Hello Friends,
One of the great joys of ministry is being able to change the sermon title at will. I do this frequently...just ask Jackie or Celeste. While I was initially focusing on the Numbers 21 passage about the snakes in the desert, I decided instead to focus on the John 3:14-21 passage.
In John's passage, we come across arguably the most famous verse in the entire Bible, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." That verse is a microcosm of the Gospel.
With that said, however, I honestly believe that John 3:16 is old news (in fact, that is how we live). Perhaps we see it too often on car tags, street signs, or even at ball games; maybe it has become rote. Or tragically, maybe John 3:16 has been deemed by society, and at times even the church, to be out of touch. Maybe the story of Jesus on the cross is not relevant in today's culture...to be completely honest, there are few of us who live like John 3:16 is relevant today.
And that, church is my sermon Sunday. It is time for us to take the old news of 2,000 years ago and remember that this is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is time for us to live like God's love means something, that the cross is relevant and like the hope that we have because of it is real.
I don't want to give too much away, but I will say this: if you and I, the called out ones who profess faith in Christ, do not live this way because of who we are and whose we are, then the world really has no hope.
Think about what you can do this week to live a meaningful life...a life that shows without a shadow of a doubt that you are God's beloved child and as such, a life that shares His love with others.
In His love and grace,
Josh
Sports Corner
In case you did not know, March Madness starts today...I love the NCAA tournament. I can't wait to see the big upsets, the buzzer beaters, and the eventual champion come out on top.
I believe the Final four will include Kentucky, Ohio State, UNC and Michigan St. I think the championship game will come down to Kentucky and UNC with Kentucky winning. Be on the lookout for some upset teams...I hear good things about Belmont, Ohio, Louisville, and Florida St.
Good luck in your bracket pool. I would love to see who your final four/champion will be. Post it and we will discuss.
Throughout the Lenten Season, a member from our church will be writing a weekly meditation. This is included in the bulletin as an insert. So that we can share these writings with the larger internet community, they will be posted here every Sunday afternoon. Please share these guest blog posts with your friends and family members and join us in our journey toward the Cross. This week's meditation is written by Guest Blogger, Wanda Delk:
"Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem." Luke 13:22
Three years ago as we entered into the Lenten season, I receive the tragic news about the loss of my father. I was suddenly enveloped in darkness and fearful of the unknown path I had to travel. Seeking comfort and longing for peace, I found myself studying scripture more than I had in a very long time. I began to think about the path Jesus took to the cross, and I was drawn to a familiar chorus:
"Jesus walked this lonesome valley, He had to walk it by himself; O, nobody else could walk it for Him, He had to walk it by himself."
In the midst of all the chaos around Jesus as he journeyed to Jerusalem, he never stopped teaching; He never stopped serving; He never stopped forgiving; He never stopped loving...US!!! I found my answers! I had to claim the promises of God's love for me. I drew strength from His Word and I began to understand the greatness of His love, mercy and grace. Now I ask you the question I dealt with: What if we knew we only had 40 days left to walk on this earth? Where would our path lead? Mountain topi experiences are great, but a walk in the valley can be transforming. let us walk together during Lent, from the manger to the cross.
"You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
Hello friends,
Our text Sunday is one that you might not be familiar with. It is found in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and let me just say, Paul is in rare form. Paul was writing to the Corinthian church, challenging them to be unified as the body of Christ. He calls their attention back to what they have in common when he says, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
After reading this statement and the subsequent passage, I want to ask you a question: Is the cross foolish? To the Jews it was because they were looking for a Messiah, one who would overthrow the oppressive Roman government. No Messiah would die on a cross...that's foolish. To the Greeks (Romans), the cross was foolish as well. They only crucified the worst criminals...why would the Messiah die a criminal's death? Furthermore, they were cultured people who were known for their understanding and philosophy. Wouldn't a leader be well versed in the ancient writings and be able to prove himself with a rich understanding of history? Jesus did not do these things therefore He could not have been who He claimed to be. I told you, the cross is foolish.
The cross was rejected by many in that day, and sadly, it is rejected in our day as well. The cross seems foolish to many, some 2,000 years later. The cross seems so old fashioned...shouldn't God communicate with us on Facebook or Twitter? Shouldn't God do something new, instead of using a form of torture to communicate how He feels to us. Furthermore, the cross makes us feel guilty...and that is not what we want to hear about on Sunday during worship. Don't we want to be cajoled with cliches and have our egos stroked with how good we are? The cross is foolish to many...
With that said, however, let's read what Paul says again, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The cross is the power of God for us as Christians. It is God's proof of love, forgiveness, and hope.
That is why you can call me a fool...because I believe in the power of the cross as the way to salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Foolish? Maybe, but to us who are being saved, it is anything but.
In His love and grace,
Josh
Throughout the Lenten Season, a member from our church will be writing a weekly meditation. This is included in the bulletin as an insert. So that we can share these writings with the larger internet community, they will be posted here every Sunday afternoon. Please share these guest blog posts with your friends and family members and join us in our journey toward the Cross. This week's meditation is written by Guest Blogger, Brian Colson:
Journey to the Cross...A Father's Love
I still vividly remember the births of my sons, Brayden and Landen. It seems like yesterday that they were swaddled and placed in my arms for the first time. From that moment forward, I was introduced to a love like none I had ever felt before. The love I have for my boys is greater than I could have ever imagined.
Since becoming a father, the words spoken by Jesus in John 3:16 have a much more profound meaning to me than they did before I became a parent. "For God so love the world that gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." God gave his son's life so we could have eternal life. I can honestly say that there is nothing on earth I love more than my boys and would never put their lives in danger for any reason, but God's love for us is infinite and far greater than any love we can imagine.
Long before the birth of Jesus, God knew the events to come. God knew that Jesus would be beaten and mocked before being placed on the cross. The death and Resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate expression of our Heavenly Father's love for us. As we journey to the cross during these days of Lent, consider the love God has for you, and consider how you can demonstrate that love for others.
--Brian Colson
Hello Friends,
The Bible says, "If anyone should come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel, will save it." Mark 8:34-35.
As we walk the winding road to the cross during these forty days of Lent, these verses stand as a fork in the road; go left or go right, but it is time to make a decision.
I do not know about you, but thinking about Jesus carrying the cross is difficult. In fact, that is not the Jesus I like to think about. Let me explain...it is easy to imagine Jesus teaching on the shoreline. It is easy to consider Jesus feeding the 5,000. And wouldn't we all like to see just once, Jesus doing something like raising Lazarus from the dead? You see, that is the Jesus we like, the easy going, help us out, take care of our needs while making us feel better about life, Jesus.
But yet, there is another side, one that is not hard, mind you, but simply unwavering in His commitment to His calling. There is a side of Jesus that stood toe to toe with Satan, and said, "Away from me Satan, for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" There is a side of Jesus that turned over the tables in the temple and said, "My Father's House should be a place of prayer, but you have made it into a den of robbers." And in the text for Sunday, Mark 8:27-38, we see that side of Jesus reappear when He rebukes Peter, " 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'" This Jesus, the one who walked alone to the cross does not make me feel warm and fuzzy...this Jesus make me feel like a half-hearted disciple.
I am convinced that we in the church often follow Jesus when it is easy, like when the bills are paid, and when the children are behaving. But do we follow Jesus when it is hard, like when you fell your prayers bounce back at you off the ceiling, or when the employer calls you in to say, you are being let go? Ultimately, do we follow Jesus not just part of the time, but all of the time? If we are going to be called His disciples, then we must.
Dr. Bill Coates, the pastor of FBC Gainesville, GA preached a sermon some years ago that centered around one phrase that I find most appropriate for this week: "Jesus did not come to make your life easy, He came to make your life matter." Far too often we want the easy life...not the life that demands denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following; if you want to be a true follower of Christ, then this is exactly what you must do. Please, this week, make your life matter as you serve Christ by serving your neighbor.
I look forward to seeing you Friday night for the pricing event (6-9 PM), Saturday morning for the Relay for Life Yard Sale (7 AM-11:45), and Sunday morning for Sunday School and worship.
In His love and grace,
Josh
Throughout the Lenten Season, a member from our church will be writing a weekly meditation. This is included in the bulletin as an insert. So that we can share these writings with the larger internet community, they will be posted here every Sunday afternoon. Please share these guest blog posts with your friends and family members and join us in our journey toward the Cross. This week's meditation is written by Guest Blogger, Rustin Howard:
Lent...Journey to the Cross
As a child, one of the most meaningful experiences of the Lenten season was attending the Easter performance at church. My parents played parts each year, so I saw many performances, and I watched practice after practice. I could quote many lines and sing all the songs. Even though I saw it multiple times each year, I remember watching in awe as the actor who portrayed the part of Jesus walked the long aisle of the church with a huge wooden cross draped across his back. Lacerations on his body were created by red lipstick but realistically symbolized the pain endured by Christ. I remember sitting in the pew and wondering if he would ever make it to the front of the church. As the actor slowly walked, weighted down by the cross, he stumbled and fell many times. Each time He fell, I knew his journey had been prolonged.
Throughout this season, we journey to the cross with Jesus. As we walk along side of Him, we must remember the word "preparation" defined as the act of getting ready. As humans, we oftentimes find ourselves preparing for events and milestones in our lives. We prepare for new school years, graduations, moves, new jobs, vacations, weddings, and births of new babies and even small tasks such as meals. We must ask ourselves the question, "Do we take time to prepare ourselves for worship?" The Lenten season is about sacrifice, prayer, repentance, and the preparation to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
During the Lenten season last year, as a close friend and I discussed the sacrifices we had made in preparation and observance, a small child who was listening more attentively than we thought said, "I was going to give something up, but Lent already started, so I will wait until next year." There had been no preparation. From the mouth of a child, this comment is cute and even a bit comical; however, how many adults have the same mindset? How many of us fail to prepare our hearts and minds causing us to miss out on the importance of the Easter season?
Each person's preparation will be different. Maybe you have decided to prepare yourself for this journey by giving up something that you love or by spending more time reading your Bible and in prayer. Jesus knew of His fate, and He spent the night before His death in prayer and preparation for what was to come. For Him, the journey to the cross wasn't just that walk to Golgotha, but it started at the manger where His life as a human and a child of God began. Because of His journey that ended at the cross with ultimate sacrifice, we have the encouragement and comfort that the final destination of our journey is eternal life with Him.
--Rustin Howard
Hello Friends,
Glad to have you reading today. It is official, we have begun our Lenten journey. Thank you for participating in our Ash Wednesday Service last night. We had great attendance. You should also remember that we were just a small group who joined with millions of other Christians to participate in that service as we prepare our hearts towards Easter.
As I told you in some of my comments last night, we have "set our faces towards Jerusalem" as Jesus does in Luke 9:51. There is only one place a journey like this will lead us and that is to the cross.
Many of you have asked me about giving things up for Lent. You should know that the act of giving up is patterned after Jesus' time in the desert where He fasted and communed with God. We give up certain things to deny ourselves, and to let us experience just a small sacrifice as we draw near the cross.
Just so you know, I have given up sweet tea, and sweets this year...for many that does not seem like much, but for me, it is quite difficult. What did you give up this year? Please put your answers in the comments below...it would be good for you to make them public so that you would be even more accountable.
With that said, it is day two of the Lenten journey and I have already been tempted. After officiating Mrs. Oreta Bishop's funeral this morning, I was invited to eat with Derrell and Judy Lynn at their home. There was more food there than at our Wednesday night suppers. I was okay until I saw the sweets (pecan pie, key lime cake, and of course, Mrs. Judy's famous caramel cake.) I resisted, but the devil rode home with me because Mrs. Judy insisted that I take a piece of that cake home for Ginger. If that is not temptation, then I do not know what is.
Our text Sunday, Mark 1:9-16, tells us of the first steps Jesus takes on this road...it covers His baptism, His temptation, and then His first message. In these verses, Mark outlines for us our own journey to the cross. You should know that the road is never easy, nor is the path straight...but the calling for you and me, especially in these forty days is to keep our eyes upon Jesus, and to keep the cross central in our lives.
May you turn your attention to Christ, especially when you are tempted to look away.
In His love and grace,
Josh
Hello Friends,
Thanks for reading as always. I have been out of town for the last week and I want you to know how much I appreciate having Rev. Randy Callahan preach last Sunday, and Rev. Al Rahn to teach last Wednesday night. It is a gift to our church to have these gifted leaders in our midst. With that said, we are closing in on Sunday once again. One of my seminary professors was known for saying, "Sunday is always coming." Until I began to preach each week, I never knew how true her observation was.
The text this Sunday is one of Sunday School lore...it is Jesus healing the paralytic man (Mark 2:1-12.) I imagine all of us have drawn pictures of those four friends digging through the roof to bring their friend to Jesus. As I was studying the text this week, that image continued to run through my head when the realization struck me...those four men let nothing stand in the way of bringing their friend to Jesus.
This Sunday, I will be focusing on that truth and will be exploring the barriers that hinder us from bringing our friends to Jesus. Some fall within the church at large, and some obstacles are of our own making. Sometimes, self-righteous judgments keep people from meeting Jesus. Sometimes, cliques within churches hinder people from meeting Jesus. Sometimes, perhaps we ourselves hinder others from meeting Jesus. As a way to help me prepare for Sunday, I need you to answer these questions in the comments below: what hinders you from bringing people to Christ and what in the church at large hinders people from meeting Jesus? Only by answering these questions honestly and openly do we have the opportunity to change the way we live and worship.
As a brief reminder, we are having our second annual Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper next Tuesday, February 21 at 6 pm. We will be raising money for Relay for Life that Night. Then, on Wednesday February 22nd, we will have our annual Ash Wednesday Service as we repent, and begin the journey to the Cross through Lent. Join us for these events.
Have a great day, and may God bless you as you serve Him faithfully.
Josh
Hello Friends,
I am blogging early this week because I will be out of town later in the week. I was reading a sermon by Dr. Fred Craddock recently and something he said made me think, wow. In case you did not know, Dr. Craddock is perhaps the most important preacher/professor of homiletics in the last 40 years. This sermon was entitled, "On Being Gracious" based from Luke 6: 27-36. The text is Jesus' sermon on the plain (remember Sermon on the Mount is Matthew).
The scripture reads, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. But, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return...for God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
In these words, we have before us a profound challenge. Jesus sets the bar high for He asks us to live not as we want to, or not just as humanity deems as right...but to live and love as God does. We are to be kind and to love others because we are children of God. We are to be kind and to love others because we are called to be merciful just as the Father is merciful.
Dr. Craddock concludes his oration with one thought..."The final work of grace in anyone's life is to make a person gracious." Did you hear that? Read it again..."The final work of grace in anyone's life is to make a person gracious."
In other words, while salvation is important...that is not the end. Ultimately, as an answer to God's grace and in response to the cross, we must be gracious to others. We must allow God to work in our hearts and lives changing us from the inside out so that we can be a little less like us, and a little more like Him.
I leave you with a question: are you gracious? Are you kind and loving even when there is nothing you will receive in return? If so, then good, because you are doing what you are supposed to do. If not, well then you know God has a little bit more work to do in your life. For me, I am certain that we are works in progress and have a long way to go. But the good news is that God does not give up on us, and though we fail, we can begin again. Be gracious church, because when you are, you are becoming more like Christ.
Thanks for reading as always,
Josh
Hello Friends,
This Sunday, I will be preaching from a very familiar scripture, Isaiah 40:27-31. You'll recognize it as, "They who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They shall soar with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." I know that this is a favorite passage for many of you and one you have heard preachers use before. With that said, is there anything new to be learned from it? In a sense I hope so, because I want the scripture to be seen and read with fresh eyes and ears. But in a sense, this is what I call a "comfort food scripture." It is one that is like a back door friend, one that we never get tired of seeing and hearing from. What are some of your comfort food scriptures? What speaks to you, perhaps because you know it so well? Write about it in the comment section below.
I don't want to give too much of my sermon away (I am prone to do that), but I do want you to know that I think this scripture resonates with us because life is hard, and we are simply tired. We run and run and run and it seems as if we can never finish what is before us, much less what we ought to do that is waiting in the wings. We get beaten down by bad news and broken hearts, chaos, and cancer, and we just run on empty.
If that is where you are, then I want you to know there is hope. The prophet tells us that God will renew our strength if we wait on him. But therein lies the problem...how many of us like waiting or feel like waiting is something we should do? I am convinced that waiting runs completely counter to what we think we ought to do when the world starts to cave in around us, but yet, that is what God wants from us.
You should know that waiting in this sense is not passive like waiting at the doctor's office or the beauty parlor, waiting is with great expectation of what God will do and accomplish. Waiting is active...it is seeking faith and hope and trusting God when we have no place else to turn.
I don't know where you stand this day...I don't know if you are soaring, or running or just trying to take one more stop...but I tell you...slow down. and wait...for only when you wait upon the Lord will your strength be renewed.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday. (Scroll down and see the return of The Sports Corner before you sign off).
In His Love and Grace,
Josh
Sports Corner
And you thought it was gone forever...honestly, you are not that lucky. I am reporting on two events...one was national signing day (Feb 1st). For those of you who do not know, this is the day that HS recruits can officially sign their letter of intent/scholarship with a college football program.
UGA did well on national signing day bringing in 19 total recruits. Analysts say that they had the #9 ranked class in the nation. Some of the headliners were Josh Harvey-Clemon and Jordan Jenkins (2 outstanding linebackers), and John Theus (a great OT/OL prospect). I think these will certainly pay dividends to UGA sooner rather than later.
Tech, well, they signed recruits as well. They did okay on signing day, but they simply did not have the overall depth of the UGA haul. They ranked about #59th or so, though they have an intriguing QB prospect who was committed to Alabama, but later flipped to Tech.
I guess the only thing to really say about signing day is that while it is important to bring in talent, it is what coaches do with that talent all year long that will determine on-field success. Here's to hoping that both schools do well, (but that UGA does better than Tech).
The other event, if you have not heard, is the Super Bowl on Sunday night: the New England Patriots vs. NY Giants. This will be a great game. Vegas has the Patriots as the favorites and gives the Giants three points. I must admit I am torn on this pick...the Patriots have been a machine all year, but the Giants are the hot team right now. Could Brady win this Superbowl and cement his place permanently in NFL history? Does Eli have enough to pull out an improbable victory over the Patriots as he did before?
While many are picking the underdog, I am picking the Patriots to win by 7. They simply have too much on offense, and after giving a coach like Belicheck two weeks to prepare, I just cannot see them losing.
What say you? Write about it in the comment section below.
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