Sermon Meditation, December 4th
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 9:2-7
Eph. 2:11-22
At first glance, life appears to be a process of accumulation. In the first stage of adult life, we accumulate education, friends, family, careers, and goods. In the later stages of life, if we’re not careful, we accumulate only hurts and disappointments related to loss. Pain and sadness are inevitable, even in the life of the most devoted follower of Christ.
How we handle these setbacks will shape our days, our character, and our future. If we respond with unforgiveness and let bitterness take root, we can actually “defile” the hearts of all those around us. In this way, we actually die before we die, if you know what I mean (Hebrews 12:15).
I’ve asked God to give me the grace and wisdom to avoid becoming a grumpy old man, full of criticism and complaints. Our attitudes and reactions to disappointments and loss are the pivotal factors in determining our level of protection from cold, hard hearts. According to Pastor Francis Frangipane, “Regardless of the hardships we have faced, and in spite of the mistakes we have made, the end of our lives can either be full of praise and thanksgiving or full of misery and complaint. In the final analysis, what we have experienced in life will be as rich as the desires we have had fulfilled or as painful as the things we regret.”
When King Jesus reigns in our hearts, His peace controls our days and releases constant blessings. His peace is His Shalom, which produces orderly and honest thinking, and complete contentment and trust in Him. We can cultivate a heart of peace when we . . .
Focus on contentment with what we’ve been given and what we have to offer (Phil. 4:12)
As quickly as possible, fully release and forgive all offenses (Matt. 18:21, 22)
Love our enemies and pray God’s blessings on them every day (Matt. 5:43, 44)
And, the real proof that the Prince of Peace is reigning in your heart is giving Him thanks in all things, no matter how you feel (I Thess. 5:18). In this way you will guard your heart by deeply abiding in Christ (John 15:1-5). After all, Jesus doesn't give us His peace; “He is our peace.” His greatest gift to us is when He gives Himself to us.
Wishing for you the Shalom of Christ this Christmas season,
Pastor Steve
Week of 11/04/2016
December 4, 2016
December 4, 2016 • 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