Sermon Reflections from God at the Movies "Forrest Gump" | Alex Hardt | June 30, 2024
Have you ever thought about how your perspective on life alters your responses? In, Romans 12:9-21 offers us a beautiful blueprint for living a life centered on Christ. How having this perspective can alter our reality. This passage encourages us to embody genuine love, marked by sincerity, humility, and perseverance. As I reflect on the movie Forrest Gump, I see a powerful illustration of these virtues in action. Forrest’s unwavering kindness and humility, even in the face of adversity, sharply contrast with Jenny’s struggles with negativity and escapism. His life shows us that living out genuine love and selflessness can transform not only our own lives but also those around us. Romans 12:9-21 challenges us to approach love, handle challenges, and view life from a Christ-centered perspective rather than a worldly one. In a world where love often seems conditional and self-serving, Paul calls us to love sincerely and unconditionally, mirroring God's love for us. Forrest Gump’s story is a testament to this kind of love. Despite the difficulties he faces, Forrest consistently shows kindness and compassion without expecting anything in return. This sincere love is what we are called to embody in our daily lives. Facing challenges with patience and hope is another key aspect of living a Christ-centered life. The world often encourages us to avoid or quickly fix our problems, relying solely on our own strength. However, Romans 12:12 reminds us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Forrest’s perseverance, especially during his time in the military, exemplifies this. He repeatedly runs back into danger to save his comrades, driven by a relentless determination to do good. This perseverance, rooted in hope and faith, is something we should strive to cultivate in our own lives. Ultimately, Romans 12:9-21 is about transformation. We are called to reflect God's image in all we do, extending the love, grace, and forgiveness we have received to others. By living out these principles, we not only grow in our faith but also make a significant impact on the world around us. Just as Forrest’s life, filled with love and perseverance, brought light and hope to those he encountered, so too can our lives be a testament to the power of living a Christ-centered life. May we look to the word of God of how to overcome evil with good and bring glory to God in all things, making a positive difference in our world. Blessing, 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 at the Movies "Kingdom of the Planet of Apes" | Damon Hopkins | June 9, 2024
It was a pleasure to have Damon back with us sharing his heart about God’s Kingdom. He had seen the movie, Kingdom of the Planet of Apes but did not spoil the ending for us. He summarized the action by saying the main character Noah wanted revenge for wrongs done to him and wanted the person in charge to ‘pay’. Revenge is a powerful motive in movies, novels and in real life. The Bible gives us some examples of this as well as Jesus’ point of view so that we can think biblically and not act worldly. We are to be more focused on heavenly principles and not seeking worldly answers to our problems. Exodus 2 recounts the story of Moses, the young privileged son of Pharaoh’s daughter, who goes out to watch his people, the Israelites, at hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. He killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. Later, other Hebrews confronted Moses when he asked them why they were fighting. They wanted to know if he was going to kill them too. When Pharaoh heard of the killing, he tried to kill Moses, so Moses ran away to Midian. Moses sought revenge for the brutal treatment the slaves were receiving and was forced to suffer himself. Could Moses have sought another solution to the harsh treatment? Could he have interceded for the Israelites with Pharaoh? We don’t know, but we do know that revenge caused great suffering for both Moses and the Hebrews. A New Testament story of revenge involves the Pharisees. They were driven by jealousy, greed and power to seek the end of Jesus’ life. John 11:46-48 gives us an example of their thinking, “but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” They later went to Pilate, the Roman Governor, and sought the death penalty for Jesus. John 19:15 “They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Jesus confronted them repeatedly with words of truth and justice not revenge during his three years of public ministry. Damon pointed us to Matthew 5 to take a look at Jesus’ way of compassion. The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12, speak of blessing ready for those that believe and walk in His ways. He went on to remind us of how we are to be salt and light not bearers of revenge and hate. We are to be pointing others to Jesus with our lives of love and compassion. Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us of the ‘old ways’ an eye for an eye, verse 38. He then leads us to a ‘new way’ that is based on love and compassion. He encourages us to go the extra mile and even to pray for our enemies. This was a new and radical way of thinking based on God’s love and forgiveness. The Bible does tell us in both the Old and New Testaments that we are not to seek revenge and that revenge belongs to God! Deuteronomy 32:43 “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people's land.” Hebrews 10:30-31 “For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The Word of God is filled with stories of God defending and upholding the honor of His people. I particularly like the promises in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “ Isaiah 49:15b-16 “yet I will not forget you. 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” I we are not to seek revenge like the character in the movie, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. But, we are to be about God’s business in the ways of His Kingdom. Jesus wants us responding with compassion and love to thwart our enemies. Leave the vengeance to God, He is more than able to fight any battle. Paul reminds us that we are to be in a battle, a spiritual battle winning the world to Jesus. Ephesians 6:10-13 “ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Remember that the ways of the world put us in opposition to God’s Kingdom ways. It is a battle for sure and we can rely upon Jesus as He promised in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 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 Forgiveness | Karyn Sorenson | May 26, 2024
What a pleasure it was to hear from Karyn Sorenson this Sunday. As her sending church, we take ‘pride’ in claiming her as one of our own and marvel at the way God had mightily used her counseling and teaching ministry gifts. We stand alongside her in prayer for the suffering people of Micronesia that are held in bondage spiritually and culturally by sin. She has been witness to many of these chains of bondage being lifted and cleansing redemption take hold of lives in the name of Jesus. She spoke to us from her heart this Sunday as she pointed us to forgiveness and the mighty character of God. In Matthew 18:21, Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness. “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answers this question with a parable which is the text of Karyn’s sermon. Matthew 18:23-35 recounts the story of a King, who is the picture of God in this parable, and his servant who owed him a ‘ton’ of money. When settling up his accounts the King finds out the servant owes him way more money than he could ever possibly repay. He tells the servant he is accountable for this and that his wife, children and he himself will be sold so the King can at least recoup some of his losses. The servant begs, ‘Please be patient with me’. The King took pity on him and forgave his debt and let him go. Directly after being released the servant found another of his fellow servants who owed him a bit of money. The forgiven servant grabbed him and began to choke him. The fellow servant begged, ‘Please be patient with me.’ The forgiven servant did not listen, was not moved or wasn’t even reminded of his recent close call with the same situation and had his fellow servant thrown into debtor’s prison where there was no possibility that he would ever get any monies from him- nothing but punishment without hope. Other servants saw how the first servant was forgiven and how he was unmerciful towards his fellow servant for the same exact problem. They were outraged and went and told the master, the king. The master, king, took immediate action and called the forgiven servant before him. He called him wicked for being forgiven and yet refusing to show forgiveness to his fellow servant. At that point he was handed over to jailers and was to be tortured until he should repay the debt he owed. Since there was no way to ever repay that debt, his was he was left without hope. Jesus concluded this parable saying in verse 35, ““This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” What do we learn about the King, God, from this parable? Karyn named several attributes of God that are clearly portrayed in Jesus’ parable. God is compassionate. The servant did not deserve his forgiveness and there was no possible way he could pay off his debts. The king forgave him all of it. God did this for us through Jesus’ work on the cross. Colossians 2:12-14 “ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” God is calling us to be compassionate too. Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. The parable also revealed that God has forgiving love. The king forgave the servant all his enormous debt. It was all wiped clean away. That is what God does for us when we accept Jesus into our hearts and trust in him. What the servant deserved was death in prison. Likewise Romans 6:23 tells us how God responded to our debt of sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God’s word tells us why God did this in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love motivated him to seek us out and offer us forgiveness, John 3:16-17 “ 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Lastly, Karyn reminded us that God holds us accountable too. Just like the king in the parable, God desires that we ‘pay it forward’ and treat others with the mercy and forgiveness that was shown to us through Jesus’ work on the cross. The heart of our forgiveness needs to rest upon how we were forgiven completely when we did not deserve it at all. James 2:12-13 puts it this way, “ Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” God expects us to live lives filled with mercy because we have received such mercy from God our father. God will hold us accountable for the way we treat others. He expects us to be forgiving, loving, compassionate and merciful even when it is undeserved. This is an unattainable attitude for our human nature so it is only through Christ within us that we can walk this pathway. Matthew 19:26 ““With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Thank you Jesus! 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 Feel | Alex Hardt | May 19, 2024
We know that emotions are unavoidable. God created us with emotions. He created Adam and saw that it was not good for him to be alone. Loneliness is part of the human experience. When Jesus was on the cross, he was separated from God by our sins and he felt alone and even cried out from the cross, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 God created the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve and put many wonderful things for them to eat and plants and animals to see and experience. Feeling pleasure, joy, love and awe are all emotions that God created in us. After the fall and sin entered the world, sin corrupted our emotions and made things more difficult. The only way to navigate all our God given emotions is through the help of Jesus. Remember all God’s promises are Yes in Him! 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.” Our feelings are unavoidable as God created us with them. How we deal with them is a matter of choice. Pastor Alex gave several examples of how Jesus dealt with his emotions as he faced the cross: fear, dread, anxiety, etc. Jesus did exactly what 1 Peter 5:7 tells us “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Jesus knew that God loved and cared for him. He laid his fears and anxieties before God in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Bible is filled with godly people who made the right choice- taking their problems to God and those that did not. Genesis 12 tells of a time when Abraham went to Egypt with Sarah. He was afraid to tell the Pharaoh that Sarah was his wife because he feared they would kill him as Sarah was beautiful. So he lied. God sent a plague on Pharaoh’s household and discovered that Sarah was Abraham’s wife. It all ended in their leaving Egypt but all this could have been avoided if Abraham had told God in prayer what he was facing and sought His help. Elijah was pursued by King Ahab in 1 Kings. He was afraid and ran for his life but God answered his prayers and fed and led him to safety. David, Jeremiah, Elisha, Ruth and Esther were all people of God who turned to Him in their time of need, in prayer. They acknowledged their need and humbly relinquished their emotion filled requests to God. Where do you need to turn over your worries and doubts? I had a good friend say, Linda, “I turned it over to God last night. But I got into trouble today when I decided to pick it up again!” We need to turn our worries to God and let him truly have them. He promises to guide and help us. He is sovereign and in control of all things. He sees the beginning and the end. Claim Romans 8:28 and hide its precious words in your heart. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” We can trust God- He has this! What was the end result for Jesus after relinquishing his worries to God in the Garden of Gethsemane? He got up and went to the disciples filled with resolve and purpose. Luke22:46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus was at peace with God’s pathway for him. God listens to our prayers and gives us guidance, release, comfort and hope. Our memory verse for this series is Hebrews 4:14-16 “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” God’s Word tells us to take our worries and concerns of this world and seek His help. It is a system He put into place for us here on earth and He desires that we use it effectively just as Jesus did. Jesus got the strength he needed to see his mission through. Prayer brings peace, resolve and hope and His grace when we need it the most. Seek His throne and feel His grace today. 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 Stumbling Over Anger | Alex Hardt | March 4,2024
Pastor Alex took time this week to instruct us on the makeup, use and disposition of anger in our lives. It is an emotion all of us have from time to time and the intensity of our anger varies. Often times we are angry without knowing the root cause of our anger and as in the case of an iceberg it is often very deeply hidden. In Ephesians 4 Paul speaks of this root as sin in 26-27 “ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. “ Misuse of anger leads to sin. James is very plain in James 1:20 “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Knowing that anger needs to be ‘handled’ so as to not to lead us to sin, we need to take it seriously and seek God’s help in controlling, recognizing and dealing with it. Pastor Alex said the recognizing the source urges us to uncover our emotions leads towards healing instead of destruction. How can we do that? Scripture gives us ways to see anger for what it is. Ephesians 4:26 would imply that anger can be continued day to day. It can fester and grow. By not letting the sun go down on our anger we are containing and addressing it right away. Letting it fester produces bitterness, more anger and strife. We do not want to let our anger grow. James 1:20 tells us “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” The anger of man for man’s sake or reasons is sin, it is not anger expressed righteously for something done against God. Man’s anger is self-driven and does not produce the righteousness of God. That anger causes us to sin and sinning does not work towards God but away from Him. 1 Corinthians 13:5 is speaking of love but also teaches us about anger. “It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Anger helps us keep a record of wrongs done to us for which we may want to seek revenge. Back to the question, how do we get rid of anger or overcome it? Scripture gives us advice on this in Ephesians 4:30-31 we are given a reason to be rid of it as well as what it includes. “ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Our sinful anger grieves the Holy Spirit, it saddens Him as it is not from God and of God. Paul advises us to get rid of it. Put it out of your life, leave it behind, make be inaccessible in your mind through the power of God. Pray, study, confess and ask God for His help. “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil’. Is the advice of the psalmist in Psalm 37:8 Proverbs 15:8 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” As you can see, scripture has much to teach us about anger. If this is an issue for you, pray and search scripture for comfort and strength to help with your anger issues. Pastor Alex wanted us to realize too that Satan is pleased with anger and as we have said it does not lead to God’s righteousness or right behavior. Satan wishes to destroy our witness and lead us away from God. He cannot take our salvation but he can destroy our witness, make us unhappy and lead us farther away, bringing grief to the Holy Spirit within us. I love the verses in 1 Peter 5:8-9 that Pastor referenced. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Overcoming Satan’s power to draw us into anger requires resisting, standing firm, being aware of this pitfall and taking him seriously. He is not a threat to God but is to us if we are not rooted, grounded and firmly focused on God. That’s why Peter, who experienced this first hand, tells us to be on guard- watchful and serious. Remember 1 John 4:4 “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.” Take Heart in Jesus! What does one conclude about anger and dealing with it in a godly way? Lean on Jesus, seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit to root out the causes of your anger. Be alert and seek to not give in to Satan’s schemes and devices to lure you into sinning with anger. God’s plan is for you to live righteously and glorify Him in your words and deeds. Ponder James 4:17 “ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Be strong in Jesus! 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 based on from Cosmic Interpretations, Galactic Forgiveness | Alex Hardt | January 28, 2024
What a wonderful way to end our series on Joseph and God’s goodness. Redemption and Forgiveness are at the heart of the gospel and were so well demonstrated in the story of Joseph. Our memory verse, Genesis 50:20 shouted out to us each week the truth of God’s sovereignty, goodness and omniscience. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Pastor Alex began with Genesis 45:1-4 where the story of Joseph’s revelation of himself to his brothers shows his great humility and love for his ‘lost’ brothers. During a great famine in the whole land, Joseph’s brothers had journeyed to Egypt to buy grain. (Joseph had interpreted a dream Pharaoh had concerning 7 good years and 7 lean years. Pharaoh believed Joseph and put him in charge of the plan to keep them all alive during the 7 lean years. Genesis 41.) In chapter 42, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain but did not allow his youngest Benjamin to go with them. While buying grain they encountered Joseph but did not recognize him. He required that they leave one of their brothers there and bring their youngest brother to him to verify their story, he had accused them of being spies. Then Joseph had his servants put the silver they had paid for the grain with back in their sacks. When the brothers discovered this, they were terrified and decided not to go back. Well, the famine continued and they eventually needed to return. The fact that Jacob’s youngest, Joseph’s brother, was required to go troubled Jacob immensely. All he could think about was how he had lost Joseph and feared losing Benjamin too. Judah promised that he would bring Benjamin back or die trying. When they appeared before Joseph this second time, they were very afraid of his retribution for the ‘stolen’ silver. Joseph as overcome with emotion at their meeting and said in Chapter 45:4-5 “ Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” After all that had transpired, Joseph had seen God’s hand in all that God had allowed to happen. He did not have hatred or revenge in his heart but overwhelming love. Joseph had seen God’s provision from the pit to the palace. He knew from experience God is sovereign and omniscient! He tried to relay this to his brothers, but they had not made the journey from pit to palace and did not understand Joseph’s love and compassion. Our life’s journey gives us opportunities to see God in action, experience His love, compassion and forgiveness first hand. If we allow Him to work in our lives we are enriched in both faith and character. Joseph is a wonderful example to us of God’s power of sanctification and how He grows and matures us in our faith. Joseph wanted restoration of his family and reconciliation with them not revenge. Joseph is an example to us of the power of forgiveness. His life was transformed from possible bitterness and hatred to love, acceptance and longing for his brothers and father. Forgiveness is transformative to each of us on the inside. It works it wonders by making us better in Christ. We can accept hurts, betrayal, wrongs and hatred and let them go. Christ will take those and replace them with love and kindness. Letting go frees us and gives us a new pathway in Him. Joseph certainly had a new pathway with his brothers and father and whole family who come to be cared for and settled in the land of Goshen. Where are your pathways leading you? Are you moving forward with forgiveness by embracing Christ? God promises forgiveness in Christ, Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Through forgives we are free to serve Him, Psalm 130:4 “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Our memory verse from our study of 1 John was 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Forgiveness in Christ brings us into God’s light and the darkness is dispelled! Praise God! 1 Timothy 6:17 wisely speaks to us and I see Joseph lived by these principles. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Joseph kept his focus on God. May we do likewise and experience His providential care, forgives of sins and 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 A Safehouse for the Unforgiven | Damon Hopkins | February 19, 2023
We had the privilege of having Damon Hopkins share with us again this Sunday. His message of hope and redemption in Christ was like a balm to our souls. Our passage was Psalm 91 where God speaks of His deep love, and the openness of His arms and heart towards all who look to Him. Damon used the character of Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany as examples of how God is a Safe House to all who come to Him be they forgiven or unforgiven. God has it for all of us. Here is the passage in The Message translation, which is a paraphrased translation. It gives new perspective to this beloved psalm. Verses 1-13 show God’s deep love for us and the extension of His arms all around us. 1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” You are safe in Him! That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you-- under them you’re perfectly safe; You are protected from his arms fend off all harm. the surrounding world. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God’s your refuge, He is your refuge. the High God your very own home, Your home is in Him. Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels He has angels to guard you at to guard you wherever you go. all times. If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. He will catch you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, You can walk unharmed and kick young lions and serpents from the path. with Him. Which of these images speaks to you? Mary Magdalene is an example of one caught in sin who turned to see Jesus. She was caught by the deep abiding love of Jesus and redeemed from the pit of her sin. She turned to Jesus as her refuge, hope and protector. What about you? Do you turn to God and depend upon His deep love? Do you trust Him to be with you always, never leaving or forsaking you? She did. God’s promises of protection, hope, refuge are for all those who seek His forgiveness. He is a safe house for all- those who are unforgiven who first seek Him for salvation and for those who are believers who turn to Him with humble and repentant hearts. Our second Mary, Mary of Bethany who was the sister of Lazarus and Martha, believed in Jesus. She looked to Him as her savior. She had experienced his salvation of her brother Lazarus when Jesus resurrected him from the dead. Mary wanted nothing more than to sit at Jesus’ feet and soak it all in- his love, his knowledge and his hope of life. She showed her great love for Jesus by washing his feet and anointing him with expensive perfume. How do you express your great love and devotion for God? What do you bring to Him as an offering of love? He is waiting with arms wide open to embrace you fully with His love. The last portion of this Psalm shows us our God with arms wide open to receive our humble hearts. 14-16 “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!” I am amazed by the promises of God contained in these verses. He says if we will hold on to Him, get to know and trust Him then our rewards will be amazing! He will get us out of trouble, care for us, rescues us, throw us a party i.e. rejoice with us, give us long life and salvation! Wow! What a God we serve. How do we access all of this deep love and comfort in His arms? Look again at verses 1-2, our memory verse in the NIV, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” All it takes to receive all of God’s love and protection is to dwell the shelter He alone can provide; then He will be our refuge and fortress. I like to think of dwelling in His shelter as living in obedience to His Word, claiming daily Jesus’ forgiveness and hope in my life, fellowshipping with other believers and relaxing in His loving presence. May you experience His deep love this week as you snuggle into the warmth and depth of His loving arms! Linda SERMON LINK The Unknown Love | A Safehouse for the Unforgiven Click Here to View the Sermon Sermon series, "The Unknown Love " Today Damon Hopkins share How Christ offers Forgiveness If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. |
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