Sermon Reflections from Divine Connections | Joselin Hernandez | September 10, 2023

Have you visited the grocery store, coffee shop, or gas station this week? Chances are, you've stepped out of your room or bed at some point during your week. And what happens when you do? You encounter people. What if we viewed every interaction as an opportunity to share the Gospel? Millions of people haven't yet come to know Jesus, our Lord and Savior, but we can make a difference one person at a time. Maybe striking up a conversation with the barista at your favorite local café could eventually lead to a chance to share the Gospel with them. Or perhaps taking your dog on your usual route each day could provide an opening to impact someone's life.

The truth is, we can't predict the impact we might have on someone's life with just one encounter. Often, it feels easier to remain silent about our faith to avoid offending anyone. But what if the person you encounter is the one whom God has placed in your path to lead to Christ? Would you feel regretful if you missed the opportunity to bring them into God's kingdom? Perhaps the initial conversation won't immediately lead to their conversion, but you could plant a seed, offer them a starting point, and help them experience Christ's love.

Throughout the scriptures, we see ordinary individuals called by God to share His message of goodness. When they obeyed, something extraordinary often occurred: those they shared God's message with came to know Him.

Reflect on your own faith journey—did someone introduce you to Jesus? Was it a friend, family member, or perhaps a stranger who handed you a pamphlet or offered a prayer? Maybe it happened while you were on a sports team, at work, or at camp, and someone had the courage to discuss Jesus with you. The pivotal point wasn't necessarily your immediate decision to follow Jesus; it was that someone recognized your worth and importance and decided to share the most significant news in human history with you—that Jesus was a manifestation of God's love, and His love was meant for you. What could be more crucial than that? It's easy to talk about our favorite sports teams, jobs, or coffee orders, but imagine if we focused our conversations on Jesus instead. What if we shared something that could genuinely shape, mold, and transform lives?

In one Bible story, this is precisely what happened. Philip, prompted by God, approached a eunuch who was already a believer but didn't fully comprehend his faith. Philip didn't hesitate to engage in conversation, and as a result, the eunuch gained a clear understanding of his beliefs. Not every experience will mirror Philip's, but in all our interactions, we have the opportunity to make God known.

So, what will you choose to do—conceal your faith or share the greatest news ever?

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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 Warning to Oppressors | Alex Hardt | July 30, 2023

In this week's sermon reflection, I would like to it be your response to the message. 
So, I have provided little bits and pieces from the message along with a few interactive components.  My hope is that it gives you, the listener, a chance to reflect on the message.  

POINT 1
YOUR WEEPING AND GROANING…
REVEALS TO THE WORLD WHAT YOUR SOWING. 

James 5:3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 

In Verse 3 James states that the corrosion of Gold and Silver affects the WEALTHY and POWERFUL in two ways. 
​
First, it testifies AGAINST them, producing evidence of their greed and lack of concern. Take time to reflect on these questions.  What is God Saying to You and What are you going to do about it.  

• Do YOU have trouble letting go of objects? … 
• Are their things that YOU quarrel over? Lost relationships because of…
  
• Do YOU hold onto things as though they will be WITH YOU for all of eternity? … 
• Has the possession of an object EVER interfered WITH your relationship WITH the heavenly father? …
  
  

Second, James says it will consume their flesh as fire, a terrible image of divine judgment on those WHO had made money their chief aim in life.

• What good is it to gain the whole world BUT to lose YOUR Soul? …
• Is the allure of Money or Power a higher priority THAN your relationship with God?
  
• Think about it for a second… How much time are YOU spending investing in your Eternal life VERSUS your worldly life? 
  

POINT 2
YOUR PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE…
REVEALS YOUR TRUST IN GOD’S PERSEVERANCE.

In James 6:7-12, James redirects his focus to PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE in the Midst of Suffering.  While all of us need Patience and Endurance, there are particular times when we need a bit more patience.  

WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNCONTROLLABLE
James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
How do you respond when circumstances are uncontrollable?

WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNCHANGEABLE
James 5:10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
What's the most difficult thing about dealing with stubborn people?

WHEN PROBLEMS ARE UNEXPLAINABLE
James 5:11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
What is your initial response when problems frustrate you or are unexplainable?

POINT 3
THE POWER OF PRAYER…
LEADS BELIEVERS, IN BOTH DARKNESS AND SUNSHINE, TO A CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD. 
How do you respond in times of Darkness/Trouble and in Times of Sunshine/Joy?  

What would it look like to glorify God in those situations? How would glorifying God look different in times of darkness than in times of sunshine? 
 

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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 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

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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.”

SERMON 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 The Bible is A Love Letter | Alex Hardt | May 7, 2023 

Pastor Alex started this series on the Bible with a passage in Ephesians that is jam packed with lessons and truths for all of us.  As I read the portion with my name inserted as Pastor Alex asked us to do, it brings warmth, love and hope to my very being.  Alex’s sermon points of God’s story being personal, a love letter directly for me and one that connects us to His love is fully explained as we go through the handout questions he provided. We can see what God has done for each of us that know Jesus as our Savior.
What has God done for me and you?

1. God chose us.  I love Romans 5:8 when I think of how God loved me even when I was covered and steeped in sin.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  God did not have to choose to love me but He did. He desires that all come to know and love Him. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 “3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  What is your response to God’s amazing love for you?  

 

1. God made you whole and holy.  Wow!  God wants me to be complete, not dragged down by sin of this world and fulfilled in Him.  2 Timothy 1:9-10 of how God transforms us through Jesus. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  How are you making use of this holiness God has bestowed upon you?   Are you willing to share the knowledge of this grace with others?

 

1. God adopted you and me.  I love the verse in Ephesians 1:5 as it shows God got us ready, “he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—. And Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”     Do you feel like a member of His family? If not why not?

 

1. God sent Christ to die for us. Romans 5:6 “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.’  We were ungodly because of sin but Christ redeemed us. Galatians 4:13 ‘He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” God desired that all be saved both Jew and Gentile.  Christ’s sacrifice was complete.  Hebrews 10:10 “
   And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”  What impact does Christ’s death have upon you? Does it change how you live and think?

 

1. Christ redeemed and forgave you.  This is personal to each one of us.  Christ paid the price to restore our relationship with the Father which could only be achieved though Christ’s death and resurrection.   Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”   Colossians 1:13-14 “ 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.” Does knowing that Jesus died in your place, and has provided you with full forgiveness cause you to praise Him?  Tell Him how you feel, pray and sing His praises.

 

1. God made plans for you.  God knows us and has plans for each of us-specifically for our good and His glory!  Jeremiah 29:11-13 “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. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Knowing that God has plans for you, for your good and His glory- does that make you want to thank and praise Him?  Does that make you want to pray and seek God more fully?

 

1. God gave you purpose.  The age old question is why do I exist?  Many people have lost many years seeking to know their purpose.  God desires we glorify Him in all we say and do.  Psalm 69:30
   I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” And again in Psalm 86:12 “I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  1 Timothy 1:9 tells us that God has a purpose for each of us!  ‘He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,’   Does knowing you have a purpose that is valuable to God and that He will use it for His glory cause you to seeking to know Him better and walk with him?  

 
Thanks Pastor Alex for leading us through these soul seeking questions.  We can know God and know His answers for our life through His Word.  His love letter to us in complete and gives us all we need for life and godliness.
 
Linda

SERMON 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.