 In John 8:58, Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was even born, I am!” This profound statement asserts His eternal existence with God the Father. Therefore, it should not surprise us to encounter Jesus in the Old Testament, sometimes appearing as ‘The Angel of the Lord.’ The entire Old Testament points to Jesus through symbols, images, and direct prophecies, heralding His coming to earth as 'God with skin on.'
We start in Genesis 3, where Eve has an encounter with the serpent, Satan. This moment marks Satan’s finest hour, as he deceives Eve and disrupts God’s perfect plan. However, Satan's victory is short-lived. Genesis 3:15 foretells the end of Satan and his followers, spelling out God’s eternal plan for humanity. This verse is the first declaration of the Gospel, predicting the ultimate defeat of Satan by Jesus Christ through His sacrificial death and resurrection. It marks the beginning of an endless conflict between the descendants of Eve and the followers of Satan, a struggle that continues to this day. The Consequences of Sin and God’s Redemption Plan When Adam and Eve sinned, they immediately felt shame, guilt, and fear. These emotions led them to cover their nakedness, hide from God, and shift blame. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. This pattern of covering up, hiding, and blaming continues in human behavior today whenever we sin. The Bible shows us that despite these reactions, there is a remedy to the ugliness of sin. Genesis 3:15 provides the solution, predicting the endless conflict on Earth and how Jesus would ultimately intervene and provide the remedy for our sin problem. God speaks to the serpent, declaring that He will cause hostility between the serpent and the woman, and between their offspring. The offspring of the woman will strike the serpent’s head, while the serpent will strike his heel. This prophetic message is a promise of Jesus' victory over Satan through His death on the cross and His resurrection. This promise reveals the cost involved in this victory. Satan strikes Jesus’ heel, representing the pain and suffering He endured on the cross. But Jesus delivers the crushing blow to Satan’s head through His resurrection, defeating sin, Satan, and death. This victory is the cornerstone of our faith, providing hope and assurance of God’s ultimate plan for salvation. A Battle Between Two Humanities The conflict described in Genesis 3:15 extends through history, marking a battle between two humanities: those who reject God and follow their own ways, and those who follow God and His teachings. This ongoing struggle is evident throughout the Bible and history. Followers of God, represented by figures like Noah, Abraham, and David, are contrasted with those who oppose Him, like Cain and Pharaoh. This battle continues today, with the forces of good and evil clashing in various forms. The Christian life is a challenging journey, often marked by attacks from Satan. The devil shoots fiery darts of discouragement, criticism, doubt, and temptation at believers, trying to lead them astray. However, the Bible reminds us that despite these attacks, Jesus has already secured the ultimate victory. By rising from the dead, He crushed Satan’s head, ensuring that evil will not prevail. This reminder of Jesus’ victory brings hope and joy, even in the midst of our battles. So we invite you to consider where you are on your journey with Jesus. Have you accepted Him as your Savior, or are you still on your way? If you are ready to welcome Jesus into your life, we encourage you to make that decision today. No choice is more important. Embrace the opportunity to become part of God’s eternal family, trusting Jesus alone for your salvation. - Adapted from the sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 7/28/24.
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In the journey of faith, one of the most profound questions we encounter is: How can a loving God send people to hell? This question challenges our understanding of God’s nature and his justice, prompting deep reflection and discussion within our community.
At the core of this question lies the concept of free will and divine love. God offers His love and salvation to humanity. However, many reject this offer until it's too late. This narrative illustrates a crucial point: just as doors in life can close, so too can the opportunity for accepting God's love, resulting in eternal separation from Him, known as hell. This subject is not only biblical but was also emphasized by Jesus, the Apostles, and church fathers. It’s important to recognize that the centrality of the biblical narrative is not humanity but God Himself. "In the beginning, God..." sets the stage for understanding that everything belongs to Him, including the right to judge creation. From this perspective, hell is not merely a punishment but a rightful state for those who choose to reject and rebel against God's central place in their lives. One objection many raise is that the concept of hell seems like an overreaction by God to human sin. However, viewing hell through the lens of God’s holiness, justice, and grace reveals its necessity. Hell highlights the severity of sin and the extent of God's holiness, reminding us that sin against an infinite God bears infinite consequences. Moreover, it emphasizes that God's justice ensures that evil does not prevail, and His grace is magnified in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the wrath deserved by humanity. Our discussions on hell serve to deepen our appreciation for God’s immense grace and mercy. Recognizing the gravity of our sin and the holiness of God leads us not to fear but to a profound gratitude for the sacrifice made on our behalf. The real question shifts from "How can a loving God send people to hell?" to "How could a holy God allow sinners into Heaven?" This points us directly to the grace available through Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God. In conclusion, while the doctrine of hell may be challenging, it is essential for understanding the full narrative of Scripture and the nature of God’s justice and love. We invite you to reflect on these truths and consider the path of your own worship: is it directed towards the fleeting things of this world or the eternal love of Christ? - Adapted from the sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 7/21/24. Pain and suffering are profound realities that each one of us encounters at different points in our lives. They pose significant questions about the nature of God and the world we live in. Today, we dive into this deeply challenging topic. If we believe in a loving, good, and all-powerful God, why does He allow so much suffering?
The Universal Question This question resonates universally. Pollster George Barna found that if people could ask God one question, the top response would be: "Why is there pain and suffering in the world?" It’s a question humanity has wrestled with for ages. For many, it becomes the reason—or excuse—for not believing in Jesus and the Bible. So, it's crucial that we, as believers, have a solid answer, both for ourselves and for those who seek understanding. The Theological Answer From a theological perspective, the answer begins with the reality of our fallen world. When God created the heavens, the earth, and humanity, everything was perfect. However, when sin entered the world in Genesis 3, it brought pain, trouble, disease, and death. We now live on a fallen, dying planet, in fallen, dying bodies, surrounded by fallen, dying, broken people. Moreover, we have an enemy—Satan—who seeks to cause us deep pain. Yet, amidst all this, we have a Savior who loves us and is working all things for our good. This love from Jesus is not a pampering love but a perfecting love. The Personal Answer On a personal level, suffering brings us face to face with our own limitations and the reality of a compassionate God. The Bible portrays God as our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul describes God as one who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others with the same comfort we receive from Him. This comfort comes through the Holy Spirit, who resides within us. Understanding and practicing this dynamic of receiving and sharing comfort is vital. Queen Victoria of Great Britain exemplified this beautifully when she would silently comfort grieving mothers by simply being present with them. Similarly, we are called to "pass it on," to splash comfort and compassion on one another within the church. Lessons from Suffering: 1. Prayer is Essential: In seasons of suffering, prayer is our secret weapon. It's the means by which we receive God's comfort through the Holy Spirit. When we are weighed down by troubles, crying out to the Lord for His grace, comfort, and compassion is crucial. 2. Humility in Community: We must humble ourselves and seek the prayers of our church family and friends. The Bible reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). It's often our pride that keeps us from seeking the help and prayers we need. 3. The Need for Community: We need each other, especially during times of pain and suffering. The support and prayers of a loving church family can empower us through our toughest seasons. The fellowship we find in the body of Christ is a crucial part of God’s plan for us. A Call to Action As a church, we are called to be dispensers of comfort and compassion, just as we receive from God. Let us not grow bitter in our suffering but choose to get better by relying on God’s comfort and strength. Let’s humble ourselves, seek prayer, and find support in our church community. - Adapted from the sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 7/14/24.  Mental illness is a topic often shrouded in misunderstanding and stigma, especially within the church. But the Bible is filled with stories of personal pain, trauma, loss, grief, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even suicide. Figures like Elijah, David, Job, and Jeremiah experienced profound mental and emotional struggles, yet their faith in God remained steadfast. Elijah fled into the wilderness feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and suicidal. David expressed a wide range of emotions from deep anger and despair to extreme joy and hope throughout the Psalms. Job cursed the day of his birth, expressing his desire to die amidst his suffering. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," expressed profound grief and desperation over the fate of his people.
Understanding mental illness begins with acknowledging that it is a health condition involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior, associated with distress and problems functioning in daily life. It's easy to view mental and physical health as vastly different, but they share significant similarities, including symptoms' impact on daily life and the possibility of recovery. According to the National Estimates of Recovery-Remission from Serious Mental Illness, one in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, and one in 5 will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. With treatment, lifestyle changes, or various interventions, people can thrive. The Church has a crucial role in supporting and helping individuals with mental illness thrive, embodying the compassionate care modeled by Jesus. In Luke 10:27-37, Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer the question, "Who is my neighbor?" A Jewish man is attacked by bandits and left for dead. A priest and a temple assistant pass by without helping, but a despised Samaritan stops, tends to his wounds, and ensures his care. Jesus challenges us to ask, "What kind of neighbor am I?" rather than "Who is my neighbor?" This shift in perspective encourages us to show compassion and help anyone in need, regardless of their background. When it comes to mental illness, we must avoid judgment and instead offer support and understanding. Mental illness is not necessarily a result of bad choices or a bad home life, and it is not simply cured by having more faith. Though God works through supernatural means, more commonly He works through natural means, including medical treatment, therapy, and supportive communities. So, what can we do as a church community? First, we must lean in. Move closer to those who are hurting rather than pulling away. People who are ill don’t need a judge; they need a friend. Second, we need to be open to learning. Educate ourselves about mental illness and remove stigmas or judgmental attitudes. Third, we should show love by meeting practical needs. Just as we support those with physical illnesses, we should offer similar support to those facing mental health crises. If you are struggling with mental illness, remember that recovery is often a long journey. Be persistent, as healing takes time. Be honest about where you are in your journey, acknowledging your struggles and seeking the necessary help. Surround yourself with a supportive community that honors God and promotes healthy mental practices. Your struggle with mental illness does not define your faith or your value. God’s love for you is unwavering, and you have a purpose and belong in His kingdom, even in your brokenness. As the Church, let's commit to leaning in, learning, and loving those who struggle with mental illness. Let’s be the compassionate neighbors Jesus calls us to be, providing support, understanding, and care to everyone in our path. - Adapted from the sermon preached at our Walloon Lake campus on 7/7/24. |
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These are powerful posts adapted from our pastors' weekly sermons.
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