Scripture for Feb. 24th: Psalm 63:1-5

Sermon Title: Giving God Our Best Love

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

What does a Christian who gives all his or her love to God look like? Author Francis Chan answers this when he describes his friend Rings:

"I don't know how old exactly Rings is, but he's definitely what you would call an old man. I also don't know where he was born or what his real name is; he simply goes by Rings. His home is the cab of his pickup, which he parks near downtown Ocean Beach, California. He is a chain smoker, an ex- convict, ex- addict, and ex- alcoholic.

Rings likes to say that if Jesus saved him, then Jesus is able to save anyone and everyone. So instead of using his monthly check to buy alcohol or a hotel room for himself, he spends all of it on food at the local supermarket. He transfers the food he buys to coolers in the back of his truck, then he drives to the beach and makes meals for his fellow homeless.

While preparing the food, Rings tells the gathering crowd about the freedom that Jesus brought into his life. He tells them that God is the One who told him to feed others with his money, and that it's because God loves each of them. This man gives everything he has to others—literally everything—because he knows he has nothing that wasn't given to him by God.”

Rings is giving all his love to God, the God that has given him love that is overwhelming and transforming. He is an example of what it looks like when a person gives all his love to God. On Sunday we will give more examples as we describe what it means to give God our best love as we conclude the sermon series, “Crazy Love.” Hope to see you then!

Scripture for Feb. 17th: Revelation 3:15-18

Sermon Title: Giving God Just Some of Our Love

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee provides a good background on the phase, “…that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!”

“This had a background and a local meaning for the people in that day. Being down in the valley, they had difficulty getting water in Laodicea. As I stood there in the ruins, I looked south toward the Phrygian mountains, some of which are very high. I was there around the first of June, and there was still an abundance of snow on top of those mountains. The Laodiceans built an aqueduct to bring that cold water down from the mountains. When it left the mountains, it was ice cold, but by the time it made that trip all the way down the mountains to Laodicea, it was lukewarm. And lukewarm water is not very good.

Down in the valley where the Lycus River joins the Maeander River, there are hot springs. The springs are so hot that steam is produced. The Turkish government has capped it and is using it today, and I understand they intend to develop its use even more because it is there in abundance. It is the hottest water you can imagine; a lot of it is just steam. However, when they would take this hot water up to Laodicea, by the time it got there, it was no longer hot—it had become lukewarm water.

When the Lord Jesus said to the Laodicean church, “You are neither cold nor hot,” they knew exactly what He was talking about. They had been drinking lukewarm water for years. Water left the mountains ice cold, and it left the springs steaming hot, but when they got it, both were lukewarm, and it was sickening. We like to put a little ice in our water, and many folk drink hot water, but lukewarm water is just not good, my friend. The Lord Jesus said that this church was neither cold nor hot and He would spew it out of His mouth.”

Are you neither hot or cold? If you are lukewarm, you are giving God only some of your love, and this will negatively impact your relationship with Him. This coming Sunday we will talk more about what a lukewarm Christian looks like and how not to live like one as we continue the sermon series, “Crazy Love.” Hope to see you then!

Scripture for Feb. 10th: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Sermon: God's Crazy Love for Us

The LORD gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Then the LORD reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”

How great is our God? Author and Pastor Francis Chan gives us an idea when he writes about God's creation in his book, "Crazy Love": "Did you know that a caterpillar has 228 separate and distinct muscles in its head? That's quite a few, for a bug. The average elm tree has approximately 6 million leaves on it. And your own heart generates enough pressure as it pumps blood throughout your body that it could squirt blood up to 30 feet. (I've never tried this, and I don't recommend it.)

Have you ever thought about how diverse and creative God is? He didn't have to make hundreds of different kinds of bananas, but He did. He didn't have to put 3,000 different species of trees within one square mile in the Amazon jungle, but He did. God didn't have to create so many kinds of laughter. Think about the different sounds of your friends' laughs—wheezes, snorts, silent, loud, obnoxious.

How about the way plants defy gravity by drawing water upward from the ground into their stems and veins? Or did you know that spiders produce three kinds of silk? When they build their webs, they create sixty feet of silk in one hour, simultaneously producing special oil on their feet that prevents them from sticking to their own web. (Most of us hate spiders, but sixty feet an hour deserves some respect!) Coral plants are so sensitive that they can die if the water temperature varies by even one or two degrees.

Did you know that when you get goose bumps, the hair in your follicles is actually helping you stay warmer by trapping body heat? Or what about the simple fact that plants take in carbon dioxide (which is harmful to us) and produce oxygen (which we need to survive)? I'm sure you knew that, but have you ever marveled at it? And these same poison- swallowing, life- giving plants came from tiny seeds that were placed in the dirt. Some were watered, some weren't; but after a few days they poked through the soil and out into the warm sunlight.

Whatever God's reasons for such diversity, creativity, and sophistication in the universe, on earth, and in our own bodies, the point of it all is His glory. God's art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He is like.
'The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.' — Psalm 19:1–4"

God is indeed great and how wonderful it is to know that this great God has chosen to love you and me. This coming Sunday we will talk more about the greatness of God and His love for us as begin the sermon series, "Crazy Love." Hope to see you then!

Scripture for Feb. 3rd: Revelation 21:1-6; 22-27

Sermon Title: The New Heaven and The New Earth

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life."

"I've never been this homesick before." This is the title of a popular song that Dottie Rambo wrote and performed many years ago and I've been thinking about this song all week long as I've been researching the Scripture above. Heaven sounds so wonderful - no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, and no more pain. Regrets will be washed away, as will everything that is old. There will be no desire to sin, no temptation and no Devil and evil. This is home for the Christian - it is the place that Jesus said He would prepare for us (John 14:1-3) and it is the future of every believer. Yes, I am homesick - we live in a world plagued by sin at every corner and I long to be "home" - the place where my God will prepare for me.

But the most special thing about heaven is that Jesus will be there. He is the One that we pray to, worship and live for, and yet we have never seen Him with our physical eyes. In heaven our faith will have sight and we will not only see Jesus, but we will live forever in His presence. And it is at this time that we will experience God's love like never before - we will know God's love for us in all its fullness.

This coming Sunday we will talk more about "The New Heaven and The New Earth" as we end the sermon series, "The Remarkable Revelation." I hope to see you then! Until then, enjoy the words to this song: "See the bright light shine It's just about home time, I can see my Father at the door, This world has been a wilderness I'm ready for deliverance, Lord, I've never been this homesick before!" Amen!

Scripture for Jan. 27th: Revelation 19:11-16

Sermon: The Return of Christ!

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

“Sure Jesus is coming to the earth – someday.” For so many, the idea that Christ will come back to earth as a conquering and reigning King is somewhat far-fetch. Some will ask, “Okay, so maybe He really will come back someday, but what does that have to do with me right now?”

The fact that the Bible declares that Jesus Christ will come back to Earth one day should cause Christians to live their lives with patience and joy. When a person does not know what the future holds, he or she can become anxious and filled with worry. However, the Bible tells us what the future will be for every Christian – they will experience victory over sin and death through the power of Christ. The future is not bleak, but rather it is filled with hope and great anticipation as we look forward to the day that Christ returns. If we are looking forward towards that day, knowing that we, too, will experience victory with Christ, then our current circumstances and difficulties become more bearable because we know the end of the story of life – God wins! And what joy this should bring every believer!

This coming Sunday we will talk more about the importance of the return of Christ in the life of every believer as we continue the sermon series, “The Remarkable Revelation.” I hope to see you then!

Scripture for Jan. 20th: Revelation 13:11-18

Sermon Title: The Beast of the Earth

"Then I saw another wild animal coming out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb. His voice was like that of the dragon. He used the power of the first wild animal who was there with him. He made all the people on earth worship the first wild animal who had received the bad cut to kill him but was healed. The second wild animal did great powerful works. It spoke and made those who did not worship the first wild animal to be killed. He fooled the men of the earth by doing powerful works. He did these things in front of the first wild animal. He told those who live on the earth to make a god that looks like the first wild animal. The first wild animal was the one that was cut by the sword but lived. The second wild animal was given power to give life to the false god. This false god was the one that was made to look like the first wild animal. It was given power to talk. All those who did not worship it would die. The second wild animal made every person have a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. It was given to important men and to those not important, to rich men and poor men, to those who are free and to those who are servants. No one could buy or sell anything unless he had the mark on him. This mark was the name of the first wild animal or another way to write his name. This is wisdom. Let the person who has good understanding learn the meaning of the other way to write the name of the first wild animal. This name is a man’s name. It is 666.


"Revelation is a scary book." This was said to me recently when I told someone about the sermon series on Revelation. She said she never really read the book because it "sacred" her. And she went on to ask why God would allow such a book to be part of the Bible. Her view of Revelation is unfortunately common among many Christians. Because the images and descriptions that are found in Revelation are often disturbing, many Christians avoid reading it."

But Revelation was meant to be a book filled hope for the believer. It was written so that the believer would know that Christ would return to the earth one day and at His return, justice would prevail. Although it often looks as if injustice will regain forever on the earth, Revelation makes it clear that there is hope for those who long for a just world - the day will come when Christ will overcome the Devil and evil once and for all. The book also reminds us that we are to live our lives as if the world is passing - and to set our hearts and minds on the things that will last for eternity (Col. 3:1,2). Revelation is the end of a book, the Bible, and at the end of the book it proclaims that Christ is truly the ultimate Winner! This should be encouraging to every believer, particular those who struggle through troubling circumstances. The trials of this world will soon fade and shortly the day will come when Christ will grant to each believer the ultimate victory over sin, death and evil itself.

This coming Sunday we will talk more about why Revelation is a book of hope as we continue our sermon series, "The Remarkable Revelation." Hope to see you then!

Scripture for Jan. 13th: Revelation 13:1-10

Sermon: The Beast of the Sea

“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.”

What will the Anti-Christ be like? This Scripture gives us a good description of him. He is a Gentile (v. 1), who is given the power by Satan himself (v. 4). He will be a great political leader, uniting the world under his reign. He will wage war against those who worship God. He will be so greatly admired that people will worship him. He will be the world’s greatest political leader ever.

He will be a man that will cause great destruction. However, we are reminded that God will still be in charge during the Anti-Christ reign. Those who will suffer under his reign might question this, so God provides encouragement to them by reminding them: “this calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.”

I think we need this encouragement now as well. As we go through trying times, we often ask, “Where is God?” We question how God could allow tragedy and pain in our lives and in the lives of those we love. And yet the message is the same for us: we need to patiently endure and be faithful. The end is truly near – we will someday soon stand before God and suffering, pain and death will be no more. Our questions will be answered and our doubts will be gone. We need to only have “patient endurance” and wait on the Lord.

This coming Sunday we will talk more about the beast of the sea and the patience that God calls us to have as we continue the sermon series, “Remarkable Revelation.” We will also answer the questions, “Where is America in Biblical prophecy?” and “Why is Israel so important in Biblical prophecy?” I hope to see you then!

Scripture for Jan. 6th: Revelation 6:1-17

Sermon: The Judgment Begins

"I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been. I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

“The end is near.” Predicting the future and foretelling the end of humanity has been common throughout human history. And certainly in this country there have people in the past and recent years who have made it their duty to tell others how and when the end would come. The Bible tells us that no one knows when the “end” will come (Mt. 24:36), and in fact, it also describes the “end” as a beginning – it is the start of the reign of Christ. This is truly the focus and message of Revelation – it is not so much a book that describes the “end” as it is a revelation of Jesus Christ and how He appears now, what He is doing now and what He will do in the future. The book of Revelation does not lift up the future, it presents the victorious and glorified Christ. Because of this, the future may be bleak for the world, but it is as bright as the sun for those who believe in Him (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 6:23).

The Scripture above describes what will accompany “the end” – the judgment of God. God will not always hold back His judgment, but at some point in time He will judge the earth in a fierce manner. It will be sure and strong and the earth will experience things that it never has. Until that time, we live in an age of grace – God holds back His judgment, calling everyone to repent , believe and receive His forgiveness. As we read the Scripture above, may it remind us to never ask for justice for ourselves. Instead, our cry to God should be for His mercy – we don’t want what we deserve (judgment), we want what we don’t deserve (forgiveness and grace).

On Sunday, we will present an overview of the Book of Revelation and discuss God’s judgment as we begin the sermon series, “The Remarkable Revelation.” Hope to see you then!