Bethesda Christian Church Sermon of the Week

Pastor Pat shares with us the importance of prayer and forgiveness, reminding us that forgiveness is not just a gift that we have to offer someone else, but also ourselves; forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation, restitution, or removal of debt or punishment, but it allows our hearts to adopt an attitude worthy of God’s mercy and grace.

When you pray, bear the fruit of the mature, old wood. Ask the spirit to lead you. Ask whatever you desire aligned with God’s will. Believe. Have faith. For his best for you. God’s not your genie. He knows and desires the best for you. Believe that. When you pray believe, by faith, God has the best in mind for you, and you will receive that from him.

As members of one great family, are we praying not for ourselves alone, but in the same breath for others? By this one little word, our, we are reminded of the bond we share which links us together as children of the same Father, the bond of the Spirit, sent into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Pastor Pat opens the new year of 2020 with a message, expounding on the message of Faith by Rev. Barry Allen the previous week, reminding us that just as Faith connects us to God, it also helps us to form trust in Him and the promises he has made us. We are reminded that God’s timing is perfect, and it is our faith in Him, that strengthens us and gives us hope.

Faith is the mechanism that God provides that links us to the realm we cannot engage, with any of our five senses. Faith makes real the link with the supernatural – that we can grow and develop into a maximum Christian. Faith is what makes the invisible God real to us. He can now express himself to us in ways he never could before (through faith).

That is the spirit of Christmas. Selfless giving. Christmas is all about. It is what Jesus did. Giving. A gift. A selfless gift.

Jesus offers a wonderful life. In him is my assurance of life everlasting. Don’t fall for the one who comes to steal kill and destroy. Jesus came, that first Christmas, to give life now and forever, with him. Our Jesus is on the throne. No power can overthrow Him… He shall reign forever and ever.

Expounding on the series theme, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Pastor Pat illustrates the reality of temptation through the film’s antagonist, Mr. Potter, who presented George Bailey with a tempting offer in an attempt to defeat him. And just like George Bailey, we are all subject to temptation, as Satan is ever-present in our lives through the temptation of sin. But, with Jesus, we have the power to overcome and defeat temptation - call on him and believe that Jesus will attend to you, expect that he will run to your cry.

Pastor Pat shares with us a beautiful message, reminding us of the power of love and that Jesus came into this world demonstrating this power; He humbled himself to live a life with great purpose - to save sinners - motivated by the love God has for each of us.

The Wonderful life God has planned may not seem exactly Wonderful now. We feel pain. We have contention in our lives … Like Hagar had Sarai, Jesus had Judas … With life in the fallen world comes hardship and pain. But it’s wonderful when you know you’ve received Jesus Christ - You know have been redeemed from the penalty of sin. And you are assured that eternity awaits. Until then know this: God sees and hears. Your wonderful life has begun in him.