What’s at Stake?

Years ago, when older people wanted to encourage kids to take a risk and try something new, they would say, “Give it a try! It can’t kill you!” The idea behind the phrase was that even if the youngster failed, there wouldn’t be any great consequence to deal with. In many areas of our lives, that advice is good. So often we miss out on great opportunities because we are afraid to take the risk of trying something and failing. 

On the other hand, there are some things we might like to try but know are seriously dangerous, so we stay away from them. The stakes are too high if we fail. In the final paragraphs of his first letter to early Christians in Turkey, the Apostle Peter warns his readers about what is at stake if they let down their guard in resisting Satan. With graphic language Peter describes the devil as a vicious, hungry lion just waiting to devour the spiritual life of a person. 

For some, the concept of a super powerful malignant force interacting in human history seems ludicrous. But what else satisfactorily explains the ongoing, ever-present struggle between good and evil which is the history of the human race? How can we even define “good” and “evil” if there are no such things as God and Satan? There needs to be some standard greater than human beings by which we can make such judgments. 

When it comes to your life, what’s at stake is eternity. It’s not “one and done” for people. It’s “one and forever”. If you feel a bit unnerved by the idea that there is an extremely potent wickedness trying to lure you away from God for eternity, join us for one of our weekend worship services. The best news of the Bible is, you don’t have to be afraid. 

Weekend worship service times: Saturday: 6:00 pm – Sunday: 10:00 am 

What Is Your Goal?

 

In a motivational speech body builder/actor Arnold Schwarzenegger enthralled listeners with a story of his childhood which came to be the defining moment in his life. As an 11-year-old going to school one morning in his home town of Thal, Austria, young Arnold saw a poster of body builder Reg Park who also went to Hollywood to make movies. At that moment Arnold said to himself, “I want to be a body builder like Reg Park. I want to go to America and make movies. I want to make millions of dollars. I want to be famous.” From that point on, everything he did in his life was guided by that dream. At the conclusion of his speech Arnold said, “It all begins with your vision. What is your ultimate goal? If you don’t have a vision, all you will do is wander through life, probably very unhappy.” 

While you may not be a huge fan of body building or appreciate the drama of “The Terminator” films, one has to give Arnold credit, he kept his eye on his goal and he achieved it. The question is, was Arnold’s goal the most important? Many, many people would say, “Yes, absolutely.” Others, would wonder, “Isn’t there something more valuable to shoot for than money and fame?” 

The apostle Peter was probably a strong guy from all his years of fishing, but that wasn’t the point to his life. He had an encounter with Jesus Christ and that was the defining moment for him. Everything that he had known up until that point in his life now took a secondary place to knowing and living for Jesus. In a letter he wrote about 30 years after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter encouraged Christians to make the goal of their lives to be prepared to meet Jesus on Judgment Day. In an understated way he says, “The end of all things is near.” And then he goes on to describe a life dedicated to giving glory and honor to God rather than oneself. It’s definitely a counter-cultural message. But it does make one ask, “Is what I am living for going to mean anything when I die?” 

Whether you are an incredible success or feel you are kind of wandering through life, join us for one of our weekend worship services. After hearing what Peter has to say, you might consider changing goals. 

Weekend worship service times: Saturday: 6:00 pm – Sunday: 10:00 am