Bethesda Christian Church Sermon Of The Week

Sometimes it’s hard to let go of something that shouldn’t be kept. We get attached to things, like shoes that we’ve worn through the soles, yet we keep them to wear just one more time. We might treat parts of our lives the same way, holding on when we should be letting go. When Jesus began His ministry there were many who did not desire to give up their old ways. Jesus offered something new and far better which gives reason for celebration. Are you holding on to something that you might need to give up? Listen to today’s Life App and discover how you can let go and daily Celebrate The New.

And as we go through the Sermon on the Mount, we will see Jesus continue to raise expectations on our relationship. If you operate that law is a boundary, you are missing the "heart" of His message. Sin comes from our heart. Jesus wants us to completely surrender out hearts to Him. Jesus focuses more on the internals than the externals.

Lust is a pandemic. It affects men and women, young and old, rich and poor. It steals marriages, rips apart families, and divides homes. When Jesus addresses lust, he instructs his audience to not even let lust be present in their hearts! He then goes on to instruct them to cut off the things causing them to sin. The only way that lust can be rid from the believer’s heart is through confession and repentance. Without Christ there is no freedom, but with Christ, freedom is possible, even from the clutches of lust.

At the end of Matthew 7, Jesus tells the story of the wise and foolish builders. The wise man built his house on the rock and the foolish man built his house on the sand. After the storms came along, one house was destroyed and the other house was left standing. What made the difference? We’re all building something, but what does it take to build something that lasts? …what does it take to “Build Wise?”

In the early part of His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Then to stress His point Jesus repeated His claim with more emphasis and in a dramatic way. Jesus' statement introduced some tension, tension that has remained controversial within Christianity. Jesus has not abolished the law, yet he has fulfilled it completely. So which is it, does the law continue or has it ended? Today’s Life App addresses this question and presents how we as Christians can daily live these important words of Christ.

Sin has been a problem since the beginning of time. Because of sin, mankind was separated from their Creator and restoration could only be accomplished by something severe: sacrifice. The way back to God required a heavy price, a life. But God did not demand the sinner’s life, he allowed a substitute, the life of an animal. To this day God requires sacrifice for sin. Today’s message focuses on how God has provided the one, perfect substitute who has become the sacrifice for all, because of His love.

Have you ever been hurt, insulted, harassed, or even worse because of your faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus said it would happen, and He gave a simple command on how to respond. He didn’t say “if” you are persecuted, He said “when” you are persecuted, and when you are persecuted for you faith in Him, then rejoice. That was Jesus’ simple command in the face of insult and harassment. Today’s Life App applies the words Jesus added to His command to offer practical ways we can all rejoice when our faith in Christ is ridiculed.

Baptism is a command of Jesus. He submitted to be baptism as an example for all who would turn their lives to follow Him. Baptism has been called a rite of initiation. That might sound a little clubby, a tad bit exclusive, yet baptism is an initiation in this sense: It marks a beginning, a start, a new life, so fresh and new that the Word of God likens baptism to being raised from the dead. Today’s Life App gives biblical insight on the working of God in baptism and how to live daily a new and resurrected life.

When Jesus began His ministry, He started with one word: Repent. Some don’t like the word, it’s beneath them, it’s for others who do really bad things. However, Jesus was clear: All must repent and live out their repentance or else perish. How then is repentance lived? Jesus used a story about a vineyard to teach repentance applied to daily life. This Life App goes to the heart, the very foundation, of Jesus’ mission. Give it a listen.

Have you said anything important today? You might not think so, but if today were your last day the words you share would likely be held by those closest to you as memorable and significant. When Jesus was speaking to his disciples hours before his crucifixion, He knew he was facing death. His parting words expressed deep love for his followers and included vital instructions. What were His instructions and how can they be followed? This message begins a journey through the commands and teachings of Jesus with a focus on daily application. Today we begin the Life Apps of Jesus.

God’s Word is not given in “multiple choice” form. We cannot pick and choose from Scripture what we like, then ignore or rewrite the portions not to our liking. Before Jesus ascended to Heaven He told his followers they were to teach everything He had commanded. Everything leaves out nothing. Jesus’ instructions included two small words that were key to His request. It is easy to drop those two little words, and without them the meaning of Jesus’ instruction is altered. Listen in and discover the importance of these two tiny words, and how to apply completely Jesus’ final instructions in your life.

“What am I here for?” That question can be taken as existential, plumbing the depths of purpose for this life and eternity. But ask the question in a practical sense as it pertains to church, “’What am I here for?” Or ask it another way, “What am I participating in a church service for.” As you ponder the answer listen in to today’s message as it challenges you to examine your answer in the light of God’s word.

The church should be a place to join, become a member and begin to contribute. We should be conduits and not reservoirs.

The world is telling us to prepare for “a long dark winter” because “America’s darkest days lie ahead.” That’s been the recent headlines, that’s been the constant refrain of the world. We are in the dark, expect the darkness to last. That dark perspective was alluded to by the ancient prophet Isaiah regarding the city of Jerusalem when he said, “See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples.” Indeed, many are lost to the dark hopelessness offered by the world. But Isaiah went on. He foretold of a way out of darkness by the coming dawn of a bright light, which would be an everlasting light. Isaiah refereed to none other than Jesus. This Christmas Eve be renewed with a hope that endures, the everlasting light emanating from the baby Jesus.

Many have endured being away from church for months due to the pandemic. They long to join together with God’s people and worship Jesus. What would you endure to worship together with the people of God? Do you long to be in the house of the Lord praising God with others? Do you have an insatiable yearning to worship? Be inspired by the biblical account in this message of some who trekked hundreds of miles over unforgiving terrain for many weeks, arrived at the wrong destination and were confronted by a known murderous king, yet remained undaunted in their pursuit to worship Jesus. Let their persistence and faith encourage you to never take for granted the opportunity we have to assemble and worship our Lord. O come, let us adore Him!

How are you enduring? A nation was waiting four centuries for a word from God. A devout priest well along in years was praying, and when at last he heard from the Lord he did not believe it. He was made to suffer in silence for just a little longer, but his time in silence renewed him. The aged priest came out of his seclusion praising God. What might we learn from such an account of endurance from a devout old priest? Plenty that can be applied to our lives today.

We are all living differently due to the restrictions imposed because of Covid-19. You might be enduring loss, loneliness, financial stress, children unable to attend school, separation from family or more. How can we endure? A good illustration comes from the last prophet of the Old Testament. He’s called Malachi, and after him God did not speak through a prophet for over four hundred years. The people had to endure God’s silence, but Malachi’s message was infused with hope. Listen in and be lifted by the same hope brought to people who had to endure.

The Covid pandemic has affected lives since early 2020. Is God doing something? As we enter the Advent season, a time to reflect on God's timeless plan for Jesus and the salvation of the world, we wonder, is God doing something? God is indeed doing something. This morning an answer is given from the Word of God. God is working, He is doing something, and it will endure forever. Will it endure in you?

When later this week you celebrate Thanksgiving, whether you are alone or with others, take time to express to the Lord something for which you are grateful. Many families have a tradition where prior to the Thanksgiving meal each one tells of something they are grateful for from the past year. Looking back we can all find something for which we can say, "Thank you Lord." And, there are things to be grateful for in the present moment--after all this is the day the Lord has made! What about the future? Does thanks have a future? Is there anything about the future for which to be grateful? You might say, "Tomorrow is not promised." True. Yet the Word of God does give great examples of looking forward that we can take to heart and practically apply. Listen in and discover that thanks does have a future, and you just might change your Thanksgiving tradition!

Have you ever needed a second chance? We all have, and when we are not given that second chance it hurts. We wouldn’t have most of the New Testament if a man named Saul wasn’t given a second chance. His past was so bad, no one wanted to believe he changed. Almost no one. There was one who received Saul and vouched for him. Listen in to discover the name of this giver of second chances and be inspired to do the same.