Category: All Sunday messages for 2012
Sunday rest and reflection!
Dear Friends,
This year we will be reading six days and resting on the seventh in the pattern outlined by God in Genesis and Deuteronomy. The only difference is that in the Old Testament times, the seventh day would have been Saturday. Because Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after His death by crucifixion, the early church celebrated their day of rest on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead!
God set aside a day of rest for His people in order to help them re-connect with Him and enjoy His presence, Word, and rest. God understands the stressful world that exists now because of man’s sin and rebellion. He calls His people to enjoy rest and work out of a rest in Him every day. In New Testament thinking, each day is another day to rest in Christ’s finished work. “Today” is another “sabbath” day to rest. Hebrews 4:6-11 explains this understanding.
May the Lord refresh you today as you rest in Christ’s glorious salvation! He is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory every day on earth and forever in His Kingdom!
In His Love, Pastor John
Sunday message: “The coming of the Lord”
Scripture reading for December 2nd: Philippians 1-4
Dear Friends,
Another week has rolled around and God’s people gather to worship and refocus our lives on the source of life, Jesus Christ! We must let go of the events of the past week and refocus on Christ and His eternal program. We live best when our attitude is in line with the Word of God! God is preparing a company of people who will live eternally with Him and enjoy His presence forever! What a privilege to be called into His presence!
The book of Philippians is our reading for today in order to complete the Bible this year. We must read on the seventh day for the rest of the year in order to stay on track. May the Lord open your heart to His truths in this special letter to the church from the Apostle Paul from prison in Rome.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-6)
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
Sunday Message: Jesus is coming again!
Scripture reading for November 25th: Luke 21:5-9, 25-36
Dear Friends,
As our year rapidly comes to a close, I felt prompted to remind the church about the coming of Jesus Christ! We will look at this over the next few weeks before Christmas. Please read the Scriptures for yourself and come prepared to hear from the Lord! Bring someone who may need to hear this timely message!
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) Let’s gather together–it is fast approaching!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday message: Praying with thanksgiving!
Scripture reading for November 18th: Philippians 4:4-9, John 11:1-6, 17-44
Dear Friends,
I am so thankful for the freedom to worship our Lord! God’s mercy to grant us access to His throne for worship and prayer is one of the most amazing blessings of the New Covenant! Let’s draw near to worship today and to pray with thankful hearts! Thanksgiving releases joy and peace into our lives and brings contentment in difficult situations.
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday message: God’s heart for the orphan!
Scripture reading for November 11th: Mark 10:13-15, James 1:22-27
Dear Friends,
As we gather today to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we rejoice that through His obedience and blood, we have been adopted into the family of God. We can know God as our heavenly Father and call him “Abba” (Daddy)! God’s love for His children is amazing in that while we were sinners, He sent Christ to earth to reveal the depth of His love. What a motivation to worship our Lord!
We will also look at the Father’s heart for children and especially orphans today. Our world has many abandoned children and God’s people must reach out to these special treasures. Let’s open our hearts to God’s word concerning orphans! He’ll be glad we did!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Power to be a witness!
Scripture reading for November 5th: Acts 1-4
I was saved as a young teenager in a little country Methodist Church in rural Iowa. I gave my life to Jesus but did not know about the Holy Spirit or His work on my behalf. I grew up, went to college, got married and began to build a family and farming business, still unaware of His presence and power. In our late twenties, I rededicated my life and my wife was saved and we were invited to a Bible study. The people we were studying with had power in their lives and were full of joy. They talked about being filled with the Holy Spirit and we heard some of them praying in a different language. We visited their church and heard a message in a different language and then an interpretation! We even heard them singing in other languages and it sounded like heaven!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The disciples were all together in the upper room and suddenly, the wind began to blow inside their room! (Acts 2:1-4) Tongues of fire entered and rested on each one and they all began to speak with other tongues and glorify God. They went out from that room speaking in other languages telling the wonderful works of God. Peter stood up and preached and 3000 repented, were saved, baptized and told to receive this gift of the Father for power! (Acts 2:38-41) The church was born and powerful witnesses spread the Gospel throughout the world!
The Holy Spirit is our “helper” sent from the Father to live in those who believe on Jesus Christ. (John 16:7-15) He is Immanuel, “God with us”. He takes the Word of God and reveals it to us. He is our Counselor, giving us direction, correction, and encouragement. He works with us as we share God’s word to bring conviction to the unsaved of sin, righteousness and judgment. He enables us to be effective witnesses by releasing God’s love in our hearts. We receive Him when we repent and are born again. We are commanded to be continually filled to enjoy our new kingdom life here on earth. (Ephesians 5:18) Why not ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit today!
Sunday message: GSC Choir “Into all the world”
Dear Friends,
What a joy to gather with God’s people again for a resurrection celebration! Each Sunday Christ’s Church celebrates His victory over death through gathering together, singing, prayer, testimonies, giving and listening to God’s word. This week our choir will have a special missions presentation that will inspire us to remember His final command to the Church: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation!” (Mark 16:15)
Come expecting God to meet with us! Everyone is welcome at 3031 Bittel Road for our service at 10:30! God bless you! In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday message: P. Josh Cosby preaching
Scripture reading for October 28th: Psalm 122; Hebrews 10:19-25
Dear Friends,
“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go to the House of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
As we gather together for weekly fellowship and worship, Jesus meets with His people and walks among us! Each person brings a part of His body to assemble together helping all to see His fullness! Don’t neglect coming together with the Body of Christ! We must assemble all the more as the end approaches! God bless you as you gather today!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday message: Oh how we need our Shepherd!
Scripture reading for October 21st: Psalm 23, John 10:1-11
Dear Friends,
This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it! I am so blessed to gather again with God’s people and celebrate His mercy and goodness! We have so much to be thankful for and worship Him for! One day a week we are encouraged to come together and do that corporately!
Come expecting and ready hear His Word! God loves to see His people trusting Him for great things and following Him! He is the Great Shepherd!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday Message: Faith Promises
Dear Friends,
Each year we challenge every person in our church family to take responsibility to give to missions on purpose over the next year. It is an opportunity to pray and obey God in giving above your tithe to support missions at home and abroad. Come expecting to hear from God and worship Him!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary