Sermon Reflections from Addiction | Stevan Cox and Alex Hardt  | June 25, 2023

Pastor Alex reminded us that addiction is a powerful tool that Satan uses to capture and ensnare our thoughts and lives.  His good friend, Steve Cox, shared this truth from his own life and how he saw the consequences of sin play out in what happened to him.  To begin, Pastor Alex shared the movie example from Stay Awake where the lives of those surrounding the addict mother were affected by her addiction.  Even though the addict thinks they are only hurting themselves the repercussions of their actions reverberate around them as others seek to ‘make things better’ and enable them to continue with their addictive behaviors.  Steve continued with his own story of redemption from addiction and evil life choices though the power of Christ in his life.  His transformation was complete, whole and filled with restoration and hope.  God is good and showed himself in Steve’s life in extraordinary ways. Praise God!

As I reflected upon the power of God’s great love for Steve, I was drawn anew to the scripture passages each chose to rely upon.   Steve choose 1 Corinthians 15:32-44.   This passage speaks about the truth and reality of Christ’s resurrection.  Without the power of the resurrection all would be lost.  Without the healing power of Christ and what he did on the cross when He died and rose again, Steve, you and I would be desolate and lost without hope.  Without the reality of Christ in our lives, it would simply be as verse 32b states, “If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”   All our world would be temporal and of and for itself.  With Christ in our lives, we gain hope, purpose, salvation, an eternal home and a relationship with God Almighty.  Pastor Alex chose Matthew 5:12-12.  In this portion of scripture Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount and gives a listing of the attitudes that Christ desires us to have in our lives.  We will receive God’s blessings if we are sorry for our sins and mourn over what we have done. With a humble attitude we will be uplifted and filled with His purpose, righteousness, purity, peace and the power to sustain us during persecution.  Once one turns to Christ, a life filled with blessings awaits.  Repentance will begin the process towards all that Christ has for each of us. The power of God’s love and forgiveness is greater than any addiction and is strong enough to break the chains of sin that can bind us.

Steve reminded us that addiction does not have to be about drugs and alcohol alone but can be anything that takes the place of the love in Christ in our lives.  This is a sobering reminder to constantly examine our priorities and pray, pray, pray.  I loved his main point saying,  ‘Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than you talk talks.’   Taking this apart, I see how you live your life- your daily actions speaks to others about who you are.  Your words of course speak to who you are.  The loudest witness to others is when our words and actions match and thereby speak in unity of Christ in all ways.  God uses us to show Himself to those around us as others see and hear us. God desires that our lives are committed and aligned to Him.  Micah 6:8 puts it this way, “He has told you, O man, what is good;    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Take some time this week to examine your walk, your words and ask yourself, how they are matching up?  Do your words and actions align with God’s Word?  If not, take time to pray and seek God’s help.  Let Him direct you and point you in the way you should go!

Linda

SERMON LINK
Click Here to View the Sermon

Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

Sermon Reflections from A Temple For All | Alex Hardt & Bob Kilpatrick | February 26, 2023
 
Have you ever asked yourself, why did God provide His indwelling Holy Spirit after I became a believer?   Why did He want to become a part of me and stay with me?  I think the answer is found in His LOVE.  It is so beyond our imagining that God would love me that much that He would desire to stay with me 24/7.   In Old Testament times, before Christ came, God promised to be with the believers.  Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Today, since Jesus came, we have His Spirit living within us. 2 Timothy 1:14 tells us to, “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 

So where does God live within us?  According to our scripture this week from 1 Corinthians 3:16 “ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”   Our bodies hold his spirit once we become believers.  What does this do for you and me?  Pastor Alex reminded us of many benefits of this indwelling.  First, we can be healed from the wounds we receive in life.  Be they self-inflicted or received from the trials and tribulations of living in a broken world.  God delights in healing our wounds and binding us up.  Psalm 147:3 reminds us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  God is accessible 24/7 to heal your spirit and repair your brokenness.  Jesus told us that the hope the  Holy Spirit brings would be given to us.  “ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us”. Romans 5:5  With the Holy Spirit within us we can always have access to His healing hope for our lives.

The second point Pastor Alex made was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is for all who believe.  The Holy Spirit is our advocate and helps teach and remind us of all things about God.  John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  The Holy Spirit is not selective, he provides growth, help, knowledge and assurance of salvation to all who believe.  His indwelling is for everyone! 

Lastly, Pastor Alex wanted to assure us that being indwelt by the Holy Spirit provides a refuge for the world weary believer.  He promises to seal us eternally in Ephesians 1:13 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,.”  We can depend upon Him and know that He will keep us secure.

Reflecting on Pastor Alex’s message fills me with renewed hope.  God’s indwelling Holy Spirit within our earthly bodies is His temple here on earth.  We have part of Holy God living within us and His power will help to keep us from sinning.  He will help us to grow deeper in the knowledge of Him.  He will help us to  live a godly life that will glorify Him.  His temple for us is a safe haven that is with us 24/7 from now until eternity when we will be with Him.  Praise God for His provision of His Holy Spirit!

Linda

SERMON LINK
The Unknown Love | A Temple For All
Click Here to View the Sermon

Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.