to have a greater sense of growing God’s church together by connecting people to our local church and interconnecting with one another within our church.
All ESCCC leaders of community groups, prayer groups, childrens and youth ministries have specially been invited. All members are also welcome to attend.
Every Friday night from 8-9pm we meet over Google Meet and Sunday morning 9:00-9:30am over Zoom or in-person at church.
Electronic Giving
We give to what we love. Due to the restriction of our physical Sunday meetings as a loving precaution against the spread of COVID-19, we will not be able to collect a cash offertory as usual. Electronic giving instructions can be found on the Giving and Offerings page.
ESCCC Mailing List
Email admin@esccc.org.au to be added to the church’s email list to be notified of various things happening around the church.
Missions Support
In support of God’s mission, we encourage all members to give regularly to the ESCCC Missions Fund, according to your means. The EFT details can be found on the Giving and Offerings page.
The Missions Fund will be allocated by the Missions Committee to bless ESCCC and our Mission Partners in missions work.
Prayer and Praise
Next Week 19 March 2023
Worship Your God: Love Your Neighbour As Yourself
Luke 10:25-37
Rev Chris Chua
About ESCCC
We long to see the Church being loved like Christ loves the Church.
As such we strive to care for people with the love of Christ and to prepare people to love like Christ.
The Pastors and Elders would love to serve you and help you to belong to God’s community here at ESCCC.
Please direct all questions, comments and concerns to: BoE@esccc.org.au
Please visit www.esccc.org.au for more details and the church’s calendar.
