Sermon Reflections from Jesus is Alive| John Klobuchar | April 21, 2024
It was a pleasure to have John with us this Sunday giving the message and telling us more about the Bay Area Chaplin’s ministry. John oversees this ministry and works directly with inmates on a daily basis. His goal is “To Make Christ Known.” Working with the segment of society that is incarcerated is a calling and requires understanding, insight and wisdom as he seeks to make Christ relevant and meaningful to those in hard circumstances. Regardless of where we are in life, Christ is the answer. Showing the inmates the pathway to life and true freedom holds a spiritual challenge for the one who is delivering the message. Knowing that God is impartial and His Holy Spirit can cut across any boundary or barrier is essential. John knows this and walks this pathway each day. John encouraged us from the book of Colossians as he read 3:1-17. As John does with the inmates, he sought to show us that the things we have in Christ are already there, accomplished, finished. We have these things by faith and are now hidden within Christ ourselves. We are secure in Christ. Knowing this we are instructed by Paul to put aside our old self, our old nature and put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We are to leave that old life and those sins that came so easily to us and take up a new course with Christ. Even though we may not be in jail for crimes, we too have committed crimes against God. We are all sinners as we are reminded in Romans 3:23 “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Thankfully, in Christ we are all new creations 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” All of us, regardless of who we are or where we live or what we’ve done need Jesus. He is the answer, John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Jesus is the answer. Whether John is at the prison, at home with family or with us, he is striving to make Christ known as he knows that Jesus is the answer! 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” Linda 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 Celebrating Easter Sunday: The Resurrection and Its Transformative Power
Introduction: Easter Sunday stands as the pinnacle of the Christian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In Luke 24, we find a vivid portrayal of this momentous event and its profound impact on the disciples and believers throughout history. This event didn't just change their context but the entirety of human history. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for our sins/brokenness, wasn't deserved or earned by humanity, but Jesus was sacrificially given to us by God because he loves us. He wanted to get us back, make us right with him, and give us new life, life eternal. On Easter Sunday, we dove deep into the narrative of Luke 24, where we uncovered the transformative power of Christ's resurrection and its enduring significance for our lives today. LUKE 24:1-8 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. The Reality of the Resurrection: Luke 24 gives an incredible depiction of the reality of Jesus' resurrection. The empty tomb, the angels' proclamation, the women who discovered the empty tomb, and the disciples' encounters with the risen Christ all serve as undeniable evidence of this miraculous event. Just as the disciples were astonished to find the tomb empty, we too are invited to ponder the reality of Jesus' victory over death and the implications it holds for our faith. This wasn't just an important historical event, it was a life changing, history altering, hope fostering, game changing event. Jesus wasn’t just for the disciple's context or point in history, but for all Human History. Through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, God would bring about redemption and reconciliation for all Humanity not just for that time or for those people. The Transformation of Believers: The resurrection of Jesus brings about a profound transformation in the lives of His followers. Initially they didn't believe. They were overwhelmed with grief because their Lord, their King, their Messiah was gone, and they didn't know what to do. They were terrified for their lives after defying the Roman Empire, so they hid in fear, filled with doubt, and full of despair. But when Jesus revealed himself to the women at the tomb, then to the two on the road to Emmaus, and finally to all of the disciples they still didn't believe because it seemed improbably, actually impossible. No one has ever been resurrected. How could Jesus be alive? In Luke 24, we witness the disciples' journey from doubt to faith, fear to courage, and despair to hope as they encounter the risen Christ and he revealed the scriptures to them. Their hearts burn within them as Jesus opens their minds to understand the Scriptures, igniting a flame of hope and conviction that propels them to boldly proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. LUKE 24:30-32 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” The Promise of Redemption and New Life: Through His resurrection, Jesus extends the promise of redemption, forgiveness of sins, and the hope of new life to all who believe in Him. In Luke 24, we witness Jesus commissioning His disciples to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations, underscoring the transformative power of His resurrection in reconciling humanity to God. This promise echoes throughout the ages, inviting us to embrace the life-giving message of salvation found in Jesus Christ. There is only one path to the heavenly Father, to redemption, and reconciliation, to new life, and that is through Jesus Christ. While some may view this as narrow and limiting, it is open to all, unrestricted by race, status, or background. This reconciliation wasn’t earned or deserved by humanity but sacrificially given to us by our loving God, who embodies Love because He is Love. This divine commission echoes throughout history, beckoning all people to embrace the life-giving message of salvation found solely in Jesus Christ. In His resurrection, Jesus offers not only forgiveness of sins but also the hope of new life—an eternal inheritance that transcends the limitations of this world and promises everlasting joy in the presence of God. LUKE 24:45-48 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. What does this mean for me? As we celebrate Easter Sunday this last week and reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us be reminded of the transformative power of this momentous event. Just as the disciples were transformed by their encounter with the risen Christ, may we too experience the reality of His resurrection in our lives. May we embrace the promise of redemption and new life, and may we boldly proclaim the good news of salvation to all who will listen. Truly, Easter Sunday is a time of joy, hope, and renewal—a time to celebrate the victory of our risen Savior over sin and death. He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed! Blessing, Pastor Alex Hardt 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 Righteous Anger | Alex Hardt | March 10,2024
Anger is an emotion that can easily go from God serving to self-serving in a flash. When you get angry or use your anger, you need to look at what motivated the anger. Were you upset over a slight or injustice to yourself, a friend or relative or were you upset by an affront to God’s honor and name. Was a godly principle called into question, God’s Word maligned or was the slander pointed towards God? God can certainly defend himself but we also can be upset to anger over injustice. God desires that we love justice and mercy. Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” When angry is used, it is essential to maintain godly character and ‘right’ motives. Unlike the emotions of love and happiness, anger can turn good reasons to bad in a heartbeat. As Pastor Alex reminded us, we need to be sure that our reasons for seeking justice are in line with God’s character and purpose. (Just for clarification we need to be sure that we know what the character of God is. Psalm 86:15 describes God “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.’ 1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Leviticus 11:44 “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” Search the scriptures for the attributes of God so you can better emulate His character. As a believer you are in the process of ‘sanctification’ from the time you receive Jesus as your Savior until you breathe your last breath. The Christian life is a process of the Holy Spirit indwelling us and molding our character to be more and more like Jesus. It is important to know the character of God, study His Word and pray so that you can recognize missteps and ask His help for day by day living. If you’d like a devotion about the attributes of God, my book Strategic Living looks into godly character. I have copies or it is available on Amazon.) Therefore, it takes godly character to keep anger in check and godly character to recognize when situations need a righteous anger response which is always tempered with grace. I love the verse in 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” When talking with someone about the Lord Jesus, we are to give an answer but do it with grace and respect. Responding with righteous anger seems to me to be a time when a similar response is needed. I have a story I want to relate that reminds me of Pastor Alex’s response to the racial slurs concerning his friend. Pastor Alex was quick to admit that his anger was righteous but his responding words were not filled with grace. Similarly, Moses was righteously angry about the Israelites worshiping a golden calf but he broke the tablets in anger. Exodus 34:1-2 records what the consequences were for Moses breaking the tablets God had given him. “The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai.” Moses broke the tablets in anger and he had to carve out a new set himself. His anger was justified but not the breaking of the tablets. My story is of a young college man who was attending a Christian college in Southern California. There was an assembly with a guest speaker addressing the crowd. As the person spoke the young man was consumed with righteous anger over the blatant lies the speaker was saying about principles in God’s Word that were totally untrue or against scripture. He got up and went forward, took the microphone away from the speaker and confronted him for his lies. Needless to say, the young man was expelled from the school. A Christian attorney helped him navigate any repercussions. Later he enrolled in a different Christian college that was more biblically aligned. His stand for God’s Word is commendable but not without consequences. I would imagine that as this young man grows his love for God’s Word will increase and he will remember the stand he took in support of God’s truth as written in scripture. Learning how to use our anger in defense of the gospel is necessary to see change but it needs to be filled with prayer, study, and a healthy dose of grace all around. Linda 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 Feasting on God's Word | Dean Honnette | November 12, 2023
This week Pastor Dean Honnette, shared from the passages of John 6:26-49 about feasting on God's word. Crossroads not only feasted on God's word but on food as we indulge in a potluck after worship. In the Gospel of John, particularly in chapters 6:26-35, 47-49, we encounter a powerful metaphor that Jesus uses to convey profound spiritual truths—the metaphor of feasting on the Bread of Life. This imagery not only resonates with the physical act of eating but goes beyond, inviting believers to partake in the sustenance that transcends the physical realm—the Word of God. To appreciate the significance of Jesus' words, it's essential to understand the context. In the preceding verses, Jesus miraculously feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, showcasing His divine power. The crowd, amazed by this sign, seeks Jesus not for the eternal truths He embodies but for more physical sustenance. Jesus responds by redirecting their focus from temporal needs to the everlasting nourishment He offers. He declares, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35, ESV). This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of feasting on the Word of God. Feasting on the Bread of Life: Spiritual Sustenance: Jesus challenges the crowd—and by extension, every believer—to recognize that physical sustenance is fleeting. The Bread of Life, however, provides spiritual nourishment that endures beyond the constraints of time and circumstance. Just as we eat daily to sustain our physical bodies, we are called to partake in the Word of God regularly for the well-being of our souls. Deepening Relationship with Christ: Feasting on the Word of God is not a passive act but an active engagement with Christ. In verse 47, Jesus states, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." Believing in Christ involves more than intellectual assent; it is a relational commitment. The act of feasting on His Word deepens our understanding of who Christ is and strengthens our connection with Him. Transformative Power: The Bread of Life has transformative power. Just as physical food sustains and energizes our bodies, the Word of God has the capacity to renew our minds and transform our lives. As we internalize the truths found in Scripture, we become more Christ-like, experiencing the renewing of our hearts and minds. Eternal Promise: Jesus emphasizes the eternal dimension of feasting on the Bread of Life. In verses 48-49, He says, "I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat of it and not die." Unlike the manna in the wilderness that sustained temporarily, the Bread of Life ensures eternal life for those who partake in it. Feasting on the Bread of Life is an invitation to a continuous, intentional engagement with the Word of God. It goes beyond a casual reading; it involves a deep, transformative relationship with Christ. As we feast on the Word, we find sustenance for our souls, deepen our connection with Christ, experience transformation, and embrace the promise of eternal life. May we approach the Word of God with a hunger and thirst that can only be satisfied by the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ. 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's Love and Worldly Love | Alex Hardt | October 22, 2023
Pastor Alex began his message with examples of statements that are untrue but are commonly accepted as truth or possible truth. Now we have Google and can check things almost instantly when one is in doubt. The Apostle John was concerned about believers being led astray and deceived by conflicting messages. He wanted the believers then and now to be able to discern truth from falsehood in regard to God. He tells us in verse 1 to test the messages and messengers, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. “ He wanted believers informed and not swayed by false messages and messengers. He had a fool proof method of detection. Verses 2-3 “ This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” Putting it in today’s language one needs to ask, Does the message or messenger acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior? Is their message all about Jesus and his work on the cross or something else? Do they say Jesus rose from the dead? Do they say Jesus redeemed us through his blood and restored our relationship with God or is something else involved we have to work for? If their answers do not center of Jesus and his work on the cross and resurrection from the dead, they are not from or of God. We have to know the source of our truth. We need to know about God and his plan of salvation through Jesus. Our faith needs to be placed in Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross and resurrection from the dead alone. Knowing that God is our source of love and truth, will lead us. We can speak from God’s perspective when we focus on Him and trust unswervingly in His omniscience. God knows all and has it covered. Verse 4 should help us solidify our godly perspective “ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” We don’t need to worry about the world’s opinions. Our focus and listening ear should be towards God knowing for certain He hears, loves and cares for us! Listening to God, we will be able to hear His truth and know what is right. Someone may ask, how do you know? I love Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” As a believer, when I say that I believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit dwelling within me affirms that it is truth. If I tried to say that as an unbeliever, there would be no confirmation within my soul as it would be a lie. Knowing we belong to Jesus, leads us to love others. Without Jesus, we would not have that desire. 1 John 4:7-8 “ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Knowing God lead us to love others- to demonstrate His love to the world. What kind of love is this? John tells us of the sacrificial love of God in verses 9-10 “9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” In verse 11, God calls us to a higher level of love for each other, “ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Where is God calling you to love sacrificially? Who is He asking you to love even though you don’t really want to? I can’t imagine God wanted to send Jesus to his death for our sins, but He did it because he loved us so much. John 3:16 states this perfectly, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God wants us to be with him eternally! God wants us filled with His love and loving others! John adds in an additional caveat for loving God. In verse 16b-18 “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” If we have God’s love within us and act in love towards others, we can live in confidence and eternal hope. We do not need to fear the future or be anxious about our sins and punishment. In God’s love there is no fear as He has washed our sins away and covered us with His love. We will be held accountable for our actions and words but there is no death penalty as faith in Jesus had rendered us ‘not guilty’. Take these verses to heart. Romans 10:9-10 “ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” And Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—“ Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Colossians 1:13-14“ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The Bible is filled with the truth of God’s love towards us and the forgiveness, restoration and redemption for all eternity. Read it and claim it for yourself. Have a blessed week walking in His love. Linda 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 Transform Through Others | Damon Hopkins | August 20, 2023
After hearing Damon’s impassioned sermon about sharing Christ with others, I asked myself what did I learn or experience that I want and need to share this week? Damon’s premise was – if I love the Lord, then I should be compelled by my love for Him and excited to share it with anyone and everyone I meet. Many of us are so worried about the circumstances, is it the right time?, will it be received? is it the right place to share?, that we decide the answer is No- it is not the right time, place or people and say nothing. As Damon pointed out saying nothing is not an option! We are commanded by Christ to go and share. Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus did not say, do you want to?, He said, Go and do it! He seeks to reassure us that He will be with us and empower us though His Holy Spirit all the way! So again, what did I learn that I can share? I learned anew that it is my privilege to share God’s love with others. I have His Spirit living inside me and I feel His love and care every day. Why wouldn’t I want to share that with someone so they can feel loved and cared for by the Lord Almighty? As I was reading in Psalms this morning Psalm 107:1-3 jumped out at me. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story-- those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Those of us who know Christ as our Savior are redeemed. He bought us back from the pathway to death and gave us life through our faith in Jesus’ work on the cross. We need to tell our story-how we came to faith, what God is doing in our lives, the benefits we see each day in walking with Jesus. God is good and works in my life each and every day. I need to look around, see Him and His work in my life, and talk about it to others. Say So! Another thing I learned was from Ezekiel 33:1-6 “The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ Believers are put in this world as watchmen, like Ezekiel was. We are to watch and warn others about the coming destruction. God’s judgement on sin. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If they listen and heed our warning, praise God! If they do not, then the consequences are on them. However, verse 6 says, it is our responsibility as God’s watchmen to warn others and if we do not we will be held accountable. That is a sobering thought, Jesus asks us to tell others about His plan of Salvation and if we remain silent and do not speak of Him we will be held accountable. Damon reminded us of this with his life verse: Matthew 10:32-33 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Sobering words. I am convicted anew of the truth our memory verses hold for us. Philippians 2:1-2. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. If we experience Christ in our lives tell others, say so! Thanks Damon for the challenge to speak up and speak out about our love for Christ. It is a command and good to be reminded it is a privilege with benefits. Linda 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 Reckless Ambitions | Alex Hardt | June 11, 2023
I was not acquainted with the movie Blackberry but I am more than familiar with the term reckless ambition. All you have to do is look around at companies that seek to dominate the market, governments that put their desired and ambitions above others so they can control them, or in the pages of the Bible where we see kings seeking to subdue or enslave others and even the Pharisees who sought to dominate and control Jesus. Ambition is a good thing in many ways as it keeps us motivated and working towards our goals. Being reckless can be more than hazardous and is often associated with the young who think they are invincible! Pastor Alex pointed out the 2 sides of reckless ambition which show the faces of greed and selfishness in regard to the world, which was shown in the movie, and adventure and hope for future gain towards God and His kingdom as described in the pages of Matthew and Luke. Every person can access the way of Jesus and follow His adventure that is filled with hope and glory for God. As we know, we all have that choice to follow Jesus when we hear about Him. We know from experiences in life that the world has a strong appeal to our sin nature. Jesus described this in Matthew 7, in His sermon on the mount, 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Why is it harder to follow Jesus instead of the world? Following Jesus and living an obedient life take perseverance and time to study His Word, pray, accept the fellowship of other believers, witness to the truth of Jesus in our lives and to serve the body of Christ. There are many benefits to living a life obedient to Christ. John 15:10-11 speaks of our being able to remain in God’s love and the joy that brings. “ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Being obedient to Christ we gain forgiveness and eternal life, John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” With faith in Jesus comes the empowering and indwelling of His Holy Spirit, 1 John 3:24 “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” Knowing and loving Jesus allows us to reject the ways of the world and seek to live for Him, He promises us in 1 John 5:3-4,” In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” Jesus proclaims His way is for all but sadly we know not everyone will chose to follow Him. Once the way of the cross through Jesus is chosen it becomes the driving motivation in our life. He empowers us to follow Him with diligent perseverance, hope and clarity that leads to passion for Christ. The Bible refers to this as zeal! Zeal is intense enthusiasm, passion and fervor with a purpose. Jesus wants us to pursue Him with ‘reckless’ love and ambition that is zealous for the honor and glory of His name in all the world. Jesus had this passion as he cleansed the temple of corrupt money changers. John 2:17 ‘ His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Apostle Paul described himself as zealous for the law before being confronted by Jesus on the Road to Damascus then he became zealous for Jesus! In his letters to the Romans and the Corinthians he exhorted followers of Jesus to lead with zeal and talk about Jesus with zeal. In Revelation, Jesus admonishes the church at Laodicea not be to lukewarm but to be zealous. Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Our attitude and service for the Lord Jesus needs to one filled with zeal for the Lord and lived with reckless ambition for God and His kingdom. How can one do this? Pastor Alex reminded us that it takes focus and complete surrender to Christ. A life lived for Christ is empowered and directed by Him. When we fall or stumble or struggle in our walk, we can claim 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 over our lives. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong”. Power filled words of promise! We can lean into God’s promises in Deuteronomy 31:6 for strength and hope. “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.” He can seek comfort and hope from Philippians 1:6 and 4:19 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” The Bible is filled with promises for us to claim as we seek to live each day for Jesus. Linda Need a promise? See me for a copy of my book, Promises for Dynamic Living. It is filled with promises we can claim for our lives. 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. |
AuthorA collection of thoughts from our community Archives
April 2024
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