Scripture for March 31st: Luke 24:1-9

Easter Play: It's All Because of Jesus!

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.

Why is the resurrection of Christ so important? K.D. Boa attempts to answer this question when he writes the following:

"All of Christianity is summed up in one verifiable historical event. And this changes everything. Jesus of Nazareth, a maverick Jewish rabbi and prophet, who claimed to be the Messiah about whom Scripture foretold, was arrested, condemned in an illegal trial and crucified. A soldier’s spear to his side and the blood and water that flowed from the wound confirmed that his lungs had collapsed. He was dead. Days after his body had been prepared and placed in a sealed tomb, some women went back to the tomb and found the Roman seal broken, the stone rolled away from the entrance and his body (along with the guards whose lives depended on their keeping watch over it) gone. Soon after that day, more than 500 people claimed to have seen him alive. Others claimed to have seen him ascend into heaven. Most of these witnesses were still alive at the time of the writing of the four Gospels. If the words of this “Good News” were not true, one of those witnesses would have surely refuted them.

Those who committed to follow Jesus early on gained no visible benefit from following him, no wealth or power or possession. Rather, many were themselves beaten, stoned, tortured and crucified. Yet Christianity has persisted on through history to today. And because we know that this account of Jesus’ death and resurrection is factual, we can also know that his promises are sure. The One who died as a criminal to take our sin away from us is alive now, preparing a place for us. And one day, we will be made alive again with him."

This coming Sunday we will celebrate this "one verifiable historical event" - the resurrection of Christ! We will have the kids perform the annual Easter play, sing praises to our Risen Savior and read the Easter story from God's Word. It will be a great Sunday and I hope to see you then!

He has risen! He has risen, indeed!

Scripture for March 17th: Mark 6:45-52

Sermon Title: Year of Popularity - Calming the Storm

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After He said good-bye to them, He went away to the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning He came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

“There is nothing that will change things!” I have often heard that statement made by individuals who are facing very difficult situations. They are in despair because they think that their circumstances will never improve or change. The disciples certainly could relate to that feeling. When they were in the boat as the storm ravished the sea, they each thought they were going to die in a terrible manner. And then they see what they think is a ghost and immediately they believe there situation has only gotten worse. But notice what Jesus tells them to do – “Don’t be afraid.”

In reality, the disciples were silly to be afraid – Jesus was with them, walking on the very water that He created. What would happen to them that would not happen outside the will of Jesus? The Creator of all was in their midst and nothing was stronger than Him. And truly, it is silly to believe that the situations and circumstances that we face will never change or be used of God for some greater purpose. God is in control; He is in the middle of our lives and He will care for us just like He did for the disciples.

This coming Sunday we are going to talk about three important principles found in this Scripture: the principles of possibility, power and presence. If we are able to apply these principles to our lives and view life through them, we will be able to then do what Jesus asked the disciples to do, “Don’t be afraid.” Hope to see you then!

Scripture for March 10th: Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Title: The Year of Popularity - The Feeding of 5000

The followers of Jesus came back to Him. They told Jesus all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away from the people. Be by yourselves and rest.” There were many people coming and going. They had had no time even to eat. They went by themselves in a boat to a desert. Many people saw them leave and knew who they were. People ran fast from all the cities and got there first. When Jesus got out of the boat, He saw many people gathered together. He had loving-pity for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things. The day was almost gone. The followers of Jesus came to Him. They said, “This is a desert. It is getting late. Tell the people to go to the towns and villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “Give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “Are we to go and buy many loaves of bread and give it to them?” He said to them, “How many loaves of bread do you have here? Go and see.” When they knew, they said, “Five loaves of bread and two fish.” Then He told them to have all the people sit down together in groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of fifty people and in groups of one hundred people. Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to the followers to set before the people. He divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were filled. After that the followers picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish. About five thousand men ate the bread.

The miracle of the feeding of 5000 reminds us of the great compassion Jesus had on those around Him. His important work did not distract Him from the needs of others. Jesus loved others and this love was expressed over and over again in tangible ways.

Dr. Warren Wiesbe points this out when he writes the following: “Jesus sent the 12 Apostles out to minister because He had compassion on the needy multitudes (Matt. 9:36–38). This time, the needy multitudes came to them—and the disciples wanted to send them away! As yet, they had not learned to look at life through the eyes of their Master. To them, the crowds were a problem, perhaps even a nuisance, but to Jesus, they were as sheep without a shepherd.

When D.L. Moody was building his great Sunday School in Chicago, children came to him from everywhere. They often passed by other churches and Sunday Schools to be with Mr. Moody. When asked why he walked so far to attend Moody’s Sunday School, one boy replied, “Because they love a fella over there!” The children could tell the difference.”

God has this same great love for us today. He doesn’t sit in a distant place, too distracted from our needs and problems. Rather, He is involved in our lives, viewing us with great compassion and showing His love through tangible ways on a daily basis.

This coming Sunday we will talk about how Christ gave His followers rest, provision and miracles and how He does the same for us today as we continue the sermon series, “The Life of Christ.” Hope to see you then!

Scripture for March 3rd: Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon Title: Year of Preparation – The Baptism of Jesus

Jesus came from Galilee. He went to John at the Jordan River to be baptized by him. John tried to stop Him. He said, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come to me?” Jesus said to him, “Let it be done now. We should do what is right.” John agreed and baptized Jesus. When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down and resting on Jesus like a dove. A voice was heard from heaven. It said, “This is My much-loved Son. I am very happy with Him.”

Why did Jesus get baptized? This is a question many ask and Dr. J. Vernon McGee attempts to answer it when he writes the following: “There may be several answers, but the primary reason is stated right here: “For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Jesus is identifying Himself completely with sinful mankind. Isaiah had prophesied that He would be numbered with the transgressors (see Isa. 53:12). Here is a King who identifies Himself with His subjects. Actually, baptism means identification, and I believe identification was the primary purpose for the baptism of the Lord Jesus. Again, the reason Jesus was baptized was not to set an example for us. It was not a pattern for us to follow. Christ was holy—He did not need to repent. You and I do need to repent. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. He was baptized to completely identify Himself with humanity.

There was a second reason Jesus was baptized. Water baptism is symbolic of death. His death was a baptism. You remember that He said to James and John when they wanted to be seated on His right hand and on His left hand in the kingdom, “Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Matt. 20:22). You see, Christ’s death was a baptism. He entered into death for you and for me."

At the baptism of Jesus, He identifies Himself with God the Father and as the long promised Messiah. He also demonstrates His obedience, as He humbles Himself to allow John the Baptist to perform the baptism. We will talk more about His obedience and identification with God the Father and what it means to us today as we begin the sermon series, “The Life of Christ,” on Sunday. Hope to see you then!

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!