It is interesting the things that come across a pastor’sdesk. Usually there is a lot of junkmail and junk email, like “how to have a successful fundraiser,” or someone whocan fill our cleaning supplies needs at church, or that widow from Nigeria whohas millions of dollars she wants to donate to our congregation, she just needsmy bank account number and PIN...

But every so often,there are unsolicited emails that I receive which address things that some ofour members are wondering about. Forinstance, the mass email I received recently asked whether a Christian shouldattend a gay wedding. Then there was thepodcast that asked whether our congregations are ready to welcome repentanttransgenders who have seen the errors of their choices.

Text: (Acts 16:9-15 ESV)

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a manof Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over toMacedonia and help us." 10And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on intoMacedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 So, setting sail from Troas, wemade a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi,which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. Weremained in this city some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where wesupposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the womenwho had come together. 14 Onewho heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller ofpurple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to payattention to what was said by Paul. 15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying,"If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house andstay." And she prevailed upon us."

Text: (Heb. 6:1-12 NKJ)

"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."