8/9/2020 Sunday’s Sermon by Nick Perez
Behold the Blood – Forgiven
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7, ESV
***Join us at 10:45 on YouTube for the Sunday Worship Service
“He Descended to the Dead” (2)
One of the earliest beliefs held by the early church is that upon His death, Jesus’ soul descended into Hades, the unseen realm of disembodied spirits. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, dating to just fifty days after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and just ten days from when Jesus ascended to the Father’s right hand, affirms that Jesus’ soul went to Hades, but was not abandoned to Hades and “God raised Him up” (Acts 2.24-32).
Last week Scripture answered the question, “Where was Jesus during the three days He was in the tomb?” Answer: while His lifeless body remained in the tomb, His soul descended into Hades. Naturally, the follow-up question is, “What was He doing there?” For what purpose did Jesus descend into Hades? Among the early church writers, the belief that Christ descended to the dead was ubiquitous and it was generally assumed that He proclaimed victory over Death and Hades while there. Some went so far as to believe in a gospel proclamation with an opportunity for repentance among the dead; usually, the appeal was made to 1 Peter 3.19 in conjunction with 4.6, a connection that is unnatural to the text. Typically, though, in view of Ephesians 4.8-10, the descent was to release dead saints from Hades.
The only text in the New Testament which potentially addresses the question “What did Jesus do in Hades?” is 1 Peter 3.19. It must be noted that 1 Peter 3.19 is a text which is much debated and interpretations abound concerning what Peter is saying. Personally, I do not think Peter has the descent into Hades in view when he writes that Jesus “went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.” However, assuming Peter has the descent into Hades in view, then what did Jesus do while there? He “proclaimed” a message to the spirits, seemingly both human and angelic spirits that occupied Hades at the time of His death. The content of the message, though, is not specified, therefore, the conclusion that Christ proclaimed the gospel and even offered salvation to the dead in Hades is unwarranted. The word Peter uses for “proclaimed” indicates that he proclaimed victory over all evil powers, including especially Death. Then, through His resurrection, all “powers [have] been subjected to Him” (1 Peter 3.21-22).
–Nick Perez
Fairmont Park Church of Christ (Midland, TX)
Live Streaming & Recorded Sermons & Bible Classes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FPCOFC/
Website: https://www.fmpchurch.com/
App: (Apple & Android) Fairmont Park Church of Christ
*Children’s resources now available
The Christian Chronicle
The Christian Chronicle has compiled a list of Churches of
Christ nationwide who offer live streaming services.
https://christianchronicle.org/churches-of-christ-offeringlivestream-worship/
“Let the Bible Speak” – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/LetTheBibleSpeak
Praise & Worship Sunday Mornings – 10:45 am
- We are complying with state and county guidelines
- Sunday morning worship is now open, and still online
- Sunday Bible classes canceled until further notice
- Junior Worship canceled until further notice
- Wednesday Bible classes canceled until further notice
- Potlucks canceled until further notice
- Food Pantry by appointment only
- Travelers Motel – food service only
- Shower Shuttle canceled until further notice
- Recommendations – Those who are over 60 or have underlying health conditions are encouraged to stay home.
- Guidelines – If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands. Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Scholarships
College scholarships are available for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. Applicants must be members of the Davis Park Church of Christ and must be attending a Church of Christ affiliated college/university in the fall. Please contact the church office for an application.
Contact Info for our Shut-Ins
- Jewel Cherry, 2117 Bridgewood Way, Modesto, CA 95355
- Nadine Greff, Vintage Faire, 3620 Dale Rd, Rm. 25, Modesto, CA 95356
- Mary Ellen Heinrich, Casa de Modesto, 1745 Eldena Way, Room 906, Modesto, 95350
- Betty McGoldrick, 13754 Jasper St., Lathrop, CA 95330
- Russ Ortloff, 511 East D Street, Oakdale, CA 95361
- Evelyn Wood, Bethel Assisted Living, 2345 Scenic Ave., Apt. 323, Modesto 95355
***Please submit additions, corrections & updates to the office.
NOTE: Our Shut-ins are not allowed visitors at this time. Please take the time to send them a card or note of encouragement if you can.
Recent Prayer Requests
The Hervey Family – mourning the sudden passing of Scott
Tamara Wallers – father hospitalized with chest pain
Martin Moreno (Woodward Park CoC member) – mother’s health
David Tostado – toothache, headaches & neck pain
Gary & Vickie Laguna – traveling
Jim & Bonnie Greff – sister-in-law Denise Libby having kidney issues
Joan Quinn – daughter Anna mourning the loss of friend Lexie who died in a car accident
Terry McEnery – strength, courage & direction from God; sister-in-law recovering from an appendectomy
Paula Meler – she & mom, Lee Boydstun, struggling with health issues; aunt Beverly hospitalized
Melissa Shook – brother Alan having heart issues; friend Tammy feeling broken & depressed; family of Kenny Knox mourning his passing; Gordon Dougal having health struggles
Cletus Thompson – friend Jim Ware in need of a double lung transplant
Traci McEnery – back pain
Yolanda (Travelers Motel resident) – awaiting back surgery
Bontha Raju – wife & son diagnosed with COVID
Krista Gray – brother, Stan Chism recovering from stent replacement & having a valve replacement Aug 25th
Jason Gentry – Grace Whited, a 6-year-old at the Murphys Church of Christ, has been diagnosed with cancer & the prognosis is not good
Mani Graham – boyfriend, Daryl Curtis recovering from open-heart surgery & positive for COVID, but no symptoms
Jim & Mary Renner – friend Steve Rodriguez, his fianceé, & both of their families recovering from COVID-19
Buddy Gray – having heart palpitations; friend, Dee Rambo, awaiting surgery
Vickie Laguna – mom, Georgia Springer’s dementia is progressing
Modesto Gospel Mission – 40 cases of COVID-19
Jean Wallers – hospitalized with COVID-19
Alicia Root – Brenna is considering baptism
Leadership / Civil Unrest / Essential Workers / Unemployed
Health Care Workers
Health Care Workers
Tonya Barnard, RT
Susan Brown, Urgent Care worker
April Burnett, working at San Quentin
(granddaughter of Ron & Roxanne Kemper)
Debbie Cree, RN
Krista Gray, RN
Rick Kelley, PA
Rose Kelley, PA
Ellen Tostado, Medical Lab Technician
Tamara Wallers, RN
Betty Weldon, RN
Joan Wohnhas, surgical sterilization
Dawn Young, RN (Shower Shuttle Volunteer)
Christie, RN (daughter of John & Patty Ford)
Loved Ones with Cancer
Tonya Barnard’s grandma
Deb Barnes
Sharon Corley’s sister-in-law Jan
Marianne Durso
Josh Leslie’s grandmother
Gabriel Hall’s father
Carey Higginbotham’s brother-in-law Jeremy
Terry McEnery’s uncle Ed
Elene Patton’s father
Clementina Robles
Clementina Robles’ brother Joe
Jody Thompson’s son-in-law
Sheila Walls
Continue to Pray for Improved Health & Strength:
Danny Allsup
Tonya Barnard
Mary Benitez
Chris Brocco
Jim Calibro
Caleb Collins
Charlie Cook
Sherry Day
Darlene Evans
Mary Ellen Heinrich
Vickie Laguna
Carole Long
Russ Ortloff
Lee Walls’ sister Doris
Sheila Walls’ sister Margo
Darlene Wengel
