Bethesda Christian Church Sermon of the Week

Guest Speaker: Dr. Analee Dunn

When our digital devices have reached their storage capacity, we can add another memory module with ready to use gigabytes. Unfortunately we can’t do the same thing with our own memories. We humans are prone to forget, and since we can’t add to our storage capacity, God instituted memory helpers. Special days, seasons, and meals, visual reminders, writing, even signs like the rainbow, all to spark a memory and remember things of the Lord. So, it comes as no surprise that Jesus instituted a way that He would be remembered. We call it communion, or the Lord’s supper. Jesus said, “do this in remembrance of me.” Today’s Life App delves into how we can apply Jesus’ words every day, and never forget all He has done.

On the packaging of most foods we purchase there is a printed section with this heading: Nutrition Facts. The table of facts lists things like calories, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, total carbohydrates and more. The information is listed so that informed, health-conscious decisions can be made. Unfortunately, there is no such system to help us when we make spiritual decisions in a time when there is no dearth of spiritual junk food. Today’s Life App focuses on the importance of being spiritually health conscious and what to avoid when feeding the soul.

The invention of the Internet has ushered in the era of the influencer. Yet, long before there was anything called social media, there were influencers. Jesus warned his followers about the influencers of His time, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus instructed His followers to be careful, for a little bit of their influence could be corrosive. Jesus went on to tell his disciples to “be on guard.” His advice is relevant today, in a culture where influencers abound. Today’s Life App, Be On Guard, considers both negative influences for which we should carefully be on guard against, and positive influence to advance the cause of Christ.

Guest Speaker: Pastor Terry Allen from Church on Fire Batesville

The table of Jesus is the great equalizer. The sinner deserves it as much as the self righteous. Jesus is writing what seems like new rules, yet is reflecting the heart of God from the beginning. He desires a changed heart more so than an obedient law keeper.

At the entrance to Heaven awaits Jesus. When the time comes for you to stand before Him, will He say, “Come in!” or “Go away, I don’t know you.”? Sadly, to many who claim to be true followers of Jesus, when their time comes, He will say, “Go away.” They appeared to be true followers, but they were fakes. Today’s Life App considers the greatest question all must answer: Will you enter heaven? It is only the true followers of Christ to whom He will open the gate. Learn the difference between the fake follower and true follower then apply it every day of your life.

Who are you hearing from? There is a biblical word for the one who brings the Word of God to His people, and that word is prophet. Prophetic ministry has a place in the church, but every generation deals with false prophets. Both the Old and New Testaments give many warnings to beware of false prophets. False prophets were in the generations before Jesus, they were in the generation of Jesus, and they are prominent in this generation. Jesus warned against them, describing them as appearing like sheep but inwardly ferocious wolves. Today’s Life App directly addresses the warning given by Jesus to watch for false prophets and gives insight into how to discern the true from the false.

Two destinies. Two options. That’s it. Jesus made the point more than once in his sermon on the mount. He contrasted heaven and hell, light and darkness, life and death. Two destines. That's it. As he brought his sermon to a close he hammered the point again using images familiar to his first century audience: gates. The gate of city, large and expansive, and the gate of a home, small and narrow. Many choose the large, open way, that of the broad gate. Few choose the narrow way beyond the small gate. Each gate represents a destiny, one is death and the other life. Which have you chosen as your destiny? Today’s Life App addresses the way of life and how to stay on its path.

When it comes to your actions toward others, are you motivated by how you want to be treated? It sounds easy, but often it is not the case. More often our response to others is driven by expectations of their actions toward us. Jesus taught a wholly different approach which has been called “The Golden Rule” and it goes like this: “in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Keep this one, simple instruction of Jesus, and you keep all of the Law. Can it be done? Find out by listening to today’s Life App: The Golden Rule.