When I was a child, I learned about the character Pinocchio, who had a nose that would grow anytime he told a lie. Maybe there was even a little bit of fear that it could actually happen to us, something adults put into our minds to deter us from speaking falsehood. The idea of a long nose has become so synonymous with a lying fictional character that I was shocked when I learned that the God we worship is said to have a long nose. Certainly, our God always speaks truth and never lies, so what else could it mean? There is a specific attribute of God's character and nature that would have been originally understood with reference to His "nose", and it invites us to pursue righteousness knowing that His grace and mercy is available to those who seek Him sincerely. This week at Friendship, we will reveal the holy attribute behind "The Long Nose of God", then we will spend time talking about the importance of acknowledging this while seeking Him in prayer, and finally we will discuss how this part of His nature is revealed in and through us. We are made in His image, and reflecting God's long nose towards the undeserving is a requirement for His followers. Don't miss this one!
The Long Nose of God
March 5, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames
Suffering Servant, Exalted King
April 9, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames
Stories of success and glory are always made even better when we get to hear about the suffering and setbacks that were endured to get to that point. Michael Jordan was put on the junior varsity basketball team in high school because his coach said he needed to develop more. Albert Einstein couldn't speak fluently until the age of nine and was later expelled from school. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple early in his career. Walt Disney was fired from a Missouri newspaper because he "wasn't creative enough". The reward that each of these individuals experienced was even sweeter considering what they endured. This weekend at Friendship, we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. But it's important that we first consider His suffering. The title of this week's message is "Suffering Servant, Exalted King", because the exalting is always preceded by some form of suffering. Jesus suffered more than any of us, and then He was exalted higher than any of us. He is our example, our light, and our hope. Because He endured it all and overcame the devil's attempts to thwart God's will for Him, you and I can also endure whatever comes our way. And we trust that God will lift us up according to His timing. Join us for this uplifting message that will motivate you to press on no matter your circumstances!
The Grief of God
April 1, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames
Have you ever found yourself grieving something that everyone else seems to be celebrating? Maybe you were a teenager who went through a horrible breakup and you were devastated, even though your parents and everyone else said it was a good thing. Or maybe you possess a specific skill that upgrades in business and technology have rendered somewhat obsolete. Everyone cheers what is new, but it likely means a mandatory career change for you. In these situations, the grief you feel from the loss is multiplied by the fact that no one else seems to know, or care, how you feel. This has to be how the God who desperately wants a close relationship with us feels when we are celebrating that which He grieves. How many churches in western civilization are happy, healthy, and rich, but they are celebrating things that make the Lord weep? This week at Friendship, we'll talk about "The Grief of God" and discuss some of the events surrounding the original Palm Sunday. As crowds cheered for Him, Jesus looked upon Jerusalem and wept over their rejection of Him and the coming destruction. Understanding the Lord's heart and what grieves Him will help us understand our own grief, and how we must grieve with hope in His victory over sin and death. As grief affects every human being, we don't want you to miss this message.
The Jealousy of God
March 26, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames
When we think of the word "jealousy", there probably aren't too many positive thoughts that come to mind. Chances are that you've either been entrenched in a vicious battle with this emotion in your own heart, or you've been a victim of someone else's battle with it. Like with anger, feelings of jealousy can dominate the human heart and drive us to cause immense pain for the ones we love. But what if I told you that jealousy, by itself, is not a bad thing? As a matter of fact, it's one of the best things. It has to be, because Scripture says that God is jealous, and that in fact His NAME is Jealous. If we think only in terms of the horrible way some humans have responded to the feeling of jealousy, it's hard to separate that from the pure, raw emotion that exists even within our Father. But if God can be provoked to anger and jealousy and still be without sin, then we must consider what's good about it, so we can see God's original design for these emotions He gave us, so we can then repent of our sin. So, this week at Friendship, we will indeed dig into this complex topic of "The Jealousy of God" and consider how He feels when His people turn aside to idols. If there is no jealousy in God, can there be true love in Him? We'll answer that question and much more. Consider joining us and opening your eyes to Biblical truth you may not have considered to this point.