*** DELETE THIS SECTION BEFORE PUBLISHING ***
TO BE ADDED OR NOTED IN FUTURE SSB WEEKLY EDITIONS

• CANTATA rehearsal page - SEE JETTIE's NOTE from 10/14 @ 2:46 pm.  
• NOM Com on 11/16
• Mike Cohen info NEXT weekend:
  Mike Cohen will be at Ashland Bible Church next weekend.  He’ll speak to the men at 6:30am on Saturday.
  There will then be a welcome brunch at 10am with his wife, Lisa.  She’ll share with the women at 1:30.  Later a 4pm teaching time (with pizza).   Sunday evening, Mike will also be doing the 6pm service at SSB.  You are welcome to join in.
  
  
• Support a Nigerian Missionary (Al's info below)
• Coffee CLUB each month (Friday, 9/12 is next) *** Make sure this is added each month.
• 18-26...   Young Adult updates.
• PASTA with Pastor Note
• 
  

NIGERIAN MISSIONARY:
Some of you may recall that when Al was here, he spoke of his return to Nigeria.  He grew up there when his dad was a missionary.  One interesting comment on Nigeria:  90% of all Christians killed in the world are in Nigeria.   Al shared with us the great news that they have 1,000 men and women trained and ready to be sent as missionaries.  They just lack funds.   What is amazing is the price tag to send just one is $600... ANNUALLY!  I suggested we might have a few folks interested in sending a missionary outright.  He has given me the following information:

To support one of these Nigerian missionaries, send your $600.00 check to:  Mr. Tony Rondinella, Box 5310, Glendale, CA 91201. Make your check out to Global Teaching Network and ear mark your check EMS Missionary support. They will choose your missionary and send you a tax receipt, bio of the missionary, tribe where he or she is from, and where they will be sent.   You will not be able to be in contact the missionary at any time for security reasons.  They do ask that you pray for your missionary every day.

Monday, October 27, 2025

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.  –Galatians 4:4-7.

As we approach October 31st, we are mindful of the darkness of the world – each of our neighborhoods seems to celebrate the macabre and everything evil.  Yet, this is a time of year when we are again reminded of God’s Son and how much God loves us.    

In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son.
When Christ came a bit over 2,000 years ago, the timing wasn’t random.  God ordained it.  God promised it.  God orchestrated it.  He had been setting the stage, weaving together His preparations so that when His Son appeared, the world would be ready to hear, respond to, and spread the good news.  

Imagine – the world was united by a common language.  Koine Greek had become the common tongue.  Thus, the New Testament could be written in a language ready for the world to read.   People could travel from region to region and still be understood — each area shared a common tongue.  God’s Word could be read.

The world was also connected by roads.  Rome had built roads that connected the nations.   It allowed them quick military advantage but also served economic purposes as goods could be safely and quickly transported.   Yet, in God’s timing, these roads would serve another purpose as God’s Word could be carried.

Amazingly, though the roads were built for military might, Christ came during the Pax Romana — the ‘Roman Peace’ — one of the longest eras of stability in history.  It lasted from the reign of Augustus in 27 BC through around AD 180.   There was little conflict during this time and quite a bit of economic prosperity.   God’s Word could be received - safely and peacefully it was shared everywhere.

This was also a world that, spiritually, was bankrupt.  Human reason had been exhausted by the philosophers.   Judaism, which had been longing — and even anticipating — her Messiah, was weighed down by its own ritual and law.   In the fullness of time – Light came into this dark world.   The world was perfect for God’s Word to be received.  

God’s time was perfect.  Always – was and is.  If we then fast forward about 1,500 years, it was true again.  God’s time again would be perfect.

In the fullness of time, God again sent forth His Word.
In 1517, this Light had been buried beneath superstition, ritual, and centuries of corruption.  But God’s timing was perfect for a young priest and professor to post 95 Theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.  

In 1517, the timing was perfect as there was no longer only Latin as the tongue of learning.   Vernacular languages were rising, and The Renaissance had stirred a hunger for learning and truth.   Luther translated the Bible into German.  This was not just a translation, but liberation – God’s Word was freed.  It could be read and, thus, understood by common people.  

In addition to the perfect timing for language, this was God’s perfect timing as a new technology had been revolutionizing communication.  The Gutenberg press revolutionized communication.  The movable metal type made books cheaper and more accessible – and, for the Reformation, allowed truth to be rapidly spread.  Rome had long controlled its version of truth through pulpits and manuscripts, but now God was spreading His Word.  The 95 Theses spread across Europe in a matter of weeks.   God’s Word was available for everyone to own.  

When Luther posted the 95, the church was spiritually empty.  It was quite powerful but did not offer good news.   People were afraid but did not fear God as they should.   Luther was able to cry out “The just shall live by faith!” and the world was ready to hear.  It was nothing new, but it needed to be rediscovered.   God’s timing again was perfect.  Perfect for the revival of the Word.  

And in every age, in the fullness of time, He still prepares hearts to receive it.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son - At Bethlehem, God’s Word became flesh.
But when the fullness of time had come - At Wittenberg, God’s Word was unchained.  

God’s perfect timing was demonstrated again on October 31, 1517.   The Reformation began and the many Godly reformers operated within His fullness of time.  God has a perfect pattern of perfect timing.   He did and He does.   He prepares a people to be ready, and He perfectly coordinates events to intersect with that readiness.  All by His glorious grand design.  

Paul wrote to Timothy about this great truth:  “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” (2 Timothy 2:8-9).  At the birth of Christ and, again, on October 31, 1517, we see this great truth of God:  “The word of God is not bound!”

In the fullness of time, God perfectly prepares the world, and each of us, for the Gospel.  

An "invite" you can use on social media, text, email, etc.

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).  This is embracing the cross.  Notice who is and who isn't in the driver’s seat?  You are not driving; Jesus is in the driver’s seat!   He leads; we follow.  Would you willingly take your car key and give it to Jesus?  More importantly, have you given him the keys to your life?   Are you embracing the cross?  Surrender the direction of your life to Christ.   Be the church.