Dear Family at Christ Community,

       On Sunday, we will hear from Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 the Gatherer’s sixth and most adamant call for us to enjoy God’s good gifts as the fruits of our faithful labors. He goes further by encouraging us to reflect this joy in our countenance and to share it with others. As part of our worship, we will have the opportunity to eat to, drink to, and share the joy of our salvation in Christ because of His faithful labors on our behalf. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that Jesus gave His body up to be crucified for the joy our salvation that God set before Him. We eat and drink from the Lord’s Table as welcome and beloved because of Jesus’s sacrifice. Yet, this proves but a foretaste of something even greater. David Gibson writes in Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End:

…God’s good world is there to be enjoyed in relationship with others, and we eat and drink together now in anticipation of our feasting together then. Every meal is a foretaste, an appetizer, for the banquet yet to come.

We will partake in the bread and cup TOGETHER in joyous anticipation of the banquet that is to come at the return of Jesus. At that meal, we will celebrate the beauty of the bride who joyfully displays the righteous deeds of the saints that glorified God, brought us joy, and offered eternal life to those in our spheres of influence. What a gift that how we live has eternal significance!           

       Please come reflecting the joy of your salvation in hospitality, generosity, and worship! Please give thanks for those you get to share this joy with and pray for those whom you would like to share it with!

In Christ,
Cameron