Scripture for June 5th: Matthew 18:21-25

Sermon Title: How Can I Forgive Others?


"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt."


Bible Scholar Hilda Bright writes the following about this passage: "The Jewish teachers said that a person should forgive someone else up to three times. God had told Amos that he would punish the wicked nations ‘for three sins and for four’ (Amos chapter 1). That is probably why the Jewish teachers said just three times. Peter thought that he was being very generous when he said ‘seven times’. It is not clear if Jesus said ‘seventy times seven’ or ‘77’ here. It is clear that he meant ‘without limit’. Long ago, Lamech said that he would pay back an injury seventy seven times (Genesis 4:23-24). But Jesus told Peter that he should always forgive. Nobody should count the times that they have forgiven anyone."

Forgive each and every time someone asks for forgiveness? We are tempted to throw up our hands and say, "How can anyone forgive like that?" However, we understand that our God has forgiven us like that - each time we come and ask for forgiveness, the blood of Christ is applied and we are restored to right fellowship with Him. As we have been forgiven by God, God in turn asks us to forgive others in the same manner. How can we do this? This will be the subject of our message as we continue the sermon series, "Life Questions: Answers to Life's Most Important Questions." Hope to see you Sunday!

Scripture for May 29th: II Chronicles 7:14

Sermon Title: Why Does God Bless America?

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."


This Bible passage was originally given by God to King Solomon of the nation of Israel. Can we apply this passage to our country today? Here's what Bible scholar and teacher Warren Wiersbe writes:

"The text in II Chronicles 7:11-16 mentions some of the specific requests that Solomon had made in his prayer, and the Lord promised to answer every request. He was willing to forgive His people when they sinned if only they would humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their sins. God has never made a covenant with any other nation but Israel, but since Christian believers today are God's people and called by His name, they can claim this promise."

God still hears the prayers of His people, and answers those prayers. We are called to pray for our country while we individually repent of our sins and seek to make God first in our lives. If we do this, the promise that was originally given to Israel will be ours today: God will forgive the sins of our people and heal our land. And this nation needs our prayers and the repentance of the Church more than anything else.

This coming Sunday I will speak on why God continues to bless America despite all of her sins and our need as Christians to repent and pray. Hope to see you then!

Scripture for May 22nd: Proverbs 3:5-6

Sermon Title: How Can We Be Sure of God's Direction?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Ever wonder how to know if you are doing what God wants you to do? Is this even possible? Our text tell us that God can "make" our "paths straight." In Proverbs 16:9 it says that "The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." God can direct our ways, but we need to be willing to be led to by Him. How do we do this? By checking our motives, our relationship with God, our timing and our faith. We will discuss each of these elments in detail on Sunday as we continue our series of messages, "Life Questions: Answers to Life's Most Important Questions." Hope to see you then!

May15th: Rev George Rosales Preaching

Rev. George Rosales, pastor of First Baptist Church, Greenfield, will be preaching this coming Sunday. Rev. Rosales was born and raised in Bolivia and graduated from Northern Baptist Seminary. He has had a successful ministry in Greenfield and is well regarded by his ministerial peers. He will share some of his experiences in leading the church in Greenfield as he brings the Word of God. I hope you will make a special effort to be in attendance.

Scripture for May 8th: Proverbs 31:10-31

Sermon Title: What Does God Expect of a Woman?

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Pastor John Huffman writes this very special poem concerning motherhood and aging:

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?

What are you thinking when you're looking at me?

A crabby old woman not very wise,

Uncertain of habit and faraway eyes.

I'm a small child of ten with a mother and father,

Brothers and sisters who love one another.

A bride in her twenties -- my heart gives a leap,

Remembering the vow that I promised to keep.

A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At forty, my sons have grown and have gone,

But my man is beside me to see I don't mourn.

At fifty, once more babies play around my knees;

Again we know children, my husband and me.

I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel;

'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body it crumbles, grace and vigor depart;

There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,

And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys, and I remember the pain;

And I am loving and living life over again.

I think of the years all too few -- gone too fast,

And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, nurses, open and see

Not a crabby old woman; look closer -- see me.

This coming Sunday we will celebrate mother's day as continue our sermon series, Life Questions: Answers to Life's Most Important Questions. This Sunday, in honor of our mothers, we will answer the question: What Does God Require of Women? Hope to see you then!