He Is
Past Sermon Series
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
July 4, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
Have you ever been scared for the future of our nation, or specifically the future of your children or grandchildren who will pay for the choices and mistakes being made today? Maybe you are feeling that way right now. July 4th is always a great time to remind ourselves of what a blessing it is to live in a country where we are free, even when we don't like a lot of what we see happening. It's important to consider what that freedom cost, and how the price has continued to be paid to defend it from those who wish to steal it away. For those of us who follow and trust in Jesus, we have even more reason to feel blessed, for we know the freedom He provided by His blood can NEVER be taken away. Once the only true King declares that you are free, no one else can change it. This week at Friendship, we come to the end of our long "He Is" series with the Book of Revelation, where we find that Jesus is indeed "King of kings and Lord of lords". His power, authority, and strength are unmatched, and our only path to eternal freedom from sin is to repent and surrender to Him. Join us this weekend to be thankful for freedom and to give Him the honor due Him!
The Lover Coming For His Bride
June 27, 2021 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello
Are you ready for the wedding? Who is getting married and who is getting left at the altar? Who do you love, hate or use? Let's do a word association, where I mention a word and you answer do I love, hate or use that word. Ready? Here they are: God, money, Jesus, world, sin, people, sports, Holy Spirit of God (I know more than a word), TV, Bible, Church. How did you do? We will explore all of these questions this weekend and we will do our very best to get you ready for your wedding. There is no need to be anxious or nervous, just be prepared and ready for when the Groom comes for us! If you truly believe and have read your bible, then you know that Jesus is coming for the Church, and hopefully that includes you and I. Read Psalm 45, enter the King's palace, and praise His name forever and ever!
Healer and Shepherd
June 20, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
Have you ever prayed for healing or direction and felt like the prayer wasn't answered? God doesn't ignore us, but sometimes His answer is not what we want. The Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to take away his "thorn in the flesh", as he writes in 2 Corinthians 12. But the Lord chose not to remove it, and instead urged Paul to trust in His grace which would be sufficient to help him overcome. Many believers today are in need of healing, whether it be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. They look for quick fixes in other things, but TRUE healing that is complete and eternal, rather than temporary and disappearing, comes through Jesus. In the same way, many believers are struggling with direction in life, desperately in need of someone to guide them and show them the way. Jesus, who said "I AM the way", is the Chief Shepherd who provides the care and direction we lack. This week at Friendship, we'll look into the letters from Peter and James as they describe our Savior and Lord as "Healer and Shepherd". Whatever else you've been turning to, it's not the answer. Join us and discover that Jesus is indeed everything you need!
The Everlasting Covenant
June 13, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
One of the most annoying things coming back to Pennsylvania from Ohio was realizing that we were once again responsible for getting our vehicles inspected once a year. Does anyone else ever feel like you can't believe it's been a year already? Come to think of it, I feel that way regarding just about every contract or certification that I have to renew. Don't you just wish something, anything at all, in your life was valid forever? The good news is that, if you have accepted Christ's sacrifice for your sins and surrendered to Him as Lord, you DO have an agreement that's good for eternity. This week at Friendship, we'll look at the Book of Hebrews where Jesus and "The Everlasting Covenant" by His blood are on display. God has promised this to us for thousands of years even before it was fulfilled in Jesus. As we learn about the reality of these everlasting promises, may the hope they provide be an anchor for your soul. Join us to be encouraged!
Our Mediator and Faithful Pastor
June 6, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
How do you resolve disagreements with those closest to you? Do you simply wait and hope it will be forgotten? Do you speak your mind and let the chips fall where they may? That's not generally a wise choice. The better choice to calmly and gently approach the other party with the intention of reconciling. However, we all know what the road to hell is paved with - good intentions! Sometimes, even when two parties desire to work out a disagreement, it's nearly impossible for each side to see the other's point of view. When every other attempt has been exhausted, we then turn to someone like a pastor or counselor who may be able to help mediate the situation. Consider your relationship with our Creator. There is no way you can fully understand His holiness, and there is no way He can relate to being a sinner. For this reason, we were desperate for a mediator ever since we sinned and were separated from God. This week at Friendship, we'll dig into the last of Paul's letters in the Bible and gain understanding regarding how and why Jesus Christ is "Our Mediator and Faithful Pastor". No matter who you are, salvation is possible because of His work in reconciling us back to God. You do not want to miss this teaching and opportunity to seek Him!
Our Coming King
May 30, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
This coming Monday, we as a nation celebrate Memorial Day. A proper celebration of this holiday is not about pools and barbecues, though enjoying those aspects of freedom does come directly as a result of those who provided and defended it. A proper celebration of Memorial Day involves pausing to consider the pain, suffering, and death that so many faced so we wouldn't have to. People are willing to suffer and even die for something when they can look ahead and see something far bigger and more valuable than this earthly life. For followers of Jesus, we can endure suffering and death in this life because we are confident of our future reward in heaven and the future reign of our Lord Jesus, who came to earth the first time as a sacrificial lamb but will return as the Lion of Judah. He was the suffering servant, but He will return as a conquering king! This week at Friendship, we'll look at Paul's letters to the church in Thessalonica, where he urges them to endure persecution by looking toward Jesus, who is "Our Coming King". In addition to focusing on Jesus who bought our freedom with His blood, we will also spend time honoring and remembering those who died to keep us free here in our great nation. Join us this weekend and be encouraged no matter what suffering you may be facing right now - even if it's death - because in Christ there is always reason to rejoice!
The Godhead Trinity
May 23, 2021 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello
When we pray as followers of Jesus do we utilize the power of the Trinity? Do we understand what the Trinity means? 3 in 1? When we go through trials of life and are at our lowest places in our mind, do we feel alone? Where is God? Did He abandon me? Can I talk directly to God our Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth? Why do we close our prayers by saying, "In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior", or "in Jesus name we pray"? These are all great questions and as we explore the letter to the Colossians this weekend, these are the same questions that many of them had. If you are struggling with any of these questions then this is a great opportunity to let the Holy Spirit of God fill you with knowledge like He did with the Colossians, so that you can be strong in understanding the Trinity and bless others with that knowledge
The Servant's Heart
May 16, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
I want you to stop and think about your life right now. Overall, do your time, focus, and energy more benefit yourself or others? One mark of a true disciple of Jesus Christ is that we focus way more on serving than being served. But none of us are able to practice this on our own. Left to our own desires and wills, we're likely to focus almost exclusively on how every person and every situation in life impacts us. Even volunteering in church has become something many will only do if they are comfortable, confident, and in control. But Scripture is clear that we must love the Lord and love others, and the best way we show that is through a life of service. This week at Friendship, we'll look at the Book of Philippians to see how Jesus Himself exemplified service. But it wasn't just His outward actions; His deeds resulted from His inward mindset and attitude. As His followers, we must understand and adopt "The Servant's Heart". At times, it isn't fun, and it definitely isn't easy. But God knows and we will learn that ultimate J.O.Y. comes from putting Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. Join us this weekend and get ready to serve!
Our Glorious Treasure
May 9, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
What's the most valuable item you possess? Is it your home? Your car? A family heirloom? Something else? If it was something you had to purchase, how long did you work hard and save up for it? Think about the effort and care you have put into seeking, owning, and maintaining that which is precious to you. Now, consider whether you have applied that same urgency and care to your relationship with God with the Father, or even your honoring of your earthly parents. The Bible is filled with words about not just honoring our father and mother, but also considering their teaching and instruction as valuable as any hidden treasure. And just in case you didn't know them or experienced nothing but pain from them, the command is not just for those who are biologically related to you. We all must value the wisdom of those who have more years than we do. This week at Friendship, we'll celebrate Mother's Day by reminding everyone of these commands, and then we'll look at how Christ Jesus is the most valuable treasure we could have. Through Christ, God has lavished His grace and love on us. It's an overflowing treasure chest! Join us and learn all about it.
Freedom From The Curse
May 2, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
Are you overwhelmed by the fact that no matter how badly you want to make the right choices, you keep making the wrong ones? Are you weary from doing everything you can to satisfy a standard that someone else has set for you, yet never being able to measure up? If you answered "yes" to either of these important questions, you'd have a lot in common with some of the earliest Christians, especially the Gentile believers. Christianity started in Jerusalem with those who followed Jewish laws and customs, but as the apostles began to spread it around Asia and Europe, it was critical that the true message of freedom in Christ was preached - not the laws of Judaism. This week at Friendship, we'll be exploring Paul's letter to the Galatians, where we see that Jesus is "Freedom from the Curse". As the pressure mounted for Gentiles to abandon a life defined by grace and conform to the standards and traditions of a works-based religion that could not save them, the Spirit sent Paul to remind them of their freedom, paid for by the blood of Christ. Once set free, it would be foolishness to willingly fall back under the curse that happens as a result of our inability to achieve perfection. Whether you're worn out from depending on your own ability to do good or exhausted from the shame and guilt of your sin, please join us this weekend and get reacquainted with freedom in Christ Jesus!
The Power Of Love
April 25, 2021 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello
How many times have we said to someone or had someone say to us, "I love you, BUT..."? What about the worst thing we could say to another human being, "I HATE YOU"? I know for myself, it happened way to often when I was not truly walking with Jesus. When we TRULY understand the Love of our Heavenly Father, Jesus our Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit of God that lives inside of us, then the next thing we say to ourselves ought to be, "WHAT WAS I THINKING!" There in lies the problem - we speak way too often without thinking. Now that we are getting stronger in our FAITH, we know that we have to PRAY even more before we THINK and SPEA
The Grace of God
April 18, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
Today is tax day - even though for many an extension has been granted - and hopefully you all got your 2020 tax return done. I remember many years ago when I had only 1 or 2 incomes, no real additional assets or accounts, and no dependents other than myself, doing my own tax return was a piece of cake. I preferred to rely on my own ability and math skills to accomplish this difficult task and justify myself and my taxes in the eyes of the IRS. I didn't need anyone's help. As the years went on, as dependents were added, and as assets were obtained, I slowly had to come to the realization that my efforts were not enough to satisfy the requirements of the law. It became necessary for us to accept the help of one who could get it done for us. Of course, there is no grace with our tax guy; he works because we pay him! When it comes to our eternal justification before God, too many are still trying to accomplish it by their own abilities - we call this works-based righteousness, and it demands 100% perfection. Since none of us can achieve that, we were doomed without someone stepping up and bringing justification to us freely. That's what we call the grace of God, and this week at Friendship, we'll be exploring what the Book of Romans has to say about it. Here's a hint: it's only possible through Jesus Christ!
The Fire From Heaven
April 11, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
There is a funny parody video on Right Now Media about "ACTS Body Spray". The idea is that there is a spray that doesn't necessarily make living the Christian life any easier, it just masks any area of sin in our lives so that others don't notice and we can "go on living that double life". When I first saw the video, I thought of two separate things: 1) We should never look for a quick fix or "easy button" when it comes to correcting our areas of immorality, and 2) I vividly remember the smell of the boys' dorm at Camp Yolijwa all those years that I was a counselor, when the boys who refused to shower thought they could mask their stench with Axe body spray! Oh yes, there is nothing quite like the smell of Axe mixed with body odor. It was the perfect representation of what we all try to do when we are struggling with walking with Jesus in certain areas of life. We try to find something fragrant to cover up the stench of sin. But my friends, Jesus didn't just come to earth to redeem us through His life, death, and resurrection and then leave us on our own; He also promised to give us what we need to live in Him going forward. This week at Friendship, we discover WHO that gift is - the precious Holy Spirit! We'll look briefly at the Book of Acts, where Jesus is "The Fire From Heaven", and see how it connects to the Old Testament as well. We may not have an easy button or a masking spray, but we do have the power of God to lead and guide us in the Spirit.
God, Man, Messiah
April 4, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
My daughter likes to sing one of her children's songs that asks, "Do you like spaghetti?" followed by, "Do you like yogurt?" followed by, "Do you like spaghetti yogurt?" Of course, the answer to the first two questions is "yes", but the answer to the last question is, "No I don't. Yucky!" The same general concept is then repeated with "cookies and salad", "tomatoes and pancakes", and "carrots and cereal". Even the mind of a 2-year old can understand that putting two things together that are so completely opposite of each other, even when you like them both, is a bad and often disgusting option. Yet, there was one time in history when it turned out pretty well for the world. Our holy and righteous God stepped out of heaven and into our unholy and sinful world to walk among us. It was when the Son of God became a physical man. Many wondered how Jesus could be one with God when he was here suffering so much at the hands of the world. But it was all part of the Father's will leading to him overcoming death and setting his people free - the true Messiah or Anointed One. This week at Friendship, for Resurrection Sunday, we will look at the victorious Jesus as "God, Man, Messiah". What do each of these titles mean about Jesus, and how do they bring us comfort? Join us and celebrate the Risen King!
The Son of Righteousness Rising with Healing in His Wings
March 28, 2021 • Pastor Logan Ames
Have you ever been the victim of false advertising? It's definitely a first-world problem, but annoying nonetheless. I find it happens most often in the drive-thru. You are excited that it's "minty shake" season at a popular chain only to find that the local one doesn't have them yet, even though it's been advertised. Your staff at the church is getting lunch at a certain restaurant with amazing mac & cheese, but two times in a row your hard-working secretary is deprived of said food because the restaurant neglected to put it in the bag. I cannot confirm or deny that these things have happened within our church family, but I'd bet that all of you have experienced something similar, as have I. At the end of the period in which the Old Testament events occurred, God's people were feeling like the Lord was less than advertised. He had made promises that had yet to come to fruition, namely the Messiah. This led the people to depression, discouragement, and doubt. The longer they waited, the more they judged God according to THEIR picture of Him and how He should work, which is the same thing that happened during Palm Sunday and Holy Week 2,000 years ago. This week at Friendship, we'll dig into the Book of Malachi to see the Lord's response to all of this, as well as the final Old Testament prophecy regarding the Messiah, who is "The Son of Righteousness Rising with Healing in His Wings". You'll definitely want to stay for the end as we take a special look at an old favorite passage in the New Testament that speaks of the Father running to us as we return to Him. Join us as we experience God's unconditional love together!