This message is inspired by the hymn O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, by George Matheson in June of 1882. Paul Moon delivers a message of hope and joy in the midst of trial and adversity by focusing on the Cross and the lengths that Jesus was willing to go to in order to bring us back to Him. He speaks of finding our strength and purpose in Him as Jesus calls us to be branches connected to the True Vine as spoke on in John 15:5-8. Living a life connected to our Savior is where we find joy in our suffering and find hope in our adversity.
Hymns | It Is Well
This message is based on the famous hymn "It Is Well". The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford shortly after he tragically lost four daughters when their ship, the Ville Du Havre, went under. Pastor Scott preaches that Christians are not exempt from suffering. In fact, it is promised over and over in Scripture. How we respond to suffering determines our character. We do not need to fall apart or fall away during hardship; God arms us with a way of thinking that allows us to not only survive but to rejoice through our sufferings. Pastor Scott reminds us of this different way of thinking that helps us to stand firm, and reminds us that it is well in our souls during every trial, and we can rejoice in this.
Hymns | Softly and Tenderly
This message is a look at the classic hymn Softly and Tenderly written by Will Thompson in 1880. Pastor Scott anchors the message in the first three verses of Isaiah 55, which is one of the most compelling invitations of God in Scripture. People everywhere in our world are weary, disillusioned and unsatisfied but God invites them to come home to be satisfied fully. What He offers is amazingly totally free. It's good news to the poor. Why wait in the shadows when Jesus is calling us earnestly and tenderly to Himself? Pastor Scott urges those who feel distant from God to run to Him. Fly into His arms and experience abundant pardon.
Hymns | In Christ Alone
One of the most reassuring things that we can find comfort in is the fact that Jesus will never leave us. In this message, Pastor Scott preaches on the hymn "In Christ Alone", focusing in on verse 4. "No power of Hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand." In life, we often feel a lack of control over the things that are important to us, and often when we feel comfort and joy in Christ, we worry that we will lose this relationship and not be able to persevere. In John chapter 10 Jesus encourages us by saying no one is going to snatch you from the Father's hand, and nothing will separate you from the love of Christ.
Hymns | Jesus Paid it All
This is the first message of our Hymns series. It is an exploration of the hymn "Jesus Paid It All", written in 1865 by Elvina Hall. This hymn is a beautiful, concise declaration of the Gospel message with an emphasis on our own weakness and insufficiency. Pastor Scott presses the point that it is okay to be weak, because our strength comes from dependence on the Lord. God's power and God's power alone will save us on the day of judgement, not our own moral effort. We must nestle in to a place of honestly and weakness, and let God's grace take over.
Bloom: Devoted
It seems that in our day amongst those who call themselves Christians, the normative experience of Christian community is shallow. In other words, the level of involvement and commitment to the church is very low. In this last message of the Bloom series, Pastor Scott discusses some of the reasons for this superficial approach to community and then lays out a clear vision from Scripture of the kind of depth of love the church should be marked by. Lastly, several practical encouragements are given on how we can become this sort of vibrant devoted community that alone will demonstrate to the watching world that Christ is real, good, and beautiful.
Bloom: Meek
One of the most important virtues in the life of a follower of Jesus is meekness; it is the opposite of sinful anger. In this message, Pastor Scott discusses the effects of anger and where anger comes from. The message then unfolds a clear vision of how Christians are called to be meek. It is okay to be angry about the injustice in this world; however, selfish anger and anger filled with pride is not okay and must be dealt with. As the sermon concludes, Scott gives several practical ways to deal with our anger when we find ourselves struggling. We must learn to forgive others as God has forgiven our sins, and rest in the peace that we are children of God covered in His protection.
Bloom: Loyal
Jesus is passionate about us knowing the truth and being loyal to the truth. There is a flood of false teaching in today’s world that requires discernment, and in order to discern we need to know God’s Word. The majority isn’t always right, and even the most intellectual and wise people can find themselves being swept away in the sea of false teaching. The bible talks about the false prophets that subtly led many people into believing their destructive, false teachings. God is warning us to not be fooled by eloquence or emotion or authority or glamour; we must be grounded in the biblical truth of scripture.
Bloom: Joyful
God wants us to be a people exhibiting the fullness of His joy. Life has a way of beating the joy and beauty out of us; it can harden our hearts and crush us. Pastor Scott delves into Philippians 4, and stories of the suffering Paul experienced, yet Paul was able to find a joy in God that transcended his circumstances. Jesus is a sympathetic Savior; He knows exactly what it is like, to suffer. Rejoicing in God is a command of scripture, and God shares His joy with us when we abide in Him in prayer mixed with thankfulness. We have to continually direct our thoughts towards God, away from the troubles and onto the good, set our minds on things above, and speak that which is edifying and administers grace. No one can take away our joy; people can take away other things, but no one can take away our salvation and joy in Christ.
Bloom: Humble
God wants us to be humble in our hearts; we can struggle to be humble and to see our own pride. Humility is essential to receiving grace and joy and the power of God. It enables us to live out the Christian life. Pride blocks this. Pastor Scott explores the story of the tax collector and the Pharisee in Luke 18:10-14, and urges us to get low before God and examine our heart-motives so He can fill us with humility, and offers up some practical steps about how to do this in deeper ways.