"Responding to the Cross" - Good Friday 2022
Tonight, we will gather to worship and think about the cross of Christ. Actually, let me rephrase that....
I hope that tonight we can talk about the Christ of the cross! Do you see the difference?
It has become typical to approach the cross like we might approach an accident on the highway. We slowly approach with the rest of the traffic, rubbernecking and knowing there is a mangled mess and being oddly drawn to see what has happened, only to drive away and move on with life because we have no personal connection to people involved. We might even experience a moment of sympathy for the people and their families.
We can spend our time and conversation reviewing the horrors and pain of crucifixion. Medically we understand the dehydration, the blood loss from the whipping, the pain of the spikes driven in hands and feet, and the nasty crown of thorns. Spiritually we even understand the cross and the satisfaction for our sins. It would not be wrong to reflect on this information.
But all of this can be very depersonalized if we let it.
Tonight we will talk about the Christ. What do we think when we observe Jesus o the cross? What is He thinking? What is He feeling? I hope we can appreciate the cross, but more than ever the Christ who embraced it. If we are like Him, we will embrace the cross as He did, and follow Him. Now that is transformational.
....View and See!
Steve
Good Friday Service
April 15, 2022 • Pastor Steve Feden
Jesus - "For Such a Time as This!"
December 24, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • John 3
"For Such a Time as This - Jesus" - John 3 What did we do before we had cellphones with a flashlight option!? That is the handiest little gadget since someone put an eraser on the top of a pencil! I use it often when I am finding the right key, getting in the car, or looking for something I dropped! But of course I only need it when the current light is insufficient to see with clarity! When our eyes receive the benefit of full light, a flashlight adds nothing to my efforts. But when I am in the dark... In keeping with our theme, there is no better time for light than when we are in the dark. That handy little flashlight function on the phone has proven, over and over again, to be "for such a time as this"...such times of darkness, confusion, uncertainty, lack of clarity. It was God who spoke into the darkness and said, "Let there be light". I think the light of Jesus is still needed for our world, don't you. But what exactly does that mean? John 3 will be our topic of discussion if you can find a way to... ...VIEW and SEE Steve
Mary - "For Such a Time as This!" - Luke 1:26-38
December 20, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • Luke 1:26–38
"For Such a Time as This -- Mary" - Luke 1:26-38 As part of the continuing story, we will take a look at Mary and her turning point as we are thinking about the Christmas story. For Joseph, the turning point that allowed God to use him for the special role of "fathering" Jesus, was his willingness to stay with Mary despite the social and cultural challenges, and the confusion. For Joseph, his obedience involved sacrifice -- multiple moves to protect the Son of God, gossip, loss of reputation in the community. Mary's story is a little different. Her obedience involves all of the same sacrificial things, but she must go a step further. It is total commitment of her will and....her body! Is that just for Mary? Maybe that is for women in general? Certainly not for men, though, right? Of course no one can replicate what God did in using the young virgin, Mary, to birth Jesus. But, there is much in scripture about our bodies, and Romans 12:1-2 is just one example! Did I mention that Luke 1:27 is one of those verses I never tire of reflecting on or encouraging others with? Did I mention that I get a chance to tell the story of the chicken and the pig? Why is that verse encouraging? What does this have to do with a chicken and a pig? Hahaha!!! You have to... ..VIEW AND SEE! Steve