Bethesda Christian Church Sermon Of The Week

Do you feel idle? You used to have a ministry at church, but since the church ministries have been restricted or gone online you've been left with nothing to do. Is there anything to do except keep on waiting? Yes there is. Take an example from the first century church which was stopped in its tracks. Their lives were at risk, they could have gone into hiding. Instead, they ministered differently than they had in the past. You can too! Listen in and be encouraged by this account from Acts chapter 8 and the life of Phillip the evangelist.

Tuesday there is an election. For each office on the ballot, who will you choose? Does the Word of God have anything to say about voting? Though the bible might be scarce when it comes to the topic of voting, there is no shortage of direction given in God’s Word when it comes to making a choice for who will lead a community or a nation. If the Lord is neglected in that choice, it is akin to rejecting Him. Instead of rejecting the Lord, listen in and discover how His Word can inform our conscience and direct our decisions.

None of us like to be put on hold. It is often a frustrating experience because we can’t express ourselves to the one who has put us on hold. Yet there are times when we put others on hold, or block their call, so we do not have to listen or respond to them. Have you ever put God on hold, or blocked Him? Since the Garden of Eden humankind has had the propensity to put God on hold or block him completely. The Lord years for us to have open hearts and open ears to hear and listen to Him. Today’s message gives a biblical example of those who put God on hold and offers hope for opening a clear line of communication to build a strong bond and lasting relationship with Him.

"On hold" is another way of being told to "wait." This does not need to be a negative, depressing, or even a frustrating experience when viewed through the lens of the Lord. This time we live in isn't all that there is. Our time on Earth can be viewed as God's waiting room for our lives. We should stay busy taking time to pray, study, to exercise our gifts, and learn what the Lord would have for each one of us to do. God has given us gifts and talents to use for His Kingdom while being here, but this is not our home, we are passing through to our eternal reward.

Being “on hold” while on the telephone can challenge our patience. But being “on hold” in our lives is a different matter! The Old Testament prophet Elijah had a tremendous victory in the “battle of the gods” on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18). But a death threat from an evil queen disrupted Elijah’s life to the point of deep hopelessness. Despite his discouragement, Elijah journeyed for 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God (Mt. Sinai!). He cried out to God and God responded in a way that should be encouraging to anyone who finds themselves distressed, discouraged and feeling hopeless… as long as we REST, LISTEN and LEARN.

We all know what it’s like to be on hold, and we don’t like it. The multitude of dead-end options, the endless waiting, the never getting through. The frustration! Sometimes we might feel that God has put us on hold and that can lead us to bitterness and despair. In this message hear about someone who believed God was against her although He was always there, and His kindness had not stopped. If you feel God has put you on hold, listen in and find hope for relief before frustration turns to bitterness.

What your lips proclaim your life must represent. We must not just say our beliefs, we need to live them out. Our faith and words should represent the action we display to others. 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by actions.

What's a squirrel got to do with contending for the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ? That's a good question that's answered in today's message. Paul the great New Testament evangelist and apostle wrote to a church in the Roman city of Philippi about striving together as one, in your relationships having the mind of Christ, doing everything without arguing, and contending with others in the cause of the Gospel. Two in the church seemed to be at odds and the sharing of the gospel suffered. Petty offenses or serious differences distract us from the greatest cause, the gospel of Jesus. Now about those squirrels...

Think about this: Where will you be in 5 years? Will you finish school, have a bigger home, secure a better job? Your answer may be along those lines, but did your answer include the word “sacrifice?” Probably not. What does sacrifice have to do with our lives, if anything at all? Listen in as we re-center on sacrifice and how it fits into the lives of Christians.

Re-Center - to move or put something at the center again. We all have the tendency to get distracted or busy which can get our eyes off the original purpose or goal. God has called each of us to be His witness. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you into boldness and confidence to be the best "laborer" in the harvest field that is plentiful. in Matthew 9, Jesus said “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." During this mission month as we continue to promote and support our designated missions, let us all take the charge from Jesus to become the missionary He implored us to become.

Have you ever felt lost, all alone and abandoned? There is one who knows your name who is seeking after you and calling your name. He is the Good Shepherd. He doesn’t want you to remain lost and wandering, He desires to refresh and protect you. Listen now and discover how you can be part of the flock of the Good Shepherd. He will never abandon you in this life and has an eternal pasture prepared for those who are His.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” The only way to eternal life is by Jesus who holds the power over death. He proved it by raising from the dead his friend Lazarus, and then He too rose from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is a fact, and He promised the same resurrection for those who believe in Him. Yet there is more to the resurrection than just a promise for the future, it holds practical application in the present. Listen in to learn how the resurrection applies to your life today, and every day.

There is no “get rich quick" scheme when it comes to Christianity. There is no secret that just has yet to be unlocked. The secret to bearing fruit is to remain in Christ’s love, day after day, week after week, year after year. There is no shortcut. Jesus says to remain in him and he will remain in us. We all wish it could be a quick process, but just like a great marriage, it takes much time and much striving to grow with our Lord. But, oh, when we do, the results are a fruitful life that will be filled with complete joy and security of our salvation.

“There is one mountain with many paths” is a common saying among a variety of faiths. It’s a way to express there is one God and many ways to God, but is that true? Jesus declared, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Was Jesus teaching that He is the only way to God, or one way among many paths? Though many have debated the answer, Jesus’ actions give definitive meaning to his declaration. Listen in and learn the depth of meaning in Jesus’ words: “I am the way.”

Are you hungry? Jesus offers food that satisfies forever, you will never be hungry again. When Jesus made such a startling claim, those who first heard Him were incredulous and responded, “Give us this food!” Who wouldn’t want food that would satisfy forever? But Jesus was not speaking of earthly matters, He was talking about eternal life. Thus He declared, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry.” Discover how you too can be filled with life forever.

Without Jesus, the world is hopelessly lost in darkness. Not literal darkness, but souls in the dark separated from God. Jesus claimed that He was not only sent from God, but that He is God. He is the light of life, eternal life. Jesus declared, “I am the light of the World.” Hear how the light of life is available to you, and all who would choose to follow the light.

Jesus made the statement to his disciples in John 14:11 " Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves." HIs disciples who had spent three and a half years with him were being told He was going away. What a change was going to be happening in their lives. They were so comfortable with having Him walk with them, eat with them, teach them daily. Why would he leave now? How could Jehovah God, the Father be as trustworthy as Jesus? Jesus was God incarnate and in his leaving, He was going to give them something even better than His physical presence.

Some say Jesus was a foremost teacher, others the greatest philosopher, yet they do not acknowledge Jesus as God. Yet Jesus did. Although there many who contend Jesus never claimed to be God, Jesus directly declared His divinity. About being God Jesus said, “I am.” Do you see Him as a God, or is he just a teacher? Listen in and discover why it is imperative to receive Jesus as God.

"How well do we know Jesus, or do we just know about Jesus? After we apply the understanding to what "know" means in context, it will help us with the next question we will address. Do we really love Jesus? Looking at some scripture and applying it to our lives can be difficult and challenging. Jesus didn't attempt to give us the "fast pass" to just go to the front of the line. His disciples learned things just like everyone else does, through experience, difficulties, trials and problems. We all need to know how much He loves us.

The Spirit of wisdom and revelation Paul writes about in Ephesians 1:17 is what helps us know God better. But our pride and self-sufficiency can prevent God from revealing the deep truths that are waiting to be discovered in His Word. What can help bring the full story of the Bible into focus? A hint: “A Humble Heart is a Hearing Heart.”