Sermon Reflections from Hope In Pursuing A Holy God | Alex Hardt | March 5, 2023

A new month and a new theme to receive a new perspective from God about His Holiness and our great sinfulness. Isaiah is the perfect place to begin as it is often referred to as the Gospel of the Old Testament.  Isaiah has many words of wisdom and encouragement for us today as well as prophesies that increase our faith as we see their fulfilment in the New Testament through Jesus the Messiah.

Alex started us off with Isaiah’s vision of the throne room of God and his encounter with God Almighty.  We see that God is Alive and desired to communicate with Isaiah.  God had a mission for him but wanted him willing.   We are created with free will and just like Isaiah God has a purpose and mission for us but will not order us to do His will.  As we looked at the scripture we see why Isaiah was willing to go and do what the Lord asked.  When he first saw the throne room, the seraphim and heard their proclamations of the holiness of God, he was overcome with the realization of his own sin.   “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5  The seraphim heard his distress and immediately came to him with cleansing fire in a coal.  The touching of the fire of God provided cleansing and forgiveness of sin for Isaiah.  We can experience that same cleansing and forgiven when we confront and confess our sins to Jesus. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  Once Isaiah was clean he was able to hear and speak to God. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

 What is your response to God when He presents you with a task?  Are you willing to go like Isaiah or do you hedge and say “I’ll think about it” or “maybe later would be better?”  God in His aliveness spoke to Isaiah and we can be assured that He can and will do the same for us.   Are you willing to listen?

Isaiah was humbled by the appearance of the throne room and the presence of Almighty God.  He did not treat it lightly but realized what a privilege it was to be in God’s presence.  He knew he was sinful and became painfully aware of that leading to His cleansing. How would you response to the earsplitting sound of the seraphim saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;    the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke?   

Would you humble yourself and surrender to God’s will like Isaiah.  
You might ask, what is it you want Lord?  If you can’t think of something specific look at what God says in 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.” 

Or perhaps Jesus’ words came to your mind from Luke 10:27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Or 1 John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”  God tells us in His Word what He desires of us.  Are you willing?

Lastly, think about the holiness of God. Alex defined holy as ‘set apart from the world.’  God is high and lifted up. He is set apart from His creation. Our English word “holy” is from the same root word as “whole.”  God is whole- perfect in goodness and righteousness.  No one is like God. Even God’s holy angels tremble in reverent worship before Him.  God sets apart His children for Himself and commands us to be holy as He is holy.  Being holy makes you whole, what God intends you to be.   Isaiah wanted to be aligned with God and His holiness. 
He replied to God, “Here am I. Send me!”   Then God replied, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’  

The mission God had for Isaiah was to give His Words of praise and comfort and to confront their sinfulness.  It was not an easy task. What God has for us is not easy either but we are assured in 2 Timothy 2:16-17 that His Word will equip us to do His work, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Christ himself will be with us, Ephesians 4:11-12 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”   Are you willing to say Yes to God and go where He sends you?

Let Isaiah’s encounter with God open your eyes to your own sinfulness and need for repentance and surrender. Let his encounter open your eyes to the majesty and grandeur of God. Let his encounter open your eyes to see and experience God’s holiness and His desire for you to be holy through His Son Jesus.  “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” in John 14:6. 

Let Isaiah lead you to Holy Savior in Jesus.
Linda
 
 
SERMON LINK
ISAIAH: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE | Hope in Pursuing A Holy God
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This Sunday’s message was based on 2 precious passages that describe the angel’s encounter with both Mary and Joseph.  Both passages show the strength of character possessed by Mary and Joseph and their heart for God. 

Brother Damien pointed us to the risks involved for both Mary and Joseph and how they responded.  Both were in a position to be ridiculed by their family, friends and community as a pregnancy in their betrothal period was absolutely against God’s law and outside society’s norms.  Their reputation was at stake in regard to men but their integrity with God was pure.  God knew their hearts and the circumstances, and He sent an angel to speak with them separately to reassure them that what was happening was of God not of man.  God knew their thoughts and addressed their fears with soothing words, “Do not be afraid.”  Not only did God’s message tell them not to be afraid but gave them reason for hope and commitment as the purpose of Mary’s pregnancy was revealed.  They were to be a part of something greater that would affect the world eternally.  Yes, there were personal risks to be taken, but the rewards would be for their good, the good of all mankind and for God’s glory!  They would also have the privilege of raising God’s son while here on earth. What an awesome responsibility and blessing God placed in their lives.   

What risks is God asking you to take to live differently for Him?  Is He bringing you to a new place, opening new opportunities for you to share about Jesus, giving you a new ministry to be involved in or perhaps it is a new child, job or home?  God has a plan for each of us that requires us to step out in faith and trust Him.  He knows the way and will lead and provide just as He did for Mary and Joseph. 

What did Mary and Joseph have to do to accept God’s challenge for their lives?  Both of them had to respond in faithful obedience.  Mary said yes to the Lord and her response is filled with her faith in and for God.  Here are her words from a portion of the scripture known as the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-50 “ And Mary said:   “My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
    holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.”   

What an amazing response of gratitude to the Lord for His work within her.   Joseph likewise responded in faith.  Matthew 1:20-23 describes the situation and the work the Holy Spirit will do within Mary.  He is not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.  Verse 24-25 tells us what he did after his miraculous dream “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”  He immediately acted upon the Lord’s request and took Mary as his wife.  He did not stop to question the angel or ask how or why, but he obediently did as the Lord required.  

Obedience is an expression of love and respect, and God desires us to be obedient.  Luke 11:28 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”   Obedience also will result in our remaining in God’s love and having joy.  John 15:10-11”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.    Mary and Joseph both expressed their love for God by accepting His call upon their lives.  They were obedient to follow His commands.  Their obedience led them to have the privilege of having and knowing God’s Son. He would be in their home, with them and with their future children.  They knew they were part of something bigger than their own lives.  Their child was to save all mankind from their sins.  Where is God calling you to live obediently?  You can be assured that following what God has called you to do will bring blessing! God keeps His promises.  

As Damien continued to share, I was riveted by his testimony because it showed over and over how God had plan for Damien’s life, a purpose and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11 “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.”  Just as God knew the plans He had for Mary and Joseph, He had/has plans for Damien’s life.  He sought to bring Damien face to face with his Savior, Jesus.  God protected, loved and guided Damien because He knew what wonderful things He had in store for him, the plans for his life in Christ.  When Damien finally got to the place where he accepted Jesus and decided to walk with him in obedience, he has experienced the blessings of obedience just like Mary and Joseph.  Loving God, walking with Him brings blessings into our lives.  Thank you Jesus!

May you experience the love of Jesus and the blessings of following Him in obedience this season.
Linda

SERMON LINK
This Christmas | The Family Perspective
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Sermon series, "This Christmas" Today Damon teaches from Luke 1:30-35 & Matt 1:18-25

​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.   

​

This photo was taken outside of Bethlehem looking at the hills where the shepherds would have been with their flocks when they received the news of Jesus’ birth.  Today it is filled with dwellings but you can still envision the open fields filled with sheep bedded down for the night protected by their shepherds.  As Pastor Alex pointed out the fields were not far from the town of Bethlehem where Mary and Joseph were staying with baby Jesus lying in a manger.  Seeing and hearing from the angels of God was a life changing experience for these humble, lowly people.  God chose them specifically to be the first to hear and worship the new born Savior.

Just as with Zechariah and Mary, the angels told them,  “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10    Fear would be an immediate reaction to seeing a heavenly being. Their minds would have been racing- what have we done wrong, why us, what is this all about?  The angels told them they had good news!  This news was to be for all people not just the religious elite and wealthy, but all people from the kings to the common man, from Jews to Gentiles.  This news would bring JOY!  Does this appearance and news brought by the angels cause Joy in your life?  What about Jesus evokes joy for you?  Is it His saving you, His loving you, His holding you during hard times, or His eternal place He has for you in heaven? If your reaction is joy, why not share the joy with others?  Pastor Alex calls this the difference that helps us live wisely and differently.  The brushes with Jesus in our lives help us put aside our fears and move into action. 

The shepherds immediately moved into action after hearing the good news the angels brought.  “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” verse 15   They desired to see this Savior for themselves.  How can you be like the angels and create a desire to see and hear from Jesus in the lives of others?  Pastor Alex suggested that the desire to tell others comes from a changed life, an encounter with Jesus yourself.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within each believer, we can show others Jesus by our words and actions.  Once we meet Jesus, we are never the same. He transforms us and leads us to grow more and more like Him. 

The Shepherds came and found Jesus just as the angels had said.  They bowed down and worshipped him.  Scripture tells us what happened when they left in verses 17,18,20,  “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told”.  They were forever changed as they were able to share their amazing story, they were able to speak boldly about the newly arrived Savior and they knew that God was faithful to His promise to provide a Savior.
Each of those things that resulted from their encounter with the living God can be said of you as a believer.  You have a story to tell of how you met Jesus and what He has done in your life.   You can speak boldly about His grace, mercy, love and ability to save and forgive.  You know that because of what God has done in your life and you have seen that He is faithful and keeps His promises.  Who can you tell your story to?  Who needs to hear of God’s love and forgiveness first hand from someone who has encountered Jesus?  You can also speak of Christ’s love and transformation in your own life because you have experienced it yourself.  Your story is your story and no one can say that it isn’t- it is personal!

Why not be bold, like the shepherds, and speak out about your Savior?  Look for God moments this season to speak of Him.  I know it is trite but still so true, “Jesus is the reason for the Season’.  Let others know of Jesus and His amazing love.
Linda   

SERMON LINK
This Christmas | The Shepherd's Perspective
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Sermon series, "This Christmas" Today Alex teaches from Luke 2:8-20

​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.   

Damon Hopkins    The Altitude of Gratitude, Elevating Your Relationship with God  November 6, 2022
It was a privilege to hear Brother Damien preach on how to improve our relationship with God.  His enthusiasm and love for Jesus comes through loud and clear in every story he shares.

The chosen scripture was John 14:15-21 with 21 being the key verse (our memory verse for the week). 
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Damien asked us, how do you show your appreciation for Jesus and all that He has done, is doing and will do in your life?   Are you proud of your Savior and desire to speak about Him?  

​Damien reminded us of Jesus’ command in 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 has the authority to tell us to go, to talk about him, talk about his saving power, talk about his transforming love, talk, talk… and I will be with you always is his promise.  We are God’s plan A until He returns.  He does not command us to go without power.  In our passage Jesus assured his disciples that he would send a comforter, an advocate to help us, to indwell and empower us, His Holy Spirit.  We are not doing this alone; He is with us.  Damien gave multiple examples of how he seeks to follow this command from Jesus.  He avails himself of opportunities and trusts God to bring whomever He desires to hear his words of truth from God’s Word.  He is not preaching on street corners or in a pulpit but sitting, walking, going about his life waiting and ready for God’s divine appointments to come. 

When God does bring people across his path, Damien speaks about what God is doing and has done in his life.  He is open to answer questions about Jesus and is not intimidated.  Why is he not afraid?  Because he knows that God is with him and will give him the words to speak.  His job is not to save someone but to present Jesus.  God does the saving not us.   I was reminded of 1 Peter 3:15 while Damien was sharing.  “ 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,”   Paul exhorts us to be ready to talk about the hope we have in Jesus and to do it with love and respect.  No one is bullied or argued into the kingdom of God.  They are brought in with genuine love and gentleness of spirit.   Are you ready to share your hope today?  What would you say?  Why are you hopeful about your future no matter what the circumstances?

If you don’t have a ready answer to that question, look into God’s Word.  Seek to know Him better and claim His promises in and over your life.  Here are a couple verses to claim:   

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  Jesus is the only way to God. 

Deuteronomy 31:6 ‘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.”  Jesus will always be with you. 

1 Timothy 2:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”   Jesus empowers us with His Spirit to witness for Him.

My biggest take away from Damien’s message was that I need to speak up and live like I believe that Jesus’ message of love, redemption and salvation is the most important message I have to say or give to anyone at any time!  Jesus is the reason for my hope.  I have a cross stich plaque that hangs in my office of

Psalm 107:2  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,   whom he has redeemed from trouble.”

Has God redeemed you?  Has He shown Himself powerful in your life?  THEN SAY SO!
Be ready for a God opportunity with an open mouth and open heart of love.
Linda

SERMON LINK
The Altitude of Gratitude | Elevating Your Relationship With God
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Sermon series, "The Altitude of Gratitude" Today Damon Hopkins teaches from John 14:15-21

​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.

Have you noticed that in the last couple of years people tend to be more agitated and grumpier than before? Stress levels have increased almost every year in the last 30 years. Some studies indicate that stress is up by over 30%. Stress is a major contributor to our mood, our responsiveness, our ability to interact with people, and our emotional intelligence. Stress can also have physical implications too, which can further cause us to be more agitated or grumpy.

The other day I was pulling out of a parking spot and the car behind me was waiting patiently. Another car comes down that row and swerves around both of us, yelling and almost caused an accident. I'll be honest I really wanted to yell back, but I let it go. Later that day, while I was getting coffee, there was a customer behind me who appeared agitated and soon began to make loud comments to the barista.

Perhaps these scenes feel familiar to you, or perhaps it's a neighbor or family member who seems to be ticked off at the smallest infraction. Do you know someone who always seems annoyed or negative or angry at the world? Does it seem impossible to change their attitude or perhaps your attitude?

John 14:15-16 "If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever."

The Bible says that God will send me an advocate, The Holy Spirit, to be with us and guide us. I find that when I submit myself, my feelings, and my life to God that He elevates my level of gratitude. The Holy Spirit gives me a change of perspective and allows me to respond more positively.

It is kind of like hiking. At the base of the mountain, the trail seems so daunting. How am I ever going to make it pass this obstacle, uggh Why did I choose to do this? But at the peak of the mountain, one's perspective changes and you get to admire the beauty of all that transpired. This month we are talking about raising the Altitude of Gratitude in our relationship with God, Our Friends/Family, and the World. Join us as we learn about how God can help you cultivate a grateful heart.

By Pastor Alex Hardt

November Sermon Series
Week 1 - Elevating Your Relationship With God
Main: John 14:15-21
Memory: John 14:21

Week 2 - Climbing the Relationship Mountain
Main: Philippians 2:1-5
Memory: Philippians 2:3-4

Week 3 - Clicked Into Others
Main: Ezekiel 33:2-7
Memory: Proverbs 14:25

Week 4- A Valley of Thanks
Main: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
​Memory: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

I am disturbed when I hear people say, ‘there are many ways to God.’  Jesus spoke plainly that HE was the only way to come into right relationship with God. He is the only one who can make us clean before God. He is the only one who can reconcile us to God and eliminate our sin.
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Sin is what separates us from God since Adam and Eve brought sin into the world and changed our very natures. We are born with a sin nature- a bent towards sinning. There is no way for man to ‘make himself or herself’ acceptable to God. We cannot be good enough, do enough good works, keep ourselves from having impure thoughts, or just trying to be good. We cannot do it! Only God! According to the scriptures, God’s plan to save humankind is by providing a Savior who will take our burdens, sins, and punishments upon them. Jesus is the only way!

Jesus had gathered his disciples in the upper room for a final session of teaching before his death. He assured them that He was going to prepare a place for them and that they would one day be with him there. Thomas, the doubter, asked “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” in John 14:5.  Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except though me.”   This promise of Jesus gives us hope and assurance. Here are several lessons and truths we can glean from this verse alone.

1. Jesus is the only way to come into a relationship with God. Jesus says plainly it is through him and him alone that we can know and see the Father. Because we know Him, we can know the truths about our Father in heaven.

2. Through Jesus we can have a life that is full and eternal. In Him we can have abundant life that is filled with hope and assurance.                     

3. Jesus reveals the truth that is God and about God. Knowing Jesus leads us to see truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Knowing truth in Jesus brings us to God.

So, what is keeping you from trusting Jesus? Are you having doubts about the exclusivity of Jesus and His way?

Look at John 3:16, it shows why God sent Jesus—it was because He loved us and desired us to be with Him eternally. “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.”

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to humankind by which we must be saved.”   Paul states it plainly too that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Just as Jesus assured the disciples, through Him we can know the way to heaven, to an abundant life and greater knowledge of God. Claim it! Live it with Jesus today!

​Linda

SERMON LINK
Why? God... | Is Jesus The Only Way?
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Sermon series, "Why? God...." Today Damon Hopkins teaches from John 14:1-7

​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.