Sermon Reflections from Sharing the Abundance | Alex Hardt | November 26, 2023
I was caught this week by Pastor Alex’s closing remarks. He said, “Any generosity we show is just a reflection of what God has given us.” As I reflected upon these words I reviewed the sermon in my mind. First, we saw the rulers and religious leaders in Luke 3:1-3. They were a powerful bunch both politically and religiously. Herod, his brother Phillip, the high priests Annas and Caliphas were leaders that definitely knew of God. They were blessed with great power and material goods. How did they use God’s generosity towards them? They held onto their power and sought to use it against their fellow Jews. They disregarded God’s laws and Herod did much evil including marrying his brother’s wife. Pilate, the Roman governor, was a pagan who sought to please Caesar and keeping the peace was essential for his career. All of them had been blessed with position and wealth, but they chose not acknowledge God’s generosity towards them. Hence, they did not reflect God in their lives. Herod, the High Priests and Pharisees all sought to kill Jesus as they did not believe He was who He said He was and they were threatened by the power He seemed to have with the people. Pilate did not turn to God and do what was right as he too was threatened by the religious leaders and the crowds as he needed to keep the peace at all cost. Next, Pastor Alex looked at John the Baptist in Luke 3:4-18. He was an itinerate preacher wandering in the desert. People came to him and wanted to hear his message from God and be baptized. They considered him a prophet with a true message from God. John was given a special message to deliver prior to Jesus’ coming. He faithfully and humbly delivered his message regardless of the cost to himself personally. He saw many repent and turn to God. He had little in the way of material wealth but was rich spiritually. He generously used his time and talents to lead, persuade and baptize leading many to repentance. He reflected in a mighty way what God had given to him. In turn, John exhorted others to give of what they had, be generous and to live rightly. He did not take glory for himself but pointed others to Jesus. He lifted what he had and knew towards God and was blessed. In our last portion of scripture from Luke 3:19-20, we see Herod using his power to enact revenge upon John. John called Herod up short on his sin of marrying his brother’s wife. He had had enough and used his power to silence John by putting him in prison for speaking the unpopular truth. Later we see his wife Herodias getting her daughter to ask for John’s head and Herod granting this wish. (Matthew 14:1-12) Herod was brave enough to put John in prison but he did not want to kill him as he feared him as a prophet. Herodias wanted him dead. Herod and Herodias had much to be thankful for and showed generosity towards the kingdom in the lavish parties and many building projects, but their generosity was aimed at making themselves look better and more powerful. They had no interest in showing thanks for the goodness of God. The question for all of us is “How do we reflect God’s goodness to us in our generosity?” Do we share our time, talents, joys, and money with others? Do we consider all that we have as God’s? If we do, then our hearts should be open and reflecting His goodness, His richness, His kindness, His patience and His love for others. Am I more like humble John who was willing and able to share constantly and boldly and courageously shared the truth about God? Or am I more like Herod holding on to my gifts and seeking to use them to make my way better? Am I more like the religious and political rulers who were threatened, hostile and openly resistant to God’s leading? Do I have blinders on and refuse to see what God has given to me? Am I claiming those things as belonging to me and not God? I pray this message touched you and causes you to think about your own generosity. Where does it come from and how are you using it? Seek God in prayer and ask His Holy Spirit to guide you and mold your generosity so that it reflects God in all you say and do. 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 The Bible is An Invitation | Damon Hopkins | May 21, 2023
Damon was filled with renewed joy this Sunday as he shared from God’s Word and his life challenges. He pointed out worldly sayings that do not hold up when compared to God’s standards. For example, “God helps those who help themselves,” was one he gave us to analyze. If we could help ourselves he pointed out, we would not need God. We cannot truly help ourselves; our dependence needs to be upon Him. Damon went on to speak of God’s creation, his glory and how He meets our needs in His time. We just need to trust in Him and walk each day knowing He has us covered. Damon’s health issues were a glorious example of how God meets our needs and does it in a complete way, beyond our imagining. Pastor Alex had titled this sermon The Bible is an Invitation. He started the series with the Bible is a Love Letter from God and last week pointed us to the Bible as our Guide. As I was reflecting on God’s love letter and His guidance, I see The Bible as an invitation in written form inviting us to a life of faith in Him. This was the life Damon was describing from His experiences. The Bible points us to the good life God has in store for us. John 17:3 speaks of eternity, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. “ God wants us to know Him and to experience eternal life. 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that God has given us what we need to live for Him, “ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” His Word, an invitation in written form, provides power, promises and protection from evil. That is SOME invitation to a life filled with hope and promise. Another aspect of an invitation is that, it is not a command. When we are invited to a party, the host is asking us to come but we can turn them down. God’s invitation to eternal life is just that – an invitation. It is not a command but refusing to accept His invitation brings consequences. You will not be invited to the eternal party in heaven and do not have the benefits of God’s love and care while here on earth. God loves us, John 3:16, and wants us to come to his eternal party. “ 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.” Refusing His invitation means you turn down salvation through Jesus, John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” You are choosing to live under the curse of death, Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” and make your own way. Damon pointed us to many of the benefits given in God’s Word for accepting God’s invitation. James 1:17 “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God is our Father and gives good gifts to His children. He also does not change His mind about things or change His character. He is immutable, unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We also have a home in heaven to look forward to that has been prepared for us by Jesus. John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” God has also promised us every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 told us that we have God’s precious promises to live by and lean upon. Damon also quoted Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” God has plans for our lives if we join with Him and accept His invitation. His plans are to prosper and grow us, for our good and His glory. We just need to turn to Him in faith and call upon Him. He promises to listen to us, comfort and guide us. I’m sure Damon would be quick to agree with Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” When we accept God’s invitation to life, eternity with Him, hope and blessings, we need to accept in faith TRUSTING God to know the way that is best for us. Then we need to walk in FAITH believing all He has promised! Take Hebrews 11:6 into your heart and determine to seek and please God. “ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” God will reward, just as He promises. 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. |
AuthorA collection of thoughts from our community Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|