If you have ever driven past a hidden officer who became visible to you at the last minute, I guarantee that you looked down at your speedometer to see how fast you were going. If you then looked in your rear-view mirror while driving and seen those flashing red and blue lights coming behind you, I can guarantee that you hoped they were coming for someone else and not you. If you then discovered that they were indeed pulling you over, I can guarantee that another thought crossed your mind: "Please God, let this be just a warning". We don't want the warning because we want to be warned; most of the time, we probably couldn't care less about it. We want the warning because we don't want the alternative! At every step of that process, we are hoping, even praying, for mercy. When it comes to sin, all of us are guilty. The evidence against us is clear and convincing and our only hope of avoiding the consequences is to be granted mercy by the Supreme Judge. Fortunately, mercy is something the Bible says God is "rich in". This week at Friendship, we'll talk about becoming fortified with God's mercy, which means not getting the punishment we all deserve. God not only grants mercy, but also grants grace, which is receiving gifts we don't deserve. They are two sides of the same coin, the currency of God's riches. No matter who you are, where you're from, or what you've done, God's mercy is available to you through Jesus Christ.
With His Mercy
August 2, 2020 • Pastor Logan Ames
With His Peace
August 30, 2020 • Pastor Logan Ames
You've probably heard the old song that is most-often sung at Christmastime that says, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me". It's a nice thought and something we could certainly use right about now in our world, but I have to ask, how is that working out? The world, and even many believers, are being crippled with fear and angst as seemingly every single new day brings something scarier than the one before it. While those who know Jesus Christ and trust in God's sovereignty should be moving away from fear and toward faith, many are finding that the exact opposite is happening. How can we have peace as we see what is going on? Why are so many people angry at each other and unwilling to get along, love one another, and overcome the chaos? My friends, I submit to you that the answer to these questions is that we have been searching for peace within OURSELVES, but that's not where it's found. This week at Friendship, we'll finish out the FORTIFY series by discussing what it means to be fortified with God's peace. We'll talk about the story of Gideon, who came to realize that "The Lord is Peace" (Jehovah Shalom). Peace is not something that happens accidentally in our lives; we must submit to the Lord and clothe ourselves with HIS character. This is our only true hope as we battle the fear and anxiety associated with our present world.
With His Holiness
August 23, 2020 • Pastor Logan Ames
You may have heard of this old thought-provoking question: If being a Christian were illegal and you were arrested and charged, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Pondering your answer to this question forces you to practice one of the most basic disciplines of the Christian walk, yet one we often neglect - self-examination. Being a Christ-follower is about more than what we say we believe in our hearts, because our faith is shown through action and behavior. While perfection is not required, there must be some outward evidence of our internal condition, some fruit that sprouts from the seeds of faith planted within us. In the Bible, we are commanded to be "holy" just as God is holy. That sounds very intimidating and impossible to us, but that's primarily because of our misunderstanding of the word. God is HOLY in that He is "set apart", different from His creation. His thoughts and ways are higher. This week at Friendship, we'll talk about being fortified with God's holiness, which in turn helps us to live the "set apart" lives to which He has called us, to be in the world and engage with unbelievers while exhibiting evidence that clearly distinguishes us from them and their worldly behaviors. We ought to reflect God's "set apartness" in our earthly lives until we are made permanently holy in heaven.
With His Trustworthiness
August 16, 2020 • Ben Sorbello
"Trust Me". How often in our human existence have we heard that phrase? How do we know WHO to TRUST? Life is full of daily decisions we have to make, and in order to try and make the best ones, we need information and facts. Where do we go for them? Who is our source? Do we turn to the media? Our parents? The nightly news? Our friends? Our pastors or priest? The government? The teachers and professors? Books? The Internet? Google? Doctors or lawyers? As Christians, how many times have we put our trust in any of the above when the TRUTH is there is only one true and trustworthy source - the God of the universe? How do we trust God and not the world? This is what we will be exploring this weekend as a church family, so I challenge you to trust me and come out and be a part of this exploration!