Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28-48

The message is from the classic passage in Luke that talks of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a colt. Instead of focusing on that part of the story I really felt impressed to go deep with the next scene: Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and then cleansing the temple. In light of the present pandemic it seems like a lot of people are asking the question, “Is God angry with the planet and punishing them for their sin?” It’s a valid question but the better question perhaps is, “how does God feel and act toward people who provoke him to wrath?” Luke 19 answers this important question perfectly. We see Jesus weeping for, warning with tears, shaking up and teaching those who have sinned against him. What love! The discussion of coming judgment is hard to bear but this message will bring great hope to those who wonder if God has given up on them.

Harvest Time

Matthew 9:35-38

This message is deeply relevant to the present moment we are all experiencing with this pandemic. Things are being shaken. Many people are feeling anxious. The economy is unstable. We know that people are struggling for their very lives in hospital rooms all over the globe. Amidst this global distress people are groaning for solid ground. They are realizing that life is fragile; that no amount of wealth can protect them; that no government can save them; that the health care system is limited. Jesus sees and feels deep compassion during all this, and is calling people to come under the shelter of His presence. He wants to be like a shepherd to us: caring, feeding, protecting, guiding. He wants us to lie down at night with total peace knowing that He is watching over us. I believe this message will be a comfort to anxious hearts. For those listening who may not yet know Christ, this message is an invitation to run into the arms of the Good Shepherd. You don’t need to carry your burden alone. You were not designed to live independently of God. Just like sheep need a shepherd, all living creatures need God. 

Redemptive Shakings

This was not an easy message to preach. At the start of the week, amidst a flood of news regarding the pandemic, I starting praying, “Lord, what are you saying about all this?” It seemed like a simple enough question but I’m not sure I was ready for the answer. I spent most of the week steeping in the Book of Isaiah chapters 24-39 and the Lord began to unveil to me the purpose behind His shakings. Nothing in this world happens randomly. The Lord Almighty is sovereign over all things and this present pandemic is being permitted by Him for a purpose. Not just Isaiah, but all the prophets, interpreted unpleasant happenings from a heavenly perspective and showed that God was at work. Often, the judgments of the Lord are aimed at His own beloved people in order to humble them and cause them to return. When the common grace of God, the kindness of God and the clear message of the prophets is not enough to turn people around, God resorts to terrifying shakings. As I began to study these chapters it was easy to make parallels to the present moment, as the state of the Church has become sick and lame in this generation. Especially in America, the state of things is deplorable. Most people who aren’t Christian are hardened against the message of the Gospel. Those identifying as Christian are collectively guilty of pride, breaking of marriage covenants, pornography, idolatry, stinginess, disregard of the poor (orphans and widows), neglect of prayer, slander, bitterness and much more. It can surely be said of this generation, “there is no fear of God before their eyes”. This message, taken from Isaiah, is a reminder that God is calling His people to humble themselves and turn from sin. It’s a reminder to us to get low and plead for mercy. Judgment begins in the House of God (1Peter 5). I realize this message isn’t easy to listen to. It is birthed out of much love and tears and many days of prayer and fasting. I believe that those who receive the message will be transformed by it. Those who reject it, sadly, will become even more hardened against the Truth. I’m praying it would bear fruit in every heart! -Scott 

Be Still and Know

Psalm 46 

In this season, we are in a series on the book of Ephesians and through the first chapter. However, in light of the present global pandemic (Coronavirus) I decided to pause on the Ephesians series to begin a new series to address the current strange moment. The new series is called “When the Earth Gives Way” which is taken from Psalm 46. Besides explaining our recent decision to suspend Sunday services the message is a simple exposition of this very relevant psalm. In times of uncertainty we do not need to be afraid. God is with us and He is working all things together for good. When it feels like the earth is giving way under us, the admonition from above is—“be still and know that I am God”. This message is aimed at helping anyone who is feeling anxious.