Sermon Reflections from A Faithful Tomorrow | Damon Hopkins | March 19, 2023
 
We had the privilege of hearing from Damon Hopkins again this Sunday.  His text was from Isaiah Chapters 36 and 37.  This is a very rich passage that has much to teach us in 2023.  Damon pointed out that King Hezekiah was remembered for his faithfulness to God.  What a wonderful legacy that I know each one of us would love for our lives.   2 Kings referred to King Hezekiah 18:3 “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.  And 18:5 “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.”  

King Hezekiah chose to believe God when he was in a situation that was ‘against all odds’.  He saw no physical way he could defeat the king of Assyria, Sennacherib. The Assyrian army was brutal and overpowering. They had marched through northern Israel and taken them captive. They had conquered lands and people around Judah.  Sennacherib had his eyes on Judah and was marching towards Jerusalem.  He sent a messenger to ‘scare’ King Hezekiah into submission.  The messenger announce publically that they were doomed and that their God would not and could not save them from the mighty Assyrians.   King Hezekiah sent word to the prophet Isaiah asking him to inquire of the Lord.  Isaiah brought this message of hope from the Lord, Isaiah 37:6-7 “Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’”  I’m sure Hezekiah was encouraged by this news.

Then, Sennacherib heard that Cush was going to come to Judah’s aid and join the fight.  He sent a letter to King Hezekiah defaming the power and might of God.  Isaiah 37:10 ““Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.”  When Hezekiah got the letter he made a bold choice.  He went to the temple and laid the letter before God and prayed: 37:16-20  “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. 18 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. 20 So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.”  

What does King Hezekiah’s prayer say about Hezekiah’s faith?  He knew whom to trust.  He knew that Sennacherib was just a man but God was God and sovereign over all people, place, times and events.  He knew that God was bigger than his greatest fears.  He knew that God would defend His name. He knew where he should place his trust He prayed so that he could move forward.  At present he was blocked in by Sennacherib but that was only temporary as God was greater than this earthly king and would deliver them just like Isaiah had told him.  He chose to trust God when things got difficult. 

What about you?  Do you choose to trust God to provide, rescue and deliver you day by day?  Hezekiah’s hope was propelled forward though prayer.  How do you face difficulties?  Do you chose to go it alone or turn to God and ask Him for help?  Hezekiah followed the advice James gives in James 1:5-6 “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 4:2b-3  You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”   King Hezekiah knew that God had the wisdom and power to save them so He asked in faith, not doubting.  He also knew He needed to humble himself and ask God for help. 

I pray you will take some time this week and read Isaiah 36 and 37.  Let King Hezekiah’s experiences speak to you as you consider how you can incorporate prayer into your life in a new and vibrant way.  Prayer brings results- ask Hezekiah or someone at Crossroads. God answers prayer!

Linda

SERMON LINK
ISAIAH: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE | A Faithful Tomorrow
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. 

Sermon Reflections from Unmatched Strength | Alex Hardt | March 12, 2023
Pastor Alex used one of my favorite scriptures as the text of his sermon this Sunday. Isaiah 40: 27-31 are beloved verses as they give hope in the midst of our troubled, stress-filled lives.  It gives us perspective on the world and our troubles and leads us towards and attitude of HOPE!

I like to start with verses 25-26 “To whom will you compare me?
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.”      

We are to be reminded that no one or nothing is greater than God.  Who could even be compared to Him?  He is the Holy One and Creator of all the heavens and the earth.  All that is was made is by His hands and at His Word. 

Isaiah 40:27 follows with another question.  Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”? 

Do we adopt this same attitude when we approach God?  Do we try to chastise God because He has not revealed everything to us?  Do we often cry, Why, Lord?  Isaiah answers these questions with God’s character in verse 28  

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.”  

Isaiah says, haven’t you heard that God is the Creator and source of all strength?  You want strength- Look to the Lord.   Don’t spend your time questioning God?  He is God and He will let us know what we need to know.  We need to have some perspective and realize the truth of   

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  

God is infinite and his ways are perfect.  He will do as He pleases, but God is and can be the source of our strength.  When we turn to Him, He will give us strength.  Worshipping God lead us to the source of all strength.
Isaiah continues in verse 29-30.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;    

Have you ever prayed and asked God for strength?  I’m sure you have as I know I have on multiple occasions.  Why is that?  When we realize that our present circumstances are beyond our physical or emotional strength, we know we can turn to God for help. 

Claim Hebrew 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” and Hebrews 13:6 “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”  

Our response to weariness is answered when we stretch out to God and seek His strength.
Lastly, we come to verse 31 “but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.  

​This is a verse with a promise!  If we will put our hope, faith, trust in the Lord He promises to renew us and cause us to soar!  He is the one with everlasting strength, the eternal one upon whom we can rely.  Does our hope in the Lord cause us to wait upon Him? Yes, it does, but waiting will lead to greater faith and renewed strength.  

I love David’s resolve in Psalm 27:13-14 “I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord”.    

May this be our resolve as well that we will wait with confident Hope in the Lord.  His ways are perfect and His timing never ceases to amaze me!  Wait in hope as God is faithful.  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.”   

Our hope is found in God’s faithfulness, so wait for Him.
Linda

SERMON LINK
ISAIAH: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE | Unmatched Strength
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.   

Sermon Reflections from Hope In Pursuing A Holy God | Alex Hardt | March 5, 2023

A new month and a new theme to receive a new perspective from God about His Holiness and our great sinfulness. Isaiah is the perfect place to begin as it is often referred to as the Gospel of the Old Testament.  Isaiah has many words of wisdom and encouragement for us today as well as prophesies that increase our faith as we see their fulfilment in the New Testament through Jesus the Messiah.

Alex started us off with Isaiah’s vision of the throne room of God and his encounter with God Almighty.  We see that God is Alive and desired to communicate with Isaiah.  God had a mission for him but wanted him willing.   We are created with free will and just like Isaiah God has a purpose and mission for us but will not order us to do His will.  As we looked at the scripture we see why Isaiah was willing to go and do what the Lord asked.  When he first saw the throne room, the seraphim and heard their proclamations of the holiness of God, he was overcome with the realization of his own sin.   “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:5  The seraphim heard his distress and immediately came to him with cleansing fire in a coal.  The touching of the fire of God provided cleansing and forgiveness of sin for Isaiah.  We can experience that same cleansing and forgiven when we confront and confess our sins to Jesus. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  Once Isaiah was clean he was able to hear and speak to God. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

 What is your response to God when He presents you with a task?  Are you willing to go like Isaiah or do you hedge and say “I’ll think about it” or “maybe later would be better?”  God in His aliveness spoke to Isaiah and we can be assured that He can and will do the same for us.   Are you willing to listen?

Isaiah was humbled by the appearance of the throne room and the presence of Almighty God.  He did not treat it lightly but realized what a privilege it was to be in God’s presence.  He knew he was sinful and became painfully aware of that leading to His cleansing. How would you response to the earsplitting sound of the seraphim saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;    the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke?   

Would you humble yourself and surrender to God’s will like Isaiah.  
You might ask, what is it you want Lord?  If you can’t think of something specific look at what God says in Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?   To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.” 

Or perhaps Jesus’ words came to your mind from Luke 10:27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Or 1 John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”  God tells us in His Word what He desires of us.  Are you willing?

Lastly, think about the holiness of God. Alex defined holy as ‘set apart from the world.’  God is high and lifted up. He is set apart from His creation. Our English word “holy” is from the same root word as “whole.”  God is whole- perfect in goodness and righteousness.  No one is like God. Even God’s holy angels tremble in reverent worship before Him.  God sets apart His children for Himself and commands us to be holy as He is holy.  Being holy makes you whole, what God intends you to be.   Isaiah wanted to be aligned with God and His holiness. 
He replied to God, “Here am I. Send me!”   Then God replied, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’  

The mission God had for Isaiah was to give His Words of praise and comfort and to confront their sinfulness.  It was not an easy task. What God has for us is not easy either but we are assured in 2 Timothy 2:16-17 that His Word will equip us to do His work, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Christ himself will be with us, Ephesians 4:11-12 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”   Are you willing to say Yes to God and go where He sends you?

Let Isaiah’s encounter with God open your eyes to your own sinfulness and need for repentance and surrender. Let his encounter open your eyes to the majesty and grandeur of God. Let his encounter open your eyes to see and experience God’s holiness and His desire for you to be holy through His Son Jesus.  “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” in John 14:6. 

Let Isaiah lead you to Holy Savior in Jesus.
Linda
 
 
SERMON LINK
ISAIAH: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE | Hope in Pursuing A Holy God
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.   
 

Sermon Reflections from A Temple For All | Alex Hardt & Bob Kilpatrick | February 26, 2023
 
Have you ever asked yourself, why did God provide His indwelling Holy Spirit after I became a believer?   Why did He want to become a part of me and stay with me?  I think the answer is found in His LOVE.  It is so beyond our imagining that God would love me that much that He would desire to stay with me 24/7.   In Old Testament times, before Christ came, God promised to be with the believers.  Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “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.”  Today, since Jesus came, we have His Spirit living within us. 2 Timothy 1:14 tells us to, “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 

So where does God live within us?  According to our scripture this week from 1 Corinthians 3:16 “ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”   Our bodies hold his spirit once we become believers.  What does this do for you and me?  Pastor Alex reminded us of many benefits of this indwelling.  First, we can be healed from the wounds we receive in life.  Be they self-inflicted or received from the trials and tribulations of living in a broken world.  God delights in healing our wounds and binding us up.  Psalm 147:3 reminds us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  God is accessible 24/7 to heal your spirit and repair your brokenness.  Jesus told us that the hope the  Holy Spirit brings would be given to us.  “ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us”. Romans 5:5  With the Holy Spirit within us we can always have access to His healing hope for our lives.

The second point Pastor Alex made was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is for all who believe.  The Holy Spirit is our advocate and helps teach and remind us of all things about God.  John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  The Holy Spirit is not selective, he provides growth, help, knowledge and assurance of salvation to all who believe.  His indwelling is for everyone! 

Lastly, Pastor Alex wanted to assure us that being indwelt by the Holy Spirit provides a refuge for the world weary believer.  He promises to seal us eternally in Ephesians 1:13 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,.”  We can depend upon Him and know that He will keep us secure.

Reflecting on Pastor Alex’s message fills me with renewed hope.  God’s indwelling Holy Spirit within our earthly bodies is His temple here on earth.  We have part of Holy God living within us and His power will help to keep us from sinning.  He will help us to grow deeper in the knowledge of Him.  He will help us to  live a godly life that will glorify Him.  His temple for us is a safe haven that is with us 24/7 from now until eternity when we will be with Him.  Praise God for His provision of His Holy Spirit!

Linda

SERMON LINK
The Unknown Love | A Temple For All
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.   

Sermon Reflections from A Safehouse for the Unforgiven | Damon Hopkins | February 19, 2023
 
We had the privilege of having Damon Hopkins share with us again this Sunday.  His message of hope and redemption in Christ was like a balm to our souls.  Our passage was Psalm 91 where God speaks of His deep love, and the openness of His arms and heart towards all who look to Him. Damon used the character of Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany as examples of how God is a Safe House to all who come to Him be they forgiven or unforgiven.  God has it for all of us.
​
Here is the passage in The Message translation, which is a paraphrased translation.  It gives new perspective to this beloved psalm.  Verses 1-13 show God’s deep love for us and the extension of His arms all around us.
1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”                                  You are safe in Him!
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you--
    under them you’re perfectly safe;                     You are protected from
    his arms fend off all harm.                                  the surrounding world.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,                                 He is your refuge.
    the High God your very own home,                         Your home is in Him.
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels                                  He has angels to guard you at
    to guard you wherever you go.                       all times.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.         He will catch you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, You can walk unharmed
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.          with Him.
 
Which of these images speaks to you?  Mary Magdalene is an example of one caught in sin who turned to see Jesus.  She was caught by the deep abiding love of Jesus and redeemed from the pit of her sin.   She turned to Jesus as her refuge, hope and protector.  What about you?  Do you turn to God and depend upon His deep love? Do you trust Him to be with you always, never leaving or forsaking you? She did.  God’s promises of protection, hope, refuge are for all those who seek His forgiveness.  He is a safe house for all- those who are unforgiven who first seek Him for salvation and for those who are believers who turn to Him with humble and repentant hearts.  
 
Our second Mary, Mary of Bethany who was the sister of Lazarus and Martha, believed in Jesus. She looked to Him as her savior.  She had experienced his salvation of her brother Lazarus when Jesus resurrected him from the dead.  Mary wanted nothing more than to sit at Jesus’ feet and soak it all in- his love, his knowledge and his hope of life.  She showed her great love for Jesus by washing his feet and anointing him with expensive perfume.  How do you express your great love and devotion for God?  What do you bring to Him as an offering of love?  He is waiting with arms wide open to embrace you fully with His love.
 
The last portion of this Psalm shows us our God with arms wide open to receive our humble hearts.
 
14-16 “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,                     
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care                                  
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”
 
I am amazed by the promises of God contained in these verses.  He says if we will hold on to Him, get to know and trust Him then our rewards will be amazing!  He will get us out of trouble, care for us, rescues us, throw us a party i.e. rejoice with us, give us long life and salvation!  Wow!  What a God we serve.   How do we access all of this deep love and comfort in His arms?   Look again at verses 1-2, our memory verse in the NIV, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
 
All it takes to receive all of God’s love and protection is to dwell the shelter He alone can provide; then He will be our refuge and fortress.  I like to think of dwelling in His shelter as living in obedience to His Word, claiming daily Jesus’ forgiveness and hope in my life, fellowshipping with other believers and relaxing in His loving presence. 

May you experience His deep love this week as you snuggle into the warmth and depth of His loving arms!
Linda

SERMON LINK
The Unknown Love | A Safehouse for the Unforgiven
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "The Unknown Love " Today Damon Hopkins share How Christ offers Forgiveness
​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.   

Sermon Reflections from A Lighthouse for the Wounded and Weak | Stephanie Murphy | February 12, 2023
We had the privilege of hearing from Stephanie Murphy this Sunday.  She challenged us to look at a familiar passage in Luke 19:1-10 in a new and different way.  Knowing that Jesus is the ultimate Spiritual Director for our lives and uses the Holy Spirit to guide us as we read His Word, we need to look deeper to see what Jesus has for us. 

The story begins with Zacchaeus being vertically challenged as he sought to climb a nearby tree to see Jesus as he passed by.  He knew he could not push his way through the crowd as no one wanted a Jewish tax collector standing anywhere near them.  They were despised and seen as ‘thieves’ and traitors as they worked for the Roman government for their own financially good.  Jesus knew where Zacchaeus was and what he needed.  God always knows as He is omniscient and sees our every need.  Not only does he see us but he knows exactly what we need.  He knew Zacchaeus needed to be with him and be confronted about his lifestyle so He called to him to come down.  Zacchaeus responded to Jesus’ call. Jesus’ call is one with a promise like in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  And Luke 6:47 “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.”  Because He sees us, He calls us with purpose that is filled with His love and grace.

When Jesus called Zacchaeus to come down, he spoke with him and invited himself to Zacchaeus’ home for dinner. He wanted to build a relationship with him and get to know him on a personal level.  This invitation caused Zacchaeus to be aware of his sin and seek Jesus’ forgiveness.  Meeting Jesus always causes us to confront our sins.  Zacchaeus knew immediately that his money practices were not right and proclaimed he would change them ASAP. James 4:17 reminds us that “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”   Zacchaeus knew that what he was doing was wrong and meeting Jesus personally caused him to be confronted with his own sins and repent.   Likewise the Samaritan woman who Jesus met by the well, desired the living water he offered.  He confronted her about her 5 husbands and she saw immediately that he was a prophet.  She asked further in Luke 4:25-26  “ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”   Jesus will meet each of us personally just like he did Zacchaeus and the Samaritan woman.  He will reveal our sin and lead us to repentance if we are willing. 

When Jesus meets us, he transforms our lives like he did Zacchaeus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes this change the Holy Spirit brings within us: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  Zacchaeus was a new man! He was transformed by his Savior and freed from the guilt and sin that shackled his life. He knew he was forgiven when Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house!” Luke 19:9  

What about you? Are you listening for His call? God’s word promises we will hear his voice and know it. John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” 
Are you seeking a relationship with Him? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  What is on your to do list? Are you looking for a good Bible study so you can get into His Word and discover more clearly who Jesus is?  Do you pray and seek his guidance and connection daily? Do you worship regularly and surround yourselves with other believers to talk about God and what He is doing in your lives?  All these are things seekers do to encounter and stay connected to Jesus.

Do you know the freedom from sin that Jesus brings?  In 2 Corinthians 7:10 Paul puts it this way,” Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”   Take a look at your repentance. Is it godly and based upon His holiness or are you just trying to compare yourself to the world and be good enough?  Godly repentance is complete and leaves you free as Jesus intends.  I love John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”

Thanks Stephanie for challenging us to engage our emotions and feelings as we look to scripture and see what God would have us do in response to Him. Jesus desires to lead and direct us on the pathway of our lives that would be for His glory and our good.
Linda
 
SERMON LINK
The Unknown Love | A Lighthouse for the Wandering and the Lost
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "The Unknown Love " Today Stephanie Murphy share how to Christ is directs us to God
​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.   

Sermon Reflections from A Hospital for the Wounded and Weak | Alex Hardt | February 5, 2023

In Sunday’s message, Pastor Alex focused on the who Jesus came for and why he came. The passage in Luke 5:27-32 opens with Levi being confronted with Jesus and responding to his invitational command to ‘follow me’. When did you receive Jesus’ invitation to follow him?  If you know him as Savior, at some point you decided to follow Jesus.  Many who have known Jesus for a long time, since childhood, have difficulty pointing to an exact time when they decided. However, if you see the fruit of your decision – the desire to learn more about Him, to tell others about Him and Serve Him, then don’t let the timing bother you.  Have you considered why you said yes?  Was it an emotional response to a call from a pastor, was it during a bible study or was it from seeing God’s grandeur in nature?  God can and does use all of these situations to lead us into the realization that we need Him!  The realization that we are sinful and cannot be holy through any efforts of our own comes from Him.  We can never be good enough in and of ourselves.  When Jesus calls us and we realize that He is connecting with our heart, mind and soul, then we respond with a resounding YES!  Our hearts connect with His love and tenderness, and we encounter His lasting forgiveness.  When this happened to Levi, he dropped everything, left his corrupt lifestyle and stepped out in faith to follow Jesus.  Levi was undesirable and looked down upon by both Romans and Jews.  Yet, Jesus singled him out and called him.  The definition of grace is the undeserved favor of God.  Levi had not earned God’s favor in any way and yet, Jesus chose him.  Each of us who responds to Jesus are sinners undeserving of God’s love and forgiveness, and yet, like Levi, God calls us to himself.  I love Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We see in our passage Levi’s response to God’s grace was to drop everything and follow him.  That is how it has to be, drop everything and follow Him. He is worthy of all our praise and love and is more valuable than anything or anyone.  What do you need to drop this week in pursuit of Jesus?  Where can you make time for prayer, study of His Word or fellowship with other believers? 
​
We see from the passage that Levi wanted to tell everyone about his new found love for Jesus.  He hosted a large dinner party at his home. It is significant that he did not try to do this secretly but openly invited all those he knew.  The Pharisees who criticized the disciples of Jesus about why they would lower themselves to associate with tax collectors and sinners were probably not coming inside to eat with them.  They would not have wanted to be defiled by eating in their presence.  They would have stood outside the home and spoke with the attendees from outside.   In Luke 5:31-32 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,”  Jesus was not suggesting that the Pharisee’s were healthy in their faith but that those who realize they need a doctor, someone to save and cleanse them, are the ones Jesus came for.  Following Jesus requires a repentant open heart. Levi had been open and recognized his sinful nature and became a follower of Jesus.  The result was a change of heart, mind and body towards his whole world.  2 Corinthians 5:17 describes this change succinctly, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  Doesn’t that sound like what happened to Levi?   Peter writes and gives us the why of this miraculous transformation in 1 Peter 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”    Knowing and following Christ changes us because we have new hope, a new life and a new forgiven perspective in Jesus!  Praise God!

Pastor’s last point was that Levi experienced joy in this new found life with Jesus. Likewise, we find Joy in Jesus. Sometimes this is not easy as we have many things in the world that would seek to rob us of this joy.  Difficult circumstances, hardships, painful relationships, death of loved ones, sickness…., the world is filled with things that would love to take away our joy.  Satan works overtime to defeat our joy filled walk with Christ.  He cannot take away our salvation but he can destroy our witness and rob us of joy.  To counteract this, one must put things aside, and immediately follow Jesus.  Focus upon Him and the provision he provides for us spiritually (indwelling of the Holy Spirit), emotionally (a home in heaven, salvation assurance, hope) and physically (casting away our sins, providing for us in so many ways).  Scripture is filled with verses that seek to uplift and remind us of who God is and how much He loves and cares for us.  Here are a couple of my favorites: 

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”  Nehemiah 8:10b “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”   Regardless of your circumstances is your attitude like Habakkuk’s in

Habakkuk 3:18?  “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

When we choose to follow Jesus, joy comes and we need to learn to be open to it, accept it whenever and however it appears with gratitude and grace, knowing it is from Jesus!  Levi did and he was mightily blessed and blessed those around him.  He continues to bless us as we read his story and share in his joy.

Know that just like Levi, Jesus came for you and me and died to bring us into His forever family. We now have a new life, a new perspective and a new hope in Jesus.  Following Him brings it to us with joy an abundance! Praise God!
Linda
 
 SERMON LINK
The Unknown Love | A Hospital For the Wounded and Weak
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "The Unknown Love " Today Alex Hardt share how to Christ is A Hospital For the Wounded and Weak

​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.   
 

Sermon Reflections from A New Way to Live | Damon Hopkins | January 29, 2023
 
We had the pleasure of hearing from Damon Hopkins again this Sunday. He graciously spoke for Pastor Alex as he was beyond jetlagged after his week spent time at Mid-Winter Covenant Conference in Florida. This was the last of the current series A New You.  The scripture from Matthew 25 points us to the importance of caring for those around us with a new gracious attitude. The memory verse for this week is Matthew 25:40. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

In his message, Damon challenged us to use our gifts to glorify God and to serve others selflessly. He pointed us to several areas in which we can look to serve God by showing His love to those around us. Opening our lives and our hearts to Him will bring guidance and direction from God.  God has opportunities awaiting us each day if we will listen and look around us. God does his best work when we are outside our comfort zones.

First, Damon pointed us to look for those who are weak or sick.  God calls us to love others, help the helpless, love the less fortunate, and care for those who are sick.  When was the last time you picked up a card, made a call, or brought a meal to a sick friend?  Sometimes we have to disrupt our routine or get a bit uncomfortable in order to care for someone else’s needs. Perhaps there are other ways that you can tangibly express God’s love for those around us. 
How about praying for someone who is sick or feeling emotionally challenged?  The world around us is hard and being uplifted in prayer is a specific way God has for us to support one another.

James 5:16 puts it this way, “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.” 

Prayer helps us too as we seek God, talk with Him about our concerns, get right with Him ourselves and tap into God’s power to heal and save.  We are promised in Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  God’s Word will never come back empty and will accomplish His will in our lives. Pray and keep on praying and seek to diligently lift others to Him.  Prayer is a gift He gave to all of us. Do not be afraid to use it daily!

Damon also spoke of visiting the sick and those in prison. The blessing of one’s presence might be how one experiences the presence of God.  And though we might not all be capable of such a feat; All can pray, call, write, or express compassion through other mediums. Prisons, for example, have a specific set of rules and restrictions for entry.  As a congregation, we support Bay Area Chaplains, which minister to those in prisons within Contra Costa County.  Their mission goal is to make Christ known.  Join us in prayer as they reach a population that is inaccessible to the majority of us. 

The last area Damon mentioned is speaking to strangers about the Lord. It’s about planting seeds for the kingdom and taking advantage of those opportunities where we can speak of our Savior.  Those moments where we can express how God is affecting our lives. Damon reminded us that we are called to do great things for God. God calls us to reflect his love for those who are broken, weak, lost, sick, lonely, and in prison. 

Perhaps this is challenging and out of our comfort zone.  But following God is not about our preference, it’s about our posture.  We are submitting our desires, our plans, and our comfort before God so that he may be edified and glorified.  He asked us to go and do this for those in need, showing our love for them in His name.  

John 13:34-35 puts it plainly, 4 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” 

Jesus asks us to do this for Him.  And what we will discover is in doing these things for others reveals our love for Him and those around us. God calls us to love regardless of whether or not the person will love us back. God does his best work when we are outside our comfort zones.

Who will you seek out this week? Will it be someone sick, weakened emotionally or physically, or someone you do not yet know?  Be there for the world around you as Jesus asked. We are to do these things as if we were doing it for Jesus.  Do it and you will be blessed!
​
By Alex Hardt

SERMON LINK
A New You | A New Way To Live
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "A New Community " Today Damon Hopkins share how to live a New Way To Live. 

​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.   

Sermon Reflection from January 22, 2023 | A New You
 
One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  Baptism like Communion is an outward expression of an inward change. The first step towards that New You is repentance.  We need to confess our sins and recognize our need for a Savior.  That repentance leads to an open heart that is ready to receive Jesus and believe in His death, resurrection and power to save!  He came to redeem us, by us back from the powers of sin in our lives.  I love the connection between belief and trust and the power God gives to live for Him.  Following Jesus leads to a desire to tell others and make a public profession of faith through baptism. 

Does baptism save us?  NO! But the profession and confession as part of what is described by Paul in Romans 10:9-10 “ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  

Saying something out loud and not just in your head requires a belief and commitment.  Making our belief known by our mouths is very important.  When one is baptized the pastor always asks, do you believe in Jesus and do you want to follow Him?  This is the public declaration with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and comes from your heart.

What happens after you profess that Jesus is Lord?  The transformation begins in earnest as the Holy Spirit works His miracle of rebirth and sanctification within you.  It is not done in a day or two but starts when you profess Jesus as Lord and will continue within you until you are with Him.  What happens to you during this sanctification process?  The Holy Spirit seeks to mold and shape you into the one Christ sees you to be in Him.  As you yield more and more to His Holy Spirit you will see character change as described in Galatians 5:18-23. 

It is a putting off of the world and its values and putting on the things of the Spirit and God’s Kingdom.  “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”   Paul tells us we will recognize the world and its actions and because of our love for Jesus we will seek to be fruitful in our lives for Him.  It will result in a change of character!  As Stephanie mentioned it will result in a new heart, Ezekiel 36:26-27 “ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”  With the new heart will come a desire to look into His Word and follow God’s ways.

Lastly, we see that belief and trust lead to confession and transformation.  All these are worthless without commitment to Jesus.  Our lives, our faith need to be more than lip service to God.  He knows our hearts and knows when our faith and repentance is sincere.  Sincere faith leads to obedience.  True obedience to God rises from a heart that loves and trust him and responds to His wonderful grace.  How are you doing with true obedience?  Is your heart right with God?  What do you need to put off in this New Year that is leading you away from God?  What do you need to put on that will lead you to a closer walk with Him? 

• Maybe you need to follow Him in Baptism and make that public declaration of faith. 
• Maybe you need to commit to join a local body of believer and put your roots down so you can fellowship regularly with the body of Christ. 
• Maybe you need to open the Word and make a commitment to read daily to see what God has for you so you can grow in Him. 
• Maybe you need to pray for others in a new a dynamic way so that you are open to God’s leading to share His love with others. 

Look again at 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  God promises a New You; you are His New Creation!  Step out in faith and claim the New You in the New Year!  God is faithful and will not disappoint those who follow Him.  Isaiah 49: 23b “Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
Linda

SERMON LINK
A New You | A New Yout
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "A New Community " Today Stephanie Soltero share how Baptism creates a New You

​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.   
 

Sermon Reflection from January 15, 2023 | A New Community
 
Pastor Alex has been seeking to awaken in us a sense of newness in this New Year.  He started with our need to look into God’s ageless scriptures for direction and purpose.  Did you ask God for a word from His Word for your year? Our challenge verse for the 1st Sunday of the year was from Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”  Cling to God’s Word and the truths revealed there and claim His promises that He so freely gives. God is eternal and so is His Word.

Hopefully, you have begun to focus on prayer as Pastor Alex directed us towards on the 2nd Sunday of the New Year.  Prayer for your own needs and for the needs of those around you, for direction, purpose and for the salvation of those you know that are without the Savior. Prayer is a weapon God has given us along with His Word to combat the forces of evil in our world and to communicate with Him so we can seek His guidance in our lives.  Our memory verse for this week was Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  What a precious promise to know that anyone who repents and turns to God can and will be saved.  For your loved ones that are not walking with God or do not even know Him, keep on praying as there is always hope for their salvation as long as they draw breath. 

Pray, pray, pray!

This Sunday Pastor Alex focused on the newness of heart that we need and find in community. Our community of believers is to hold us up in prayer and together in hope in times of distress, hardship, worry, as well as times of joy and rejoicing.  The encouragement of believers to believers is powerful.  Just as we have a relationship with Jesus through His death and resurrection we have a relationship held together by our mutual love for Jesus.  The love He showed us, we are to show to others.   Pastor Alex reminded us through the act of taking communion that we are reminded continually of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for us.  We are reminded that He wants us to be in community supporting and loving one anther just as He loved and continually loves us. 

Our verse for this week is 1 Corinthians 11:26 “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 

The fact and the act of communion serves to remind us of His great sacrifice and keep us moving forward in community.  Jesus said these words when he was breaking bread, communing with his beloved disciples.  I like to imagine the Lord’s Table extending from that time into this and that we are all gathered there with the disciples as we are all joined together by Jesus.  Where are you exercising community in your life?  Do you associate with your fellow believers just on Sunday or do you see them in a small group, a bible study, or in a time of service?  Does your community invade and pervade your life?  Do you consider your brother and sisters in Christ family?  Jesus is saying that as we proclaim His death and join together with Him we are with Him, we are community, we are His family.  Where can you infuse more of Christ’s community into your life this week?  Let the new YOU who is now in the Word of God, praying daily and seeking community with others, reach out and seek to bring someone else into the family this week!  Touch a life with the love of Jesus.  God has you where you are for a reason.  Look for those God opportunities this week.

Linda

SERMON LINK
A New You | A New Community
Click Here to View the Sermon
Sermon series, "A New Community " Today Alex Hardt share how Communion is a Covenant For God's People

​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.