Jesus Our Example

1. Hayden 6-13-18

In the next month we are going to explore a sermon series on looking to Jesus as our example of Christian living. Often, the world would like to dismiss most of God’s Word by exclaiming that only what Jesus did and said is valid for us to live by. The Apostle Paul’s writings are not necessarily what we should take to heart because his lessons on Christian living did not physically come from the lips of Jesus himself. This is known as “Red Letter Religion,” that we only want to live according to Jesus’ example, not what Paul or Peter or any other author happened to pen. This is false theology as the whole of Scripture has been given to profit Christ’s Body and for our instruction in righteous (2Timothy 3:16). People often rely on the false doctrine of “Red Letter Religion” because they think that Jesus only taught the world to love others and not judge anyone. But when looking at what Jesus said and did, we actually find that living by Jesus’ example, is more challenging than simply following one of the Apostles.

Ephesians 5:1 says this, “Be followers of God as dear children.” The word “followers” in that Scripture is translated from the Greek word “Mimetes.” It means to imitate or, more properly, emulate God. It is the word that is the root of the word we understand as to “mimic” someone. We are to emulate Christ in our life, becoming more like Him as we grow-up spiritually. We are to emulate Christ in the lessons that He taught, emulate Him in the way He treated other people, emulate Him in His relationship with the Father, the words that came from His mouth and the ministry with which He provided to the world. We are to emulate Christ in our lack of concern for worldly pursuits, and emulate Him in are desire for the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Philippians 2:5-7a gives us this mandate. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a bond-servant…” To follow only the Red-Letter portions of the Scriptures will bring us to following the whole of God’s Word. Not just the portions we like.

Be blessed even more and have a wonderful week!!

Pastor Chris

If God Be for Us
C. Hayden 6-26-18

There are few things in life that can ruin a person’s day more then finding oneself discontented with a present situation they are in.  Whether you feel that people do not appreciate you enough, the breaks in life do not seem to be breaking your way, or everyone else seems to get a bigger portion of the good life, we often feel that we are handed the short end of the stick.  That often puts us into a general state of depression and never-ending cycle of deep discontentment.  Philippians 4:10 – 11 says this,  ”But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”  Even in the midst of the Apostles struggles, he was content no-matter what the circumstances may have been presented to him.  Whether in prison, in house arrest, or free to roam as he pleased, Paull was always able to walk in victory knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ was with him where ever he found himself.
Paul continues in that passage to say, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).  That last scripture sums up Paul’s attitude regardless of what he may be facing.  I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST!  I am not sure what giants you may be facing today, but I know that whether good or bad, easy or difficult, we have a God who is “for us (and not against us), who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32).  Trust in the Lord and be content.  For there is nothing we cannot do nor giant we cannot face down through the power of God’s Spirit given to us in Christ Jesus!
Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris

The Intimate Presence of God

1. Hayden 6-13-18

God’s intimate presence in our life is real and life giving. Few people illustrate this concept of intimacy with God then the psalmist David. In Psalm 63:1-4 we read these words, “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.” It is easy to see why the Scriptures describe David as a man after God’s own heart. In the very first verse, David declares that he seeks God, thirsts for Him and longs for God’s intimate presence. David does not simply want to appease God or complete a checklist of “God stuff” so as to feel safe from God’s judgment. David wants to know and experience God’s presence intimately. He wants to know God in his life and become intimately acquainted with His presence.

How does David go about seeking this wonderful experience? Verse 2 gives the answer. He starts by looking for God in the sanctuary (vs.2), to see God’s power and His glory. David has an expectation of experiencing the Lord’s power and glory when he comes to worship. Read the verses of that Psalm again. The picture we see is not one of a person just marking time, but of David the King whose focus is on the Lord, worshipping God with all of his heart, soul and body. The wonderful thing about God’s intimate presence is that we can experience God daily no matter where we find ourselves. God’s presence is not just in the church building. He lives within each and every one of His children. For we are the temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) or sanctuary of God’s Spirit and we can know Him and sense Him anytime of the day regardless of where we are.   This week, take time to meet with the Lord, seeking His intimate presence and letting Him heal your heart, mind and body.

Be blessed even more and have a wonderful week!!

Pastor Chris