Hey there! If you've ever thought that love and marriage should be as simple as sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, then join the club! But as many of us have come to realize, building and maintaining a strong, loving relationship requires more than just sweet nothings and affectionate pecks. It demands dedication, mutual respect, and a whole lot of Jesus!
In the heartwarming guidance of 1st Peter 3:1-7, we're reminded that the core of a successful Christian marriage is not just about riding the highs of emotional ecstasy but grounding our actions in the love and teachings of Christ. Love, as it turns out, isn't just a feeling; it’s a verb that requires action. This means that before the butterflies and before the happily ever afters, there must be a conscious decision to love like Jesus did—sacrificially and unconditionally. Let's unpack this a bit. For wives, this scripture provides a quiet strength—winning over their husbands not through relentless nagging or heated arguments, but through pure, reverent lives that echo the love of Christ. It's about letting your life do the talking, allowing your actions to gently invite your spouse into the deeper waters of faith and love. For husbands, Peter lays down the gauntlet, calling men to honor their wives with understanding and recognition of their equal partnership in God’s gift of life. This isn't about who can lift more or who earns more—it's about honoring each other as co-heirs of the gracious gift of life. It means treating your wife with the respect and dignity she deserves, ensuring that your actions at home reflect the honor and esteem you profess in public. This passage is incredibly relevant, regardless of whether you're single, dating, or have been married for decades. It speaks to the heart of what it means to live out our faith in the most intimate human relationship we'll likely ever have. It challenges all of us to reflect on how we are embodying Christ's love in our interactions and to strive to build relationships that aren’t just about feeling good but about being good—good partners, good confidantes, and good believers. So, whether you're working through the complexities of a challenging relationship or celebrating decades of marriage, remember: the foundation of any relationship is not the dizzying highs of emotional joy but the steady, enduring love of Jesus Christ, shown through our actions every day. Let's strive to not only speak about love but to actively live out that love in every moment with our partners. After all, in the end, the true measure of our relationships isn't found in the words we speak but in the love we show. - Adapted from the sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 4/21/24.
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Ever wondered what love really looks like when stripped of all the fluff and fantasy we see in movies? This week, I want to dive into a perspective on love that's more about steel than about silk – about sacrifice more than sentimentality. This is love as a verb, not just a noun. A practical, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of love that really tests the notion of what it means to love someone in the grit of everyday life.
Love isn’t about the fireworks and butterflies alone. It's about what you're willing to give up for someone else. Imagine love as more than a feeling that sweeps you off your feet; it's the daily decision to put someone else's needs above your own, even when you're running on empty. This is what they mean when they say, "First comes love, then comes sacrifice." It’s not just a nice idea; it's the hardcore reality of loving like Christ – who literally defined love by laying down His life for others. Now, how can we pull this off in our own lives? Well, it starts with understanding that this kind of love isn’t about being a doormat or losing yourself in another person. It's about the strength to give and the resilience to support one another in times of need. This is what the Bible talks about when it calls us to live a life "filled with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice." Here's something to chew on: love should cost you something. That's right, it should demand your ego, your time, your comfort, sometimes even your plans. This is the gold standard of love – a currency that never inflates or deflates but holds its value in the authenticity of its sacrifice. It's about loving when it’s hard, not just when it’s easy. Loving not because people deserve it but because love is what you are called to give. For those of us wondering how to apply this in our day-to-day lives, it starts with the small stuff. Like listening more than you speak, showing up even when it’s inconvenient, forgiving even when you could justifiably hold a grudge. It's about making your default setting one of generosity, kindness, and patience. Then there's the challenge of loving when life isn't playing fair – when the bills are stacking, the kids are screaming, or the job is draining. How do we sacrifice without burning out? By remembering that love isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present. It’s not about giving away everything you have but about making sure what you give is meaningful. Imagine transforming your relationships by deciding to love like this every day. Think of how it could shift the dynamics at home, at work, or even in casual interactions. It's about setting a pace that you can sustain long-term, where your sacrifices become investments in healthier, stronger relationships. So, as we roll through this week, let’s try to make our love tangible. Let it be seen not just in what we say but in what we do. Let's make our love a bridge for connection, a foundation for trust, and a testament to the strength that comes from truly caring for one another. Love costs, yes, but what it returns is worth every penny. Let’s love not just with our words but with our actions, and watch how it transforms our world, one act of kindness at a time. - Adapted from sermons preached at our Walloon Lake and Alanson campuses on 4/14/24. Have you ever heard a kid's definition of love? It's usually something sweet and simple, like sharing your French fries without expecting any in return. Kids seem to get the essence of love in ways that we, tangled up in our adult complexities, often miss. This got us thinking about love from both a child’s and a divine perspective. What if we could blend the simplicity children see in love with the profound depth of God's love?
First off, love is more than just a feeling; it's an action. We've all heard the phrase, "Love is something you do," right? It's easy to say "I love you," but showing it? That's where the real magic happens. Love isn't just for the easy times; it's for the messy, challenging moments. It's easy to fall in love, but staying in love? That's the real quest. Interestingly, the Bible is pretty obsessed with love. Mentioned over 700 times, it's kind of a big deal. But not just any love - we're talking about agape love, a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. It's the kind of love that changes everything, from our closest relationships to the way we interact with strangers. So, where does this leave us? Well, if we're aiming for a love that truly reflects something divine, it starts at home. Love your family, your friends, even that coworker who always seems to be on your last nerve. Make love a verb. And when you mess up? Learn the art of forgiveness. It's not just about saying sorry; it's about transforming how we relate to each other. But here's the kicker: none of this is possible without tapping into the source - Jesus. It sounds cliché, but hear me out. Connecting with Jesus, really walking with Him, fills us with a kind of love that spills over into every area of our lives. It's like being a cup filled to the brim, overflowing with love for others. Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what does it look like in real life?" It's in the everyday moments. It's choosing kindness over being right. It's in the patience we show and the self-control we muster up (even when we'd rather not). It's in the joy and peace we carry into the world, regardless of our circumstances. But let's be real, we often fall short. We're not always the shining examples of love we hope to be. And yet, that's exactly why this message of love is so important. It's not about being perfect; it's about being connected to the perfect source of love. In a world that's often divided and hurting, what we need more than ever is this supernatural love flowing through us. Imagine the impact we could have if our relationships, our communities, even our online interactions were infused with this kind of love. It's not just about us; it's about pointing others to the ultimate source of love. So, what's the takeaway? Start with the love that's been shown to you, and let it flow out. It's not complicated, but it's profoundly challenging. Yet, it's also incredibly rewarding. Because at the end of the day, love really is all you need. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 4/7/24. Easter Sunday brings a story that's less about bunnies and eggs and more about a kind of love and bravery that turns the world on its head. Picture this: Mary Magdalene, under the cover of darkness, making her way to the tomb of Jesus. While his closest followers are in hiding, she stands as a beacon of courage, ready to face whatever comes just to be near Him one last time.
Imagine the shock then, the stone rolled away, the tomb empty. Mary runs to tell Peter and John, sparking a footrace back to the site. Yet, despite the empty grave clothes, the conclusion jumps to grave robbery rather than resurrection. It’s a stark reminder of how often we look for the dead among the living, missing the miracle right in front of us. It's here the story takes a turn that speaks directly to the heart. Mary, consumed by grief, doesn't recognize Jesus until he speaks her name. In that moment, everything changes. Her sorrow transforms into joy, and the reality of a living Jesus crystallizes. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes, in the midst of our darkest moments, we're on the cusp of an encounter that can redefine everything. But let's not gloss over the questions Jesus asks Mary, questions that are just as relevant today. Why are we crying? Who are we looking for? Do we recognize the Jesus standing right in front of us, or are we too caught up in our search for what's been lost to see the hope of what’s been found? This story isn't just historical; it's personal. It invites us to examine our own encounters with Jesus. Are we seeking a savior who fits our expectations, or are we open to the reality of who He is and what He’s doing in our lives right now? The evidence of Jesus' resurrection is compelling, not just as a matter of faith but as a fact of history. Yet, it’s not just about proving a point. It’s about the transformative power of realizing Jesus is alive, not just in the pages of scripture but in the here and now, working in and through us. So, where does this leave us? Well, maybe with more questions than answers. But perhaps that’s the point. Maybe faith isn’t about having all the answers but about being willing to ask the questions, to seek, to knock, to find the living among the living. Easter is an invitation. An invitation to experience a close encounter with Jesus that changes everything. To move beyond looking for the dead and to start living in the presence of the living King. It’s about finding our place in the story that’s still unfolding, a story of resurrection, hope, and a love that calls us each by name. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on Easter Sunday 2024. In the twilight of their lives, people like Voltaire and Mahatma Gandhi expressed profound regret and despair, contrasting sharply with the peaceful departures of devout believers like Martin Luther and John Knox. Their final moments highlight a profound truth: how we live this life shapes how we leave this life. It's a thought-provoking introduction to a discussion on the nature of faith, forgiveness, and our responses to Jesus' call in our lives.
Take Jeffrey Dahmer, for instance. His story is a chilling reminder of the depths to which humanity can sink. Yet, even he found redemption in faith during his last days. This radical transformation challenges our understanding of forgiveness and grace, pushing us to question: "if God's grace can reach someone like Dahmer, isn't it available for all?" Take the interaction between Jesus and the criminals crucified alongside Him in Luke 23. The scene revolves around the two possible responses to Jesus: doubt or dependence. One criminal mocks Jesus, while the other, recognizing Jesus' innocence and divinity, seeks His mercy. This pivotal moment not only highlights the nature of true faith but also challenges us to reflect on our own response to Jesus' lordship in our lives. Here's the point: Life is found in fearing Jesus. But this fear isn't about being terrified. It's about revering Him, acknowledging His sovereignty, and placing complete trust in His guidance. This realization can fundamentally change how we live, urging us to embrace a life of purpose and direction under Jesus' reign. How does this look in practical terms? It means living with the courage to say, "God, send me. I'll go anywhere and do anything for you." It's about letting go of our plans, our comfort zones, and sometimes, even our understanding of justice and fairness, to fully embrace God's will for our lives. Yet, embracing such a posture towards God isn't without its challenges. It requires us to confront our doubts, fears, and the very nature of our faith. Are we holding back, waiting for God to prove Himself to us? Or are we ready to dive into the depths of dependence, trusting Him even when the path ahead is unclear? This isn't just an invitation to reflect; it's a call to action. It urges us to evaluate where we stand in our relationship with Jesus. Do we doubt His power and promise, or do we depend on Him, fully submitted to His lordship over our lives? As we ponder these questions, let's remember that life—true, abundant, and meaningful life—is found when we fear Jesus. Not in the sense of dread, but with awe, reverence, and a deep-seated trust that He is who He says He is, and He will do what He has promised to do. So, where do you stand? - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 3/24/24. Ever been hit by one of those really tough questions that just stops you in your tracks? You know, the kind that makes you scratch your head and think, "Well, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" It's a question as old as time and one that needs to be dealt with in the story of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, from John 11:1-37.
Here's the deal: even the most devout followers of Jesus sometimes find themselves wondering why, if God loves us so much, He allows us to go through such pain and suffering. It's a valid question, one that atheists and believers alike ponder over. But here’s a thought: maybe it’s not about being shielded from all harm but about what these experiences teach us, about faith, resilience, and the depth of God's love. So, Jesus, knowing full well how much He loved Lazarus and his sisters, chose to stay put for two more days upon hearing of Lazarus’s illness. It wasn't because He didn't care, but because there was a bigger picture – a lesson in faith and glory that needed to unfold. It’s a hard pill to swallow, understanding that sometimes our toughest moments could actually be setting the stage for something greater. Here's a truth many of us might find a bit uncomfortable: our faith is not a bargain with God to keep us safe from life's storms. Instead, it's about being refined and matured through those very storms. Jesus didn't promise a life without trouble but promised to be with us through it all, teaching and strengthening us along the way. When Jesus finally arrives and Lazarus has been dead four days, He doesn’t just wave a magic wand to make everything okay. Instead, He enters into the sisters' grief, showing that He is deeply moved by our pain. He weeps, reminding us that God is not distant and detached but fully present in our suffering, sharing in our most painful moments. Then comes the miracle – Lazarus is raised from the dead, not just as a display of Jesus' power but as a testimony to who He is: the Resurrection and the Life. This act symbolizes not only the promise of eternal life but also the transformative power of faith in the face of despair. It reminds us that we’re currently living in what you might call the land of the dying, heading toward the real land of the living, if we believe in Him. This story doesn’t neatly answer all the questions about why bad things happen to good people. But it does offer a perspective shift: perhaps it's more about God working through our struggles, refining us, and preparing us for something beyond our comprehension. It's about trust, even when we can't see the full picture. So, next time life throws a curveball your way, remember Lazarus and his sisters. Remember that sometimes, it's not about the immediate rescue but what we learn, how we grow, and how we experience God's love and glory through it all. Maybe, just maybe, it’s about being ready for the real life that begins after this one ends. - Adapted from messages preached across our 3 campuses on 3/17/23. The Heart of Transformation
The essence of being born again lies in understanding that it's not merely about external actions or following a set of rules. It's a profound internal change that redefines who we are at our core. True transformation comes from an encounter with Jesus that is so radical, it's akin to being reborn. This rebirth is about shedding our old selves, our past mistakes, and the labels we've carried, and stepping into a new identity rooted in Christ's love for us. Going Beyond Religion into Relationship Religion often focuses on the "dos" and don'ts", leading to a faith experience that feels more like a burden than a blessing. But we all need to move beyond this superficial understanding of faith to a personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship isn't about earning God's love through good deeds but accepting that we are already loved and cherished, exactly as we are. It's a call to experience God's presence in our daily lives, making faith a living, breathing part of who we are. Evidence of the Spirit Another significant aspect of the sermon is the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. Being born again isn't just a one-time event but an ongoing journey of growth and transformation. The invitation, then, is to look for the fruits of the Spirit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are not just ideals to strive for but tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence and activity within us. A Call to Action Finally, the sermon is a call to action. It's an invitation to examine our hearts and ask ourselves whether we've truly experienced the rebirth Jesus offers. If you're reading this and wondering how to start this journey, the first step is simple: open your heart to Jesus. Invite Him into your life, and be open to the transformation He wants to bring about. It's a step that requires courage and vulnerability, but it's the beginning of the most beautiful journey you'll ever take—a journey home to the heart of God. Upon reflection, it becomes clear that being born again is about so much more than changing our external behaviors. It's about allowing God's love to penetrate the deepest parts of our hearts, transforming us from the inside out. It's a journey of discovery, growth, and deepening our relationship with God. If you're on this journey, remember, you're not alone. We're all fellow travelers, seeking to live out this incredible transformation in our lives. So, let's keep the conversation going. Share your thoughts, your struggles, and your victories in the comments. Let's encourage each other and grow together in our own journey of faith. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 3/10/24. Imagine sitting at that dinner table, witnessing the Creator of the universe, washing the feet of His followers, even the one who would betray Him. It's a scene that flips the script on what leadership and love look like in the most upside-down way possible.
The heart of Jesus’ message wasn’t about the act of foot washing itself but the posture of humility and service it represented. In a world where status and power often dictate actions, Jesus introduces a radical notion: true greatness comes through serving others. This act wasn't just a one-off lesson but a call to a lifestyle where serving is not an obligation but an identity. Imagine serving someone who has wronged you, with the same tenderness Jesus did. It's a hard pill to swallow, yet therein lies the path to true freedom from bitterness and a step closer to living like Jesus. So, what does this look like practically in our lives today? It's about finding joy in the small acts of kindness, understanding that every opportunity to serve is an opportunity to reflect Jesus' love. It’s about allowing others to serve us, recognizing the mutual blessing in both giving and receiving service. And it's about embracing service not just as something we do but as who we are, following in the footsteps of Jesus. As we serve like Jesus, we’re invited into a journey of transformation, one that challenges us to rethink leadership, love, and what it means to live a life of authentic service. - Adapted from sermons preached arcoss our 3 campuses on 3/3/24. Let’s dive into a story that might just shake up our idea of faith. It’s about a Roman centurion who, believe it or not, leaves Jesus pretty amazed. Imagine that... impressing the Son of God himself! This isn’t your everyday faith; it’s something special, something we can all learn from.
So, what’s the secret sauce here? Humility and recognition of Jesus’ authority. This centurion, a man of power and prestige, comes to Jesus not with arrogance but with a humbling acknowledgment of his own unworthiness. He doesn’t even feel worthy to have Jesus under his roof but believes just a word from Jesus can heal his servant. That's faith that doesn’t just talk the talk; it walks the walk, believing in Jesus' power from afar. What does this mean for us? It’s all about how we view Jesus in our lives:
This story challenges us to rethink our faith, to help, plead, and honor in ways that show we truly believe in the One who’s got the whole world in his hands. Let’s be inspired to live out a faith that not only believes Jesus can do the impossible but also acts on it, serving and loving others just as he taught us. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 2/18/24. In the heart of a bustling city, imagine a scene that unfolds, like the one from John 8:1-11, where Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. This story, ancient as it is, mirrors the complexities and the harshness of our modern society's judgment. The scene is tense, charged with the anticipation of condemnation. Yet, in this moment, Jesus introduces a radical narrative of grace and redemption that feels just as revolutionary today as it did back then.
Let's move in a little closer. The crowd, armed with stones and righteous indignation, represents the all-too-familiar voices of judgment and shame that echo in our own lives. Whether it's through social media, gossip, or our inner critic, we're often quick to judge others and ourselves. But Jesus, bending down to write in the sand, shifts the focus from condemnation to reflection. His response isn't just about avoiding punishment; it's about inviting us to consider our own flaws and the grace that covers them. This moment isn't only a pause in the narrative; it's a mirror held up to our collective soul. What's truly compelling about this encounter is Jesus's approach to the woman. He doesn't ignore her actions, but He sees beyond them. "Go and sin no more," He tells her, a statement that carries the weight of forgiveness and the promise of a new path forward. This interaction embodies the essence of grace: it acknowledges our fallibility while offering a way out. It's a lesson in empathy, a reminder that we're all walking this journey, stumbling, and getting back up again, supported by the grace that Jesus extends to us daily. As we consider this, let's be the ones who embody this grace in our own interactions. It's about more than just not throwing stones; it's about offering our hands to help others up, understanding that we too have been in need of grace. It's about creating a community that mirrors the compassion and forgiveness that Jesus showed. So, let's take this to heart, and live it out in our own lives, making grace and redemption our narrative. Let's be quick to listen, slow to judge, and always ready to extend the hand of grace that has been so freely given to us. - Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 2/11/24. |
Welcome to the pastors' blog!
These are powerful posts adapted from our pastors' weekly sermons. Previous posts
April 2024
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