Sermon Archive
(Click on a date to expand or collapse the text)
-January 27th, 2013-
- How is life working out for you? -
"11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
- Hebrews 5:11-14
Are we dull of hearing? I met a man in the grocery store who said that he stopped coming to church because his father asked, "Why would you want to go to a place (church) where they only tell you what you already know?" After a little more conversation, I learned that he is now divorced, has serious health problems, is out of work.... all negative! I felt like asking, "So how is this path away from God working out for you?" If life isn't working out for you, maybe it's time to try something else!
On the same day, I ran into a high school classmate. In our conversation he said that all elderly people are grouchy, stubborn, and hard to be around. He said he dreaded spending time with his elderly father. Since I'm aging every day, I began to examine myself. I don't want to become grouchy, stubborn, and unpleasant to be around. That doesn't work for me! John 3:19-20 says "19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light,lest his works should be exposed." I want to be in the Light. Darkness doesn't work for me. And it won't work for you either.
Let's start our journey into the light. The first step is to believe. "16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. The next step is to walk in obedience; be willing to change. "19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light,lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:19-21. If this life isn't working for you: sickness, debt, oppression, depression, stress, anger, broken relationships... be willing to change; You don't have to live like this any longer! We can't be so set in our ways that we hate the light and settle for the darkness.
We can't be so set in our ways that we become dull of hearing and slow to learn. My son was a pitcher and a catcher in Little League. He was superb at both positions. However a high school coach scouting the Little League talent told him that one day he would have to decide. Likewise, one day we will have to make a decision: Light or darkness. If life isn't working out, God can turn it around. Luke 10: 2 says, "2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Let's move out of being part of the harvest into being a worker. As our bodies are growing into full age, let our spirits also begin to mature into fullness. I hope you are a good listener today ready for God to take your life, turn it around, and begin to do mighty things in you and through. Make your choice today.
-January 6th, 2013-
- Begin the New Year as a New Lump -
"Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
- 1 Corinthians 5:7
Enter into this new year as a new lump. Get rid of the old leaven that affects your whole lump. Get rid of that fear that keeps you from doing all that God has for you to do. Take action. That old leaven affects our relationship with God. Those impurities mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:7-11 separate us from God. And no one can purge that old leaven out but you yourself. It will take a personal effort.
What's holding you back? "and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24). Once again it will take a personal effort to put this new man on. Take a New Year's evaluation of your life and your relationship with Christ. God has a purpose for each life at each stage of life. A "new lump" still has to be shaped. God wants to shape you, form you, make you into His beautiful creation, a image that is more like Christ. Stick with it. Don't examine your life in January and go right back to the "old lump" by February. Go forward.
We make every effort to remove impurities from our water, our skin, our clothes.... No one purposely puts impurities into their food or water; nor do they purposely set stains into their clothes. No one likes impurities; so let's purposely make our lives available to God to shape a new lump!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). It's a new year. You have a purpose in it. Boast in your weaknesses that God will show Himself strong in you an through you. Begin by purging out the old leaven that God may use you mightily. God has a plan and a purpose for you, O man and woman of God.
-December 30th, 2012-
- What Do You Have To Say At The End Of The Day? -
"And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
- Job 1:21
Have you ever had a day that started out pretty good but ended up pretty badly? Have you ever started our your day with a wonderful time of worship and devotions and later on in the day spoken some pretty ugly words to your friends, family, or co-workers? Or maybe it was a day that started out wonderfully but was so exhausting that by the end of it you lost your steam and ended up crashing in front of the TV stressed out and mad at the world... or at least fed up with it. At the end of one of those days, did you say, "Bless
the Lord, O my soul. May the Name of the Lord be praised."?
Job's day started out like any other day. But by the end of it he had lost everything but his life. He lost all his oxen and donkeys; he lost his sheep and his camels and all but a few servants; he lost his sons and his daughters. And after all this what did he have to say? "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the Name of the Lord be praised."
Let's remember to watch what we say at the end of the day. Let's not just start off each day well. Let's finish each day well. The Lord will be pleased, He will reward, He will comfort, and He will restore.
God, help us to face each day guided by your Spirit. Thank You for Your promise to be with us. Give us the strength we need throughout the day and at the end of the day. We choose to bless Your Name!