October 30, 2022 . . .

Sermon delivered by our guest, Bro. Scott Pearl, Director of Missions.   

Were you ready when the Lord knocked on your heart’s door? Are you excited to tell the Lord’s story to those with whom you meet in your daily encounters? Deuteronomy 4:9 reminds us to teach our children and grandchildren lest we forget what the Lord has done for us. In the book of Malachi, we are told that we should always bring the best of what we have to the Lord. Not what is blemished nor left overs, but first fruits. Give with honor and respect for what God has done. What are you offering to the Lord? Don’t get tired or discouraged. When God says, “Who shall I send?” say, “Here I am, Lord!” In Revelation 3:20 we are told, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” God wants to use you to reach out to others for Him. Heed the call! The phone is ringing and it is God calling you! Sound the alarm to others! Amen!

October 2, 2022 . . .

There have always been employers and employees in some form or another in some type of workplace. In some cases, there was pay and in some there was not or there was very little compensation, such as servants and masters in the Bible days. I Peter 2:18-20gives us a Christian perspective on the acceptable behavior of a God-fearing servant. Peter tells us that the servant (employee) should submissive to the master (employer). Submitting to the master is the respectful commendable action. With God, we are the servants. Our choice to be submissive is based on our relationship with God. We do not gain God’s favor by being punished for our faults and taking the punishment patiently. But when we are punished for doing God’s will and take the punishment patiently, it is acceptable to God. Humility is a hallmark of Christian existence. Our world is suffering because Christians do not stand up for God’s Word. Yes, we may be punished for our Christian values and faith, but whatever you do remember . . . God always knows what you are doing and He is always with you.

September 25, 2022 . . .

We live in an age of “outrage” where people so often seem to be looking for a reason to be angry. How we build the church as “living stones” is more important than ever.  As we ponder over this particular time of mankind, it serves us well to ponder over a particular verse.  I Peter 2:17 tells us to “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood.  Fear God. Honor the king.”  We acknowledge that the “brotherhood” is our fellow Christians and that the “king” is our present-day government. God commands that we honor our government even when it is difficult. Even when it seems hard to honor all people and love all the brotherhood, we were given the opportunity through our Lord Jesus Christ to love them all with the “agape” love that Jesus taught us. “Fear God?” you ask. Yes, He is the Almighty Creator of the universe and all that is in it. He can smite or bless whenever He wants. Like a parent or grandparent who disciplines a child, God loves us enough to set high expectations and let us know when we are wrong. In today’s world there are not enough people who fear God or His Word as we should. God is the only one we should try to please. Bottom line . . . the truest form of love is agape love and that should be our goal for everyone. Humble yourself to love others, honor others, and fear God first.

September 18, 2022 . . .

The first book of Peter tells us to be living stones with a responsibility to build God’s spiritual house and that self-control is needed as we live our lives with others.  Peter tells us in I Peter 2:13-17 that Christians have a responsibility to our government.  As representatives of the Lord, we are subject to the gospel.  Yet, we should also submit to our government, “for the Lord’s sake.”  We are called to obey the government even if we do not always agree.  While no government is perfect, we are called to speak up when it appears unjust.  The purpose of the government it to punish evildoers and praise those who obey the law.  Why should we submit?  Because God told us to and so that we can show others our goodness in following Jesus Christ.  The governing authorities have been ordained by God in His plan.  As Christians, we should be good citizens.  The only exception is when the government tries to force us to disobey God.  Then we are called to speak out and disobey the government.  Pay taxes, be a good citizen, and control yourself so that in an un-Godly world you can be a witness to others for God.  Yes, I know it’s not always easy to do, but in such a chaotic world as we live in, we should always try to leave this world a better place than we found it.

By Guest Preacher, Bro. Andrew Allen . . .

September 11, 2022 . . .

As we remember the tragedy that befell our nation on September 11, 2001, let us read Psalm 91:1and hear the words of comfort that tell us who, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Every day we see God’s blessings. God is merciful and gives us strength. Life events can be painful, but look for God’s blessings even through the difficult times. We often fail, repent, and God forgives. If we live under the shadow of Almighty God, and “Pray without ceasing” I Thessalonians 5:17, we will find that there is no pain in heaven when Jesus Christ welcomes us home.

September 4, 2022 . . .

St. Francis of Assisi has been credited for saying, “Preach the Gospel and, if necessary, use words.”  There’s more to a Gospel message than words. Another way to say it is, “Your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” Sharing the Gospel has to be more than words. We are called to be doers of the Word and not just hearers. In I Peter 2:11-12, we are called to refrain from non-Christian activities and to be living examples of Christ-like activities. In a world where the Christian faith is often frowned upon and criticized, we are like strangers and pilgrims. This makes it important for us to carefully conduct our actions and words in an honest way that glorifies God. The flesh is opposite of God. We must abstain from fleshly lusts that war against our soul. It is not just telling others about the Gospel, but it is to display the actions of a Christ follower. Look at your life and ask yourself, “Do my actions speak louder than my words to glorify God?”

August 28, 2022 . . .

(Thank you to Bro. Andrew Allen for today’s sermon while Bro. Andy recuperates from his surgery.)

With a focus on Romans 13:1-2, we see that there are many places in the Bible that remind us of this amazing power that belongs to God and the ways in which we experience it. There is Power in God’s Word. Read Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 7:25-29, and James 1:22. Seek the lost and tell them about Jesus Christ.  There is Power in Prayer. Read I Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing. Be sincere about prayer. It’s not about pretty words, but is about what you say and how you say it. Trust God to lift you up in troubled times. There is Power in the Blood. Read Romans 3:21-25. We have all sinned, but through the blood of Jesus we have been redeemed. I John 1:7, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. There is Power in Jesus Name. Acts 4:12, “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. Philippians 3:6-11, God exalted Jesus and gave him a name which is above every name. John 17:2-3, Jesus acknowledges that God him the power to lead people to God.  Hebrews 7:25, God sent Jesus to make intercession for us.  Romans 10:9-10, confess that God raised Lord Jesus from the dead and be saved.  Power in the Word, Power in Prayer, Power in the Blood, and Power in Jesus Name. Jesus is truth, joy, and peace. Let Jesus lead you by the Power of God.

August 21, 2022 . . .

As we step a little further into I Peter 2:1-10, we see the way Peter compares our faith in Jesus Christ as a stone. We are to desire the Word of God to grow in our faith as newborn babies desire nourishing milk. We are to lay aside the false things of this world and seek the truth of God’s Word. Being born-again, Jesus has made us living stones; a holy priesthood of believers with our identity in Christ so that we can tell others of salvation. The good news of the gospel defines our identity. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, sanctified and significant, called to lay the foundation of Christ, our cornerstone and anchor, in a chaotic world. Those who choose not to believe in the good news of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as our savior see Him as a stumbling stone to their worldly life. To believers, Jesus is our steady rock and through Him we have received mercy. If Jesus is not your cornerstone, what do you need to adjust in your life?

August 14, 2022 . . .

I Peter 1:22-2:3 lets us know that God means what He says. God speaks to us through the Bible, having given us 66 books by 44 God-inspired writers, over 1,500 years, He wrote our Bible. Over time, man has tried to get rid of God’s word, but it always comes back. Why is God’s Word wonderful?  I’ll give you three reasons.  1) It is eternal, everlasting, forever, and never passes away. 2) It brings new birth, new life to those who receive it and believe it. It purifies the soul. The Bible is the word of life, it is true, and it helps us to be what God wants us to be. 3) It can produce maturity, creating growth in your spirit.  It takes a steady diet of God’s Word to grow. It’s not about completing a checklist. It is food for the soul. How do we mature through the Word of God? 1) We must prepare our hearts. Like preparing the soil for a harvest, the seed is the Word of God and the soil is our heart.  We need to get sin (the bad soil and rocks) out of our life to grow in our spirit. We cannot live like the world Monday through Saturday thinking that we can grow in our spirit only on Sunday. 2) We must desire the Word. As it is written in I Peter 2:2, we must truly want to learn, hunger for God’s Word, study and grow in God’s Word, and “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word.” Are you spiritually illiterate? Have you truly studied your Bible, the Word of God, lately? It’s time to grow and mature NOW!

August 7, 2022 . . .

I Peter 1:22-25 gives us some answers to four questions about our faith that you may not have considered. Those questions:  1. When were we able to love? 2. Who are we to love? 3. How are we to love? 4. Why are we to love?

In this sermon, I will discuss the answers to these questions. 1. When:The first part of Verse 22 tells us that as Born-Again Christians we have purified our souls by obeying the truth through the Holy Spirit unto unfeigned love genuine and sincere. Satan, knowing that Jesus is the Son of God, tries to disrupt our obedience to God. Satan would rather that we not love one another. 2. Who: We are not only called to sincerely love our fellow Christians everywhere, but also to love all of God’s people to show the love of Christ. It’s a command, not a suggestion, and is the standard for all Christians. 3. How: We are called to love fervently with a pure heart, as far and strong as we can. We are to forgive and keep forgiving even when it is hard. We need to love like Jesus loved. 4. Why: Being born again, we have a new nature that is incorruptible. It does not wither like grass nor fall away like a flower, but endures forever just as God’s love endures forever. This is what the gospel teaches us about love. How is your love life?  Is yours a love that lasts?

NOTE: During this sermon, I refer to the following scriptures. You may want to read them.

II Corinthians 5:21,  Galatians 1:3-4, John 5:42, Romans 5:1-5, John 14:6, John 17:17, James 2:19, Titus 3:5, I John 4:13, Romans 12:9-10, John 13:34-35, Revelations 2:1-2 & 4-5, I Peter 4:8