Sermon Reflections from Sustenance From Heaven | Alex Hardt | November 5, 2023

After a very difficult week physically, Pastor Alex shared with us his journey that led him to focus more clearly on what is important and why God’s love transcends all pain and supports us in ways nothing else on earth can.  Sometimes the greatest lessons come through our pain and suffering as we learn to focus on Him and what He provides 24/7.  His support will never fade or diminish and is always available.

The passage Pastor Alex had chosen to focus on is one that answers our needs and points us to Christ.  As I read through the passage, I was almost knocked over by all the promises contained in those few verses in John 6:35-40.  They are eternal promises from our good God who sees to our every need.  Many times we focus on our wants and think that is what we need, but God knows and provides exactly what we need.  Pastor Alex needed his focus to be rebooted and his priorities realigned.  I too needed that and took the pain filled lessons to Pastor Alex into my life.  God was trying to get Alex’s attention to realign his life and priorities, He has done that to me also. Thanks Alex for your heartfelt sharing.

Now to the eternal promises in this passage.  I pray that they will dive deep into your heart and help you to adjust yourself anew to His kingdom work and life.  These verses come after Jesus miraculously fed the 5,000 and walked on water to join the disciples during a storm.  The crowd was surprised as they saw the disciples leave in a boat to go to the other side but did not see Jesus with them.  Later they saw him on the other side. They questioned him about how he got there and were looking for him to perform more miracles.  Jesus knew what they needed was spiritual food-sustenance from heaven! 

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  Jesus promises that belief in Him will provide heavenly food and drink that will satisfy our souls.  We do not need to look anywhere else as all is found in Jesus.
36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”   This promise is comforting as when we come to Jesus in faith, He will NEVER send us away.  We belong to Him and will never be cast aside as worthless or useless.  We are precious in His sight and are loved by Him.  This promise sends my thoughts to John 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”  Praise God!!
38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 

These 2 verses have 2 precious promises.  1- Those who put their faith in Jesus will never be lost by Him and 2- He will raise us up to be with him eternally if we die before He returns.  Our salvation is an eternal promise from Jesus to be kept for, with and by Him for all time.

40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”  Here Jesus repeats His promise to raise us up to be with Him eternally and that belief in Him gives us eternal life.  Jesus has repeatedly told us in John that belief in Him secures eternal life for the believer.  John 3:16  “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.”  John 5:24 ““Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”  John 17:34“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Which of these precious promises did you need to hear today?  Take it to heart, thank Him for His promises and life changing Word. Claim His promises in your life this week and experience a realignment yourself as you refocus on Jesus, the one who sustains and holds us close.

Linda

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​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

Sermon Reflections from God and Evil | Alex Hardt | October 29, 2023
 
Pastor Alex exercised a bit of free speaker’s license in his sermon this week.  He went through the scriptures of 1 John 5, and then added his own personal reflections.  I will attempt to do the same with my reflections.

In 1 John 5:1-5, John speaks to us plainly about the results of believing in Jesus and loving God.  Believing Jesus means we are born of God.  That means we have His Holy Spirit indwelling us when we step out in faith.  Loving God means we love Jesus. We can’t do one without the other as Jesus said in John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.”  This knowing and believing empowers us to follow His commands and love others.  That may sound like a burden, no one likes to follow rules constantly.  But God promises His commands are not burdensome and will help us achieve victory in overcoming the world.  John takes it a step further in verse 5 “ Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”  He is saying that the only way to be an overcomer is through faith in Jesus.  Jesus has the power and faith in Him links us to that power enabling us to face and overcome evil.

In verses 6-12, John speaks about testimonies.  By Jewish law one must have 2 witnesses to be proven true and here John presents 3 witnesses.  First he mentions the water and the blood.  The water would refer to Jesus’ baptism which was seen by many and John the Baptist.  John 1:32-34 “Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”  The blood referred to the crucifixion of Christ and his atoning blood. John saw him die on the cross, saw the risen Christ and was present at his ascension.  The last witness John offers is the Spirit of God who convicts, reveals and affirms all truth about God. John is adamant that unbelief about Jesus and who He is, is like saying God is a liar.  If one does not believe this truth, then John says you will be missing out on eternal life and will in essence have no life.  John 5:11-12 “ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

John concludes his letter with powerful reminders and affirmations.  1 John 5:13 “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  We can be assured of our eternal life in Jesus!  Praise God!

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”  John reaffirms that God does indeed hear our prayers.  He cautions us to pray according to God’s will not our own, then ask away.  God hears!
16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.”  John wants to clarify that sin is wrong but when you are a believer you need only ask forgiveness to be made right with God again.  One does not need to feel despair but seek forgiveness.  The sin that leads to death is rebellion against God, unbelief.  Not believing in Jesus is a grievous error with eternal consequences.

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”    John wants us to know that knowing Jesus doesn’t mean we will never sin but we won’t sin habitually, on purpose, and willfully.  We need to cling to Jesus as the world is ruled by evil desires and purposes that are in direct opposition to God the Father and God the Son.  We are to always keep an eternal perspective on life.

21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”  John adds this little bit at the end to remind us that the world is full of enticing idols and we are to keep ourselves away from them.  Idols can be subtle like entertainment, education, power, the love of money, or not so subtle like other religions seeking to draw us away from Jesus. 
May our reflections cause you to read the scripture and do your own reflecting.  There is much to ponder and consider.  God’s Word is deep and requires we dive deeply with our minds into it.
Have a great week. 

​Linda
 
MESSAGE LINK
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​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

Sermon Reflections from Sin and Righteousness | Alex Hardt | October 15, 2023
 
What do you know about righteousness?  Biblically, it is right standing with God that comes through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  The contrast between the righteousness we have through Christ and living a life where we are stuck in the rut of habitual sinning is the topic of 1 John 3. 

Pastor Alex began is sermon this Sunday with a look at our own counterfeit behaviors.   It is important to know a counterfeit when you see one.  Are we willing to acknowledge them and turn them over to God?   In 1 John 3, John says that continual sinning on our part is not how true believers will act.  Those who are pretending to be believers or who are just going through the motions of being ‘Christian’ are not of God.  These are sobering thoughts that cause us to evaluate our own walk with Jesus.  How do others see me? As a sincere believing Christian who tries to follow Jesus in word and deed or as a phony, a pretender, who says they are Christian but does not speak or act as one who follows Jesus?

John wants us to know that by belonging, or following Jesus, we are children of God.  We bear His name, His Spirit and are created in His image.  As God’s children we are loved equally, cared for, protected, and taught how to be more like His Son, Jesus.  He has truly adopted us fully into His family and we are HIS!  I love 1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”  God proclaims that we are His children.  The reason He gives for us not ‘fitting in’ to the world is that the world does not know Him and we belong to Him. However, we fit perfectly into His kingdom because we do know Him as our heavenly Father.  What a great assurance for each of us that our value and worth comes from the Father’s love and belonging to Him.

How does one recognize a counterfeit?  With money, the bills can looks so perfect that they are not recognizable except by an expert.  God is the expert and knows our hearts so no one can ‘get past’ God, so to speak. Our job is not to waste time trying to root out the counterfeit Christians but to live our lives proclaiming Jesus.  We are to put on His righteousness daily and seek to show Him to those around us.  What does that look like?  It is different for each of us but evidence of our faith and the working out of our salvation will be evident in the fruits of the Spirit that are found in our lives.  Galatians 5:22-24  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”   Are you seeing more of these fruits in your life?   Do you see a decrease in your passion for worldly things and an increase in your desire to please and serve God? It does not happen overnight but is a lifelong process as we put on His Righteousness daily and seek to Put Off worldly standards and actions.

Pastor Alex also wanted us to realize that pursuing God in our lives is a destiny making proposition.  If we pursue God fully with a heart committed to Jesus and we will be mightily used by God in His kingdom.  If we are ‘stuck’ in the world, driven by earthly desires, pleasures and goals, it will lead us to make poor decisions and not be kingdom effective.  We have to choose- follow the world and with its goals and rewards or follow God and receive His purpose for our lives and His eternal rewards.  The choices we make today affect our tomorrow.  Choose wisely.  Choose life in Jesus or death.

I pray you will join me in saying, I choose life in Jesus.  Joshua put it this way when presenting this same question to the Israelites in Joshua 24:15    “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Linda

​MESSAGE LINK
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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 Light and Darkness | Alex Hardt | October 1, 2023
It is not surprising that the apostle John began his letter reminding the reader of Jesus’ preexistence and that he was speaking as one who had seen and heard Jesus himself. John 1:1 “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “  John 21:24 “ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.”  1 John 1:1 “ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”   John’s gospel was written so that those who read the book would believe.  John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”   Scholars write that this first letter of John was written to believers.  It would seem John wants to build up and increase our faith and wants us to know Jesus is the Christ.  Knowing this, it is not surprising John begins his letter with the contrast of light and dark.  This was a reoccurring theme in his gospel.

Pastor Alex began his sermon with our overwhelming need for light and how darkness is something we often fear or avoid.  Why is that?  God created us for light and to be like him.  We were made in his image and He is light!  We can be assured that in God there is no darkness.  Pastor Alex wanted us to see that darkness pervades, leads to pathways without light or very little light, and grows darker the farther we get from the light source.  John equates darkness to a walk without Jesus, lightless and lifeless.  He also equates darkness with sin.  Verse 6 “ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”  A life lived in darkness is without truth and not grounded in the truth of God.  We know that sin is inherent in our nature.  However, John realizes this fact and encourages us to come to Jesus and confess, verse 9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  I love this verse as it has a promise we can cling to.  Confession brings forgiveness always!  God is faithful to forgive our sins when we come to him repentant and desirous of change.  Being an unrepentant sinner leads to death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.”   Pastor Alex summed it up as A World of Darkness leads to death.

John wants us to see that Jesus brings light into our lives and reassures us that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all!  If we can live in the light, why don’t we do it all the time?  It is hard and as a believer, we try to walk with Jesus in His light daily.  This means acknowledging our sins frequently and focus on Jesus’ light.  John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  How does one go about walking in His light?  Here are a couple of thoughts: read your bible daily, pray daily, seek out other believers for fellowship, focus on doing good with the hours and days God gives you, focus on using your talents and resources for serving God, participate in worship with your whole heart, give generously, talk about Jesus as you relate to others and let your words and thoughts dwell on Jesus.  Pastor Alex summed it up with the truth, A World of light leads to life!

Lastly, how can you find joy in life? 1 John 1:4 “ We write this to make our joy complete.”   John wants us to know that telling others, writing his gospel, letters and Revelation brought him joy!  He wants to be about the Father’s business of telling others about the good news of Christ.  Jesus commissioned the disciples, and us too, 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 wants us to tell others about Him!  John is saying that one of the benefits of telling others about Jesus is joy, complete joy.   What is this good news we are to tell others about?  The early Christians spoke of it in Acts  5:42  “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”  They were proclaiming Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, had come!  Life and forgiveness in Him was now available.  In Jesus we can have a life that would lead to eternal life John describes in 1 John 5:20 “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”   Who do you need to tell about Jesus this week?  It will make your spirit joyous in Him.
Linda

​MESSAGE LINK
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​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.

Sermon Reflections from Dazzled By the Divine | Sara Wade | September 3, 2023

Have you ever wondered if the impossible is possible? Sometimes in our moments of desperation and pain, when we feel overwhelmed and have no idea what to do... we become open to God and seeing his handiwork.  So much of what happens in our life is beyond our capacity, skill set, talents, gifts, intelligence, or strength.  There is no way that either you or I could do or handle everything alone.  We need someone to come alongside us and give us wisdom, someone to give us strength, someone to lead us and guide us, someone to help us do what seems to be impossible.  This someone happens to be God.  

Matthew 17:18-20 says it like this...
18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

The disciples of Jesus couldn't do what was asked of them.  Jesus had trained, showed, and instructed them how to cast out demons.  And yet they still couldn't do it.  And I know what your thinking... Of course, they couldn't cast out demons...that's out of this world...that's impossible.  Jesus, God, is asking humans to do only what God can do.    

And you would be right, except Jesus doesn't give them a pass.  He calls them out for their little faith. They didn't believe that God could use them to do the impossible.  They just needed an ounce of faith in God and God's plans to cast out the demons through them, but the disciples (the closest friends of Jesus) didn't even have that.  Jesus wasn't upset that they didn't cast out the demons...he was upset because they didn't believe they could. They didn't trust God or believe that God would use them.  They didn't trust that God, the creator of the universe, could cast out and destroy demons.  How is the world supposed to believe and trust in God, if Jesus' own disciples are doubting the Almighty?!? 

​Every day people are encountering situations where it seems impossible that any good could come out of the situation or that the situation could be resolved or that anything could be done.  We feel overwhelmed, hopeless, lost, broken, empty, and afraid.  But if we have even the smallest of faith.  The faith of a mustard seed then we can move mountains the scriptures says.  I don't know about you, but I am sure glad I don't have to face life alone.  That I have a God who is there by my side, leading me, guiding me, and helping me to make the impossible possible.  I can see a different path forward because of God.  My future no longer looks dark but full of light.   It doesn't mean it will be easy, it just means it's possible.  And that possibility gives me hope of a brighter future.  

May you trust God, may you be dazzled by the divine, and may you know that the impossible is possible with God. ]

Blessings,
Pastor Alex
​
MESSAGE LINK
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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 Are You There God | Alex Hardt | May 4, 2023
 
The topic of Pastor Alex’s sermon poses one of the most critical questions each of us faces in life- Who Am I? Then the follow-up question: why am I here?   Once we know who we are then we can go about seeing why God created us at this time and in this place.  Who am I is the question that has been asked by every generation.  Since we believe that the answers to life’s questions are found in the Bible which is our guide, Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,”  we can look to God’s Word for our answers.  

Pastor Alex said that it is not about what we have done or are doing in life but about what God has done that will help us see who we are.  Here are a few things we know from scripture that tell us who we are that could not be accomplished by anything we can or will do.  I am reconciled to God. Romans 5:10-11 “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   No way could we reconcile ourselves to perfect and holy God without His help.  I am justified or declared not guilty. Romans 3:23-24 and Romans 5:1 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” and “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  There is no way we could declare ourselves not guilty of sin without God’s intervention through Christ Jesus.  I am forgiven.  Colossians 1:13-14 and Isaiah 38:17 “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. and “Surely it was for my benefit  that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.”  Never could we become forgiven by anything we said or did, only God can make us new and forgive our sins!

Pastor Alex pointed out an important point about our identity in Christ that we are loved by God.  We are his children and He is our heavenly Father.  Here are a few things about God’s loving us that will warm your heart and cause you to be thankful.  I am a child of God.  John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”   Through our faith in Jesus we are ushered into God’s forever family and are adopted as His sons and daughters.  I am loved by God. Jeremiah 31:3 and Ephesians 2:4-5  ““I have loved you with an everlasting love;  I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’ and   “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”   We can love God but cannot make Him love us.  He initiates the loving and loves us eternally. His love makes us alive in Him.   

Lastly, Pastor Alex reminded us that we are a gift because God created each of us for His purpose.  Our memory verse for this week speaks to this fact in Ephesians 2:10. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.  We were not made at random but created by God as his handiwork.  Other translations use the word masterpiece.  He did not make a mistake when he made you!  You can also take heart as you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14 and Genesis 1:27 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.” and “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”   God took time and care creating each of us and we reflect or bear Him image.  We are His masterpieces! 

This week take some time to reflect upon what you have in Christ and how it makes you, you!  Each believer is unique in Christ and yet is to reflect the things given to us by and through Christ.  As you meditate on Christ and what He has given you, God will give you clarity on who you are in Him and then will reveal what He has for you to do.  In all things we are to glorify Him. Seek Him and He will show you how you are His masterpiece and what purposes He has for you!
Linda
 
Romans 15:5-6 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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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
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.   
 

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
Click Here to View the Sermon
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.