Tim Cochrell, Teaching Pastor
Worship style - Contemporary
A friend, reading about our pilgrimage on Facebook, invited us to attend her church. We took the opportunity to go and to see her. It was a beautiful spring morning, and a great privilege to worship Jesus with about 200-250 followers. As we entered, the lobby was very active and joyful! People seemed happy to be coming to worship.
Pastor Tim's message was based on Acts 9 and 10. He asked the question, "Why is favoritism forbidden?" He began by sharing a personal example of how we tend to shy away from those who are different from us and how wrong we can be when we hold back. We were then taken on a journey looking at how Peter's perspective was changed towards people who were unlike him. Up to this point he was only ministering to the Jews. God, however, wanted him to have a heart for all the nations. Cornelius, a Gentile, who was described as "devout and God-fearing: he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly..." was used by God to change Peter's heart towards Gentiles. God reveals to Peter that all creatures were created clean by God to be a blessing from God. So also, all people are created by God for a relationship with God. After being obedient to God and meeting with Cornelius, "Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right'." Acts 10:34
Worship style - Contemporary
A friend, reading about our pilgrimage on Facebook, invited us to attend her church. We took the opportunity to go and to see her. It was a beautiful spring morning, and a great privilege to worship Jesus with about 200-250 followers. As we entered, the lobby was very active and joyful! People seemed happy to be coming to worship.
Pastor Tim's message was based on Acts 9 and 10. He asked the question, "Why is favoritism forbidden?" He began by sharing a personal example of how we tend to shy away from those who are different from us and how wrong we can be when we hold back. We were then taken on a journey looking at how Peter's perspective was changed towards people who were unlike him. Up to this point he was only ministering to the Jews. God, however, wanted him to have a heart for all the nations. Cornelius, a Gentile, who was described as "devout and God-fearing: he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly..." was used by God to change Peter's heart towards Gentiles. God reveals to Peter that all creatures were created clean by God to be a blessing from God. So also, all people are created by God for a relationship with God. After being obedient to God and meeting with Cornelius, "Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right'." Acts 10:34
Pastor Tim challenged us to consider how we demonstrate favoritism when we share the gospel. Do we refuse to share the gospel out of pride and/or discomfort with someone who is unlike us? He states, "Favoritism reflects our pride and condescension, assuming that some people are unworthy of God's grace or undeserving of our attention." Who have we chosen not to share the Good News with today? Who will we miss tomorrow?