Lessons from the past

The week in Huntington, IN the community celebrates Pioneer Days. This is a throw back to the mid 19th century. There are a variety of exhibits that demonstrate what life was like back then and this is a time for the community to come together which is a good thing. On Sunday morning I have the priviledge to to speak in their community worship service. I will be sharing a message by Charles Finney "The One Thing Needful" from 1859. The thought I have for you this morning is what can we learn from this time period. I just have a few observations. First, people are not that much different today then back then. Within Finney's message he was dealings with some distractions that kept people from the message of Jesus Christ. Many of us have a view that there is so much more to do today then back then that the distractions would not have been as bad but that is not the case because it is a issue of the heart and the heart of man has not changed. Second, there was a need for revival during this time and there is a need for revival today. There is always a concern that Christian people begin to become complacent and compromise. The soul of man is in need to renew relationship with God. I am sure that others would make other observations but when I did some research on the messages of preachers of that time it is clear that with an update on illustrations and some words the messages of the mid 19th century would be relevant for today. Our toys have changed, our entertainment and sports is very different and no one would want to do without our advance technology but the heart and soul of man is still in need of having a genuine authentic relationship with our Creator. May the God of all eternity continue to draw our hearts to love God. Pastor John

New Beginnings

The story of the New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus changed everything. This one event had more impact upon the world then any other event in human history. This was a new beginning. What started in a manger with the life of Jesus ended on a cross. Three days later came the resurrection of Christ and then the birth of the church. What started on the night that Jesus was born changed everything. There was a day in my life almost 40 years ago now that I had a new beginning when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. That day changed everything for me. There has been many times since that day that I needed to make some kind of change. Change basically means doing something different then what was being done, a new beginning. Some changes are big and some are small but as a believer in Jesus Christ some of my small changes were actually more significant then what I thought was a bigger change. Our goal as a Christian ought to be growing to become more like Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In order for this to happen change must take place. I realize that change is difficult for some people and some changes come with different levels of fear and not knowing if the change will be worth it. Be encouraged that change can be good, very good. Do not allow the fear of the unknown stop you from doing the right thing in changing to become more like Jesus. May the God of all love and grace, strengthen you in your inner being with courage and love.

Pastor John

Being God's children

The prophetic call of the church has been and always be the same throughout all generations. That call is to live as children of God in the midst of an evil generation. Jesus call His disciples to follow Him. Luke 9:23 The apostle Paul encouraged the church of Corinth to follow his example as He follow Christ, I Corinthians 11:1. God sets the standard in how He wants His children to live. Though it may seem difficult if not impossible at times to accomplish, please do not get discouraged and given up because Jesus understands us and that is why He set the Holy Spirit to us to help and guide us to live a genuine, authentic Christian life. This is a walk of faith. This walk takes discipline and effort on our part as the apostle Paul told the Philippi church, "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13 God's prophetic call for us is to enter a partnership with God to live a life we could never live on our own. When we live in this manner we will not only please God but it also is the only way to bring about kingdom of God change in the hearts of people within our community. God has great things planned for us both in our individual lives but He has great things planned for the church as we work together as the family of God. Part of God's prophetic call for us as His children is do life together because we will always be able to accomplish more together then we would ever be able to do on our own.
May God bless you and keep you in His love.

Pastor John