Sermon Reflections from Trials and Temptations | Alex Hardt  | July 1, 2023
 
What kind of appliance would you equate with life?  A sieve, a blender, a mixer, a BBQ or a pressure cooker?   I grew up with a working mom that used the pressure cooker to speed meals to the table.  She found it a wonderful tool to get what she needed done quickly.   Pastor Alex’s example of the way diamonds are formed reminded me of the pressure cooker.  Life is like that- we’re in it and the product, meal, diamond, are not produced unless pressure is applied.  God uses this same principle when working with our character as James reminds us in James 1:2-4 “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”   The pressures of life’s trials are used by God to produce steadfast, enduring character within us.  As we walk with Christ, they cause us to grow more and more like Jesus.  He did not crack under pressure regardless of the cost. 

God desires to build, create that same steadfast faithful character within us. This godly character will help us withstand even greater things in our future. This character will build and strengthen our faith and trust in God.  What is it that is looming in your future that is causing you to doubt or be afraid?  Are your bills to high, your job unsteady, or are your family relationships in trouble?  Whatever the trials you are facing He is greater.  1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”   John 16:33 ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   As Pastor Alex reminded us, the truth of God’s greatness and goodness needs to be applied to our lives in faith.  With faith, even as small as a mustard seed, God can transform our lives and deliver us from fear!

Trials and temptations are part of life and it is not if they will come to us but a matter of when.  James reminds us that God is there for us and has His great wisdom available for us to use.  James 1:5 “ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  I take this to mean that God does not consider any question dumb or worthless.  He is not going to think badly of us when we ask for wisdom or put us down for not knowing the answer or the way.  He promises to not find fault in our asking and delights to give us His wisdom!  When God gives, it is pressed down to overflowing, abundant wisdom that is practical and applicable to our lives!

James 1:17 reminds us that God is unchanging. He will not change His mind or principles.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  We can count on God to remain steadfast.  I love Hebrews 13:8  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  What comfort we have knowing our God is immutable generation to generation! 
The last verses of James 1 are rich in wisdom on how to live our lives in a godly way.  He admonished us to watch how we interact with others. 19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”    He reminds us to live clean lives and stay in God’s Word.  21 “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted can save you in you, which.”  James wants us to look truthfully at ourselves and our walk with Jesus seeking to apply God’s Word to our lives. 25 “ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”   Lastly he exhorts us to seek to live with pure faith and religion so that we may be victorious over the pressures of the world. 27 “ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” 

How will you deal with your pressures this week?  Will you look to God and seek His wisdom and advice.  Will you seek to apply His Word to your life and circumstances?  This chapter is rich and has much to teach us about life, living and using God’s ways in the world.  Will you seek to understand and apply the messages found in James 1?
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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Pastor Alex Hardt

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

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

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

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

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.