Bethesda Christian Church Sermon of the Week

Pastor Pat kicks off the Advent Season and the December series - “Open House” - with a message about Jesus’ house and how everyone is welcome and that His house is a house of rest that is to be shared and open for all!

Life is full of distractions which can pull our focus from the path set out for us by the Word of God - distractions which pull us from following Jesus. Pastor Pat shares with us the importance of anchoring ourselves to Christ, reminding us with the book of Hebrews that Christ is always faithful and should always be our anchor in faith.

This week we look to Daniel for wisdom in our faith and prayer lives. Pastor Pat reminds us that prayer is not about habit - it’s about a relationship with God. In troubled times, Daniel kept his eyes on God, regardless of the consequences he faced in the world. Hear more about how Daniel prayed and why focusing on Jesus in good times and challenging times is vital for our faith.

The Majors Week 6 - 11/11/18 by The weekly podcast of Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights, MI

Pastor Pat expands on Rev. Barry’s message about wake up calls, asking us, through Ezekiel, whether or not we are truly awake, listening and adhering to the Word of God; reminding us that there is no halfway with Jesus, that God cannot be mocked, and His word is always fulfilled. Are you awake and obedient to God’s Word?

There are many different types of “wake up calls.” Those that awaken us to a new day, and then those that urge us - press us - to respond to our God-given calling. Rev. Barry Allen reminds us through the story of Ezekiel that despite what we have chosen for our careers, we, as followers of Christ, are all on a mission from God - that we have a calling. What is God calling you to do with your life?

Do you know? Rev. Rob Susan shares with us the importance of knowledge and knowing God. That knowledge in Him brings us light, truth, forgiveness, life, and most importantly, love. And in these subjects, we are reminded that obedience and a relationship with God are essential for the life He has called us to.

Does God understand our pain? Pastor Pat reassures us that God does know our pain - that He has experienced it - that He knows the agony and sting of rejection. God even went so far as to come to earth as Jesus, who was also rejected. It is through that pain God offers an everlasting covenant of love grace compassion forgiveness. And He is here to help you through it.

God is a hands-on God, working constantly with His people, just like the potter did with clay in Jeremiah 18:1-5. Pastor Pat reminds us that God wants us to be His - obedient, turning away from idols and abiding by His word … giving Him our whole heart. And though there will be times of resistance - questioning, God wants us to always return to Him.

In this the final week of Mission’s Month, Pastor Pat encourages us to be like Paul and his team of representatives of Christ. We are called to be Christ’s ambassadors, to implore others on Christ’s behalf with his message: Be reconciled to God. That’s the message the ambassador brings, that’s the message we bring. Each one of us is as Paul did.