Bethesda Christian Church Sermon of the Week

Life on this earth can sometimes be a struggle! Living as a Jesus follower can add an additional challenge. But Jesus offers us access to an incredible and powerful Advocate in the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit, or "parakletos," comes alongside us and serves as a Helper, Counselor, Mediator, and Encourager! The Holy Spirit can operate in our lives on a daily basis, even minute-by-minute, equipping us with what we need for all the ups and downs, all we have to do is continually ask, seek, and knock.

Making judgments about other people was not forbidden by Jesus. He gives clear instruction to judge. Jesus said some uncomfortable things about some who might cross our paths. He warned about interacting with people He labeled dogs and pigs. Why was Jesus so harsh? Was he being racist? How do we determine who might be a dog or a pig? Some compelling questions addressed in today's Life App: Don’t Feed the Pigs.

Do not judge. Many Christians and non-Christians alike live by this ethic. The saying originated with Jesus, He said, “Do not judge.” From the Christian perspective if Jesus said it then we should all do as He said, right? After all, to judge another person’s decisions or behavior should be left to God alone. Is that what Jesus taught? Today’s Life App considers the words of Jesus which open Matthew chapter 7 beginning with: “Do not judge.” Listen in to learn what Jesus has to say about judging others.

Having more than we need is often our goal, and many worry they’ve missed their target and don’t have enough. Are you worried you will not have enough to meet your needs today, tomorrow and into the future? If you are fretting about the future, Jesus offers a way out of worry. Free yourself from anxious apprehension about the future and having enough by checking out today’s Life App, appropriately called: Don’t Worry.

In the world of modern medicine heart problems can be detected and diagnosed with noninvasive tests such as an electrocardiogram. That works well for the natural heart, but what about the spiritual heart which represents the inner person and the seat of their desires? The spiritual heart needs attention just like the natural heart, and in today’s passage of scripture Jesus directly points to the heart and what lies at its very core. What’s at the center of you heart? Is it light or dark, lasting or temporary? You’ll know when you apply the words of Jesus with a test on your heart, and you can learn how to do that by listening in on this Life App called: Storing Up.

In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus defied the religion of the day as He taught new ethics. He communicated with clarity and authority introducing concepts that had never been taught, some of it was challenging, perhaps even impossible to put into practice. As He moved into the heart of His sermon Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” That sounds hard to do. Yet He did not stop there. Jesus continued, “and be perfect.” That sounds impossible. Today’s Life App message will help you to not only apply what seems hard, but even the impossible sounding “be perfect.”

According to Jesus – it’s more important to give justice and mercy than receive it.

It has been said of politicians, they can’t resist making promises they will never keep. Its’ a cultural norm that is so common, we accept it and have come to expect it from our leaders: promises made will be promises broken. The attitude is pervasive, we’re all susceptible to it, and when a predicament comes our way we might rely on the politician’s tool: swear out a promise that we know we can’t keep. Jesus gave different advice, He said, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” That’s good advice that is sometimes difficult to do. Tune in to today’s Life App for some practical insight which originates from Jesus, the one who made many promises but never failed to keep a single one.

Have you ever heard the saying, "You can't see the forest for the trees?" It means that you are missing what you should see and have in focus even though it is right there in front of your eyes. That's the way it was when Jesus entered Jerusalem for His final Passover. The people hailed Him as king, and did not see the real mission of Jesus. The truth about Jesus was hidden from the eyes of the people, and it moved Jesus to tears. Jesus wept over the people. Is Jesus weeping over us? Have the things in our lives robbed us of seeing the real mission of Jesus? Today's Life App will challenge you to see Jesus clearly.

Sometimes it’s hard to let go of something that shouldn’t be kept. We get attached to things, like shoes that we’ve worn through the soles, yet we keep them to wear just one more time. We might treat parts of our lives the same way, holding on when we should be letting go. When Jesus began His ministry there were many who did not desire to give up their old ways. Jesus offered something new and far better which gives reason for celebration. Are you holding on to something that you might need to give up? Listen to today’s Life App and discover how you can let go and daily Celebrate The New.