A Transforming Word

There is a perception among some people that believers should be passive; I’m okay with whatever you want to do and believe. In his message today, Pastor Bill uses the example of Jesus clearing the temple of money changers and others defiling it. Some say Jesus was only loving, kind, and accepting of everyone. He was both loving and kind. But Jesus did and said everything with a standard of Holiness, and we are to display that same standard in our acceptance of everyone we encounter.

Most churches welcome everyone into their congregation, aiming to be a spiritual hospital for those in need. In his message today, Pastor Bill discusses the issues the Corinthian church faced due to allowing sin to prevail. Comparing the church in Corinth to today's churches reveals many similarities. Everyone falls down at some time. We help them back up. We are to accept and love everyone among us, but we should not accept a continual sinful practice or lifestyle that goes against scripture.

‘You know the game that kids sometimes play? Whatever you say, they repeat it back exactly the same way. And when you say “Stop copying me” what do they say? “Stop copying me.” The funny thing about it is that it’s almost embarrassing how accurate they can be with their imitations. They even get the mannerisms down to the T. Today in his message, Pastor Bill teaches you that imitation can be a good thing when you imitate someone Godly. Are those you look up to leading you to Christ?

When a singer finishes a concert, you can just see the size of their head expanding with pride. You see it with football players doing their little endzone celebration. But do you see the janitor bragging about how much trash he throws out? But still, his job is important. In his message today, Pastor Bill reminds you that whatever gift God may have given you, it’s nothing to boast in yourself about. Every gift He gives is important; the question is, will you faithfully and humbly serve Him with the gift He gives you?

Have you ever had to borrow someone else’s stuff? The more expensive it is, the more careful you’re going to be, right? It’s one thing if you borrow something like a garden tool… But what if you borrow their car? You bet you’re going super careful with how you drive it. Today in his message, Pastor Bill reminds you that your life doesn’t belong to you, but it belongs to God. Are you being careful with how you live? Where you go? What you do? Do you treat everything in your life as if it’s the Lord’s?

There are a lot of folks who say things they should say, do things they shouldn’t do, and go places where they ought not to go. But do you think they would say and do those things and go to those places if their grandma was with them? If their kids were with them? Today in his message Pastor Bill reminds you that God is always with you. As Paul put it in the letter to the Corinthians, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Wherever you go, whatever you say, whatever you do…. God’s right there with you.

There’s a big difference between being a peacemaker and a people pleaser. Peacemakers speak the truth in love without compromise, while people-pleasers will do anything just to be liked. One’s all about character while the other is all about compromise. In his message Today, Pastor Bill teaches you that you need to stand firm on the word of God. No matter what you suffer in this world, you have an eternal reward to look forward to. When it comes down to it, would you rather please God or man?

People are always trying to make changes, but for one reason or another are unsuccessful. There are all kinds of programs like, “Thirty Days to a New You!” And then three days later… you realize how difficult it is and you’re right back to eating bon-bons on the sofa while watching TV. In his message today, Pastor Bill teaches you that there’s one commitment that’s worth making - Yield your life to Jesus. That’s it. No twelve steps. No thirty-day challenge. Just one day at a time, look to Jesus and obey His Word.

When someone stands out in a crowd, is it always a good thing? There are different reasons that make people stand out. It could be their blue spikey hair. It could be their loud obnoxious behavior. But what about standing out in the world because you’re a Christian? In his message today, Pastor Bill teaches you that when Christ transforms your life, it should cause you to stand out, in a good way. Others should look at your life and see the difference and want whatever you’ve got.

It’s one thing to sit on the couch and yell at your TV, but it’s a WHOLE other thing to strap on some pads and get out on the field. You might have all the plays figured out from the comfort of your living room, but could you pull them off in the heat of the game? Today in his message, Pastor Bill teaches you that you shouldn’t look down on the Corinthian Church, but you should seek to learn from them. The goal isn’t to be better than them, or better than you used to be, but the goal is to become more like Jesus!