Friendship Community Church

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Current Sermon Series "Romans Road"

"Remembering the Servants"

May 26, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them - to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses'" ~ Joshua 1:1-3 It may seem odd that God would be so direct about picking up the proverbial torch and moving forward after the death of one of the most important and influential men in the history of Israel. But there are two things to consider here: 1) God spoke these words to Joshua after the Israelites had mourned for thirty days, and 2) God accurately identified Moses as His SERVANT. This means that, as important as he was, his time was over and it was up to more servants to continue God's work. Of course, God understands that we mourn the incredible losses in our lives, so He provides a set time to do so. But after that, it's time to consider how we can move forward with God's work until we also meet our earthly end. This week at Friendship, we will honor and remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom. We will then conclude our Romans' Road sermon series by digging into Chapter 16 and the importance of "Remembering the Servants". As we remember those who serve the Lord, just the same as we remember those who gave all they could give for our benefit, it should also make us consider how God wants us to continue His work, and how He might want us to sacrifice. The work of the gospel is always advancing, never stagnant. Join us this weekend to both remember those who have come before us and also look ahead to our purpose.

"Unity In Christ"

May 19, 2024 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello

"So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" ~ Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV Here are some questions to ponder before our next training session with the Holy Spirit of God: 1. Have you been built up because of our trip down the Romans' Road? 2. Do we have unity in the faith and have we become mature in Christ? 3. Are we still living for ourselves, or have we surrendered to His cross and now live for our King and His Kingdom? We have to be honest with ourselves and each other as the body of Christ in Dover, PA. If we are all connected in our faith, we cannot suffer silently; we must speak up and ask for help. When untreated, that part of the body can become damaged or cause other parts of the body to be damaged. Let us be UNITED IN CHRIST and united TO each other part of the body of Christ at Friendship Community Church. Let us reach out to newer parts of the body, introduce ourselves, and see how they are doing, in order to prevent the body from getting sick and encourage it to remain healthy and strong. This week at Friendship, as we journey into Romans 15 with the Holy Spirit of God, we'll discuss the unity we should have in Christ. Are we operating as a body of Christ at Friendship or individual organs that are outside the body? Are we connected to one another or causing dissension by our words and deeds? Join us as we find out more about what it means to have UNITY IN CHRIST!

"Love & Liberty"

May 12, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness" ~ Proverbs 31:26-27 On this Mother's Day weekend, we first of all think about all of the mothers and other women God has brought into our lives who do His will and we are thankful to Him for them. His purpose and work for them is blessed. The woman of noble character described in detail in Proverbs 31 not only instructs her children faithfully in the Lord, but she also watches over them, provides for their needs, and refuses idleness. When you think about it, the two verses above reveal the two primary ways that parents help their children avoid stumbling - faithful and true teaching, and keeping an eye on them. The parallel for the Church is clear. In the Church, we are all God's children, so we all must instruct one another AND pay attention that others do not stumble as a result of our action or inaction. This week at Friendship, as we dig into Romans 14, we'll discuss the "Love & Liberty" we have in Christ. While being His followers gives us freedom in many areas of life, freedom does not trump love, and we must act in love in all we do. It doesn't trump lordship either, as Christ still has the final say over what is right and wrong for us. Join us as we find out more about what this means for our conduct as believers!

"Godly Submission"

May 5, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right" ~ 1 Peter 2:13-14 If we're honest, these are difficult verses to take. The idea that God's people would have to submit to pagan authorities, especially corrupt ones, seems inconsistent with following Jesus alone as Lord. And yet, Peter tells us plainly that we do this for the Lord's sake, not our own. And let us remember that Peter and the other apostles lived under Nero, one of the worst emperors of all time, and that their Lord and ours suffered under Pontius Pilate, one of the worst governors of all time. Yet, the command to submit to and honor these human authorities remains, and that's because it's not about them, but the Lord who establishes them. This week at Friendship, we will look at Paul's words which mirror Peter's, and we will discuss what "Godly Submission" looks like for every believer. We must remember that God's mercy toward us changes everything about our lives and every area of our conduct. Join us for this important reminder during an election season focused on all the problems with our governing authorities.

"Let the Church Respond"

April 28, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" ~ Matthew 16:18 What do you think about when you look at a church building? We know that the church is not the building but the people. Yet, you can drive past any church building, where you know absolutely nothing about the specific ministry that happens there, and know that it represents a group of people who are united under their confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the confession that began with Peter right before Jesus' response recorded above. And if they are united under this confession, then they must be united in their purpose as those who know they are recipients of God's mercy and salvation. In every tribe, nation, and culture, followers of Jesus Christ are offering themselves as living sacrifices, wholly available to God in response to what He has done for them. This week at Friendship, we switch gears from the entire Romans' Road series so far, which has mainly been about theology and understanding what God has done for us, and we move to considering our necessary and logical response. The message is titled "Let the Church Respond", because having the right theology is irrelevant unless it moves us to ACT. Join us as we dig into how we must respond to the Lord's great mercy!

"Calling All Nations"

April 21, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ~ Galatians 3:28 Our God is a God of diversity. Regardless of whether you see that word positively or negatively because of the way it is thrown around in our culture, it certainly does define our God. He has made both male and female, and human beings from every background, tribe, and nation, in His image and likeness. And through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, He is calling them all back to Himself. While many believers waste their time arguing over earthly differences that won't change their eternal standing one bit, God the way-maker is moving and working to bring all who are willing into His kingdom. And the Biblical truth is that one day, when they all stand before His throne and worship together, the differences won't matter, other than to reflect the wonderful creativity of our Creator. This week at Friendship, we'll reflect on this God-plan of "Calling All Nations", and consider both His power and mercy to save those who are far away from Him. Join us for a little taste of what heaven will be like!

"Genuine Belief"

April 14, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world" ~ John 4:42 Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world? Do you actually believe that He is Lord of all and serve Him as such? In the modern Church, we have too often defined "belief" by what we say, think, or feel. Many have viewed it as a mere intellectual or emotional experience rather than something that defines every area of our lives. But the earliest church leaders knew that in order to believe in Jesus, they had to be willing to turn over every part of their lives to Him, and then be willing to live, and die, by this belief. It was not something to take lightly and it was not a mere addition to the lives we've crafted for ourselves. It is new life, which only comes by submission to Him. This week at Friendship, we'll dig into Romans 10 and discuss "Genuine Belief" as Paul sees it. We'll also look at a pretty significant moment in Paul's life when his genuine belief allowed him to see the circumstance God's way instead of his own. You won't want to miss this message from the Lord, so please join us!

"Israel by Faith"

April 7, 2024 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those that who earnestly seek Him. ~ Hebrews 11:1-4,6 NIV What does faith mean to you? Is it faith in God or faith in the world? Or worse, is it faith in yourself? Have you surrendered your will to God's will like Jesus Christ did in the Garden of Gethsemane? This week at Friendship Community Church the Holy Spirit of God is taking us further down the Romans' Road and we will be exploring Chapter 9 and what it means that God's people are "Israel by Faith". If you are questioning your faith then we would love to have you with us in person or on-line to journey with us down this Romans' Road.

"Hope Delayed"

March 31, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory'. 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" ~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 What does Easter represent to you? Millions of Americans will celebrate the holiday with friends, family, and food, but still pay no attention to how the reality of the empty tomb fundamentally changes everything. Family and friends are a great blessing, but they cannot provide a single victory. Those of us who believe what God has done and follow and trust Jesus as Lord know that His resurrection is the foundation for our faith. Some look to the cross, but without the empty tomb, the cross is just a monument to torture and brutality. But the empty tomb means that victory is guaranteed even when loss seems inevitable. Are you fighting what seems like a losing battle against sin, disease, persecution, and pain? Don't give up, for the resurrection proved that "Hope Delayed" does not mean hope is lost. This week at Friendship, we'll continue in Romans 8 and consider what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means for us even as we face suffering. We are more than conquerors. If you struggle to believe that, look upon the empty tomb and see for yourself that He is not there; He is risen, just as He said. Join us and be encouraged by how He is transforming your life!

"The Spirit as My Witness"

March 24, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" ~ 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 As we move closer to Holy Week and our annual remembrance of what Jesus did on our behalf to defeat sin and death, it's common to consider how we would have reacted to Jesus and what it would've been like for us had we lived in Jerusalem during that time. Would we have cheered and praised Him with the crowds on Palm Sunday as He rode in on a colt? Would we have burdened Him with our expectations for Him, only to condemn Him when He refused to fit into the box we created for Him? Would we have deserted Him at the cross? And would we have believed the news when we heard of His resurrection? Even if you think you have strong faith and consider some of those disciples doubting fools, you probably would've reacted as they did. Watching their leader and Lord being tortured and killed, while not yet having the Holy Spirit inside them to guide them, they were in a tough spot. We have the blessing today of having the Holy Spirit to not only teach us what is right but also empower us to live it, even when circumstances look bleak. This week at Friendship, we'll look at the Triumphal Entry of Palm Sunday, then discuss the power of the Spirit who acts as our witness that we are truly in Christ, and therefore face no condemnation. Join us as we dig into Romans 8 and celebrate the spiritual ramifications of being His adopted children who have the Spirit!

"Property of Jesus"

March 17, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies" ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 In the above verses, Paul is giving the believers in Corinth, and us today, a very important reminder: You don't belong to you! The Christians in that town had been involved in some specific sins that demonstrate their lack of understanding regarding who owns them. Today, the world pushes independence and doing whatever makes you happy. The prevailing culture urges us to "find ourselves" and to "make sure we love ourselves before we try to love anyone else". But the Bible is clear that if we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, then we belong to Him. We were slaves to sin, but He has purchased us away from it. Therefore, HE gets the final say over our choices and behaviors, not us. This week at Friendship, we will talk more about what it means to be "Property of Jesus". Living as though we belong to Him is not slavery, it is voluntary servitude and the only true way to be free. Join us for some more motivation to serve Him with your whole life!

"The Changed Heart"

March 10, 2024 • Reverend Robert Mattern

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" ~ Luke 6:45 These words of Jesus demonstrate the importance of the heart, the Greek kardia, which, as we learned in last week's message, can be defined as "the affective center of our being". It is what determines what we think and how we act. In the Bible, the word is always figurative and never refers to the actual organ that beats in our bodies. Jesus' point here is that you will know what is in a person's heart by what you see on the outside. If a tree bears bad fruit, no one can legitimately claim it is a good tree, and vice versa. This is why true salvation always involves "A Changed Heart". We cannot continue to walk in habitual sin daily and claim that our hearts are with Jesus. This week at Friendship, we will talk about the change that must take place, and what it means to go from being an imprisoned slave to sin to a willing servant of Jesus Christ. Join us for another solid teaching that applies directly to our daily lives!

"No Longer Slaves"

March 3, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" ~ Galatians 5:1 In one of my favorite movies of all-time, The Shawshank Redemption, there are two characters who get released from prison at different times in the movie who had each spent more than four decades behind bars. In each case, the now-free man struggles mightily with life outside the prison walls. They long to commit crimes that will send them back into their slavery to the state. It might be a miserable existence, but it's all they know! They've been declared legally justified and free, yet the constant fear of the unknown and the difficulty of just getting through each day has them craving for the prison bars. Sadly, one takes his life and the other only presses on because of the hope he has in finding his friend. It's a fantastic illustration of what happens to so many people spiritually. Christ sets them free, but they still long for the "comfortable misery" of the slavery they once despised. If Christ has set us free, it is so that we will never again return to our chains, so that we can walk in new life with Him. This week at Friendship, we'll dig into Romans 6 and see how Christ's death makes us "No Longer Slaves" to sin. He's a chain breaker and a way maker, and you can trust Him to guide you into your newfound freedom, even as you rid your life of all the things on which you used to depend. Join us to hear more about how to walk in this born-again life!

"Overflowing Grace"

February 25, 2024 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello

"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry." ~ Luke 15:22-24 NKJV Have you ever said to anyone, "There is nothing you can do to make me stop loving you"? If so, then you blessed someone with the Father's "Overflowing Grace"! To truly love is to live in a state of forgiveness. Jesus teaches us that if we do not forgive others, then our Father who is in heaven will not forgive us. Let that sink in deep in your heart. Search your heart now with the Holy Spirit of God's help and see if there is anyone you need to forgive. God's love for us is so deep that His grace covers us by the blood of His only Son so that we can be restored and the relationship with His children can be like it was before Adam and Eve disobeyed Him. So, as followers of Jesus Christ, are we able to explain to someone what it means to have God's crazy love that leads to His overflowing grace and how we should live our lives, understanding that our lives do not belong to us but Him? How do we honor and thank our Father, Jesus our Savior, and our Advocate the Holy Spirit of God? For the answers and more, come and hear what the Holy Spirit of God wants to tell us at Friendship this weekend as we explore the 2nd part of Romans chapter 5.

"Crazy Love"

February 18, 2024 • Pastor Logan Ames

"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" ~ 1 John 4:9-10 As we have now entered into the season of Lent, part of the traditional liturgical calendar in the Church, let us first reflect on the depths of God's love for us as shown through the propitiation of Christ Jesus. He denied Himself in order to come to our world, die for our sins, and be resurrected so that we could have new life. It's only after understanding and receiving this that we can then embark on our own journeys of confession, repentance, self-denial, fasting, and generosity in accordance with the traditional observance of Lent. God's love for us was so great that even when we had nothing we could possibly offer Him in return, Christ died for us. He died for sinners, most of whom would reject or betray Him. It's the greatest love there ever has been or ever will be, and some would say it's absolutely crazy. This week at Friendship, we'll talk about the "Crazy Love" of God, which we can only understand by faith. Then we'll discuss our necessary and appropriate response to this love. Join your brothers and sisters in Christ and be motivated to let His love change you!