Sermon Review 10-5-08

The morning message was entitled "Jesus, No Greater Brother." From Hebrews 2:5-18, we looked at the implications of being related (by faith) to Jesus.

1. Everything in the world to come has been subjected to Jesus, even though he was temporarily made a little lower than the angels, because he has tasted death for all of God's children (5-9). This truth implies that allegiance to Jesus here and now will bring future reward in the "world to come."

2. He was made in our likeness so we could share his (10-11a). Jesus, the eternal Son of God, took on humanity, lived a sinless life, died in our place, was buried and rose again in order to remove the sin debt from us. However, Jesus didn't just remove our sin, he gave us his righteousness.

3. He is not ashamed to call us brothers in the presence of the Father (11b-13). Jesus warned, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven' (Matt. 10:32-33,NIV). The Apostle John states, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have on who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1, NIV).

4. As our high priest Jesus has: destroyed the devil's power, freed us from slavery to fear, demonstrated the mercy and faithfulness of God, and put away the wrath of God. Jesus stripped Satan of his kingdom, took his power--the power of sin and death, and killed it. Satan is a defeated enemy. All who sin are slaves to sin and most of us are kept in slavery because of fear. But Jesus removes all cause of fear. We are not slaves, but brothers. The mercy and faithfulness of God are seen in the cross. Paul states, "For God demonstrated his own love toward us in this while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8, NIV). By dying in our place on the cross, Jesus put away the wrath of God. Christ received the full wrath of God while on the cross. God's righteous anger against sin was satisfied in Jesus' death. We may now approach God as our Father through a faith relationship with Jesus the Son.

5. Jesus is able to help us. He is not distant and aloof. He has walked miles in our flesh. He knows the full burden of temptation. He has been tempted like us in all ways, yet is sinless. He understands the human condition, and thus, is able to provide exactly what we need.

Sunday Evening we looked at "The Purposes of Our Church." Monticello's constitution lists five.

1. To maintain regular services, both devotional and for public worship.

2. To proclaim earnestly the Gospel message and urge its personal acceptance.

3. To cooperate heartily in prayer, tithe, gifts and services in the Kingdom of God throughout the world.

4. To promote systematic Bible Study and Training for Christian Service and to encourage in every possible way life enlistment in some form of religious activity.

5. To secure as far as possible the practice of true religion as taught in the sacred Scriptures: Matt. 16: 15-19; John 3:16-17; Rev. 2.

Most of these purposes are self-explanatory and need very little elaboration. True religion, as taught from the Scriptures, can be summarized as: A faith that seeks salvation in Christ alone, that is doctrinally true, and endures in obedience even amid` persecution, tribulation, and hardship. One of our goals as members should be to help the church live out its purposes.

Rowing Down the River

Today was an excellent day to be out in God's creation. The sun was warm and the leaves are beginning to change. The day was accompanied by a cool breeze. It was the kind of day that makes you happy to be alive and even happier that you know the One who made it all. We had around twenty or so show up for the canoe trip this morning. We all set out with the hopes of ending the day as dry as we started it.

The last time that Monticello took a canoe trip Delia and I flipped our canoe three times. We had hoped to end the trip with no flips this time (thank the Lord no flips). The water was really cold this morning. If you fall out of a canoe in the summer, chances are you experience relief (if you can get over the embarrassment, are not afraid of water, and if you can swim). The only way you would have experienced relief by falling out of the canoe today was to have been a polar bear.

Our canoe got stuck at one point today (low water). So we had to get out of the boat (ankle deep) to push it free. It wasn't the coldest water I have ever felt (I jumped into a swimming pool in the middle of the winter once--but that is a story for another day), but it was cold enough that I didn't want to find what it would feel like to be immersed in it. We did have one couple that tipped their canoe, but they were alright.

I had a great day today. I really appreciate the opportunity to serve among such admirable and amiable people. I glad that we have the opportunity to enjoy life together. I regret that many of our friends couldn't be there, but there will be another time for us to join together and enjoy each other's company. God bless.

Funny Friday Part 4

I would not want to be accused of taking myself to seriously. I am enjoying writing a blog, and I am excited to know that people are reading it. I hope that God blesses you with a lot of laughter today and everyday. He is our ultimate source of true joy, and life itself. God Bless.

Funny Friday Part 3

Here is a collection of thought provoking posters. These are more related to church life and point out errors we need to avoid. They make me laugh in one way and yet, they make me want to cry. The views parodied in these posters are real and dangerous. It does us good to give some consideration to error and humor is a gentle way to address it. You can find these and others here. May we never be guilty of such things. Lord preserve us from error.

Funny Friday Part 2

Here a few more funnies from Despair.com.

Funny Friday Part 1

I take laughter very seriously. I love to laugh and I hope you do too. Here are a few uninspiring motivational posters from Despair.com.

Contentment

I am thinking about the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. Lawmakers are hoping to free up credit to lend to people buying houses, cars and other stuff. However, the current crisis is a result of bad credit ventures.

Debt is a nasty master. It drives one relentlessly. It can push a person to the brink. It is time to reconsider contentment. Maybe all the desires of our hearts are not as necessary as we think. Maybe we need to get back to being satisfied with what we have.

It is true that refrigerators stop cold. Cars run down. Not even the world's best planner can see all ends. Only God knows all things. But contentment with what we have can help us secure the future. Contentment can assist us in preparing for a rainy day, while lessening the risk of debt.

Debt is a pool that most people will wade through in their life, but if a person is not careful that pool can become a flood that washes them away. It is better to avoid debt if at all possible. It may mean a smaller house, less expensive clothes, a cheaper or used car, it may mean shopping at thrift stores and consignment shops. The root of debt free living is being satisfied with what you have.

I have to admit it is a struggle for me at times. I want more. Then when I get it, I wish it had cost me anything, that it took up less space, and that I had more room. However, I am seeking God's help at becoming a faithful steward who is content with what I have. Are you struggling to be content? Do you have a financial plan? Are you a good steward of all that God has given you?