Posted on Sun, Sep 7, 2008
Highlights of Pastor Michael's Sermon on September 6, 2008, by Susan Bond
As election time approaches in the United States, we are hearing a lot of great oratory.
The buzz word these days is "choice." Even in some Christian circles, high regard for a
person's right to choose has somehow superseded God's Word, making it hard to distinguish
Christians from non-Christians. Surrounded by voices and inundated with promises, we are
encouraged to become self-actualized, self-made, and selfish.
Pastor Michael reminded us of the Apostle Paul's instruction to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
that "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us
realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what
is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (NLT).
God's Word holds promises we can stand on and it provides heroes we can look up to. For instance,
Psalm 1:1-3 says, " Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the
law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." These verses promise a blessing if you
monitor what goes into your mind. When God's Word fills your mind it will enhance your attitude and guide your actions.
Pastor Michael recommended following the example of the Biblical hero Ezra (see Ezra 7)
who walked the narrow road. Most people walk the broad road; the trouble with that road
is that when you have a breakdown, there's no one to help because everyone on
that road is heading for destruction themselves. On the narrow road you need to travel light---
there’s no room for the baggage of anger, hatred, pride, prejudice, injustice, etc. Breakdowns still occur on this road, but you'll have help because God is on the narrow road with you.
It was fitting that Pastor Michael followed the sermon with the hymn We're Marching to Zion
and the call to service in 2 Peter 1:2-4, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the
world cause by evil desires."
The buzz word these days is "choice." Even in some Christian circles, high regard for a
person's right to choose has somehow superseded God's Word, making it hard to distinguish
Christians from non-Christians. Surrounded by voices and inundated with promises, we are
encouraged to become self-actualized, self-made, and selfish.
Pastor Michael reminded us of the Apostle Paul's instruction to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
that "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us
realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what
is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (NLT).
God's Word holds promises we can stand on and it provides heroes we can look up to. For instance,
Psalm 1:1-3 says, " Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the
law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." These verses promise a blessing if you
monitor what goes into your mind. When God's Word fills your mind it will enhance your attitude and guide your actions.
Pastor Michael recommended following the example of the Biblical hero Ezra (see Ezra 7)
who walked the narrow road. Most people walk the broad road; the trouble with that road
is that when you have a breakdown, there's no one to help because everyone on
that road is heading for destruction themselves. On the narrow road you need to travel light---
there’s no room for the baggage of anger, hatred, pride, prejudice, injustice, etc. Breakdowns still occur on this road, but you'll have help because God is on the narrow road with you.
It was fitting that Pastor Michael followed the sermon with the hymn We're Marching to Zion
and the call to service in 2 Peter 1:2-4, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the
world cause by evil desires."
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