I invite you to turn in your Bibles or the Pugh Bible to the text for this morning's

message which is found in 1st Corinthians, Chapter 4, verses 15 through 21. It's 1st Corinthians Chapter 4 and I'll be starting in verse 15.

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers.

For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.

I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Therefore, I sent to you, Timothy, my beloved and faithful

child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ as I teach them everywhere, in every church. Some are arrogant as though I we're not coming

to you, but I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the

talk of these arrogant people, but their power.

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power.

What do you wish?

Shall I come to you with a rod or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

I think it would be good if we just bowed one more time and ask God's blessing on the message.

Father, as we begin a new decade in the word. We want to as a congregation bow and acknowledge that your word is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword,

piercing to the division of soul and spirit bone and marrow laying bare the secret things of the heart, opening

us before the one with whom we have to do, never returning void.

Oh, give us a heart for your word and a heart for your spirit's work.

Anoint this message beyond its worth,

with your gracious presence and power, I pray.

For the salvation of sinners, and for the building up of your beloved body,

the church.

In Jesus, name I pray. Amen.

...