at the corner

Crisis Pregnancy Center Opportunity

Eric Hughes — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:43:53 +0000

For years now, Sovereign Grace Church Chesapeake and the Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC) of Tidewater have enjoyed their partnership spreading the Gospel and in serving women and families in the Hampton Roads community. The Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater is a Christ-centered organization with a calling to reach out to women and families involved in crisis-related pregnancies by offering real help for the present, hope for the future, and healing from the past.

Our Church has helped the CPC by hosting last December’s Silent Art Auction, promoting and participating in the recent CPC Walk for Life, and through regular monetary and baby item donations throughout the year. We are pleased to support the CPC in these ways and remain committed to our partnership.

Another specific way we support the CPC is through their annual baby shower. This baby shower is planned for women who have recently completed the eight week Great Expectations parenting class. Scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, the baby shower will be an opportunity to bless these 15 women who need everything from baby strollers to car seats, and from baby clothes to bottles and toys. Beginning this week and immediately following the Sunday service, there will be a lobby display promoting the shower and Nancy Snader and Kelly Robinson will be at the table and can provide information about how you can help with the baby shower.

Please pray about how you can support this event and please stop by the lobby display to learn more. And thank you, in advance for your support.

Apply: But Now I See!

Eric Hughes — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:31:31 +0000

On Sunday we came to the continental divide in the book of Mark. In Mark 1:1 he began his gospel saying, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark has been portraying Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) for 8 chapters. And for the first time on truly human lips, Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ! Of course this climax and profound confession comes in the context of spiritual blindness. The Pharisees were blind, the disciples still couldn’t see, and now there is a man that was actually physically blind. All of this led us to the truth that only Jesus can heal us of our blindness so that we can see Him for who He is. The story of the healing of the blind man was an illustration of how Jesus heals and saves us all. You can listen to or download the message here. I hope these questions help you apply God’s word to your life.

1. We began with the kindness of our Savior toward this man. What are your thoughts about how Jesus healed this man? What does this show you about the heart of Jesus?

2. How does this healing point to something greater? What is the spiritual significance of this healing?

3. What were the circumstances surrounding the moment Jesus opened your eyes to see Him and believe the gospel?

4. What is the significance of the progressive (two-stage) healing? After the first touch, this man was no longer blind, but he still couldn’t see clearly. How does this relate to our spiritual life? In what areas of your life are you still not seeing everything clearly? When will this change? How does this reality inform how you relate to other Christians?

5. How would you describe your faith for Jesus to continue to heal people? Do you pray for healing? What would change or growth look like?

6. How would you describe the personal love and care of Jesus toward you? Do you believe He is near, attentive, and personally caring for you? Or do you feel He is distant, cold or uncaring? Why or why not?

One day we will see everything clearly! We will see our Savior face to face! Faith will no longer be needed, but instead we will dwell in the light of the glory of God forever! And Christ has made this possible for us through His death and resurrection.

I pray you will have a grace-filled week,

Eric

Apply: Was Blind….

Eric Hughes — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:26:37 +0000

Spiritual blindness is the theme of Mark 8:11-20. First, we saw the blindness of the Pharisees that led to a final hardening. Then we saw the blindness of the disciples as they were still confused about Jesus and all He had done. All of the signs in the previous 8 chapters were all meant to point to Jesus as the Messiah. The Pharisees, who knew the Scriptures should have seen and understood them. And the disciples who were with Him everyday should have seen and understood them. But they didn’t. There is a power and danger to spiritual blindness and only Jesus can lead us out of the dark into the light. You can listen to or download the sermon here. I hope these questions serve you as you apply this to your life.

1) What is spiritual blindness? Who does it affect? How do we see that on display in this text?

2) Why is spiritual blindness so dangerous? The things that God does around us and in us are meant to lead us to faith. How does seeing and faith go together?

3) Do you remember the moment God saved you and gave you sight? Describe what you could then see vs. what you never saw before.

4) As Christians we believe that God has opened our eyes to see our need for a Savior and to see Jesus as our only Savior. But, we can still be blind to what God is doing all around us or in us. Why is that so? Are there ways that you are currently blind to things God is doing all around you? What do you believe the danger is, even for Christians, in not seeing His activity?

5) How do you think the Lord wants to help you to grow to be more aware, to see more clearly, and to respond in faith?

Grace to you this week,

Eric