Saturday, August 1, 2020
Saturday, July 11, 2020
JULY 2020 Hilltop Chapel Newsletter
HILLTOP CHAPEL NEWSLETTER
JULY 2020
“LET FREEDOM RING”
When July 4th rolls around each year, I tend to reminisce about the “good old days” of my youth. There was a parade down the main street of town, speeches by the mayor and other dignitaries , a barbecue in the backyard, games, lots of laughter and as darkness finally descended, the fireworks display. From the first dazzling starburst to the Stars and Stripes finale, my gaze never left the sky in anticipation of the next “poof” as another rocket made its way into the night. It still amazes me, 60 years later, to think of all the planning and technical knowhow needed to put on a 15 to 20 minute pyrotechnic show.
Think how Francis Scott Keys must have felt as he watched the real bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. He wrote the Star Spangled Banner during that fateful night, not knowing whether his beloved country would survive. Can you imagine his delight as he saw the American flag still flying, though badly tattered and torn, over the fort as morning dawned?
Many years have passed since out forefathers penned the document that set in motion the most remarkable experiment in the history of the world: “...a nation of the people, by the people and for the people”. I thought it might be appropriate, at this time in our nation’s history to revisit that document and see what it really says and how we measure up to its true intent today. There is not enough room here to examine the entire document, but the first two paragraphs give the essence of the whole: “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and the nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which compelled them to the separation.”
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same objet evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.” Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft, which was later approved by congress and entered into the record on July 4, 1776.
Those brave men, many of whom gave their fortunes and their lives for the cause of freedom, never wavered in the belief that liberty was well worth the sacrifice. We are the beneficiaries of the vision that drove them to fight, against incredible odds, those who sought to oppress them. They saw a nation that would be built, first and foremost, on biblical principles, both from Old and NewTestaments, which they knew would stand the test of time. Those same principles are the fundamental reason that our country is still here today. The question becomes, how much longer can the United States survive when we see the erosion of our national adherence to the very elements that forged our nation in the first place!
It saddens me and, I”m sure, all of you to watch the steady stream of legislative actions and Supreme Court decisions that move us further away from our biblical underpinning. Can we still turn around? Yes we can! But, do we have the courage to stand and proclaim the truth that will set this nation free again. II Chronicles 7:14 says. “...if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” We need God’s forgiveness in the worst way, as individuals and as a nation. The only way it will happen is if we humbly seek His forgiveness and turn away from our sinful ways.
The future of the United States hangs in the balance. What we do, as Christians, in the next weeks and months may well tip the balance one way or the other. Only God knows the outcome and ultimately, His will is going to be done. What will you do to make a difference?
Pastor Rod
HILLTOP CORNER
Here at Hilltop Chapel we have Begun to hold Morning Worship on the front lawn. Attendees have been bringing their own lawn chairs and we are following all requirements of COVID-19 as set by the State of California and the Fresno County Health Dept. The weather has been very accommodating...so far. Pastor has begun to Live-stream the Worship Service and you can watch it on YouTube or on Facebook. It has been quite an exciting experience for Pastor, as he is reaching people across the globe, people that probably don’t even know where Hilltop Chapel is located. It is an exiting time in the life of Hilltop Chapel. We do not know when things will get back to “normal”, we will probably have a “new normal”, but we will follow guidelines that are set before us. We look forward to being able to meet again in the Sanctuary soon, but in the meantime, come out and join us on the front lawn.
We give a happy, but sad at the same time, send-off to our wonderful friend Edie Raper who has gone to live with family in Virginia. Talking to her on Sunday morning, she seemed very happy to able to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren she hasn’t even seen yet. We pray that she has a smooth adjustment and we will miss her greatly!
Please continue to pray for those families you know that may have had a family member or friend become ill or pass away during this COVID-19 global pandemic. Every life is precious to Jesus!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Due to the ongoing restrictions placed upon us due to the COVID-19 virus, we’re still working to meet the needs of those who have health issues and those who may be wary of venturing out due to concerns due to age. It is our desire to get back to normal operating conditions as soon as possible.
Our “Church on the Lawn” services have been well received and we will continue those for the near future. It is, however, our intent to move back into our sanctuary and/or the fellowship hall at the earliest possible moment. We will keep everyone informed as to the latest adjustments to schedule as they become available. Thank you for your patience with us during these very trying times.
SCHEDULE FOR JULY
7/2 Tues 7:00 PM Deacons’ & Deaconesses’ Meeting. We will be meeting in the church Fellowship Hall to address the spiritual needs of the church, as well as monitoring the latest updates concerning the Corona Virus and its effect on the life of the church and our community. Please pray for us.
7/4 Independence Day. Continue in prayer for our great nation as we celebrate the 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence & the founding of the United States of America.
7/5 SUN 9:00AM Independence Weekend Worship Service. If there were ever a time for God’s people to gather together, worship and seek Him, this is it! Our task is obvious and vital—preach the Gospel to everyone. Join us as we look to our Savior for courage and strength in these troubled times.
7/7 TUE 10:00AM Ladies Bible Study. There will be no Helping Hands Meeting this month. There will be Helping Hands Meetings resuming in August.
7/12 9:00AM We have a scheduled concert this Sunday with one of our favorite singing groups, “Reliance”. This talented trio, led by Ken Hurley, has toured extensively, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their unique song stylings. Schedule may change and we’ll keep you posted with updates. Join us and bring a friend.
Saturday, June 6, 2020
JUNE 7, 2020 SERMON NOTES
“IF MY PEOPLE”
PASTOR ROD DAVISON
June 7, 2020
Let’s open with a word of prayer. “Our gracious Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. We thank you for the fact. Lord, we are moving forward in the name of Jesus. We just ask, as we move forward, that everything be pleasing in your sight. Bless those who have joined us this morning. We just pray that your name will be honored and glorified in all that we do and say, in Jesus name. Amen.”
(Open your Bibles and read 2 Chronicles 7:12-16. Let’s have a word of prayer. “Father we ask your blessing now as we open your Word. Help us to relieve from you that which you have given us today. You know, Lord, that we live in a dangerous world and there are many things going on in our world today. But we know that your plan for the world is perfect. We just ask, as we read your Word, that we might understand it fully and we might be drawn to you, closer and closer each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
SERMON: The title of the sermon today is “If My People, and I have been thinking in terms of what we have been witnessing lately, both with the pandemic COVID-19 and all the things that went with it and it’s still prevalent with us today, and the sad death of an innocent man. But I thought in all these things, God is preeminent, God is here, God hasn’t left us. And it took me back to the birth of the United States and a man by the name of John Adams, a name I’m sure that you’ve heard before. He was there at the very beginning, and it was anything but an easy birth of this nation. Several years ago I read a book by David McCollum, a biography of John Adams, and it’s fascinating. In school I enjoyed History, and I never got into any depth in the study of each individual Patriot. This book takes John Adams from the cradle, his birth in Braintree, Massachusetts to the grave. I won’t give you a blow-by-blow of his life, except to say he was a farm boy, but with great hard study and determination, graduated from Harvard College, became a lawyer, then a Legislator, a Rebel who signed the Declaration of Independence, an Ambassador to France, Holland, England, Vice President under George Washington and the second President of the United States. He died at the age of 90 at a time that most people didn’t live to see 60 at his home in Braintree. Oh, and by the way, he died on July 4, 1826, the exact same day as the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson who was 83.
John Adams was also a born-again believer. He lived a his life with a deep commitment to his Savior, Jesus Christ, in constant prayer, seeking God’s will at every turn. Even then, there were those who proclaimed a different religious belief, Humanism, or as it was called “The Age of Reason”. The idea was that by thinking deeply, man could set his own course and bring about peace on earth without God’s help. Thomas Jefferson, and many others in Government were among those who called themselves Diest’s, believing that God set everything in motion, then stepped aside and let mankind figure things out without getting further involved. As they say, “There’s nothing new under the sun.”.
So let’s fast forward 2 1/2 Centuries in where we find ourselves in “The Post Christian World”. In the 20 years that followed the Revolutionary War, if it had not been or men like John Adams, our Republic would not have survived. There is every possibility that our Republic may not survive the current onslaught against it. Only time will tell if we stand or fall. We as Christians, must do our utmost to preserve the truths that this nation was built on, like Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. But the greatest and most important truth is what we find on our coins, “In God We Trust.” Our mission, at this point, is clear. I do firmly agree that we must be ready at all times to give a clear, loving account of our faith in Jesus Christ, and the absolute fact that He is the only one who can deliver us as individuals and as a nation.
I would like to go back and read our text one more time, especially verse 14. Listen carefully. “If my people , who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” I see so many people today that will not take any other course, except that of destructive action. They are trying to do things to mold the world into the image that they have perceived of. And they are not willing to listen to any reasonable alternatives. We are watching people take to the streets because they want their way and no other way. There is no room for discussion, there is no room intelligent thought. It’s just “Whatever comes into my mind, that’s what I’m going to do.” We see people pouring into the streets and hurting other people so that they can get their own way, or get something that they want that they didn’t earn.
Why an I talking about this this morning? Because I think it’s vital that we understand that God has a purpose, even on the things that we don’t understand, the things that we are watching on TV, the senseless beatings and killings that are taking place, all these things serve a purpose that only God can understand. What God it trying to tell us if we will repent of our sins, if we will turn from the things that have turned this Nation upside down right now, God will forgive us, He will heal our land. He will make us whole again as a people. We’re the ones that need to repent. We’re the ones who need to be down on our knees and pour out our hearts in confession of our sins. We’re the ones who have to stop doing things our own way, rather than His. We’re the ones that have to come back, seek His face and receive forgiveness, then, and only then can the healing process begin. It begins with Christian people. Those who know that Lord as their Savior, those of us who hopefully live our lives in His will and purpose, have strayed too. We sought our own way, we want to do things our way, things that please us. God expects us to do things that please Him. God can heal our land, absolutely He can heal our land, but we have we be willing to submit to Him. Will He heal our land this time? I don’t know. The Bible tells us that when we see these things taking place, things that we are seeing now, things that are happening on the streets of our cities, that Jesus is on the doorstep. I don’t know if it’s already too late for our nation. I don’t know what’s going to happen next. But I do know that if we do what the Bible tells us to do God will listen and God will make a difference.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on our world has been unequaled by any other event in history, including two World Wars. The things we have been going through and the things we have been watching happen in people’s lives is unparalleled. The total shut-down of the world, our Government, our economic system, everything just came to screeching halt. Now we are trying to build back into our economy, our people getting back to work and it all seems to be very much “fits and starts”, it looks good for a couple of days, then things don’t look so good. Some news comes out and we all go into a panic again. I believe God is looking down and saying,”You’re not listening, You’re not listening. Come unto me and I will give your rest, I will give you peace, I will give you joy, all those things that your striving so hard to accomplish, I will give you in an instant.”
I am very confident that we are looking down corridors of time right now and approaching the end of all things as we know them, and because of that, we as Christians need to stand up, we as Christians need to do things that are pleasing in God’s sight. We need to be praying, we need to be listening, we need to be reaching out to others who need Jesus. We need to tell people the truth that will set them free. What Jesus told us in Matthew 24, that these things must take place. But He also told us that when we see these things taking place, that we are nearing the end. We are nearing the Rapture of the Church. We talk about the Rapture of the Church, that time when Christians will be taken out of the world, a time when chaos will reign on the earth unlike anything we’ve seen so far. But there is still time right now for us to make a difference in the hearts and lives of people. Lots of people are scared today, lots of people are looking for answers. We have the answers. We have the truth that will set people free. What would it take for one person to go and tell another person the truth that will set them free? And the answer is, nothing. All we have to do is go and do it. Let’s God lead you. You probably have some people on your list right now you need to talk to about Jesus, and you know it, and you have been waiting, you have been waiting because you might me a little afraid that they might not like you. But I can assure you that they are going to like you a whole lot less when they come before God and he says, “depart from me, I never knew you”, because we didn’t tell them the truth.
It’s on my heart a lot lately because I see people all the time struggling, people that who have lost their jobs, people who have bills to pay and they can’t pay them, people who are at their wits end and they don’t know what’s going to happen next. Can God solve all those problems? Absolutely He can. And He will. And He will lead them by the hand until the problems are solved. He will never leave us, He will never forsake us. What we have to do as Christians is to get out there and tell them the Good News. The hope that is in us is Christ. The hope is that is in us is eternity with Him. We have it, we need to share it. We need to do it quickly because Jesus is coming again. John Adams had that hope in the 1700’s and 1800’s and he shared it with a lot of people. He wasn’t bashful about his faith. Not everybody agreed with him, and he was a stubborn New Englander , but he had a way of telling people the truth that would set them free. And that wonderful way is still available today. All we have to do is love people, tell them the truth and give them the hope that they need, that not only through eternity, but right now, Jesus will be with them and give them everything that they need to survive now and forever more.
I praise you Lord Jesus for the opportunity today to just share this truth with others. May we, as your people, humble ourselves before you and allow you to lead us. Let’s pray. “Our gracious Heavenly Father, there is so much in the world today that we see as difficult, so much today that we see as horrible, and yet you have overcome the world. Help us to help others to see the truth, to know the truth and believe and trust you forever more. We praise you and thank you for what you are doing among us and we thank you for the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Monday, June 1, 2020
Sunday, May 31, 2020
SERMON NOTES 5/31/2020
SERMON NOTES
PENTECOST SUNDAY 5/31/2020
PASTOR ROD DAVISON
OPENING PRAYER: “Our gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for bringing us safely here today.Wherever we are this morning I just pray a special blessing to those who are watching today.Father as we start this service help us to give you all the praise, honor and glory. In Jesus’ sweet name we’ll ask it. Amen.”
SERMON: Our scripture this comes from Acts 1:1-11.
Before we read God’s Word let’s have a word of prayer. “Our gracious Heavenly Father we ask, that as we come into your presence as we read your Word, we know it’s the truth. We know it’s the truth because you promised. And as we open your Word, may we find peace, comfort, hope and joy. In Jesus’ name we’ll ask it. Amen.” Open your Bibles and read Acts 1:1-11.
Jesus gave the Apostles and Disciples instructions as to what they were to do after He left. The Holy Spirit would dwell in each of them and empower them. Today is Pentecost Sunday, and on this day it was 10 days after Jesus had descended to heaven and 50 days since His Resurrection, hence the name Pentecost.
How many of your had to wait for something very important to you personally or your family? Perhaps it was a promotion at work or a new house or car. Whatever it was the waiting was most likely the hardest part of the whole affair. I can remember back to a time just before I turned 16, which was a couple of years ago, I was waiting to get a wonderful little piece of paper called the driver’s permit. I can remember it was well before Christmas and my grandparents were visiting for the holidays and it had rained then it snowed and then it got icy. My grandfather asked me to move his car around to the back of the garage. I jumped at the opportunity, grabbed the keys, got into the car and moved it around the back. When I neared the garage I applied the breaks, hit a patch of ice, and slipped right into the garage door. I was maybe doing 5 mph, but enough to do minor damage to the door, damage I could not repair or hide. I knew when my dad found out I was in big trouble, and guess what, he didn’t disappoint. He looked at the garage door and then looked at me and said, “buddy, (and I was not his buddy at that time), that door just cost you 6 months on your license.” Instead of getting my permit in February on my birthday, I wouldn’t get my permit until June, and he was true to his word. All of my friends were getting their permits and using them and I was stuck using the only mode of transportation I had...a bicycle. Very demeaning, very demeaning. When June finally came I was the first one in line at the DMV office. The wait was over and I could long last cast off the shackles of immobility. I think I may have sung the Hallelujah chorus, I can’t remember for sure. It was a sweet day in the life of yours truly, and I can attest to that very firmly.
All of that might give you an idea of what it was like in Jesus’ inner circle. They waited for what He had promised. The things that He told them about before he left the earth and ascended into heaven. Don’t forget that they were known to authorities, those who were in charge of the temple, and the folks that were in that group were very, very interested in erasing any vestige of remembrance of Jesus and His claim to the throne of Israel. They would have gladly have gotten rid of Peter, James, John, and any of the rest of the followers of Christ. It was a time of great fear, anxiety and waiting for the next foot to fall. They heard what Jesus said about receiving power, but they didn’t quite comprehend how it would manifest itself and what good they would derive from it. So, as the days dragged on, they became more and more anxious and perplexed. And finally on the tenth day after Jesus was caught up into Heaven things started to happening in a great hurry. So we have to picture what it must have been like in that upper room as they waited and what it must have been like as God the Holy Spirit began to come among them. So I want to take us now a little further down the line. (read Acts 2:1-18). Now picture this if you will, here are these people waiting and waiting and waiting and praying to the Lord to show them what was going to happen. And all of a sudden, it begins to happen. The thing that amazed these people, was not only that the Galileans were speaking, and they were seeing all these things taking place, but they were hearing all these men speaking in their own language. Peter would stand up and speak, he gave a wonderful sermon on that day, but he was speaking Galilean which was a very small place within Israel that spoke a particular dialect. So as they were speaking all these people from all over the world that had come for this festival of Pentecost were hearing him speaking in their particular language. Now think about this, they have people coming from all over the world coming for this and they were listening to the Word o God being spoken by people speaking one language and they are alll hearing it in their own language. That must have blown them away. I am sure that if we were there and they were speaking English we would have been amazed too. Peter gets up and begins his sermon. So what were they prophesying? They were telling about Jesus. The one who had been crucified, the one who had risen again, and they one who they had been spending the last 40 days with before He rose into heaven. He was showing them great and wonderful things, and now those things had been passed on to them. Those things they were going to use to turn the world upside down for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s amazing to me that here we are 2000 years later and we are telling the same story, in many different languages, all over the world, and the truth goes out in truth and in Spirit and God is changing lives even in the midst of all the things that are going on in our world today. People are still coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Why? Because God promised. God said it would happen and it happened, and it’s been happening for the last 2000 years.
You and I are in the midst of a world pandemic right now and we are doing things that we never thought we would be doing. But God has a purpose in all of it and God is bringing people to Him who would not necessarily have heard the Gospel if it weren’t for the things that we are doing right now. Our little town of Miramonte isn’t very big. And yet we are reaching to places all over the country and even in places around the world and beyond the United States of America. We praise God for the opportunity to be here with you this morning. Just like Pentecost, the Gospel continues to go on. The Gospel is reaching out to you today. The Gospel is reaching out to others, maybe family members that you have. I don’t know where this message will end up. It’s going to be on our archives for quite a while, but right now in your home today, God is speaking to your heart. God is bringing the message in a language that you can understand, your heart language and saying to you “Come. Find peace, find joy, find hope find something beyond what you have experienced before, because what I have for you is eternal. It never goes away. It lasts forever”. And it’s simply the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. ”For God so love the world that he gave His only begotten Son the whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) That’s what God offers to each one of us this morning, simply by confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness and welcoming Him into our lives. I pray that would be your experience today. And I pray for those of you who already know Jesus that you would be encouraged that God is with you every step of the way. Whatever you are doing today may God richly bless you. But the most important thing that you can do, if you haven’t done it yet, is to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Our prayer is that you will do that and you will tell others the good news too. God bless you and have a wonderful day.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
SERMON NOTES 5/24/2020
SERMON NOTES
5/24/2020
“WHEN YOU PRAY, GOD LISTENS”
RICK McCOMB
Good morning. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here today delivering God’s message. Let us pray:
“Father God, be with us today as we worship you as we praise you and give you all the glory for things you have dome, past, present and future. We ask that you bless this simple church in the mountains, it’s congregation, it’s leadership, and all those who work so hard to keep it going. Please bless the reading of your Word and help us to always spread your Word to others and to implement it in our personal lives. And Father we would ask you today that you would bless America through it’s many struggles. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
SERMON: As we get going today, I would like to share a story with you. A story of a church in Las Vegas that my parents attended. They actually helped build it and raise a big congregation there. They had many potlucks, they had potlucks all the time it seemed like. My wife Lee nd I would try to go to as many of them as we could to spend time with my mom and dad. And at one of these potlucks, and it was like a church potluck anywhere, the food was plentiful and delicious, and the dessert table, well, it was plentiful and delicious as well. And at this one potluck the Pastor got up and he spoke a little bit about blessings and how blessed we were and that we needed to appreciate that in our lives so much. And then he asked if there were any other people that would like to share their blessings. And a couple of people got up and shared their blessings. Then a men in the back of the room held up a Bible. And he said. “You all know what this is.” It was a Bible in a camouflaged cover. A Service Bible that belonged to his nephew who was a young Lieutenant in the Army in charge of a rifle platoon headed for Iraq. It was tough times and the young Lieutenant knew that when he got there that there would be quite a bit of down time involved and that he would endevour to make the best use of that time he could be reading the Bible. That was his goal, reading the Bible. So his time came for them to be deployed and they got to Iraq and were assigned to an outpost in the northern part of Iraq were the fighting was particularly vicious. And the young lieutenant began reading his Bible. Every chance he got, when he wasn’t fighting, he was reading, reading that Bible all the time. Their original deployment was only supposed to last 6 months. So when 6 months came the orders came for them to be redeployed back to the United States. And they couldn’t believe it that the Army could have possibly got this right. After all it was their chance to go home. And they went out and celebrated it was just so wonderful, they couldn’t believe it, and they celebrated probably a little too hard, and hurt themselves a little bit. But, while they were still recovering another set of orders came through cancelling those orders. Their orders to redeploy back to the United States had been rescinded. They went from the highest high to the lowest low in just a matter of reading that page. And the young Lieutenant kept reading his Bible the whole time. By now he’d become pretty well-known around the outfit as the guy who reads the Bible and there were other people that came to read with him. And they started their own study group and whenever they weren’t fighting they were reading that Bible. Nine months into their deployment came and again they received orders to redeploy and again they celebrated, however not quite as much as before. And again those orders we’re rescinded, and they did not get to go home. And the young Lieutenant kept reading his Bible and kept encouraging those other folks to read and to study the Bible as well. When it came to one year, they had spent one year in combat orders came like they had seen before to redeploy and they had learned to be cautious, combat had made them very cautious people. And so they didn’t celebrate this time, they waited for the other foot to fall. And fall it did. The orders were again cancelled. This time they didn’t feel that really high-low thing because they kind of settled in with the whole experience. And the young Lieutenant continued to read the Bible. After about 14 months in their combat missions the young Lieutenant finally turned the last page. He had finished reading the Bible. He closed the book and put it in his ready pack, the pack that they all carry everywhere they go so that he would have it when he needed it. The rest of the guys in the platoon threw a party for him to celebrate his achievement and he encouraged them to be faithful, to pray, because when you pray God hears you. And it wasn’t more than 10 days later that another set of orders fell on their doorstep. These were orders to redeploy back to the United States. And being cautious people that they were they did not celebrate. As a matter of fact they did not celebrate until they got on the plane to go home. Then they relaxed, they high-fived and they joked. And it was miraculous. And another thing that makes this so miraculous was that all of those men in that platoon that went home were the original men that went to Iraq 14 months earlier. They all survived, uninjured, unwounded and alive. Now a lot of people would say that that is a coincidence, but I would say to you that no, that is not a coincidence. That is God’s hand. God had his hand on that. Jesus prayed and interceded and the Holy Spirit that resided in the heart of the young Lieutenant helped him to pray, helped to pray and God created a miracle. This miracle was just amazing. When I heard the story I couldn’t believe it, but I did believe it because God is capable of almost everything in anything.
Miracles are all around us all the time. God creates miracles in our lives every day, every day they are there. But one thing I’ve noticed that if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you have not been baptized, it’s hard for you to see those miracles. It’s easy for you to write them off as coincidence.
I myself have had the fortune of being baptized twice. The first time I was baptized I was 12 years old. I wasn’t being baptized because of any religious epiphany or anything like that. I was being baptized because that was what was expected of me and my family. However the second time was different. The second time was just a few years ago at Hume Lake. It was a beautiful day, it was warm the breeze was light, the water was cool, it was just an unbelievable day. My wife and I were both baptized there together by Pastor Rod and Deacon Bruno. And as they lowered me down into the water I looked up through the water and I could see that something was changing. I was aware that something was changing. And when they raised me out of the water and the water shed from my face, I knew the day was different. I knew what it meant to be saved, and I knew who my Savior was. I just couldn’t hardly believe it, but Christ is there for all of us and I knew how many miracles he had performed in my life, and I knew how many times he had saved me to bring me to that moment, so that I could be saved. Praise the Lord!
Speaking of each generations obligations, every generation of soldiers that comes along since our Revolutionary War has had to deal with their own specific challenges. Every generation has their war, every generation has their strife, their conflict, their necessity to help in emergencies, their natural nature, and it’s a credit to each generation that there are those that hear the call to arms, that are willing to mount the battlement keep the watch, keep the watch for all of us, to keep us safe.
On this Memorial weekend we honor those who have fallen while in service to our armed forces, and we honor those who were left behind. Those men that fell, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “May the last full measure of devotion for their country, the last full measure of devotion to their country.” Please join me in a moment of silence for those soldiers that have given their life, who have perished. (Prayer) All powerful God, we honor today those men and women, our sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers, brothers, sisters and mothers, who have laid down their lives for our country. Whether they were wary or emboldened, quiet or defiant, vulnerable or ready when you called them home, their sacrifice is too humbling for words except these uttered in prayer. Loving Lord, bless them forever in your eternal peace. Cherish their spirit, honor their commitment and send them our love. And we will never forget the source, the service they gave. Amen.
Soldiers in prayer often go together. Tough times in battle bring out prayers for survival and when we pray God listens. People come to God during hard times. During the pandemic people have been coming to God in numbers that we have not seen in a long time. When you pray, God listens. Praise the Lord! Prayer can access to God, it can establish that intimate relationship that we both seek. We need to go to God in private prayer, speak to him as you would a loving, kind, compassionate and patient father. Tell Him of your challenges, what your needs are, what your wants are and about the general condition of your life. God wants to hear these things, and God will always listen to your prayers. God wants to hear how you are. And God will always grant your prayers but sometimes not in the way you would want, but in His time for His purpose. Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
If sometimes you have difficulty in prayer knowing what your thoughts are but finding it difficult to express those in words remember that God knows what you need and what you pray for even before you even utter it. The Holy Spirit that lives in your heart since you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will always intercede when you have difficulty. Turn in your Bibles and read Matthew 6:9-13. Here Jesus is delivering His Sermon on the Mount and His disciples want to pray to God as well and they are having difficulty and are asking Jesus for instruction. And Jesus says, “ that when you pray thou shall not be as the hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and standing on the corners in the streets that they be seen by others. Verily I say to you, they have their reward. But when you pray use not vain repetitions as others do for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not like them, for your Father knows what you need before you even ask Him. And after this manner therefore pray. And I ask that you all join me in the Lord’s Prayer. (Recite the Lord’s Prayer). This simple prayer which came to be known as The Lord’s Prayer was delivered by Jesus to the disciples over 2000 years ago and has often been referred to as the summary of the whole Gospel. It brings about a sense of solidarity in knowing that Christians around the globe are praying this prayer together. And the words in this prayer always work to unite us. Teach this simple prayer to others, to your children, its encumbered upon us as Christians to pass these things on. Teach our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren what the Bible is all about. Teach them who Jesus was, why He died and why He rose to be with us again and why He will come again. Teach them the stories of the Bible. Spend time with them in prayer. Pass along the Truth, the Truth that will set them free. The Lord’s Prayer could also be looked upon as an outline for prayer. With 6 simple steps 1) Address God as the rightful place as the Father; 2) worship and praise God for who He is and all that He has done; 3) acknowledge that it is God’s will and plans that are in control and not ours; 4) ask God for what we need; 5) confess our sins and repent; 6) and request protection and help in overcoming sin and Satan’s attacks on us. 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men and that man is Christ Jesus.” Numbers 6:25, “May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.”
I want to thank you all for being here today. God Bless America and God Bless each and every one of you.
Sunday, May 17, 2020
SUNDAY SERMON 5/17/2020
SUNDAY SERMON
MAY 17, 2020
“TIME TO CHOOSE”
Goods morning. This is pastor Rod Davison from Hilltop Chapel in Miramonte, CA. We are delighted to have you with us this morning. Let’s start our worship this morning with a word of prayer;
“Our gracious Heavenly Father we thank you for this day. We thank you for your many blessings to us and we thank you for bringing us all here safely this morning. We just pray that your will be done in everything we do and say this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Open your Bibles and read Joshua 24:1-15.
SERMON:
As I read the scripture this morning I was thinking about choosing, and it is time to choose. It took me back to when I was youngster back in the 1950’s and I was learning baseball. I am a very big baseball fan, as most of you know. More specifically, a San Francisco Giants fan. So for you Dodger fans you may silently boo at this time, But I would like to take you back in time to what we called a pick-up ball game. The big kids would gather all the kids in the neighborhood and we’d play great baseball. But first they had to chose sides. It was a very important and solemn moment in every pick-is game. They would take a bat, turn the handle end up and each captain would grip the bat and they would go alternately hand-over-hand til they got to the top of the. Handle. The one that reached the top of the handle first got to choose first. Which ever captain’s hand that ended up closest to the knob without going over was the one that chose the first person. After all, the fate of the game rested on the ability of the players chosen. As the process began they quickly gobbled up the best players and then the hard labor began. They couldn’t play without having 7 players on each team, they cheated on that every once in a while when somebody didn’t show up, but they were supposed to have 7 players on each team. So they needed some warm bodies to primarily fetch the balls that were hit over their heads, we didn’t have fences in those days, and those hits ended up being triples or home runs, especially if it was hit to right field. Right field was given to worst player on each team. Not only did you have the shame of being picked last but then you got to run your little legs off chasing balls for two or three hours. How do I know all this valuable information? For the first few years of by baseball career I was the right fielder. I take great pride in watching Mike Yastrzemski, the current Giant’s right fielder, although we are not watching him at this point in time. He’s a fantastic player that would make any former right fielder swell with admiration and pure delight.
So what does baseball have to do with Joshua who lived over 3500 years ago? It’s all about choosing sides. It occurred to me that many times we make choices on what is convenient or expedient. Rather than any consideration that what may be the long-term effect. It doesn’t matter how big or small the decision is it still has consequences of some kind. Small decisions sometimes have the most profound results.
I’d like you to consider for a couple of minutes the decision that Joshua made as a young man to stay close to Moses and be his helper and confidant. As one of the 12 valiant men sent out by Moses to the promised land across the Jordan River, he along with Caleb, came back with the desire to go into the land and claim it for the Lord. The other 10, unfortunately, said no and gave a bad report about giants and a prospect of defeat. All those who predicted defeat died in the wilderness. But Joshua entered the promised land and conquered just as God said he would.
Something came up recently in a poll and it said that 82% of the people polled said they would go to church if they were asked. In that same poll only 2% of regular attendees had ever asked anyone to come to church with them. Think about that, 82% of the people polled would go to church if somebody asked them and only 2% ever asked them. And granted at this point in time someone might kind of look at you cross-eyed if you invited them to attend church. Most churches are closed right now. However, there is nothing stopping you from asking if they would be interested in watching our video presentation at 11:00am every Sunday, or some other church’s video. I know a lot of churches in our area are producing these videos so that you could have a choice of many that you might be able to watch. One of the things that we have to decide as Christians is “are we truly going to give God first place? Are we going to do what he calls us to do? Are we going to choose to be bold in our witness?” (Please open your Bibles and read II Timothy 1:3-14)
The important thing that Paul in emphasizing is Timothy, in the scripture, is to keep the faith. But more than keep the faith, to spread the faith. We are called to spread the faith. In other words, he’s simply stating we are to be willing to clearly say “I am a Christian and here’s the reason why.” And why was he telling Timothy to be bold? What was the reason for that? I believe that Timothy had become discouraged by something he saw happening in the church and was loosing his enthusiasm for the challenge of meeting his young congregation. Maybe with all things going on in the world today you have become a little bit discouraged. Maybe about the roll of the church in the world and wonder how we will be most effective in our witness or our outreach to the communities.
I’d be less than honest if I said there was a one-size-fits-all answer to the question. I’m confident, however, that God has not rested or retreated from the battle. Just like Joshua and Caleb in the Old Testament and Paul and Timothy in the New Testament, God will empower us to do all that He calls us to do in the 21st Century. We are His people. He has called us by name and we know that His Word tells us that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. We are His people. We have been called. The question is always the same, “Are we willing to join the battle He has called us to?” Whatever the battle plan for wherever you live wait on the Lord for commands. Then go bravely to the front and give Him your best effort. He will lift you up, He will sustain you, and He will bring you to the defining moment of your life. As the saying goes, “you’re in it to win it.”
What's the price? The price is giving our lives to him for however He sees fit to use us. What’s the prize? The prize is the Crown of Glory given tho those who stand firm until the end. We are His people, we are called by His name and He has a purpose for each one of our lives. It may be different for you than it is for me, it may be different for your than for someone else, but God has a purpose for everybody. His will is being done even in the midst of this pandemic that we have been going through for the last several months. We don’t know how it’s going to end, we don’t know when it’s going to end. But we do know that God is sovereign in every situation. Nothing escapes His notice and nothing since the beginning of the world has ever happened that has surprised Him. You have to realize that you are working according to His plan, not ours. Kingdoms rise and fall at the pleasure of God and people and rulers rise and fall at the pleasure of God. He knows what He’s doing. He’s faithful and He has a reason for us being here this morning. You and I are here by Divine Appointment. You are listening to me and watching me right now— I’ll tell you that I am always nervous when I do this, but God has a purpose for it. He will bring about that which is pleasing in His sight. We are all called by Him. Joshua was called by Him 3500 years ago, Paul was called 2000 years ago, Timothy at the same time. Each one was working ac cording to God’s purpose and God’s plan for them. 2000 years down the road, here we are, and God has a plan for each one of our lives. Nobody is immune, we’ve all got a purpose. And God wants to use us for His honor and glory at this time. You’re here today because God has called you. You’re here today listening to me because God has a purpose for your life. He wants to do something great and wonderful in you and through you so others might know the truth that will set them free too. We’re all here together, we’re all here for His purpose. All God wants you to do is to say. “Yes Lord. I’n in, I’m in all the way and I will serve you any way that I possibly can.
He’s a wonderful God. He’ll never leave us or forsake us and He sent Jesus into the world to die for us. To give us eternal life. To give us forgiveness of sins, and all we have to do is ask Him and He will say yes to you.
I thank you for your time today, I pray that it has been a blessing to you and we are so thankful to be able to come where you are and give you the truth of the Gospel. Thank you so much. Let’s have a word of prayer.
“Our gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, we thank you for your blessings and we thank you most of all, Lord, that we are doing something that is pleasing in your sight. Whenever we give out the Gospel, you are pleased. Help us to give it out in a way that is always pleasing in your sight and brings glory and honor to your name. We praise you and thank you in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
SUNDAY SERMON 5/10/2020
SERMON: “BORN TO LIVE FOR HIM”
MAY 10, 2020, MOTHER’S DAY
PRAYER: Our gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you that we can come into your presence any time and know that you hear and answer our prayers. And our prayer this morning is a simple one, Lord. We just ask that you would bless all the mothers that are listening this morning and watching us today. Bless their lives, bless their families, bless their husbands Father. In all things may you be honored and glorified this day. We praise you and thank you asking your special blessing on this day. IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN. Open your Bibles and read Proverbs 31:10-12; 25-31.
SERMON: We are going to take the words of Proverbs this morning and expand on them a little bit as we honor our mother’s today. The title of my sermon this morning is “Born To Live For Him”. As far as I can remember, which is a chore for me these days, I don’t think I’ve had two consecutive opportunities to use articles from Decision Magazine as illustration for my sermons. But I was really struck by an article by TimTebow’s mom, you might know who TimTebow is, a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, a NFL quarterback, and now a major speaker at conferences; he goes all over the world to tell people about his experiences and his love Jesus Christ. But I want to take you back to before TimTebow was born. This article about his mom, her name is Pam, is really quite amazing. I want to highlight a few thing about her and they way she has lived her courageous life, and I believe the word courageous doesn’t even begin to cover the fortitude and the perseverance of this wonderful lady.
I thought it appropriate to use her story this Mother’s Day to reaffirm how God’s love, mercy and grace can transform even the worst situations into someone thing quite beautiful. Pam was raised by good, but not Christian parents. One Sunday morning while her dad was playing golf and her mother was sleeping in, she decided all on her own to go to the church down the street from where they lived. She was 12 years old at the time and she dragged her 8 year old sister with her. At the end of his sermon the Pastor asked if anyone would like to ask Jesus into their life. Pam walked down the isle and made the commitment to God that day. Her parents wouldn’t allow her to go back to the church, but she never forgot what she’d done. Years later Pam met the love of her life, BobTebow at the University of Florida. Bob’s desire was to serve God with all his heart. Soon they were married and found themselves as missionaries to the Philippines
Fast forward a few years and after four children were born in thee family, Bob became burdened for the children being lost to abortions in the United States every year. They decided to have another child and to name him Timmy, which means “Honoring God’ and raise him up to be a preacher. But she was worried because she had developed a serious illness called “amebic dysentery “. Immediately there were problems and she was bleeding and was told by her doctor that she needs to abort the baby to save her own life. Then he told her that the baby was only a mass of fetal tissue, anyhow, so it didn’t matter. She refused the abortion and prayed. A few months later, Time Tebow was born, and as they say, ‘the rest is history.’.
Tim never became a preacher but he has been given a much bigger stage to preach the gospel on. He became a football player, a Heisman Trophy winner, and an NFL quarterback. He has used that platform to tell others all of the world about Jesus. Pam says that she knows that the decision not to abort her son was God’s plan. To show the importance of every human life and what He can do if we are willing to let Him take control of our lives, no matter what the situation.
A virtuous woman, what King Solomon was praising in Proverbs 31, and although our world today is 3000 years removed from when he wrote those words, nothing has changed as far as God is concerned.
There are good moms out there and there are bad ones too. But I truly believe that the only difference is the love that Jesus places in lives of those who trust Him. Your child may not be the next TimTebow, he’s doing what God uniquely made him to do, but each individual has been created by God for His purpose. If you, wherever you are this morning, trust God with your child’s life, there is no telling what amazing things he or she can do through Him, and that life, whether he or she, is able to do in the hearts and lives of others.
I would like to spend a few minutes to talk about something that’s very near and dear to my heart, and that’s a place down in Fresno California, and it’s called Evangel Home. The ladies there come from all different walks of life. Evangel Home is a homeless shelter and so at Evangel Home all kinds of ladies walk through the front door; young ladies, older ladies, rich ladies, poor ladies, they all have needs. Some of these ladies have made the decision to abort children, and they have had to live the their decision over their lifetime, and it’s been difficult to reconcile all of these things and make sense of them. When they come into Evangel Home they are given the opportunity to see what God can do in their lives. Evangel Home has a motto that says; “God Leads, People Follow and lives change”.
For me, the important thing to remember always, is that God has a purpose for each and every life. Just like Tim Tebow. If his mother would have aborted him, we would have never known what kind of a man he would be. It’s true for the 60, or 70 billion children that have been aborted since Roe V. Wade back in 1973. My purpose here is not to berate people one to make a challenging statement, my purpose is just to let people understand the truth that will set people free. And the truth is “That God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son that who so ever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). Everlasting life begins at inception, begins and ends when God sees fit, and we have to remember that. That God is sovereign in every situation, especially in the hearts and lives of young people. PamTebow made a decision when she was 12 years old, to follow Jesus. And because of that decision many thousands of lives all over the world have been able to hear the gospel through what Pam is doing, she has her own ministry. What her husband is doing, Bob has his own ministry. And what Tim is doing, and the rest of her family. Her whole family is involved, all 5 children, are in some form of ministry. Because of that many, many lives have been changed.
My parents prayed for me when I was a young man, going very much the wrong way, and 20 years later I walked away from what I was doing wrong and turned my life over to Jesus. The things that they prayed for came to fruition. I never thought that I would be a pastor, but here I am this morning preaching to you wherever you are this morning. God has a purpose for every life. You mother’s remember that. You are responsible for the lives that you bring into the world. God wants you to do the very best you can for them. It’s so important that we realize God’s purpose, God’s meaning for life. His Word says that He loves us and that He wants the best for us and that He wants us to spend eternity with Him. That’s all possible because He sent Jesus to die for us. Especially on this day, especially under the circumstances in which we are living right now, remember that God is still sovereign, God is still Holy and God is always willing to bring you in to His loving arms and caress you, comfort you, strengthen you and give you a hope. A Hope beyond this life, a hope for eternity that never ever passes away. God Promises, I believe it, and as the saying goes, that settles it!
If you need Jesus in your life today, just say the simple prayer, “God I am a sinner, I know I need you. I want you to come into my life and take control.” If you do that, He will do it and He will forgive your sins and give you, in the bargain, eternal life, life forever with Him.
Thank you so much for joining us this morning and we pray that this is a wonderful Mother’s Day for whoever you are, wherever you are. God Bless You.
Saturday, May 2, 2020
SUNDAY SERMON
MAY 3, 2020
Good morning. This is Pastor Rod Davison here at Hilltop Chapel in Miramonte, CA. We are delighted to have you with us this morning and pray that you will receive a blessing. Let’s pray. “Our gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day.we are so pleased to be here this morning and we thank you for the privilege of being here this morning. We pray Father that all we do and all that we say this day will bring glory and honor to your name. In Jesus’ precious name we’ll ask it. Amen.
SERMON: Open your Bibles and read Psalm 131 and 133. I would like to tell you a little bit about what I am going to be talking about this morning, “RESTING IN GOD AND GROWING IN GRACE”. One of the things that gets swept under the rug a little bit, many times, is the relationship with God and how we nurture that and how He wants to be approached by us. Sometimes thoughts expressed in a unique way hit you right between the eyes. A while ago I read an article and it occurred to me that simply being around certain people has a profound affect on the way we feel and act. The story was about a little girl five years old who wouldn’t take a nap until her favorite aunt held her for 5 minutes. Her request was granted, and she was immediately content and fell sound asleep. The story reminded me , once again, how vital it is for us to spend 5, or 10, 15, or even 30 minutes in the arms of our Heavenly Father. There we find peace and comfort, contentment and a feeling of confidence that no matter what is swirling around us we’re safe and secure. So the next question is, “do you feel secure today?”
There re many times when I let my mind wonder and I am not at all at ease with what I see around me. There’s the constant threat of harm from various outside sources, pandemics like the Coronavirus sweeping the planet, and there’s political upheaval of like to which we have not experienced before in the history of our nation. Civility is at an all-time low. We can’t even begin to have a meaningful conversation with someone with whom we differ philosophically, politically or theologically without fear of offending them for life.
These two short Psalms that we read earlier give us God’s perspective on every situation that brings anxiety into our lives. Just as the child resting in the arms of one who loves her, is contented, so the soul waiting on the Lord finds rest and contentment only in Him. Let me read the words again from Psalms 131. “Lord my heart is not haughty-nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weened child with his mother, like a weened child is my soul within me. O, Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.“
God’s promises are forever. God promises to comfort us, to strengthen us, to encourage us, to lift us up and to be there in every situation that perplexes us. One of my favorite verses of scripture comes from 1 Peter 5:7 and it says’ “Casting all your care upon Him because He cares for you.” The biggest part of that verse is the last part, “for He cares for you.” God is always there for you. God always cares for you. He never turns His back on you. He is always faithful. One of the wonderful things about that is it gives a certain amount of perspective on every situation that brings anxiety into our lives. Just as a child rests in the arms of one who loves her, is contented, so the soul waiting on the Lord finds rest and contentment only in Him. Along with the verse that I read to you we find other references in God’s Word of His constant love and care for us. One of the most important ones is found in Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you or forsake you.” God promises that throughout His Word. And He never goes back on His Word. God has created for us fellowship with Him and provides all that we need to cultivate that relationship. But then He takes it one step further. He provides other people that sweeten the mix even more. What a joy it is to have fellowship with those who are one with in Christ Jesus. It’s a little more difficult right now to have that one-on-one relationship, Rick talks about this every week in the announcements, about being close to those who are close to you, your family, your friends. Be in contact. Stay close. We have marvelous ways of staying in contact these days. We have Zoom, we have Skype. We have all kinds of different ways we cannot only talk to each other but actually see each other while we are talking. It’s good to get on one of those and just pray with each other. And know that God is hearing your prayer and putting you together with that person who have a special bond with.
We are here today because of God and His infinite love, grace and mercy has called us, ( I. Use this verse very often) “He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” It goes on to say, “for once we were not a people, but are now a people of God.” So we share the love of God as Brothers and Sisters in Christ, not only among ourselves, but with others of who we may come in contact with as we walk in this world.
So how does our being together now, here, no matter where you happen to be, fit with God’s sovereign plan for the universe? Well, in my humble opinion, there is 7 billion people walking on the earth today and each of those individuals has a common need. And that common need is a Savior. And we know that Savior to be Jesus Christ. We are all, I’m pretty sure, that we are living in a tine that the Bible describes as the “Last Days” or the “Time of the End”. That being the case, Jesus tells us, “now when you see these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28)
Our fellowship here today as Christians, acts as a beacon of light in a dark world. We gain all the benefits of ones held close by a loving Heavenly Father, and a glimpse of what it will be like when we break the bonds of earth and walk the streets of gold with our Savior. We don’t know exactly when that’s going to happen, but we can sure tell the signs of the times.
The pandemic that we are living through right now is unpresidential in the way that it has affected everything on earth, from shore-to shore in the United States, across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and beyond, to the Middle East and beyond that to India and China and Japan and the rest of the world. It’s affecting everybody. And because of that our focus has to be on the one who has the answers. And the only One who has the answers is God. Men and women are grasping at straws trying to figure out what to do with this virus. And yet we know that God has the answer. That God is providing a way for each one of us to get that answer. This life, no matter how you leave it, is passing away. And because of that we need to be sure of what’s going to happen when we leave. Those of us that know Christ as our Savior and Lord are confident, well prepared and ready for whatever comes next because we know that we in His hands and He will safely lead us where He wants us to go.
My prayer for everybody out there this morning and among those who are sitting here today is always the same prayer, that you would find peace with God through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, and hopefully yours. That you would embrace Him and allow Him to lead you where He wants you to go. We don’t Know where the world is going to go, but we do know the one who knows exactly where we’re going. And my prayer for everybody listening to me and watching this morning is that you will have peace with God and that you will have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks so much for being here this morning.
HILLTOP CHAPEL
MAY NEWSLETTER
IT’S HIGH TIME
Some wise person once said, “if it looks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, and if it quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.” Accepting the obvious as the correct conclusion seems to be a “no brainer”. There are, however, people in our world today, who can come to the weirdest conclusions from a host of evidence pointing in an entirely different direction. This, I think, is the most dangerous and alarming consequence of the ‘dumb down” of America. No this is not going to be a political diatribe, although that might be a novel twist. It is, however, high time we be completely aware of where we are and realize just how close we are to the “day of the Lord”.
The time is coming, I believe, very quickly, when we, those who know Christ as our Savior, will be caught-up (i.e. raptured) from this earth. There is no doubt in my mind that this event will be the catalyst that ushers in the Great Tribulation. Whenever one treads on this ground, it gets a little shaky. The vast majority of folks are not too interested in scary prophesy, but it needs to be addressed in light of what’ going on in our world today.
If you haven’t noticed, the rest of the world (the Middle East, Asia, Africa) is on fire. Wars and rumors of wars which Jesus talked about in Matthew 24 & Luke 21, abound no matter where you look and we can’t ignore the vast changes that are occuring right here at home. Nothing seems “fixable” and the present and future events will, more than likely, progress downward. Serious pundits, critics, bloggers and op-ed writers, point to an ever-increasing tide of bad news from every corner of the globe. Their columns are filled with tales of gloom and doom from which there seems to be no relief.
And now, we have the Coronavirus thrown in to muddy up the works even more. This particular “pandemic” has taken the global economy right down into the depths of mayhem and chaos, unlike anything we’ve seen since the stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent “great depression” of the 1930’s. People are frightened and despairing about where it could all end up.
I know that many of you look forward to this monthly article (because you’d been kind enough to tell me so) for a few laughs, some nostalgia and encouragement from God’s word. Well, I’ll do my best not to let you down this time, either. It may take a while, but we’ll get there!
What is the upshot of what we’ve been seeing lately? While it looks like everything is falling apart, the truth is that it’s actually working out according to God’s plan. Jesus tells us, in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” If we take Jesus’ words to be accurate (and there’s no doubt about that), then we must also conclude that God will bring about all things according to His sovereign purpose. Don’t ever lose sight of the fact that God, unlike the rest of us, knows exactly what He’s doing and will fulfill all prophesy in the way He has promised. He will not deviate!
The question becomes, what are we going to do in the meantime? Do we live as if nothing is going to change (this is just another cycle)? Do we bury our heads in the sand and say, “I can’t think about that now?” Or, do we get to work fulfilling the original charter of the true Church. What is that? Again, in Mark 16:15-16, we are given words of instruction and admonition: And He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” That’s our marching orders. The rest of the world goes into battle with rifles, machine guns, cannons, tanks, jets, missiles, and bombs. We take the Word of God.
I find, as I talk with many Christians, there is a certain reluctance to speak with others about Jesus. Fear of rejection, harassment, ridicule or hatred, fill the bill of objections these folks have against taking a stand for Christ. When will we get it? What we have, as Christians, is what the whole world needs!
If you had the cure or cancer, wouldn’t you be overjoyed to give it to as many people as you could? How about heart disease or paralysis? You wouldn’t stand idly by and watch people die if you could do something about it, would you? Of course not! Then, knowing that there will be an end to everything we see and experience here on Earth, what stops us from spreading the life giving truth of the Gospel? The answer is, nothing. God’s word commands it. The plan can’t be any more clearly defined. Everything we need He provides. We truly are running out of time. Let’s go doi! -Pastor Rod
The question becomes, what are we going to do in the meantime? Do we live as if nothing is going to change (this is just another cycle)? Do we bury our heads in the sand and say, “I can’t think about that now?” Or, do we get to work fulfilling the original charter of the true Church. What is that? Again, in Mark 16:15-16, we are given words of instruction and admonition: And He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” That’s our marching orders. The rest of the world goes into battle with rifles, machine guns, cannons, tanks, jets, missiles, and bombs. We take the Word of God.
I find, as I talk with many Christians, there is a certain reluctance to speak with others about Jesus. Fear of rejection, harassment, ridicule or hatred, fill the bill of objections these folks have against taking a stand for Christ. When will we get it? What we have, as Christians, is what the whole world needs!
If you had the cure or cancer, wouldn’t you be overjoyed to give it to as many people as you could? How about heart disease or paralysis? You wouldn’t stand idly by and watch people die if you could do something about it, would you? Of course not! Then, knowing that there will be an end to everything we see and experience here on Earth, what stops us from spreading the life giving truth of the Gospel? The answer is, nothing. God’s word commands it. The plan can’t be any more clearly defined. Everything we need He provides. We truly are running out of time. Let’s go doi! -Pastor Rod
HILLTOP CORNER
‘May In Miramonte’ has been cancelled this year. We will be continuing to have planning meetings throughout the year, so look for a great ‘May In Miramonte’ in May 2021!
MISSION MOMENT
Evangel Home has been ministering to homeless women and children since 1955. They have a unique ability to impact those who have reached the end of their rope and run out of resources, or have has family circumstances compel them to seek other arrangements. Evangel Home provides physical, emotional, racial and spiritual guidance, all without the help of any government aid or control. The generosity of people who believe in the Ecangel Home ministry so passionately have made a huge difference in what they have been able to accomplish, and provide the necessities to keep their facility running.
With the recent drastic changes occurring because of the global viral pandemic, many food banks and organizations caring for the needy have seen an unexpected increase in demand for hot meals, food and everyday necessities. Evangel Home still has the need to feed any residents and staff everyday, but their pantry supplies are dwindling and so are monetary donations with so many churches closed.
If you can help the families at Evangel Home during this exceptional time, please send your monetary donations to: Evangel Home at 137 Yosemite Ave., Fresno, CA 93701-1639, or contact them online at www.evangelhome.org.
CHRIST LEADS...PROPLE CARE...LIVES CHANGE
Please give as your heart directs you an you are able to. Thank you for your help, generosity, faithfulness and prayers. -Linda Riffel, Missions Director
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY has begun meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10:00am at church. HELPING HANDS WOMEN’S GROUP is meeting on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00am at church starting with Bible study followed by a short meeting. NO POTLUCK.
We have begun Wednesday Evening Bible study at 5:30pm with Wednesday Evening Prayer Service immediately following at 7:00pm. Social distancing is in place at all functions.
Please continue to pray for those of who have a family member or friend that has gotten sick with Covid-19 or has passed away. Every life is precious to Jesus!
Sunday, April 26, 2020
SUNDAY SERMON 4/26/2020
SUNDAY SERMON
4/26/2020
Good morning. I’m Pastor Rod Davison here at Hilltop Chapel in Miramonte CA. We are delighted to have you with us this morning and we hope you receive a blessing. Let’s have a word of prayer. “Father God we thank you that you brought us here this morning. We thank you Lord that no matter where we are you are there. You promised that you would never leave us of forsake us. And Lord we just ask as we begin this service that all of our eyes, all of our ears will be trained on you and what you have us to hear this morning. Help us to realize that all things work together for good for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. We praise you now and thank you in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen.”
SERMON: Open your Bibles and read 1 Peter 2:9-10. Before we begin let’s have a word of prayer. “Father we thank you that your Word is true. That it is always the same. That you never change, neither does your Word, Lord. We ask that as we read your Word this morning that we apply it to our hearts and to our lives and we will give you the praise, honor and glory. Amen.”
Traveling in the wrong direction can sometimes happen by accident, but most times it stems from deliberate decision making. I would like to relate to you this morning 2 stories, one which you may already be familiar and the other not so much. One is described in Luke chapter 15 which we will be reading later, the other one is about a man that did an amazing feat and claimed that it all happened by accident.
So I’d like to share a story that captured the imagination of the entire world at a time that the world needed shall I say, a diversion. I thought we needed a little diversion from what is going on with the Coronavirus. This was a diversion that helped lift some people out of their dispondencey during the Great Depression. In light of what is happening around the world today we might be able to draw a few rays of sunshine to build on. The year is 1938, a young man who had been an aircraft mechanic for Charles Linberg’s ‘Spirit of St. Louis’ before his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean to England in 1927, decided he would try his luck also. He flew first of all, non-stop across the United States with no problems.. He took off from Long Beach, California and flew to Brooklyn, New York. However, he was told by the FFA that his plane was too old to make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean. The government denied him permission, but gave him permission to fly back to California. On July 17, 1938 Douglas Corrigan took off from Brooklyn, New York. A few minutes after taking off, so the story goes, he flew into a cloud bank and mysteriously disappeared only to land his Curtis Robin aircraft in Dublin, Ireland 24 hours later. His story was that he encountered bad weather, got disoriented and when he came down out of the clouds and saw land, he found the biggest city, then the biggest airport and landed. When he got out of the plane he confidently said,”I just got in from New York. Where am I?” Shortly thereafter he was stripped of his pilot’s license and sent back to New York on a ship. However, by the time he got there news of his exploit had leaked out and he was welcomed as an aviation hero. He was given a parade in New York City and his legend as Wrongway Corrigan grew and became a folk tale. So even though many people believed Corrigan knew exactly what he was doing when he flew to Ireland, he maintained his story through the rest of his life and kept it until his dying day. Maybe Corrigan is the key example of the saying, if you tell a lie long enough, you begin to believe it yourself.
So I’d like to share a story that captured the imagination of the entire world at a time that the world needed shall I say, a diversion. I thought we needed a little diversion from what is going on with the Coronavirus. This was a diversion that helped lift some people out of their dispondencey during the Great Depression. In light of what is happening around the world today we might be able to draw a few rays of sunshine to build on. The year is 1938, a young man who had been an aircraft mechanic for Charles Linberg’s ‘Spirit of St. Louis’ before his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean to England in 1927, decided he would try his luck also. He flew first of all, non-stop across the United States with no problems.. He took off from Long Beach, California and flew to Brooklyn, New York. However, he was told by the FFA that his plane was too old to make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean. The government denied him permission, but gave him permission to fly back to California. On July 17, 1938 Douglas Corrigan took off from Brooklyn, New York. A few minutes after taking off, so the story goes, he flew into a cloud bank and mysteriously disappeared only to land his Curtis Robin aircraft in Dublin, Ireland 24 hours later. His story was that he encountered bad weather, got disoriented and when he came down out of the clouds and saw land, he found the biggest city, then the biggest airport and landed. When he got out of the plane he confidently said,”I just got in from New York. Where am I?” Shortly thereafter he was stripped of his pilot’s license and sent back to New York on a ship. However, by the time he got there news of his exploit had leaked out and he was welcomed as an aviation hero. He was given a parade in New York City and his legend as Wrongway Corrigan grew and became a folk tale. So even though many people believed Corrigan knew exactly what he was doing when he flew to Ireland, he maintained his story through the rest of his life and kept it until his dying day. Maybe Corrigan is the key example of the saying, if you tell a lie long enough, you begin to believe it yourself.
Now let’s take a look at our second example, commonly known as the parable of the Prodigal Son, one of the more famous stories told by Jesus during His ministry here on earth. It’s found in Luke Chapter 15:11-32. Please take your Bible and read this passage. In Jewish tradition, the lions share of the father’s estate is given to the eldest son at the father’s death. Period. There is no equivocation, no arguing the point. It’s just the way it is. But in this case, for reason’s known only to him, the father makes an exception and gives his portion of his inheritance while his is still living. The younger son immediately leaves home and travels to a far country and in short order he blows it all. He’s broke now, far from home, and hungry. He’s literally starving and has no real prospect of altering the situation. He lowers himself to the most degrading possible position by taking a job feeding pigs. As many of you know, according to Jewish law, it is a sin to eat pork, and here is this young man helping to nurture the very animals he is forbidden to touch, let alone eat. In verse 16 it says, “he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.” The young man was literally starving to death and had nowhere to go, and no one to turn to. How many of you have been there? You made a terrible descision and it just robbed you of any dignity, hope for the future and respect of others. I can tell you, I have. There is deep regret, disparity, self-loathing, and knowledge that nothing will ever be the same again. There is no saying, “Let’s go back and do this over. And I promise I’ll get it right the next time.” It’s over, and you know it. Such moments fundamentally altered the course of our lives, and desicions coming out of those situations, will either ruin us forever or turn us to an alternative way of looking at life. When the Prodigal Son looked at his options, the only one that made sense was to go back home, face his father and humble himself asking only to be one of his father’s hired servants.
As I was thinking about this sermon this morning I was thinking about all the things I could tell you about my life and what brought me to this position here at Hilltop Chapel, but I decided that would be a waste of time because a lot of you already know my story and I want to share what God has done through that story. When I came to Hilltop Chapel in 1985 it was the first time I had been in a church for quite a few months maybe years. My son is the one who had shamed me into coming. I’m not going to tell you the whole story, but, one Sunday he asked me, “Why don’t you go to church?” He was going to church with some friends that took him to Sunday School and Church and. I think he was probably 12 or13 years old at the time. At that very moment I felt like probably how the Prodigal Son felt, because that was exactly who I was. A week later I was in church. That was 35 years ago and I’ve been here ever since. And 10 years after that God led me into the ministry, the last place I ever thought I’d be. The decision was made to turn my life back over to God. Just like the Prodigal son turned his life back over to his father’s care. God is a wonderful Father. He blesses us, he strengthens us, he encourages us and all he asks for is our love in return. That’s all He asks for.
Maybe some of you have been running away from God for a long time. And you keep telling yourself things like: God doesn’t really care; I don’t even know if there is a God. Well let me tell you for sure by someone who has been down the road, there is a God, and He’s faithful, He’ll never leave you, He’ll never forsake you. All you have to do is give your life to Him. We’ve all tried giving our lives to ourselves, putting it in our hands, trying to do this, trying to do that, trying to do the other thing. Going the wrong direction, just like Douglas Corrigan, just like the Prodigal Son, can lead us into all kinds of things that we never dreamed would happen. Most of those things turned to dust eventually. Most of those things, no I’ll say all of those things have detrimental affect, not only on you, but on others. But when you turn your life over to God all those things that were detrimental, all those things that clouded your life with doubt, fear and mixed emotions are lifted. And what we have is an individual, a group of people, a whole bunch of people that come and say to God, “I need you.” And God says, “I’ve been waiting for you. All you had to do was come. And when you come, I’m there for you. I will never leave you, I will never forsake you.” And you become this—listen to this as I read it, ”you are a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Isn’t that wonderful? For once we’re not a people but now we are the people of God who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. When you come to God when you place your life in His hands, everything changes.
Some of you may be in a very dark place right now. You’re looking at the world, you’re unemployed, maybe you have family members who have disowned you for whatever reason, maybe you just feel like there is nothing in the world that you can do that’s going to turn out right. Well guess what! God says different! God has a plan for your life. God wants to make you whole again. God wants to turn you from what you are right now into someone that is marvelous. You are a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, His own special people and He has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. That’s who you are as a believer in Jesus Christ. It only takes a second to say Yes to Him. Going the wrong way is never a good option. Going the right way will turn out so beautifully and so wonderfully that you’ll never believe that you went the wrong way in the first place. God is always there, and He wants you to come back to Him.
Thank you for listening this morning. I pray that you receive a blessing and that God will be a part of your life from now until Jesus comes again. Thank you. Let’s have a word of prayer.
“Father God, doing this every Sunday morning, is a blessing for me. And I pray for all the people that are tuning in today will also share in that blessing. All they have to do is trust in you, and wonderful things will begin to happen. We lift this day to you and ask that the blessing you have for each person tuning in this morning will be multiplied again, and again, and again as they see what you’re capable of doing in a heart and a life that’s turned over to you. We praise you thank you in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen.
Thank you for listening this morning. I pray that you receive a blessing and that God will be a part of your life from now until Jesus comes again. Thank you. Let’s have a word of prayer.
“Father God, doing this every Sunday morning, is a blessing for me. And I pray for all the people that are tuning in today will also share in that blessing. All they have to do is trust in you, and wonderful things will begin to happen. We lift this day to you and ask that the blessing you have for each person tuning in this morning will be multiplied again, and again, and again as they see what you’re capable of doing in a heart and a life that’s turned over to you. We praise you thank you in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
SUNDAY SERMON 4/19/2020
SUNDAY SERMON
4/19/2020
Good morning. This is Pastor Rod from Hilltop Chapel in Miramonte, CA. We welcome you in the name of Jesus and we pray that you will have a blessing as we go forward this morning. Let’s pray. Father we just ask that you bless our time here today. Father we know that we are in your hands. We ask that your will be done this day, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
Open your Bibles and read 1 Peter 12:1-12.
SERMON: In the years between Matthew and Revelation most of the
Disciples of Jesus had, in one way or another, been martyred. I just read a short but powerful article by Ann Graham Lotts in Decision Magazine which I found exciting and challenging. I will be quoting her frequently, so you may want to read the article in May Decision Magazine so you don’t miss anything.
Many have read traditional literature that attest to the belief that Peter was crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Savior. But the rest of the disciples met their fates in a variety of horrible ways. I will give you a few examples here this morning, but if you want the full list check our Ann’s article. Phillip was tied to a pilar and stoned to death; Matthew was nailed to the ground with spikes and beheaded; James, Jesus’ half brother was pushed from the top of a building, then his broken body was beaten to death. As you can see the penalty of being a follower of Jesus was heavy indeed. And these were the leaders of the movement that gained traction shortly after Jesus’ death. There were many others that followed in their steps, whose names we don’t even know who met similar deaths for the same reason.
Disciples of Jesus had, in one way or another, been martyred. I just read a short but powerful article by Ann Graham Lotts in Decision Magazine which I found exciting and challenging. I will be quoting her frequently, so you may want to read the article in May Decision Magazine so you don’t miss anything.
Many have read traditional literature that attest to the belief that Peter was crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Savior. But the rest of the disciples met their fates in a variety of horrible ways. I will give you a few examples here this morning, but if you want the full list check our Ann’s article. Phillip was tied to a pilar and stoned to death; Matthew was nailed to the ground with spikes and beheaded; James, Jesus’ half brother was pushed from the top of a building, then his broken body was beaten to death. As you can see the penalty of being a follower of Jesus was heavy indeed. And these were the leaders of the movement that gained traction shortly after Jesus’ death. There were many others that followed in their steps, whose names we don’t even know who met similar deaths for the same reason.
What was it about Jesus that made people want to follow Him so fervently and others to do everything on their power to stop Him? Lots of people have left indelible marks on history, some good, some bad, but know Np one has ever made the major imprint on history left by Jesus Christ. Multitudes of people have given their lives for the cause of Christ, but why?
Look at history’s greatest leaders; Nebecudnezzar, Sirus, Darius, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Charlamaine, Napoleon, Churchill, Roosevelt, they all have one thing in common: they lived, they made their mark and then they died. Only Jesus Christ lived, made His mark, died then rose again. Last week we celebrated His death, burial and Resurrection. The Bible says, “But now Christ has risen from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20). The reasons His enemies crucified Him in the first place is that He was a great threat to them, and their precious positions of power, even under Roman Rule, that He overcame death by rising from His tomb was totally intolerable to them. His followers had to be destroyed also, that the word of His ressurection would not spread beyond Jerusalem. But spread it did. And as Peter was writing this Apistle to the body of believers abroad, the Gospel of Jesus was already literally spreading around the known world impacting untold numbers of people in the process. No one else in the history of mankind has ever affected the hearts and lives of more people, nor will there ever be such a person. Jesus said. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
There is no doubt that we are watching a world in deep turmoil and there is no telling what the outcome of our present predicament will be. But God’s Word is very explicit that things we are watching unfold are precursors to what is described as the beginning the “The End”. Think about that, the beginning of The End. The Apostle Paul said that Jesus’ return was imminent. That was 2000 years ago, and we’re still here. But there is something About ‘this time”, and ‘this place”, and what is going on in the world today that is totally different. We have watched the world’s economy nearly collapse. We have watched millions of people have their lives shaken to the core. Many people are sitting at home, maybe some of you this morning out of a job, and don’t know when that job is coming back. But even though it’s scary, is it what is called the “beginning of the end”? Should we be worried? Any sane person might be more than concerned about the events unfolding before us.
Is there a solution? Oh Yes! there is, it all depends on where you are looking for your answers. The most famous verse of the Bible, John 3:16 is followed by an almost equally important verse which says, “For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17). Our world today needs saving, and only Jesus can do that. Only Jesus can make the difference in a person’s life, so profound, that when it happens everything changes. You are changed from the inside out and given a new life. And if you know Jesus this morning, you have an obligation, our world today needs saving and only Jesus can do that. He has enlisted our help in that effort. So if you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you’re on the team. It’s not a question of whether you made the team, you are on the team the moment you accepted Jesus into your life. The question is, are you willing to play the position He has placed you in? Without looking back, but looking to the Cross. Jesus paid it all for you and for me right there on the Cross of Calvary. Will we give whatever it takes to bring others to Him before it’s too late? And that’s the real question here this morning. Some of you that are watching, this might sound Greek to you, you never heard this before. Some of you have been Christians for a long time and you know exactly what I’m talking about. The issue is, are we willing as Christians, knowing what we know of the Bible, to go out and make a difference in a world that is in turmoil. God has given us the truth, We have been set free by the truth. Are we willing to tell others the truth that will set them free too? Jesus is coming. The world is getting closer and closer to the end. We all know it and we all are cognizant of what we are seeing today.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We only know that God has given us today. There are certain people in this word that may not be here tomorrow, that’s a fact.
What are we doing for those people? What are we giving them that they are not getting from our news, from our blogs, from all the things that we are hearing from the government and the reporters. All those things sound like we are in desperation time. And, because what we know of the world, it is desperate time, and we have to do something about it. And God calls us to the one thing that we can do, tell others about the good news of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, just like you, just like me. And all you have to do is welcome Him into your heart and life and everything will change. But for those of us who are Christians our job is very clear, tell others before it’s too late.
I just pray that God’s richest blessings would be yours as we close this service today. I don’t know what this week is going to bring, but I do know the one that knows exactly what is going to happen this week, and what’s going to happen in your life this week, and He wants to be your Savior and Lord. All you have to do is say “Yes Lord. I want you in my life.” And He will come. Let’s close with a word of prayer.
“Our Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your blessings to us, and we thank you Lord, that no matter what is going on in the world you have overcome the world. There is nothing that the world can do that can shape us, or change us, we are your people, called by your name. Called out of darkness into your marvelous light. And you have given us life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. May that be our prayer, may that be our plea this morning, that many more will come to know Christ, and to know Christ is to know life eternal. We praise you and thank you in His precious Name. Amen.
We thank you for being with us this morning, we pray that you received a blessing.
There is no doubt that we are watching a world in deep turmoil and there is no telling what the outcome of our present predicament will be. But God’s Word is very explicit that things we are watching unfold are precursors to what is described as the beginning the “The End”. Think about that, the beginning of The End. The Apostle Paul said that Jesus’ return was imminent. That was 2000 years ago, and we’re still here. But there is something About ‘this time”, and ‘this place”, and what is going on in the world today that is totally different. We have watched the world’s economy nearly collapse. We have watched millions of people have their lives shaken to the core. Many people are sitting at home, maybe some of you this morning out of a job, and don’t know when that job is coming back. But even though it’s scary, is it what is called the “beginning of the end”? Should we be worried? Any sane person might be more than concerned about the events unfolding before us.
Is there a solution? Oh Yes! there is, it all depends on where you are looking for your answers. The most famous verse of the Bible, John 3:16 is followed by an almost equally important verse which says, “For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17). Our world today needs saving, and only Jesus can do that. Only Jesus can make the difference in a person’s life, so profound, that when it happens everything changes. You are changed from the inside out and given a new life. And if you know Jesus this morning, you have an obligation, our world today needs saving and only Jesus can do that. He has enlisted our help in that effort. So if you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you’re on the team. It’s not a question of whether you made the team, you are on the team the moment you accepted Jesus into your life. The question is, are you willing to play the position He has placed you in? Without looking back, but looking to the Cross. Jesus paid it all for you and for me right there on the Cross of Calvary. Will we give whatever it takes to bring others to Him before it’s too late? And that’s the real question here this morning. Some of you that are watching, this might sound Greek to you, you never heard this before. Some of you have been Christians for a long time and you know exactly what I’m talking about. The issue is, are we willing as Christians, knowing what we know of the Bible, to go out and make a difference in a world that is in turmoil. God has given us the truth, We have been set free by the truth. Are we willing to tell others the truth that will set them free too? Jesus is coming. The world is getting closer and closer to the end. We all know it and we all are cognizant of what we are seeing today.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We only know that God has given us today. There are certain people in this word that may not be here tomorrow, that’s a fact.
What are we doing for those people? What are we giving them that they are not getting from our news, from our blogs, from all the things that we are hearing from the government and the reporters. All those things sound like we are in desperation time. And, because what we know of the world, it is desperate time, and we have to do something about it. And God calls us to the one thing that we can do, tell others about the good news of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, just like you, just like me. And all you have to do is welcome Him into your heart and life and everything will change. But for those of us who are Christians our job is very clear, tell others before it’s too late.
I just pray that God’s richest blessings would be yours as we close this service today. I don’t know what this week is going to bring, but I do know the one that knows exactly what is going to happen this week, and what’s going to happen in your life this week, and He wants to be your Savior and Lord. All you have to do is say “Yes Lord. I want you in my life.” And He will come. Let’s close with a word of prayer.
“Our Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your blessings to us, and we thank you Lord, that no matter what is going on in the world you have overcome the world. There is nothing that the world can do that can shape us, or change us, we are your people, called by your name. Called out of darkness into your marvelous light. And you have given us life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. May that be our prayer, may that be our plea this morning, that many more will come to know Christ, and to know Christ is to know life eternal. We praise you and thank you in His precious Name. Amen.
We thank you for being with us this morning, we pray that you received a blessing.
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