951 E Dalby Rd,
Union WA 98592
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PO Box 232
Union WA 98592
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New Community Church of Union
New Community Church of Union
Sunday Services: 8:15 AM Online & 10:30 AM in person at the Church building
Children's Sunday School & Adult Fellowship Time - 9:30—10:30 AM
Daily Devotion April 2023
Daily Devotion April 2023
4/29/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/VjHqVDIoCIY
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: David replied to the Philistine [Goliath], “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon titled “The Issue of Marriage and Divorce”.
There are times when divorce is a sin, but there are also times when divorce is not a sin. Matthew 5:31-32 has the following words of Jesus: “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
A marriage partner who engages in sex with someone other than their spouse commits a sin that is grounds for a divorce.
Matthew 19:3-11 says:
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ ? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.”
Jesus was not saying that if your spouse commits adultery, you have to divorce your mate. We are ministers of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 tells us: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are to make every effort to reconcile with our mate—restore friendly relations; coexist in harmony; live in peace. This is not easy. Adultery breaks trust. Adultery has a husband or wife choosing to be one with another person while being married to you. Accepting an unfaithful spouse back into sexual intimacy is difficult, but it’s not impossible. Numerous spouses have forgiven an unfaithful spouse and rekindled their relationship as husband and wife over a period of time. Nevertheless, it's a difficult hurdle to get over, and that’s why many spouses divorce an unfaithful mate.
In addition to marital sexual unfaithfulness, there’s a second provision for divorce—when an unbeliever leaves the marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 tells us:
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
God is not saying a disciple of Christ must divorce an unbelieving spouse. He is telling us that if an unbelieving spouse leaves you because you put Christ before your spouse, you may allow the person to leave. A divorce is not mandatory, but it is permitted under these circumstances.
On Monday we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completions: . . . in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45 (NLT)
4/28/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/yAw8P9BbL0A
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon titled “The Issue of Marriage and Divorce”.
God said a man who hates and divorces his wife does violence to her. In the culture at this time, only a man could divorce his wife; women could not divorce their husbands. A divorced woman was in great peril. To divorce one’s wife was to overwhelm her with cruelty. When a husband divorced his wife, it put him in a bad standing with God.
There’s no such thing as a “starter” marriage. Marriage is between one man and one woman for a lifetime.
As we explore what God has to say about marriage and divorce, the second point is marriage is the only place for sexual intimacy to occur. This is God’s intent, design, plan, and blessing. 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 tells us:
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Paul had the gift of celibacy. For those who don’t have this gift, marriage is the only place for sexual intimacy. Within the parameters of marriage, sexual intimacy is never to be used as a weapon against a husband or wife. Marriage partners should not hear their spouse saying, “You’re not getting any until you . . .”
We read the following in Hebrews 13:4: Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
As we continue to look at God’s plan for marriage and divorce, we see a third point: Divorce is not always a sin. Sadly, even in the church, divorced people have been looked down on and considered to be second class. Divorce is not a sin that God can’t forgive.
When I was in college preparing to become a minister, I had two classmates who were also preparing for the ministry. One had been divorced, and one had been in prison for conspiracy to commit murder against his wife. When it was time to apply for a job as a pastor, these two men applied to the same denomination. Guess whose application was turned down. It was the man who had been divorced. The denomination had a policy against hiring people for the ministry who had been divorced. There was no such policy for a man who had hired someone to kill his wife. Does this strike you as being wrong? I sure hope so.
No sin is beyond the forgiveness of God, but there are certain sins that should keep people from certain jobs. For example, a person convicted of embezzling money should not have a job as a treasurer. A person who has been convicted of child abuse should not have a job working with children. Sin has consequences, but God forgives sins and we should, too.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completions: . . . defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26 (NLT)
4/27/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/tmBRzAjCp2k
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon titled “The Issue of Marriage and Divorce”.
In Matthew 19:1-6, we read:
When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
God performed the first wedding ceremony, and it was between one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve. That marriage was to be for a lifetime. No one was to separate it.
Marriage is for a lifetime. Marriage is not something that endures only until one of parties gets tired of it. Marriage isn’t a temporary commitment until something better comes along or until someone decides he’s ready for a change.
1 Corinthians 6:16 says: Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
There’s unity that takes place between one man and one woman.
Ephesians 5:25-32 tells us:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Paul is making a connection between the marriage relationship and Jesus and his church—the called out ones. There’s a oneness that Jesus has with the church that reflects the oneness a husband and wife have.
Malachi 2:13-16 says:
Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
God hates divorce. A marriage commitment is for a lifetime. There’s no place for unfaithfulness in a marriage.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completions: . . . outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
4/26/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/GbUvae-hLNw
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s sermon titled “The Issue of Marriage and Divorce”.
Philippians 3: 17-21 tells us:
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Jesus is in the business of transforming lives. Our citizenship is in heaven. We eagerly await the return of Jesus. Meanwhile, we need to be ambassadors for Christ. In order to do that, we need to think and act the way Jesus thinks and acts.
John 17:13-19 has the following words of Jesus:
Because we are not of this world, disciples of Christ should stand out from the crowd. Our influences no longer come from the world; our influences come from Christ. Jesus influences the way we think and act.
Let’s explore what God has to say about marriage and divorce. First, marriage is one man, one woman, for a lifetime.
Genesis 2:19-24 says:
Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
On a side note, when Adam was naming all the animals, he started out with names like tyrannosaurus rex, archaeopteryx, parasaurolophus, brachiosaurus, and dilophosaurus. Towards the end, Adam was exhausted, and he was coming up with names like dog, cat, fly . . .
God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman united for a lifetime. The two become one physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completions: . . . afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 1 Samuel 15:24 (NLT)
4/25/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/t8bu2dnwypQ
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: ___________ is as sinful as witchcraft, and ___________ as bad as worshiping idols. (completions at the end)
On Sunday, Pastor Michael spoke on “The Issue of Marriage and Divorce” as he continued his series of sermons on the issues of life. The reason this topic is an issue is because marriage has become optional. Cohabitation is in; marriage is out. This applies to young people through senior citizens. I read recently that Americans are living longer, marrying later, exiting marriage more quickly, and choosing to live together before marriage, after marriage, and between marriages as an alternative to marriage. Marriage is no longer the expected pathway for adults to follow. Marriage has lost much of its authority in our society—legally, religiously, and socially. The word marriage is being replaced with common law relationship,significant other, or partner. In addition, our culture has changed the definition of marriage.
Disciples of Christ should have a different worldview from those who don’t follow Christ. Disciples of Christ should have different standards and values. Disciples of Christ are called out from the world. We are called to be holy—separate from the world. We are called out of the world and into a relationship with Jesus. We are called to think differently, act differently, react differently, and interact differently.
Romans 12:1-2 says: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We are to be living transformed lives. We are not to conform to the pattern of this world. As disciples of Christ, we see the world differently.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 says:
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are called out of the world and called into Christ. As those who are sanctified, we are set apart from the world. We live in the world, but we are not of the world. We put our faith in Jesus while the world puts its faith in itself.
Disciples of Christ have a different worldview, and we have a different influence. Our worldview is determined by our relationship with Christ—not by friends, coworkers, or newsfeeds. We are influenced by our relationship with Christ over anything else.
We begin to act and think like those we are closest to. We need to be closest to Jesus. We need to be hearing from him through his word and through prayer. We need to guard our time with Jesus. We become like the group of people we hang around with. Bad company corrupts good morals.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completions:
Rebellion
stubbornness
1 Samuel 15:23a (NLT)
4/24/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/t4J9u5ssYac
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will conclude a recap of Pastor Michael’s message titled “The Issue of Sexual Immorality”. On Saturday, we left off with the story of Sammy the lamb finding a small hole in the fence. With some effort he was able to end up on the other side of the fence. He was finally free of the boundaries that had restricted his freedom.
Sammy ran and jumped and played. He kept going farther and farther away from the fence until he couldn't see the fence anymore. Then he started eating the “really, really sweet grass”. As he ate, he discovered this new grass wasn’t any sweeter than the grass at home. He said to himself, “Well, the really, really sweet grass Billy told me about is probably just over the next hill.”
Later that afternoon, a big, black ominous cloud appeared out of nowhere, and it started to rain. Sammy looked around for a place where he could get out of the rain, but there was no shelter to run under like he had at home. Soon he was wet, cold, and tired. As the sun went down, Sammy started to get a little scared. You see, the shepherd wasn't around anymore to help Sammy feel safe. Sammy’s warm bed of hay that he used to snuggle in wasn't there either. He laid there shivering under a tree in the dark. His old home seemed pretty good. “Maybe I'll go back tomorrow,” he thought.
He was almost asleep when he heard a twig snap and then another. He sniffed around and he smelled a strange smell. It was a smell he’d never smelled before. What was that smell? Not only was the smell foreign to him, but there were scary noises. They kept coming closer and closer. They were getting louder and louder, too. What should he do? Should he run? What was out there?
Suddenly, Sammy heard something that sent shivers down his spine. He heard a low, growling noise. In a flash, he remembered his mother's stories. She had said that wolves growled. Wolves smelled. She said wolves were real. Billy had lied to him. Billy said wolves didn't exist, but they did!
Sammy decided to run, but it was too late. He saw a gray blur in front of him, and then there was a flash of white teeth. He felt a sharp pain as the tendons of his leg were severed. Now it was impossible for him to run. He couldn't even stand. He felt the sticky, warm blood running down his leg. As he lay there waiting for the razor sharp teeth to rip into him, he suddenly realized that it was when he was behind the fence that he was truly free. You see, Billy lied, and Sammy died.
God doesn't give us boundaries for sex because he wants to keep us from the really, really sweet grass. He gives us boundaries because he wants to keep us from the really, really bad stuff. The world says the boundaries of God are terrible. Jesus says, “I put up boundaries to protect you, keep you, and help you. I did it because I love you.”
Sexual immorality has become an issue in our society because society wants to tell us it's not immoral—it’s amoral. They say there are no morals concerning sex. Do whatever you want with whoever you want; it doesn't matter. The world is the voice of Billy who speaks lies. God is the Shepherd who speaks truth.
Let’s look at three facts of premarital sex:
1. Those who have premarital sex are more likely to commit adultery.
2. Those who have premarital sex are more likely to get a divorce.
3. Those who have premarital sex are more likely to marry the wrong person.
Maybe you find yourself in an immoral relationship now or you recall having immoral relationships in the past. You can find forgiveness in Jesus. You haven’t done something so terrible God can’t forgive you. We read earlier God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. That is true. A Judgment Day is coming. However, for those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, Jesus will declare you, “Not guilty” on that day.
Psalm 103:8-12 says: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
There is forgiveness for our sins. We must humble ourselves before God and ask for forgiveness. We need to remember what Jesus told the lady who was caught in the act of adultery, “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11b). Those who are forgiven by Jesus become children of God. Let’s act like children of God.
Don’t beat yourself up over your past. Turn to Jesus. He welcomes you with outstretched arms. Stay away from the boundaries. Stay close to Jesus where there is forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, and kindness.
Verse Completion: . . . Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)
4/22/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/5zURbVI3xp0
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: ”Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s message titled “The Issue of Sexual Immorality”.
Sex is a wonderful thing when it is used in the right relationship of marriage. Unfortunately, Satan has worked to change sex so it is harmful rather than helpful. Satan uses the line that has worked well for him in the past: “Did God really say . . .” Satan wants us to think that God is keeping us from having a really good time. Satan wants us to think God is putting up boundaries that restrict us rather than free us to enjoy the greener grass on the other side of the fence.
When a couple is getting to know each other emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, as soon as the physical enters their relationship, the other areas become secondary. The physical relationship becomes the focus of the relationship. In time, when the thrill of the physical wears off, you discover that you don’t really know the person. Sometimes you discover that you really don’t have much in common with the person. You discover it was the physical part of the relationship that was holding the two of you together. Now what? God’s plan for your life is always best. Wait to have sex until you are married.
The sexual boundaries God has put in place are there to benefit you, not hurt you. I’d like to share a story I once heard about a sheep named Sammy:
Sammy liked being a sheep. It was a great life. He could run and play. He didn't worry about anything with the shepherd around. The shepherd was a strong, kind, and gentle man who took care of the sheep. The sheep didn't worry about anything when the shepherd was near.
Sammy loved his home. The shepherd had made it especially for them. There was lots of room to run and play, cool water to drink, and lots of sweet grass to eat. There were trees to hide under for shade when it was hot, and there was a special pile of hay that he could sleep and snuggle in when he was tired and needed to rest. There was even a shelter with a roof, so when it rained he could run in and he would be warm and safe and dry. It was a great home.
Sammy loved his home, but there was a fence. Mama said the fence was there to protect them from the wolves. Well, that was pretty cool because Sammy didn’t think he'd like to meet a wolf. Mama said they were real mean.
One day, Sammy started talking to another sheep named Billy. Billy told Sammy some interesting things that Sammy hadn't heard before. He said there was no such thing as wolves. He said the fence wasn't there to keep wolves out; the fence was there to keep him in. He said they were like prisoners in their home because of the fence. Billy said the real, real sweet grass was on the other side of the fence. He said the shepherd was actually quite mean for keeping them away from the really sweet grass and making them stay where they were.
Well, after they talked, Sammy started thinking a little bit differently about his home. His home started to feel like a jail. He often found himself dreaming about what life would be like on the other side of the fence. He wanted to try that really sweet, sweet grass Billy told him about.
The more he thought about it, the more he hated that fence. If it wasn't for the fence, he could run free. Sammy started thinking differently about the shepherd, too. The shepherd built the fence after all. The shepherd sure must be mean to keep them from having fun, to keep them from eating the real sweet grass, and to keep them from being free.
One day it happened. Sammy was walking around when he saw it—a little hole in the fence. He looked all around and saw that nobody was watching. He managed to poke his head through the hole and proceeded to twist, turn, wriggle, and squirm. He finally squeezed through the hole and popped out on the other side of the fence. He was free!
On Monday we will conclude this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . rescue you in your hour of distress!” Judges 10:14 (NLT)
4/21/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/twFU3wwXMN0
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Yet you have abandoned me and served other gods. So . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s message titled “The Issue of Sexual Immorality”.
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 says: “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
There is a oneness that takes place with sexual intercourse. Genesis 2:20-24tells us: So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
The act of intercourse makes two people become one not only physically but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as well. Sexual intercourse was designed by God to be something special that only two people in a marriage relationship share. When it is engaged in outside of marriage, it cheapens that relationship. Human beings are not animals that engage in simply a physical act. Of course, rape and incest don’t have a oneness because there is not consent by both people involved.
When the world says to go out and have sex with whoever you want as often as you want, they are wrong. The truth is sex was designed by God exclusively for a marriage relationship between a husband and wife.
Our bodies are important to God. They are temples of God. Our bodies are where God dwells. Do you think God dwells in a body that has sex outside of marriage? We are to give God honor by what we do with our bodies.
Let’s review:
· Sex is designed by God for the marriage relationship between a husband and wife.
· Sex outside of marriage is wrong. It’s not God’s best for us.
· Human beings can control their urges and desires. We are not animals. We are made in the image of God.
· Sex outside of marriage does not demonstrate respect and love for the other person. Sex can be a means of taking advantage of another person and wronging them.
· Sex outside of marriage does not bring us closer to God. It’s not God’s will for his children.
· There’s a oneness that takes place in sexual intercourse.
· Our bodies are important to God. We are temples of the Holy Spirit.
This is the truth about sex. It’s a wonderful thing when it is used in the right relationship of marriage.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . I will not rescue you anymore. Judges 10:13 (NLT)
4/20/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/v4Kp6S5smnE
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: The LORD replied, “Did I not rescue you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites? When they oppressed you, you cried out to me for help, and l . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s message titled “The Issue of Sexual Immorality”.
Our society would tell us that we are animals. We’re geared to have sex. It’s an instinct. We shouldn’t be suppressing that which is simply an instinct we were born with. Suppressing the urge isn’t healthy for us. The Bible tells us something very different. We are to be in control of our bodies; our bodies are not to be in control of us. People are able to control their urges and desires. We are not animals. We are humans who are created in the image of God. Genesis 1:26-28 tells us: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Sex outside of marriage does not show respect or love for the other person. Sex can be a means of taking advantage of another person and doing wrong to them. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 says: and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.
When we love somebody we want what is best for them, and we do what is best for them. Connecting another person with God is doing what is best for them. We desire to help them to be all that God wants them to be. Sex outside of marriage is not looking out for the person’s best; it’s using another person for our own desires. Sex outside of marriage doesn’t move a person closer to God. We are not looking out for their spiritual, physical, or emotional well-being when we have sex with a person outside of marriage. A one night stand is a physical act that takes advantage of another person. It’s not showing the person respect.
Sex outside of marriage does not bring us closer to God. If you think you have a close relationship with God while you are having a sexual relationship outside of marriage, you are being deceived. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and 8 tells us:
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.
Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
By saying that sexual immorality is fine, a person is rejecting God. When a person rejects God, their relationship with God is not fine. Engaging in sexual immorality takes us away from God. Hebrews 13:4 tells us: Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Inside of a marriage relationship, sex is a wonderful thing. It’s all part of God’s design. Outside of a marriage relationship, sex gets contorted and far less than God wants it to be.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . rescued you. Judges 10:11-12 (NLT)
4/19/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/TxaAmNuL7BU
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s message titled “The Issue of Sexual Immorality”.
1 Corinthians 7:1-5 tells us: Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Sex should take place in a marriage relationship between a husband and wife.
Hebrews 13:4 says: Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Adultery is wrong; it is a sin. God will judge the adulterer as well as those who are sexually active outside of marriage.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 says: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Clearly, God is telling us to avoid sexual immorality. We are to be sanctified—set apart, made holy, made to look more and more like Jesus. Part of being sanctified is being sexually pure. God does not approve of those who are sexually immoral. Sex is to occur inside a marriage relationship.
Sexual immorality is sex that occurs outside of a marriage relationship. The Greek word for this is porneia which translates to prostitution, harlotry, unchastity, fornication, and unlawful sexual intercourse. It is from this Greek word that we get pornography or pornographic. God is telling us to stay away from porneia. Adultery is a subset of sexual immorality. God is clearly telling us that we are not to be people who prostitute ourselves to others. Anytime a person has sexual relations with a person outside of a marriage that person is prostituting themselves. They are engaging in porneia.
We should note that human beings can control their urges and desires. We just read in Thessalonians: each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . judge everyone’s secret life. Romans 2:16 (NLT)
4/18/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/pMRmfXGUGlI
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s message titled “The Issue of Sexual Immorality”.
Sexual immorality is so prevalent today that it’s almost come to the point where it is considered normal. What used to be considered immoral is now considered moral. Our society wouldn’t put sex and immoral together, because it considers sex as moral. Television shows, movies, books, and educational materials seek to normalize sex outside of marriage. These means of communication want you to think that everyone is having sex outside of marriage. It’s what people do. It’s natural and normal. In fact, a good sex life is essential to your health, happiness, and living a fulfilled life. There’s definitely something wrong with you if you aren’t having sex several times a week. This is what we are led to believe.
Policy makers, entertainers, and educators want us to believe that sex is essential to the well-being, happiness, and fulfillment of life. Those who aren’t having sex are missing out. Something is wrong with them. They want us to believe that we can have sex with whoever we want and whenever we want. Sex is encouraged and normalized. The culture we live in says sex is simply a physical act. It means nothing, but it satisfies a physical need. You have a right to satisfy that need. They reduce sex to an animal instinct. We are fed so many lies by our society. Is this something new? Not really. The Roman Empire was normalizing adultery. We are not animals who are compelled to follow animal instincts.
We hear many different voices telling us how we are to view sex, but there’s only one voice we should be following, and that is the voice of truth that comes from God and his word. What does God have to say about sexual immorality? God teaches us truth, absolute truth. God teaches us what is involved in being a moral person. Morality and truth go hand in hand. Immorality and falsehood go hand in hand.
The Declaration of Independence is based off of an absolute truth by which we have moral standards: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and . . . Truths are self-evident; they are absolute truths. Gravity is self-evident. It’s absolutely true that every single time you let go of something, it will drop (except a helium balloon). We accept that truth. We accept other truths of science such as the rotation of the Earth on its axis or the revolution of the Earth around the sun. Why don’t we accept the absolute truth of morality? We try to destroy truth when it comes to our preferences and our desires on how we live.
Let’s look at some truths of God regarding the topic of sexual immorality. We’ll begin with the topic of adultery. Sex is designed by God for those who are in a marriage relationship. Most people would say adultery is wrong. Jesus said in Matthew 5:27, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’”Jesus is quoting from Exodus 20:14. The majority of people today would agree that adultery is wrong.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. Romans 2:15 (NLT)
4/17/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/0gGa1w_bnvM
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when . . . (completion at the end)
Yesterday, Pastor Michael continued his series of sermons on the issues of life with a message titled “The Issue of Sexual Immorality”. Psalm 119:105 tells us: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. As we look at sexual morality and immorality, we will use God’s word to light the path for us to follow.
Not everyone lives out life the same way. We all have different experiences, backgrounds, upbringings, educations, and influences. We don’t all hold the same worldview. Consequently, topics such as these become issues. The purpose of speaking on this topic is not to get people riled up, cause division, anger people, or condemn people. The purpose of this series is to help us understand what God has to say about different controversial topics. God’s word shows us the path we should follow. It sheds light on the path so we don’t find ourselves stumbling around in the dark.
As disciples of Christ, we should value what God has to say. When we hear different voices telling us different things, we should be most concerned about what God has to say. Our standard should always be the word of God. It’s easy to be influenced by our friends, family, coworkers, education, news feeds, entertainers, and politicians. As we hear these different voices, our ears need to be tuned first to God’s voice. His voice speaks clearly through his word.
You may not agree with everything that is said today, but I would encourage you to revisit the Scripture references we use today and prayerfully listen to God’s voice as he speaks to you. I would ask that you not say, “That’s just your interpretation. You’re just giving your opinion.” Don’t dismiss what is said just because it doesn’t line up with your worldview. Carefully meditate on God’s word to see what God has to say.
As the different authors wrote Scripture, they intended it for one purpose, one interpretation. They didn’t write in ambiguous ways so what was written could be taken several different ways. There’s one interpretation and many different applications. Hermeneutics is the science of interpreting Scripture. There are guidelines that are to be used when interpreting Scripture so the interpretation will be correct. We have to carefully examine Scripture so we can determine what God is telling us in his word.
We don’t hold a worldview and then align Scripture to fit our worldview. Instead, we put Scripture first, and then we work on aligning our worldview so It is in sync with Scripture. Our worldview should not clash with Scripture. When it does clash, it’s our worldview that has to change. Scripture is always our standard. It never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. His words never change. The world’s views on morality are constantly changing. God’s views on morality never change.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s message.
Verse Completion: . . . they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. Romans 2:14 (NLT)
4/15/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/TbDTXuuTpO4
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will look at an article that appeared in the March 2023 issue of Tabletalk Magazine titled “Those Who Are Praised by All”.
What does it take to be a person with no enemies? Dr. R.C. Sproul argues in his commentary on Luke that having no enemies is possible only if one is a man-pleaser who tailors his positions to his audience and tells people only what they want to hear. The person who has no enemies has no convictions or principles; he changes what he believes depending on who he is talking to and adjusts his views to fit whatever is currently popular.
Christians, however, will surely have enemies. It is not that we should go looking for trouble, but true disciples of Jesus have firm, unshakable convictions because they are people of the truth. They follow truth incarnate—the Lord Jesus Christ(John 14:6)—and since He does not change (Hebrews 13:8), neither does the truth. There are some matters on which believers simply will not compromisebecause they are matters of unchanging truth. Consequently, those who refuse to love the truth will hate Christians (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
The final beatitude-woe pairing in Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain is an application of this principle. Our Savior pronounces a blessing on those who are hated on account of Him (Luke 6:22). This assumes that it will be the normal lot of Christians to be hated by at least some people in this world. Note that the hatred is connected to our representation of Jesus and our standing for His truth. We are blessed by God not for being rude or pointlessly disagreeable but only for being true to Christ and His Word. Our natural inclination is to think that being hated by others is a sign that we are doing something wrong, but this is not so when others hate us for our faithfulness to Christ. Their hatred demonstrates that we stand in line with the faithful prophets of old who proclaimed God’s truth and often suffered for it, and it is a sign of persevering faith that will be rewarded (Luke 6:23).
Jesus then pronounces a woe on people about whom nothing ill is ever said (Luke 6:26). The false prophets who told the people what they wanted to hear and not the truth were similarly praised by everyone, and God brings false prophets ultimately to destruction because they hate His truth. Jeremiah 27:14-15 says: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies to you. ‘I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.’ ”
If no one ever has anything bad to say about us, we are likely not standing for truth, or we are doing so with such timidity that no one knows what we actually believe. One way that we can keep ourselves from falling in this regard is to remember what Dr. Sproul says: “If you’re going to be a disciple of Christ, all men will not speak well of you.”
John Chrysostom comments, “It is not possible for a virtuous person who travels by the straight and narrow path and follows Christ’s commands to enjoy the praise and admiration of all people—so strong is the impulse of evil and the resistance to virtue.” If no one ever raises an objection to what we believe, we need to ask ourselves whether we are being faithful to God’s Word. True commitment to Jesus always invites opposition.
Verse Completion: . . . his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:20 (NLT)
4/14/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/OA0T0qm3MnM
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: “And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will conclude a recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter sermon titled “The Power of God” based on Colossians 2:13-15.
One of the greatest works of Jesus on the cross was his triumph over Satan. Jesus made a spectacle of Satan. No one can defeat God. No one is more powerful than God. God is ultimately triumphant. He is ultimately victorious. It may seem like Satan is winning at times, but he’s not even close to winning. It’s the cross that defeated Satan.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 says:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus disarmed the power of Satan while he was on the cross. Jesus chose to stay on the cross and endure the pain, humiliation, and disgrace in order to bring salvation to you and me.
Why do we have the cross as a symbol of Christ and Christianity? Why do we take this Roman symbol of execution, pain, and humiliation and put it up in our churches? Why do we celebrate the cross? Why do we sing about the cross? It’s because of what the cross accomplished. First, it gives us life. By the cross we are justified. Through the death of Jesus on the cross, we can receive forgiveness for our sins. Second, it is by the work of Christ on the cross that the debt of sin was paid. Third, Jesus triumphed over Satan on the cross. Jesus made a public spectacle of Satan while Satan thought he was making a public spectacle of Jesus. The cross completely disarmed Satan.
Romans 8:31-39 tells us:
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We have been given victory because on the cross Jesus gained the victory. We are overcomers, conquerors, and victors because of the cross of Christ. This is why we hold the cross up for others to see. This is why the cross is used as a symbol for Christ. This is why we cherish the cross.
Verse Completion: . . . hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Luke 8:15 (NLT)
4/13/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/dU6P0QZM5LE
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: “Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter sermon titled “The Power of God” based on Colossians 2:13-15.
If you are a disciple of Christ, every sin you have ever done has been nailed to the cross. It has been crucified in Christ. You no longer have to carry around that burden of sin. It’s gone. Its penalty has been paid in full. If you aren’t a disciple of Christ, I’m encouraging you to receive the gift of forgiveness and everlasting life. Let Christ pay your debt. He wants to pay it, but you have to allow him to do it. Jesus wants you to enter the gates of heaven and spend eternity with him. He made this possible for you by his death on the cross.
Romans 8:1-4 tells us:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Because of the work Jesus did on the cross, we are not condemned before God. Our sins have been forgiven. The debt has been paid. We’ve been set free from the sins that entangled us.
The third reason why the cross is a symbol for Christianity is Jesus triumphed over Satan. Colossians 2:15 says: And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Satan has been disarmed by the cross. Satan thought he was making a public spectacle of Jesus while Jesus hung on the cross, but it was Jesus who was making a public spectacle of Satan. Satan had no idea he’d been had!
When I was growing up in Canada, my brothers and I loved to play chess. Our goal was to beat Dad because he was not only the champion chess player in our home, his fame as a good chess player spread over a rather large area. Very few people had ever beaten him. I had tried many times, but my dad was always able to figure out a way to beat me.
One day while my dad and I were playing chess, I was able to take a key piece of his. I thought to myself: Now I’ve got him. I’m finally going to win my first game against my dad. There’s no way he’ll be able to recover from the loss I inflicted on him. I’ve got him now! I’ve got the upper hand. Finally, I am going to beat my dad after all these years of trying and trying. Dad finally made a fatal mistake. After I beat him, I’m going to tell my brothers, relatives, friends, and anyone else who will listen to me tell of my great victory!
As I was getting excited over my upcoming win, my father reached down, took one of his pieces in his hand, and before he moved it, he said to me, “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” He then proceeded to take my queen. Not long after that the game was over. The victorious ending I had predicted did not come to fruition. Dad’s unbroken record of wins against me still stands.
Satan thought he had finally beaten Jesus. He was so proud of the spectacle of Jesus on the cross. He knew he had Jesus beat. Jesus was dying, and soon Satan would be the most powerful force around. Satan knew he would be on top—finally, after all these years of being beaten time and time again. Not once had Satan beaten God, but this would be the one time. He could hardly wait to start the celebration. Satan was so proud of himself. As Satan was gloating over his victory, God raised his hand on the third day and moved the stone aside. Jesus came back to life and walked out of his tomb! As he walked out, he turned to Satan and said, “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts,” or something like that. Satan had clearly lost. His days of ruling the earth would be coming to an end.
Tomorrow we will conclude this recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter message.
Verse Completion: . . . people’s scorn, nor fear their insults.” Isaiah 51:7 (NLT)
4/12/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/NEe8ziMWVow
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter sermon titled “The Power of God” based on Colossians 2:13-15.
The second reason why the cross is a symbol for Christianity is it is by the work of Christ on the cross that the debt of sin was paid. We had a debt we could not pay. Sin has a penalty, and it is death. Colossians 2:14 says: having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. (NIV)
The Amplified Bible puts it this way: having canceled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note with its legal decrees and demands which were in force and stood against us and was hostile to us. This note with its regulations, decrees, and demands, he set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to the cross.
Jesus took all that was against us and nailed it to the cross. Jesus became sin for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. While Jesus was on the cross, he became sin for us. He took our sin and said, “I will pay for that sin. I will pay for that lie you told. I will pay for the cheating you did. I will pay for your sexual immorality. I will pay for your adultery. I will pay for your gossip. I will pay for your foul mouth. I will pay for your addictions.” Christ paid the penalty for every sin you and I have ever done. Jesus became sin for us.
Imagine yourself going through a grocery store and loading up your shopping cart with things in the store. You look at everything in your cart and estimate you have $200 worth of groceries. When you get to the checkout station, the person ahead of you says, “Let me pay for everything you have in your cart.” As each item is charged, the person pays for it. Your cart ends up empty, and you owe nothing. Everything in your cart was paid for in full.
Jesus has taken every sin out of your cart and paid the price for it in full so that you can become the righteousness of God. It took the cross for Jesus to pay the debt we owed. He paid for it out of his love for us. He paid the debt willingly. No one forced him to do it. John 10:14-18 has the following words of Jesus:
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter message.
Verse Completion: . . . his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NLT)
4/11/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/ObvvXb55Y48?t=4
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Be our ruler! You and your son and your grandson will be our rulers, for you have rescued us from Midian.”
But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The . . .(completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter sermon titled “The Power of God” based on Colossians 2:13-15.
From this passage in Colossians, we are given three reasons for why the cross is a symbol for Christianity. First, the work on the cross is what gives us life. The work Jesus did on the cross gives us forgiveness of all our sins. Colossians 2:13 says: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.
Because of the cross we are taken from everlasting death to everlasting life. Because of the cross we are taken from darkness to light. Because of the cross we are taken from sin to salvation. Ephesians 2:1-5 tells us:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
It is by the cross that we were transferred from objects of wrath to objects of sonship. The cross makes it possible for us to be adopted into the family of God no matter who we are or what we have done.
Romans 5:6-11 tells us:
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 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! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
It is by the cross of Christ that humanity is reconciled to God. It is by the cross of Christ that peace is made between a holy God and a sinful humanity. Before finding Jesus, we were enemies of God by our own choosing. Yet, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God was gracious to us! It was through the cross that Jesus paid the penalty for sin. It was through the cross we were reconciled to God. When a person is reconciled, he/she is restored to friendly relations; harmony is established between the two parties.
Romans 3:22-26 tells us:
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
It’s by the cross of Christ that we are justified—declared righteous in the sight of God.
The cross is a symbol of Christianity because it is a symbol of our life in Christ. By the death of Jesus on the cross we have life and the forgiveness of sins.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter message.
Verse Completion: . . . LORD will rule over you!” Judges 8:22-23 (NLT)
4/10/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/_yLgtd_kkxw
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the LORD caused the warriors in the camp to . . . (completion at the end)
On Easter Sunday, Pastor Michael shared with us a sermon titled “The Power of God” based on Colossians 2:13-15.
Have you ever wondered why Christianity uses the cross as a symbol for their faith? Afterall, the cross was used by the Romans to execute someone they wanted to torture and humiliate. It was reserved for the most heinous of criminals who had committed crimes against people and/or crimes against the Roman Empire. The cross was designed to give the ultimate shame, ultimate humility, and ultimate pain. The cross was designed so a convicted criminal would suffer a slow, painful death. Those who were placed on a cross were stripped of all their clothes in order to provide the criminal maximum humiliation.
Death on a cross didn’t occur because of wounds from being beaten and whipped. Death occurred because of asphyxiation. The criminal would suffocate to death. The body would lose so much oxygen that the person would smother to death, or the carbon dioxide level in the body would rise so high that the body tissues would turn acidic and destroy their own cells. In order to get more oxygen into the lungs, the person on the cross would push up with their legs so they could catch a breath. After some time, the Romans in charge of the execution would break bones in the legs so the legs could no longer be used to aid in breathing. The Romans had a lot of control over when a person would die on the cross. They could reduce or extend the time of torture.
Knowing how awful death on a cross was, why would Christians choose to have the cross as a symbol of their faith? At NCCU we have a large cross in our parking lot, crosses on the outside of our building, and crosses on the inside of our building. People wear crosses as jewelry. People use crosses to mark graves or places where people have died in traffic crashes. We sing about the cross in church.
Why wasn’t a different symbol chosen to represent the Christian faith? There are many other possibilities. An empty tomb is a vital part of our faith. Angels have delivered important messages to people. A pitcher of water could be used since Jesus told the Samaritan woman he was the water of life (see John 4:1-26). Breadcould be used because Jesus said he was the bread of life (see John 6:48-51). A staff could be used because Jesus said he was the good shepherd (see John 10:11-18). A fish or fishing pole could be used since Jesus told his disciples he would send them out to fish for people (see Matthew 4:19). Why was the crosschosen as a symbol of Christ and Christianity? To help us answer this question, let’s read Colossians 2:13-15:
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Tomorrow we will continue this recap of Pastor Michael’s Easter message.
Verse Completion: . . . fight against each other with their swords. Judges 7:22a (NLT)
4/8/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/nkElMcGVRmk
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: But Joash shouted to the mob that confronted him, “Why are you defending Baal? Will you argue his case? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal truly is a god, let him. . . (completion at the end)
Today we will conclude a recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon titled “From Anger to Kindness” based on Ephesians 4:21-32.
When I was growing up, we lived across the street from some very difficult neighbors. The husband and wife didn’t seem to appreciate children. When we were teenagers, we would play softball or basketball, and the ball would occasionally bounce into our neighbor’s front yard. When that would happen, one of them would run out of their house, grab the ball, and take it into their house. While this was happening, we would receive a loud reprimand from the wife. They would not return the balls to us.
On one occasion, the neighbor lady called the police and told them I had broken a window on their home with a softball. While my brother and I were playing catch with a softball in the parking lot next to the church, our neighbor lady came over to where we were and took pictures of us throwing the softball back and forth to each other. These photos would likely be used to “prove” it was us who broke her window.
On another occasion, the neighbor lady called our home. My mom answered the phone, and the neighbor lady shared that she didn’t like our cat because our cat was fertilizing her rose bushes. She told my mom she was going to call the city so the city could trap our cat. My mom responded by saying, “I love you, Mrs. Steele. I want to be your friend.”
As a teenager, I was a long ways from having the kind of response my mom gave. I wasn’t fond of my neighbors at all, but my parents prayed for them. They even prayed that somehow, God would lead the neighbors to need help from us.
One day, we received the news that Mrs. Steele had cancer and was in the hospital. My mom began to write her little notes of encouragement. She didn’t preach in the notes; my mom was just a caring friend.
We received a call from Mrs. Steele who told my mom, “I can’t thank you enough for all the notes you sent to me. You didn’t just send a card, you wrote in each one.”
When Christmas arrived, my mom gave a fruitcake to the Steeles. You are probably thinking: You don’t give fruitcakes to friends; you give them to enemies. However, my mom’s fruitcakes were exceptional. The Steeles said they thoroughly enjoyed it.
My mom would go visit Mrs. Steele regularly. My mom was even able to share Scripture with Mrs. Steele. Mr. Steele even told my mom, “You are welcome over here anytime.”
One day we were told that Mrs. Steele had passed away. A few days later, Mr. Steele came over to our house. He had with him a project his wife had been working on. She had crocheted something for my sister’s newborn.
Years later, I was back in Billings, MT, visiting my parents. My brother and I were out in the driveway when Mr. Steele showed up. He was so friendly! My mom’s kindness turned everything around. If anger would have won, opportunities could have been missed. I wonder if Mrs. Steele is in heaven today because of my mom’s visits with her and the Scripture she shared. Kindness won our neighbor over. Kindness is powerful!
Jesus calls each one of us to be a kind person. When we step out in kindness, we are being like Jesus. We are loving people like Jesus loves people.
We’ve been changed, we’re being changed, and we are being challenged. I want to be open to the opportunities God provides for me. I want to be able to express kindness in those moments when God says, “Here’s an opportunity I have prepared for you to show kindness.”
Verse Completion: . . . defend himself and destroy the one who broke down his altar!” Judges 6:31 (NLT)
4/7/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/fuaW27AjhOE
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon titled “From Anger to Kindness” based on Ephesians 4:21-32.
A person may think they have kindness mastered because they are polite, helpful, hold doors open for people, tell people to have a good day, and don’t display fits of rage. They love people who love them back. However, as Christians we have a higher standard. Jesus said inLuke 6:27-36:
It’s easy to love people who love us in return. It’s not so easy to love people who hate us and try to make life miserable for us. As Christians we are to love those who are unlovely. We are even to love our enemies—those who treat us with evil, insult us, are ungrateful. The world tells us to write people off who don’t treat us well. Jesus tells us to serve them, be kind to them.
1 John 3:18says: Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
We are not to justsay we love people; we are to show people we love them.
Ephesians 4:32says: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
God has been so kind to us. It’s through his kindness and love that we are led to repentance and salvation. Because God loves us, we need to love others. When we are tempted to not forgive others, we need to remember Jesus has forgiven us of all our sins. God has shown us so much kindness. Let’s share that kindness with others. Kindness includes giving, sharing, encouraging, extending mercy, friendliness, benevolence, and goodness.
Do you have any EGR (Extra Grace Required) people in your life? Maybe it’s your neighbors who have a dog that continues to bark at 2:00 a.m. Maybe it’s an annoying co-worker that’s hard to get along with. Maybe it’s the person you do your best to avoid. Being kind and compassionate can be a real challenge at times.
We need to be praying, “God, how can I show this person your kindness? How can I offer help, bless, gift, or encourage this person? How do you want me to pray for this person? How can I befriend this person? Empower me to show kindness to this person.”
We’ve been changed, we’re being changed, and we’re being challenged.
Tomorrow we will continue with this recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. 1 Kings 8:23 (NLT)
4/6/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/bc_CtzD2Oxc
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: “But will God really live on earth? Why, even the . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon titled “From Anger to Kindness” based on Ephesians 4:21-32.
In the 4thcentury, there was a plague that hit the city of Caesarea. The general population fled the city; they didn’t want to have any part of it. It was the Christians who stayed behind to tend to the dying and give them a proper burial. Countless numbers had no one to care for them except for the Christians who ministered with kindness.
Julian, the Roman pagan emperor, took note of the Christians and proposed to the pagan priest that they imitate the Christians in their kindness. He noticed that Christians had a winning way about them through their kindness. He said, “As children are coaxed with cakes, so have these Christians enticed the poor to join them by kindness.” Kindness evangelism works. Frederick Faber said, “Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.”
Over the past years, I’ve had the privilege to take mission teams to Russia. One city we worked in was Tobolsk in Southern Siberia. We prayed about how we could reach out to the needs in that community. We discovered alcoholism was a huge problem, so we decided to build a rehab center outside of the city of Tobolsk. In time the rehab center was built and many people were freed of drug and alcohol addictions. They returned to being productive members of society.
One day the pastor of an evangelical church was called into the mayor’s office. In Russia, that can be bad news. The pastor was apprehensive as he entered the mayor’s office. To make matters worse, he saw the Orthodox priest standing in the mayor’s office as well. The Orthodox church in Russia is not favorable towards the evangelical church. The mayor began the conversation by addressing the evangelical pastor. He said, “We have seen the work you’re doing out at the rehab center, and we think it’s a great work. We love what you are doing. We love how you are addressing the problems in the city.” Then the mayor looked over at the Orthodox priest and said, “So what are you doing to help the problem?” As the priest stumbled to answer, the mayor looked back at the evangelical pastor and said, “I just want you to know we have acreage by your rehab center that we use to grow hay. We would love it if you would bail hay for the animals in your barn.” God used the kindness of people to accomplish much good. Kindness is a powerful instrument in the hands of God.
Paul talks about the old self. Sometimes there are obstacles in our lives that make it difficult for us to express kindness.Ephesians 4:31-32 says: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We need to be under God’s control and allow the Holy Spirit to rule our lives. We can’t afford to give the enemy any ground in our lives through anger that may show itself in bitterness, resentment, keeping score of wrongs, fits of rage, uncontrolled outbursts, brawling & slander (physical & verbal abuse), and every form of malice. Anger is literally a bad feeling of intent toward another person.
Tomorrow we will continue with this recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! 1 Kings 8:27 (NLT)
4/5/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/v1DOubMCGXE
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: Serve the LORD alone. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon titled “From Anger to Kindness” based on Ephesians 4:21-32.
As believers, some things change quickly in our lives; some things change slowly. Stubborn habits can take a while. Sometimes we hang on to the familiar things in life. Here in Ephesians we see Paul challenging the believers and encouraging them to live out the new self formed by the indwelling Spirit. The believers have been created by God for so much more, living out their lives in righteousness and holiness. Some examples are given to us in Ephesians 4:25-30:
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
As Christians, our lives change when we become believers. In fact, we live supernatural lives because of the changes that God brings about in our lives. It’s the Holy Spirit that lives in us that brings about the changes we are unable to make on our own.
In 1988, H.W. Bush received his party’s nomination for the President of the United States. In his acceptance speech, he called for a kinder, gentler nation. This message in Ephesians isn’t about being a little more kind or a little more gentle with each other, it’s a message about allowing the Holy Spirit to do a transformation in our lives, empowering us to live the life God has planned for us. Galatians 5:22-23asays: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
1 Corinthians 13:4 says: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Kindness is part of the abundant life that’s already ours because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s part of our Christian DNA to be nurtured and grown by the Spirit’s movement in our lives. God will lead us into opportunities where we have the ability to express kindness to others.
Ephesians 2:10 says: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The early church recognized opportunities to express kindness. Kindness was one of the identifying marks of a follower of Christ. The Greek word for Christ is Christós. The Greek word for kindness is christótes. They are very similar to each other. The pagan society at this time in history sometimes confused these two words and actually thought early believers were identified by their kindness—christótes. Certainly, kindness was one of the identifying marks of the early church.
Tomorrow we will continue with this recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14b-15 (NLT)
4/4/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/PNjH8rEJjDc
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: “And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will continue a recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon titled “From Anger to Kindness” based on Ephesians 4:21-32.
We live in a world that can use more kindness. We live in a world that is so competitive. When a person puts on their turn signal to change lanes, other drivers will speed up to close the gap so a lane change can’t be accomplished easily. It seems like everyone wants to be first. Everyone is in a hurry, and they get angry when another person delays them in any way. We live in a world of impatience and intolerance. It’s been said that the shortest amount of time is the time from when a traffic light turns green to the time when the person behind you blows their horn.
We live in a world where people look out for #1—they care about themselves, not others. We live in a world that teaches us to not get in the way of another person. We live in a world where anger truly abounds.
You may have heard about an incident that took place at a Costco in South Carolina. Samples of food were being given to customers, and a 70 year-old man was patiently waiting in line for his complimentary sample of cheese. A 72 year-old man stepped in line ahead of the 70 year-old. Angry words were exchanged, and that led to a push, a shove, and a punch with a fist. Now, don’t get me wrong; I like my cheese, too. I don’t appreciate it when someone cuts in line ahead of me, but don’t you think the world could stand a little more kindness?
Kindness is a wonderful quality in a world that is so broken! Kindness is very attractive. The world is hungry for kindness. A study was done some years ago among thirty-seven cultures of the world. A total of 16,000 subjects were asked what the most desirable trait was in a life partner. The overwhelming response was kindness.
King Solomon said in Proverbs 19:22a: That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness (American Standard Version).
Shakespeare said, “Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, shall win my love.”
Kindness is such an attractive quality, and yet it is such a rare commodity in this world. It’s always encouraging when we see it displayed.
Anger and kindness are at polar opposites with each other. Anger seeks to control and harm; kindness seeks to serve and benefit others.
In the first part of the book of Ephesians, Paul affirms the believers’ position in Christ. Paul reminds them that they were once dead in their trespasses and sins, but now they have been made new in Christ. They have been set free. They no longer live for the old self; they now live for God as they are empowered by his Spirit.
In Chapter Four, Paul begins to move into the progressive part of the Christian life—the part that is dynamic, fluid, moving, growing, and changing by the work of the indwelling Spirit. In Philippians 2:12-13 we read: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Now let’s move into the main text for today. Let’s begin with Ephesians 4:20-24:
That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
These believers are in process; they are new creations. They now have new attitudes and new desires resulting in new behaviors. As you think back over your own life, what has changed in you since becoming a Christian? As you reflect on your life as a Christian, you may have noticed that your attitude has changed. Your desires have changed—it’s no longer all about me; it’s all about God. Formerly, you lived to please yourself; now, you live to please God. Formerly, you weren’t sensitive to sin in your life, but now you are very aware when there’s sin in your life.
Tomorrow we will continue with this recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . your swords or bows that brought you victory.” Joshua 24:12 (NLT)
4/3/2023
Good morning!
In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. (Rupertus Meldenius, 1627)
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/gie_Qg0mNjM
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: “Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for . . . (completion at the end)
Yesterday, we had a guest speaker from Smokey Point Community Church in Arlington, WA. Bryce McFadden is the director of Reach Training Institute (RTI) there: https://www.rtinorthsound.com Bryce McFadden has been a pastor for over 30 years. His sermon was titled “From Anger to Kindness” and was based on Ephesians 4:21-32.
History gives us so many great stories. Early in the 20th century, a poor Scottish farmer named Fleming was out working in his field when he heard cries for help coming from a nearby swamp. He immediately dropped his tools and rushed towards the cries. What he found was a terrified young boy floundering in some thick, black mud. The boy was trying to get out, but he found himself sinking deeper into the mud. Unless someone saved him he would drown. Farmer Fleming waded out into the swamp and grabbed the young boy saving his life.
The following day a fancy horse-drawn carriage pulled up to Farmer Fleming’s run-down farmhouse. A well-dressed nobleman stepped out of the carriage and introduced himself as the father of the boy Fleming had saved. The father told Fleming he wanted to repay Fleming for saving his son’s life. Farmer Fleming wouldn’t hear of it.
While the two were talking, a young boy walked up from the simple farmhouse. The nobleman asked Fleming, “Is this your son?”
“Yes, this is my son,” Fleming replied.
“Great! I have a proposition for you. Allow me to give your son a good education. If your son is anything like you, he will surely grow up to be a man you can be very proud of.”
Fleming knew he would not be able to afford an expensive education for his son, so the nobleman’s offer was very attractive. Fleming did accept the offer.
In time Fleming’s son graduated from Saint Mary’s Medical School in London. He became known throughout the world as Sir Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered penicillin.
Years later the nobleman’s son was struck with pneumonia. Penicillin saved his life. The nobleman’s name was Lord Randolph Churchill. His son’s name was Winston Churchill, one of the defining figures of the 20th century known for his inspirational speeches leading Great Britain to victory during World War Two. It’s been said that Winston Churchill has been quoted more than anyone else except for William Shakespeare. Here are a few of Churchill’s famous quotes:
· When you’re going through hell, keep going.
· Never, never, never give up.
· You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.
Kindness is powerful! In this little story we see how kindness saved one life, and that led to many other lives being saved.
Tomorrow we will continue with this recap of Bryce McFadden’s sermon.
Verse Completion: . . . the LORD your God fights for you, just as he has promised.” Joshua 23:10 (NLT)
4/1/2023
Good morning! Welcome to May! (April Fools)
Biblical meekness is a self-control of strength that makes us lambs in our own causes and lions for the cause of Christ.
Song for the Day: https://youtu.be/bWRcAa-nFIA
Complete the Verse & Name the Book: “Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land. Do not even . . . (completion at the end)
Today we will conclude the recap of the sermon “The Cliffhanger” based on Mark 16:1-8.
The rest of the story is told elsewhere in the Bible. There were many who did respond by going and telling others about what they’d seen. The fear and silence didn’t last forever. They eventually got it together and went and told.
Mark ends with this cliffhanger to get us to ask the questions: Why is the tomb empty? (He’s risen) What does the empty tomb mean? (go and tell) What will be your response?
Christianity is never theoretical, it’s always practical. It’s something that can be put into practice. Theory can be interesting, but at the end of the day, we are called to respond.
In a certain sense, every Sunday morning is a cliffhanger. We are left to ask: What will happen after our time together? Will our time together make any difference in my life? Will anyone put their faith in Jesus? Will anyone repent of their sin? Will anyone reconcile with their spouse? Will anyone seek the Lord to be revived with his love? Will anyone go and tell? It’s a cliffhanger. What will happen after we leave these doors? What will you do? Will you tell someone? Will you run away scared and be silent?
Jesus told a parable to the chief priests and elders that we find in Matthew 21:28-32:
“ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
When you walk out the church doors today, will you be like the second son and tell God, “Yes, I will go and tell,” and then end up saying nothing because you are afraid? Or will you be like the first son and tell God, “I will not. That is far too scary for me,” but later pray for God to give you courage and a heart that loves others, and end up going and telling? Or will you be like my older sister who always did everything right, and tell God, “Yes, I will go and tell,” and then follow up your words with action?
In England there’s an animal that is native to the environment called a hedgehog. They can often be found in garden areas. Hedgehogs are similar to porcupines, but they’re smaller. They have a spiny protection that resembles that of the porcupine. When a hedgehog is threatened, it will stick out its spines to keep off a predator. Unlike a porcupine, when threatened, the hedgehog will roll up into a ball and hide. We can be tempted to act like hedgehogs.
Traditionally, each of the gospel authors is associated with a symbol. Mark’s gospel is definitely not associated with the symbol of a hedgehog; it’s associated with a winged lion. Are you going to be a hedgehog that hides in fear or a winged lion that boldly proclaims the gospel of Christ in the power of the resurrection?
Verse Completion: . . . mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or serve them or worship them. Rather, cling tightly to the LORD your God.” Joshua 23:7-8a (NLT)