Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: Performers & Prophets

Sunday is Coming!

Our world is full of "Performers."

Performers are people who know how to impress an audience and win them over—whether it's through music, sports, acting, or public service & leadership. Performers can be wonderfully entertaining and impressive, and we love to cheer when someone impresses us, or brings a smile to our faces, or tells us what we want to hear. But have you noticed how quickly public opinions about certain "performers" can change? Someone who is celebrated one day can be forgotten the next… or maybe even "cancelled" when certain information about them comes to the surface.

This seems to have been the case for public figures throughout history, and Jesus certainly experienced this himself. We've been considering various reactions to Jesus after he read and fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah about an "Anointed One" who would come "to proclaim the year of the Lord's Favor."

Jesus read these words in the synagogue in his hometown, Nazareth. In Luke 4, pay attention to how the opinion of the crowd changes dramatically. They initially "speak well" of Jesus and are amazed and "wowed" by what he says. They know Jesus, and he knows them. They seem to be thinking, this son of Joseph is a "local boy," he is "one of us." He's seen as an "insider."

However, Jesus knew that they were thinking-- 'Physician, heal yourself!' (Luke 4:23). They were hoping he would "perform" for them. He knew they wanted him to do miracles for them like he did for other towns. Maybe they wanted special treatment. But instead, he says in Luke 4:24, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown." And he alludes to some convicting history from the Old Testament about Elijah and Elisha. Suddenly, Jesus becomes viewed as an "outsider," and they literally drive him out of town and attempt to kill him.

This dramatic shift happens partially because rather than act as a "performer," Jesus takes the posture of a "prophet."

Prophets and Performers are quite different:

A Performer seems like an "insider" who might 'amaze' us with fancy words and impressive acts, and make us feel good. They reinforce the things we already want to believe, whether they are true or not. A Performer tells us what we want to hear. There are many performers in our world today…

A Prophet is an "outsider" who convicts with words that cause us to rethink everything, and might make us feel uncomfortable. They are subversive, upsetting the norm by telling us the Truth that we might not want to hear. A Prophet tells us what we need to hear. Prophets may be harder to find in our world today…

We must notice that Jesus identified himself with the Prophets, not Performers.

Jesus spoke as a prophet and lived as a prophet, and eventually he died as a prophet. He also calls his followers to walk a prophetic path. Consider how Luke's Gospel presents the Beatitudes in Luke 6:22-23, where Jesus says to his disciples:

"Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets."

This weekend, we will consider performers & prophets and insiders & outsiders, and we will ask Jesus to "open our eyes" to see the difference.

We will ask Jesus to "open our eyes" to see truth more clearly.

We will ask Jesus to "open our eyes" to see Him personally.

When Jesus opens our eyes to see, he says, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Luke 10:23-24

As followers of Jesus, may we be bold enough to live with our eyes wide open, to speak prophetically and not just perform. Let us not be persuaded by performers, but let us live as prophets for God, knowing "great is our reward in heaven!"

This Sunday

Prepare your hearts for worship as we come together to Praise our Savior!

8:30 Traditional Worship

686 O God Our Help In Ages Past

684 Precious Lord Take My Hand

682 Guide Mo O Thou Great Jehovah

695 Lead Me Lord

11:00 Contemporary Worship

Beautiful Things

Your Grace is Enough

Revelation Song

You Are My Vision

Contemporary Spotify Playlist

We be offering our "Get Connected" class this Sunday at 9:45 in room 104. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our Sunday School classes and small group ministries.

Ministry Opportunities and Needs

Our Children's Ministry is growing, and more families and children mean the need for Children's Ministry workers is also growing!

Would you prayerfully consider joining this vital team?
Also feel free to pass along suggestions or recommendations for others who could be a great fit!

Opportunities are available on Sunday mornings, and when Community Night resumes on September 4^th we will need a few key leaders, teachers, and helpers for our Wednesday Night AWANA ministry this year also! (All of our Children's Ministry helpers must meet the requirements of our clearance process). To learn more, contact me, or our Children's Ministry Directors, Becky Cramer and Jeanette Roberts.

Living Stones Events

Everyone ages 50+ are invited to take a Train Ride on the Frostburg Flyer!

Thursday, August 15 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Location: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, 13 Canal St, Cumberland, MD 21502

Leave Church (Church van and carpooling) at 9:00 AM and return approximately 6:00 PM

Train Ride is 4.5 hours long, which includes a 90-minute stop over to turn the train around to return. Snacks are available on the train and at the changeover point, along with a gift shop.

Cost: $40/Person

We must have ten people registered and paid (give to Pastor Gary) by July 28 for this event to occur.

More Living Stones activities are planned for the coming months, see the Gathering Place and upcoming FYI to see dates for other future events.

Upcoming Milestone Events

We have several "milestone" opportunities planned for those looking to take a step of faith in specific ways. Mark your calendars and prayerfully consider if you or someone in your family might be ready for such a next step. Feel free to contact me to learn more!

Get Connected Class – August 4, September 1, (every first Sunday)
New Members Class – September 15
Baptism – September 29
Child Dedication – October 20

Back to School Sunday and Prayer Service

On August 18th, we will dedicate part of our morning worship services to praying for and celebrating educators, students, and families as the new school year approaches. That evening, we will also have a special time of prayer at 6:00pm.

New Men's Alliance Tribe

There is a new Men's Alliance Tribe, called "DiscipleSHIP" Tribe, that is launching on August 6th which will meet every Tuesday Evening at 7:00 at the same location as Keel Tribe (the American Legion). It will be the same format as the Saturday group (30 min workout & 30 min devotional) with a few of the same men involved, but they are hoping to reach some more people who can't make it on Saturdays. Visit this link to learn more:

DiscipleSHIP Tribe Men's Group in Shippensburg, PA | Men's Alliance (mensalliancetribe.com)

Communications Updates

The August edition of our "FYI" Newsletter will be available this weekend in the Gathering Place, the center section of the Sanctuary, or in your Church Mailbox.

If you have information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.

Looking forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org