Sermon Reflections from Jesus is Grace | Alex Hardt | April 7, 2024
 
As Pastor Alex preached from Luke 15 this Sunday, I caught a vision of the many facets of Jesus’ character.  Our God has many attributes to who He is.  Some are ones that are for him alone like- sovereign, creator, Savior, glory, Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient and others are ones that He has in perfection but desires that we emulate like love, mercy, justice, goodness, kindness, compassion, patience, etc.  From the parables in Luke 15 and Jesus’ actions we can learn much about our Lord.

As Pastor Alex noted, Jesus began by confronting the narrow minded thinking of the religious leaders.  Luke 15:1-2 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”   The religious leaders were criticizing Jesus for associating with known sinners.  Their idea was that their sins were small in comparison and they were more worthy.  However, Jesus showed by his actions and words that He is impartial.  He loves all sinners and desires that all would come to repentance and faith.  2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

The first parable Jesus told the crowd was of the lost sheep.  The shepherd loses one sheep and leaves the 99 in search of the lost. His conclusion in verse 15:7  “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”   This attitude shows Jesus’ incomprehensible love.  It is a love beyond our understanding.  Alex put it this way, the pursuit of the lost.. is a reflection of the Father’s love for His children. We do not understand that kind of full love that would lead Him to send his only son to die on our behalf.  John 3:16 says it this way, “ 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.”   God’s love is complete and beyond our understanding.  Thanks be to God for His great love for us!

The second illustration Jesus told the crowd was of the woman who had 10 silver coins and had lost one.  She went in search of this lost coin and like the lost sheep she rejoiced when she found it.  Luke 15:10 “ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” This speaks of God’s great joy when someone turns to Him and accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord by his infinite grace.  His joy at our turning to him shows His kindness that we do not deserve.  His grace is favor that is undeserved. He gives it freely, feels His joy freely and we did nothing to earn it.  The joy of redemption is the restoration of the lost by the GRACE of God! Thanks be to God for His marvelous grace towards us!

The last parable in this series is the story of the prodigal son.  The son who takes his inheritance and squanders it recklessly.  When he comes to his senses in the depth of despair, he realizes at that the servants in his father’s house are better off than he is.  He returns home and his father unexpectedly welcomes him home and prepares a feast of celebration.  Jesus was trying to explain the concept of mercy and forgiveness.  The father is merciful and forgiving towards anyone who repents and turns to Him.  Without Him, they were lost and now they are found.  They have moved from death to life which is what we do in Christ through our faith in Him.  Alex’s statement is so true, only the compassion of the Father can turn sinners into repentant citizens of heaven!

The other son who had worked diligently all those years was upset over the father’s welcome feast.  However, the father shows understanding and wisdom when he tells the other son in Luke 15:31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”   The son who stayed has had the benefit of the father’s love and care all those years and has a full inheritance plus time with the father.  The father desires that the other son understand the love, joy and compassion towards the lost when they come home.  They were dead and now are alive.  Ephesians 2:4-5 “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.”  Thanks be to Jesus for His amazing Grace towards us!

Linda

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 Sermon Reflections from Embracing Grace | Alex Hardt | February 25,2024  
 
Pastor Alex addressed the last rhythm for staying close to God which is service.  When you draw close to God with prayer, study and reading the Word, try to cultivate Love for others sincerely, seek to witness to the transforming power of Christ, it leads you to service. 

What do you do with your faith?  Now that you know God, desire to commune with Him, are practicing His love when with others and telling others about Jesus, you may ask what more do I need to do?  All of these things leads you to love God more deeply, have a genuine love for others and desire to see them with you in the kingdom of God.  But, not everyone is ready and willing to listen.  Service is a way of showing others the love of God in a tangible way- no words required – just smiles and an open hand.  Reaching out to others in love with food, a kind email, cookies, a welcoming smile and words of greeting are ways of showing God’s love.  Nothing is expected in return.  You aren’t doing the kind deed to ‘get’ something, only to give.   This something very foreign to the world’s system of getting, doing and working for gain. 

How does this happen?  Paul tells us in Colossians 2:6-7 “ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Our actions are a direct result of Christ being in our lives, indwelling and motivating us to love the world as He did. Pastor Alex had many scriptures of Jesus’ actions as He modeled this while here on Earth.   Being rooted in Christ leads us to reflect God’s goodness to the world.

Are you overflowing with grace and love because of your faith in Christ?  Are you rooted and grounded in our faith?  This is not something you get quickly but it grows over time as you allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life.  The sanctification process of becoming more and more like Jesus begins at the moment of belief in Jesus and continues growing throughout your life.  It is truly a life changing process made possible only in Christ. Christ alone is the reason for our change.  Without Christ, good deeds are just good deeds and have no eternal value.  Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can be rooted and grounded in Christ producing a life that is abundant and filled to overflowing with thanksgiving, hope and love.   A life motivated by Jesus is one that loves to serve others and express His love for them.  Deeds are done out of love and gratitude.  It is the process of giving out the love of God.

As you made the bags with goodies to give to someone in need, you were motivated by the desire to help someone else and show them a bit of God’s love.  Lianna got the blessing of leading and helping others to do something nice, possibly creating an opportunity for someone to talk of Jesus and His love, and showed others a tangible way they could act.  Lianna also got the joy of giving and being able to participate in God’s kingdom. You get the blessing of participating, giving out and possibly talking to someone about Jesus.  You also get joy in giving out and participating in God’s kingdom.  A win-win with blessings and joy for all in service to our King.  Thanks Lianna for this great lesson in tangible love.
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 Commissioned for Transformation | Damon Hopkins & Alex Hardt | February 18,2024  

What a surprise and a privilege to see Damon via video and hear his words of encouragement.  The message this Sunday sought to help us see that we are all to be about telling others about Jesus, his name, his power, his transformation.  We are his ambassadors.  Here is a blog I wrote some years ago about being Christ’s ambassador.  I think it gets to the heart of what Damon and Pastor Alex want us to realize about our witness, our lives and the hope we can share.

Because I believe Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am an ambassador for Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:20 "So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”  What does being Christ's ambassador mean to you?  I looked up the word ambassador and it is the highest ranking diplomatic representative appointed by a government to represent them in another country, a special representative.  Paul is referring to us as ambassadors as we represent Christ and His kingdom to the world.  The indwelt believer is indeed God's mouthpiece, model and witness to a world that is desperately in need of a Savior.  As Christ's ambassador we proclaim Jesus to the world and implore them to become right with God by claiming faith in Jesus.  We are the highest ranking person in God's kingdom here on earth entrusted with this sacred duty.  When you consider your job or work in the kingdom, you can see that you, the believer, are the heart of His ministry to reach the lost world around us.  We are God's Plan A!  We are the ones that non-believers see and view Christ though.  It is sobering to know that they judge God by what they see in our words, deeds and actions.  The way we live is important to our witness for Him.  Hebrews 13:18 reminds us that we need prayer to stand firm in Him.  "Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things."  We need to pray for one another that our lives would reflect Jesus in all we say and do.

As you go about today, thank Jesus for making you His ambassador.  It is a position of privilege and responsibility.  Know that He will provide you with everything you need to do His work in the world.

Privileged to be Christ's Ambassador,
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 based on from ​Rhythms-Refuge in the Almighty | Alex Hardt | February 4,2024  
 
Pastor Alex was in teaching mode this Sunday.  He wanted us to see God as viable hope and security in our ever-changing chaotic world.  He also wanted us to see that we too could draw nearer to God Himself by practicing some basic connecting activities.                                                                        

Psalm 46 is a wonderful psalm that gives us hope and courage in the face of adversity.  God promises to be our refuge (safe place, fortress) when we are in trouble.  The psalmist describes the world as a place where things fall, decay, roar, shake, in contrast to Holy God who is eternal, unfailing, and the ender of wars.  He will prevail and the nations and the whole earth will one day exalt Him.  Pastor Alex suggests that we should read His word, meditate upon it and pray.  The psalmist suggests a similar pathway in verse 10, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;”  We have to be still to read His Word. We have to be still to pray.  I’m not talking about being still as in not moving but still in our minds, focused upon God’s Word. This means not letting our minds wander to the grocery list, tasks for the day, worries, and life’s problems but to keep our minds still and present as we read the word and pray.  Focusing upon God Almighty as our refuge will allow us to absorb His strength and power into our daily life and keep ourselves from fretting, worrying or being consumed with fear.  He promises to be our refuge and God keeps His promises.

James 4:7-10 is a powerful reminder that focus upon God will send Satan away and be life changing.   “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. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  God promises to come to us if we go towards Him.  Sometimes the most we can do is one step, but know that the one step is the beginning of change.  If we are sorry for the wrongs we do and grieve over them in our hearts, God will change our sorrow to joy and gladness. It is humbling to come to God as we are independent, pride-filled, stubborn people.  But that one step towards God in faith will lead to step after step.  With each step our faith grows stronger and our hope and trust in Him is confirmed.  Each step causes us to trust more fully in Him and the plans He has for our lives. 

Lastly, Pastor Alex led us to participate in 2 Rhythms that are essential for drawing closer to God the Reading of God’s Word and Prayer.  Hebrews 4:12 reminds us of the power of God’s Word in our lives. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  James speaks of reasons to pray and the power of prayer.  James 5:13, 15-16  “ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.   And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”   Paul speaks of the need to be consistent with our prayers, Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” 

I so enjoyed the exercise Pastor Alex lead us through by reading Psalm 46 repeatedly and focusing on different messages God has for us in His Word. With prayer, Pastor Alex walked us through good steps to follow when praying. Praising God, Confession of sin, Thanksgiving, and lastly Petitions or Supplications.  The Anonym, ACTS, for this practice is easy to remember to guide us as we pray.  A-adoration of God for who He is, C-confession of our sins and shortcomings, T-thanksgiving for all the ways we see God working in our lives, His providential care, S-supplications or requests for ourselves and others.

I would suggest one activity that helps to draw me closer to God.  When I read a passage like Psalm 46 I will often read it in multiple versions to see what insights God has for me.  I often use the New International version, English Standard version, Amplified translation, the Message translation, the New King James and I love the New Living translation.  Some of these are more accurate translations and some paraphrased but all can help me see God’s message for my heart.

Whatever we do, taking that 1 step in faith- opening our Bibles, saying short or long prayers, will always bring us closer to God if we focus upon Him and let go of the cares of the world.  God is faithful and will meet us there! Guaranteed, as God keeps His promises.

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. ​