This Sunday
Sermon Title: The Dangers of Pride
Pride comes before the fall. A common saying that plays out again and again in so many of our lives. Babylon thought they were untouchable and at the height of their security they were destroyed. Isaiah predicted it all.
Sermon Points and Questions
1. Who is someone that you are praying for, caring for, and sharing Jesus with that you hope can join you for church in the next 5 months?
2. How have you experienced pride in your life?
3. Have you ever thought that you were "untouchable." How did you react when you finally had something happen in your life that helped you rethink this?
4. Prideful actions - living for pleasue, ease, and security. Which one of these three most characterizes your life?
5. How have you let "wisdom and knowledge" puff up your pride? What can you do about it?
6. We try to avoid destruction by our charm, our money, and our preparation. Which one of these three most characterizes your life?
No one will save you.. you can’t save you.
But Jesus did.
Isaiah 47 NLT
Prediction of Babylon’s Fall
47 “Come down, virgin daughter of Babylon, and sit in the dust.
For your days of sitting on a throne have ended.
O daughter of Babylonia,[a] never again will you be
the lovely princess, tender and delicate.
2 Take heavy millstones and grind flour.
Remove your veil, and strip off your robe.
Expose yourself to public view.[b]
3 You will be naked and burdened with shame.
I will take vengeance against you without pity.”
4 Our Redeemer, whose name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
is the Holy One of Israel.
5 “O beautiful Babylon, sit now in darkness and silence.
Never again will you be known as the queen of kingdoms.
6 For I was angry with my chosen people
and punished them by letting them fall into your hands.
But you, Babylon, showed them no mercy.
You oppressed even the elderly.
7 You said, ‘I will reign forever as queen of the world!’
You did not reflect on your actions
or think about their consequences.
8 “Listen to this, you pleasure-loving kingdom,
living at ease and feeling secure.
You say, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other.
I will never be a widow or lose my children.’
9 Well, both these things will come upon you in a moment:
widowhood and the loss of your children.
Yes, these calamities will come upon you,
despite all your witchcraft and magic.
10 “You felt secure in your wickedness.
‘No one sees me,’ you said.
But your ‘wisdom’ and ‘knowledge’ have led you astray,
and you said, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other.’
11 So disaster will overtake you,
and you won’t be able to charm it away.
Calamity will fall upon you,
and you won’t be able to buy your way out.
A catastrophe will strike you suddenly,
one for which you are not prepared.
12 “Now use your magical charms!
Use the spells you have worked at all these years!
Maybe they will do you some good.
Maybe they can make someone afraid of you.
13 All the advice you receive has made you tired.
Where are all your astrologers,
those stargazers who make predictions each month?
Let them stand up and save you from what the future holds.
14 But they are like straw burning in a fire;
they cannot save themselves from the flame.
You will get no help from them at all;
their hearth is no place to sit for warmth.
15 And all your friends,
those with whom you’ve done business since childhood,
will go their own ways,
turning a deaf ear to your cries.
Connecting You To What's Next!
Your Next Step Group
- First Step this week after the service!
- Step Up! NEXT week at 9am in the room to the right of the stage! If you've been to First Step this is your next step.
- Engage Group finished it's four week run! The group will meet again when you sign up for it. Let us know you are interested! This group is 4 weeks long.
- Disciplemakers Group will meet in the elementary area (through the kids door off the lobby) at 9am. This is discipleship pathway group 4. We want to help you develop your abilities to serve and influence others to follow Jesus.
Upcoming Events
August 31 Group Kickoff at Greene's
Join us for a Back To School Ice Cream Party after the service August 24
CHURCH PICNIC
September 6 at 3pm at Silver Spring Park
Bring a side dish to share with everyone
StepUp Is Just Getting Started
Sundays
Time: 9:00am-9:45am
Location: Church Building. Room the the right of the stage.
This group is the next step in the discipleship pathway after First Step or Popcorn with the Pastor. It's all about growing deeper in your faith and getting more connected with others.
Men's Ministry Event (Tube Float)
August 23, 2025
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Women's Ministry Event
(3rd Saturday of the month) - Join in for August!
*wellness theme this month
Saturday August 16, 2025
Time 6:30-8:30pm
Events Coming Up
Patricia is helping to organize these two events. Let us know if you are interested!
1.Seed and Soil outing
Location: Seed and Soil in Etown
Tuesday: August 12th
Time: 9:30 AM and return by 1:30 PM
Lunch: Noon place TBD
Cost:$30 per person This includes the class, all supplies to make and take home your bread, and your very own sourdough starter!
2. Ark Encounter Bus Trip. August 10-14, 2026. More details coming.
Small Groups and Bible Studies
- Women's Ministry Next 3rd saturday of the month.
- Men's Ministry next Event (regularly on the 4th saturday of the month)
- Youth Group Wednesdays 6:30pm at the church building.
- Tony Koch group launching August 31. Every other Sunday night.
- Hopefully one new group starting up soon!
Your generosity connects people to God's next step for their life!