Wow! Our Reunion Church community knows how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in so many different ways! Thank you for your commitment to loving beyond our church walls – people see Jesus in each of you as you minister. This past month we opened our doors and hearts to serve a grieving family and hundreds of others with a touching funeral service and the compassionate ministry of our hospitality team. You also embraced Paul and Nicolee Thompson from the Harvest Compassion Centers and affirmed the desire for our community to serve and support their ministry to feed and clothe our needy neighbors. But you didn’t stop there – you invited teachers, coaches, and students to hear a powerful message from former Pro-Bowl Player and Voice of the AZ Cardinals, Ron Wolfley. Students, families, teachers, and coaches who don’t know Jesus were ministered to, and we continue to pray for the Lord to be at work in their lives. And every week, in addition to all of the wonderful ongoing ministry, special needs children and adults are ministered to, planting the love of Jesus deep into the hearts and minds of these precious people. Thank you for how tirelessly you lovingly serve our Savior and our community.
THE PASTOR’S CORNER
I’ve spoken a great deal lately about the times and seasons we are living in. We recognize that we are living in a season that the prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isa. 5:20 ESV.
As a community of believers dedicated to deeply studying and applying God’s Word to our day-to-day lives, we know that our call is to stand firm in faith and truth, ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us. It is more important than ever that we push deep into prayer and study of God’s Word, covering those we love with prayer and guiding them in God’s ways.
As society seeks to erase the definitions of male and female, the protection of life for the unborn, and
moral boundaries for behavior, we must remain vigilant to the deceptions of the enemy and his attacks on biblical values, whether in the workplace, school, or friend or family relationships.
I am more passionate than ever about equipping our community to stand strong in the face of growing darkness. It is precisely why we dig so deep into Scripture on Sunday mornings in our 9 am Equip adult classes, and in the messages I deliver. I know that this stretches us, but it is important. I also realize that the teaching is more challenging than you might find elsewhere, but please know that growing in our faith and faithfulness is the goal Making strong disciples that can stand firmly in the battle against darkness is the goal, and it is bearing fruit.
I encourage you to be disciplined in the time you set aside for the study of God’s Word, worship, and prayer. I also encourage you to be faithful in fellowshipping together, as it will be a source of great strength for you and your family. I am grateful we are learning, serving, and standing firm together.
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Pastor Steve
Dr. Stephen Isaac ThD.
Pastor – Reunion Ch
SEPTEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS
09.10.22, 11:00 AM – EVERYMAN MEN’S POOLSIDE BBQ AT CASILLAS
09.15.22, 6:30 PM – WINGS WOMEN’S MINISTRY AT CHURCH W/ SPECIAL GUEST LUTISHA GOEBEL, OWNER OF PHOENIX STRANGEBREW COFFEE SHOP. HEAR HER POWERFUL TESTIMONY OF FORGIVENESS AND TRUST. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
09.24.22, 9:00-11:00 AM – JONI & FRIENDS HALF-TIME RESPITE FOR CHILDREN LIVING W/ DISABILITIES & THEIR SIBLINGS. REGISTER HERE AND INVITE OTHERS WHO NEED THIS MINISTRY.
REUNION CHURCH REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS
SUNDAYS 9 AM – 10 AM
EQUIP ADULT BIBLE CLASSES: THE GREAT COMMISSION LIFESTYLE AND CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS – THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER & ATTEND!
MOVEMENT YOUTH GROUP
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY (NURSERY-6TH GRADE)
10 AM – 10:20 AM
GRACE’S CAFE – FRESH BAGELS, MUFFINS, PASTRIES, COFFEE
SUNDAYS 10:30 AM
COMMUNITY WORSHIP GATHERING
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY (NURSERY-6TH GRADE)
WEDNESDAYS – 6:30 PM
CAMPUS COMMUNITY CARE GROUP
MOVEMENT YOUTH GROUP
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY (NURSERY-6TH GRADE)
OFF-CAMPUS COMMUNITY CARE GROUPS
MEET IN VARIOUS HOMES ON DIFFERENT WEEKNIGHTS AROUND THE VALLEY. CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
A DEEPER DIVE
Excerpt from “God of the Paradox” by Dr. Stephen Isaac
Transcendence
The ‘transcendence’ of God means that God exists apart from, and is not subject to, the limitations of the material universe. He is above and beyond, surpassing and excelling, superior to humankind. Let’s read a Biblical description of the transcendent God from the book of Job and the great messianic prophet Isaiah.
“God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it. Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens. From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. “Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge, you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind? Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror? Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness. Shall it be told him that I would speak? Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up? And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. The Almighty-we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”
Job 37:5-24 ESV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 58:8-9 ESV
Immanence
Now let’s contrast that to the ‘immanence’ of God. Biblical or divine immanence means that He moves to, through, and in, abides and lives, and exists within all who believe in Him. Because of this reality, it is then possible to not only know that God is out there existing beyond all universes and to experience the immediacy of His intimate friendship and love. To not only know of Him, but to intimately know Him who was and is to come. Let’s read from Paul’s epistle of Philippians and John’s gospel together.
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11 ESV
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”
John 14:6-11 ESV
According to the Biblical traditions of our Christian faith, the transcendent God, who cannot be approached or seen in essence or being, becomes immanent to us primarily in the person and presence of the incarnate Christ. The immanence of God is fulfilled in us – in Christ, and actively functions in the unity of the Spirit. The Biblical theology of the immanence of God is expressed in what is called the hypostases: the union of Christ’s human and divine nature. That the transcendent God of the universe and beyond became immanent by coming to earth in the flesh (humanity) so that each and every one of His creation could be moved upon by His Spirit (divinity), both to know and to have new life in Him.
We have described the creative nature and energy of God – the movement of God creates life. I believe this is our moment for truth and reality – this is a moment for the Spirit’s revelation. This is our spiritual understanding of how the God who transcends all is also immanent and present in us.
God, who, in his essence, is incomprehensible and transcendent, yet at the same time intimately present and living in us. God the Father – God the Son – God the Spirit in complete and perfect unity immanently revealed to each one, in each one.God of the paradox… wholly transcendent and incomprehensible; fully immanent and knowable all in the same moment.
About Reunion Church
Reunion Church is a non-denominational Christian church located in Peoria, Arizona, just off the 101 Freeway on Cactus Rd. We are a community of believers who are deeply committed to loving God, His Word, His people, and those that don’t know Him yet! Questions about what we believe? Go HERE. Want to listen to a sermon from our senior pastor, Dr. Stephen Isaac? Check us out on YouTube – we are live streaming, and recorded sermons are available as well.
