System Restore

Last week I was helping some that had a virus on their computer and it was so bad that I had to restore the system back to factory default, wiping everything back to the way it was shipped out.  I started thinking about things that I have I have done in that I would have loved to restore back to a default or a do over.  Unfortunately, life isn't that way.  The consequences of things we say and do can have very long term, if not permanent, effects.  That's why we should be care of our actions and our words. (but that's another message)

The great news is God allows us to restore our relationship back to default with Him no matter how bad we have messed up or what we have said. We just have to ask Him with a sincere heart and our relationship is "restored".

1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Now, that doesn't mean that there are not consequences for things we have done, but when God forgives, we are forgiven.  The cost for that sin was paid for on the cross.

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death.

  

Psalm 103:11-13 (NIV)

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Do you need to perform a system restore" with God.  He is waiting.  

Dr Stephen Linhart

Shark Week and 1 Peter 5:8

 

A few weeks ago it was Shark Week on the Discovery Channel.  What better place to do a message about sharks than the beach? 

Have you noticed that they Shark Week is on toward the end of the summer? 

 As I watched the different segments on sharks I was thinking about these people that get in the shark cages to get a closer look at the sharks.  Of course the sharks want what is inside of those cages.  They circle around looking for an opening and bump the cage to find a weakness.  This reminds me of 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil circles around like a hungry shark looking for someone to devour.  Respectfully, I swapped out the lion for the shark, but it doesn’t change the image.  The devil, like the sharks mentioned above, does the same to us.  He watches for our weaknesses or vulnerabilities and then attacks them.  He wants you to fail, keep you stuck in a bad habit or relationship from being Christ like, He will do anything to take you away from a relationship with Jesus Christ that God intended for us to have.

There is hope!  God does not leave us without protection from sharks.  Ephesians 6: 10-20 gives us some instructions on how we can combat the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (NIV)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

All of us have been attacked and hurt by sharks.  Maybe not the ones in the ocean, but sharks in our lives.  Maybe it is an abusive relationship, loss of a loved one, or things we have done to ourselves.  God wants to heal you from those wounds and take away the fear if we just ask.

All of us have been attacked and hurt by sharks.  Maybe not the ones in the ocean, but sharks in our lives.  Maybe it is an abusive relationship, loss of a loved one, or things we have done to ourselves.  God wants to heal you from those wounds and take away the fear if we just ask.

May God protect you with His armor.

 
Pastor Steve

Peter Times Three

Peter times three

This past Monday, the day after Resurrection Day, I was reading in John, chapter 21 about the days following Jesus’ resurrection.  On this particular day, Peter and six others are out fishing for the night and caught nothing.  This stranger shows up on the shore and asks “Haven’t you any fish?”  He tells them to try the other side of the boat and they catch a lot of fish.  They realize that it’s Jesus.  Peter jumps in the water, hurrying to shore while the rest follow in the boats.  They all had some fish and were talking:

John 21:15-19 (NIV)

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Three times Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” I believe that Jesus was asking three times because of Peter’s three denials on the night of Jesus’ arrest (John 18: 15-18; 25-27).  Jesus was wanting Peter to really think about the cost of his answers.  He was ready to defend Jesus to the death and a few hours later he denies that he knows Jesus.

Aren't we all like that?  We say we are Christians.  We go to church and do church things.  But, when it comes down to it, we deny Him and act just like everyone else.  Why do you think we are called hypocrites?  Jesus wants to know if we love Him and if we do we will care for each other.  In John 13: 34-35 Jesus states:  "A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Do you love Jesus? 

May God bless you.

Pastor Steve

Happy Resurrection Day

Easter is here, but it is more appropriately named Resurrection Day.  This is the holy day of all holy days for it is the day in which Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  After being beaten and crucified a few days earlier, He was laid in a tomb, sealed in with a massive stone, and guarded by roman soldiers.  Even those closest to Him thought it was over.  But then as recorded in Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV):

 

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Without Jesus’ resurrection, Christianity would be pointless.  It would be and like any other religion where people worship a dead person.  However, the fact that He was seen by more than 500 witnesses, over a period of forty days proves makes convincing argument.  There are many other proofs, but that is not the point.  The point is He died as a once for all sacrifice for our sins.  He did that for you and me.    

John 3:16-17 (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The Bible is clear that we are all sinners, except Jesus Christ, and it is only through His crucifixion and resurrection can you be saved.

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

²² This righteousness is given through faith in^[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Have you received Jesus’ gift of forgiveness for your sins?  The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

There is no magical incantation or super-secret ritual you have to perform, you just have to believe. Believe in who Jesus said He was and what He did for you and declare those things verbally, you are saved. 

If you have believed this way for the first time, welcome to the family.  If you have lost you’re way God wants you back.  We would love to hear from you.

For a great YouTube video of steps to faith check this link out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FI0rsEk_y4

May God bless you.

Pastor Steve

The Week before Easter

If you only had a few days to live, what would you do? Would you be with family, travel, make things right with someone, go to Disney, skydive, etc? That is exactly what happened to Jesus. He knew that He was going to happen to Him. So what did He do?

(This list is not to make light or distract from scripture in anyway)

• The next day He clears the temple
• He curses a fig tree on the way
• He refuses to answer the High Priest question “by whose authority are you doing these things?”
• Tells the parable of the Tenants.
• Tells the parable of the Two Sons.
• Tells the parable of the Wedding Banquet.
• He puts the Pharisees to shame in their entrapping questions of:
       o Paying taxes
       o Marriage at the resurrection.
       o What’s The Greatest Commandment?
       o Whose Son is the Christ?
• Talks about the widows offering.
• Speaks about the signs of the end of the age.
• Gets anointed by a lady dumping very, very expensive perfume on Him.
• Judas plans his betrayal.
• Eats His last meal.
• Prays for Himself (to glorify the Father), disciples, and all believers.
• Judas betrays Jesus.
• Re-attaches an enemy’s ear.
• Gets arrested.
• Gets abandoned by His followers.
• Peter even denies knowing Him.
• Rooster crows.
• Tried illegally.
• Beaten beyond recognition.
• Mocked, spit on, and pierced with a crown of thorns.
• Carries cross to His own crucifixion.
• Crucified (the most excruciating and brutal deaths)
• After 6 hours gives up His life.
• Causes an earth quake tearing the veil separating the Holy of Holies.
• Buried in someone else’s tomb that is guarded by Roman soldiers.
• and that's not all, it is really the beginning!

He knew that He had to finish what the Father sent to do, to bore the world's sins past, present, and future. A totally innocent man be crucified for our sins. While in the garden of Gethsemane He struggles with the gravity of what is about to take place in
Matthew 26: 47-56.

To be Continued...
Pastor Steve

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and those who have grown up in the church may remember acting out Jesus' entry into Jerusalem riding a young donkey while the people laid down palm branches and praised Him. The kids would all get a palm branch to wave around…

In the book of Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV) we see the event take place:

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

                        “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[c]
                        “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

          ¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
          ¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

But do we really understand the whole point to Palm Sunday?  The many followers in Jerusalem were praising Jesus, though not all, because they saw Him as the promised Messiah.  A few days later many of those same people would be cursing Him and demanding He be crucified.  So why?  What could He do in a few days’ time that would cause them to transition from love and hope to hate and disgust?

To be continued…

Pastor Steve

 

Legacy

This past week a friend of my wife and mine past away. He was in his early 50’s and as far as we know it was unexpected. Being in ministry, I have been to my share of visitations and funerals. Understandably we are sad when we lose someone that we care about because they leave a void in the place they once held. Sometimes we are relieved because they no longer suffer from pain and disease, yet there is still that void. Sadly, for some, we may even be glad they are gone because they may have been evil, such as Hitler, etc.

To me, I believe, you can tell a lot about the impact one has by the legacy they leave behind. How is the world a better place because of that person? I was at another funeral for a friend whose mother had passed away and he spoke about the “-“ in between the dates on the epitaph. The dash represents all that person has done in the time God gave them on earth.

 

At our friends funeral we spoke to a close friend and they said it took 30 minutes just to get in because of the number of people pay their respects because of the life he led touched so many in a good way. What an honor to have masses come to your funeral because of you made a difference in their lives.

 

What about you? How are we using the time God gives us here on earth? We are never promised tomorrow. 

 

• James 4:13-15 (NIV) says: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead You ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

My prayer is that when I pass away that the world would be a better place because of what God was able to do through me. 

 

• John 3:30 (NIV) He must become greater; I must become less.” 

 

People would remember me as a man who loved the Lord and reflected Christ, was a good husband, father, relative, friend, Pastor, servant, etc. Without God we can do nothing and are nothing. Look at effect Christ had on the world. Look at what He did during His ministry while on earth. In three years He rocked the world. Through twelve ordinary, common, men He changed the world.

 

Now, what are you going to do while you’re here?

 

Pastor Steve