Reaching the Lost. Discipling the Saved. Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

Tag: Worship (Page 1 of 25)

No Fear of Failure

The holidays are stressful. There always seems to be the recurring fear of not being or doing enough; of having the perfect gathering, creating the right core memories, or picking the impeccable gift.

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Matthew 17:6-8

Our fear can paralyze us.

Peter, James, and John certainly felt that at the Transfiguration. They experience a literal “mountaintop experience” and instead of being overcome by the joy and awe of the experience, they are struck with All-encompassing fear; fear that drives them to the ground!

These “big three” disciples of Jesus, handpicked by Him, are struck with fear. Likely not just at the event, but also their own unworthiness at being there.
Did it pass through their minds that perhaps Jesus made a mistake in His choices? Did this Chosen One, whom they just saw with Moses and Elijah, not get that they would fail him and make colossal mistakes?

But Jesus leans down, touches them, and encourages them, “Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus knew. He knew these imperfect disciples. He knows the imperfect you and me. He knows we fail – greatly and often. During the holidays and all other times of the year.

“Don’t be afraid.”

He has already covered all our failures; all our shortcomings; all our sins. So stand up, take in His majesty and glory this season and rather than fear your failures, revel in His victory, in His beauty, in His mercy! Revel in Him!

“Don’t be afraid,” He says – to you and me. This season and always; from now through eternity!

Praise the Lord!

Scriptures

  • Matthew 17:1-8

No Fear for the Future

Anxiety and uncertainty that often accompany the holiday season. Our inability to control tomorrow can lead to dread and doubt. Family gatherings, work-related anxieties, financial uncertainties: they can all weigh upon us and stir up feelings of dread.

For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Psalm 112:6-8

But there is a solution: the incarnation of Jesus! Through Him, we have countless blessings. In Him we have complete security. By Him we have everlasting peace.
How do we know this? By looking back at God’s past perfect faithfulness!

The birth of Jesus Christ is a powerful example of God’s love and provision, offering hope for the future. Reflecting on God’s past work and trusting in His promises, we find peace and confidence in the face of uncertainty.

Thanks be to God!

Scriptures

  • Psalm 112

The End. The Beginning.

The description of the end times is fascinating; confusing; beautiful; terrible; awe-inspiring! The vision of Christ’s return and judgement causes alarm, dismissal, and endless discussion.

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:7-8

It is the last Sunday of the Church Year. A day when we look toward the return of Jesus and the end of things as we know; the ultimate and inevitable conclusion of everything as we understand it.

But it is also the day when we look to those same events as culmination of God’s Plan for redemption, salvation, a new creation, and life everlasting; free from death, sadness, and pain!

As Christians, we need not fear the destruction, the calamity, and the judgement to come, because we know the other side of it. We know “the end” is not “The End.” For those who believe in Jesus and trust in God, it is the beginning of something far beyond our comprehension and imagination! Something that will make all our suffering and pain in this life trivial, forgettable, and inconsequential. When we have faith in Jesus, we have nothing to fear and everything to anxiously anticipate! “Come, Lord Jesus! Come!”

Scriptures

  • Daniel 7:9-10
  • Daniel 7:13-14
  • Revelation 1:4-8

Signs of the Time

What are our priorities? Not just what we say they are or want them to be or what we think they should be so others view us the “right” way; what are they actually?

[Jesus said,] “You will be hated by all for My Name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Mark 13:13

Last week we heard that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. But, really — “all”?! I mean, come on. That’s just hyperbole, right?

That’s what we’d like to believe, but that is not the reality of the text or our calling.

Today’s Scriptures make that clear.

In the Gospel, Jesus praises the poor widow literally gave everything she had! In the Old Testament lesson, Elijah asks for the same from a widow and her son; and she obliges!

Both gave because the truly believed and put that faith into practice, trusting that the Lord would provide!

So, what’s holding us back from being “all in” for God in all areas of our lives? Is it a lack of calling? A lack of faith? A lack of trust? Is it disbelief in what Scripture says or what God commands? Is it an inherent security that comes from our stuff instead of God? Our time instead of His work? Our perceived duty to self and others over duty to Him?

The fact is, there is nothing we have that isn’t actually His; including our things and time. When we realize that He has simply granted us temporary stewardship over these things, it is very freeing! Our decisions can be “all in” because they are “all His” anyway. We can rely on His provisions because we see His faithfulness for us every day. So we can respond in with the same generous faithfulness in all things!

Thank You, Lord, for Your constant faithfulness to us and provisions for us. Grant us thankful hearts that respond to You in every way, for everything, forever! In Jesus’ name. Amen!”Throughout history there are those who would agree with Charles Dickens that they lived in “the best of times” and “the worst of times.”

Dicken was writing about the French Revolution era, but I wonder if some in Jesus’ time might have been tempted to think similarly. After all, though they were under Roman rule and all the negatives that contained, they were mostly left alone, had a beautiful temple and temple area; they could travel fairly freely, earn a decent living, and lived within the “Pax Romana.”

“Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” (Mark 13:1)

But Jesus doesn’t share a rosy future approaching, but rather some frightening – even horrifying things to come! He shares the challenges that will come soon and last until He comes again. They need to watch and be on their guard lest they stray and walk the path of the world instead of the path of God.

We see people being led astray in similar ways today. We hear cries about how wonderful (or terrible) things are, or great they will be. We focus on this or that of the world, or issues which are temporary and take our eye off the ball of promised eternal prize and what must precede It.

We caught up in and try to read “signs of the time” in this age instead of those of the World to come.

“See that no on leads you astray” Jesus says. That is just as true for us as it was for His disciples then.

Things will get bad. Very bad. But fear not, for “the one who endures to the end will be saved!”

Don’t be swayed by the “best” or “worst” of this world! Don’t loose sight of Goal! Don’t take your focus off Him!

HE is the point! HE is the goal! HE is the best, for all time!

“Thank You, Lord!”

Scriptures

  • Mark 13:1-13

Community Thanksgiving Worship Service

The Sealy Ministerial Alliance will be having their Community Worship Service on November 24, at 6:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

The Rev. Rhonda Fanning from St. John’s Episcopal Church will be delivering the message.

There will be a reception following.

A love offering will be taken up and all the proceeds go to the Sealy Ministerial Alliance to provide benevolence for the Sealy Community.

We hope to see you there!

First Things First

What are our priorities? Not just what we say they are or want them to be or what we think they should be so others view us the “right” way; what are they actually?

And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.

1 Kings 17:13

Last week we heard that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves. But, really — “all”?! I mean, come on. That’s just hyperbole, right?

That’s what we’d like to believe, but that is not the reality of the text or our calling.

Today’s Scriptures make that clear.

In the Gospel, Jesus praises the poor widow literally gave everything she had! In the Old Testament lesson, Elijah asks for the same from a widow and her son; and she obliges!

Both gave because the truly believed and put that faith into practice, trusting that the Lord would provide!

So, what’s holding us back from being “all in” for God in all areas of our lives? Is it a lack of calling? A lack of faith? A lack of trust? Is it disbelief in what Scripture says or what God commands? Is it an inherent security that comes from our stuff instead of God? Our time instead of His work? Our perceived duty to self and others over duty to Him?

The fact is, there is nothing we have that isn’t actually His; including our things and time. When we realize that He has simply granted us temporary stewardship over these things, it is very freeing! Our decisions can be “all in” because they are “all His” anyway. We can rely on His provisions because we see His faithfulness for us every day. So we can respond in with the same generous faithfulness in all things!

Thank You, Lord, for Your constant faithfulness to us and provisions for us. Grant us thankful hearts that respond to You in every way, for everything, forever! In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

Scriptures

  • Mark 12:41-44
  • 1 Kings 17:8-16

Teach. Talk. Bind. Write.

There are some people who love school and learning. Others; not so much.

Jesus answered, “The most important [commandment] is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:29

Yet constant learning is a calling for every Christian. Learning more and more about what God’s says, about what God wants, what God has done, what He will do.

Most of us are familiar with the Greatest two commandments: Love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourself. But many seem to simply stop there.

It’s good to know the two greatest, but they aren’t the only!

God has a lot to say and we have a lot to learn. He gives us all of Scripture to bring us closer to Him; to bring others to Him. If we aren’t constantly learning and growing, we are not fulfilling God’s call and commands.

He tells us to teach, talk about, bind, and write His Words. To do that, we need to learn and do them, too!

We need to be in a constant state of humble learning, gentle teaching, and active living all His Words!

“Send Your Spirit, Lord, and teach us, and help us teach others and live for You; in and through Jesus. Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Deuteronomy 6:4-9
  • Mark 12:28-34

An Open Door

What amazing opportunities that God places before us!

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’ ”

Revelation 3:7-8

As we gaze across the countryside of Sealy you can’t help but notice all the homes which have been built in the last ten years.

Some would call this progress, while others would say it’s regressive because we want Sealy to stay a small town.

Regardless of your attitude on the population growth here, as followers of Christ we must say that this is an opportunity God gives to all Christians living in this area. And at the same time we must remember who has the power to open this opportunity and it’s definitely not us. The power is in our amazing God that through His Son, Jesus, He gives His life as the sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Not only does He give us eternal life through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He also gives us the power to take advantage of the opportunities that He Himself places before us.

Scriptures

  • Isaiah 22:20-25
  • Revelation 3:7-8
  • Matthew 16:13-20

“His Gospel is Peace!” — Advent Series

The Advent season offers a message of peace in the face of fear.

The human experience is often marked by anxiety and worry, from childhood fears to adult anxieties. However, the birth of Jesus Christ and the promise of his return bring hope and peace.

The Bible provides numerous passages that address our fears and offer comfort. Through faith in Jesus, we can overcome our anxieties and experience lasting peace.

The Advent season is a time to reflect on this message and find solace in the promise of Christ’s love and grace.

This Advent, come hear and experience how in and through Jesus, “His Gospel is Peace!”

“His Gospel is Peace!” is ©2024 by 1517. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Sermons based on ones written by The Rev. Matt Popovits.

Approach With Confidence

When we’re hurting we usually feel alone. Abandoned. Forsaken. Sometimes we feel we are the only ones who are – or have – ever felt this way. No one cares. No one appreciates. No one understands.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, what we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Of course that isn’t true. We may even know it’s not true, but it certainly feels true.

And when we feel that way, in the moment, hope seems, at best, fleeting.

That’s true not just when we are hurting, but also when we are crushed by our sins. When we have separated ourselves from God’s plan and actions – again. When we have rebelled against the One who loves us beyond comprehension.

And He didn’t just say it, He showed it. In the flesh. On the cross. Through and empty tomb. The sinless One became sin for us.

We know that, but we often think of it more as an abstraction. A truth that’s far away from our reality. A nice narrative to just be believed.

Our text today brings this truth home!

Jesus’ time on earth wasn’t just manifested on the cross and in the tomb. It was also in His living. He came like us; to be weak like us; to be tempted like us. He came to experience our sufferings, to sympathize with our weaknesses, to endure our failures.

And then to overcome them. For us! Forever!

Now, whenever we feel broken, hurt, alone; when we feel unforgiven, abandoned, or lost, we can look to Jesus, who understands. Who truly and fully understands. Who perfectly understands. And who, because of His abiding, enduring love for us, goes to the Father on our behalf, intervening for us and lifting us up out of the mire and muck and walking with us through the hurts and pains.

Jesus came to suffer, die, and rise for our forgiveness and salvation. But He continues even today to intervene when we loose sight of eternity because of our temporality. And His grace and mercy extend both to the there-and-not-yet as well as to the here-and-now!

What an amazing God we have. What a wonderful Savior! What a loving Lord!

Scriptures

  • Psalm 119:9-16 [Confession and Absolution]
  • Hebrews 4:14-16

A Believing Heart

There is a lot in Scripture that is difficult to accept; difficult to believe. There is a lot that is at odds with what our reason or what our society says. There is a lot of difference between what God’s heart tells us as shared in His Word and what our own hearts tell us.

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

Hebrews 3:12

As Shakespeare put it, “there’s the rub!”We seem to constantly be comparing the two – God’s way or ours. God’s Word or ours. God’s heart or ours.

And with any seeming “win” we think we have in these situations there is something else which accompanies it – the path toward evil; toward destruction; toward death.Having a heart that believes God in one thing but denies in anther is grossly inconsistent, spiritually dangerous, and disastrously foolish.

Yet we seem comfortable – even desirable – of that dichotomy.
Brothers and sisters, this must not be!

When there is a difference between God and us – our heart and His, His must win! Always! In every area!

It’s ok to feel and know there is tension between the two, but when it comes down to it, God calls on us to have a heart that fully fears, loves, and trusts in Him regardless of how we feel about it. He calls us to follow His will and directions, even when they conflict with what we think it best. He calls us to have a heart that believes in His love and salvation in Jesus over and against anything else that we may believe.

And here’s something beautiful: He knows that we have a hard time with this, so what He demand of our heart, He freely gives! Through the Holy Spirit, our hearts are turned to Him in faith; turned to Jesus in salvation; turned to Him in obedience.

We will continue to have doubting hearts at times. There will continue to be tension at times, and God knows that. But in those times of uncertainly and doubt; those times of a difference in our hearts, look to Jesus on the cross and to the empty tomb and believe! Take the next steps in faith through the Holy Spirit, even in the doubt. Live in the believing heart of faith He gives and strengthens us with constantly!

Acknowledge the tension but move forward with a believing heart in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Scriptures

  • Hebrews 3:12-19
  • Mark 10:17-22

Legacy

“Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:15

I think sometimes we equate that with entering with tantrums, trying to get our way, and have everything the way we want! We mistake child-like with childish.

Of coure that’s not what’s meant.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

Mark 10:15

It means loving God in a way that He is the center of our universe and where, in our eyes, He can do no wrong. It means trusting God, knowing He will take care of us no matter what, forever. It means fearing and respecting Him, knowing He is God and we are not and that, no matter what, His way will always prevail.

When we take our faith in a childish way instead of child-like, we expect things to revolve around us and not God.

One of the ways we do this is in how we plan and deal with our “legacy.” How will I be celebrated when I pass? How will I be remembered? How will my name – how will I live on?

How foolish! How juvenile! How childish!

What people do to “celebrate us” after we pass is fleeting. Whether or not people remember us is irrelevant. Whether or not our name ‘lives’ on is ridiculous.

Whether or not people celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and the devil is what endures. Whether or not people remember Jesus is what is all relevant! Whether we do all we can to let people know that Jesus and His name alone lives is what is all important!

Our whole goal in life and death should be knowing, living, and sharing Jesus! He should be our focus in legacy.

And the beautiful thing is, through faith in Him, we already have the best, everlasting, beautiful legacy we could imagine – Heaven with Him! He makes our lives here worth living and our lives hereafter guaranteed!

Why do we need people to celebrate us when the angels celebrate our repentance and return to Him? Why do we want or need others to remember us when God does? Why do we need our names written large on tombstones or buildings when they are already written on the palm of His hand?

Through faith in Jesus, we already have the perfect legacy for all time – Jesus! Celebrate, remember, and share Him, with a child-like, and enduring faith!

We thank You, Lord, for the perfect, lasting gift of Jesus, who has forgiven our sins and given us His name as a guarantee of the legacy of Heaven that awaits! Grant us Your Spirit to celebrate, live and share Him so their everlasting legacy is secured, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

Scriptures

  • Mark 10:13-16
  • Psalm 128
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