Sermons
Click on a blue arrow for the sermon summary
August 25, 2019
▼ "Assurance of the Holy Spirit" 1 John 4. 1-6
How do you react to hardship, uncertainty, discouragement, or loss? How one reacts is typically dependent upon what they believe is most important to them or what they have been taught. For Christians, how we react should be reflective to what we have been taught and what we believe whether the situation is joyful or of concern.
In the world we live in, there is a flood of answers and solutions for all problems we face. Solutions to questions like: what is true, what we are to believe, what we are to fear, what we are to consider as important, how we are to act - flood books, news, social platforms, and movies. For Christians, this passage provides navigation on how we are to discern this commotion that we exist in.
This passage can be broken into two sections with the first section being a warning and a test from John against the false spirits and prophets of this world. He warns that there are many in the world proclaiming false messages. These messages can lead us astray if we are not careful. But following this warning, John gives us a test to determine which messages are of this world and which are of God. "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God" (verse 2). If a message does not proclaim the truths of Jesus Christ: that he is fully God and fully human, that he lived the life we should have lived, that he died the death we deserved for our sins, and that he is now seated at God's right hand as Lord of All, then the message is a false message or at best, incomplete. The application of this concerns every aspect of our lives. The messages that teach us how to raise a family, how to work, how to rest, how to love your spouse, how to conduct your finances, how to give time and resources, your attitude, your passions - are all false and incomplete if they are not centered on what Christ has done for you and your relationship with him.
But in the second three verses of this passage, John gives us encouragement; the one who resides in each of us, confessing believers of Jesus, is greater than the one who is in the world. So, when the temptations of this world build up and seem overwhelming, we can be reminded by this, the one who declared "I have overcome the world" (John 16.33) has sent his Spirit to permanently reside in you all your days. Your allies are far greater and stronger than your enemies, and that has already been displayed by Jesus defeating death through his resurrection. In closing, I add these practical ways to remain in Christ and not heed to the temptations the messages of this world teach.
August 18, 2019
▼ "The Big Questions " Numerous
At Meadow Run, we are blessed to have a healthy youth presence in the church's population. So this week, we took a break from 1 John and instead focused on some big questions about what exactly being a Christian means and how it differs from other beliefs and religions. We took a look at the following questions.
o What Christians Believe
o Gold and silver was measured by the tons
o All projects he dreamed of, he completed
o Feast all the time and no war
o Generous to his people
o Built himself a huge palace
o Built the Lord's temple
o Fitted the people with armor and riches for generations to come
Solomon's Conclusion Eccl. 12. 13-14
o Obey his commandments
o Fear Him - marvel/in awe/ worship and praise
o The only way to live life with purpose, is to live a life that honors and glorifies God
o Other beliefs
o Christian belief
o Other Beliefs
o Christian Belief
August 11, 2019
▼ "What Love Isn't" 1 John 3. 11-24
This entire section of John's letter is about the importance of God's command to love one another; specifically speaking to other members of the church. But one may ask, "Aren't we called to love all our neighbors as Jesus commanded in the story of the Good Samaritan." This is true, but the love we show other believers in Christ should look unique and different than the love we show our unbelieving neighbor, and that is what John is speaking to here. Notice in verse 13, John addresses the church he is writing to as brothers and sisters, and in verse 16, John calls us to resemble Christ love by laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters. How we love other believers should be a witness to the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us and among us. In this passage, John gives 3 implications of this command to love other believers.
August 4, 2019
▼ "Lavished Children of God" 1 John 2. 28 - 3.10
1 John 3.1 is an incredibly encouraging verse. "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that's what we are! One can sense the amazement and bewilderment John has in writing these words. Considering how magnificent God is and how lowly we are, to love us at all is astonishing, but to call us children is outright scandalous of God. As we saw in Genesis, our nature is to desire our own aspirations rather than to desire God. We have rebelled against God but as Romans 5.8 states, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Through his son's sacrifice, God demonstrated the magnitude he has for all of those who call on the name of his son.
When we dwell on the truth of God's love for us, it can be extremely encouraging. With this passage, we can see three distinct ways we can be encouraged as believers.
Child of God be encouraged by this passage. Be in awe at how much God loves you and appreciate and adore God for this love.
July 28, 2019
▼ "The American Gospel" 1 John 2. 18-27
In 1 John 2, John is concerned about a group of false teachers who broke away from the church to pursue their own teachings. Verse 19 says, "They went out from us, but they did not belong to us." He later refers to them as antichrist. This is not The Antichrist that he refers to in Revelations. Rather, he is stating that any who deny Jesus as the Savior or deny truths about Jesus has antichristness in them.
To combat this, John seeks to create deeper roots in the teachings of the apostles and a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit. If one looks at what he says in verses 21 and 24, you will see that John is conveying to the church he is writing to that what they have been taught is enough. Essentially he is saying, "You know the truth and you have known it from the beginning when you were first taught." Jesus is the Son of God that came to earth to willingly die for our sins so that we might have reconciliation with God if we believe in him. To reassure this, John also reminds them that they have been anointed by the Holy Spirit.
False teachers are not something that was only experienced in the time of John. For the last serval decades, there has been a movement in the faith known as the teaching of the Prosperity Gospel. This teaching is that a life with God is a life where God seeks to bless you and make you prosper in this life now through health, wealth, and relationships. The belief is that faith in Christ unlocks the doors of God's blessings which come pouring down upon us. While God does indeed bless us in numerous ways, this is not the purpose of having a relationship with God. Furthermore, being prosperous does not indicate that your faith is strong any more than trial indicates that your faith is week.
This is a dangerous teaching as it goes against the early church found in the book of Acts and goes against the teachings of Jesus found in the gospels. Jesus says this in Matthew 16.24, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Here, and elsewhere in the four gospels, Christ promises persecution for those who follow him. We see this played out numerous times in the book of Acts where the apostles and others are imprisoned, beaten, and killed for their faith. They did not receive material prosperity for their faith but rather persecution. The Prosperity Gospel seeks to remove suffering, but the early church embraced suffering and their faith was strengthened because of it.
The story of the Macedonians is a good testament that a relationship with God is more than receiving his blessings. The Macedonians were poor and experienced severe trials, yet, in them welled up rich generosity. They had nothing and were not dependent on God giving them health or wealth. They had nothing but God, but by being joyful and giving beyond their means they witnessed that having nothing but God is more than enough!
Does your relationship with God look more like a Prosperity Gospel where you desire what God gives you or do you desire and adore God? Do you desire his hand, or do you desire his heart? A life open to suffering is a life that witnesses that God alone is enough!
July 21, 2019
▼ "Is God Enough?" 1 John 2. 15-17
The message John gives us in these few verses is quite clear - do not love this world. He goes on to say in verse 15 that to love the world is to not love the Father. Jesus once said something very similar, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and not the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6.24).
John's argument for this is that the things of this world are temporary, but the things of God are eternal. To love the things of this world is to invest into something that will not last. But with God, nothing is temporary - it is all everlasting. To invest in God is to do his will, which we are promised will grant us eternal life (verse 17).
So, what does it mean to love this world? In verse 16, we are given three things: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Lust of the flesh is anything this world offers that makes your body feel good. This includes sensual desires, all food, all beverages, your health, and all addictions. In different forms, these are all things that bring pleasure to the body and brings us temporary satisfaction. Lust of the eyes are things that this world offers that you long for or that you build toward. Recognition, wealth, approval, travel, possessions all fall into this category. Lastly, there is the pride of life which is the pride you possess from gaining the things in the other two categories that you desired. The first two are desires for things you don't have and the last one is the pride that comes once you have these desires. But the issue with all these things is that it is all temporary. They only last for a short time and the satisfaction you have in them last even shorter.
Now one might ask, "Should I not desire a job, food, health, family, or recognition?" The answer is no - unless they are first rooted in a desire for God. Do you find pleasure in a good meal or do you find pleasure in God who has sustained you with a good meal? Do you desire good health because it will bring a comfortable life, or do you desire God regardless of the condition of your health because you know "to live is Christ and to die is gain"? (Philippians 1.21). Do you desire relationships such as children or a spouse because of the pleasures they will bring you, or do you desire a spouse or family because of the opportunity that it will bring glory to God?
In closing, reflect on the story of Job. He lost all his wealth and his children in a single day. Do you remember his response? "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.'" (Job 1. 21). Job was able to worship God because God was infinitely more valuable to him than the things of this world which proved temporary. Ask yourself today if the same is for you. If you lost everything tomorrow, do you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind to be able to say, "God you are enough"?
July 14, 2019
▼ "To Live in the Light" 1 John 2. 3-11
In this section of chapter 2, John gives us assurance in how we know that we right with God. Verse 5 reads, "But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him." To know God and to be right with God is to obey his commands.
In verses 7 and 8, John speaks about a specific command. Reading further into verses 9-11, we see that the command is for us to love our brothers and sisters. "Anyone who loves their brother or sister lives in the light" (Vs. 10). But this command to love fellow brothers and sisters John says is both an old and new command. How is that so?
The command to love one another is part of the Jewish Law. "Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19.18). Any Jew would have had this verse memorized along with most, if not all, of the law. It was a command to love others passed down numerous generations.
But then how is this command new? Verse 8 tells us that this command is new because "its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing, and the true light is already shining." In the previous chapter, we saw that "God is Light" and Jesus coming to earth, dying in our place, rising from the dead, and ascending into heaven is the beginning of the Light of God on earth. The old ways are passing like that of darkness passing before the rising sun. This command is new because in Christ there is a new, and in fact truer, way to obey this command. Because of Christ, we are able to properly love others as Christ did because those who believe in Christ have the Spirit of Christ living inside of them.
The old version of the command highlights revenge and hate as things to avoid so that one can love their neighbor. But Christ has now demonstrated what true Godly love looks like through sacrifice, grace, mercy, and direction.
July 7, 2019
▼ "The Supremacy of True Light" 1 John 1.5 - 2.2
We see in 1 John chapter 1 the writer lay his thesis for the rest of the letter. John writes, "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." In this first chapter, John speaks on the importance for professing Christians to leave the darkness and turn to God who is true light. He does this by teaching how believers are to cope with the sin or darkness that can entangle them.
To start, believers must be real about their sin and admit it. If we ignore our sin and yet claim to know God, John says in verse 6 that we are liars. If we claim to be without sin or beyond sin in verse 8, John says that the truth is not in us. And if we claim to have not sinned, to believe that we have conquered sin and are good, John writes that we call God a liar. To call God a liar is severe but in Psalm 14 it says, "The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." We must be transparent with ourselves and God and see that in Christ we still have to combat sin.
Secondly, as profession Christians we need redemption from our ongoing sin. Just admitting sins is not enough; we must confess our sins at the feet of Jesus. In verse 9, John calls us to confess our sins to God because he is faithful and just and purifies all our unrighteousness. We are redeemed because in Jesus, justice has been served, the punishment has been delivered, the debt has been paid. John calls Jesus in chapter 2 our Advocate. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a story of Jesus once saving us; it is a story of Jesus continuing to advocate for us daily when we sin. This does not excuse us from knowingly sinning, but it should allow us to not despair when we do sin because Christ has died for all sins, not just past sins but present and future sins too!
Lastly, we as professing Christians must repent of our sins. To surrender to sin is to be entangled in darkness. We are called to the light of God, so we must resist, reject, refuse any darkness that tries to entangle us. John says he writes the things in 1 John 1 so that we will not sin. But if we do, we must not despair because we are still saved in Christ. There is a balance here of valuing God's justice in the blood of his Son that brings the forgiveness of sins and valuing the holiness of God so that you may refrain from sinning.
While on this, earth the children of God will still need to battle temptation and the darkness of this world. But john gives us encouraging words here. Be transparent with you sin to yourself and God, find strength in the redemption that Christ has given you, and be strong against sin through repentance.
June 30, 2019
▼ "In the Beginning" John 1
In 1983, Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes interviewed an Auschuwitz Holocaust survivor by the name of Yehiel De-Nur. De-Nur was a part of the 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the men primarily responsible for the mass exterminations. When De-Nur entered the court room and saw Eichmann, he fell to the floor and sob uncontrollably. Wallace questioned De-Nur what was going through his mind when he fell to the floor. De-Nur answered that when he saw Eichmann, he suddenly realized that he was no demon. He was not a superman either. He was an ordinary human being, exactly like De-Nur. And suddenly De-Nur became terrified about himself. He told Wallace that he realized that he was capable of doing the exact same things.
Oftentimes, our culture would rather attempt to find the root cause to a disaster to be a mental illness, toxic environment, genetic disorder, or some other reason why someone would desire to hurt other people. We would rather believe that behavior changes, environmental nurture, policy changes, or enlightenment can fix these evils. But De-Nur saw past this - he realized that humanity is broken. This world is not a story of good guys and bad guys like a comic book, but that all people are corrupt and broken.
In our walk through Genesis these past few weeks, we have see this story unfold. From Adam to the tower of Babel, we have seen humanity constantly choose selfish desires over the desires of God. This we call sin, and it is the root of all corruption and chaos of mankind and the world.
But despite all this rebellion, the God who created us is a God of mercy. For those who believe in Him and His Son there is hope and restoration. We now jump to the letter of 1 John to see how this story of restoration and carried out through God's Son Jesus Christ. As we begin our journey, we will see 7 themes played out in the writing of 1 John. To see these 7 themes in summary form, we first looked at the opening of John's gospel - John chapter 1.
We have seen the fall of man in Genesis and we will now turn focus to the salvation God delivers through 1 John. This world and humanity are broken, but God has paved a road of restoration back to him through His Son Jesus Christ for all those who would humble themselves and believe.
June 23, 2019
▼ "The Tower" Genesis 11
In Genesis 11, we have the story of the Tower of Babel. Desiring greatness, the people on the plain of Shinar say, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
Once again, out of sinful desire, humanity has fallen from God's goodness. We can see two ways here that the people are in rebellion against God. First, they desire to build a vast city with a large tower so that they will make a great name for themselves rather than making a great name of God. Secondly, God commanded Noah when he left the ark to, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth" (Genesis 9.1). But rather than spreading out and covering the earth, the people desired to cluster instead rather than obeying God.
As humans, there is something deep inside us that desires greatness. We build great structures and reputations. We use our career, our spouse, our children, our possessions as pointers to our own greatness. We were made in God's image and have inherited this desire for greatness but because we are fallen and corrupt, our approach to greatness is polluted. And just like the tower being built in this chapter, our personal measures of greatness count for nothing to God.
So where can true greatness be found? The answer is in the next chapter. Genesis 12 reads, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great… all the peoples on the earth will be blessed through you." Abram will become a great nation. His name will be great. The whole world will be blessed through him. But did Abram contribute anything to his greatness - no. It all came from God. The only greatness that we can have that matters must come from God. Ultimately, the only way that we can be made great is through God's Son Jesus Christ. In him we are made new, perfect, eternal, and great. The only greatness that matters is the greatness we receive by believe in Jesus dying in our place on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
June 16, 2019
▼ "The Flood: Who, What, How, Why" Genesis 6-8
The story of Noah is one of the most well-known stories of the Bible. Many have heard this story since early childhood, but this is not a children's story. It is more than just a cute image of Noah and his family on a boat with zoo animals. The entire world's population except 8 people drowned because of God's wrath against humanity's wickedness. "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time" (Genesis 6.5).
As most know, 2 of every animal come to the ark Noah had built. All get into the ark and it rains continuously and water gushes from the earth until the whole earth is covered. After a period, the water recedes, and life begins anew. Noah gets off the ark and immediately builds an alter to the Lord and offers burnt sacrifices. The aroma is pleasing to the Lord and he makes the following promise. "Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done" (Genesis 8. 21).
Comparing what God said before the flood to what God said after the flood we see one striking feature. The nature of the human heart has not changed! Before the flood, every thought was bent toward evil and now after the flood God says that every inclination of the heart is evil. We see that man's sinful nature was also a passenger on that ark. Even a clean slate with the most righteous family is not enough to remove the stain of sin.
So, what was the purpose of this story if nothing changed? This story is a pointer, a sign, for what was to come. 1 Peter 3. 20-21 reads, "To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through the water, and with this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." The flood was a type of baptism that cleansed the earth and humanity, but it pointed to a greater baptism through Christ that brings eternal cleansing.
When reading chapter 8, we see that it is only after the sacrifice of innocent life that God shows grace and mercy upon humanity. This reflects the final sacrifice of Christ Jesus. It is only after the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus that we have the new covenant being established. At the cross the full measure of God's grace and mercy can be witnessed. To those who have faith in Christ, they are no longer objects of God's wrath but are called children of the Most High God.
May 26, 2019
▼ "The Offspring of the Broken" Genesis 4. 9-25
In chapter 4 of Genesis, God gave Cain multiple chances to turn away from his sin and repent. Before Cain kills Abel, God warns him that the anger he was storing in his heart was like that of sin crouching at the door - ready to strike. After Cain killed Abel, God asks "Where is your brother?" God knew the answer, but he gave Cain the opportunity to confess. Lastly, after God lays his judgement out against Cain, Cain cries out that his punishment is unbearable. God responds by putting a mark on him so that he may never be killed.
God gave Cain numerous opportunities to repent and he responded with endless self-indulgence. This is the fall of man - desiring to make much of oneself rather than making much of God. This is shown through Cain lineage as his seed is shown as oppressive, violent, and self-exalting.
But Genesis 4 ends with a note of hope. Through Seth, will be those who call on the name of the Lord. They will be different from those who desire only to promote themselves. 1 Peter 2.12 calls to "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits." Those who call on the name of the Lord are called to love, serve, and work for others who misunderstand, question, disrespect, and persecute. For those who call on the name of the Lord, how do we do that?
Look at the words of Cain's descendant Lamech. He claims he will be avenged 70 times greater in Cain in verse 24 if someone wrongs him. His greatness is to be respected and any stand against it will result in insurmountable revenge. But it echoes something Christ said in the New Testament. When the disciples asked how many times they should forgive their neighbors, Christ says "not 7 times but 70 times 7." Instead of insurmountable revenge, Christ calls for insurmountable mercy. God granted Cain much mercy when Cain deserved much wrath. Cain rebelled against God, but God was able to replace wrath against Cain with mercy. How was he able to do that? Look at Cain's curse. "I will be a restless wanderer" but it was Jesus who said, "Foxes have holes and birds have nest, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8.20). Cain said, "Whoever finds me will kill me" but it was Jesus who was found in the garden and killed. Cain said, "I will be hidden from your presence" but it was Christ who cried out, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27.46). God was able to grant Cain mercy because in time, it would be his son Jesus who would truly bear the curse.
And that's how those who call on the name of the Lord can love and care for those who ridicule and persecute them. Because they see Christ taking on the curse that they deserved so that they might receive the mercy that is highly undeserved. And living in this mercy allows those who are in Christ to show mercy to others, especially underserved mercy, because it was first shown to them.
May 19, 2019
▼ "Defining What it Means to Live a Great Life" Genesis 4. 1-16
Although we don't like to think of it, the day will come where people will gather in remembrance of our life, but we will not be there. When that day comes, will people say that you lived a great life? What qualifies as a great life anyway?
In Hebrews 11, the author writes that Abel lived a righteous life by his faith. Because of his faith, he lived a more righteous life than his brother Cain and brought a better gift before God.
But it wasn't always that way. Cain was the first born. He was the one who received recognition from his mother when he was born and grew up in the footsteps of his father tending the fields. Abel comes on the scene as more of an afterthought. By the world's standards, Cain was on the road to greatness - not Abel.
But when the two brothers bring their offerings to God we see that what God values is often very different than what the world values. Abel bring before God the fat portions of the firstborn of his flock. This offering shows full devotion to God, for the firstborn assured there would be a flock next year. They were also the strongest and typically most healthy of the flock. Abel took from these and brought the fat portions before God. He gave God the best portions of his best animals. With this action Abel is saying, "God I am banking my livelihood on you. You are far more valuable than the best of what I have." But Cain does not give his best fruits but just a portion of some of his harvest. God gets some but does not get the best. The first fruits mean that there will be seed for next year. Cain first takes care of himself before he regards God. God rejects Cain's offering because it reveals that in his heart he desires what this world can provide rather than God.
Cain becomes infuriated with God because of the rejection, and although God warned Cain to rule over his sin, Cain allows sin to consume him and kills his brother Abel. The once firstborn with great potential has been reduced to a murderer and a wanderer.
What scales God uses to measure greatness and what the world uses to measure greatness are vastly different. The world relies on things that can be seen such as wealth, science, and possessions. But God values the unseen. He looks at faith, which is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see (Hebrews 11.1).
In the end, the only opinion that matters as to whether you lived a great/righteous life is God. He ultimately is the final judge. Going to God with wealth, notoriety, and accomplishments will count for nothing. What counts will be to come to God as Abel did; faithfully committing your life to giving your best to God. What contributes to a great life is not attempting to make yourself great, but rather it's a lifelong commitment to make God great through all your words, actions, and deeds.
May 12, 2019
▼ "The Adversary"
In Genesis 1. 28-30, God says to Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it." The command God gave them was to rule over the earth and fill it with people. But because of Adam and Eve's sin, God's resulting curses upon them makes this extremely difficult. For the woman, childbearing and labor will be severe and we can see this in bareness, miscarriages, stillborns, and other various complications. Women will also desire their husbands who will rule over them. The marriage relationship has been broken where women will idolize their husbands and the husbands will desire to dominate their wives. For Adam, the ground, meaning earth or nature, has been cursed. Survival has now become very difficult where much work must be done to receive food from the earth. Lastly, God forever banishes them from the garden.
All this cursing and banishing seems harsh, but what God has done here is righteous judgement for the sin of Adam and Eve. But what also is found in this passage, is mercy. We can see this mercy displayed in verses 15 and 21.
In verse 15, God is cursing the serpent for tempting the man and woman. In the curse he says this, "I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel." God says there is going to be one offspring of Eve who is going to crush the head of Satan. The question of who this offspring is, is not answered here, only asked. But in Romans 5, Paul makes the claim that this Adam in Genesis 3 is a sign or a pointer to a 2nd Adam coming. The first Adam was the representative for all humanity and he fell to sin, and all of humanity fell with him. But in this 2nd Adam, those who put their faith in him can "receive the abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness (Romans 5. 17). In the first Adam, all died, but in the 2nd Adam, all who believe are restored. How? Because as Jesus, the 2nd Adam, was laying on the cross, Satan thought he had won; he had struck God's Son a fatal blow. But Satan only struck the heel of Christ, for on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. And by resurrecting and conquering death, Jesus struck Satan a fatal blow. Death was Satan's strongest weapon against us, but Christ removed Satan's power and gave us victory over death in himself.
In verse 21, it says, "God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Adam and Eve tried to hide their shame with fig leaves. But to properly cover their shame, God had to kill creatures of his own making and use their skins to cover the sins of Adam and Eve. Essentially, God is teaching here that to properly cover sin, an innocent creature must die in your place. That can be seen in the exodus of Egypt and the Old Testament history of Israel performing sacrifices. But in the New Testament after Christ rose from the dead, sacrifices are seen no more. This is because on the cross, Jesus became the true and final sacrifice. On the cross an innocent life took our place. But this sacrifice was so pure and so innocent, because it was God himself in his Son, that not only did it cover our sin, but it allowed for sin to be removed completely.
This is a passage of cursing and banishing but this more accurately is a passage of hope and mercy. God was already laying out his plan to restore humanity's relationship with him and it would happen through his Son. It would be His Son who would crush the head of Satan once and for all. And it would be His Son who would be the true and final covering of all our sin and shame.
May 5, 2019
▼ "The Adversary" Genesis 3. 1-7
For this week's message we looked at the same scripture as last week but now turn focus to the serpent, known to be Satan (Revelation 12.9). In this focus, we seek to answer 6 questions.
How does Satan deceive us?
When tempting Eve, Satan first starts by questioning God's word (Genesis 3.1). By questioning God's word, Satan plants a seed of doubt into Eve's mind. "Why would God allow us to eat of every tree in the garden except this one?" With this seed of doubt, Satan now has foothold and moves in verse 3 to outright contradicting God's command. In this lie, Satan makes it seems that God is withholding something. He promises Eve will be like God even though she already is by being created in His image. He further builds on this lie with the half-truth that she will know good from evil. After eating the fruit this part does come true. However, Eve knows evil not as a doctor knows cancer, but as a patient knows cancer - she has become infected. She does not realize this until after the fruit is consumed. Satan deceives by creating doubt, making false promises with half-truths, and concealing the consequences.
What is Satan's origin?
Gathering information from several scriptures (Jude 1.6, 2 Peter 2.4, and Ezekiel 28), we see the Satan and his followers were once in prominent positions in God's kingdom. Their desire for more authority, seemingly stemming from pride, led to their fall from God's grace. We only have a partial understanding of Satan's origin and will most likely not understand fully until we are forever in the presence of God.
How do we relate to Satan?
Looking at Acts 19. 13-16 we see a short story of a group of brothers attempting to drive out evil spirits by name-dropping Jesus Christ. The evil spirit turns on them and beats them very badly. On our own, we are powerless against Satan and his followers. We cannot outsmart him for he is far more cunning. As we saw last week, he crafts his attacks so cleverly that even are good deeds can have underlying sin at the root such as pride and fear.
How does God relate to Satan?
In the story of Job, Satan request to cause harm to Job to prove to God that Job is only faithful to God because he is highly blessed. Twice God puts limitations on what Satan can do. When God speaks, Satan obeys! Satan may be God's adversary, but he is not his equal.
How does Satan fit into God's purpose?
Why does God tolerate Satan? Why did he just not simply strike him down as soon as he rebelled or as soon as he deceived Adam and Eve? Why does God tolerate all of this ongoing evil? Colossians 1. 15-16 states that for Christ, all things were created through him and for him. This includes Satan and his minions; Satan's purpose is to ultimately glorify Christ on the last day. Think about it; God could have defeated Satan as soon as he rebelled by force. But by defeating Satan through suffering, patience, humility, servanthood, and death brings much more glory in the final victory.
What does this mean for us?
Satan means the accuser. On any given day Satan can go before God the judge and rightly accuse us of our wrongs. Think of him as the prosecutor. Sure, this prosecutor may be crooked and tempts us to do wrong, but before the judge that does not affect that fact that we still broke laws made by God. Only in Jesus are we able to resist Satan because Jesus has stripped Satan of this power on the cross. Colossians 2. 13-14 "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." Therefore, expect evil to continue, for now, but resist evil with every fiber in your body because it is the adversary to the one who has saved you.
April 28, 2019
▼ "The Fall" Genesis 3. 1-14
Genesis is the first book of the Bible. In it, is the story of God creating all things, including humanity. Life was perfect for the first two people until rebellion against God led to the downward spiral of mankind. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin came into the world. Sin is the driver behind all the things that are wrong with this world, all things that are wrong with humanity, and all things that are wrong with you who are reading this. Sin is the cause of all things broken, decayed, and corrupt.
Genesis starts with the creation story of God speaking all things into existence. Genesis then turns focus to God creating man and woman in the Garden of Eden. It was paradise for the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, where there was no shame and they walked in the presence of God. The only command that God gave them was to not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
But after some time, Satan, disguised as a serpent (Revelation 20.2), tempted the woman who then gave some of the fruit from the tree to Adam. At once their eyes were opened and they knew their wrong. Temptation, the beginning seed of sin, always looks good. Like Eve, to us it looks "pleasing to the eye", but sin always underdelivers. Adam and Eve ate the fruit because they wanted to be like God knowing good form evil. But they did not discover evil as a doctor discovers cancer; they discovered evil as a patient discovers cancer. They were infected with evil because of their sin of disobeying God's command. Once realizing their sin, they attempt to cover their shame by wearing fig leaves - something humanity has been attempting to do ever since. We try, with great effort, to cover, downplay, conceal, deny the sins we personally commit, but before God, like here with Adam and Eve, they are always on full display. Because of their sin, Adam and Eve are cursed by God and driven from the garden forever.
But why was eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil so terrible? After all, it is just fruit. Did humanity really need to hang on the balance of eating from a certain tree or not? The answer to why it was wrong is simply because God commanded them not to do so. Does this seem tough? Well what happens when someone disobeys? Why does a child disobey their parent? Why does an adult disobey the speed limit? Child and adult alike disobey because they believe the alternative will make them happier or better off. I will choose to disobey mommy and eat the cookie out of the jar because cookies make me happy. I choose to drive over the speed limit because I will be better off if I get to my destination sooner. In doing so, one desires the alternative over the initial. I like cookies better than obeying mommy. I like being at my destination better than obeying the law. In Adam and Eve's case, they chose knowledge over obeying God, or to say it differently, they put their desire for knowledge above their relationship with God. There is no greater wrong than to put God, the one who created you, second in your life.
The problem is that this sin of putting God second did not stop with Adam and Eve. All of humanity is guilty of this wrong; it just may look differently. Whether power, relationships, possessions, the arts, education, or careers, anything put above God is disobedience against God. This means that even good things like family can become sinful if they are placed above God.
All of humanity has chosen something else besides God and God's wrath burns against each one of us because of it. Fortunately, God has a plan to save us from his anger. 2,000 years ago, God sent his Son to come to earth born of a virgin. On this earth God's Son, Jesus, lived the life we could not by always putting God first in his life. He then was killed on the cross where God's wrath for those who would believe in his Son was poured out. Christ endured the punishment of God's wrath that was meant for us. By doing this, in Christ, and only in Christ, is the relationship between God and man restored to what it was before the fall of Adam and Eve.
April 21, 2019
▼ "Know Your Master" Matthew 25. 14-30
In the 2nd parable of Matthew 25, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to that of a man going on a journey and distributing his wealth to some of his servants to manage. The first two, at once, go and work hard to double the original amount that the master gave them. When the master returns the servants get 3 rewards. They receive praise from their master, they are promised future blessings with greater wealth than before, and they get to go and share in their master's joy.
The third servant, however, did not make much of what was given to him but rather buried his talent and did nothing with it while the master was gone. When the master returns, the third servant gives the original talent back along with a series of excuses and blame against the master as to why he did nothing with the talent. Although he didn't steal the wealth, he was in wrong because of his laziness and for not having his master's interest as priority. He did not know or care about his master.
How does this parable relate to the Kingdom of God. The English word talent originates from this parable. Talents can be categorized as talents of knowledge, time, wealth, abilities, and love. These talents have been given to us from the true master, the Almighty God. Like the parable, God has entrusted each of us with variations of these talents and how we use these talents reflects how we see or true master. If we use our talents to make much of our master, then it shows that we are faithful to him, we love him, and we cherish him. If instead we use our talents to make much of ourselves, then we resemble the idle third servant who has no regard for the master's interest.
The only way to be faithful to God the true master and to cherish him is to understand what he has already done for you. He has paid the debt you owe and took on the death that you deserve because of your sin and rebellion against God. Only by Jesus taking on your punishment can you be forgiven by God the Master. When this becomes real to you, you will be able to right used the talents God has given you because you love and adore him as your master.
April 14, 2019
▼ "Be Ready" Matthew 25. 1-13
On Palm Sunday we see Jesus declaring his kingship by fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9. "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey." In today's passage Jesus speaks of his kingship, but in this passage the king is a betrothed.
In the parable, 10 virgins await the bridegroom to guide him to his bride. 5 were wise and brought oil with them and 5 were foolish and did not. The bridegroom is delayed. But when he does arrive, the 5 wise virgins light their lamps and are ready for him. The 5 foolish virgins must go and purchase oil and are left out of the celebration.
This parable is meant to reflect the in-between time from Christ's first coming until his second. As believers of Christ, we are called to be ready for the return of Christ. When Christ does return, the question will be, will you have the oil necessary to welcome Christ or will you come only bringing a lamp? One can read scripture, go to church, do pray but if the Spirit of God does not reside in you, then you are only carrying lamp and have no oil. You look the part, but when the bridegroom comes, you will only be a lookalike to the genuine believer. One who reads scripture, prayers, goes to church, loves their neighbor not as a way to impress God, but simply because their ultimate desire is knowing the God who made them and His Son who saved them.
April 7, 2019
▼ "Stand Firm & Be Saved" Matthew 24. 1-14
After the rather blunt interaction with the pharisees in the last chapter, Jesus' disciples make note of the glamor and splendor of the temple as they leave. Jesus remarks, " Truly I tell you, not one of these stones will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." The disciples are stunned by this and ask Jesus when will this all happen. Jesus responds with warnings about what lies ahead for the disciples and it still has deep meaning for us today.
Many will come in his name claiming that they are the Messiah and have the answers. They will turn many away from the truth faith. There will be war, famine, and natural disasters that make it seem that the end is near but, these are only the beginning of the birth pains. All these things must happen before the end arrives. Jesus continues by saying that all those who follow Christ will be persecuted. Followers of Christ will be betrayed, arrested, beaten, and killed. Because of these hardships, many will turn from the faith. Lastly, because of all the increased wickedness, the love of most will grow cold as they become more consumed focusing on themselves rather than others and God.
This is a lot of bad - wars, natural disasters, false messengers, worldwide persecution, desertion from within and wickedness becoming stronger. What are we to do with all this? Jesus closes this section with this word of encouragement. "But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Despite all this opposition, there is victory for those who stand firm in the faith. Despite the resistance, the gospel will be preached to the entire earth. So in war, famine, persecution, and abandonment, keep the faith and be saved. Hold onto the fact that despite the current struggles, complete victory in Christ is coming on the horizon.
March 31, 2019
▼ "Love & Judgement" Matthew 23
Matthew 23 has some of the harshest words that Jesus ever spoke according to the gospels. After several chapters of the religious leaders repeatedly questioning his authority, attempting to trap Jesus in his words, and trying to discredit him before the people; Jesus responds with these 7 woes.
In the 7 woes, Jesus says this to the religious leaders: You pharisees shut the door of the kingdom in the face of the people, you mislead converts, you make deceptive oaths, you strain out the smallest detail of obedience but miss gaping holes in faith, you are concerned with outward appearance, but neglect the filthiness of your inward self, you are exactly like your fathers before you who killed the prophets. After speaking the 7 woes, Jesus then proceeds to call them a brood of vipers and say that all the righteous blood from Abel to Zechariah will fall upon their shoulders. Again, incredibly sharp language spoken.
Judgement will fall on this generation as well as all other generations who have neglected to fully recognize God. While this is intended at the end of time, Jesus' first coming was not to judge the world but to save the world through him (John 3. 17-18). We see this in the last few verses of chapter 23. Jesus will continue to send prophets, sages, and teachers to save some who are on the path to hell who are willing to turn to him. He speaks how he longs to gather Jerusalem as a hen gathers her chicks but they are unwilling.
Don't be misled, judgement will come upon all those who do not turn to God. But this in between time from Christ first coming to his second and final coming is a time of mercy, compassion, and forgiveness for all those who are willing to turn to him.
March 24, 2019
▼ "Duel Citizenship" Matthew 22. 15-22
In Matthew 22, there is another attempt by the religious leaders to trap Christ in his words. The Pharisees send their disciples along with some Herodians to ask Jesus the divisive question, "Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22.17). Now if Jesus says no, then the Herodians will claim that he is against Rome and is leading a rebellion. If he answers yes, then it will seem that he is a traitor to the Jewish people.
But instead he answers, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22. 21). If we think through this response, there is the hanging question that remains to be answered. What belongs to God? Thinking logically, if God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, then everything belongs to God. Caesar, his authority, Rome itself, all belong to God. With this conclusion, there are three implications.
1. Caesar and his authority derives, or stems, from God's authority. In John's rendition of Jesus' trial, Pilate looks at Jesus and says, "Don't you realize I have the power to either free you or crucify you" (John 19.10). Jesus responds, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you form above" (John 19.11). Pilate, Caesar, all forms of government have the authority they claim because it first derives from God. This brings us to the second point.
2. The authority of those of this world is limited. Earthly authority is limited to not contradicting God's authority. In Acts 4, Peter and John are commanded to not speak in the name of Jesus. Their reply, "Which is right in God's eyes; to listen to you or to him? We cannot help but speak what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4.19). As believers of God, we are called to speak out once the authority of this world contradicts the authority of God.
3. But as long as the authority of this world does not contradict the authority of God, as Christians, we are called to be a humble and submissive people. Paul writes, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Romans 13. 1-2)
This is a simple command of Jesus, but it does require a little bit of unpacking. All earthly authority derives from God and as Christians we are to humbly respect that authority. But we must also remember that earthly authority is not absolute authority; that alone resides with God. The moment earthly authority believes otherwise is the moment believers showcase where their true allegiance lies.
March 17, 2019
▼ "Key to the Kingdom" Matthew 21. 33-46
It is still the day after Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Yesterday, he fulfilled the words of Zechariah, "Say to Daughter Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey" (Zechariah 9.9). This morning as he and the disciples were headed back into Jerusalem, he curses a fig tree. Although appearing healthy, it bore no fruit. This encounter seems to foreshadow the oncoming day of Jesus and his encounters with the religious leaders. Two themes derive with this encounter with the fig tree: That which appears healthy does not guarantee fruitfulness and that which is unfruitful will perish.
We saw this initially last week with the parable of the two sons and we see this elaborated upon this week with the parable of the wicked tenants. The landowner rents his vineyard to local tenants who then reject the landowners numerous servants - even his own son when it comes time for harvest. If one refers to Isaiah 5, one can see that the landowner is God, the vineyard is the nation of Israel. In Jesus' parable, the tenants are the religious leaders and the servants are the prophets that have been rejected, beaten, and killed throughout Israel's history. The story comes to a climax when the landowner sends his own son who is also rejected beaten and killed. The religious leaders conclude the landowner, "Will bring those wretches to a wretched end" and "He will rent the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of crop at harvest" (Matthew 21. 41). Little did they know they spoke of their own fate. In just a little over three days, like the son of the parable, Jesus will be captured and killed. This parable leaves us with a promise and a warning.
Those who reject Christ reject the cornerstone spoke of in Psalm 118 they reject God's plan for his kingdom to be established through his son Jesus. Later in this chapter, Jesus said that this cornerstone will crush all who fall underneath it. Judgement and punishment await all those who reject the stone - who reject the Son of God.
But for those who receive the Son through faith there is the promise of fruitfulness. New tenants will come in from all over the earth and tend the vineyard that is the people of God. This is stupendous news for everyone who receives Jesus as their savior. In Ephesians 3, Paul speaks on the wonderful mystery of Gentiles, think new tenants, coming into the promises of God's Kingdom. "This mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God." (Ephesians 3. 6 & 16-19).
March 10, 2019
▼ "Being Shown the Way of Righteousness" Matthew 21.23-32
This section of scripture in Matthew gives us the parable of 2 sons. The first son rebels against his father when asked to tend to the vineyard, but then later does the work. The second son politely commits to tending to the field but then never does. Jesus concludes the parable with the question, "Which of these two sons did what the father wanted?" (Matthew 21.31).
The chief priest and elders of the temple correctly answer the first son obeyed the father. Although the second son verbally committed, it is the action of tending the vineyard that holds value. Jesus used this parable to tell the religious leaders they are like the second son. Their form of worship resonates what Jesus said earlier in Matthew, "They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me" (Matthew 15.8).
The first son represents the prostitutes and tax collectors that are entering the kingdom of God before them. Yes, like the first son, they initially rebelled, but like the first son, their mind was changed, and they went. But what was this change and to what degree did it affect them?
This change is the same change that Jesus spoke of in John 3. It is conversion; it is being born again in the Spirit of God. Jesus illustrates this idea of being born again with the story of Israel and Moses out in the desert (Numbers 21). Israel sinned against God by not trusting that he would provide for them in the desert. God then sent venomous snakes that bit the people and left many sick and dying. And to live, the people must look to the snake on the pole that represents the curse they were afflicted with.
God initiates by first showing Israel they were in the wrong. God then says the only way to live is to look upon the bronze serpent on the pole. It is the same way with spiritual conversion. God must first show us that we are indeed sick and dying from our sins. We must then humbly admit that we cannot save ourselves but look upon the only one by which we can be saved. Like the bronze snake, Jesus too was lifted up but on a cross and whoever looks to the Son of God on the cross will live.
To be like the first son we must be changed or converted. It is God who initiates this conversion by showing us that we are sick. It is us admitting that we cannot save ourselves and looking to the one who can save us. And it is God who does the healing.
March 3, 2019
▼ "Don't Waste Your Life" Acts 20. 13-38
On Paul's final Journey back to Jerusalem, he stops just south of the town of Ephesus to meet with the elders of the Ephesian church. He had spent 3 years in the city proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and doing great works (Acts 18-19). But now Paul greets them and says, "Now I know none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again" (Acts 20.25). What follows is heartfelt weeping, praying and embracing of one another.
Although there is a saddened tone, what Paul said in the exchange should have been highly encouraging for the elders and for us today. "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace" (Acts 20. 22-24).
Paul is saying, no matter the course, I am compelled to be led by the Spirit. He is leading me to Jerusalem and I do not know what will happen to me there. Even in uncertainty, my only aim is to complete the race Christ has given me. I only know that the Spirit has told me hardships lie ahead in every city. Even if I go to Jerusalem and die, my only aim is to finish the task the Lord has given me. Despite uncertainty and promised hardship, I will testify the good news of God's grace!
For every believer, Jesus has laid before you a course. Much of the course will remain unknown and scripture like that found in Matthew 10 promises hardship to be before you because of your faith. But have faith child of God! The goal is to remain on course and complete the race. No matter the challenge, remain faithful in Christ. And although your course will look much different than Paul's or of others around you, the task remains the same to testify the good news of God's grace!
In the end, all who finish their courses will be able to exclaim these words "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day" (2 Timothy 4. 7-8). So, fight on child of God. When facing uncertainty and adversity, do not veer of course or turn around but remain faithful to the course remain faith in Christ. Seek your crown of righteousness and on that last day, you will have everlasting victory.
February 24, 2019
▼ "Needing of a Servant" Acts. 17. 16-31
Paul is now in Athens, Greece awaiting the arrival of his comrades. He is distressing in seeing how religious the city is but only for mere idols. Images of bronze, wood, gold all needing to be served by the people because the "gods" cannot exalt or bring glory to themselves. They need the people to serve them. The Athenians are so committed to serving all the gods that they even have an alter for the "unknow god" just in case one was missed.
Trying to witness to the Athenians, Paul references this alter; the very god that they know nothing of is in fact the One True God of all creation. Speaking of this God, Paul states, "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts (17.24-25).
This idea of a god not needing to be served as the Athenians understood service was something radically different for them and often radically different for those who call themselves Christians. "God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything." There are many people who relate to God as having to put all these moral rules and laws on their shoulders and carry this burden through life. Only then will they be right in God's eyes. Check all these boxes and you may have eternal life. But that is not what Paul teaches here and that is not what Jesus said in Mark 10.45. "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
We will not be successful in trying to carry these burdens before God; we are too flawed, and God is too holy. They will not justify us before Him. But trusting in Christ relieves us of this burden. On the cross, Christ took all the worlds burdens upon his shoulders and carried them to his death. The imagery of worshiping this "unknown god" should not be of us falling under the weight of heavy burdens. Rather it should be God's Son, Jesus, carrying our burdens and us trough this life. It is not, "This is what you must do" its "This is what has been done. Trust, believe, and be saved."
February 17, 2019
▼ "The Miracle of Conversion" Acts 16. 11-34
In Acts 16, we see the beginning of the church of Philippi. Regarding this church, Paul had this to say in his letter to them. "I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now" (Philippians 1.3). The Philippian church also was described in 2nd Corinthians 8 as being rich in generosity and joy despite their apparent extreme poverty; they gladly gave well beyond their measure.
This great church had humble beginnings. In Acts 16, we see Lydia responding to Paul's message because the Lord had opened her heart. We see the once cold jailor fall trembling to his knees before Paul exclaiming "What must I do to be saved" after the incredible earthquake. And although we cannot confirm conversion from the text, we can see the other prisoners showing interest in Paul and Silas and deciding to stay in their cells despite the temptation of freedom. We also see a slave girl being freed from the demon that tormented her. This great church was conceived into existence utilizing a business woman, a jailor, and possibly some prisoners and a slave girl.
And yet, these were the people God had in mind when he gave Paul the vision in Acts 16. 9 of a man begging him to "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Each one of these conversions were miraculous. It was God who opened the heart of Lydia to receive Paul's message. It was God who rid the slave girl of her tormentor. It was God who gave Paul and Silas the strength and joy to praise his name at midnight - peaking the interest of other prisoners. And it was God who cause the earthquake shaking the jailor into spiritual awareness. John 6. 44 states, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them". And Ezekiel 36.26 reads, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Every conversion story is a miracle. In every conversion story, God is taking someone who is spiritually dead and draws them in giving them a heart of flesh. So be encouraged of your faith in Jesus Christ for it is a miracle of God.
February 10, 2019
▼ "Doing Good Does Not Fix What is Broken" Acts 15.1-19
Here in Acts 15, we have Pharisees who have converted to Christianity making the claim that unless the newly converted gentiles do not follow the rules and customs of Moses, they cannot be saved. This sharply counters the experiences of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas. Peter recalls the story of God calling his to preach the gospel to Cornelius and his family (Acts 10). As Peter was preaching the good news of Christ, the Holy Spirit descended on all those in the room - all gentiles. Cornelius and his family never followed the customs of Moses and after the Spirit came upon them, God did not begin commanding them to follow the customs of Moses. The family of Cornelis were saved by something independent from the customs of Moses. In Acts 15.11, Peter recognizes it as, "We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
To be saved, to be right with God, cannot be done simply by following rules and customs for two practical reasons. For one, God does not simply look as an individual's actions regarding judgment but also one's thoughts. This is a strong theme found in the Sermon on the Mount. Secondly, the good things one does cannot cover up or remove wrong. Say I am texting while driving and cause an accident where others are injured. Whatever good deeds, thoughts, or actions I have done in the past do not negate the fact that I am responsible for the injuries of those involved. It is the same with God; our good cannot remove our bad. In essence, on our own we can never remove the wrong of our rebellious ways towards God. Someone else has to do it for us.
On the cross, Jesus Christ did this very thing. He paid the penalty of all those who believe in him and call on his name. In him, we can be saved; in him our wrong is removed. We are not saved by rules and customs; we are saved by God himself dying in our place to pay the penalty of our wrong against him. This, and only this, is the means by which one can be saved and be right in God's eyes.
February 3, 2019
▼ "The Supremacy of God" Acts 13. 13-40
In Acts 14, we see a crowd of Jews and gentiles become so enraged with Paul that they stone him. When sin is actively committed, it is not enough to just focus on the outward action of sin. Outward sin is conceived from inward sin of the heart. In the story of Cain and Able, Cain is bitter against God and envious against his brother because the Lord accepted Able's offering and not his. God warns him to guard himself because "sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you." In the story of David and Bathsheba, David sees Bathsheba from his palace and desires to have her. In both cases, sin is conceived in the heart of the individual long before the outward sin of adultery, deceit, and murder are committed. All through scripture there are warnings for us to guard our hearts and the only way to successfully guard one's heart is to allow God, who knows our heart best, to guard it for us.
"Give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways" (Proverbs 23.26). "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your old heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36.26). (For) "blessed are the pure of heart for they will see God" (Matthew 5.8). (So) "see to it, brothers and sisters that none of you have a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God" (Hebrews 3.12). "For what comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person's heart that evil thoughts arise" (Mark 7.20). (So) "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3.5). (Though) "your flesh and heart may fail but God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever" (Psalm 73.26). "For the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will give your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4.7).
January 27, 2019
▼ "The Supremacy of God" Acts 13. 13-40
From Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas travel to Pisidian Antioch, which is in modern-day Turkey, to continue sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. On the Sabbath, they are invited to speak at the synagogue. In Paul's sermon, he creates this beautiful illustration of God's involvement in the story of Israel from Him choosing Abraham to Him fulfilling all the promises of the prophets through Jesus Christ His Son.
God created us in his image; something that out of all creation only we can make claim to. God is our sustainer by keeping us alive and providing for us each and every moment of the day. It is he that keeps your heart beating; it is he that maintains all body functions while you sleep at night. And now, he has come to earth through His Son to be your savior. Therefore, as our Creation, Sustainer, and Savior; God is rightfully deserving to be glorified with every aspect of our lives.
But this is a fatal flaw of ours; God isn't glorified in everything we do or say. From our jobs, to our television shows, news media, science, history, literature, relationship, etc. God is vastly missing from our lives. This is an enormous sin which we must correct. God must envelop your entire day because He is intimately involved in your entire day.
For example, we will look at tithing. If one were to answer, "Why do we tithe?" they might say "Because we need to sustain the church or we need to help those in need." These answers do not dig deep enough to get to the core of glorifying God through tithing. If however, one understands that God is creator and provider and that it is God who gives you the wages, then one will know that all wages are God's. One does not own the money he make but rather, he is managing God's money that God has allotted him. So tithing then becomes deciding what amount of God's money you reserve for yourself and what amount of God's money you give back to God.
We exist to enjoy a God vastly greater than the sum of all humanity. He is beyond anything we can fathom. As our creator sustainer, and savior, He righteously deserves being glorified with every aspect of our lives.
January 13, 2019
▼ "What is Truth" Acts 13. 1-12
In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas set out to share the good news of Jesus Christ to all those who will listen. They get the wonderful opportunity on the Island of Crete to speak before the Proconsul - the leading Roman official on the island. While Paul is speaking, Elymas, who is a Jewish attendant of the proconsul, openly opposes Paul and his message. The proconsul now must decide who is speaking the truth. Both men are Jews. The one is an unknown traveler and the other has been in the proconsul service for some time.
We today can relate to this situation of distinguishing what is truth. In our culture, truth is questioned, distorted and misused constantly.
For Christians, simply making the claim that the only way for salvation is through Jesus Christ can come with an abrasive response. Some may say, "Religion is only an invention of man to ease his mind of the world around him and to provide him answers." Others may say, "The idea of a God has been hardwired into your mind from past generations through genetic code. It aided in your ancestors' survival but isn't itself true." Another response may be, "Truth is relative. What is true for you does not make it true for me. You cannot make truth claims because they may not apply to everyone."
But for those saying religion eases the mind and provides answers, does not your belief system do the same thing? And to say that believing in God is hardwired in one's mind from past ancestors, would not the belief that there is no God have to be passed down in the same manner? And isn't the claim that you cannot make truth claims in of itself, a truth claim? The bottom line is that we all have beliefs systems in place according to the "truths" we decide to believe.
So how is one to determine absolute truth? In John 14, Jesus says, "I am the truth, the way, and the life." And in John 18 he says, "The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth." Jesus can to earth to testify absolute truth which is not a claim, an idea, or a statement. Absolute truth is a person - it is Jesus Christ himself.
Think about it. Truth is certain, final, absolute, unchanging, whole, and complete. What else fits that criteria as well as God does? So if any other truth claim does not align with the absolute truth that is God, it will fall. This is exactly what happened to Elymas when he stood against Paul. His claims could not stand against the solid truth that is Jesus Christ. So when you search for truth, seek claims that align with God the Father and His Son. Any other truth claim that does not align is either false or incomplete.
January 6, 2019
▼"Extreme Fellowship" Acts 12. 1-9
Throughout the book of Acts, there is a theme of fellowship among believers. In Acts 1, we see the disciples, the women, and Jesus' brothers meeting together constantly in prayer. During Pentecost, the 120 believers are together when the Holy Spirit descends upon them. After Peter and John were released from prison in Acts 4, it says the believers praised God together. This week, our story comes from Acts 12. James has been beheaded and Herod desires to kill Peter as well. But the night before Peter's trial "the church was earnestly praying to God for him" (Acts 12.5). That night, an angel comes and rescues Peter from prison.
Notice that what occurred that night was not a small group of believers but the entire church of Jerusalem that was praying over Peter. Those believers residing in Jerusalem that night came together and in one voice, pleaded with God for the protection of Peter. Fellowship with other believers is one of the greatest blessings God gives us. It takes the entire church; it takes the entire body of Christ. When we come together, we strengthen and encourage one another in the Spirit according to God's design.
December 30, 2018
▼ "Antioch - The Launch-point of Missions" Acts 11. 18-30
On this week every year we take a moment to decompress and reflect on the past year while looking forward to the upcoming year. It is a pivotal Sunday. Interestingly, as we continue our journey through Acts, we have come to a pivotal point in Acts. Up to this point a foundation of truths have been laid concerning the Holy Spirit, his purpose for the world, and his purpose for us. The cornerstone of this foundation comes from Acts 1.8, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth."
We have now come in Acts where the believers have fled from the persecution of Stephen and have made it to Antioch. There they begin sharing the good news about the Lord Jesus and the Lord's hand was with them. Barnabas was sent to Antioch to witnesses what the Lord was doing, and he got Saul involved as well. From this story, there are several lessons that we can apply to our own lives as we begin a new year.
This new year holds uncertainty, but if we allow God to take control of our year, he can work in us and through us in ways we could never imagine.
December 24, 2018 (7:00 PM)
▼ "Throne to Manger to Grave to Throne" Philippians 2. 5-11
Because of Saul's disobedience to God, God appoints David to be king. Saul makes it his life's mission to be an enemy of David. Mephibosheth, a grandson to Saul, is also an enemy of David. Typically, when a new family controls the kingdom, they purge the old family line to prevent an advisory from rising to power. Not so with David; he desires to show Mephibosheth kindness. David says to his enemy, "I will restore to you all the land belonging to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." David, as king, does not use his power to control his enemy but rather uses his power to serve his enemy.
In Philippians 2, Paul describes Jesus as a servant. Despite being God, Jesus does not use his power against us but rather comes to earth and uses his power to serve us. He heals, feeds, and ultimately dies all to serve us. This world is broken, and if we are honest with ourselves, we too are broken. Jesus knows all of this and yet dies for us his enemies. He died to mend what is broken. This is the meaning of Christmas. Jesus Christ, Son of God, coming to earth in humility to serve humankind through death that they might believe in him and be saved from their brokenness. We are Mephibosheth; a weak enemy of the king. But the king died so we, the enemy, may always have a spot at his table.
December 23, 2018
▼ "Final Peace" 2 Samuel 5. 1-12 & Revelations 20.11 - 21.7
Peace is the theme for the fourth Sunday of Advent. Peace is typically attained only when the end or final result is known. There is no more uncertainty or room for surprises. It's easier to have peace during success when you are on the mountaintops, but how does one have peace in the valleys when everything is going wrong? In this chapter of David's journey, we see him on a mountaintop. He conquers the city of Jerusalem and establishes it as the capital of the Israelite Kingdom. But his life does not stay on this mountaintop as he will commit adultery with Bathsheba and be betrayed by his son Absalom. David went through many valleys in his lifetime and in your walk with God you will as well.
By why are these valleys necessary? 1 Peter 1. 6-7 reads, "Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is reveal." God brings us through valleys of suffering and trial to refine strengthen our faith.
So, we know why the valleys of hardship are there, so what is going to get us through them? In Revelations 21. 1-7, the author John describes a new heaven and new earth with a new Holy City of Jerusalem. In this new Jerusalem, all things are made new with the old passing away, and here there will be no more tears, morning, crying, pain, or death. When you are in the valleys, know your destination; your final destination is an eternity with God where there are no more valleys. Your finish line is the highest mountaintop. You have peace when you know the end result. If you know the magnitude of the victory and splendor that awaits you, you will have peace through all valleys.
December 16, 2018
▼ "Joyful Worship" 2 Samuel 6 & 1 Chronicles 15
What is joy? Specifically, what is it to be joyful in the Lord? In David's first attempt at bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, it says that they celebrated with all their might. But the attempt fails miserably when Uzzah is struck dead by the Lord for bracing the ark. David is frustrated and confused as to why the Lord is angry and decides not to bring the ark to Jerusalem.
In Chronicles' version of the story, it states that David realizes the error. In the time of Moses, God intended that the ark to be transported using poles and carried only by the Levites. The Lord was angry at David's first attempt because David failed to recognize this. However, in the second attempt, David order's that the Levites carry the ark as intended. This time they are successful and rejoice.
The difference between the two attempts is the thought process. In the first attempt the thought process is, "Lord look what we are doing for you by bringing the ark to Jerusalem." In the second attempt the thought process is, "Lord look what you have done for us. You have been faithful to us since you brought us out of Egypt and you remain faithful to us to this day." You do not become joyful by trying to do things for the Lord. You become joyful by realizing how much more the Lord has done for you. God's greatest desire for us is for us to desire God!
If you are a parent of a small child, what do you cherish more? Do you cherish the small crafts that you child brings home from school or do you cherish those moments when all your child wants to do is simply be with you? So it is with God. He does not desire that you try to impress him; he is God! He only desires that you love and cherish him. Only then will you have true joy.
December 9, 2018
▼ "Loved by the Prince" 1 Samuel 19. 1-7 & 1 Samuel 23. 14-18
This Sunday's advent theme is love. One of the best ways love is displayed in the story of David is not through his relationship with one of his wives but through his friendship with Jonathan. Jonathan was Saul's son and next in line for the throne before God ordained David. He and David had a relationship that represented true friendship. In 1st Samuel 19, Saul tells his commanders and Jonathan to kill David. Jonathan, rather than being obedient to his father's ill-tempered request, honors his friendship with David and warns David of the impending danger. Jonathan then goes a step further and intercedes to the king on David's behalf and reminds the king of all the good things David has done. Even though he is successful, later in chapter23, Saul is once again after David seeking to take his life. Jonathan hears of this and meets David, who is hiding in the wilderness, to help David "find strength in God". He then assures David that he, Jonathan, will always be at David's side standing shoulder to shoulder ready to face whatever advisory may arise.
Jonathan is a true friend showing that in adversity he is trustworthy, available, and dependable. He also assures and counsels David when his strength in God was weak. How many of us can say we have friends this dependable? How many of us can say that we are this dependable for our friends? The longing for true deep friendship is written on our hearts and yet so often we lack having true friends and being true friends.
On the night Christ was betrayed he said this, "Greater love has none that this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. He is the true and ultimate friend who is always trustworthy, available, and dependable. He was willing to die on the cross for those whom he calls his friends. Cling to this truth and your heart will always be satisfied with true friendship, even when your earthly friends are nowhere to be found.
December 2, 2018
▼ "Hope in Everlasting Victory" 1 Samuel 17
The Advent Season is a time to prepare for the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of his kingdom. This Advent Season, we will be looking at the Kingdom of David and how it was type or mirror pointing to the greater kingdom of Jesus Christ. This week we will look at the story of David and Goliath.
In 1 Samuel 17.4 Goliath is referred to as the champion but this can also be translated as mediator. Goliath was the mediator for the Philistine army and David was the mediator of the Israelite army opposing him. Likewise, Jesus is the mediator for us; standing in our place as the 2nd Adam. His opponent, representing Satan and his army, is sin who has tormented us for all history.
In the battle, David chooses his own weapon not the common weapons of sword and shield to bring Goliath down. He then finishes Goliath off but cutting off the giant's head with Goliath's own sword. Similarly, Christ did not choose weapons of this world such as wealth, honor, power, but rather he chose truth, humility, and servanthood. And as David used Goliath's sword to kill him, Jesus used sin's own weapon, death, to defeat sin.
Lastly, after David defeated Goliath the Israelite army pursued the Philistine army and cut them down. The Israelite army shared in the victory of their mediator. With Christ, we too share in his victory over sin. We have hope over all trials and turmoil because our mediator, Jesus, has went before us and conquered sin.
November 25, 2018
▼ "God Fearing but Not Saved?" Acts 10. 24-48
It says in the beginning of Acts 10 that Cornelius and his family were God-fearing people who gave to the poor and prayed often. But in Peter’s rendition of this story in chapter 11 he says, “(Cornelius) told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11. 13-14). Notice that it is through the message of Peter that this household will be saved – meaning they are not saved before the message despite being God-fearing, compassionate, and prayerful.
We need to look at the content of Peter’s message to see what elevates someone from being Godfearing
to someone who is saved. We know that Cornelius and his household knew God, and from verses 36-38 in chapter 10, we see that they also knew Jesus to be a messenger of peace and anointed by God to heal and do good works. So even knowing things about Christ did not save this family. What were they missing?
Looking at the Old Testament, prophets were chosen by God to give messages, at times heal, and do
good works. If appointed by God, humans could do the things the Cornelius family knew of Jesus to do.
What Peter professed that was different was Jesus being more than human. Peter declared that this
Christ was Lord of all (Acts 10.36) which is a declaration of Jesus being God in flesh. Peter then
witnessed that this Jesus was killed on a cross but rose from the dead after three days (Acts 10. 39-41). Now he has been appointed as judge of the living and dead and it is through his name that sins are forgiven (Acts 10. 42-43).
It is at this moment that the Holy Spirit descends on all those in the room and baptizes them in the
Spirit. This family, who were not saved beforehand, learned that Jesus was not just a man but God in
flesh who willingly died for them so that their sins may be forgiven. Then the Holy Spirit overflows in
them in a way that elevates this knowledge of Jesus Christ to an experience of him and a relationship
with him. For those who profess Christian Faith, it is imperative that we understand the difference
between simply knowing Christ and having a Holy Spirit revealing relationship with him; our eternity
hangs in the balance.
November 18, 2018
▼ "Expand Beyond the Borders" Acts 10. 1-34
This story of Peter and the Roman Centurion named Cornelius is a beautiful testament to God’s ability to orchestrate events for the completion of his will. God spoke to both men on the interaction they were destined to have. As Cornelius’ men are approaching the house Peter is staying in, the Spirit instructs Peter, “Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
The next day, Peter arrives at the house of Cornelius who has invited all his relatives and close friends (vs 24). This section ends with Cornelius telling Peter, “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us” (vs 33). Upon hearing this, I imagine them having a child-like anticipation as a room of schoolkids eagerly sitting around the teacher who is about to read a story.
Our congregation is beyond blessed to have the amount of youth that we have. We must not waste this
opportunity to minister and invest in the young. Like Cornelius and his family, they too have an
eagerness to hear the marvelous story of Jesus Christ; it’s the greatest story ever told. And may we be
motivated to teach the kids of today because God sees us as children. Let us not be fooled into thinking
of ourselves as mature before God but rather seeing God as father or Abba and seeing ourselves as
mere toddlers before him. May we have a childlike wonder for God.
November 11, 2018
▼ "The Response to a Miraculous Conversion" Acts 9. 19-31
After Saul’s conversion, he quickly takes to the synagogues in Damascus and proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God (vs 20) and the Messiah (vs 22). The conversion of Saul is already coming into fruition.
Verse 20 brings two questions forward. How is Saul able to make a turn around so quickly and what is
the importance of declaring Jesus as the Son of God immediately into his ministry?
During the three days of blindness, Saul had to navigate how the most real experienced he has ever had
completely contradicts his entire life. And answer, what does this mean moving forward? What’s certain
is that Saul is a new creation. 2nd Corinthians 5. 17 reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!” On that Damascus road, the old Saul died along with his self-exaltation, self-righteousness, and hate. In his place emerged a new man, a new creation born of the Spirit. This turn around happened quickly because a new man was born and the old had passed away.
It is interesting to note that the last words we see Saul say as an unbeliever is “Who are you Lord?” and the first thing he preaches on is Jesus being the Son of God. In those few days, the identity of Jesus has been revealed to Saul. He begins his ministry by laying a two-truth foundation that Jesus is the Son of God and that he is the Messiah promising salvation. Saul made it a point to set these truths at the forefront of his ministry. In our lives may we also do the same. May we too stand firm in our faith and proclaim that Jesus is God in flesh and that through him, and only through him, one has salvation and eternal life!
November 4, 2018
▼ "Is Salvation for All?" Acts 9. 1-18
This is the conversion story of Saul who would later become Paul and write 13 books of the New Testament.
Saul did nothing to earn his salvation. He was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s
disciples” and was headed to Damascus to imprison those who were followers of Christ. On the way, he
is intercepted by Jesus Christ, and his life forever changed. All his life, he had worked meticulously at being an upright and noble pharisee. In his eyes, he was righteous before God because he was faultless at upholding the law. Jesus shatters this perspective and Saul begins a life as a missionary throughout much of the known world. Instead of persecuting the church, he now begins a life of persecution with a passion to spread the Church of Christ.
So why Saul? Why someone who is this polar to Christianity. Paul says it best in 1st Timothy 1. 15-16,
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worse. But for that very reason I
was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience
as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” God used Saul to show that
no one is beyond the reach of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. No one is beyond the patience of
God. And as believers, we should never believe that anyone is beyond being saved for grace is free for
all - even the worst sinners.
October 28, 2018
▼ "Looking for Something - Discovering Everything" Acts 8. 26-40
God calls Philip to go to the desert road where he meets an Ethiopian Eunuch. The eunuch had been worshiping in Jerusalem and was returning home. When Philip joins him, the eunuch is reading Isaiah 53, but does not understand the passage. It reads, "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."
This passage would deeply resonate with the eunuch. A eunuch typically is emasculated at a young age with the intention of serving royal families (He was deprived of justice). Before adulthood, his future has been laid out with no possibility of children (Who can speak of his descendants). His sole purpose was to fulfill his role as treasurer (For his life was taken from the earth).
But Philip shares the good news of the gospel starting with Isaiah 53. While we are unsure of what else Philip may have said to the eunuch, showing the eunuch Isaiah 56 would have been powerful. In this passage, the Lord says that eunuchs should not consider themselves "dry trees". But rather, those eunuchs who seek the Lord will "receive a name better than sons and daughters. They will receive an everlasting name that will endure forever. And the Lord will "give them joy in his house of prayer."
The Eunuch was looking for something more than what his life in Ethiopia provided. He found the Son of God and received him with joy. He was shown the grace of Jesus and that a relationship with Christ far outweighs any lifestyle he had, or could not have, in his life here on earth.
October 21, 2018
▼ "Evangelism - What is it?" Acts 8. 9-25
Evangelism can mean a variety of things to different people and different churches. In Acts 8 with the story of Simon the Sorcerer, we see what evangelism isn’t. It is not something that can purchased. This power is from the Holy Spirit and is not something that can be purchased, planned, or controlled. In verse 21 Peter warns Simon, “You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.”
Fortunately, Acts gives us plenty of examples of what true evangelism looks like. Pentecost (Chapter 2),
the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian (Chapter 8), and the story of Peter and Cornelius (Chapter 10) are all examples of true evangelism. In each case, the individuals had hearts right before God, the Holy Spirit came spontaneously, the gospel was preached, and those who did not know Christ were saved.
So as individuals and as a congregation how should we evangelize? First, we need to have our hearts
right before God by constantly building on our relationship with him through prayer, study, and
mediation. Next, we need to find ways to reach out to our community. Get involved with what our
community has deemed important or common interest. Finally, we need to allow God to do the heavy
lifting for us. Give him room to be spontaneous and glorified. We do not need to have all the answers or
to have our evangelism completely planned out. Rather, we simply all called to cast seeds and allow God
to cultivate, nourish, and water those seeds into living believers.
October 14, 2018
▼ "Good Deeds" Ephesians 2. 1-10
Ephesians chapter 2 is a beauty walkthrough of the story of humanity and God’s involvement. We, as in humanity, poses a nature that pursues our own desires and pleasures. We gratify our cravings and wants. But we were designed by the creator to be in a relationship with him and to have full satisfaction in him. All of us have turned away to find satisfaction elsewhere. Because of this, we are under the wrath of God the Creator, and we were spiritually dead.
However, in verse 4 we read this beautiful statement, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is
rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.” Nothing of our own doing but because God loves us. We have
not earned this mercy and grace. It has been given to us as a gift. And as verse 9 reads, we cannot boast because our works have not given us this gift of grace.
Yet, verse 10 states that we are called to do good works. If good works do not save us, then why are we
required to do them. I hope this equation will clarify.
Works does not = Righteousness What we do does not make us right with God.
Faith = Righteousness + Works Faith is a gift from God for us to receive. If we accept this gift,
then we are right with God. Good works are a byproduct of being right with God. We do good things because we desire to live like God and show others this same gift of love and grace that has been shown to us.
October 7, 2018
▼ "What Soil Are You Standing In?" Mark 4. 1-20
The parable of the sower is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus. As many know, the sower cast seeds on the pathway, on rocky places, some among weeds and some were cast into good soil. The seed cast on the pathway never had a chance at life.
With the seed cast in rocky places, it takes root and grows, but is quickly scorched by the sun. In Jesus’explanation of the parable he describes these people falling away quickly because of the trouble or persecution that comes because of the word. Notice, this persecution is not because of the world or
Satan; this trouble derives from the word and being a believer. Frequently, when people come in to the
faith, they expect their lives to be fixed and comfortable because they are now living a life for God.
When troubles still arise, especially troubles because of this newfound faith, they fall away because they were anticipating a life of comfort. But here Jesus does not insinuate if persecution comes because of faith but when.
The third group of seed were cast among the weeds and thorns. But with these hearers of the word,
“the worries of this life, deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mark 4. 19). This is extremely relatable to the American Church of today. In our culture, there is a constant need to be entertained, comfortable, and satisfied. Our culture gives us a plethora of ways to do this. If not careful, we can be quickly choked out. While we are still living, we are unfruitful when we are choked out by the weeds of this culture.
So how do we combat this. If the seed is the word of God, who is the gardener? Who cast the word of
God? Who tills the soil and nourishes the plants once grown? The gardener is Jesus Christ who came to
earth to cast the good news of the word. It is he who prepares the souls of future believers and
continues to nourish them once they have become a child of God. So when you are choked by the
matters of this world or are scorched by persecution, call out to the true gardener, and lean heavily on
him so that you may be nourished and fruitful.
September 30, 2018
▼ "What was Intended for Wrong, God Intended for Good" Acts 8. 1-8
On the surface, the beginning of Acts 8 looks like a complete disaster. The church is driven out of Jerusalem and into the surrounding countries of Judea and Samaria. However, if one looks at Acts 1.8,“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In chapter 5, the first phase of this verse is fulfilled by the priest stating, “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.” It is no mistake that Luke states the church was scattered to Judea and Samaria; the same two countries specified in Acts 1.8. This is pointing to the beginning of the 2nd phase of spreading the gospel.
Now when the believers are scattered, they are not defeated. “Those who were scattered preached the
word wherever they went (Acts 8.4). The persecution of the church in Jerusalem was terrible; families
were torn apart as men and women were imprisoned. Despite this, God took something terrible and
made it into something good. Had it not been for the persecution, people in Judea and Samaria would
have not heard the good news of the gospel. God can and will create blessings in the midst of disasters.
Let us remember this truth when disasters and affliction arise.
September 23, 2018
▼ "Death - Our Servant " Acts 7: 51-60
We have reached the climax of Stephen's story. He has turned the accusations back on the religious elite, and in response, they take Stephen outside of the city and stone him. But God is able to make beautiful what many would consider a disgrace. He uses Stephen's death to show that death is not something to be feared. Rather, death is now meant to serve those who believe in Christ because Christ has conquered death. This is illustrated in the story of Stephen in three ways.
In verse 55, Stephen proclaims that he sees the glory of God. As he is minutes away from dying, death first serves Stephen by becoming a portal, or window, for Stephen to witness God's purest glory. The second way death serves Stephen comes in the following verse. "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." When Jesus ascended into heaven, he sat at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1.3). But Stephen sees him standing, why? Death serves Stephen this time by becoming a doorway into the presence of Christ. Christ has stood up from his throne, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his child Stephen. Lastly, death serves Stephen by allowing him to become more Christ-like near his death. It is not a mistake that the last words of Stephen are near identical to Jesus' last words on the cross according to Luke's gospel (Luke 23). The author of both books, Luke, intentionally portrayed Stephen desiring his spirit to reside with God and the ability to forgive his enemies as Christ did.
Believers of Christ should not fear death because Christ has conquered death in full. And if we know not to fear death then we know how to die. And if we know how to die, then we know how to live; boldly, courageously, radically for God and his glory.
September 16, 2018
▼ "The Temple is Coming Down" Acts: 6 & 7
In Acts 6 and 7, Stephen is accused of speaking words of blasphemy against God (Acts 6.10) and saying that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the temple. The accusation of Jesus destroying the temple comes from John 2 where Jesus drives the trades people from the temple courts. When asked by what authority he is able to do this, Jesus responds, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." Notice that Jesus was not referring to himself in saying that he will destroy the temple, but rather he is referring to the crowd that they will destroy the temple. How? Because when Jesus dies on the cross the temple, the customs, the system is also destroyed. Jesus is creating a new covenant in him. Here's how it looks.
Jesus is the true and greater temple: The temple was the place to witness God's glory and to have fellowship with God. Jesus now glorifies God in full. Because of the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus, we are now able to have fellowship with God anywhere not just at one location.
Jesus is the true and greater priest: The job of the priest was to intercede for the people. Hebrews 7. 23-25 "Now there have been many of those priest since death prevented them from continuing office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Jesus is the true and greater sacrifice: Sacrifices were conducted as an atonement, or pardoning, of sins. Hebrews 9. 14 "How much more then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.
September 9, 2018
▼ "Supernatural Obedience" Acts 5: 25-42
We are seeing in chapter 5 the fulfillment of Acts 1.8. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses on Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." But with this fulfillment comes resistance; namely from the religious leaders. They throw the apostles in jail, but during the night, an angel releases them and commands them to go back to the temple and preach the good news. The apostles were obedient even if it meant risking their lives.
This story is a prime example of Godly obedience. God takes disobedience very seriously because disobedience shows misplaced fear, misplaced pleasure, misplaced praise, and the desire to listen to our own instruction rather than God's.
Now there is a wrong way to obey. This can be shown in the story of The Prodigal Son. While it is obvious that the younger brother desired his father's things and not his father, what is often overlooked is that the elder brother is also in wrong. All his life he has slaved under his father's rule. In his eyes, he has earned everything his father will give to him as an inheritance. So, like his younger brother, he too desires his father's things rather than the relationship.
This can often be the case for those who profess Christianity. They believe that "being a good person", loving other people, tithing, having roles in the church will get them right before God. But to try to earn any part of salvation is not biblical; this is not the right way to obey God. The correct way to obey God is to obey simply because we cherish our relationship with him. This is on full display in Acts 5 where the apostles show that their love for God is even higher than their love of life.
September 2, 2018
▼ "Deceitful Giving" Acts 4:32 - 5:11
In this section of Acts, Luke gives us two examples on how to give; one is done out of joy and the other is done out of deceit. Ananias and Sapphira claim that they have given the church the entire sum for a field they recently sold. By the Holy Spirit, Peter is able to discern that this is a lie. They are struck dead for this lie revealing how much God hates deceit in the church.
Ananias and his wife were not wrong for giving only a partial amount. As Peter states, it was their land to do with what they want. And after they sold the property, it was their money to decide what they wanted to do with it. The wrong was that they tried to deceive the church. This reveals four issues with their motive for giving. They loved money; they were prideful; they lied; and they tested the Holy Spirit. May we not give like this, but rather give like Barnabas.
Barnabas was a man full of grace who cherished Christ far more than anything this world has to offer. Therefore he cheerfully sold his field and gave the money to church. May we also find Jesus as our most precious treasure.
August 26, 2018
▼ "The Invitation" Luke 5: 1-11
In Luke 5, four fishermen experience the biggest payday ever, but leave everything behind as this teacher invites them to follow him. They never return to fishing. Why?
These fisher men, who would become the foundation of Christianity, would learn 3 key truths about this teacher called Jesus. He is real, he knows them personally, and he loves them. After Jesus' death, each one of these fishermen faced persecution and some even death for their faith. Why would these men face this kind of adversity if they had simply hid the body and claimed he was alive? This kind of boldness would require a reality that provides hope and strength to endure adversity. That reality was the resurrection of Jesus; his body was not hid but he rose from the dead. The second truth that Christ knows who can be found in Matthew 10.30 "Even the hairs on your head are numbered." To realize that the creator of the universe knows you personally and is intimately involved in your life can be deeply reassuring. Lastly, these fishermen learn that this Jesus loves them deeply. Romans 5.8 reads, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Even though he knows your darkness and lowest moments, Jesus died for you so that you might have a relationship with him.
These fishermen learned these truths and realized that what this teacher has to offer far outweighs the value of a big payday. They accepted the invitation from Jesus to follow him. Do you?
August 19, 2018
▼ "Salvation is Found in No Other Name" Acts 4: 1-22
Like in chapter 2, God uses a miracle to draw the crowds to the apostles. The main difference this time is that the miracle occurs in the temple courts and the religious leaders take notice. They arrest Peter and John. Full of the Holy Spirit, these two uneducated fishermen stand toe to toe with the religious elite. They declare that the miracle of healing the lame man was done by the name of Jesus Christ and that salvation can be found in no one else. This jeopardizes the authority of the Sanhedrin, so they order Peter and John to not speak of this name.
But in Holy Spirit driven boldness, Peter and John respond, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." In our own walks with Christ, may we have this same courage to not be silent about the good news that gives eternal life.
August 12, 2018
▼ "God's Proposal to Us" Hosea 1-3
Hosea begins with God calling Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman because, "For like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord." Hosea obeys, and Gomer bears him 3 children but afterward leaves him. Fast-forward to chapter 3 and the Lord said to Hosea, "Go show your love to you wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites." Even though we all have turned away from the Lord, the Lord still desires us to be in a relationship with him.
In Ephesians 5, Paul speaks on how God intended marriage to reflect the relations between Christ and the Church. The husband is to love his wife and give his life up for her as Christ gave his life up for the church (vs. 25). As husbands, we are called to devote our life to our wives. To lift her up and to elevate her. As wives, we are called to support our husbands in leadership if it is in line with Christ.
In Hosea 2, God soothes us in our beautiful relationship with him with these words. "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her" (vs. 14). "In that day, you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master'" declares the Lord (vs16). "I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the Lord" (vs. 19-20).
July 29, 2018
▼ "Godly Fellowship With One Another" Acts 2:40-47
Acts 2 closes with a look into the daily life of the believers. Verse 42 summarizes this by saying they devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching, to fellowship, to breaking of bread, and to prayer. The proceeding verses then go into detail about each of these four traits.
It is God's intention that we have fellowship among other believers; not to live Christian lives in solitude. We are adopted brothers and sisters into God's inheritance and we make up the body of Christ. It is vital to our spiritual health that we cultivate strong, long-lasting relationships with one another, so let's follow the blueprint of the early church. We should be devoted to the teachings of the apostle's found in the letters and writing of the New Testament. We should have such strong fellowship with one another that we desire each other's health and wellbeing far greater than any possession (vs 45). We should desire to spend time with one another both in the community and in our homes (vs 46). Lastly, through prayer and worship, we should praise our God with glad and sincere hearts. Only by loving God and loving all peoples will we be able to be used by God to "add to the number daily those who are being saved."
July 22, 2018
▼ "How Real is Jesus to You?" Acts 2: 14-40
This week, verse 37 kept facing me with the question, "Does what I know and feel about Jesus cut me to the heart?" On this day of Pentecost, 3,000 lives were change because of what the Holy Spirit spoke through Peter. They heard about Jesus and immediately committed their lives to him; does what I know about Jesus allow me to cherish Him the same way they did? I think there are 4 truths in Peter's sermon in Acts 2 that can elevate our affection for Christ.
The first is that we are in the last days. Jesus has broken the curse of death so now," Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Now wonders, visions, dreams, and prophesy proclaim the supremacy of God because the Spirit has been poured out on all who believe. We are nearing the last day when the Lord will take us in and we will reside with Him for all eternity. The 2nd truth is found in vs. 23 that states we were the ones that put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Isaiah 53.5 reads, "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." He died so we may live and we live because of the 3rd truth which is that he conquered death. David wrote, "You will not let your Holy One see decay" and because of this we can say with David, "My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices because you will not abandon me to the grave." Death is not our final stop because Christ defeated death. And because he died for us and because he conquered death, he is to be exalted (4th truth)! Jesus created us, saved us, and sustains us. Should we not respond in a way that glorifies him in every thought, action, or word?
July 15, 2018
▼ "Acts II (Enters the Holy Spirit)" Acts 2: 1-13
In Acts 2 we see Acts 1.8 begin to be fulfilled. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Pentecost was the Festival of Harvest for the Jews. How fitting that God used this harvest festival for the true harvest; namely all souls lost and broken without God's mercy. On that day, a small collection of 120 believers exploded to a group of over 3,000. It would have been impossible for those 120 believers to reach all the known nations, but God used the pilgrimage of Pentecost to bring the world to the doorstep of the 120 believers! He poured out His Spirit upon them so that they were able to witness the Glory of God to all the people groups by speaking to them in each of their languages.
We must be reminded that when barriers arise, God will do extraordinary things for His will to be done. 120 uneducated believers may not have appeared to have the ability or skills to reach the nations, but God provided the circumstance and gift of language allowing the believers to be witnesses to these people groups. God's quest to be glorified to all ends of the earth is still at hand and we are called too to be witnesses of Jesus. When barriers seem to arise, may we too rely entirely on God and be ready for whatever he may have instore for us.
July 8, 2018
▼ "Continual Faith" Acts 1: 12-26
As Acts 1 ends, the Apostles are in a state of severe uncertainty. There is the threat of persecution, they are awaiting the Holy Spirit to be poured out on them, and lastly, they must fill the void of leadership left by Judas.
In this passage, we can see first-hand how the early believers reacted to uncertainty and how God was at work. From this, we can apply it to our own experiences of uncertainty and learn what we should be doing and what God is already doing.
In verse 16 Peter rises up recites Psalms concerning the replacement of Judas. And numerous times in the gospels, Jesus forewarns that he is going to be betrayed. While the betrayal of Judas was a surprise to the disciples, God knew exactly what was going to happen and inspired David to write about it 1,000 years before Christ ever stepped foot on earth. Our God is not a God that simply reacts to events already in play, but orchestrates and calculates events according to His will. In times of uncertainty, it is vital that we always remember that God is in complete control.
So what are we supposed to be doing? Acts 1. 14 reads, "They all joined together constantly in prayer." In times of uncertainty, the early believers joined together in constant communal prayer and prayed specifically for important decisions (Acts 1. 24). So too are we called to remain faithful to God in prayer and in fellowship when we are unsure of what lies ahead.
July 1, 2018
▼ "This is a Hard Truth, Who Can Accept?" John 6: 35-60
In John 6, Jesus chose to use very offensive language to covey his message to those who were listening. Repeatedly, Jesus states that to have life, one must "Drink His blood and eat his flesh." In the physical sense this is extremely repulsive and is against Jew law. But if one looks more closely at the text and realizes that Jesus is talking about spiritual matters, the beauty of his message unfolds. In verse 54 Jesus states that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life. In verse 40 he says that whoever looks and believes in the Son will have eternal life. Lastly in verse 35 he says that those who come will never hunger and those who believe will never thirst. These three verses point to the conclusion that to believe in the Son of God is to spiritually drink of His blood and to come and look to the Son of God is to eat of His flesh.
In this life, it is our underlying quest to satisfy this hunger that is inside us. Some pursue their careers, others material possessions, some relationships, but these come up short in fully satisfying our inward hunger. Only in Christ can this hunger be filled; only in Christ can we be fully satisfied.
June 24, 2018
▼ "The Overlap of Luke" Acts 1: 1-9
It is interesting to note that the two books Luke wrote, Luke and Acts, have overlapping passages found in Luke 24 and Acts 1. In each of these passages, there are 3 similarities found: The gift of the Holy Spirit, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the mission of the Holy Spirit. With this, we asked three questions. In what ways is the Holy Spirit a gift? What is the power of the Spirit Luke refers to? And what are we called to do?
For the first question, 5 supporting passages were given to show how the Holy Spirit is a gift to believers. Because of Christ, the Spirit of God no longer resides in a temple or tabernacle but instead resides in us (1 Corinthians 6. 19). By being anointed by the Holy Spirit, we can discern truth and see beyond the lies and distractions of this world (1 John 2. 20-21). The Holy Spirit is our teacher who guides us through scripture (John 14. 26). The Spirit intercedes for us in prayer when we are unsure what to pray for ourselves (Romans 8. 26). We now have the capacity to love others as God does because His love has been poured into us by the Spirit (Romans 5.5).
This power that Luke speaks of is supernatural power that the Holy Spirit gives us in certain moments that can be explained in no other way but the work of God. In the first chapters of Acts there are numerous examples of this power. The ability to speak in tongues, prophesy, visions, dreams, healing, ability to speak boldly, ability to withstand persecution, extreme faith and obedience just to name a few. These times of power are given to us by the Holy Spirit to glorify God and to turn all attention to Him.
Lastly, the passages teach us that we are to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all corners of the earth. The 20th century is the first century that saw Christianity as a global faith reaching more people than any time period before it. Our prayer is that God may use us to continue this growth well into the 21st century until every tongue, tribe, and nation has heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
June 17, 2018
▼ "Intro" Colossians 3: 12-17
I will be the first to admit that I am not something special or that I have all the answers. I simply know that God has opened a door for me at Meadow Run that I was not even looking for. I am ecstatic at the opportunity that God has given me in this church and I am eager to see His will unfold. Let us look to the words found in Colossians 3 as we move forward in the will of God as individuals, as a church family, and as brothers and sisters in Christ.
May we show compassion to the lost and broken (vs. 12). May we mend any grievances that we have with one another (vs. 13). May everything we do be accomplished by the love of God that has been poured out upon us by the Holy Spirit (vs. 14). May we constantly treasure the peace and rest we have in Christ (vs. 15).
May the good news of the Gospel fill every ounce of our being (vs. 16). Whatever we do or say, may we continually give thanks and glory to God (vs. 17).
And above all,
May we be God Honoring
May we be Christ Centered
And may we be Holy Spirit Driven.
Amen
May 27, 2018
▼ "Strengthening Faith Through Doubt" Luke 24: 1-12 & 36-49
Four times in the scripture reading the disciples doubt the resurrection of Jesus. They doubt the women who came back from the tomb (vs. 11). Peter doubts after going himself to the tomb (vs. 12). The disciples doubt the claims of the two men walking to Emmaus (vs. 36). Finally, they doubted Jesus being physically in the room with them and mistook him for a ghost (vs. 41).
But Jesus does not ridicule them. He instead is relentless in proving that he really is alive and before them. In the same way, Jesus is patient with us when we have doubts and is relentless in proving and revealing himself to us. He will also, like the disciples, open our minds to scripture so that we too may better understand His purpose (vs. 45). He gives us the promise of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us, guides us, comforts us, and gives us the presence of God (vs. 49). Lastly, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, gives us power to be used by God to do things for God that we would have never imagined on our own (vs. 49).
On our own we are flawed beings who can have doubts about God's existence or His purpose for us. But thankfully God is a patient and compassion Father who counters our doubts with divine assurance, so that our faith may be further solidified in Him.
November 27, 2016
"The Cat That Unplugged The Alarm" Matthew 24:37-44
November 20, 2016
"On This Day" Luke 23:35-43
November 13, 2016
"Heavenly Helicopter" Luke 21:5-19
November 6, 2016
"Talking About Eternity" Luke 20:27-38
June 28, 2015
"The Riddle Of Life" Mark 5:21-43
June 21, 2015
"When Lightning Strikes" Mark 4:35-41
June 14, 2015
"Get Off The Bus!" Mark 4:26-34
June 7, 2015
"All You Can Eat" Mark 14:12-16,22-26
December 28, 2014
"Well Said!" Luke 2:22-40
December 24, 2014
"We Should Do This More Often!" John 1:1-18
December 21, 2014
"Nagging Questions" Luke 1:26-38
December 14, 2014
"Straight To The Heart!" John 1:6-8,19-28
December 7, 2014
"God's Spam Folder" Mark 1:1-8
November 30, 2014
"Sleep Is An Opinion!" Mark 13:33-37
November 23, 2014
"Devine Prescription" Matthew 25:31-46
November 16, 2014
"We Must Do More" Matthew 25:14-30
November 9, 2014
"We're Here To Remember" John 2:13-22
November 2, 2014
"Sounds Incredible!" John 6:37-40
April 27, 2014
Gideons will preach
April 20, 2014 ~ Easter Sunday
"Wonder Of It All!" John 20:1-9
April 17, 2014 ~ Maundy Thursday Service
"How Would You Answer?" John 18:1-19:42
April 13, 2014 ~ Palm Sunday
"Betrayer and Betrayed" Matthew 26:14-27:66
April 6, 2014
"Do Something Useful!" John 11:1-45
December 29, 2013
"What Do We Know?" Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
December 24, 2013 @ 7:30 PM
"All Shapes and Sizes" John 1:1-18; 42
December 22, 2013
"Hand-In-Hand!" Matthew 1:18-24
December 15, 2013
"What's Your Narrative?" Matthew 11:2-11
December 8, 2013
"Even Brussel Sprouts!" Matthew 3:1-12
December 1, 2013
"We've Been Expecting You!" Matthew 24:37-44
November 24, 2013
"We Freely Accept!" Luke 23:35-43
September 29, 2013
"Eternity Is Our Hope!" Luke 16:19-31
September 22, 2013
"What's Your Bottom Line?" Luke 16:1-13
September 15, 2013
"What The World Needs Now!" Luke 15:1-32
September 8, 2013
"He's Already There" Luke 14:25-33
September 1, 2013
"Higher and Higher!" Luke 14:1,7-14
July 28, 2013
"Pause A While" Luke 11:1-13
July 21, 2013
"Yes Or No?" Luke 10:38-42
July 14, 2013
"Tiny Ripples of Hope" Luke 10:25-37
July 7, 2013
"Circular Thinking" Luke 10:1-12,17-20
June 30, 2013
"Priority Number One!" Luke 9:51-62
June 23, 2013
"The Mysterious Thread" Luke 9:18-24
June 16, 2013
"That's What I'm Talking About!" Luke 7:36-8:3
March 31, 2013
Easter
Maundy Thursday March 29, 2013 @ 7:30 PM
"Peace for the Pain" John 18:1-19; 42
March 24, 2013
"Lord, Teach Us!" Luke 22:14-23; 56
March 17, 2013
"Judge Not!" John 8:1-11
March 10, 2013
Crimson Stream Singing & Preaching
March 3, 2013
Rev. Harry Langley preaching
February 24, 2013
"You're Not The Same!" Luke 9:28-36
February 17, 2013
"Listen For The Whisper" Luke 4:1-13
February 10, 2013
"What A Catch!" Luke 5:1-11
February 3, 2013
"Sophomores, Take Heart!" Luke 4:21-30
January 27, 2013
"Yesterdays and Tomorrows" Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
January 20, 2013
"Remember Always!" John 2:1-11
January 13, 2013
"Prisoners of Hope!" Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
January 6, 2013
"Eternally True" Matthew 2:1-12
January 1, 2013
"A World of Difference" Luke 2:16-21
December 30, 2012
"The Family is Here!" Luke 2:41-52
December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve Service @ 7:30 PM
"Especially the Children" John 1:1-18
December 23, 2012
"Long Walk" Luke 1:39-45
December 16, 2012
"People of Hope" Luke 3:10-18
December 9, 2012
"Unhook Your Suspenders!" Luke 3:1-6
December 2, 2012 ~ Communion
"No Christmas Blues" Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
October 28, 2012
"He's Bigger, Too!" Mark 10:46-52
October 21, 2012
"Show Him Your Hands!" Mark 10:35-45
October 14, 2012
"Our Divine Biographer" Mark 10:17-30
October 7, 2012
"That Long, Lost Wow!" Mark 10:2-16
September 30, 2012
"Lord, Count Me In!" Mark 9:39-43, 45, 47-48
September 23, 2012
"No Wet Zucchinis!" Mark 9:30-37
September 16, 2012
"These Things We Pray" Mark 8:27-35
September 9, 2012
"When You Aren't Even Looking" Mark 7:31-37
September 2, 2012
"Love Is Something You Do!" Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
July 29, 2012
"Welcome to the Kingdom!" John 6:1-15
July 22, 2012
"No Spray-can Compassion" Mark 6:30-34
July 15, 2012
"Full-time Job" Mark 6:7-13
July 8, 2012
"Absolutely Right!" Mark 6:1-6
July 1, 2012
"Great Expectations" Mark 5:21-43
June 24, 2012
"Cloaked in the Spirit!" Luke 1:57
June 17, 2012
"Keys to the Kingdom" Mark 4:26
June 10, 2012
"Washed in His Blood" Mark 14:22-24
June 3, 2012
"Our 'Three Person God' " Matthew 28:19
May 27, 2012
"Split Pants?" John 20:19-23
May 20, 2012
"Basin Theology" John 17:11-19
May 13, 2012
"Greatest Love Letter" John 15:9-17
May 6, 2012
"Divine 'NO!' " John 15:1-8
April 29, 2012
"By All Means!" John 10:11-18
April 22, 2012
"Wonder of Wonders" Luke 24:35-48
April 15, 2012
"Honorable Bird" John 20:19-31
April 8, 2012
"Best News Imaginable!" John 20:1-9
April 5, 2012
"Only Truth Remains!" John 18:1-19; 42
April 1, 2012
"No Better Time!" Mark 14:1-15; 47
February 26, 2012
Rev. Mike Helms preaching
February 19, 2012
"Awestruck, Astounded and Amazed" Mark 2:1-12
February 12, 2012
"Healing Hand" Mark 1:40-45
February 5, 2012
"Think It Over" Mark 1:29-39
January 29, 2012
"No Greater Answer" Mark 1:21-28
January 22, 2012
"Follow The Leader" Mark 1:14-20
January 15, 2012
"A Devine Reputation" John 1:35-42
January 8, 2012
"What's In It For God?" Mark 1:7-11
January 1, 2012
"Morning After" Luke 2:16-21
December 25, 2011
"He Grasps!" John 1:1-18
December 18, 2011
"The Right Word" Luke 1:26-38
December 11, 2011
"Mere Fragments" John 1:6-8, 19-28
December 4, 2011
"Give and Believe" Mark 1:1-8
November 27, 2011
"Headed In The Right Direction" Mark 13:33-37
November 20, 2011
"Do It Now!" Matthew 25:13-46
November 13, 2011
"Where Do We Begin?" Matthew 25:14-30
November 6, 2011
"God Rules Everything" Matthew 25:1-13
October 30, 2011
"Go Forth In Freedom" Matthew 23:1-12
October 23, 2011
"Our Amateur Hour" Matthew 22:34-40
October 16, 2011
"This Is Where We Find Him!" Matthew 25:15-21
October 9, 2011
"No Excuses!" Matthew 22:1-14
October 2, 2011 ~ Communion
"On God's Authority" Matthew 21:33-43
September 11, 2011
The final week of the four-part series called Heaven is for Real
Today's topic is "The Hands for Heaven" Matthew 18
September 4, 2011
We're in the third week of the four-part series called Heaven is for Real
Today's topic is "The Hope of Heaven" Psalm 123:1-2
August 28, 2011
We're in the second week of the four-part series called Heaven is for Real
Today's topic is "The Battle for Heaven" Col. 3:1-2
August 21, 2011
The first message of this four-part series called Heaven is for Real
Today's topic is "The Reality of Heaven" John 14:1-3
August 14, 2011
"Everyday Faces" Matthew 15:21-28
August 7, 2011
"On God's Authority" Matthew 14:22-33
July 31, 2011
"Walking The Streets Where We Live" Matthew 14:13-21
July 24, 2011
"The Kingdom Is Now" Matthew 13:44-52
July 17, 2011
"Our Wondrous Life Principle" Matthew 13:24-43
July 10, 2011
"No Empty Promise" Matthew 13:1-23
July 3, 2011
"Six Steps To The Lord" Matthew 11:25-30
May 29, 2011
"Live The Good Life" John 14:15-21
May 22, 2011
"Stop Trying So Hard!" John 14:1-12
May 15, 2011
"Ask For Directions" John 10:1-10
May 8, 2011
"Time To Pop Up!" Luke 24:13-35
May 1, 2011
"What Faith Is For!" John 20:19-31
April 24, 2011
"Just Around the Corner" John 20:1-19
April 21 ~ 7:30 PM
"Best News of All!" John 18:1-19:422
April 17, 2011
"Surely, Not I" Matthew 26:14-27:66
April 10, 2011
"No Runaway Train" John 11:1-45
April 3, 2011
"Color It Love!" John 9:1-41
March 27, 2011
"Wake Up!" John 4:5-42
March 20, 2011
"Believe and Behave!" Matthew 17:1-9
March 13, 2011
"Another Piece of Cheese?" Matthew 4:1-11
March 6, 2011
"Foundation of the World!" Matthew 7:21-27
February 27, 2011
"Tear Down Those Walls" Matthew 6:24-34
February 20, 2011
"Peace and Brotherhood Now" Matthew 5:38-48
February 13, 2011
"Today is the Day!" Matthew 5:17-37
February 6, 2011
"A Beautiful Gift of Light" Matthew 5:13-16
January 30, 2011
"The Hardest Thing Of All" Matthew 5:1-12
January 23, 2011
"The Trouble With Us" Matthew 4:12-23
January 16, 2011
"Because God Is Love" John 1:29-34
January 9, 2011
"Keep Working On Love" Matthew 3:13-17
January 2, 2011
"Live Wisely!" Matthew 2:1-12
December 26, 2010
"One Man's Family" Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
December 24, 2010 (7:00 PM)
"A Gift We Will Love" John 1:1-18
December 19, 2010
"Don't Forget The Baby!" Matthew 1:18-24
December 12, 2010
"It's Time To Move On!" Matthew 11:2-11
December 5, 2010
"Take A Flying Leap" Matthew 3:1-12
November 28, 2010
"Reset Your Clock" Matthew 24:37-44
November 21, 2010
Dr. Rebecca Reed
November 14, 2010
Dr. Rebecca Reed
November 7, 2010
"Stop Talking and Start Listening" Luke 20:27-38 + Communion
October 31, 2010
"Standing Beside You" Luke 19:1-10
October 24, 2010
"It's Time To Step Down!" Luke 18:9-14
October 17, 2010
"Do You Measure Up?" Luke 18:1-8
October 10, 2010
"Only One Question" Luke 17:11-19
October 3, 2010
"Walk By Faith, Not By Sight" Luke 17:5-10
Copyright © Meadow Run Community Church