Hi Newport Church Family,
We are praying that you experience God’s grace, favor and blessing in ever greater ways each new day.
The First Day
Tomorrow is the first day of August and we will be taking communion together as a church. This has always been an important Sunday for us as a church, and it’s not coincidental that we break bread together on the first Sunday of the month!
Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week. We honor God by worshipping Him, as a community of faith, on the first day of the week as the church has done for the last 2,000 years.
On the first day of Creation God separated light from darkness. On the first day of the first month the waters from the flood began to recede. On the first day of the first month the Tabernacle, where God manifested His Presence was set up so that the people could meet with God.
The First Principle
All that took place on the first day is profoundly significant, not only for it’s own time but also for our time and for our lives. Living in the light rather than darkness, receiving resurrection life and power, experiencing God’s grace instead of judgement and knowing God’s presence are a result of what took place on the first day, and are also a result of what we put first in our lives.
The first principle, which runs through every page of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, reveals that whatever we put first determines the shape of our lives.
What we put first determines our priorities, our practices and our principles.
Whatever is first in our life determines what comes next in life, the quality of our life, the shape and scope of our future and whether we fulfil our God given potential and destiny or not.
The First Fruits
God teaches us in His Word that the first of all that we receive from Him belongs to Him, and that when we honor God with the first of our finance, He will honor His word and bless us.
Solomon wrote:
Honor the Lord with your wealth
And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);
Then your barns will be abundantly filled
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10
Solomon’s father David summed up this powerful principle as he and the people of Israel brought their offerings to build the Temple.
Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!
1 Chronicle 29:12.14 NLT
Our First Priority
As we navigate the second half of this year lets’ do all that we can to align our priorities with God’s priorities. Let’s put first what God puts first, and watch how God will bless us and our church as we do!
Jesus said:
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matt 6:33 NKJV
Jesus teaches us that His Kingdom priorities add to the quality and blessing of our lives. They never compete with our family, friends or with enjoying the abundant life Jesus promises us. They only add to the blessing because we are living our lives according to the pattern of God’s Word.
Baptisms at the Beach and Summer Serve Day
Next Saturday August 7th we have baptisms at the beach and if you would like to be baptized we would love to connect with you. If you have not been baptized in water yet, this is a very important step in your journey of faith and we encourage you to take this next step.
Jesus was baptized Himself, and as we are immersed in the waters of baptism we follow His example. Just as Jesus was later buried and raised from the dead, so our old sinful life is buried in the waters of baptism so that we can rise up out of the water into newness of life!
You can click this link to let us know of your interest, as well as coming to a special baptism class that I will be teaching tomorrow at 9am before our 10 am Sunday service.
Summer Serve Day Saturday August 14th
We would love to have you join us for our Summer Serve Day when we will be distributing food, back packs and school supplies to those in need at Davis Elementary School in Santa Ana.
This has always been a highlight for us as a church and a way that we can make a meaningful contribution to our extended community.
Click this link for more details. We hope to see you there for what will be a great day! You can also help us prepare for the day putting the gift packs together or by contributing with an offering.
Generosity that Opens Doors for Others
Our generosity opens the door for us to bring hope and faith to people who have yet to experience the love and peace that Jesus has brought to our lives.
Thank you for your continued partnership with us as a church through the giving of your donations, tithes and offerings.
God is faithful and He promises not only to give us food to eat but seed to sow. He also says that He will give seed to the sower. That means us specifically as we sow our seed in faith!
If you would like to give your donation, tithe or offering now you can do so by clicking here.
Let’s remind God of His promises and believe that we will do what He says he will do!
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow either in person or online.
Come early for a great cup of coffee and bring your family and friends.
We are praying that God’s presence and power will touch each one of you in a significant way.
We love and appreciate you all greatly,
Pastor Jonathan & Dianne Wilson
Senior Pastors