When was the last time you read through one of the Gospels? Have you ever done it in one setting? I encourage all of you to give it a try and take some notes of what pops out to you. As we read the accounts of our Savior’s life and ministry, we (should) learn more about Him. Maybe one particular parable or miracle will touch your heart. Maybe it will be the way he related to a particular disciple. Perhaps it will be the way he related to the outcasts from society. Studying any one of these would surely be a fruitful journey.
However, taking a broader look can also be a fruitful journey. That’s where reading a Gospel in one setting can offer us something that we may not have seen before. we may find some things that happen multiple times during Christ’s three years of public ministry. For instance, Christ cast out multiple demons. In reading the book of Mark, it was interesting to see how the demons responded to Christ, even before He cast them out.
Time and time again, Christ taught in parables. Have you ever pondered why? Some suggest that Jesus used parables as a teaching tool, to illustrate a point. While that is one way He used them, there is more to Jesus’ use of parables. ...But I can’t give everything away before the sermon, now, can I?
This morning, we will take a look at these types of things—big picture observations from Jesus’ life and ministry. Lord willing, we will gain some insights that will leave us even more amazed at our Savior.
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Common People
How many of you have common tools lying around your homes? I suspect that most (if not all) of you do. Further, I suspect that most of you have a basic knowledge of how to use those tools. While some may be able to use them like a master craftsman, most of us are left to tinker and fix (or make) what we can.
Tools in the hands of a mechanic can work wonders when a vehicles isn’t running right. A carpenter’s tools can be used to transform wood and other building materials into a beautiful piece of furniture, or even a house. A sewing machine (or needle and thread) in the hands of a seamstress can transform pieces of cloth into a beautiful quilt or a garment. Whatever the tool, it can be used for something spectacular, or something mediocre. It depends upon the skill of the person who is putting the tool to work.
To borrow from Paul David Tripp’s book title, we are “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands” (P&R Publishing 2002), and our redeemer is a master craftsman. He knows how to use common people to accomplish great things, or, as Greater Vision sings it, “God uses common people to live out His uncommon dreams—it’s not what you are that matters it’s what he can make you to be” (from the song, Common Garments).
God takes each and every one of us, and molds and shapes us into what He wants us to be. The question is, are we moldable? Are we willing to be used of God to accomplish His purpose(s)? The disciples were common people, and look what Christ accomplished in and through them. May God use each of us (common people) to accomplish His uncommon goals!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Tools in the hands of a mechanic can work wonders when a vehicles isn’t running right. A carpenter’s tools can be used to transform wood and other building materials into a beautiful piece of furniture, or even a house. A sewing machine (or needle and thread) in the hands of a seamstress can transform pieces of cloth into a beautiful quilt or a garment. Whatever the tool, it can be used for something spectacular, or something mediocre. It depends upon the skill of the person who is putting the tool to work.
To borrow from Paul David Tripp’s book title, we are “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands” (P&R Publishing 2002), and our redeemer is a master craftsman. He knows how to use common people to accomplish great things, or, as Greater Vision sings it, “God uses common people to live out His uncommon dreams—it’s not what you are that matters it’s what he can make you to be” (from the song, Common Garments).
God takes each and every one of us, and molds and shapes us into what He wants us to be. The question is, are we moldable? Are we willing to be used of God to accomplish His purpose(s)? The disciples were common people, and look what Christ accomplished in and through them. May God use each of us (common people) to accomplish His uncommon goals!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Monday, March 16, 2009
Christ, Our Living Savior
This year certainly is flying, isn’t it? In just a month, we will be celebrating Easter and, hopefully, enjoying more spring-like weather. When it comes to Easter, there are a number of songs that we love to sing, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. One of those songs is, Because He Lives, which was written by Bill Gaither. Though you probably know it well, the first verse goes like this:
“God sent His Son—they called him Jesus; He came to love, heal, and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.” © 1971 William J. Gaither
Indeed, Christ did both live and die to buy our pardon. In these weeks that lead up to Easter, I would like to focus on Christ’s life. Today, we will take a look at the years leading up to Jesus’ public ministry. While the Gospels’ accounts of this time are quite brief, we will see that some pretty amazing things happened — He is the eternal Son of God, who took on flesh, after all. It was all part of God’s plan, happening at the “fullness of time:”
In Christ, the Son, we find redemption and adoption as children of God, and through whom we can cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15). “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
“God sent His Son—they called him Jesus; He came to love, heal, and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.” © 1971 William J. Gaither
Indeed, Christ did both live and die to buy our pardon. In these weeks that lead up to Easter, I would like to focus on Christ’s life. Today, we will take a look at the years leading up to Jesus’ public ministry. While the Gospels’ accounts of this time are quite brief, we will see that some pretty amazing things happened — He is the eternal Son of God, who took on flesh, after all. It was all part of God’s plan, happening at the “fullness of time:”
(4) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)
In Christ, the Son, we find redemption and adoption as children of God, and through whom we can cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15). “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Building A Legacy of Faith
This morning, we will conclude our study of the Ten Commandments. We have had two themes for this study: “Basic Instructions for Life” and “Building a Legacy…” I was tempted to entitle today’s message, “Basic Instructions for Building a Legacy of Faith,” but that seemed a bit long and forced. Instead, the title for this morning is, “Building a Legacy of Faith.”
We will begin by reviewing the prelude to, purpose of, and the Ten Commandments themselves. Then, we will take a look at the Israelites’ initial response when Moses came down the mountain, as retold in Deuteronomy 5:22-27. Finally, we will focus on the instruction, from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, to keep the commandments before us and to pass on the teaching to the next generation, thus, “Building a Legacy of Faith..”
God originally gave his instruction to His chosen people, Israel. God has now given to us His complete Word, the Bible. While most of the Israelites could only hear the reading of God’s Word, we can read it for ourselves. However, the fact remains that many people will choose not to read God’s Word. Because of this, we must be faithful in proclaiming the Word of God to the world. ...And this isn’t just the job of the pastor. It is a mission God gives to all who believe in Him. We are to teach God’s Word to our children and grandchildren. It starts with our families and builds outward from there. As we come into contact with other people, we are to share the message of the Gospel with them. As we are going about our daily lives, we are to be about God’s business of making disciples and teaching what Christ taught (see Matthew 28:19-20). Is this always an easy task? No. However, it is our task and Christ’s command to “Build a Legacy of Faith.”
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
We will begin by reviewing the prelude to, purpose of, and the Ten Commandments themselves. Then, we will take a look at the Israelites’ initial response when Moses came down the mountain, as retold in Deuteronomy 5:22-27. Finally, we will focus on the instruction, from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, to keep the commandments before us and to pass on the teaching to the next generation, thus, “Building a Legacy of Faith..”
God originally gave his instruction to His chosen people, Israel. God has now given to us His complete Word, the Bible. While most of the Israelites could only hear the reading of God’s Word, we can read it for ourselves. However, the fact remains that many people will choose not to read God’s Word. Because of this, we must be faithful in proclaiming the Word of God to the world. ...And this isn’t just the job of the pastor. It is a mission God gives to all who believe in Him. We are to teach God’s Word to our children and grandchildren. It starts with our families and builds outward from there. As we come into contact with other people, we are to share the message of the Gospel with them. As we are going about our daily lives, we are to be about God’s business of making disciples and teaching what Christ taught (see Matthew 28:19-20). Is this always an easy task? No. However, it is our task and Christ’s command to “Build a Legacy of Faith.”
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Monday, March 2, 2009
Building A Legacy of Gratitude
This morning, we continue our series on the Ten Commandments with the message, Building a Legacy of Gratitude. Unfortunately, many people seem to proceed through life, not with a sense of gratitude, but with a sense of entitlement. We feel like we deserve certain things. What was once considered a luxury, is now assumed to be necessary for daily living. Truth be told, we have come to expect some things that our parents and grandparents could not have dreamed up. But, are we satisfied with these things? Rarely. We usually want more than we have.
As the old maxim says, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” The problem is that the grass still needs to be mowed, and it takes a lot of work to keep a lawn looking perfect. Before long, we realize that we didn’t have the full picture, and the grass isn’t so green after all. We should have been grateful for, and content with, what we had.
The final commandment (of the Ten Commandments) says, “You shall not covet,” and then goes on to provide an all inclusive list of our neighbor’s belongings. God knew that we would see what others have and want them for ourselves, instead of being content with what He has allowed us to have.
God, in His wisdom, knows what we should and shouldn’t have. He knows what we can handle. Instead of chasing after the things we don’t have, let’s enjoy what we do have, and be grateful for those things. Furthermore, let’s remember that the only “thing” we deserve on our own is God’s judgment. Praise God, Jesus bore that judgment on the cross. If we frequently meditate on that thought, we will be a grateful people, filled with joy and peace which passes all understanding. But, don’t take it from me … take a look at Philippians 4:4-7. God said it … I believe it … and that
settles it.
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
As the old maxim says, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” The problem is that the grass still needs to be mowed, and it takes a lot of work to keep a lawn looking perfect. Before long, we realize that we didn’t have the full picture, and the grass isn’t so green after all. We should have been grateful for, and content with, what we had.
The final commandment (of the Ten Commandments) says, “You shall not covet,” and then goes on to provide an all inclusive list of our neighbor’s belongings. God knew that we would see what others have and want them for ourselves, instead of being content with what He has allowed us to have.
God, in His wisdom, knows what we should and shouldn’t have. He knows what we can handle. Instead of chasing after the things we don’t have, let’s enjoy what we do have, and be grateful for those things. Furthermore, let’s remember that the only “thing” we deserve on our own is God’s judgment. Praise God, Jesus bore that judgment on the cross. If we frequently meditate on that thought, we will be a grateful people, filled with joy and peace which passes all understanding. But, don’t take it from me … take a look at Philippians 4:4-7. God said it … I believe it … and that
settles it.
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
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