Past Scripture and Sermon Notes
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Pastor Rex: This time of year, we put up decorations…wrap presents, enjoy special music. For some, Christmas is simply a day off of work. We eat more, but get less sleep. We spend money for gifts we may not need, may not keep—while we remember the gifts that we treasured. Most things don’t last or we lose the meaning of them. But let’s go back and ask, “Why do we celebrate Christmas?”
Celebrating Christmas should be part of our worship, an act of faith. Simeon was told that he would see the Messiah before he passed on. We discussed Simeon’s experiences last week.
Luke 2:25-26: There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Angels are defined as ‘messengers of God’. They appeared many times throughout the Christmas story. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was visited by Gabriel, the arch angel, who told him that that his son would make the people ready for the Lord.
Luke 1:11-17: An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.[†] 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”
Pastor Rex: Mary was visited and the angel told her that she was favored by God (this contact fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy).
Luke 1:28-37: And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth — even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
(Note: An angel also appeared to Joseph told him that all would be well, and that Mary’s child was part of God’s plan (in Matthew 1:19-23).
Matt 1:19-23: So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. 20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus,[†] because he will save his people from their sins.”22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
Pastor Rex: Also, consider the shepherds, in Luke 2:8-15. The angels appeared out of the night right in front of them. They must have been terrified!
Luke 2:8-15: In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Pastor Rex: Zechariah, Mary, (& Joseph) the shepherds…how many others were waiting for Christ? We have heard about the Wise Men, traditionally we think of there having been three, probably because there were three gifts. But consider—in the Eastern Orthodox Church, they refer actually to there having been twelve wise men. The wise men, however many, followed the star that led them to that stable.
Matt 2:1-12: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” 7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was — the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.
11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
Pastor Rex: We don’t have to travel as they did. We seek Him in the now. But we must be bold in our testimony and be ready to tell others what He has done for and with us. Our true identity is found in the image of Christ (as we ARE created in His image, and our walk with Him will only make that stronger.) For unto us, a savior is born who only ever wanted to fellowship with us.
Considering Mary once more, she knew what her Son would endure, as Simeon told her upon their meeting.
Luke 2:34: Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel[†] and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul — that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Pastor Rex: And so we celebrate. But we must not forget the scale of the price that was paid—that we can never hope to repay—for the saving grace of act for our salvation. Consider…
A newborn became the King of Kings.
The newborn’s vision was limited, as a new baby’s vision is limited, but He saw us all.
He drew His first breath and became our breath of life.
Born without power He was more powerful than all.
He couldn’t walk…but would walk on water.
He couldn’t speak, but embodied the Word of God.
The babe couldn’t yet grasp anything with His hand, but held us all.
He was born in poverty and yet owned creation.
Born without position, He was the King of Kings.
Born helpless as only a baby is helpless and yet lifted us all to eternal life.
His mother held him, as an infant is weak but gives us the strength to walk in the world.
Born to live, He died to give us life.
We rejoice in the baby, but we recognize the grief and sorrow that surrounded Him, for He accepted it, took it and in spite of it, gave His all for all of us. The promised Messiah was rejected by those who awaited Him. We must stand by and await the fulfillment of His promise. He came, He died and He will return sooner than we know. Honor the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Master of all. Part of making Him Lord of our lives is a symbol—representing that we believe and want Him as the center and Lord of our life. Follow Him, read His word, fellowship with His people. For after all, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that none should perish, but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16)
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Special Gifts
Micah 6:6-8: What should I bring before the Lord when I come to bow before God on high?
Should I come before him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? 7 Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousand streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the offspring of my body for my own sin? 8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Pastor Rex: It isn’t what we buy or do that honors God, but the act of giving ourselves to Him.
Romans 12:1: 1Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
Pastor Rex: Our thinking should be about what HE would want from us. According to our verse today, He wants us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. The world, we know, is inherently unfair…but it has always been. People who work hard -and those who don’t -both appear to receive the same result. We need to decide to seek justice on our own part, and present it at the altar for His consideration. We, as His people, need to commit ourselves to doing what He tells us is right. We won’t lie, we won’t seek an advantage, and we will be fair and just with all, not just those who are as we are. We won’t gossip or complain, argue or fight with each other or others. If we don’t live by these standards, perhaps we deserve the label of ‘hypocrite’.
He asks us to love truth and mercy.
1 Cor 13:4: Love is patient,[†] love is kind.
Pastor Rex: We are seeing hardship of a kind not seen since the depression. Homeless camps are appearing everywhere in greater and greater numbers. Think of the lepers in the Bible who were victims of disease and banished from their communities. They were made into pariahs. Jesus didn’t turn from them. We must demonstrate the same love and care for those without-those we don’t know- as we do for those known to us. Jesus’ love healed them. We must strive to do the same.
Lastly, He also asked that we walk humbly with our God. The world worships power and wealth, but doesn’t usually respect humility. But remember, His power within our humble spirit can accomplish His goals through our hands and actions.
When Jesus arrived on a donkey, he was on one of the most humble of creatures. His spiritual power of love and kindness was recognized for its’ worth, but certainly not be all. He didn’t come to conquer as did the Romans, he came to love and heal. We don’t remember those Romans--but we remember the man on the donkey. The world may have been unimpressed with Him, but we must hold up His example. In doing this we give Him the honor that is His due. Give Him the thing we value dearly-the control we grasp so tightly. Give yourself, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him. We are to be seeking His truth, showing His love in spite of what the world looks for or accepts.
They will, it is said, know us by our love. You have been called here to be developed, to be blessed and to learn His love of you. To love one another as He has loved us, let us put each other before ourselves and recognize that each of us, in His kingdom, should show more of Him than of ourselves.
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Trusting in His promises: The Story of Simeon Source Verse: Luke 2:2-35: This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus 21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus — the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).
Simeon’s Prophetic Praise 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,
29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed — 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul — that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Pastor Rex: We wait for a lot of things in life and sometimes we don’t mind. Sometimes it is harder. A package from Amazon…a doctor’s appointment…Christmas. But we want what we want when we want it. A prophecy is an exercise in waiting. The nation of Israel had to wait a thousand years. The Wise Men waited between eighteen months and two years. Simeon waited his whole life.
But Simeon waited in our lesson today. He had been told that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought their child to the temple, as was tradition, Simeon saw the revelation of his prophecy. We know that God gave Jesus spirit without measure, unlimited. He was able to share it, display it, and know it. Simeon saw his prophecy fulfilled in front of him.
Matthew 1:22: Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel. (Immanuel translates to “God with us”)
Pastor Rex: This is the direct fulfillment of His promise of salvation, later fulfilled again at the cross. God’s promise was kept.
1 Sam 15:29: Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel does not lie or change his mind, for he is not man who changes his mind.”
Jesus was to become the stone over whom some will stumble, or the rock on who others stand and are exalted.
Gen 3:15: I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
Pastor Rex: Simeon’s name means ‘one who hears and obeys’. He was called righteous and devout and took his religious duties seriously. He waited. And hope arrived. We need to realize that to see Jesus Christ is to see God’s promise fulfilled. The promise given to Simeon, kept, released him from his burden and his waiting. But it was kept for all mankind. Salvation arrived in the full view of all people. The hope of the people was shown to the people in front of the entire world. God’s promise of redemption was right in front of them all. And, also Jesus knew their confusion and pain, and sought to tell them of His purpose.
Matt 9:36: When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.
Pastor Rex: But the world rejected the hope. Simeon, in speaking to Mary and Joseph, foretold this rejection. He spoke of his joy, but then prophesied … “Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed — and a sword will pierce your own soul — that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
True motives are and will be laid bare. The world hasn’t changed. Some will stumble and fall over the redemption; others will rise and find their way through Him who saves us. Another thing that hasn’t changed is that He is still the way, the truth and the life. When each of us passes on, our true selves will be revealed. But, while we are redeemed, we must not forget the price paid for our salvation.
The fall of mankind started in the Garden of Eden. His heart was broken and ever since, His dearest desire was for our reconciliation and reconnection. The ultimate love, blessing, truth and healing comes through Christ. We must not reject any portion of His love…but we do==by not connecting, not speaking to share His gift, not praying without ceasing or by relying on our own plans and not showing the patience of listening.
The promise is there—it is ours. Exercise the grace of waiting on the Lord with patience and resolve. Rest on His promises and know He is faithful.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
“Encouraged in the Day to Day”
Romans 4:13-25: For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, 15 because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants — not only to the one who is of the law but also to the one who is of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations — in the presence of the God in whom he believed, the one who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old) and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Pastor Rex: When we embrace our salvation, it changes our lives in so many ways. Why is it then, that we struggle- in our day to day living- to accept all the other promises of God? Why do we accept the greatest promise and slip on the promises that will see us triumph as we go on? In our source verse, we see that what was given to Abraham was also given to us. It seems that all sin and doubt comes from disbelief in the promises of God. Do you feel anxiety…shame…regret…indifference? Covetousness or lust, despondency? These are sprouts of the taproot of disbelief.
1 Tim 6:10: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Pastor Rex: All evils come from a certain type of heart. Money is a symbol of what we can get from man. The root of what we receive from God is love. We must not place our hopes and trust in what the world offers, but in His promises.
Isaiah 55:1: “Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the water; and you without silver, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without cost!
Matt 6:24: “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Pastor Rex: We trust God. We don’t bank on money for happiness, but on God for provision. Looking to the world for satisfaction is not only wrong; it is the road away from Him and His plan for us. We battle sin and our unbelief by standing on His promises.
Isaiah 43:7: “…everyone who bears my name and is created for my glory. I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”
Ephesians 1:5-6: He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
Ephesians 1:12: “…so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.”
Pastor Rex: We are predestined to be His and to bring Him glory. That is our primary goal. We don’t work toward men, we work as unto the Lord and that is where we begin with our families, our work and our efforts.
Romans 11:36: For from him and through him and to him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 4:19-21: (Returning to our source verses): 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old) and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.
Pastor Rex: Abraham trusted God to be God. As we should; we may not know HOW He will, but we know that He will. Trust in His promises; trust Him to do what He has already pledged to do. He doesn’t promise us ease—we have our trials, difficulties and hardship. But if you believe, as in - Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Pastor Rex: However hard the trials, we wind up stronger in ourselves and stronger in our faith. When you are anxious, stand. When you are fearful or suffer a lack of trust, reach out to Him.
2 Corinthians 12:8: Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
Pastor Rex: We embrace the promise of salvation, but the day to day promises? Faith that glorifies God is future oriented; we stand on the promises with expectation of fulfillment. We also focus on past events, like the death and resurrection of Jesus, as the basis for our future. That death and resurrection are the guarantee of His promises. Faith in His promises will be rewarded. He reconciles us, intercedes for us and stands with us. It is one thing to accept the promises but reliance on them justifies those promises. We are called to live in the world, but not be of the world. Standing on His promises gives us that distinction. He promises us life, and life more abundantly. He blesses us with the promises given Abraham, that “I will bless you and you shall be a blessing to others.” He said He would bless those who blessed us and curse those who cursed us. The adversary is active, creative and vigilant. We must be as well.
Hang on to His promises, not focusing on the troubles of the world but on Him. Leave it up to Him and walk in His presence day to day. Remember that He is faithful, and reliance on His promises is future oriented. Quit the “Worry Train” and grab the “Holy Spirit Train” instead.
Sunday, November 22, 2020
A Joyful Attitude of Thanksgiving
Ps 100:4: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
John 10:10: A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
Pastor Rex: Imagine all that is good in your life. Imagine that all is good in your life. Imagine being surrounded by all good, all kind, all gentle. But something, at sometimes, comes on us that is not good. A force that is corrupt. We need to have an attitude of gratefulness. Who do you know with a positive attitude? We are drawn to those who have that attitude when we are surrounded by loss, defeat and depression. And all other times as well! A positive attitude puts us in His spiritual place by His design.
We seem to fixate on those things that distract us from Him; we are drawn to the crack in the wall, the bills piling up and the troubles of the world. When we feel bad, we are pulled to darkness; but when we “turn the lights on” we lighten our physical and spiritual world. Our thoughts lead to words that shape our mood. We must CHOOSE to have a positive mindset and attitude, without excuses –especially when things are crowding us with depressing thoughts. When Jesus says He came so that we might have life-in abundance-He stood against the world and its focus. On our part we have to choose not to stand with the world and its selfishness and instead make choices that reflect His grace and attitude.
I just want to give you a couple of things to reflect that choice of attitude. First we need to have an attitude of gratefulness for the presence of God. We can rely on the reality that He never leaves us alone; He is faithful.
Psalm 139:7-12: Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Nowhere!)
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.
This helps us know who we are in His kingdom, tells us our place and our path. Remember, it isn’t Jesus that rejects us. He created the path to our eternal life and stands on the path to help us travel that path. Our act of rejection — the act of turning away from Him takes His gift (and name) in vain. We reject Him to our peril because unceasing rejection of Him is the unforgiveable sin. The presence of God is overwhelming and comforting.
The second thing helping our attitude is to be joyful-- make a joyful noise! Be glad in His service. Remember that it is us against that which Jesus called the evil one.
Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Sing for joy! Keep a song in your heart and mind. Worship is to ascribe worth to another being. For us, we give our worship to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. We worship during praise, during work, during fellowship. We leave our pride and lay down ourselves to Him because He is worthy of it.
Psalm 95:6: Come, let’s worship and bow down; let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep under his care.
He saves us, He protects us, He gives us mercy-extended to all humanity. His mercy is shown every day. His truth is the indispensable and unchanging firm foundation that never ends.
John 14:6: Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
“Open up your hearts, let Him in!” Receive His joy and love. Be blessed.
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Looking for His People: Who do we model ourselves after?
Mark 1:14-15: After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Pastor Rex: We conform ourselves to Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and Savior. Part of that call is that we share our hope of Him and His salvation. His message and salvation is available to all those who repent and believe in Him. He states in the verse that the kingdom of God has come near (some translations state “is at hand”). What is the kingdom of God? It is our present hope and our future expectation—of our eternal life through accepting and willingly serving Him with our life as it is now. And where we are now.
He says, “Look not here or there, the kingdom of God is within us.” “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” “My kingdom is not of this world.” “Thy kingdom come…” We mustn’t let the world steal the joy of our salvation, but look to Him. Lots of Christians are spiritually starved. We need to remember that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is fruitless. We must also remember that when He interrupted us with His call, we turned around and left the world as we knew it behind us. He is our Lord and Savior. What does that mean? Our Lord—because he rules us based our willing submission to Him. He didn’t force us to follow Him, He called us. Our acceptance of that call was our choice; having made the choice involves recognition that His way is our way. He is our Savior in that in dying He saved us and opened His kingdom doors to us. Understand your story—speaking of it to others is relatable and opens doors.
He also calls us to service of our families and our community. The spreading of the gospel comes largely through the local churches. The local churches are the intimate hand of Christ. In the full circle, He calls us to go into the world and share His gospel.
Mark 1:16-20: He passed alongside the Sea of Galilee; He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea— for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
Pastor Rex: He chose fishermen. Why? He knew that fishermen know that…a few get away, there is rejoicing when one is found…the fishermen know they will have to try different locations in which to spread their nets…they will need to mend their nets (and invest in their ministry) and that they need, at times, to use different ways to secure their success. Throw the net over the other side of the boat, for example.
Jesus started where he was and then went forth. We are prepared to do these things, but why should we? We have two commands from Jesus--to love Him and to love others. By doing His will, we enter even more into the kingdom of Heaven while we are still here. It will deepen us, we are healed and we are brought into a deeper relationship with Him. What does it mean to us to spread the gospel? How will you do this--’proclaim the kingdom’? Start where you are now. Trust Him with little things, start with the little things. Remember that in the ordinary is His extraordinary. Why do we look at this? Because of the current circumstances, Olivet’s regular outreaches are having to be shifted. We have to find new ways to do that which we are asked to do. We are called to be fishers of men. We say, “Oh, that’s not me”, but he says to love Him and His people. He’s already given us the love to share.
“Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”
Sunday, November 8, 2020
“No Guarantees”
Proverbs 16:1-3 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 2 All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs motives. 3 Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Opening Psalm before sermon:
Lord, you have searched me and known me.2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.3You observe my travels and my rest;
you are aware of all my ways.4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. 5 You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. 6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it. 7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9 If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.
James 4:13-17:
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. 15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.
Pastor Rex: When we rely on our own plans, we may fail to recognize the plans of our Heavenly Father. Our actions and beliefs need to reflect our understanding. We have all and will all experience disappointments. Place your faith in the Lord’s plans and you will be happy regardless of worldly circumstances. Place your trust in Him and walk with Him.
James has warned us in previous chapters not to make presumptuous judgments about people. Here he urges us not to make presumptuous judgments with regard to worldly hopes. Sometimes we just run into a brick wall; sometimes our plans don’t fall into His plans. Be prepared to see the difference. Our expectations of ourselves need to recognize that while we can achieve much and rise above challenges, there are going to be some restrictions on us. We can’t always reach the pinnacles of other people’s greatness (we can’t all run like Steve Prefontaine). We all have individual talents and jobs because we are designed by His hand. Our striving needs to be to desire to be the best self that we can be within His plan. Our best isn’t based on the world’s standards.
Ps 39:4-7: “Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am. 5In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor.6 Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow.
Indeed, they rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.
7 “Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
Pastor Rex: We never know how our days will go—or how many we will have. We cannot spend our time focusing on that-- we must break through to the joy, make all our moments count. Seeking the will of God will strengthen us because we can rely on His plan to be the one we need. His timing is perfect. In our reliance and trust we take comfort that His will guides us and protects us.
As said in Proverbs 16:3: Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Recognize as in today’s verse 17 from James Chapter 4 that committing a failure to act when we know what to do is as much a sin as doing the wrong thing. An example of this idea is when we don’t use the gifts He has given us, don’t follow His lead. Consider the parable of the talents.
Matt 25:14-18: For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
Pastor Rex: Don’t bury or squander those talents. Does all this mean we shouldn’t make plans or have dreams? No, of course not. God will work with us, as we keep our eyes and ears turned to Him. He doesn’t discourage us, but for our part, we should trust Him and be ready to let Him shape our desires and ambitions so that we can hear and act according to His plans for us.
Sunday, November 1, 2020
Worship music: “I’ll Fly Away”, “Our God”, “Your Presence”, and “Holy Spirit (You are welcome here)”
What is Communion? Why do we observe it as a sacrament?
Scripture: Luke 22: 1-20: The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was approaching. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death, because they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve. 4 He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police how he could hand him over to them. 5 They were glad and agreed to give him silver. 6 So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present.
7 Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
Pastor Rex: The Day of Unleavened Bread was a festival that was celebrated as part of Passover. As we know, Passover is a remembrance of the when God sent the final plague against Pharaoh of Egypt; the plague took the lives of all those who were the first born. The captives of Israel were told to sacrifice innocent lambs and smear their blood on their doorposts. Then the plague spirit of death would pass over their homes. The symbolism of Christ as the sacrificial Passover lamb is undeniable. He was, in the larger picture, the final Passover Lamb. Not only that, but His Last Supper takes place during the very event that commemorates that sacrifice. His purpose in coming was to tell all the truth of God’s love, and to complete the reconciliation of man with God. But the world then- as now- didn’t want to listen.
Satan tries to convince us that the things and actions that are harmful are ‘fun’ and ‘good to do’. Those lies keep us in bondage to the world and steer us away from the truth that will set us free.
The verses continue: Luke 22:8-20: Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked Him.
10 “Listen,” He said to them, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. 11 Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs. Make the preparations there.” 13 So they went and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
The First Lord’s Supper: 14 When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Pastor Rex: To this day, we commemorate this act. We see the intertwining of the Old Testament and the New Testament. After all, you can’t have one without the other—they weave in and out of each other. In His preaching, related in the New Testament, he refers frequently to the Old Testament. The foundation of one provides the support of the other.
But why do we do this? For one thing, Jesus told the apostles (and us) to “do this in remembrance of me.” We do this also to signify, to seal and apply all spiritual benefits to all believers. He came as a specific entity, conceived by the Holy Spirit, to be the bridge between us and God. We grapple with the concept of what He did for us, but we are drawn to it by grace.
He, in this ordinance, consecrates us and opens the door. He gives us a pathway not only to Him but to each other. He helps us be real with each other. We then can lose our shields and pretentiousness. He enables us to share His truth, and that truth is as important in our relationships with other as it is with God.
Jesus was the unleavened bread. He was pure. Unleavened bread has no yeast. In this context, yeast represents sin and impurities. We are to be righteous and seek purity. So, we ‘feed’ on the body of Jesus, not with our mouths, but with our souls. We sometimes starve for the touch and sustenance of God. Like starving without food, without the Holy Spirit we starve of His touch and are spiritually hungry.
We must feed our spirit every day through His word, our prayers and our fellowship.
Jesus instituted the ceremony of communion. The people were so removed from God that they misunderstood what life was or could be. They sought that which would lead only to spiritual death. Jesus Christ was the model of spiritual truth, sent from God to save us. So, of course, He’s been denied ever since. He was surrounded by His loved ones at the Last Supper, but He was omnipotent and knew all loneliness, suffering and betrayal. It had followed Him throughout His days. But He went forth anyway-to fulfill our reconciliation.
Paul reminded the church at Corinth: 1 Cor 11:23-26: For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when He had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Pastor Rex: We do this to remember Him, to recognize our spiritual need. But, we also are then connected to all who have or who are participating. We are not condemned by this-our need-but we may be convicted of our lapses and sins. Those behaviors need to be recognized so that we can continue to push them away. In that is the joy of the Spirit! Other things of the world will never satisfy or provide fulfillment. Only His joy will do that. Jesus is the light and the truth. We cannot, of ourselves, resist the world. But He says, “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.” He is the way, and He gives US the way. Seek the feeding of the Spirit and you will be filled.
Sunday, October 25, 2020
“A Heavenly Purpose for our earthly vessels”
Preface Verse: Phil 1:21: For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
In studying Paul, we see that he had a great focus to his work. Within his instructions to the churches, he addressed their church life, their individual lives and their conduct. His teaching addresses all aspects of their earthly and spiritual journey. We need to realize these aspects as well, and know that God cares for our physical, emotional and spiritual journey as a whole. From early on throughout the Bible, we see this care and His desire to help us be our best selves.
Genesis 2:7: Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
The body did not contain a soul until God’s breath created it within the dirt. The body and the soul are together. Our whole being is designed to contain God’s presence. He wants to inhabit every part of our body. When His spirit is fully in us, we operate according to Him and our soul thrives.
Genesis 2:21-23: So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. 22 Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 And the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man.
His plan, from the beginning was complete. He gave all the tools and the desire to follow Him.
Romans 8:29-30: For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
When we are saved, we still have our old mind. All of those behaviors need to be changed. One by one, they are changed as we give ourselves over to Him. He will rewire our brains, make them new, and in retuning us to His ways- He helps us conform to Him.
Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
As we continue our walk in His will, our ‘wiring’ shifts—affecting our health, our thoughts, our family life. The brain is the tool, but not the decider—that job belongs to the heart. And because we are His, He never leaves us; the Holy Spirit will never leave us or forsake us. Don’t fear about undoing years of doing things in a particular way. Realize that the force of habit cannot stand against the will of God.
John 14:16: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.
When you give yourself fully to the Lord, He will never choose to leave you. We may turn our backs-- but the call on us will stand for us as long as we embrace it. We have the choice, but He won’t choose to turn away-if He is gone, we left Him, not the reverse. We are the container for His Spirit, and in being filled, nothing is hidden from Him. His desire is to love us and use us freely and wholly. He is the author of your life, the author of our foundation. It is NEVER His choice that we be lost.
Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”
Sunday, October 11, 2020
What a Beautiful Name it is!
Acts 4:1-13: While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family. 7 After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or in what name have you done this?”
8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders. 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man, by what means he was healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing here before you healthy. This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” 13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 3:6: But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
Jesus is the center of the church—that is as it should be. To be on fire, we must be prepared to use His name, as a church and as individuals. Sometimes a person will say, “It’s easier to show you than tell you.”
1 Cor 2:4-5: My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.
His power changes us from self-centered to His center, removing our selfish qualities and replacing it with His best ones—that demonstration will expose those who won’t or can’t accept His gifts. Some may turn away from us because they don’t see His value, but others will be drawn to what they see IN us.
What made Mother Teresa choose to spend her life giving it to the poor and vulnerable and needy in India? She couldn’t have done it on her own, but she gave her entire life because of who lived in her.
Corrie Ten Boom said, “You will never know that God is all you need until God is all you have.”
Refer again to Acts 4:7: “After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or in what name have you done this?” “
The power of the name is beyond what we imagine. We cannot work continually on our own power. We do things through the name of Jesus that we would never be able to do without it. There is only one name—“I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life”. No other name carries the power or the assurance of His, none contain the promise. Only His rises above and over—only He conquered Death, conquered the grave. Not only that, He rose three days later. We will die, but His eternal life is ours in His name. There is no other name for healing, for overcoming the grief of the world, for health, for restoring relationships, for hope, for salvation, for everything. Lift His name, sing it, praise it in all things!
Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who is against us?
What a beautiful name it is, the name of Jesus Christ my King!
Sunday, October 4, 2020
“Hanging on to the Joy”
We seek today to be encouraging, and so will look at the testimony of Paul. Many don’t enjoy their lives; they only endure their struggles. Others believe that life must in all ways be perfect or they cannot be joyful. Paul is encouraging us to be joyful in spite of our circumstances. Don’t always be looking away for a ‘better’ but instead, we should be content and joyful where we are.
The difference between being happy and being joyful is that happiness tends to be transitory. Joy is an ongoing attitude—a state of mind with Christ at its’ center.
Our source verse for today is Philippians 1:12
Philippians 1:12-20: Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly. To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
How do we hold on to the joy of the Lord? Look at the life of Paul. He spent the last four years imprisoned; two years in Caesarea before being taken to Rome and an appearance before Nero, then two more years in prison awaiting his death. And yet he wrote these encouraging words during that time. Did you know that on his journey to Rome, the ship he was on was wrecked and he was stranded on an island; he was bitten by a poisonous snake but survived and was eventually taken onto Rome. Things there were hardly better! He was chained to guards 24/7; the guards switched six times a day, but he remained firm in his faith and continued to present and defend the gospel. He always, as we must, kept his eyes upon the Lord, on the bigger picture rather than on his struggles. That attitude didn’t change the outward situation, but it gave him the will to strive on.
There are four essentials to remember.
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You must have a PERSPECTIVE to live by. Our problems are not as important as our attitude in dealing with them. Seek, as Paul did, the silver lining in all circumstances. As mentioned in vs. 13, it became clear that Paul was where he was for a cause—for the sake of Christ. Paul had always wanted to go to Rome, to spread the gospel there. Look where he is, what he is doing. He sees the silver lining-the joy in his struggle.
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You must have a PRIORITY to live by. Be clear about what is and isn’t important. Choose to focus on the big picture. Remember vs. 15-18 of today’s verse? 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. But nothing stole his Joy-can we do anything less? See the big picture and don’t focus on the difficulties.
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You must have POWER to live by…verses 19 & 20: because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Remember the prayer of the people and the JOY of the Holy Spirit, the HOPE in God.
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You need a PURPOSE with which to live.
Philippians 4:13: I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
You must seek to be on the cusp of what holds us here and the joy of what will be. Our loved ones with whom we share our lives and ultimately the Joy of the Lord and His presence in our eternal home…
Hebrews 12:1-2: Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,[1] the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
In spite of our circumstances, we can embrace the Joy. We do not ignore the hardships, the pain and difficulties, but we can and must seek the bigger picture that is the Joy of the Lord. Prepare your heart for your faith. We may suffer, but above all, we set our eyes firmly on Jesus.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Matt 13:31: Another parable He put forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field.
Pastor Rex: A modern translation is “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” The mustard seed is a very small seed—it takes one thousand of the seeds to fill a thimble. But in realizing that none of us is an accident, we must also understand that within each of us is God’s seed. He gives all a seed which can become the ability or way to change the world in His glory. The size of the seed isn’t relevant. What our eyes see doesn’t matter. The treasure of the seed will be fostered by God’s love. It will be revealed in God’s time and in our obedience to Him becomes our area of influence or ‘field’--our ministry, our witness. We have heard the parable of the sower and the seed in the field.
Matt 13:18-23: Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heard the word, and with joy received it; Yet has he not root in himself, but enduring for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matt 13:32: (Mustard) which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Pastor Rex: People will be drawn to those whose ‘seed’ has borne fruit. They will know that the truth and love of God will be given to them so they will seek out those who they know have Him to share.
Mark 4:26: And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Pastor Rex: His word shall not return void, and nothing in the Kingdom is wasted. While we may never see the result of our prayers or our words, they are fulfilled when they arise out of God’s will. Our ministries are to be shared with all. We serve not only the ones we love and who loves us, but the ones who are less. Don’t decide for yourself who you to reach out to as no one crosses our path by accident. When we are in His will, we will see and receive all who cross our path. We are to hate the sin, but love the sinner.
1 Cor 1:26-31: For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of Him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
Sunday, September 20, 2020
What is religion?
Pastor Rex: Our awakening starts with the realization of a spiritual force outside ourselves that is greater than we are. Some decide that the force is good, some decide it is evil. People who afraid of God tend to blame Him for everything. Others will bless and thank Him. For us, everything we do in this life is aimed at living with Him in the hereafter.
What must we do to align with Him, with the universe? We seek the meaning of life, and what it will be after we live this life.
We have John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but should have everlasting life.
Today’s key scripture is James 1:19-27: Ye know this, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man work not the righteousness of God. Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he behold himself, and goes away and straightway forget what manner of man he was. But he that looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continue, being not a hearer that forgets but a doer that works, this man shall be blessed in his doing. If any man thinks himself to be religious, while he bridles not his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Pastor Rex: We are to be servants of one another. This thought will affect so much. Our relationship to the community at large will be changed, our relationships with each other will deepen and it will focus how we try to please Him. We must also study the scriptures that instruct us, our traditions for comfort and edification; and then seek the encouragement and power of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:9: Jesus said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; and how says thou then, Show us the Father?
Pastor Rex: The definition of pure religion in James 1:19-27 shows us that it isn’t enough to be simply ‘spiritual’ as that doesn’t reflect a map nor a method, no ways to conduct ourselves. It simply acknowledges ‘something’ larger than ourselves.
We must be slow to speak and quick to listen. When we fail to listen, it leads to ignorance, misunderstandings and poor or damaged relationships. Paul said that the words that come out of our mouths have the power of life and death. The right words at the right time will change and enrich us but the quick and wrong words will lead to harm. Don’t release your anger.
Prov 17:28: Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Eph 4:26: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Pastor Rex: Put aside all filthiness, and realize that our own righteousness is like a dirty garment. In and of ourselves, our love is likely based on what we think to receive in return. Our actions need to show the Holy Spirit’s intent, with no expectation of return and always trying to give more than is needed.
Matt 12:34: O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Pastor Rex: In this effort, remember that the perfect law of liberty is the love of Christ that frees us from our sin.
Matt 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Matt 13:31: Another parable He put forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field.
Pastor Rex: A modern translation is “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” The mustard seed is a very small seed—it takes one thousand of the seeds to fill a thimble. But in realizing that none of us is an accident, we must also understand that within each of us is God’s seed. He gives all a seed which can become the ability or way to change the world in His glory. The size of the seed isn’t relevant. What our eyes see doesn’t matter. The treasure of the seed will be fostered by God’s love. It will be revealed in God’s time and in our obedience to Him becomes our area of influence or ‘field’--our ministry, our witness. We have heard the parable of the sower and the seed in the field.
Matt 13:18-23: Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heard the word, and with joy received it; Yet has he not root in himself, but enduring for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matt 13:32: (Mustard) which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Pastor Rex: People will be drawn to those whose ‘seed’ has borne fruit. They will know that the truth and love of God will be given to them so they will seek out those who they know have Him to share.
Mark 4:26: And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Pastor Rex: His word shall not return void, and nothing in the Kingdom is wasted. While we may never see the result of our prayers or our words, they are fulfilled when they arise out of God’s will. Our ministries are to be shared with all. We serve not only the ones we love and who loves us, but the ones who are less. Don’t decide for yourself who you to reach out to as no one crosses our path by accident. When we are in His will, we will see and receive all who cross our path. We are to hate the sin, but love the sinner.
1 Cor 1:26-31: For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of Him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
Sunday, September 20, 2020
What is religion?
Pastor Rex: Our awakening starts with the realization of a spiritual force outside ourselves that is greater than we are. Some decide that the force is good, some decide it is evil. People who afraid of God tend to blame Him for everything. Others will bless and thank Him. For us, everything we do in this life is aimed at living with Him in the hereafter.
What must we do to align with Him, with the universe? We seek the meaning of life, and what it will be after we live this life.
We have John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but should have everlasting life.
Today’s key scripture is James 1:19-27: Ye know this, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man work not the righteousness of God. Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he behold himself, and goes away and straightway forget what manner of man he was. But he that looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continue, being not a hearer that forgets but a doer that works, this man shall be blessed in his doing. If any man thinks himself to be religious, while he bridles not his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Pastor Rex: We are to be servants of one another. This thought will affect so much. Our relationship to the community at large will be changed, our relationships with each other will deepen and it will focus how we try to please Him. We must also study the scriptures that instruct us, our traditions for comfort and edification; and then seek the encouragement and power of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:9: Jesus said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; and how says thou then, Show us the Father?
Pastor Rex: The definition of pure religion in James 1:19-27 shows us that it isn’t enough to be simply ‘spiritual’ as that doesn’t reflect a map nor a method, no ways to conduct ourselves. It simply acknowledges ‘something’ larger than ourselves.
We must be slow to speak and quick to listen. When we fail to listen, it leads to ignorance, misunderstandings and poor or damaged relationships. Paul said that the words that come out of our mouths have the power of life and death. The right words at the right time will change and enrich us but the quick and wrong words will lead to harm. Don’t release your anger.
Prov 17:28: Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Eph 4:26: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Pastor Rex: Put aside all filthiness, and realize that our own righteousness is like a dirty garment. In and of ourselves, our love is likely based on what we think to receive in return. Our actions need to show the Holy Spirit’s intent, with no expectation of return and always trying to give more than is needed.
Matt 12:34: O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Pastor Rex: In this effort, remember that the perfect law of liberty is the love of Christ that frees us from our sin.
Matt 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Sunday, September 13, 2020
“When Life Stacks up on Us”
Pastor Rex: We all have a limit, our own breaking point. People tolerate crisis and stress differently or to different levels. We get embarrassed when, as Christians, we think we have reached ours. After all, shouldn’t we be able to keep it together? It’s okay to have and recognize a limit. Yes, we know that Christ has no limits-but we operate with human limits. The treasure of the Holy Spirit is vested in our earthly vessel. That vessel is finite, not infinite. We need to rest, to eat, to heal and cope. We get physically hurt, we stumble…our feelings get hurt.
Jacob wrestled with the angel; he prevailed. He battled his father; he prevailed. He never gave up but even he had his limits. When Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, Jacob didn’t know where Joseph was, only that he was gone. He lost his wife, Rachel as well. He began to count his losses instead of his blessings. We need to get in the habit of counting our blessing always, but especially when we want to count our losses. The enemy wants us to focus on those losses, to beat us down and deceive us into believing that all is lost. But God’s reality reigns supreme.
Stop—focus on those times when God has gotten us through, not on the bad times themselves. Jacob lamented, “All these things are against me.” When your soul is tired and it is hard to heal…to encourage others, or to bounce back from suffering, where do we go? The struggle is hard and the world’s answers only distract us from His answers. Jacob’s soul was tired. Where was his hope? Turn away from counting the losses turn toward the blessings. Don’t give into sadness but look to God who is still on the throne. We know Romans 8:28 stands: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. “
Joy comes in the morning. And remember to invest in your faith for “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17) and “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.”
Sunday, September 6, 2020
A Portrait of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Pastor Rex: We are called by the Holy Spirit, filled, sealed and sanctified. He is our closest direct connection to God, and as part of the Holy Trinity, the Spirit is our intimate pathway into that connection.
John 3:6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Acts 1:8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
John 14:26: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Pastor Rex: The Holy Spirit is not simply just a power source; He is a personality that feels what we feel, understands us and comforts, strengthens us and guides us. He is always with us.
John 16:7: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
1 John 3:19-21: And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1 Cor 3:16: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Cor 2:10-11: But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, and the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
Eph 1:17-20: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us toward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places .
Pastor Rex: In our journey as believers, we learn how to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. That ability to recognize the voice will help us in our daily walk. The same power in that voice used by the Holy Spirit is the power that raised Christ from the dead and raised him to the throne at the right hand of God. He wants all our moments, not just the crises, the tragedies, the questions, but the small moments as well-every moment of our lives is to be part of our walk with Him, through the Holy Spirit.
1st Cor 12:7-11: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to the profit of all. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Eph 1:13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise…
Pastor Rex: The gift of the Holy Spirit is the down payment made on our ‘house’ until we later receive our eternal bodies.
Rom 8:26: Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.
Constantly with us, constantly guiding, comforting, empathizing and loving. The Holy Spirit holds on to us with tenderness cloaked in the firm hand of the Father. We can rest in His Hands and listen to His voice.
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Scars: Symbols of Healing & God’s Grace
Everyone bears scars of injury and accidents. They are marks of adversity endured and grace received. Paul was scarred, beaten and persecuted. He considered his scars a badge of honor, having received them in the service of the Lord.
Gal 6:17-18 (NKJV): 17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Pastor Rex: Some scars are external and reflect physical injury. But emotional scars are hidden and are sometimes worse than physical ones unless we tend to them and seek God’s help with the healing. Scars represent healing, recovery and grace; they are life’s souvenirs. A scar can testify that we have overcome injury and survived-a sign of closure Most people don’t see them as beauty marks or signs of honor; they are ashamed of them as marks and they seek to hide them. We can go forward from those injuries--the Holy Spirit is omnipresent and gives us a fresh start daily. It is up to us to be attuned (like a radio) to hearing His voice and welcoming His presence. Don’t fall into, “Oh, I won’t get past this…I can’t get over it.” We can go on and go further into our future by recognizing that we WILL get past it, with His help and guidance.
Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV): 8 But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.
Pastor Rex: The more we walk through the battle, the more our scars will give us protection to be able to walk through all of life’s thorns and stickers that seek to do us harm. The earlier trials toughen us to keep going as we grow in His love and face those events that loom larger, or those attacks from the enemy who is, after all, a bully. What can we do to battle those open wounds? Recognize that we have a need for healing and recovery. Remember that He is made perfect in our weakness. That weakness is not a flaw, but a reaching out for His strength. We must be “still and know that He is our God” as we come to a place of surrender. We can persevere if we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
We must also forgive others as well as ourselves. Doing so is not saying that what happened is okay, it’s part of the process to help our healing. Learn from it and move on. Once the wound is healed, the scar is a reminder not to do it again. He has set out to show us, to protect us and give us the way forward.
Jer 29:11 (NKJV): 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Phil 4:4 (NKJV): 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Jer 31:3 (NKJV): 3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Eph 2:10 (NKJV): 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Deut 31:6 (NKJV): 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Psalms 147:3 (NKJV): 3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
Pastor Rex: He took it all on the cross. He understood our flaw and our pains; even knowing all our weaknesses, He took it all and created the way for us to gain not only His mercy but His grace, salvation and healing.
Isaiah 53:3-5 (NKJV): 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
Pastor Rex: And still we didn’t and don’t believe. Thomas refused to accept what the Lord was displaying, what He had done, until it was shown to him. What a storm of grief for the Holy Spirit!
John 20:25 (NKJV): 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
Pastor Rex: But He persevered in spite of our doubts, because He loved us too much to do otherwise.
1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV): 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.
Pastor Rex: We deny Him by not accepting His mighty grace over our scars. Don’t look back; don’t dwell on the past transgressions you have suffered. Look to the future—start where you are, as He takes us as sinners where we are. We don’t have to clean up or clean out to receive, just ask Him to forgive. Don’t listen to the shame and hurt of before. LET IT GO and go forward.
Use the scars to rejoice that He has healed you and prepared you to face what is and will be. You will be stronger and more resolved to do what He has prepared you to do. The enemy is a bully . He will press in on those sore spots to distract you from the Lord’s healing grace. Our Lord took it all on the cross. We are not only healed…we are saved.
Sunday, August 23, 2020
What does the Bible say about being a good person?
Rex Sr’s verse: 1 John 1:6-9 (NKJV)
Psalms 25:1-5 (NKJV): To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. 3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Sermon:
Pastor Rex: Good people” going to heaven is an appealing myth. It seems fair. I do what I am supposed to do, give, behave, then I’ll go to heaven”. But this isn’t consistent
Does God like thieves better than murderers? Does He draw those lines? Does He like gossiping women better than lying men? Dog owners or cat owners? Cats or dogs? Is there grading on a curve? How do we figure this out? We usually compare ourselves with one another. “Well, at least I’m not like…..”. Or, “My moral compass is the ten commandments.”
Ex 20:1-17 (NKJV): 1 And God spoke all these words, saying: 2 "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. 12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."
Pastor Rex: God does not grade on a curve. He has a standard of perfection that He calls us to—He cannot be in the presence of sin. Even if we keep the Ten Commandments, we have a sin nature, a fallen nature. He has one standard –perfection. He says multiple times, “Be holy because I am holy.”
Matt 5:48 (NKJV) : Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Romans 3:23 (NKJV): 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 8:2-4 (NKJV): 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 3:20 (NKJV): 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Pastor Rex: When we really study it, the law reveals to us that we can never be perfect (it’s as much about what we can’t do by ourselves)—BUT Jesus’ birth and death shows us and gives us the what & how we can reach His perfection.
Romans 3:21-22 (NKJV): 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
Pastor Rex: How unfair is that? We have been toiling away, and whoever asks will receive? No matter how late?
Matt 20:1-16 (NKJV): 1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."
Pastor Rex: No, it doesn’t seem fair, but God is ultimately fair. We can’t do enough in this life to be perfect no matter what. We are NOT good enough. His perfection is too high to reach without Him. But that is why He gave His Son, that none should perish, but have everlasting life. Consider the thief hanging on Jesus’ side at Calvary:
Luke 23:41-43 (NKJV): 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Pastor Rex: Our promises are not the answer. “Oh, God, please do this for me, I’ll do better.” Good works are not the answer. Jesus did the “good work” on the cross. No one is excluded from that gift. It is a free gift for all. Even the worst of the worst. He loves all, and tells us if we don’t love everyone, then we don’t love Him. Everyone becomes good because Christ’s righteousness covers us.
Col 1:16 (NKJV): 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
We surrender to Him and gain the gift of His salvation and His righteousness. We, of ourselves, can do nothing. He has done it all. He loves us so much that He gave His very last breath for all of us. His spring of Eternal Life is available to us! We are only asked to receive it. Our vessels will perish, but our surrender to His righteousness and life will overcome the loss of that vessel.
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Looking for Hope
Pastor Rex: In hard times, we seek His hope and guidance. When all around us it falling, we must hold to that which is true and everlasting. Paul tells us, “Don’t lose heart!” In spite of his many trials, he sought to encourage the churches (and us) in perilous times. But why, if it is easy, does it seem so hard?
The two factions are the Spirit and the flesh. The flesh, the world and circumstances are corrupt because they don’t rely on the Spirit which is, after all, incorruptible. The outer man is destructed, and the nature of the world is fallen.
2 Cor 4:16-18 (NKJV): 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Cor 1:8 (NKJV): 8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
2 Cor 11:23-29 (NKJV): 23 Are they ministers of Christ?--I (Paul) speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
Pastor Rex: We yearn for ease and rest from our troubles.
Psalms 55:6 (NKJV): 6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
Romans 8:22 (NKJV): For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Heb 9:27 (NKJV) 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…
Pastor Rex: But we, who have a fallen nature, have an eternal treasure. We are persecuted, cast down, but not destroyed.
2 Cor 4:7 (NKJV) 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Cor 4:12 (NKJV): 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
Pastor Rex: We don’t have to be a used to be. We can be in the present, working, worshiping and reaching for the blessings of the Kingdom. The secret is to be where Paul was and to not lose heart. Remember that “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (As previously mentioned, 2 Cor 4:16)
Matt 6:34 (NKJV): 34 Jesus’ words: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Pastor Rex: Although we have problems each day, we are given fresh strength day by day. Take on the day bit by bit, one step at a time and allow yourself the time to take time.
Lamentations 3:24-26 (NKJV): 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
2 Cor 12:9 (NKJV): 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Pastor Rex: The Lord is operating a fountain, freshened every day. We need a daily dose from His word—after all; yesterday’s food will not feed us today. The power is not in the prayer, but in the presence of the Holy Spirit when we pray. This was revealed to me by the Lord. “He that dwelleth in the place of the most High…”
We sometimes feel as though trouble will last, but it runs its’ course and we can get through it. Our eyes are in the here and now. Paul’s eyes were on the there and then. He knew how to dwell in the secret place.
Romans 8:18 (NKJV): 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Pastor Rex: Consider John the Baptist, who was imprisoned because of his rebuke to Herod and then murdered because of the demands of Herod’s wife. (As told in Mark 6: 16-28) I would hope that John considered, as his last thoughts, that our afflictions are momentary. Tragedy, sadness and hard times comes to us all, but God will still work all things to our good. We can trust the Lord to bless us, not hurt us. He will provide for us, not deprive us. We must overcome by living in the truth of where we are. We are pilgrims and strangers on a journey. The only trustworthy thing overall is the presence of the Lord. Don’t look to the world—look to Him. He will refresh and renew us.
Sunday, August 9, 2020
“Understanding Reaping & Sowing: The Seed, the soil and the sower
Galatians 6:7-10 (NKJV): 7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
This scripture set warns and encourages us at the same time. We need to recognize that every Christian fights an ongoing battle between the Spirit and the flesh. What can we do to make sure we follow the Spirit and deny the flesh? Understanding sowing & reaping is important. It is a true process, as true in the world as it is in the Kingdom.
We can trust that if we sow an actual seed, we will reap an actual harvest. Plant a good seed, and you will receive more at the end of the process (at the harvest—the reaping) than at the beginning (the sowing). If your seed is not good, the harvest will be poor.
It is just as true that what we sow in life we shall reap for our everlasting life in the Kingdom of God. If we sow good seeds, there will be harvest. Negative seeds will cause negative results. Our harvest will come from all directions, but it won’t be a harvest of plenty.
But the joy of this word is that we can always do the right thing and “Turn the ship around!” Our Savior always is ready to help us start to sow better seed. And, it is good to remember that we tend to plant fewer seeds than we receive at the harvest, for one seed can result in abundant fruit. We must not lose heart; if we plant well, our harvest will be “overflowing, pressed down” and will bless us at every side. Even though we may not see a rapid harvest, there will be one. God’s seeds are not on any timeline except His—but that’s OK as our job is to plant.
Our seeds may come from all different aspects of our heart. Some may give their time or their talents, their money or their kindness. Others display behavior or show habits that enrich others, or their character helps us reach higher. Those seeds all matter.
The soil that receives the seed is vital as well. Good seed into bad soil or bad seed into good soil will result in a poor harvest. The sower must tend the soil as well as the seed. It needs protection and devotion in order to help the seed reach its’ rich harvest.
Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV) I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Avoid simply showing up. It isn’t enough to present yourself for service or giving or anything unless you are fully prepared to make the effort.
2 Cor 10:5 (NKJV): “(We must be)… casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ …”
God the Father is the ultimate Sower—He has the best, most perfect seed. Jesus Christ, the Seed of Salvation, was given with a whole heart to open the door to our redemption and salvation. That seed will transform your heart and you will then become a sower as well.
Sunday, August 2, 2020
“God’s Words Bring Hope in Times of Distress”
“God’s words give provision, restoration and hope.”
Romans 10:17 (NKJV): So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Peter 1:24-25 (NKJV): "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever."
Romans 7:18 (NKJV): For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
Romans 8:9 (NKJV): But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. –
Pastor Rex: We see ourselves in the flesh. But He sees us with His love, in the Spirit, not in our flawed flesh. We are withering grass and tear ourselves down, accepting condemnation. That condemnation is from the enemy, not from God. Our righteousness comes from Christ Jesus, who paid the price. Our standing before God doesn’t rely upon our actions, but on that grace. It is said, “Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.” Nothing can separate us from the love of God—who sees us through and according to the work of Jesus. The only exception is if we fall and deny Him.
Romans 6:14 (NKJV):
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 4:6-8 (NKJV): just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." –
Pastor Rex: God has not compromised. He imputed all our sin to Jesus Christ. There is no price to be paid; our sacrifices are not necessary. No good works, no good behavior, nothing we do of ourselves will pay the price. BUT what is necessary is that we repent and confess our failures-our sins-then the grace of forgiveness draws us closer. He sees our best. Love hopes and believes all things. We are not the flesh. The more we see and understand that, the closer will be our walk with Him.
2nd Cor 5:16-17 (NKJV): Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1 Peter 1:5-9 (NKJV)…who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.
Pastor Rex: He sees us as perfect.
Remember that the law demands: “You shall, you shall, you shall” but under the grace of God, He says, “I will, I will, I will.” Don’t rely on your will power-rely on God’s power.
Sunday, July 26, 2020
“Not Giving Up”
We all have times when we feel discouraged, or we despair or we are under the weight of fear.
Sometimes things go wrong, go sideways or take longer than we planned. We must not fall for the lie of failure. Not getting it right doesn’t mean failure; it is an opportunity to try again, to rebuild and to find success in His way.
Neh 4:6-12 (NKJV)
6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, 8 and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. 10 Then Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall." 11 And our adversaries said, "They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease." 12 So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, "From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us."
We get tired and weary. But remember, successful people don’t quit. They see failure as a challenge or opportunity to reset, regroup and retry. When you give up, the enemy only grows stronger.
Deut 25:18 (NKJV) 18 how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God.
Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Our resolve, our strength come of the Lord. Turn to Him when you feel discouraged; He will hear you. Accepting fear is doubting God.
Psalms 25:16 (NKJV): David cries out to God: 16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted.”
Neh 4:14 (NKJV) 14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
Psalms 119:1-8 (NKJV) 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. 7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!
It is hard to accept, but being discouraged is a choice. Choose God, choose His voice; humble yourself and resist the enemy—he will flee from you.
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Taking our thoughts captive: Who is driving our train of thought?
2nd Corinthians 10:3-53 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Pastor Rex: We are spiritual beings in a material world. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Wrestling with difficult and painful thoughts is normal for those in a Christian walk. Therefore, we need to recognize that we have an enemy within us. We need to identify our own strongholds so that we can battle them back.
Romans 8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
Matt 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "
Strongholds:
1. Pride is not pleasing to God. (Examples: nationalism, racism, denominationalism, self-centeredness). Be careful with these.
2. Prejudice
3. Preconceptions
Psalm 119:130: The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Isaiah 61:3: To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
A spirit of discernment helps us recognize and discard thoughts that are not of the Holy Spirit and embrace those that are. The mind is a tool, but the heart is the focus. Don’t submit to those thoughts that open us to fear, grief, and sadness but seek those that reveal joy, love and peace.
May 24th, 2020
“Grief”
We must remember those who have gone before, having compassion for those who mourn. We mourn with them; God mourns as well, and is with us through our grief.
Revelation 21:3-4: And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
He shares our grief: John 11:35: “Jesus wept”.
Psalm 73:26: My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
59:16: But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.
30:5: For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
Run to the Father when you are grieving and overwhelmed.
2nd Corinthians 12:7-9: And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Rely on the new commandment given to us by Jesus: “Love your neighbor as I have loved you.” And on His rising from the dead
Timothy 2:8: Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel
And in Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
May 17th, 2020
“I can’t wait for this all to be over!”
Maybe what we need to remember is that our point of view will affect how we get through things. When we act from the wrong perspective, we suffer and so do others. So, while we wait, we will work on our point of view to line it up with God’s will and word.
The Serenity Prayer is a good example of having a positive perspective. It was written in the 1920’s by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) the full version is displayed:
“God, grant me the Serenity To accept the things I cannot change...
Courage to change the things I can, And Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.
We all have those things that don’t change and that we must endure. For example, certain health conditions are managed, not cured. Paul referred to the ‘thorn in his flesh’. We don’t know what it was but we know that he asked God to take it from him. Then he endured and did the work of the Lord..
Ephesians 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Mark 16:15: And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Living a day at a time, we must remember to enjoy one moment at a time and accept hardships as a tool and pathway to peace. When hardship comes…
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 5:19: Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. God spoke to Jesus’ heart and He did what the Spirit told Him.
1st Corinthians 2:16: Paul reminds us: For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
May 10th, 2020
Pastor: "Some women who never stood in the pulpit have preached the greatest sermon in living the life they lived."
Motherhood is exalted in the Bible. We remember Eve, in Genesis 3:20: 20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
And Sarah, Gen 17:15: Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her."
Rebecca, who married Abraham's son, Isaac,
Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her:"Our sister, may you become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess The gates of those who hate them."
Mary, mother of Jesus, who was blessed of God and not only witnessed His miracles but knew they were what they were, and from whom they came:
Luke 2:48: On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
Our attitude is shaped by our faith: Psalm 27:13-14: I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
He hasn’t given us fear, but a sound mind.
3 Points to Remember,
1. Psalm 27: The best solace in difficult times is God’s power.
2 God is always good. We don’t fall in fear, we stand. Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. “
3. God is greatly to be praised: Psalm 96:4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
May 3rd, 2020
Days in the Wilderness: Jesus’ self-imposed time of isolation
Luke 4:1-14 is the basis for the lesson.
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 1For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
The area of wilderness in which Jesus spent the forty days is an area that contains a path from Judea to Jerusalem. It is a brutal area of harsh climate and barren landscape.
Satan’s tool brandished against Jesus in those last days was to against Jesus’ identity, cloaked by temptations. Jesus’ responses relied upon the word of God and on who He knew He was. Luke’s gospel states that “He was LED by the Spirit” into the wilderness. He knew that God had complete control over everything, however brutal, and trusted Him to be with Him. The tempter was trying to lead him to fall—to sin. If that happened, Jesus would no longer be the spotless lamb that would save us all. God knew the circumstances were brutal. He knows we suffer. He doesn’t cause the brutality, He doesn’t cause the suffering but He will use it for us as we are His children.
Romans 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
In this time of hardship, we may not be hungry, as Jesus surely was. But there are those things we are missing, those things we crave to ease the loneliness and the difficulty. Satan hit on Jesus’ hunger: "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." He struck out at not only his hunger, but on who He believed He was; in short, His identity. We need to stand on who we know we are in God’s family.
The tempter then lied again and offered Jesus the temptation of control and dominion in the earth. “ All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." Jesus replied Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.
And, from the pinnacle of the temple, Satan said, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 because, after all, God would protect Him. Jesus reply to this final attempt to attach his identity? "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'
He knew going into the wilderness to whom He belonged and who He served; He knew He was loved by God. He stood. Our definition of ourselves is the same. We must stand in the high wind of the world’s wailing against us. Let us not be defined by what the world says of us, but what the Lord says of us. We are His children. When God looks at us, He sees the righteousness of Jesus, upon whom we rely. He died for us, He advocates with the Father on our behalf.
Luke 3:21-23: When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
April 26th, 2020
“The Secret Voice in Our Heads”
1st John 5:19: We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
John 14:6 It is important that we realize that the world doesn’t seek the truth from Him as we do. In our mind, we must be diligent to speak love to ourselves, as well as to others. After all, “Faith comes by hearing…” Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 6:68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We stand. We can change the world by using our words carefully. Paul said we have the power of life and death in our tongue. That applies to our contacts with people, but also with ourselves. We need to speak to ourselves with self-affirming declarations NOT blaming ourselves or being unforgiving to ourselves. Speak blessings over yourself! Say! “I am in victory not defeat. I am not a victim! I am not less! I have the mind of Christ, and I am His child!” Do not condemn yourself by your thoughts or speech. When you struggle, speak power over it. Whether you have shortcomings or fear, sadness or whatever==we are all overcoming the world through Christ. He already has overcome the world. When we criticize ourselves, we contradict God’s plan for us. Correction is OK, putting yourself down isn’t OK.
John 3:16-17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Today is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Prov 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Psalms 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Acts 20:32 So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
April 19th, 2020
The Higher Cost for a Higher Purpose
2nd Timothy 1:18: The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day--and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
We need to be encouraged by what comes from having eternal life. “Apostle means being persecuted. We are to be dead to self and live in Christ. The Apostles, while recognized, were shunned in many ways. Our new creation is incorruptible. The false hope is that the change made in us by salvation will lead to a “better” life. But in fact, we will be attacked from every side, even while our faith gives us strength to stand and resist. What we gain is purchased at the cost of Jesus’ death. Life happens no matter what. We suffer ignorance and our attachment to those worldly things.
Paul found himself in the free fall of uncertainty when he was in jail and still reached out to encourage Timothy. He focuses on the spiritual to seek peach of God and with God in spite of his worldly circumstances. Don’t look to physical things to address spiritual things. Recognize those challenges that discourage us. In vs. 4, Paul is separated from Timothy, to whom he was a mentor; Timothy was also separated fro his mother and grandmother, who were instrumental in his spiritual walk=--at a time when he needed to be able to correct the leaders in Ephesus. (Timothy was from Lystra).
1st Timothy 1:3-4: As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
4:12: Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
We must be encouraged to overcome the challenge. There will always be something waiting to trip us and getting through isn’t easy. But you will be stronger on the other side. Perseverance is the key. “Narrow is the path and wide is the way of destruction.”
We all must use the gifts He’s given us and we must grow it through use, but it isn’t the gifted who will rise, but the willing. Seek that your gift may be revealed and your ministry be fulfilled. Be encouraged!
April 12th, 2020
I. The Kingdom of Heaven is a free gift
John 14:2: 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
1st Corinthians 15:3-8: For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
Romans 5:8 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
II. Sin made man ineligible for Heaven
Isaiah 59:2: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
Romans 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (And God cannot look upon sin)
1 John 1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
2nd Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad
1st John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Romans 4:7: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;
John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
III. Jesus came to take our griefs & transgressions
Isaiah 53:4-6: Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all
1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit
Why is Christ’s name a curse word? It is a sign of rebellion against the knowledge and understanding of faith and salvation. When the heart changes, so does the heart’s direction.
Romans 5:1: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
We ask ourselves, “Why am I suffering? Why is my family suffering?” C.S. Lewis said, most people of faith have learned to look in their hearts and know that what they seek is not of this world. Also, We can give our heart again and again, knowing that He will meet us where we are…again and again, and restore us…again and again.
April 5th, 2020
"Hosanna to God in the Highest!"
Title: Why did He weep?
Pastor's Preface: Jesus' human experience shows us His truly human side. His emotions were full and deep. He loved, He became angry, He laughed, He wept. In common with our emotions, he felt the depths and heights of loneliness, joy and a broken heart.
We need to be careful that we do not try to make up what God is but instead to find out who He is. Seek wisdom, be not fearful.
Scriptures:
2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
James 1: 2-4-6: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Luke 19: 41, 43: Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it
For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side
Pastor: The very people who celebrated His arrival by laying palms and clothing in the road in order for Him to pass later screamed "Crucify Him!" scant days later. He wants, always, to have a personal relationship with us. But they rejected Him. Have we been rejected by one we loved? That was what He experienced.
Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
1st Samuel 8:1-9:
Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."
But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them."
March 29th, 2020
Times of Solitude and Reflection, Reconnecting with the Will of God
In this time of isolation, we can reconnect and refresh.
Luke 5:16: So He himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
John 15:14-15
1st Kings 17-5-24
Matt 26:39
Church closed March 22nd, 2020
March 15th, 2020
The Fearlessness of the Christian Walk
Psalm 91, 1-12 & 14-16
Matt 14:22-33
"Be bold & led by the spirit"
Psalm 53:6
Isaiah 12:2
"Fear is prompted thru guilt"
Genesis 3:8-10
Isaiah 33:14
1st John 4:16-19
1st Peter 5:7
Proverbs 9:10
"We walk with the Lord...Don't fear, but repent and go boldly before the throne"
Luke 12:4, 21:9-18
March 8th, 2020
"God is in the business of supply"...Grace is by supply, the Law is by demand.
Galatians 3:5, 3:1-14
Romans 5:20
Isaiah 40:31
March 1st, 2020
Getting & Staying in our Lane
Mark 12:30
John 3:16
Matt 6:33
Ezekiel 36:8-12
2nd Thessalonians 2:10
John 14:6
Ephesians 5:22
To Family, Mother & Dad
Deuteronomy 5:16
Colossians 3:18
Hebrews 10:25
To Church
Malachi 3:8-10
Proverbs 11:30
James 1:5
To Soul Winning
James 4:2-3
February 23rd, 2020
“Workers in the Church”
Romans 12:4-10
The church body is eternal, but we are vapor
Galatians 6:10
Ephesians 2:29
The New Testament talks about church a the local level
Hebrews 10:24
Ecclesiastes 4 9-10
Matt 18:20 Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”.
Feb 16th, 2020
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
1st John 4:8
Isaiah Chapters 50-53
Isaiah 52:14
50:6
53:7
Matt 27:4
1st Peter 2:23
Hebrews 9:27
John 10:18
Philippians 2:18
Mark 15:22
Pastor: We cannot choose or change our time of passing—Jesus CHOSE to die.
Romans 5:6-8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Galatians 2:20
1st John 4:11
Luke 23:24
Matt 5:44
Feb 9th, 2020
"How the enemy, father of lies, manipulates us"
1st John 3:8
Matthew 4:1-11
From the start Jesus was in conflict with the enemy.
John 8:44
Acts 13:10
Ephesisans 2:2
Romans 12:2
1st Peter 5:8
Wear the full armor of God, (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Matthew 4:7
1st Corinthians 10:13
Feb 2nd, 2020
"Avoiding being a victim"
Genesis 31:3
2nd Corinthians 5:17
Jan 26th, 2020
The ‘Victim’ vs. The battle belongs to the Lord
Gen 31
Don’t be a victim, plant your feet & face your fears
Rebuke rewinds of past hurts, we are more than over comers
Christ’s death & rising is the ultimate victory over ‘being a victim’.
2nd Corinthians 5:17
Jan 19th, 2020
Luke 8:46
But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me."
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Jan 13th, 2020
Perfection & Lies - "When I get my life cleaned up, then I'll make it right with God."
But God meets us where we are. We are sanctified through the cross. He was perfect and He bled that perfection for us that we might be saved. Character is who you are when no one is looking.
Romans 5:1-4:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NKJV)
Philippians 2:19-22
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
James 2:18
But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works
Proverbs 20:11:
Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.
1st Thessolonians 5:22
Test all things; hold fast what is good
2nd Corinthians 6:3
We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Acts 20:22-24
And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
1st John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Jan 5th, 2020
Romans 3:21
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
2nd Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Romans 5:8-11
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.