Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, 
Whom He has redeemed from trouble.
Psalm 107:1-2

We are excited to sing a new song from Sovereign Grace Music this Sunday. May your heart be filled with awe and gratitude at the steadfast love of God as you listen to this song this week!

Title: We Give Thanks (Psalm 107)

Album: Unchanging God - Songs from the Book of Psalms

Link to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKN2yQ157v4

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

 Heaven is coming one day!

There is a day coming that, in the end, will be simply indescribable, but God’s word does begin to describe it. God himself will be with us! An earlier verse calls this “a new heaven and a new earth.” What a day! On that day, there will be no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, and no more pain! What a day! And on that day, God will crush all suffering and sorrow and death! I recently lamented, “I do not want us to see one more gravesite!” Well, there is a day coming that we will not have to! On that day God’s new heaven and earth will be brought in on the wave of his glorious and permanent presence. Heaven will be brought to us by Him. Imagine what that day will be like when all sin and sorrow are truly removed and we are finally in the promised presence of God – in the twinkling of an eye!

 In our grief, hope remains!

We learned a few weeks ago that a dear brother in Christ and a member of our church, Marc Leap, had passed away in his home. Grief and sorrow once again are suddenly on the scene. We are reminded that we are not yet in the new heaven that is to come. Death still plagues us. Mourning, crying and pain remain but they are not all that remains. Hope remains! “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) Jesus’ resurrection and His promise of our resurrection is the foundation of all of our hope in the face of our present sorrow. The Gospel transforms how we grieve. The Gospel infuses our grief with hope. The Gospel promise of the certain heaven to come bursts in on the darkness of sorrow with the blinding light of this hope – Jesus died and rose again! (Vs. 16)

It's still true, I do not want to visit another graveside but, when my soul remembers that God will be faithful to end all grief and usher in the new heaven where I finally will see the risen Jesus, I will know that hope be waiting for me at every single one.

 -Study the Resurrection and find Heaven’s Hope, Jesus-

At Sovereign Grace Church, what we believe shapes what we do and how we do it. This is true both individually and corporately. If you visit our website (it’s new and significantly improved, so check it out here), you will find our Statement of Faith and our Seven Shared Values. Together they represent the beliefs we cherish and are shaped by.

For this reason, we are excited about the latest Sovereign Grace Journal. Fourteen articles dedicated to explaining and celebrating the key convictions that characterize, define, and unify us as a local church and a family of churches, Sovereign Grace Churches. 

If you are wondering why this edition of the journal should be important to you, in the words of Sovereign Grace Churches Executive Director Mark Prater:

“Because they function daily in the life of your church.”

Only by the grace of God can we live out our shared values personally and corporately. But we are sure this unique resource can be a means of grace and will bless you as the Lord uses it to fill your mind and heart with precious truth, gratitude for your church and our family of churches, and above all, passion for your Savior who makes it all possible. Enjoy!

Purchase the Journal on Amazon here. Download the FREE PDF here.

I love Sundays! Singing with the saints. Serving with my brothers and sisters. Praying together. Having my mind and heart shaped by the truths of God and the Gospel. As I heard a wise pastor once say, “The church is the dearest place on earth, and Sunday is the dearest day of the week”

I especially enjoy baptism Sundays. We get to do everything above, THEN go out back, eat pizza, hear testimonies of grace and watch on as individuals identify with Christ by getting dunked in water. I love baptism Sundays!

If you are considering getting baptized or want to understand it better, I encourage you to consider four essential elements of water baptism and its importance to the believer.

1. Baptism is a sacrament of the church. Along with the Lord’s Supper, water baptism is a church sacrament. Our Statement of Faith defines a sacrament as a “precious means of grace that signifies the benefits of the gospel, confirms its promises to the believer, and visibly distinguishes the church from the world.” 

2. Baptism is for believers. We do not believe in infant baptism because there is no evidence for it in the New Testament. On the contrary, the New Testament pattern is that baptism follows salvation (Acts 2:38,41; 8:12; 10:44-48; 16:14-15, 30-33). If you have repented of your sin and placed your faith in Jesus, water baptism is for you!

3. Baptism is symbolic, not salvific. Salvation does not come through baptism; it comes through faith (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 5:1). Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work of grace. Through faith, a person is brought into a union with Christ, and water baptism symbolizes that union as a public identification with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6::3-4, Colossians 2:11-13, 1 Peter 3:20-21). When baptized, believers publicly declare their life belongs to Christ, and they desire to live for his glory. 

4. Baptism is obedience. In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded believers to be baptized (Matthew 28:19). This means baptism brings about a degree of joy and spiritual benefit, just as any act of Christian obedience does (John 15:10-11). Wayne Grudem explains it this way: There is the blessing of God’s favor that comes with all obedience, as well as the joy that comes through public profession of one’s faith, and the reassurance of having a clear physical picture of dying and rising with Christ and of washing away sins.

Are you a Christian? If so, have you been baptized? If the answer is no, contact your pastor today to discuss the spiritual importance and blessings of getting dunked to the glory of Christ!

This Sunday, we have the privilege of introducing new members to our church. We hope you will be able to join us on this special day! If you have ever wondered why membership is such a priority at Sovereign Grace Church, keep reading…

If you have been around Sovereign Grace Church for any length of time at all, you have probably heard the following statement: While you can’t find the phrase “church membership” in the Bible, church membership is thoroughly biblical. Or, in the words of Mark Dever*, “It is everywhere implied.”

It’s true. Whether it is theological, historical, or practical, personal identity with and commitment to a local church is clearly God’s design and desire for all He saves by His grace.  But don’t take my word for it. Grab your Bible this week and let the Scriptures below do the talking. You might be surprised at what you find!

A biblical argument for local church membership:  

1. Obvious pattern of the NT (Most Epistles were written to specific local churches)

2. Intimate metaphors for the church (Human body—1 Corinthians 12:27; Flock—Acts 20:28; Household—1 Timothy 3:15)

3. Clear practice of the early church (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37; 5:12-14)

4. Call to submit to leaders (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5)

5. Command of church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-12)

6. Charge for pastors to care for and govern the flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:17)

7. Sobering reality of a pastor’s accountability to God (Hebrews 13:17)

* Mark Dever has served as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church since 1994 and as president of 9Marks (a ministry to churches and church leaders) since its founding in 1998. Mark has authored a number of books, including 9 Marks of a Healthy Church.

Last weekend, I was looking for my BBQ grill tools. For the first time in months, I went into my camping trailer. The trailer smelled. It smelled wonderful! It smelled of good memories, relaxation, and rest. It seemed to call out “Get away!”  Our lives have been crazy over the past months, and this summer brings with it hope for refreshment. Lisa and I love to get away but the funny thing is that after a summer getaway, we are wiped out. We did rest, we were refreshed, and the memories remain rich but in the end, these getaways do not completely deliver a lasting refreshment. I think it’s right to admit that they cannot deliver. Not yet. 

In his article “Setting Our Minds on Things Above in Summer” John Piper wrote the following to his church on, May 31, 1995:

“Every season is God’s season, but summer has a special power.” “God made summer as a foretaste of heaven, not a substitute. If the mailman brings you a love letter from your fiancé, don’t fall in love with the mailman. That’s what summer is: God’s messenger with a sun-soaked, tree-green, flower-blooming, lake-glistening letter of love to show us what he is planning for us in the age to come — ‘things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9).” “Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of summer. He is preeminent in all things (Colossians 1:18), including vacations, picnics, softball, long walks, and cookouts. He invites us in the summer: ‘Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). This is serious summer refreshment.”

Jesus truly “is the refreshing center of summer.” Yet we forget this. A Christless summer will not satisfy. Please, don’t get me wrong. Vacations, park days, ball games, camping, fishing, riding, and hiking are all wonderful and can be God-glorifying if done right. We do enter the summer season weary and heavy-laden and we hope for a break. But if we approach this season without keeping Christ and His church in view, then we will soon find regular devotions give way to busy travel schedules. Our tithes give way to those summer expenses. Study and prayer get lost at the beach. We find ourselves physically spent and suddenly church gatherings are neglected. Piper nailed it when he said, “Jesus Christ is refreshing, but flight from him into Christless leisure makes the soul parched.” “Don’t let summer make your soul shrivel.”

This past Sunday was a special Sunday in the life of our church: we had the privilege of ordaining Tom Wilkins. If you are unfamiliar with the term ordination, it simply means to publicly set apart or appoint. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

TEXT: 1 Peter 5:1-4
TITLE: Peter, Pastors, and Barbecue: A Special Sunday in the Life of SGC
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet

POINTS:
I. A Pastor’s Charge
II. A Pastor’s Heart
III. A Pastor’s Motivation

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”These four verses have ENORMOUS implications for pastors. But what it powerfully preaches to pastors, has TREMENDOUS implications and applications for YOU because in focusing on the pastors, Peter is equipping the churches.”

“The NT uses pastor, elder, and overseer as interchangeable terms—three terms, one office. We see the interchangeable nature of these terms in Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3, Acts 20, Philippians 1, Ephesians 4, and right here in 1 Peter 4.”

“Scripture teaches the KEY to the Christian life is KEEPING your eyes on Jesus—namely his sacrifice and his return. And that begins with pastors in their own lives and in their pastoring. A pastor has one message to proclaim, one song to sing, one motivating force—Jesus Christ!”

“These are the sacred tasks of governing—feeding, caring, protecting, leading.”

“A pastor is called to sacrifice himself to the will of God, the gospel of Christ, and the mission of the church because he is convinced in his heart God has called him to just that.”

“Should pastors be paid? According to 1 Corinthians 9 and 1 Timothy 5, if at all possible, YES! But when money becomes the motive, temptations and partiality hinders the gospel mission, reviles the Word of God, and slanders the name of Christ.”

“…pastoral authority is God’s design. We know that because it is patterned in the Trinity, enabled through the gospel, and clearly prescribed in the Scriptures through commands, imagery, and implication.”

“It's paramount pastors remember they are shepherds. Peter doesn’t call pastors ranchers. Ranchers rawhide cattle into corrals. Pastors are shepherds, gently feeding, caring, protecting and leading sheep toward the Great Shepherd, as we ourselves pursue the Great Shepherd.”

“The reason I will wear the unfading crown of glory before God is because the Chief Shepherd wore a crown of thorns for me.”

QUOTES:
John Stott- “The best sermons we ever preach to others are those we have first preached to ourselves.”

Alexander Strauch - “Shepherding is the figurative expression for governance, while overseeing is the literal term”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Acts 13:2
Acts 14:23
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Hebrews 13:17
Acts 20:28-30
Acts 6:1-6
2 Timothy 2:2
Ephesians 4:11-16

In Galatians 6:2 Christians are called to “Bear one another’s burdens” and Church, you have and continue to do just this. And the grace of God at work in you is evident as you continue to pray for baby Everett Wilkins. The Lord has revealed His mercy in answering your prayers for Everett’s life and healing.

Thursday this week was a big day for this little boy. While he has been progressing slowly daily, meeting various benchmarks in his development and healing, Thursday marked the day that his intubation vent was removed, and he is now only on nasal oxygen support. His reconstructed heart is pumping away and so far, his lungs are getting stronger. This was a huge step forward for him and the removal of the vent tubing now reveals his precious face all the more. Scottie and Melody are thrilled as they also can now hold him in their arms. The Lord has been so merciful to Everett and his mom, dad, and big brother, Joel! The Lord has also provided their next temporary place to live in the L.A. area. Thank you for your prayers for the Wilkins family and please continue to pray that Everett can now remain off the ventilator and that his digestive system will heal and mature as they introduce and test nutrition changes. Finally, please continue to pray for the medical team that works tirelessly day after day in their treatment, therapy, and care for him.

We thank God for you!

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved—Acts 2:42-47

What a compelling picture of life in Christ! God’s people knitted and being knitted together in every aspect of life, spiritually and practically. Though 2000 years later, it looks different in many ways, what remains unchanged is the godly desire to live the gospel life out with one another. 

While life in Christ together has many expressions, none is dearer than gathering as a church. For your calendar and prayers, we have listed upcoming events we hope you will consider.

Good Friday

Easter

April Offering

Guest Luncheon

Ordination Sunday

Woven

April 15 + Good Friday Service
Join us as we remember what Jesus experienced at the cross on our behalf. The service is from 6-7 pm (no childcare provided).

April 17 + Easter Service 
Invite your friends and family as we celebrate God’s exclamation point on the gospel—the empty tomb from the Gospel of Luke.

April 24 + April Offering
We serve a generous God who has given us all things in His Son Jesus. In response to His divine generosity, we have the privilege of worshipping Him uniquely with our wallets. Please pray how God would have you participate in the April offering and come on the last Sunday of April ready to give with joy, faith, and generosity. 

April 24 + Guest Luncheon 
If you are not a member at SGC, please join us for lunch following the service. Specifically designed for you, this luncheon is an opportunity to meet the pastors, ask questions about the church, and learn what the next step toward membership is. You can register now at our website sovgracetucson.org.

May 15 + Ordination Sunday
This will be a significant Sunday in the life of our church as we officially ordain Tom Wilkins as a pastor. We will continue our celebration with a barbecue immediately following the service.  

May 21 + Woven Brunch: A Celebration of Christian Women
Ladies (and daughter's youth age and up), please join us as we celebrate Christian women in all seasons of life. It will be a wonderful time of encouragement, fellowship, and prayer. Oh yeah, and great food catered by our own Chef John Hohn!

In his outstanding Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem explains three reasons God wants us to pray: 1) Prayer expresses our trust in God 2) Prayer is a way to fellowship with God 3) Prayer is a means to participate with God in His kingdom work. Regarding the latter, Grudem says:

In prayer, God allows us as creatures to be involved in activities that are eternally important. When we pray, the work of the kingdom is advanced. In this way, prayer gives us opportunity to be involved in a significant way in the work of the kingdom. 

This is the profound nature and privilege of prayer—an invitation from God to participate in His purposes that take us beyond the temporal. As you join God’s kingdom work in this unique way, please consider the requests below. Above all, may God meet you in your prayers, graciously granting you comprehension of the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ for you and all his saints according to Ephesians 3:18-19. May God mercifully answer our prayers for our good and His glory!

Sovereign Grace Church Local

• Pray that Scottie and Melody Wilkins will be anchored in the love and sovereignty of God, encouraged by the Word, strengthened by the Spirit, and filled with wisdom for practical decisions (medical, house, church) as they prepare for the birth of Everett. 

• Pray the Parenting Weekender (3/25-26) and upcoming Men’s Retreat (you heard it here first—May 5-7). Pray for God’s favor in the planning, His power through the teachings, and His grace in our relationships. 

• Pray for Heidi Aranda’s continued recovery from brain surgery. Pray for abiding trust in the Lord, an acute awareness of His daily mercies, and wisdom from the Spirit as they navigate the practical implications for their daily life.   

Sovereign Grace Churches National

• Pray that God would continue to provide financially for Sovereign Grace Churches so that we can fund the numerous gospel opportunities He is giving us as a family of churches.

• Pray for Sovereign Grace Pastors College students as they enter the final three months and prepare to begin ministry in local churches here at home and abroad.

Sovereign Grace Churches Global

• Pray for Christians in Ukraine, asking God to protect them and use them to offer gospel hope as the war continues in that nation.

• Pray for the Belarusian pastors that Kyle Huber (Sr. Pastor of our church in Egg Harbor Township, NJ) is working with and caring for. Pray for God’s power as they minister the gospel and His protection to prevent their men from being forced to join Russia against Ukraine. 

• Pray for 4 Sovereign Grace church plants that we have planned in the Asia-Pacific part of the world over the next 24 months: Cavite—Philippines (2022/23), Bonbon—Philippines (2022/23), Negros Occidental—Philippines (2022/23), Kathmandu—Nepal (2022/23).