bpchurch Sermons

When we visited the site of ancient Sardis this summer, I wish we had more time, there was more I wanted to see. The same was true last Sunday. The message that surfaces in the letter to Sardis to walk worthy is worth more time and attention. There's more to see there. I believe that several questions which emerge from the Biblical commands to "walk worthy..." will help you and I to know and follow the Lord's will in the bigger and smaller choices we face.

The church in Smyrna is not the only time God's people are urged to wake up. This was also the call of the prophets to Israel, Jesus' word to His disciples, and God's word to at least five churches in the New Testament. We don't realize how important this warning is to us, possibly because we too are a little drowsy, already drifting off. Wake up early this Sunday and come hear what God has to say to a sleepy church.

Revelation 2:18-29 reveals how people can shockingly make what is obviously evil sound good. It shows that even in the church we can be deceived that wrong is now right. The worst tragedies often began with irrational rationalizations. We see that in the public arena and I hear it in private counseling. Twisting the truth can ruin lives and it will also ruin good churches. This Sunday, while our men's retreat will be focusing on "Being Men of God's Word," we will also see that faithfulness to God's truth is essential if we are going to live for God's kingdom in the midst of an evil age.

This week has been filled by news of senseless, out of control violence. The capstone for many was the senseless assassination of a devout Christian young man, Charlie Kirk, who was loved by millions for brilliantly and insightfully debating ideas without stooping to insults, challenging perspectives without personal attacks. He believed talking and debating was the way to avoid violent confrontation. He will be deeply missed.

Alongside that tragedy is the terrible death of a young Ukrainian refugee in a senseless murder on a subway. She had come to this country for safety but was brutally killed. I was also grieved by the story of  a retired professor murdered walking her dog, another school shooting and murder/suicide in Portland. Internationally people continue to die in the Middle East and Europe as wars threaten to spiral further out of control and drag other countries into the killing.

What do we do with all the bad news? It sounds so cliche that I almost don't want to say it, but the only answer we have for the bad news is the good news. There is no other answer to the depravity of humanity except redemption in Jesus. In the words of Jeremiah 8:11, we dare not pretend to "heal this wound lightly, saying 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace." If you have been grieved by the news this week, like I have, or you are weighed down by the personal tragedies you have been enduring, you need peace, God's peace. We need to see Him who is our peace. This Sunday, we will look again to Jesus and remember that He is our peace.

The city of Pegamum was known for its impressive hilltop acropolis looming over the city. From the "throne of Satan" located there, spiritual darkness hung over lives of Christians in the city below. They have held fast to Christ's name, but there are some who have bought into the lie of compromise and are losing the spiritual battle. We need to be awake and alert to the spiritual forces at play in our culture as well. We too are tempted to make little compromises, but the consequences hang heavy on ourselves and others. Let's hear what God says about holding fast to Christ and faith in Him, when tempted to compromise with the idols and idolatry of this present age.

A terrible tragedy occurred this week, two children were killed in a shooting at a school in Minneapolis. Tragedies like this remind us of how evil sin is, and how lies from hell destroy lives on earth. This Sunday in Revelation 2 we learn of a similar horrible tragedy which Jesus warns His church is coming, but doesn't tell them how to prevent it or avoid it. We wrestle with why God allows this or doesn't prevent that. We can understand some aspects of "Why," but even more important is how we respond. Knowing evil is all around us, will we respond in fear or in faith? What God has to teach us from the church in Smyrna this Sunday should change the way we think about death and thus how we think about and live life.

I'm excited to be back from sabbatical and eager to share with you some of what the Lord showed me while traveling across Turkey, visiting the sites of the churches of Revelation. Our first stop will be in Ephesus. To set the stage, imagine a young couple getting married. They don't seem to have very much figured out yet: their job, housing, and budget situation is still a bit ambiguous. "But it's ok," they assure you, "all we need is love." After a face-palm, what do you say? Maybe something like "Love won't pay the bills, or buy groceries, or put a roof over your heads." But, actually it should. Love has fed us, clothed us, sheltered us. Now, I'm not advocating for naive, starry-eyed idealism, but when we leave love behind, in all the practicalities of life in this world, we have lost the essential thing. And so, Jesus tells a good, dutiful, and doctrinal church, "what you need is love." Join us to see what God says we need, to help us as a church to prepare for what's coming.

I enjoy observing all kinds of relationships. I think the more people are pleased with one another, the more the relationship benefits. But we would benefit a great deal more if both parties ask the question from Micah 6:7, "Will the Lord be pleased?" That leads us to the following question, "What would we have to do for the Lord to be pleased?" According to Micah, we would have to do what the Lord requires. He provides us the answer, which is to act justly, love kindness, and walk in humility. If we have the answer, then why is it difficult to do? What is missing? The answer to that is not just one but a combination of things. Looking forward to sharing these with you.

We all talk about how the Church is not the building but the people, and yet, it's still hard to keep that truth in our minds. As a Pastor, it is far too easy to slip into business mode sometimes. We end up viewing the Church as a business or a corporation, and we focus on the things to do, the tasks to get done, the goals to accomplish. And none of that is bad, except when it gets in the way of loving and caring for people. At times I have viewed the letter to Titus as a Church Leadership Manual, and it certainly has some things to tell us about Church leadership, but biblical Church leadership is really all about how to care for the spiritual lives of the people in the Church, and that is what the book of Titus is all about. Join us for this last message in Titus where we see just how personal it gets.

We often include reminders or encouragements when we are ending our conversations with others we care about - to leave a treasure in our parting words. It might be a simple "Take care of yourself" or "Godspeed." In my family our parting saying is, "Do good, be brave, have fun, be kind, and love always!" This Sunday we'll look at Paul's parting words to Titus and the Church. We will be reminded of essential truths and exhorted to put our faith into action. Join us as we dig into the treasures of Titus 3:8-11.