Sermon Reflections based on from Pit to Purpose | Alex Hardt | January 14, 2024
Have you ever been stuck somewhere, a pit so to speak, and could not see a way out? Can you identify with the despair Joseph must have felt after his brothers took his robe and put him in the cistern, pit? These verses from Psalm 103 come to mind as David identified with being stuck. We learn later that Joseph clung to his faith in God to see him through just as David leaned upon God in his darkest times. Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Things looked bleak for Joseph but God had it handled and had great renewal and hope in Joseph’s future. David realized this in his life too and trusted God to provide all that he needed. What about you? Have you ever been with Joseph and David despairing over the future? David encourages us to lay claim to the providence and provision of the Lord. Joseph confirms this with our memory verse Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God had it handled and as Joseph looked back he saw God’s hand in their lives just as David had. Going down into the pit is tough or maybe I should say sliding into it. Many times things pile one upon another and it seems hopeless to reverse the trajectory of our lives. Joseph saw no way out of his dilemma. Jealousy and envy had wreaked havoc on the lives of Jacob’s sons. The Bible links jealousy, hatred and envy. Hebrews 12:14-17 in the Message speaks plainly of Jacob’s brother Esau and the problems envy, jealousy and hatred can bring. “Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. After selling Joseph to the Egyptian bound caravan, Rueben was not able to save his brother. The hatred they had was now cast in regret as they saw their father’s grief. The ‘getting rid’ of the favored brother did not bring the joy, it brought sorrow that they could not live down or fix. That is often the case with a slide into the pit, there is no way to rescue yourself, fix those relationships or undo what you’ve done. Only GOD, can rectify the situation! The brothers discovered their callused hearts were vulnerable to hurt and despair even though they thought they were above it. They thought they were ‘fixing’ the problem in their family by getting rid of Joseph. ATTENTION: God had other plans. Our greatest hurts or failures can be used by God. He can redeem us in all ways as He is sovereign and His plans will prevail. Job 42:2 reminds us “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Do you believe this? Do you trust God to prevail? Know this, God will not give up on you! Consider Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” God always has a purpose and can use whatever happens to us for our good and His glory! Romans 8:28- claim it in your life. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God always keeps His promises and His plan always prevails as we will see as the story of Joseph continues. Linda P.S. Look back at Psalm 103 above, God had redemption in mind for all of Joseph’s family, crowns of love and compassion for Joseph and his brothers as well as renewal for all their family. God is indeed good! MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube 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 The Communion Table | Sara Wade | November 19, 2023
On Sunday, Sara Wade from Hands and Feet east bay, shared a message from 1 Corinthians 11 about the communion table and how it represents Embracing All as Jesus Did. In the Gospel narratives, one of the remarkable qualities of Jesus was His inclusive nature, particularly evident in His interactions with those considered outcasts or marginalized by society. This inclusivity extended to His invitations to share meals, reflecting a profound message of love, acceptance, and grace. The communion table, as a symbol of fellowship and remembrance, mirrors this open-hearted invitation extended by Jesus during His earthly ministry. Embracing the Outcasts Throughout His life, Jesus consistently broke societal norms by reaching out to those labeled as outcasts—tax collectors, sinners, the sick, the broken, the lost and the marginalized. He dined with them, offering them not just physical food but acceptance and love that transcended social barriers... Can you imagine opening your house or eating with strangers you just met? Well, that's exactly what Jesus did. The Symbolism of Meals in Jesus' Ministry The significance of meals in Jesus' ministry can’t be overstated. His actions challenged the prevailing cultural norms, emphasizing inclusivity and the importance of fellowship. Sharing a meal with someone, in that context, signified deep acceptance and belonging... What would it be like to move to another country, not speak the same language, not know the cultural norms, and have no family or friends around? The Communion Table: Reflecting Christ's Inclusivity When instituting the Last Supper, Jesus extended an invitation to His disciples, setting a precedent for the communal act of remembrance through bread and wine. This act wasn’t exclusive; it was a gesture of inclusivity, representing the sacrificial love He embodied... Whom might God be asking you to invite to your dinner table? Open to All: Breaking Barriers The essence of the communion table lies in its openness. Just as Jesus welcomed all to dine with Him, the communion table is a symbol of unreserved acceptance. It's a place where all are invited—regardless of background, social status, race, gender, sins, or past mistakes... Whom do you limit your table to? Relevance Today In contemporary times, the message of an inclusive communion table remains vital. The table symbolizes unity, breaking barriers that divide us. It stands as a reminder of Christ's all-encompassing love and the call for His followers to extend that love to everyone, without exception... What is Jesus saying to you? Conclusion The communion table isn’t a place for exclusivity or judgment; it’s a sacred space embodying the all-embracing love of Christ. Just as Jesus welcomed and dined with the outcasts, the communion table invites all, irrespective of their journey or background. It’s a profound reminder of the radical inclusivity found in Christ’s ministry—a call for us to extend that same love and acceptance to everyone, making the table a symbol of unity, grace, mercy and love. This thanksgiving maybe we save a place for one more at our table. Maybe God is asking us to open our hearts and doors to an unexpected guest. Damon Hopkins shared a beautiful prayer on Sunday. He said, "Lord...Just give me 1 more!" "Just 1 More!" May our prayer be for 1 more this Thanksgiving. Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube 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 God Promises Problems | Damon Hopkins | September 17, 2023
How many of us experience pain, suffering, and difficulties in our life? The answer would be that all of us do. At some point in our life, whether it's right now, in the past, or in the future... All of us will experience some kind of suffering. In those moments we often look for healing from those within our perimeter of view or we look towards things of this world. But...What about if we looked somewhere else? What if we sought to find comfort in God? In these verses, 2 Corinthians 1:3-8, the Apostle Paul expresses praise and gratitude to God, who is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Paul acknowledges that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others in their troubles with the comfort we have received from Him. He emphasizes that as followers of Christ, they have shared in both suffering and consolation. Paul shares his own experiences of facing hardships in Asia, where he and his companions were burdened beyond their ability to endure, even to the point of despair. However, he notes that this occurred so that they would not rely on themselves but on God, who raises the dead. Paul concludes by expressing his confidence that God will continue to deliver them from such perilous situations and that the Corinthians' prayers will contribute to their deliverance. Have you ever noticed how we seem to need or want God more when problems are big? That when we realize we can't solve this thing or overcome that obstacle or achieve something on our own, is exactly when God seems to be most prevalent. Like Paul, when we are at our weakest, the best thing we can do is get on our knees and pray to God. We need to surrender our life over to God and let him take control. Is it easy?!? Nope. Being vulnerable and open is very difficult to do. Asking for help is hard to do. Complete surrender seems impossible to do, but it's the best thing we can do. God is not just some big God who lives in a galaxy far far away. Our God is close by and cares deeply for us. He knows every detail about us. God is waiting for us to turn to him instead of this world. As amazing as our friends and family are they can't do what God can do. God can wipe away every tear, overcome every fear, give us peace beyond understanding, and give us hope when all seems lost. In essence, these verses remind us to find comfort and strength in God during times of difficulty and suffering, and how in doing so, it enables believers to offer support and empathy to others facing similar challenges. I don't know what you or others in your life is going through right now, but my hope and prayer is that you lean into God during this time. Pray for God's comfort to be upon everyone present and for the ability to comfort others in times of need. Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube 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 Dazzled By the Divine | Sara Wade | September 3, 2023
Have you ever wondered if the impossible is possible? Sometimes in our moments of desperation and pain, when we feel overwhelmed and have no idea what to do... we become open to God and seeing his handiwork. So much of what happens in our life is beyond our capacity, skill set, talents, gifts, intelligence, or strength. There is no way that either you or I could do or handle everything alone. We need someone to come alongside us and give us wisdom, someone to give us strength, someone to lead us and guide us, someone to help us do what seems to be impossible. This someone happens to be God. Matthew 17:18-20 says it like this... 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” The disciples of Jesus couldn't do what was asked of them. Jesus had trained, showed, and instructed them how to cast out demons. And yet they still couldn't do it. And I know what your thinking... Of course, they couldn't cast out demons...that's out of this world...that's impossible. Jesus, God, is asking humans to do only what God can do. And you would be right, except Jesus doesn't give them a pass. He calls them out for their little faith. They didn't believe that God could use them to do the impossible. They just needed an ounce of faith in God and God's plans to cast out the demons through them, but the disciples (the closest friends of Jesus) didn't even have that. Jesus wasn't upset that they didn't cast out the demons...he was upset because they didn't believe they could. They didn't trust God or believe that God would use them. They didn't trust that God, the creator of the universe, could cast out and destroy demons. How is the world supposed to believe and trust in God, if Jesus' own disciples are doubting the Almighty?!? Every day people are encountering situations where it seems impossible that any good could come out of the situation or that the situation could be resolved or that anything could be done. We feel overwhelmed, hopeless, lost, broken, empty, and afraid. But if we have even the smallest of faith. The faith of a mustard seed then we can move mountains the scriptures says. I don't know about you, but I am sure glad I don't have to face life alone. That I have a God who is there by my side, leading me, guiding me, and helping me to make the impossible possible. I can see a different path forward because of God. My future no longer looks dark but full of light. It doesn't mean it will be easy, it just means it's possible. And that possibility gives me hope of a brighter future. May you trust God, may you be dazzled by the divine, and may you know that the impossible is possible with God. ] Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube 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. |
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