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!

Scripture for May 1st: Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon Title: Why Isn't Life Fair?

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”


This coming Sunday we will begin a new sermon series entitled, "Life Questions: Answers to Life's Most Important Questions." The first question that we will attempt to answer is, why isn't life fair? Pastor Joseph Vest has written the following on the subject: "Maybe our problem is that we mis-define fair because how we define what is and isn't fair is really important. What really is fair? A more important question is, 'Do we really want fairness...do we really?' In our society we have expressions like, 'I want my fair share' and we hear kids all the time saying, 'No fair.' What we're really saying is, 'I want mine even if nobody gets theirs.' It's funny but things really only seem unfair when they're going against us. If things are going for us then all of the sudden fairness never enters our minds. If your neighbor gets a huge bonus from work or inherits some money, or wins one of those lottery games, that seems pretty unfair that someone should have that much money. On the other hand, if I receive an inheritance from a long lost uncle, or if I get a bonus or if something wonderful falls into my lap, now that's a different story; that seems perfectly fine."

As Pastor Vest wrote, our sense of "fairness" is often times wrapped around our own selfishness. There is a bigger picture that goes beyond our own interests, and we cannot always see that picture - but God can, and He is in control. This is the message behind the Scripture passage that we will be reading on Sunday, and it shows us that we often wrongly define "fair", we often overstate our troubles and while doing this, we miss the "big picture." I hope to see you Sunday as we kick off this new sermon series!

Scripture for April 24th: Matthew 28:1-9

Sermon Title: Christ Has Arisen Indeed!


After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

Pastor Stephen Swihart has written the following concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ: "The Gospels do not explain the resurrection; the resurrection explains the Gospels. Without the resurrection, there would be no Christianity. It is mentioned 104 times in the New Testament. Remove this event and Jesus would remain dead, the Bible would be a lie, and God would be a hoax. Throught this event, however, the divine plan was fulfilled, giving strength and hope beyond description to us all. Unlike all of the world's religions that stop at the grave, Christianity starts on the other side - with the Resurrection! Jesus did not enter this world so books might be written regarding His wisdom or love. He came to resurrect men from the dead, and to show them the passageway to heaven. He accomplished this feat through His very own resurrection."

This week we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and proclaim He has arisen indeed! Please join us with your family and friends this coming Easter Sunday morning as we worship through song, prayer, Scripture reading and message. Hope to see you then!

Scripture for April 17th: Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon: The Case of Mistaken Identity


As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Who was Jesus? For those who met Jesus on Palm Sunday as He rode into Jersulem on a donkey, He was a prophet. To others, He was the coming Messiah, the One Who would overthrow the rule of the Romans. But in reality He was the Savior Who was coming to die for the sins of the world. Who do you say Jesus is? Was He merely a good teacher, wonderful person or example for us to follow? Or is He your Savior, the One Who has saved you from your sins?

One commentator said this about the passage: "You’ve seen, whether on video or in person, the military parades during World War 2 or the Cold War. If it was an American parade, you might have swelled with pride and patriotism. If it was the parade of one of our enemies, you might have felt a bit awed and maybe even intimidated. The parades were intended to be stirring, to instill as sense of wonder at the power of the state. Yet none of that today. The King enters Jerusalem. He has no tank or limousine. He rides a rental donkey. There’s not well-placed tickertape or regalia. The crowd’s reaction is spontaneous and spur of the moment. They grab palms, a symbol of victory, and strew the road with their own garments. It is hard not to imagine the Apostles’ chests puffing up a bit,their chin held a little higher than normal, as they could say to those they met, “I’m with Him.” This was the day they had been waiting for. This was the pay off for trudging around Israel with Jesus. Now they were going to be superstars. But you know what happened. But a few days later their puffed up chests were deflated like a balloon, popped by the nails
that pierced their Master’s hands and feet. This was not the coronation they expected, as their King was crowned with thorns. This was not the throne they expected, as He ascended the cross. And when Peter faced that crucial moment, faced it three times, he answered, no longer in pride but now in fear, “I’m not with Him.”
Palm Sunday is an odd mixture of sentiments for the Christian. We are happy for Jesus. He is finally getting the praise He deserves. We swell with pride as our King enters Jerusalem as a King, welcomed for once, welcomed with such excitement that the whole city was astir, asking “Who is this Jesus?” And for once the crowds
get it right. “He is the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” If only they knew, however, what prophecy held for this Prophet: namely, a turn of events like the world has never seen before or ever will see again, as the One riding a beast of burden will be come a beast of burden Himself, bearing your sins on His back, not so that you might bring them with you where He wants to take you, but that you should never see them again."

This coming Sunday we will celebrate Palm Sunday and we will talk about how Christ was the humble servant, the compassionate leader and the fulfilling Savior. Hope to see you then!