Church notes - 21st May 2017

[fardell24]

Josh + Ali Reeve - Outreach to Albania
Highly Islamic - legacy of the Ottoman Empire
Formerly Communist
60% Islamic
10% Catholic
7% Eastern Orthodox
2.5% Athiest
The care for those with disabilities is rather terrible (due to superstition)

What they'll be doing.
1. Evangelism and Church-Building
2. Disability Ministry

Acts 15:1 - 29
A passage where the Grace of God was made explicit.
The fundamental problem has always been sin.
vs 1
Circumicision - Paul and Barnabas objected
vs 5
The Pharisees went to keep the Law.

Salvation is from God
vs 7, 8
vs 12
God had taken the initative to reach out to the Gentiles.

vs 16 - 18
It was always God's plan.
There are no distinctions in the Church
vs 7
There are only those who have faith in Jesus
Despite whatever divisions we put up, there are no divisions in God.

Salvation is Free
vs 7
It is from God.
Jesus kept the Law for us. Keeping the law is a yoke we cannot bear.
Law Keeping - doesn't need to refer to God (If we are saved by our morality, we don't need Jesus)

Salvation is worked out in Community
vs 29
It's not a matter of salvation. It's a matter of wisdom.
Living in a way that values the other person.
(e.g. Having a Dry Wedding when a guest is a Recovering Alcoholic)

Is your life centred around the saving grace of Jesus?