Sermon Meditation for Sunday, Feb. 5th
Looking to Jesus, Part 18
Always Tasting, Never Changing
READ FIRST: Hebrews 6:4-6
Definition of harmony: “agreement; accord; harmonious relations. a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts; congruity.” The most beautiful music finds it voice through intentional, orderly, and pleasant arrangement of its parts. From Mozart to John Wesley to Chris Tomlin, a harmonious melody speaks to the human heart like nothing else. The gift of music was given to mankind for the purpose of worship. As we sing to Him, we magnify His glory. Songs of worship are God’s language of love.
The message of the gospel in the Scriptures is Perfectly harmonious. There are no “dissonant chords” that strike conflicting notes or create strife with other refrains. God has given us sixty-six books written over a period of 1,500 years with one redeeming melody; salvation in the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. No conflicts, no disagreements, no errors.
One of the consistent themes in this song of salvation is the complete and thorough nature of grace and faith through which Jesus offers us eternal life. The perfect power of God’s grace will hold the child of God from conversion to glory. There should be no fear of losing what was given by the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
When we encounter a confusing or difficult passage in the Bible, the mandate is to harmonize that passage with the overall message of God’s plan found in Scripture. One important principle of biblical interpretation is this; always interpret unclear passages in the light of clear passages.
Our passage this Sunday requires some careful exposition and thorough harmonization. Jesus’ words are clear; “. . . those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. . . . And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:37,39-40
Come this Sunday and enjoy the music of God’s glorious redemption and grace.
Pastor Steve
Week of 2/05/2017
Always Tasting, Never Changing!
February 5, 2017 • Pastor Steve Pope
Week of 5/21/2017
May 21, 2017 • Pastor Luke Dailey
Church Family, "Give us today our daily bread." - Matthew 6:11 (H.C.S.B.) I'm fairly new at this wild journey of a ride that we call "parenting." I have an adorable 20 month old daughter, and an 8 week old Gerber Baby model daughter (she's not really a model, calm down). So as far as time and seasons of life in parenting, my experience is lacking. However, I can tell you that I'm looking forward to ALL of the seasons with my kids. Every stage of their development is my favorite. Parents are "strongly encouraged" (or pushed) to parent well. And everyone has an opinion on how to parent well! So there's a lot of information and suggestions being thrown my way as a fairly new dad. One of the strongest suggestions that I hear, and that you have probably been told as well, is that we, as parents, must teach our children to be independent. In our culture, we truly believe that individualism is the key to success. The more independent you are, the better off you are! But when we open God's Word and seek His truth, I find the opposite to be true - we are meant to be DEPENDENT. We are, first of all, supposed to be dependent upon God as the source of all things, and we are meant to be dependent upon the Church, and we are meant to be dependent upon family. When we open the Bible we are forced to see that our culture's view of independence is a shipwrecked idea. This Sunday we will examine the Bible, be convicted, be encouraged, and be built up as we understand the reasons behind our dependence upon our God! See you there, Luke Dailey
Week of 5/14/2017
May 14, 2017 • Pastor Steve Pope
Sermon Meditation Learning to Pray with Power, Part 4 “Heaven on Earth!” Matthew 6:10 & I Peter 3:10-12 Many of us grew up attending religious communities that practiced rote and ritual recitation of the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” We spoke the words out loud in unison without ever considering the Spirit-inspired power of each and every phrase. Even more concerning, we were never encouraged to consider the application of these words to daily living. Jesus’ model prayer was never intended for rote or ritual recitation, but is to serve as our guideline for daily times of intimate prayer with Jesus. This Sunday, we will drink in the beautiful and powerful next seven words; “on earth as it is in Heaven.” This phrase is as much a prerequisite to prayer as it is a request. What would life be like if our lives were in harmony with the perfect will of God? If the will of God was perfectly established “on earth as it is in Heaven?” We know His will is “good, pleasing, and perfect,” but have we often prayed that our lives and the lives of our loved ones would be brought into full submission to the beautiful will of God? When we answer this prayer with lives of obedience to God, we receive this powerful promise from the book of I Peter, “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” I Peter 3:10-12 Join us this Sunday as the Scriptures instruct us on the promise of having the Lord’s eyes watch over us, and having assurance that our prayers are being heard by Almighty God. Hope to see you this Sunday! Pastor Steve
Week of 5/07/2017
May 7, 2017 • Pastor Steve Pope
Sermon Meditation for Sunday, May 7th “All the Best!” Matthew 6:10; II Corinthians 10:3-5 I think we’ve all experienced the pain and sadness of watching a son or daughter, husband, wife or close friend stray from the Lord. Often, we’ve tried everything in hopes of bringing them home again - begging, pleading, and rebuking in tears. All our words and efforts only seem to drive these prodigals farther from God. And we watch helplessly as they march down the broad path leading to sure destruction. (Matthew 7:13, 14) The truth of our loved one’s situation is not easily observed with the eyes of the flesh. In Scripture, however, we learn the actual condition of our prodigals. They are in bondage, trapped in a high-walled fortress built of lies. No light can penetrate their chaotic and self-destructive minds. Before our prodigals are set free to experience the love of God, these fortress walls must be demolished. This Sunday morning, we will learn God’s instructions for seeing our prodigals set free. The apostle Paul gives us a clear understanding of the nature of the battle and the powerful weapons at our disposal. In this season of life in America, more and more people are walking away from God and from His church. Rather than grieving and wringing our hands with worry, it’s time to take action. Not with the weapons of this fleshly world, but with the powerful weapons at our disposal in Christ. This day we fight! Come and learn how to fight for your marriage, family and church. Blessings, Pastor Steve