Bethesda Christian Church Sermon Of The Week

What is truth? That was the disdainful response Pontus Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, gave to Jesus at His trial. Pilate didn’t care about the truth, neither did the mob who wanted Jesus dead. Since the beginning of time, truth has been blurred by the enemy Jesus called the Father of Lies, Satan. Yet Christians are called to live out the truth. How can we do that in world full of untruth where the Father of Lies is still active? We need the promised Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. God’s standards do not shift to conform to the modern world and the ways of mankind. His standards are confirmed by the Spirit of truth, who guides us and directs us into all truth.

I am speaking toward the idea that we have Promises today, promises that the Word of God has for each of us. But I think it is important for us to understand that not all the promises of scripture are for everyone. God’s promises are for his people, His children, His followers.

Jesus promised his disciples this about the Holy Spirit: “He lives with you and will be in you.” Jesus repeated that promise before he was crucified and after he was resurrected. He told his followers to remain in Jerusalem until they received the promise, and they were obedient to wait. When the day came and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter declared the promise of the Holy Spirit extends to all who come to Christ. The Holy Spirit gives comfort, counsel, help and in these uncertain times something we all need: Hope. He is the Spirit of Hope. Trust in Jesus and you can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The closest followers of Jesus quibbled and argued about who was the greatest, even on the night of the Last Supper. A pharisee named Saul considered Jews who turned to Christianity as worthy of imprisonment and death. Those who weren’t Jewish he considered beneath him. Yet these men changed and put aside their animosity and hate. How? The Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of Christ. On this Pentecost Sunday as our nation's cities convulse with violence, let’s look to Jesus and power to conquer hate with love by the Spirit of God.

You call me great? He has made me great. God stooped down and made me great. Could any of us say the same? How could it be? After all, David was special, a king. For the rest of us, the average person, it can’t be so? Or could it?

We can make the choice to rejoice.

Do we recognize grace, are we grateful? And what is our will? Is it to acknowledge all of God’s grace in our lives? Recognizing needs met, ways made, prayers answered? This is the will of God for us… give thanks in all circumstances.

Our expectations and preconceived notions put Jesus in a box. It constrains him to behave and carry out his mission according to our expectations. Jesus is God and he is not constrained by us.

Yet our faith might be challenged, we might doubt, the essentials that form our foundation might come under attack. Don’t give the enemy a foothold.

There can be something new and positive for every single one of us, when we trust him, and turn our worry and fear to joy.

Jesus uses difficult situations to reveal His glory. His ways aren’t our ways. Jesus didn’t stay on that cross, He resurrected, and His glory was revealed. Believe that His glory will be revealed in all that’s going on in the world around us. He is our risen Savior. He is not dead. His spirit is alive today.

The Word of God in the New Testament letter written by James the brother of Jesus, tells us there is a crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Do you love Him? Is He your King? Would you lay down your crowns to receive the crown of life, eternal life?

God is in this and God provides.

Fear not. Do not be shaken by what you do not have. No employment, daily life rocked. Do not be tricked by the enemy to focus on what you do not have. Focus on what you have. Let’s stay in unity. Love one another. Trust your God and your king.

The first church whose leaders were being harassed and arrested, devoted themselves to prayer. President has called the nation to pray. We might not like him, or agree with him, etc. But he has called us to prayer. Let’s be united today in prayer. Be in unity. There is no distance between us in prayer. Heed the call.

You’re unhappy, unfulfilled. What will bring you happiness right now? You should have it now. Did you receive Christ Jesus as Lord? Live your life in him. He is all that fulfills, and brings true happiness, life, liberty, and eternal life. Be rooted, and built up and strengthened in Him.

Putting on the armor of God equals putting on Jesus Christ for all things. Each piece is an aspect of Christ.

When you give, pray, fast: Do you need to train in these areas, especially fasting? What you practice, you will become expert at… And when it is spiritual things that we apply and practice, the benefits are a deeper, stronger, relationship with our God.

2/16/20 Pastor Pat reminds us that our current series “When You…” is a reminder about how to conduct regular habits in your life. When you pray, when you give, and this week: when you fast. This week is a reminder to fast not for the outward appearance of being holy, but for the inward reward of being obedient to God. Matthew 6:16-18.

We give to God. When our gift is given in the church, see it as a gift to God, not to an organization/person. God has entrusted to the leaders a responsibility to steward what is given to his church. Taken seriously. To maintain all of the buildings and grounds so we can continue the many ministries in our mission to bring people to repentance and disciple them to know, and live and spread his Word, and fulfill the Lord’s vision.