09-25-22 ABC Global Servants Aaron and Valarie Osterbrock

 Aaron and Valerie Osterbroack along with their 5 children share their mission work in Malaysia.

After worship, they did a Q & A with the Sunday School class.

Following that, Pastor Jeff took them and some staff to B-Dubs for lunch.

09-18-22 Combined Worship with Northwood Church of God

Pastor Jeff Cooper and Brent Smalley shared their testimonies and their life verse.
Pastor Jeff was "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Pastor Brent's was "Be still and know that I am God."

“Knowing Jesus…there is nothing more important!””

Scripture                                              John 8:32,

That whole conversation started off because Jesus said Everyone who sins is a slave to sin, the slave is not part of the family – a son is part of the family.

Last half of John 8 are Jewish people arguing with Jesus about who their father is.

They say their father is Abraham then they say their father is God – Jesus says their father is the devil – a liar and the father of lies.

It ends with Jesus saying, “Before Abraham was born, I am.” They picked up stones to kill him.

This is not even halfway through John, how did Jesus get here already where people are arguing with him and then trying to kill him?

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Back up to the beginning of John 8.

Retell the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. (About sin and forgiveness for everyone and everything)

 (The stones picked up to throw at her may be the same stones they pick up to throw at Jesus.)

After the woman leaves it says Jesus spoke to the crowds again – that is where the “who is my father?” conversation starts.

Right in the middle of that conversation is my life verse.

Jesus turns the conversation by saying “When you see the son of man lifted up, then you will know that I am what I claim to be.”

There were several Jews who put their trust in Jesus and believed that he was who he said he was. He told them to hold to his teachings and they would become his disciples. And then the most awesome verse of promise ever – John 8:32 “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

          I put my trust in Jesus, that he is who he claimed to be on Nov 4, 1974 my Damascus Rd. experience. Later that same month, Thanksgiving weekend; I was at my first BYF convention and the same music group and preacher were there that I had gone to hear the night I was saved. Bob Laurent preached on John 8:32 and I had my Ananias opening Paul’s eyes moment. That single verse made everything come into focus related to what I had believed and experience earlier that month.

          All of a sudden I realized I was no longer a slave to sin (it didn’t mean I would never commit another sin) it meant I was no longer held in chains by sin. I was free to experience abundant life because of what Jesus did on the cross for me. Like the Jews who believed in Jesus, it didn’t matter if Abraham was my father because now God was my father. It didn’t matter that I was as sinful as the woman caught in the act of adultery, I was now set free from that pain and agony to live life in and through Jesus Christ.

You will know the truth = JESUS   /   And the truth will set you free = from sin.

I said this at Ashland last week – People can play make believe and create God in their own image, but that does not make it true. There is only one true God and his name is Jesus!

ORDER:

Pastor Jeff share faith journey – how Jesus became real to me

Pastor Brent share faith journey – how Jesus became real to me

Pastor Jeff share life verse and why it is important.

Pastor Brent share life verse and why it is important.

Tie it together if needed.

The worship was followed by both churches sharing in a potluck picnic.

09-11-22 “Can the church still reach a secular world?”

Scripture                                              2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9

2 Peter 3:3-4

          First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. (empaigmouh = scoffing, making fun of through mockery. empaikths =  the person who makes fun through mockery / literally mockers will come mocking – a strong Hebraic phrase. Qualified with their own evil = (lustful, passionate, strong) desires.) 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
          Mark Cornell – “How can Jesus be both the son of God and the son of David?” Others in HS “Cooper – Hey Jesus! Praise the Lord!”
Have you ever head someone say: “Christianity is just a crutch.”
Mahatma Gandhi “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Aleister Crowley “One would go mad if one took the Bible seriously; but to take it seriously one must be already mad.”
Frank Turek  “If Christians continue to rely on emotion and ignore evidence, they will continue to lose their children to secularism. As Ravi Zacharias points out, a tepid Christianity cannot withstand a rabid secularism. And make no mistake-secularism is rabid. The world isn't neutral out there. Today's culture is becoming increasingly anti-Christian.”
Thomas Paine “It would be more consistent that we call [the Bible] the work of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind.”
Steven Weinberg  “With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion” (ie. crusades, 9-11, Nazi Germany).
          AGAIN – vs 4 The mockers will come mocking, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
          What is the coming they are referring too? Mark 13:32-37  "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
 
2 Peter 3:8-9
          But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
          Who is the everyone? All those living outside a relationship with Jesus – who live a secular, rather than a sacred life with Christ. What does the secular world look like?
The secular world looks different in different places.
1       The European continent has “Utter Secularity” with an open clash of doctrines involving an unrelenting attack of gods and churches and a striving to replace them. In such an environment, many people have lost their faith.
2       Great Britain has “Mere Secularity” = God and the churches are not attacked; they are ignored by people preoccupied with this world and their daily routines.  Many people have lost their faith in this atmosphere as well.
3       United States has “Controlled Secularity” = The dominant religion in the US is a civil form or Christianity with the meaning changed for many of its symbols and no longer influencing the culture.  People in this kind of secularity have drifted away from the faith.

Some observations about this kind of secularity:

1       Other religions and world views are also losing numbers and influence. Japanese Shinto has become very secularized since WWII.
2       From 1900 to the 1990’s the percentage of the world’s atheistic and non-religious people have grown from 0.2% to over 21%. Those in this category now form the second largest group of people, second only to Christianity.
3       A secular culture especially challenges religions like Christianity whose core truths are claimed as non-negotiable.
 
What are our non-negotiable truths?
Salvation through Christ alone.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”      Acts 4:1 “Salvation is found in no one else (but Jesus), for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
The most inclusive & exclusive faith there is. You are either ALL IN or ALL OUT but all are WELCOME.
 
Authority of Scripture
2 Peter 1:20-21   Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16-17   All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
          There is no other written authority for the Christian than the Bible – 66 books – it is 100% authoritative for the Christian life.
 
Incarnation
John 1:14   The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Col 1:15, 19   He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
 
Trinity
1 Peter 1:2   From Peter to those who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood.
 
Original sin
Rom 5:12   Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
 
Christ’s death/blood alone brings forgiveness
Hebrews 9:22   The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.    2 Corinthians 5:21   God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
 
Christ rose from the dead
1 Cor 15:12, 16, 17, 20-22    But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
 
Christ is coming again
The second coming is one of the most important doctrines in Scripture. It is mentioned more than 300 times in the N.T. In Titus 2:13, Paul called it the believers’ “blessed hope”. In Philippians 3:2 , Paul said this: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
“Can the church, with its non-negotiables, still reach a secular world?”
 
Acts 1:1   But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

1 Tim 1:15-17   Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

09-04-22 “Can you recommend a good carpenter?”

Scripture                                                Colossians 3:23-24
HISTORY OF LABOR DAY
          Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19^th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.

HONOR THE CARPENTER
          On this labor day, I particularly want to honor the occupation of carpenter.
          When my extended family decided to tear down our 60 year old 3 bedroom vacation cottage on Put in Bay, and build a much larger, much nicer year round home, they wanted to make sure we hired the best carpenters available. Therefore, we hired some Amish builders – they are the best. They aren’t just carpenters, they are artisans and craftsmen. There is a quality to their work. They build it like they are building it for themselves.
          There is so much pleasure watching this new home go up on the same property that has been in my family for my entire life, but there is some pain letting go of the house that has always been there. That sounds like the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! And in Ephesians 4:22-24 we read, You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
          I guess we could say God is a carpenter. After all, He created, or ‘built’ the world. He built Adam from the dust of the ground and built Eve from Adam’s ribs. That takes an artisan and a craftsman. In Christ, he demolishes our old life and builds a much larger, much better new one. It would have been interesting if Jesus’ earthly occupation had been that of carpenter!?!...Oh – it was. Mark 6:2-3 "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?"

          On this labor day, where we honor workers. We recognize that every occupation can be God honoring. Is that true? Yes. That is not dependent on the type of work. Let me ask, which is a more sacred job, being a pastor or being a farmer? If you don’t eat food from the farmer’s field, then I am serving spiritual food to a bunch of dead people. Which is a more sacred job, a farmer or a truck driver? If the food is grown but can’t get to you, it doesn’t matter. Which is more sacred, a delivery truck driver or a garbage truck driver? If, the waste we create isn’t taken away, we will all die from unsanitary conditions.
          We could do that with nearly every job that exists. Every job, including pastor is not inherently sacred (God honoring) it depends on the individual worker. A job is just a job until the worker works at it as though he or she is working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
 
BUILDING ROOMS IN HEAVEN
John 14:1-14
          "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
          5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
          6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
          8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
          9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 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 miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
 
 
George Lucas First Hired Harrison Ford as a Carpenter
Star Wars creator George Lucas hired Harrison Ford, then a carpenter, to build a door in the casting offices. But the director wasn’t just impressed by the star’s woodwork skills. Despite hundreds of people competing for the role, Lucas decided Harrison was actually the best person for the part.
Legendary producer Fred Roos said, “Harrison had done a lot of carpentry for me. He needed money, he had kids, he wasn't a big movie star yet. The day he was doing it, George happened to be there. It was serendipitous."
It was this serendipity that launched one of the greatest movie careers in history. Without it, Star Wars may not have been as big of a hit; we'd also have a different Indiana Jones, and quite possibly no Blade Runner.
Possible Preaching Angle:
Perhaps we can learn from Ford. Are we willing to work at whatever comes to hand? The Hands that flung stars into space also washed some pretty dirty feet at a memorable meal with the disciples. Sometimes we miss opportunities for service because we are waiting for the big important roles.  (Amazing how many people want to be stars – guy who wanted to be a preacher like me – without the 12 years of college and years of experience.

 

BUILDING HIS CHURCH
Matthew 16:13-19
          When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

 

BUILDING HIS PEOPLE
SHINE LIKE STARS
          People want to be stars – you can be but only if the one who put the stars in place is the one you have building your life:
Philippians 2:14-16
          Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

BUILDING HUMORE: