Faith Takes Action

I have to admit something. I have a this facebook account and I keep track of a lot of people whom I haven't talked to or seen in years... really cool, right?! This is nothing new, you probably have one too and do the same thing. But do you do something else I do that is really silly? I join these groups and causes for things that are really good things like "Stop Domestic Violence" or "Abortion is Murder". At face value this all sound really good and makes me look like I care, but I don't. Well, not that I don't care about these things, but if joining that group or cause meant I have do send them money (even a one time gift) or show up to work a benefit event once and a while I wouldn't.

Please feel free to judge me for this but immediately following your judgement please go to your facebook page and ask yourself the same thing about all the groups and causes you are a member of. I do find my support for these causes and more are taken care of though other involvement in church or organizations.

My point is this... we like to say we care and are willing to support something but we really don't if we are not willing to take action on it. Our claims are empty and superficial at best. The same is true with our faith if we don't take action upon it. Jesus is often seen as a great philosopher with a get out of hell free card for all who think that way. Jesus never intended for his life and his sacrifice to be viewed in this way. Faith was intended to produce action. The author the book of James said it this way, "Faith without works is dead". Like roadkill on the highway it is there but it also stinks and is viewed as in the way; it is dead.

Your faith is intended to move you forward and others around you also. Check out this session of our service. If you find it inspiring and helpful please pass it along.

Faith Through Disaster.

Life happens, but so does blessing.

God never intended for you to face a day without the hope of brightness at the end. No, there is no promise that all will go your way or that you will be rich or famous. While some promise you can get rich quick and make your body sexy by Monday, God offers no such things; but he does offer hope. Hope that you will make it through. Hope that your life is worth living. Hope that disasters can become blessings.

Recently I have been reminded of the way God's Hope works. I have a tendency to see anything that inconveniences me as a curse from God and often ask the question "WHY!" right before a curse word flies through my mind and I want to throw something at the next person I see. It is at these times that I do not want some religious lunatic telling me that there is a loving God that has it all in control. (Frankly, throwing something at the moron who is doing 35 in the 55mph zone sounds like a much better way to handle my irritation.) It is after the whole thing settles down that I sit back and think to myself... "man, that was stupid... you got that upset about... blah, blah, blah... What's wrong with you?" Now, I know what you are thinking right now; "This guys is a Pastor and he does that too?!" Yes, it is a normal instinct to get ticked off from time to time and later regret it or realize how foolish it was.

The important thing for us at that point in time is that we stop are think about things and purpose in our heart to let our Faith take control the next time we begin to act and think selfishly. It may seem like a disaster at the time, or at least a major inconvenience, but you don't know what God is planning at that moment; you are not the only person alive and God may be working some divine intervention at that moment. The person 2 cars in front of your 3 cars behind you may have been killed in a fatal accident if God hadn't put the 83 year old grandma in the front of the pack to slow them down. Maybe it is you who is spared a fatal accident.

The point is this: disasters will come to your life; how will you handle them? God gives us great insight in scripture of how to listen to His way of working, and follow his warnings before we later regret it. Noah is a great example of this. Think about it, Noah was an old man when God told him to build the ark; the last thing this old guy wanted to do is build a boat miles from water to be made fun of and thought of as the town idiot... but he did it! Why? Because long before he was asked to build a boat he had placed his faith in God and purpose in his heart that God was a better choice to follow than his own selfish desires and ambitions.

For more on this topic watch this sermon from the "Hall of Faith" series. If it blesses you, share it with a friend.

A Dead Guy Talks.

There is a lot we can learn when we listen to people; including the dead.

Okay, so before I freak you out I should likely explain that statement: We will all leave a legacy; something we are known for after we kick the bucket. Once you die it is nearly guaranteed that you will be talked about the next time the family is together feasting over a warm Thanksgiving bird; what will they say? When your kids tell your grandkids about you what will they say? What they say reflects your legacy. Through you legacy you will speak to generations to come... you will be talking dead man (or woman).
In our look through Hebrews 11, or better known as the "Hall of Faith", we will find several dead people whose legacies speak to us. Today we look at Abel. Abel lived at the dawn of time and we know very little about him. However, Hebrews 11 says that he was a man of faith and faith drove him to seek excellence. His legacy is one of faith, sacrfice, and excellence; what is yours?

The Hall of Faith and You

The Hall of Faith and You.

Sermon from Sunday, September 6, 2009

When someone is really good at what they do we place them onto a pedistal. This pedistal is not always that of idolatry, rather recognition for the superb job they do. In theory, when someone is born they have the same opportunity to be recorded in a Hall of Fame as anyone else. What makes the difference? According to people who have been inducted into one of the numerous Halls, a key to their success was beginning when they were young. The older we are, the harder it is to develop into what will leave a legacy. You may get good, but a legacy isn't likely to follow. The same is try spiritually.

When someone comes to Jesus, it is very important that they begin right away learning how to develop that life as a Christ Follower. Hebrews 11 is full of people whom have left a legacy for Jesus Christ but it didn't come because they woke up one day and decided to do something great; their legact comes from continued devotion to following God... but it all started somewhere.

You can leave a legacy, but it needs to begin asap. Today is the day to begin living a devoted life. You are already leaving a legacy; is it the one you want to leave? Enjoy this service as we talk about your opportunity to be named in the Hall of Faith. What will people be saying about you after you pass on? You can decide, you can begin. Today.