Sermon Reflections from Reckless Ambitions | Alex Hardt | June 11, 2023

I was not acquainted with the movie Blackberry but I am more than familiar with the term reckless ambition.  All you have to do is look around at companies that seek to dominate the market, governments that put their desired and ambitions above others so they can control them, or in the pages of the Bible where we see kings seeking to subdue or enslave others and even the Pharisees who sought to dominate and control Jesus.  Ambition is a good thing in many ways as it keeps us motivated and working towards our goals.  Being reckless can be more than hazardous and is often associated with the young who think they are invincible!  Pastor Alex pointed out the 2 sides of reckless ambition which show the faces of greed and selfishness in regard to the world, which was shown in the movie, and adventure and hope for future gain towards God and His kingdom as described in the pages of Matthew and Luke.
Every person can access the way of Jesus and follow His adventure that is filled with hope and glory for God.  As we know, we all have that choice to follow Jesus when we hear about Him.  We know from experiences in life that the world has a strong appeal to our sin nature.  Jesus described this in Matthew 7, in His sermon on the mount, 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Why is it harder to follow Jesus instead of the world?  Following Jesus and living an obedient life take perseverance and time to study His Word, pray, accept the fellowship of other believers, witness to the truth of Jesus in our lives and to serve the body of Christ.  There are many benefits to living a life obedient to Christ.  John 15:10-11 speaks of our being able to remain in God’s love and the joy that brings. “ 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.”  Being obedient to Christ we gain forgiveness and eternal life, John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”  With faith in Jesus comes the empowering and indwelling of His Holy Spirit, 1 John 3:24 “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”   Knowing and loving Jesus allows us to reject the ways of the world and seek to live for Him, He promises us in 1 John 5:3-4,” In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”  Jesus proclaims His way is for all but sadly we know not everyone will chose to follow Him.
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Once the way of the cross through Jesus is chosen it becomes the driving motivation in our life. He empowers us to follow Him with diligent perseverance, hope and clarity that leads to passion for Christ.  The Bible refers to this as zeal!  Zeal is intense enthusiasm, passion and fervor with a purpose.  Jesus wants us to pursue Him with ‘reckless’ love and ambition that is zealous for the honor and glory of His name in all the world.  Jesus had this passion as he cleansed the temple of corrupt money changers.  John 2:17 ‘ His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”   The Apostle Paul described himself as zealous for the law before being confronted by Jesus on the Road to Damascus then he became zealous for Jesus!  In his letters to the Romans and the Corinthians he exhorted followers of Jesus to lead with zeal and talk about Jesus with zeal. In Revelation, Jesus admonishes the church at Laodicea not be to lukewarm but to be zealous. Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”   Our attitude and service for the Lord Jesus needs to one filled with zeal for the Lord and lived with reckless ambition for God and His kingdom.

How can one do this?  Pastor Alex reminded us that it takes focus and complete surrender to Christ.  A life lived for Christ is empowered and directed by Him.  When we fall or stumble or struggle in our walk, we can claim 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 over our lives.  “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong”.  Power filled words of promise!   We can lean into God’s promises in Deuteronomy 31:6 for strength and hope. “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.”  He can seek comfort and hope from Philippians 1:6 and 4:19 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  The Bible is filled with promises for us to claim as we seek to live each day for Jesus.  
Linda

Need a promise?  See me for a copy of my book, Promises for Dynamic Living.  It is filled with promises we can claim for our lives.
 
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Sermon Reflections from The Bible is An Invitation | Damon Hopkins | May 21, 2023 
 
Damon was filled with renewed joy this Sunday as he shared from God’s Word and his life challenges.  He pointed out worldly sayings that do not hold up when compared to God’s standards.  For example, “God helps those who help themselves,” was one he gave us to analyze.  If we could help ourselves he pointed out, we would not need God.  We cannot truly help ourselves; our dependence needs to be upon Him. Damon went on to speak of God’s creation, his glory and how He meets our needs in His time.  We just need to trust in Him and walk each day knowing He has us covered.  Damon’s health issues were a glorious example of how God meets our needs and does it in a complete way, beyond our imagining.

Pastor Alex had titled this sermon The Bible is an Invitation. He started the series with the Bible is a Love Letter from God and last week pointed us to the Bible as our Guide.  As I was reflecting on God’s love letter and His guidance, I see The Bible as an invitation in written form inviting us to a life of faith in Him.  This was the life Damon was describing from His experiences.  The Bible points us to the good life God has in store for us.  John 17:3 speaks of eternity, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. “  God wants us to know Him and to experience eternal life.   2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that God has given us what we need to live for Him, “ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  His Word, an invitation in written form, provides power, promises and protection from evil.  That is SOME invitation to a life filled with hope and promise.

Another aspect of an invitation is that, it is not a command.  When we are invited to a party, the host is asking us to come but we can turn them down.  God’s invitation to eternal life is just that – an invitation.  It is not a command but refusing to accept His invitation brings consequences.  You will not be invited to the eternal party in heaven and do not have the benefits of God’s love and care while here on earth.  God loves us, John 3:16, and wants us to come to his eternal party. “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Refusing His invitation means you turn down salvation through Jesus, John 14:6  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

You are choosing to live under the curse of death, Romans 6:23,  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”  and make your own way.

Damon pointed us to many of the benefits given in God’s Word for accepting God’s invitation.  James 1:17 “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”   God is our Father and gives good gifts to His children.  He also does not change His mind about things or change His character.  He is immutable, unchanging.  Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”   We also have a home in heaven to look forward to that has been prepared for us by Jesus. John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”   God has also promised us every spiritual blessing in Christ.  Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”   2 Peter 1:3-4 told us that we have God’s precious promises to live by and lean upon. 

Damon also quoted Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”   God has plans for our lives if we join with Him and accept His invitation.  His plans are to prosper and grow us, for our good and His glory.  We just need to turn to Him in faith and call upon Him.  He promises to listen to us, comfort and guide us.    I’m sure Damon would be quick to agree with Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”  When we accept God’s invitation to life, eternity with Him, hope and blessings, we need to accept in faith TRUSTING God to know the way that is best for us.  Then we need to walk in FAITH believing all He has promised! 

Take Hebrews 11:6 into your heart and determine to seek and please God.  “ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  God will reward, just as He promises.
Linda

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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.