Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

We Christians talk a lot about evangelism. We know that it is of the greatest importance. We agree that it has eternal consequences. We also know that with the help of the Holy Spirit, any Christian can effectively witness to others. But for some reason, whether for fear of rejection or not saying the right thing, we just don’t talk about Jesus very often and hope that somebody else does.

Many years ago a man said to his niece who had suddenly been put into a position of tremendous importance and responsibility, “Don’t make excuses for not doing what needs to be done. Don’t you think that you were put into this situation for the very purpose of taking a stand for that which is right?”*

You and I were born for this time. God placed us here at this moment in history to be his representatives in this world. That is the reason for our existence. If we do not speak of him, if we do not live our lives in a way that demonstrates the distinct difference he makes in our lives, then we have lost our reason for living.

This is our time! Let’s stand up for Jesus! Everyone of us!

*Esther 4:14

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

It’s All About People

You’re busy. Lots to do. Deadlines to meet. Life is hectic!

For the next 10 seconds, just stop and ask yourself, “What would happen to my overcrowded schedule if there weren’t any other people in the world?” Sounds like a stupid question, but it does put things into perspective. If there weren’t any people in the world, your schedule would probably clear up immediately. You’d have all sorts of windows to work with for the rest of the day.

The point is, our existence is all about people. That’s the way God designed it. Actually, God is all about people. Just look at the God stories in the Bible. While we find Him doing many different things, whatever it is He is doing, it always has something to do with people. Doesn’t it follow then, that what we’re here on this earth for has something to do with people?

For the last four weeks we’ve been talking about why God has us here on this earth as individuals and as a congregation. Every sermon study has had something to do with Jesus’ parting words to his followers, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We’re here to help people get to know Jesus. Is your life all about people, especially helping them get to know Christ? It’s what we’re here for!

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

Bearers of Good News

How do you react when someone says, “I’ve got good news and bad news, which one do you want to hear first”? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to say, “Just tell me the good news and keep the bad news to yourself”? Good news is so good to hear! Almost as thrilling as receiving good news is being the one who brings it. When we have particularly good news for someone we might even dramatically say, “I come bearing good news!”

The great tragedy of humanity is that the best news is not recognized as such. And even those who have the privilege of sharing it keep the message of Christ to ourselves because we are intimidated by the negative reaction people often have toward it.

On the evening of Easter, the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead after his crucifixion, he appeared to his disciples and gave them a startling message:

As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:21

That may not sound all that earth shaking until we consider that it is God’s forgiveness we’re talking about and it is precisely that forgiveness which opens eternal life with God to human beings. If you are a follower of Christ, you are a messenger of that greatest news. What a privilege! God doesn’t just give you an opportunity to change the world, his message changes eternity!

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

Does the Message Matter Anymore?

With “alternative facts” and “fake news” hitting us on a daily basis one wonders if the whole concept of truth is even relevant to most people. Have we come to the point where truth is determined by the individual, that each person can decide for themself what is true and what isn’t? In many, many areas of our lives no one accepts such an idea. Imagine going to the store and trying to convince the cashier that your one dollar bill is the same as a $100 dollar bill just because for you, that is the way things are! What would your boss say if you told him that for you 8:00 am really means 10:30 am?

Regardless of the influences of the culture in which we live, deep down we have an intense desire to discover the unifying truth which holds our lives together. For Christians, that truth came in the person of Jesus Christ. His resurrection from the dead gives us the necessary proof that his claim to be the Way, the Truth and the Life is valid.

Yes, the Christian message still matters, just as much as it did when Christ first sent out his disciples with it. The torch of that message has been handed down generation after generation until today. We have the privilege of carrying it in our time. That is what we are here for.

Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am