Preaching Your Sermon

Everyone preaches. Yes, I know you may not stand behind a pulpit or stand up and declare the truths of the Bible but everyone preaches. You and I preach a sermon every time we are in traffic or when they get the order wrong at Wendy’s. We send a message of what we think of people and how deeply we hold our faith. Every smile, every tear, every affirmation tells of the life that we as believers possess. Our Lord said it this way, “14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” So, my dear friend, this next week I pray that you preach a really good message—the message of God’s love in Jesus for you and for those around you.

Walking in grace, Pastor George

Final Minutes of History

The motto of the boy scouts comes to mind when I look at the present circumstances in the middle east: "Be Prepared". I can't help but to see the proposed statehood of Palestine as a piece to the prophetic landscape setting for the end times. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is reaching a fevered pitch by the permanence of the proposal to the United Nations of an official "statehood" status of Israel's neighbor. What brings even more intensity to the situation is that Israel's neighbors (Syria, Jordan and Egypt) are increasingly unstable and seem ready to act on their threats towards Jerusalem. Of course, all of this conflict sets the stage for a prophetic peace treaty (Dan. 9:26-27) between Israel and her enemies by a man called "Antichrist" in Scripture. I believe, dear friends, that the time is drawing near (certainly nearer than when we first believed!) for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Whatever your eschatology, time is short. Now is the time to live for the Lord! Now is the time to declare His Gospel! Now is the time!

"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." Revelation 22:7

Walking in grace, Pastor George

What did you say?

Let me share something that I’ve been mulling over for several years--even decades--Christianity is more than what you say. Over the years I’ve heard many a man, woman, boy and girl say to me “I’ve sinned.” Please don’t misunderstand me, these words are powerful and can be the beginning of a wonderful life with God. However, these words alone, outside of a transformed heart and true repentance, can actually demonstrate a hard-hearted rejection of the Gospel. Let me illustrate this for a moment: Pharaoh, King Saul, and Judas Iscariot have all professed “I have sinned” (Exodus 9:27, 1 Sam. 15:24, Matt.27:4). The issue with all three of these men is that they wanted to escape the consequences of their sin instead of seeking God’s forgiveness and responding in true repentance. To say it another way, if all you have to your Christianity is what you say then it is empty and useless. The apostle Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” This is the principle that we see in the lives of David, Job, and story of the prodigal son. They were people who readily admitted that “I have sinned” but then surrendered to the power of God in repentance.

We have a saying where I grew up that says “Words are cheap”. Well dear friend, let me ask you honestly, how expensive is your Christianity? If all you have is words, I’m afraid that your faith is very cheap indeed. Today I pray that you make your profession your practice--matching what you say and believe to what you live.

Walking in grace, Pastor George