GBC Community Update: More thoughts on why the need for Jesus sacrifice

Good morning!  As society continues to open, I’m thankful we are able to hold a Good Friday breakfast again. Its amazing the simple things we took for granted pre-Covid that are now precious. I hope you’ll sign up and join us.
 
 
Oasis@Midweek craft request
Our Oasis@Midweek Kid’s Ministry has been a great time of learning in creative ways that we are treasured by God.  Part of the program is a monthly craft station led by Krista Schito. You may recall she put an appeal out for craft supplies. Many of you have responded which is great.  She shared the following with me:
“I’ve been able to mostly use donated craft supplies, stuff from my home and oasis camp leftovers.  If you could add in another reminder to one of your update emails that we need more craft supplies, that would be great.  People who want to donate to this branch of the ministry can give them to me or leave them near the kids library.  Anything and everything gets used, because we put all the supplies we have out, and I give the kids the freedom to see the demo craft, but create whatever they’re inspired to make, using what we have.  It’s cool to see what they come up with.  I appreciate the donations we get.  They’ve been great!  The craft demo is designed to reinforce the Bible lesson they learned, and a tangible reminder of that night’s theme.” 
What a great report!  So, what do you say?  Do you have some craft supplies around the house or something you think might be useful?   Donate it!  If you have any questions about this, please talk to Krista.  She’d love to connect with you on this.
 
 
Mission’s Team Update-upcoming opportunity to support Ukrainian refugees
While our Mission’s Team is active supporting our ongoing mission partnerships, they have been looking for new opportunities to assist groups and people ministering the gospel in various parts of the world and here in Guelph.
One thing they’ve been working on we will have the opportunity to participate in at the end of the month!  The Potma’s, who we support and had a virtual visit with a few weeks ago, have become involved in helping Ukrainian refugees.  We will have the opportunity to support this endeavor. More details will come in the weeks ahead about this tangible way to show the love of Jesus to those who have lost so much. Stay tuned!
 
 
Thought for the Day: Why the need for the Easter sacrifice of Jesus? Pt.2
On Thursday I looked at the idea of why Jesus had to go to the cross from the position of our legal standing. It’s important to understand that what happened at the cross was a legal proceeding like no other. God is victim, judge and defense counsel. It may seem a bit strange to us, but this is the way it must be. God is judge by right of creation. He made it all. He owns it all. He sets the rules in place for the governance of it all. God is also the victim here because, in spite of His right to require obedience, I have sinned again Him (and so have you!). I have refused to live according to the decrees of the Owner of all. He is the injured party in this proceeding.
But that verse I shared in Micah on Thursday also tells me that God is the defense counsel. I discover that God is not simply the moral policeman of the universe. He is exactly as He describes Himself in Exodus 34:6 – compassionate and full of mercy. God steps in to plead my case when there is absolutely no excuse for my actions.
So, what does pleading mean when I am a confessed criminal? From my perspective, it can only mean one thing – a cry for a merciful verdict. In these circumstances, that’s all I could come up with. That, however, is not God’s way. God’s way is amazingly controversial, completely unanticipated and absolutely unique. The victim voluntarily dies in the place of the guilty. This is the whole creation turned upside-down. Nothing could have prepared us for this solution. The law is upheld. The judge is satisfied. The guilty are forgiven. Mercy triumphs over wrath without compromising justice.
That’s why we call it Good Friday and why we praise the God who died in our place. It’s the only reason we are free, that’s why there needed to be a cross, that’s why there needed to be an Easter sacrifice.  Pretty amazing, huh?
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris