Infinity War
Infinity War: Samson
June 25, 2023 • Pastor Ron Hoffman
Every one of us, whether male or female, has been divinely selected to draw all towards Christ. We are tasked with the mission of reconciliation, to connect a world astray with our holy savior, Jesus Christ, the one we worship. In Ephesians 1:11, we are reminded that through Christ, we have obtained an inheritance and have been predestined to fulfill His purposes. This predestination doesn't just stem from a cosmic lottery; it reflects His active will, shaping and guiding the universe. We, the Church, men and women alike, have been called to serve as vessels of God's purpose. Our calling is akin to that of Samson. Despite his many human flaws and shortcomings, God used Samson for His divine purposes. Much like Samson, we too are imperfect beings who, in spite of our flaws, have been chosen and set apart for God's mission. In Ephesians 1:13, we learn that when we truly heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in it, we were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. This is not only a promise but also a guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, ultimately serving the glory and praise of God. Our mission is clear, we are called to follow the will of Christ, to deliver the message of the gospel. Like Samson, we are far from perfect, making countless mistakes along the way. Despite this, God chooses us, imperfect as we are, to execute His perfect plans. Delving into the biblical account of Samson, we find that he made choices that seemed to contradict his divine calling, from choosing a Philistine woman as his wife to succumbing to the allure of Delilah. While these actions may seem counterintuitive, God, in His mysterious ways, used these very choices to further His purposes. Samson's life serves as a stark reminder that God can use even our flawed decisions for His glory. Often, we, like Samson, are entangled in the affairs of this world that sap our strength and divert us from our divine calling. It could be an addiction, an unhealthy relationship, a habit, or anything that keeps us from living up to our full potential in Christ. It is crucial to identify these obstacles and overcome them with God's grace. The story of Samson serves as a stark reminder of how easily we can fall into a deceptive comfort, believing that we are in control and can stop anytime. But the truth is, we often find ourselves ensnared by our decisions, feeling distant from God, and believing the lie that God can't use us anymore. However, let's remember God's eternal promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He's always with us, shaping us, and seeking to turn our mistakes into lessons that glorify His name. No matter how far we feel we've strayed, God's love is unfailing, and His mercy is boundless. If you find yourself entangled in life's troubles and feel far from God, take heart. God is not finished with you yet. The Bible reassures us that nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). He desires to use our weaknesses to demonstrate His strength, to transform our shortcomings into testimonies of His grace. Remember, Samson's story did not end with his mistakes. Despite his failures, God's purpose prevailed in his life. The same is true for us. Our lives, too, are a testament to God's unfailing love and amazing grace, and no matter our struggles, we are called for a purpose: to unite all to Christ. God's calling for us is not a search for the flawless, but rather a pursuit of the willing. Let's embrace our imperfections and allow God to work through us, just as He did with Samson. Together, we can fulfill the divine purpose we have been called to.
Infinity War: Mark Bouman
June 18, 2023 • @Mark Bouman
In the realm of Christian faith, few can claim a journey quite as remarkable as that of Pastor Mark Bouman. It is not every day that you encounter someone who has surmounted such tumultuous trials and tribulations, turning them into a powerful testimony of redemption and divine calling. His story echoes the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Typically, individuals who have experienced similar hardships as Pastor Bouman end up with lives dominated by regret or worse, leading to incarceration or untimely demise. However, Pastor Bouman resolved to choose a different path. He made a vow to the Lord, agreeing to obey and follow God's guidance regardless of where it led him. His commitment was total and all-encompassing, as he was overwhelmingly grateful for God's transformative power in his life. The divine directive he received was both surprising and clear. God wanted him to serve those who, like the Ninevites Jonah was sent to, couldn't distinguish their right hand from their left (Jonah 4:11). The profundity of this divine instruction left Pastor Bouman awe-stricken and humbled. He recognized his call, though the specific location remained a mystery, one he dared not make assumptions about. Much to his astonishment, God confirmed his mission during a Sunday service at the International Church through a senior missionary who pointed out the people of Cambodia as those who needed his service. Despite his initial hesitations and fears, Pastor Bouman found the courage to answer his divine call. Despite having never been a senior pastor or attended Bible school, his profound willingness to serve allowed him to overcome the qualifications typically required for missionaries. The destination of his calling, Cambodia, was a place rife with challenges that would daunt the most stalwart hearts. Yet, despite the daunting odds, Pastor Bouman and his wife found the strength to transform the lives of children in an orphanage they took over, building a school for them and even sending some to college. The suffering they saw was immense, but their commitment to bringing hope to the desolate was unwavering. Interestingly, Pastor Bouman, in opening up about his past, realized that his personal journey of trials and tribulations had been divinely orchestrated to prepare him for this moment. As Romans 8:28 states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This verse perfectly captures how God used Pastor Bouman's past experiences to mold him into an instrument for His glory. The overarching lesson in Pastor Bouman's life is that his transformation wasn't due to his strength or resilience but because of his intimate relationship with God. He emphasized that it's not about what you possess but about what you surrender to God. It's the brokenness, the tears, the fears, and the shame that God uses to demonstrate His redeeming power. On this Father's Day, Pastor Bouman's challenge is not just for the men but for everyone. He encourages us to embrace our calling and lean on God's unfailing strength to navigate the challenges of our missions. He implores us to let God lead us, reminding us that it's not about having all the answers but about being open to God's leading, regardless of the uncertainties or risks involved. So today, as we reflect on the powerful testimony of Pastor Mark Bouman, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to trust God with our tears, our fears, our sorrow, and our shame? Are we willing to surrender everything we hold onto so that God can use us to bring hope, love, and transformation to those around us?
Infinity War: Deborah and Barak
June 11, 2023 • Pastor Ron Hoffman
There's an unquenchable passion, a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), placed in our hearts by God Himself. It's an essential part of our spiritual journey that drives us to desire more of Him and His work in our lives. The world may divert this feeling, causing us to believe that it's about missing out on pleasures of the flesh. However, the divine intent of FOMO is to trigger our longing for the fullness of God’s blessings. Today, I'd like to challenge you to revisit the true nature of FOMO, as given to us by our Creator. The Apostle Paul urges us in Romans 12:2 (NIV), "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves recognizing the divine nature of our FOMO, not as a worldly fear but as a deep desire for God's will. FOMO, I believe, is a divine mechanism that fosters a fear of our children missing out on being Christ-centered world changers. Are we, as parents, ready to do whatever it takes to guide our children towards Christ? FOMO, too, can influence how we treat our spouses. Perhaps, we should fear missing out on our wives becoming the women that God has called them to be. This fear could replace any tendencies towards mistreatment or impatience with our wives. As Ephesians 5:25 (NIV) reminds us, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Reflecting on this from another perspective, we should fear missing out on upholding a good name, for Proverbs 22:1 (NIV) says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Let us ensure that when we step out into the world, we do so as ambassadors for Christ. Ultimately, FOMO can lead us to fear missing out on hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23). This desire serves as a reminder that we will stand before God one day. But unfortunately, our old nature often obstructs this divine FOMO, prioritizing self-gratification over pursuing Christ, becoming a Christ-centered father, husband, leader, or individual. I urge you today to consider what God truly wants you to not miss out on. This brings us to the Biblical story of Deborah and Barak in Judges chapter 4. It's a story that underscores the notion of 'true' FOMO, an appeal to our God-given drive to be men and women of God. Israel, under the rule of Jabin, King of Canaan, and his commander Sisera, suffered oppression. God used Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, to deliver a divine command to Barak: God had chosen him to lead an army against Sisera and promised victory. However, Barak hesitated and insisted on Deborah's physical presence in the battle, despite the divine assurance. This hesitation cost Barak his glory. Despite the eventual victory, the honor of triumph went to a woman, Jael, who defeated Sisera. Barak's story serves as a reminder that when we fail to act on God's call immediately, we miss out on the glory that could be ours. Barak's story is not just about him but about each one of us. It serves as a mirror, reflecting how often we might have missed out on God's glory due to our hesitation or need for a security blanket. Remember, God does
Infinity War: Gideon
June 4, 2023 • Pastor Ron Hoffman
In the divine chronicle of our lives, there are moments when God calls us, prepares us, and bestows upon us a divine mission, just as He did with Gideon. At first glance, it may seem that our circumstances and fears could thwart God's divine plan. This uncertainty and fear are not foreign to us. Like Gideon, there are times when we too are in a state of fear and hiding, yet God comes to us in our struggles. As it is written in Judges 6:12, "When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'" There was a time when I was 12, and I had lost my parents. I was caught in the throes of grief and despair, and then I heard God speak words of life over me. He reminded me that He was my heavenly Father, promising to protect and care for me. He said, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." (Psalm 68:5) This divine revelation transformed my life, and His words became a reality. The very same God who cared for me, loves and cherishes you. He wants to breathe the same truth over you, reminding you that you are a mighty warrior, called for a divine purpose. He is with you, just like He was with Gideon. Like Gideon, we might question our capabilities and doubt our strengths, but the essence of our faith lies in understanding that it doesn't change the truth that God has for us. God has already designed a plan and a mission for your life. You must believe it. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Are you willing to be courageous and respond to your divine calling? It is your decision to believe and accept it. You have been called, and God has a vision of who you could be. Will you choose to embrace it? There are times when we question God's plan, just like Gideon did in Judges 6:13. He questioned God's presence in his trials, saying, "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." But God remains faithful. He has a divine plan for each of us, and He desires for us to fulfill it. He has chosen us to be His ambassadors and to be the righteousness of Christ. As Ephesians 1:3-5 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." No matter what doubts we have or what fears we face, the truth remains: God's "but" is bigger than ours. Despite our endless list of excuses, God reassures us with His divine promise. "But I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive." (Judges 6:16). Are you ready Church?
Infinity War: God-like Men
May 28, 2023 • Pastor Calvin Hoffman
In the spirit of faithful discipleship, let's delve deeper into what it truly means to be men after God's own heart. When we discuss the idea of godly men, we refer to men who aspire to reflect God's character and virtues. And it is important to clarify here, dear brethren, that in saying this, we don't intend to liken men to gods, as depicted by some of the Marvel superheroes, but rather we acknowledge that we were wonderfully crafted by the one true God to be reflections of His glorious image. We find this wonderfully portrayed in Genesis 1:27 (ESV), where it says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." By this, it implies that we are to take after the character of God - who is a God of grace, mercy, and boundless love - to lead and impact the world positively. When we talk about the kind of men we want to nurture in our church, we mean men who exude God's character, displaying humility, selflessness, kindness, and patience. This is well-articulated in Ephesians 4:32 (ESV), "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." We desire men who would lay down their lives for others, just as Jesus did for us, echoing John 15:13 (ESV), "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Our ultimate desire is for the men in our church to passionately pursue God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, impacting their families, communities, and the world for Christ. This draws from the command in Mark 12:30 (ESV), "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The men of our church should strive to replicate the selflessness of Jesus, who emptied Himself for the sake of mankind, as stated in Philippians 2:7 (ESV), "but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." We strive to inspire godly leadership in our men, ensuring they leverage their influence to point others back to Jesus. In the book of Judges, we see the impact of ungodly leadership. The nation of Israel went from being faithful to God to becoming faithless due to the lack of godly leadership. A pattern of disobedience and disregard for God's commands led them astray, causing them to worship other gods. But, the good news is that our God is a God of second chances and restoration. He raised up judges who led the people back to Him, showcasing his enduring love and mercy. We want the men in our church to learn from these lessons and remain steadfast in their commitment to God, pointing others to Him in all they do. As we seek to follow the path of godliness, let's remain rooted in His Word, and strive to lead with God's love and grace, mirroring His character in all we do. Let's commit to being godly men, serving the Lord and influencing the world positively for Christ.