This is a motivational psalm perfect for the start of a new year. The psalmist urges God’s people to worship with joy, to be humble and to obey the voice of the Lord. And then strong reasons are given to do these things. This message explores the nature of worship and gives practical insights on how to excel in worship. The main idea of the message is that what we think about determines not only what we worship but the intensity of our worship—“as a man thinks so he is”. Much encouragement to feed the mind through Christian meditation is given. This is a great sermon especially for those who feel like their worship experience is a little flat and uninspiring lately. There is hope for the new year!
Psalm 57
Before David became king he was a fugitive hunted like a wild animal. He was driven from place to place in search of safety. Finding refuge in a cave, David penned this psalm. Despite the fact that 3000 soldiers were hunting him down, David remains confident in God. He’s weak and tired, no doubt, but he declares the unfailing love of God. This psalm is an encouragement to all who feel surrounded by troubles and in an isolated dark place. The cave is where men and women of God are made. Never despise your cave but realize that God is fulfilling His purpose of shaping you into the image of Jesus.
Gifts from Above: Glory
It is a common experience to be fickle. One day we are happy and everything is going well and the next day we are down about something. What is the secret to sustaining joy? That’s what this message is about. It’s an exploration of God’s vision for our eternal home described in Revelation 21-22. When we keep this vision burning in our hearts by frequent contemplation, it has profound effects on the way we live in this present life. We are happy, we joyfully endure, we are motivated to live holy and we are moved to spread the message of Jesus however we can. A vision of eternal glory results in a transformed life in the present.
Gifts from Above: Comfort
Planet earth is sick and all creation groans under the burden of suffering of all kinds. No one is exempt. In our pain we crave comfort and seek it in a variety of ways. Some of the ways people deal with their pain end up bringing more pain. One of the great gifts of God is His comfort. It’s not merely the physical comfort of a pillow or blanket but is the deep comfort released within us through His Spirit. God comforts us by whispering to our hearts that He is with us and that He will carry us through. Knowing that God cares will sustain us through even the hardest times. While God is accessible at all times, His overwhelming comfort and lush affection is not always immediately given when we seek it. The last part of the message instructs regarding the importance of learning to draw from the quiet well of God’s word to find comfort in the waiting until the outpourings of divine affection come.
Gifts From Above: Grace
All around the world people experience the despair of not being able to overcome sin. It’s true that many people aren’t even concerned about living according to God’s laws, but those who are often experience a profound internal struggle to beat the power of sin. Jesus came into the world and opened up a way of grace for those who want to be free from the dominion of sin. He came to set captives free! This message explores this gift of grace, defining what it is, and how to appropriate it into our lives. The last part of the message discusses the secret of abiding in order to be filled with grace. This will bring hope for anyone struggling to overcome.
Gifts From Above: Pardon
This message focuses on the great gift of pardon that was purchased by Christ’s own blood. Unless we understand our desperate need for the gift of pardon we won’t cherish it. Many people hear about the gift and either neglect it or passively receive it because they have no comprehension that they are in danger of perishing for eternity. But when a person understands their desperate need they receive the gift with great joy and cling to it with heart and soul. They go out and tell the world what they found. The end of the message gives application to those who are not yet Christian, as well as to those who are in Christ.
Standalone Sermons: Fear God
It has become common for Christians to disregard the clear commands of God. Not only is sin practiced but not much is thought of it. There’s no brokenness, no shame. Pastor Scott breaks down the message of Jesus to the church in Sardis (Revelation 3). Sardis had a reputation of being alive but the Lord said they were dead and their works were incomplete. It’s a reminder that man looks at the outward but God sees the heart. In a sidebar Scott lays out ten of the most commonly disregarded commands that he’s seen in this generation. The call of God to the dead Sardis Christians is to wake up, remember what God has done for them and repent. The call to get right is not presented as optional but comes with a grave warning that if they don’t make things right God will come against them in judgment. This is an unusually sobering message bearing down on anything in the life of a Christian that is dead. When the church fully aligns with God’s Word the glorious result is that the Spirit rests upon her and life is manifested.
Standalone Sermons: Rescue Mission
This day featured multiple speakers. Pastor Scott kicked it off with a short message about the importance of being in proximity to the local poor. Then the service was handed off to Tony Carew from the Rescue Mission who brought a strong message from the Parable of the Talents. This was followed by three separate testimonies of people who were transformed by Jesus and now serve at the Mission in various capacities. God’s compassion for the local and global poor was displayed beautifully.
Baptism: Fall 2018
Water baptism services are joyful and this one was electrifying! Just before the baptisms took place Pastor Scott spoke a very brief message on the most important things a Christian needs to hear before setting out on the long journey of walking with Christ. The anchor verses are from 2 Timothy 2:1-7 but a wide array of exhortations were given regarding identity, purpose, hardship, entanglement with the world, focus on Jesus, knowing God’s will, hating sin, diligence, boldness, the importance of the local church, perseverance, infilling of the Spirit, remembering the cross and knowing God’s love. The message is relevant to anyone who wants to live a fruitful Christian life in an ever-increasing way till the end.
Standalone Sermons: Teen Challenge 2018
Several ladies from the local Teen Challenge share their stories of how the Gospel of Jesus transformed their lives. Tabatha Mello, one of the directors and also the leader of Ren’s ministry of prayer, preached a powerful message about counting the cost of following Jesus.