Taking a Stand

Friendship Community Church

Taking a Stand

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow" ~ Isaiah 1:17

God is clear through the prophet Isaiah and others in the Bible that the poor, needy, oppressed, orphaned, widowed, and lonely are close to His heart. He commands that His people stand up for them when they cannot stand up for themselves. Yet, we find that so many Christians are simply not in this game. They are waiting for someone else to do it or assuming God will just do it without us. But that's never been His style. Even in the New Testament, shortly before He was crucified, Jesus told His disciples that love for one another is how they would be identified as belonging to Him. This love He refers to is not a feeling, but an action, and one that requires sacrifice and service toward one another. This week at Friendship, we'll look at what it means to love one another and specifically talk about "Taking a Stand" for those who are waiting for us to do so, and for whom God has commanded us to serve. Join us and be prepared to yield your hearts to Him!

Victory

December 31, 2023 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello

So the presents are unwrapped but do you feel His presence? Take a minute to reflect on this next question before you answer it...ready...Do you feel Victorious? In what or who? Are you in a battle or trial right now, with your health, a relationship, life in general? Does your life have PURPOSE? When you look in the mirror are you content and feel blessed or cursed? Are you proud to be a Christian today? Are you fired up to go to battle for your Commander? Do you believe that we are winning the War? Do you feel prepared to continue the War? This week we will be finishing the teachings of the Holy Spirit on Waging War - The Victory. If you have been part of the training program at Friendship since August we have been learning about the Spiritual War that we are in and how we need to defend ourselves and loved ones from the evil that exists. This week we will find encouragement from our Commander so you do not want to miss this! Commit yourself and your family to following and listening to the Holy Spirit of God and we look forward to fellowshipping and praying with you this week.

Christmas Eve Service 2023

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Holy Light"

"The Big Picture"

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst" - 1 Timothy 1:15 Jesus was born to die. He came to be the Savior for us and for the whole world. Believers know this, but we tend to lose sight of it this time of year. We focus on the joy and the miracles and the celebration of His birth like somehow it's separate from His purpose. But God was planning this and foretelling it through the Law and Prophets for well over a thousand years, which means the Messiah's birth and death would always be linked. In order to save us and provide for our forgiveness, He had to shed His blood, something one can only do if they become flesh. This weekend at Friendship, we'll talk about "The Big Picture" of Jesus' birth for not only His own parents, but the whole world. If we want to wage war against the enemy, we must yield our own understanding to His; we must let go of our small picture of our circumstances and surrender to His big picture plan, even when we don't understand it.