Zechariah 8:3

This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

God announces that He is present in the city of Jerusalem, after having been absent during the disorientation of the exile.

Zechariah 8:4-5

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Since this series considers the mission of the church in Chicago and its environs, these words from the prophet resonate especially well.

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

On the one hand, faith is a reliable foundation and a faithful relationship that brings together the God who loves the world with those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:20

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Faith gains courage from the example of Jesus, and that is why reading the Gospels is such an important part of Christian growth and discipleship.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

That is, this love of God openly expresses what God does and not only how God feels. Yet we acknowledge that God has deep feeling when He loves, and the Bible certainly says that He does (see Isaiah 49:15; 66:13), but...

Mark 9:41

Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 27th & 28th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Giving cold water in Jesus’ name to a person in need, sets in motion the events that can lead to my neighbor becoming a disciple of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 27th & 28th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Becoming a Christian involves becoming God’s friends and then acting as agents of His friendship for other people.