 Sermon Reflections from Awaiting Hope | Alex Hardt | December 3, 2023
What does hope mean to you? Is it in some person, thing or event? Or is it the biblical hope Paul speaks of in Romans 5:3-5 “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” The hope Paul describes comes from God and comes with persevering in Him. The Psalms have much to say about hope. Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” 33:20 “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” 52:9 “For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.” David saw God as the source of His hope no matter what the circumstances. Pastor Alex spoke about the darkness that surrounds us just like it surrounded Paul, David and Mary. Each one of them looked to God as the source of their hope. Mary was in a difficult position with an unplanned pregnancy by a young unwed mother. However, Mary’s focus on God and His provision for her far outweighs the darkness and obstacles she faced. God in His mercy sent an angel to speak to Joseph so he was told of the coming child. He was told to not be afraid to marry his betrothed Mary and that much blessing would come to him through this expected child. Mary’s response to the angel’s message was one filled with questions about how she could be with child, but her questions were not filled with doubt. She knew the power of God and believed in Him. She knew of the prophets, the Messiah that was to come, the miracles God had performed in her nation’s history and the power of God over life and death. Her response in Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” and later in her song known as the Magnificat shows her humility and the acknowledgement of God’s power at work in her. Luke 1:46-49 “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. Mary allowed her hope in God, His power, might, love and knowledge of His compassion to sustain her through the difficult times ahead. She had many obstacles to overcome but God was with her. I’ll ask again, Where do you place your hope? Can you access the hope you have in God through your past experiences? Paul had many harrowing experiences as he walked with Jesus. 2 Corinthians 11:24-26 “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.” Even in all this Paul’s testimony remained strong as he testified in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ Like Mary’s faith in God, Paul’s personal knowledge of Christ and faith brought him through very tough times. David likewise faced great difficulties in his life and clung to his love and knowledge of God. His hope was placed in God as he fought battles, faced giants, was persecuted, hunted by Saul and plagued with family difficulties. As the Psalms attest David knew God as his shield, guide, teacher, savior and hope. God promises to be with us in every circumstance. I love 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.” All of us have thems in our lives. Our giants, persecutors, hardships and family difficulties are different but we can claim God’s protection as we belong to Him. We can trust Him like Mary, Paul and David. They knew He would never leave them or forsake them! He will not abandon you either. God is our hope in the midst of darkness, He is our LIGHT! 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 Communion Table | Sara Wade | November 19, 2023
On Sunday, Sara Wade from Hands and Feet east bay, shared a message from 1 Corinthians 11 about the communion table and how it represents Embracing All as Jesus Did. In the Gospel narratives, one of the remarkable qualities of Jesus was His inclusive nature, particularly evident in His interactions with those considered outcasts or marginalized by society. This inclusivity extended to His invitations to share meals, reflecting a profound message of love, acceptance, and grace. The communion table, as a symbol of fellowship and remembrance, mirrors this open-hearted invitation extended by Jesus during His earthly ministry. Embracing the Outcasts Throughout His life, Jesus consistently broke societal norms by reaching out to those labeled as outcasts—tax collectors, sinners, the sick, the broken, the lost and the marginalized. He dined with them, offering them not just physical food but acceptance and love that transcended social barriers... Can you imagine opening your house or eating with strangers you just met? Well, that's exactly what Jesus did. The Symbolism of Meals in Jesus' Ministry The significance of meals in Jesus' ministry can’t be overstated. His actions challenged the prevailing cultural norms, emphasizing inclusivity and the importance of fellowship. Sharing a meal with someone, in that context, signified deep acceptance and belonging... What would it be like to move to another country, not speak the same language, not know the cultural norms, and have no family or friends around? The Communion Table: Reflecting Christ's Inclusivity When instituting the Last Supper, Jesus extended an invitation to His disciples, setting a precedent for the communal act of remembrance through bread and wine. This act wasn’t exclusive; it was a gesture of inclusivity, representing the sacrificial love He embodied... Whom might God be asking you to invite to your dinner table? Open to All: Breaking Barriers The essence of the communion table lies in its openness. Just as Jesus welcomed all to dine with Him, the communion table is a symbol of unreserved acceptance. It's a place where all are invited—regardless of background, social status, race, gender, sins, or past mistakes... Whom do you limit your table to? Relevance Today In contemporary times, the message of an inclusive communion table remains vital. The table symbolizes unity, breaking barriers that divide us. It stands as a reminder of Christ's all-encompassing love and the call for His followers to extend that love to everyone, without exception... What is Jesus saying to you? Conclusion The communion table isn’t a place for exclusivity or judgment; it’s a sacred space embodying the all-embracing love of Christ. Just as Jesus welcomed and dined with the outcasts, the communion table invites all, irrespective of their journey or background. It’s a profound reminder of the radical inclusivity found in Christ’s ministry—a call for us to extend that same love and acceptance to everyone, making the table a symbol of unity, grace, mercy and love. This thanksgiving maybe we save a place for one more at our table. Maybe God is asking us to open our hearts and doors to an unexpected guest. Damon Hopkins shared a beautiful prayer on Sunday. He said, "Lord...Just give me 1 more!" "Just 1 More!" May our prayer be for 1 more this Thanksgiving. Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from God Promises Problems | Damon Hopkins | September 17, 2023
How many of us experience pain, suffering, and difficulties in our life? The answer would be that all of us do. At some point in our life, whether it's right now, in the past, or in the future... All of us will experience some kind of suffering. In those moments we often look for healing from those within our perimeter of view or we look towards things of this world. But...What about if we looked somewhere else? What if we sought to find comfort in God? In these verses, 2 Corinthians 1:3-8, the Apostle Paul expresses praise and gratitude to God, who is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Paul acknowledges that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others in their troubles with the comfort we have received from Him. He emphasizes that as followers of Christ, they have shared in both suffering and consolation. Paul shares his own experiences of facing hardships in Asia, where he and his companions were burdened beyond their ability to endure, even to the point of despair. However, he notes that this occurred so that they would not rely on themselves but on God, who raises the dead. Paul concludes by expressing his confidence that God will continue to deliver them from such perilous situations and that the Corinthians' prayers will contribute to their deliverance. Have you ever noticed how we seem to need or want God more when problems are big? That when we realize we can't solve this thing or overcome that obstacle or achieve something on our own, is exactly when God seems to be most prevalent. Like Paul, when we are at our weakest, the best thing we can do is get on our knees and pray to God. We need to surrender our life over to God and let him take control. Is it easy?!? Nope. Being vulnerable and open is very difficult to do. Asking for help is hard to do. Complete surrender seems impossible to do, but it's the best thing we can do. God is not just some big God who lives in a galaxy far far away. Our God is close by and cares deeply for us. He knows every detail about us. God is waiting for us to turn to him instead of this world. As amazing as our friends and family are they can't do what God can do. God can wipe away every tear, overcome every fear, give us peace beyond understanding, and give us hope when all seems lost. In essence, these verses remind us to find comfort and strength in God during times of difficulty and suffering, and how in doing so, it enables believers to offer support and empathy to others facing similar challenges. I don't know what you or others in your life is going through right now, but my hope and prayer is that you lean into God during this time. Pray for God's comfort to be upon everyone present and for the ability to comfort others in times of need. Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from 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 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 Addiction | Stevan Cox and Alex Hardt | June 25, 2023
Pastor Alex reminded us that addiction is a powerful tool that Satan uses to capture and ensnare our thoughts and lives. His good friend, Steve Cox, shared this truth from his own life and how he saw the consequences of sin play out in what happened to him. To begin, Pastor Alex shared the movie example from Stay Awake where the lives of those surrounding the addict mother were affected by her addiction. Even though the addict thinks they are only hurting themselves the repercussions of their actions reverberate around them as others seek to ‘make things better’ and enable them to continue with their addictive behaviors. Steve continued with his own story of redemption from addiction and evil life choices though the power of Christ in his life. His transformation was complete, whole and filled with restoration and hope. God is good and showed himself in Steve’s life in extraordinary ways. Praise God! As I reflected upon the power of God’s great love for Steve, I was drawn anew to the scripture passages each chose to rely upon. Steve choose 1 Corinthians 15:32-44. This passage speaks about the truth and reality of Christ’s resurrection. Without the power of the resurrection all would be lost. Without the healing power of Christ and what he did on the cross when He died and rose again, Steve, you and I would be desolate and lost without hope. Without the reality of Christ in our lives, it would simply be as verse 32b states, “If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” All our world would be temporal and of and for itself. With Christ in our lives, we gain hope, purpose, salvation, an eternal home and a relationship with God Almighty. Pastor Alex chose Matthew 5:12-12. In this portion of scripture Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount and gives a listing of the attitudes that Christ desires us to have in our lives. We will receive God’s blessings if we are sorry for our sins and mourn over what we have done. With a humble attitude we will be uplifted and filled with His purpose, righteousness, purity, peace and the power to sustain us during persecution. Once one turns to Christ, a life filled with blessings awaits. Repentance will begin the process towards all that Christ has for each of us. The power of God’s love and forgiveness is greater than any addiction and is strong enough to break the chains of sin that can bind us. Steve reminded us that addiction does not have to be about drugs and alcohol alone but can be anything that takes the place of the love in Christ in our lives. This is a sobering reminder to constantly examine our priorities and pray, pray, pray. I loved his main point saying, ‘Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than you talk talks.’ Taking this apart, I see how you live your life- your daily actions speaks to others about who you are. Your words of course speak to who you are. The loudest witness to others is when our words and actions match and thereby speak in unity of Christ in all ways. God uses us to show Himself to those around us as others see and hear us. God desires that our lives are committed and aligned to Him. Micah 6:8 puts it this way, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Take some time this week to examine your walk, your words and ask yourself, how they are matching up? Do your words and actions align with God’s Word? If not, take time to pray and seek God’s help. Let Him direct you and point you in the way you should go! 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.  September 27, 2022 following Alex Hardt’s sermon of September 25.
I was pondering justice this morning after Pastor Alex’s sermon and looked up the definition of justice. It seems justice is equal treatment of all members of society and has to do with our conduct of being just or righteous, having moral principle and then receiving reward or punishment based on our actions. I want to also note that Fairness is getting what we deserve while Biblical Justice is Jesus getting what we deserve, so we could have what Jesus deserves. This is complicated by the fact that due to our fallen nature we cannot be right, just or totally principled, therefore we deserve punishment not reward. Perhaps the Psalmist in Psalm 130 realized this and was pleading with God for His justice and righteousness to reign in his life. He cried out to God in verses 1 and 2 as he begs for mercy and for the Lord to hear his pleas. The psalmist knew that God was accessible and would hear his prayers. He also knew that he was a sinner. Do you know for sure that God hears your prayers? Here are a couple of verses to reassure you: James 4:7-8 “ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.” You need to humble yourself before God, turn from evil ways and seek God. Psalm 34:17 “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” God promises to listen to the righteous, so that begs the question, how does one become righteous? Here the answer is easy to understand, JESUS. 1 John 5:1 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” Romans 3:22” This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,” God promises to hear our prayers if we belong to him through faith in Jesus. For answers, we need to seek to align ourselves with His will and seek what He desires. We are not to seek for God to fulfill our own selfish desires. James addresses our motives in James 4:1-3 and concludes “You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” We need to ask in faith seeking God’s will be done. Knowing that you are a believer, filled with His Holy Spirit gives us right standing before God. We still need to seek cleansing and seek to walk in obedience to His ways. The psalmist realizes this as he speaks of forgiveness, desiring to be whole before His God and to be able to wait patiently for His answers. Hard stuff to do but God empowers us through His Spirit to be able to cling to Jesus and lean upon Him. I love the psalmist’s conclusion in verses 7,8. These are our memory verses for this week. “Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Israel stands for all who believe in Him as their God and Savior. Look at these wonderful promises. By putting our Hope in Jesus we will receive His unfailing love and be fully redeemed! The psalmist knows that apart from God there is no redemption. He has no power to redeem himself for he is lost without God. God’s redemption is cleansing and will remove our sins so that they are remembered by God no more. Two of my favorite verses about God’s forgiveness are: Micah 7:19 “You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Isaiah 43:25 ““I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. How great is our God! Have a great week basking in His forgiveness, hope and love. Linda SERMON LINK Hope Unites | Is Jesus Just? Click Here to View the Sermon Sermon series, "Hope Unites." Today Alex Hardt teaches from Psalm 130 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.  September 19, 2022 following Alex Hardt’s sermon of September 18.
Pastor Alex used Psalm 128 as the basis of his sermon on finding joy in our lives. Psalm 128:1 was also our memory verse for the week. “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” As I reflected on his words of how joy points us towards what God has done for us, in us and through us, a sense of gratitude permeated my very being. When I consider the God of the universe, working on my behalf and doing things through my life, it is very humbling and creates joy within my soul. The question is, do you let that joy filled attitude translate into joy in your life? As I was thinking about this I looked up the word joy. It is mentioned repeatedly in scripture and is found in 42 of the 66 books of the Bible. There are 242 verses about joy or where joy is mentioned. Why is that? Why is joy such a prevalent theme in the Bible? Pastor Alex had it right when he said that joy matters because it reflects our state of mind and being in relation to God. Joy is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit within us in Galatians 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Since joy is the work of God’s Spirit within us, we should acknowledge that and let His Spirit shine out through our life. Alex’s gave us a good example of his friend that was Happy, Happy and bubbled over with joy. When he was with him, it was like he was feeling Jesus right in their midst. That is what His joy does to our Spirit. If you are not joyful, spend some time in prayer asking God, Am I letting the worries and cares of this world, the sadness in my life and circumstances overwhelm me? Seek to put those aside and focus on the joy you have in the Lord. Seek to renew your spirit from within. Guaranteed, those old worries will fade into the background and you will see the joy of the Lord. Here are a few joy verses to help restore your joy perspective: Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Being cared for by God brings joy to your soul. Isaiah 51:11 “Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” God’s joy in our life is eternal. It starts when we receive Jesus as our Savior and will be with us throughout eternity. Praise God! John 15:11 “ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”. The joy we have and experience in Jesus is complete joy. It will fill us and sustain us in the best and the darkest of times. His joy overcomes adversity! Acts 14:17 “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” We are assured that living in this world God has provided us with glimpses of His joy. We may see it in a beautiful sunset, a green valley or the ocean’s waves but it is all around us testifying to God’s love for us and His joy. May you find joy in your life that nourishes your soul, is your source of strength, is complete in Jesus, eternal and tangible in your world today. Ask God to open your eyes so that you can see His joy and rejoice in Him. Linda SERMON LINK Hope Unites | Why Joy Matters Click Here to View the Sermon Sermon series, "Hope Unites." Today Alex Hardt teaches from Psalm 128 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. Alex Hardt’s Installation Service September 11,2022
Sunday was a wonderful celebration of the official beginning of Alex Hardt’s ministry at Crossroads. It was filled with energy and spirit as we worshipped together. The sermon and service were led by Ali _______. As his text, Pastor Ali choose 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Here it is in the Message translation: There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. This passage by the Apostle Paul to his ‘son in faith’ Timothy desired to give direction to young pastor Timothy. Likewise, Ali, used this text to give hope and direction to Pastor Alex and to us as well. When embarking on any new adventure it is good to remember that which holds you together. The basis of faith is Jesus and He is found over and over in the pages of scripture. The entire book is about Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. God’s Word shows us Jesus and His work to redeem us. God’s Word shows us truth for living even when circumstances get really messy all around us. God’s Word helps us keep our own rebellious nature in focus and under His direction. God’s Word leads us to walk more closely with Jesus avoiding mistakes and pitfall along life’s pathway. God’s Word trains us to be all that we can be in God’s army! When we have God’s Word in our hearts and minds, it allows God to shape and mold us into the exact ones He desires to do His work here on earth. God’s Word along with prayer are to be the cornerstones of our own lives as well as Alex’s ministry among us. How can we help?
As you go through this week, take time to look into scripture. Are you having an issue with someone, a financial or health problem? Do you need encouragement, hope, direction or guidance? All of these are addressed in God’s Word and His Word of truth and hope will cut through your problems and bring relief. You can word search on your Bible App, use your concordance or use google and seek direction from God’s Word to give you strength and courage. God’s Word is true and will bring relief to the weary soul who seeks Him. Here are some promises in God’s Word you can cling to: Is God there? James 4:7-8a, John 14:6 How do I live the Christian life? Joshua 1:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6 Do you need courage? Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 138:7-8a Is God faithful? Lamentations 3:21-23, Hebrews 13:5-8 Does God forgive? Proverbs 28:13, 1 Peter 2:24 Will God provide guidance? Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 41:9-10 Is there Hope? Hebrews 10:23, Philippians 1:6, Jeremiah 29:11 Does God love me? John 3:16, Romans 8:35-39 Does God show mercy? Nahum 1:7, Romans 5:8 Does God give peace? John 14:27, Isaiah 54:10 Can God provide for me even in my circumstances? Luke 6:38 and 12:29-31 Can God save me? Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Is God really in control of everything? Daniel 2:19-22, 2 Corinthians 12:9 God’s Word is timeless and has answers you can claim and cling to for life! Linda SERMON LINK Hope Unites | Unity In Leadership Sermon Link https://youtu.be/ViA-TOC7skI Sermon series, "Hope Unites." Today Ali Hasan teaches from 2 Timothy 3:16-4:3 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.  HOPE UNITES
By Alex Hardt Did you know when the sun set at night sailors used the stars to navigate? Stars move across the sky from east to west and some stars called rise and set stars begin and end their nightly path below the horizon. Sailors determined their heading by watching the movement of the stars the same way they watched the sun’s movement. Stars give sailors hope. No matter where they are on earth, they how to determine their direction based upon the stars. They know that if they just follow the stars they will eventually arrive at their destination. One of the things I have come to recognize is that God is like the stars in heaven. Our life can be overflowing with joy or overwhelmed by pain and yet God remains the same. Wherever we are on this planet He will guide us. I can trust in His direction because He is the one who has been here since the beginning of time and will be here through all of eternity. This gives me great hope in knowing that the one who guides me is God. Hope can be hard to find, in fact I would argue it often feels like it is missing. If you were to look around the last 3 years and say where is hope? You may have to search high and low to stumble upon it. Where is hope in the midst of covid nineteen? Where is hope when the world entered a war in Ukraine? Where is hope when the temperatures are rising, and the water supply is depleting? Where is hope amidst the social unrest and political division? Where is hope when another attack happens or when a school has to be locked down? To be honest there does not seem to be a lot of hope going around. And yet in the scriptures, Psalm 121, it says I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Perhaps where we were looking for Hope was in the wrong places. We tend to look for hope in people, places, and things. We look for hope in the media, in governments, the latest fade, or who is currently trending in the news. We gamble our hope away on celebrities, athletes, investments, and the newest gadgets. These things of the world tend to let us down at one point or another and then our idea of hope is crushed. We wonder why we always feel empty, lost, broken, and hopeless. In the scripture the author acknowledges this when he says, “where does my help come from?” He could of said, where does my hope come from? This psalm is called a song of ascent. It was intended for weary travelers heading to Jerusalem. Jerusalem sat on a plateau in the middle of mountains. Families had to travel through treacherous roads in the high desert heat where wild animals or robbers could attack. In those days, All the shrines to other Gods were built on hills, high places so everyone could see them. In the midst of all these mountains, where is my help going to come from, the author is looking at all the options. Is the author’s hope going to come from the God of Baal, the God of my political party, the God of investments, the God of sports, the God of Kardashians, the God of swipes, clicks, links, Tweets, Snaps, and TikTok OR the one true God. The author recognizes that his hope “comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” He knows that it is God who never sleeps, who never fails, who never stops chasing after him, who will carry his family through this treacherous path. The author is not going to choose to look to the false Gods or the Hills but above the Hills and the mountains to the one who Made the Mountains. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is of David and Goliath. David was tiny and Goliath was humongous. Yet it was David who won the battle. The King of Israel, Saul was always afraid of Goliath. Saul always compared his height to the height of Goliath. David did not look at how tall Goliath was, he knew that he was not sufficient enough, he looked at how tall His God was. If you look to the hills, you will either find a false God who cannot help you or things that will scare you. But if you look to God, you will find peace and hope! The Hope of God unites us and carries us through the most treacherous paths. Let us search for Hope in God. Practically Speaking About Hope What people, places, or things have let you down? How did it feel when hope was gone? What would it look like for you to put your hope in God?  Alex Hardt September 4 What is my Center?
As I reflect today on Pastor Hardt’s sermon, I am in total agreement that having Jesus Christ as the center of my life makes sense. The question is asked in scripture, who is like you God? Psalm 71:19 “Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?” Psalm 89:8 “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” Micah 7:18 “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. If I can choose to have God at the center of my life rather than man made things, goals, money, power, knowledge…. Why would I not choose God? He is eternal and not bound by this temporal world. The other goals will fail and fade but God will endure forever. Reading Psalm 121 here in the Message translation. It helped me see more clearly God’s desired role in my life. 121 1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. Creator God gives me strength for living. 3-4 He won’t let you stumble; your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. Omnipresent, Sovereign God knows my every move and seeks to protect me. He is awake on the job 24/7! 5-6 God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you-- Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. God is a loyal guardian, seeking to protect me day and night. 7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always. God protects me both physically and spiritually. God is eternal and will be with me always. If you could choose, and you can, a God that is kind, loving, merciful, faithful, forgiving, protector, defender, sovereign and eternal over doing things yourself in your own power? What is the wise choice? Seek today the creator of the universe and bow humbly before Him. God promises if you seek Him, he will be found. To know Him is to love Him more and more! Linda SERMON LINK Hope Unites | What is my center? Sermon Link https://youtu.be/prQHCutHx7c Sermon series, "Hope Unites." Today Alex teaches from Psalm 121 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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December 2023
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