Sermon Reflections from God at the Movies "Young Woman and the Sea" | Alex Hardt | June 23, 2024  

In our journey through life, we often encounter waves of challenges that test our faith and resolve. It's in these moments that the virtue of perseverance becomes our anchor, enabling us to navigate through the storms and emerge stronger.   Life can be difficult and even brutal at times, but that does not mean that we need to drown in the challenges of the world.  
 
Perseverance is not merely about enduring hardships; it's about actively pursuing God's promises. It's a gift from God.  When we align our lives with God's will, we find the strength to overcome any obstacle. It's about holding onto the belief that our efforts will bear fruit in due season, as we trust in the divine plan laid out for us.  It's about not putting our trust in the world but in God.  Knowing that in his goodness and grace we can overcome any mountain, wave, obstacle, or challenge.  
 
Life can throw us into the deep end, much like the cold and rough waters of the English Channel. However, just as swimmers push through the waves, we too must face our challenges with unwavering faith. The Apostle Paul's life exemplifies this as he faced imprisonment, persecution, and shipwrecks, yet remained steadfast in his mission to spread the gospel.  Paul could continue to push forward because his faith and perseverance came from his heavenly father.  He knew that his Father would never leave him or let him down.  That WHO was with him was far greater than WHAT was in front of him.  That God was working in him, through him, and all around him which gave him the resolve to push through all that he encountered.  
 
To cultivate perseverance, we must engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. These practices are the strokes that keep us moving forward in faith. They provide us with the guidance, wisdom, and support needed to withstand life's trials and tribulations.  The more we draw to God, the more we are able to preserver.  As we discover who God is, we soon recognize that nothing in this world can overcome or outlast him.
  
Perseverance is more than just surviving; it's about thriving in the pursuit of God's promises. It's about overcoming obstacles with faith, engaging in spiritual disciplines, and sowing seeds that will yield a harvest of righteousness. As we face life's challenges, let us look to the example set by the Apostle Paul and the inspiring story of Trudy, (the young woman and the sea movie) the swimmer who conquered the English Channel. Let their stories remind us that with God, we can persevere through anything.

Some questions for Reflection
- How can you actively pursue God's promises in the face of adversity?
- What spiritual disciplines strengthen to build your resilience?

Blessing,
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 God at the Movies "Greater"| Alex Hardt | June 2, 2024  

​Pastor Alex is always up for something fun to stimulate us to think more biblically and to put our faith into action.  This month’s series focusing on movie themes highlighting our culture is an excellent way to show that God is not dead and that His principles are alive and well.  We often have to search for them but God has not abandoned us to our culture and left us without evidence of His world, His power and His might!  Thank you Jesus.

The movie ‘Greater’ focuses on a young man, Brandon Burlsworth, who overcomes great odds to accomplish his goals.  He has a never quit attitude and does not allow himself to focus on his fears but concentrate on his faith in himself and God. Pastor Alex likens Brandon’s story to that of David told in 1 Samuel 17.  David, like Brandon, did not let their own fears paralyze them into to non-action.   David was the youngest son of Jesse and his 3 older brothers were in the army of Israel serving King Saul.  They were in the valley of Elah facing the Philistine troops.  David carried things back and forth to his brothers and was tending his father’s sheep in between.   For 40 days the Philistines had sent their giant of a soldier, Goliath, to challenge the Israelites through the use of intimidation and fear.  His size alone would have given them pause to be worried.  David arrives bringing food to his brothers and asks what is happening.  David hears what is going on and the threats given by Goliath and is incensed by his words. He asks a couple of questions.  1 Samuel 17:26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”   It was logical to ask what would be the reward given to the great warrior who could defeat this giant as soldier were paid for their services.  However, his second question comes from David’s faith and deep rooted belief that God watches out for and cares about the nation Israel.  He is not a God of stone or wood, not an idol but a living being who parts the seas, feeds the hungry, and frees the enslaved.   David knew that not standing up to this ‘giant’ showed their fear and lack of faith in Almighty God.  He knew that the God of Israel was greater than any Philistine giant.

Just like the character Brandon shows in the movie, David knew the character of God.  He knew Him to be the Almighty one.   How did he know this, he had personal experience.  1 Samuel 17 34-36 “But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”   David knew that His God was mighty and was bigger than anything, any giant, which would come his way.  

How about you?  Do you believe that the God of your faith is greater than any circumstances or people you will ever encounter?  1 John 4:4 gives us courage “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’    David belonged to God’s people and knew God loved, cared and defended him.  As a believer, we too have that assurance.  God is with us.  Here are a few scriptures that give me hope and remind me that I can be like David and am seen as a love one by God himself.  Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  For Joshua and the children of Israel the ‘them’ was their enemies.  What or who is your ‘them’??  God promises to be with us 24/7 standing beside us as we walk each day confronting our problems and He will give us the victory- just like He did David.    David did not let his fears overcome his faith and stepped out in faith to confront the giant Goliath.  He chose his weapons carefully and allowed God to use him to slay the giant.  Paul faced difficulties in his ministry and tells us he stood resolute, like David, in the presence of fear.  I use 2 Corinthians 12:9 as my go to verse along with the Deuteronomy passage when I am in need of courage.  “ 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.”   David and Paul both knew that God has it handled and we just need to walk in faith trusting Him to deliver us.

How good are you at trusting God when times get hard?  Do you cave or do you stand strong in the Lord?  I can say from personal experience that each time you have to face a challenge it gets easier to walk with God and trust Him.  Why? Because of personal experience!  You know that God has seen you though before and He will not let you down. That is what David relied upon, he remember the lion and the bear.  What experiences do you have that you can praise God for and remember His faithfulness?  God is faithful.  You can depend upon Him.  Claim Lamentations 3:21-23 “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;  his mercies never come to an end;   23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  1 Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”   Just like David, God will see you though every trial, He is faithful.
 
Linda
 
Here are a few more movies similarly themed.  “I can only Imagine”, “Overcomer”, “The Rookie” and even “Sandlot”.  Good summer viewing.
 
Valley of Elah    I took this picture of the valley where the battle took place. You can just envision the armies on the hills facing one another.
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​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.