Word to Live By, Part 3 “How NOT to Sin!” February 5, 2012

Just as I was beginning to prepare this Message for today, someone said to me, “There is no hell fire and damnation being preached today!”  It almost detoured me from this Message.  But as I tried to escape from the subject, the Holy Spirit continued to nudge me.  It is really not a ‘hell fire and brimstone’ Message, it is a nudge to evaluate our spiritual condition that we might be more mindful of spiritual matters. As wickedness sometimes seems to rule in our society, we need a conscience toward sin that alerts us to NOT be drawn into the sinful ways. So the Message before us is:  “How NOT to sin?!”  If this statement came before the Lord’s Church, there would probably be a lot of answers, some Scriptural, perhaps some not. God is dealing with humanity, God is displeased with sin.  The tract called the Roman Road has been around for more than 50 years; well it’s as old as the Word of God. We used it in our College days as we fulfilled our Practical Ministry on the streets of Des Moines. Today we, Christians are going to take a journey down the Roman Road and remind ourselves what it means to travel this tried and true road.  A journey of self evaluation, a time of choice, and a renewing of ourselves in the power of the Jesus’ Sacrifice.  It is not once saved always saved … It is a continual pressing for spiritual growth and righteousness. The Psalmist declared: “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”-Psalm 119:11─ It is the power of the Word in our heart that keeps us in the hour of temptation.  Not only will the Holy Ghost convict us, but we must listen and obey.  How not to sin?  There are a multitude of ‘helps’ in God’s Holy Word that will teach us and strengthen us in our journey.  As you will note the Roman Road is found in the Book of Romans and it begins with: We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  The wages of Sin is death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord! God commended His Love toward us even in our sin and sent His Son to die for our Redemption.  If we call upon Him, He will save us and if we confess Jesus Christ and believe in our heart, He will Save us!  It is a perpetual journey, a righteous walk daily ─ Let us keep our mind stayed on Him and Trust in the Lord with all our heart!  Loving you, Pastor

The Word to Live By, Part 2 “Thou Shalt Keep Them!” January 29, 2012

Welcome to a Joyous season of Worship and the Word in the Lord’s house.  We rejoice that you are with us today, may you be encouraged as His presence surrounds you. You are always loved in the midst of the Commerce family.

“The Words of the Lord are Pure Words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”  − Psalm 12:6-7

We have a sure Word from the Lord Jesus commanding us to “Keep His Word!”  As I thought on the word “Keep,” which is used in regards to God’s Word, I thought such a simple word.  But exploring it further, the meaning of such a small and often used word is very powerful when you think of it spiritually.  Jesus said these Words as He was teaching on the parables.  “… Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it!” As we meditate upon keeping the Word of God, we think on the meaning of “Keep!” ─ to be faithful ─ to act accordingly ─ to conform ─ to stay in accord with ─ to preserve, take care of ─ to establish relationship with ─ to stay and remain in ─ continue without interruption ─ to persist in a practice ─ to watch-keep an eye on, etc.  The meanings go on and on. Such meanings are easily seen as spiritual references to what is meant by Psalm 12- The Words of the Lord, Pure Words;“Thou shalt Keep them, O Lord, thou shalt Preserve them from this generation forever.”  As we explore the Scriptures that mention “keeping God’s Word” we will find strong evidence that when we “keep His Word” there benefits and when we do not “keep His Word” there are also repercussions. Again, His Word is Life!  We discussed this last week as we saw in Scripture His Words will bring Life!  We are living, but the His Life in us brings new meaning to the life we Live.  We are challenged by His Word to keep it, preserve, share it with our generation and the generations to come.  His Word is sweet to our taste, sweeter than honey…!  We can not get enough of His Word, His Life in us!  “The Entrance of His Word giveth life!”  In this New Year that is almost one month passed … let us be challenged to take in more of God’s Holy Word, to memorize it, to write it on small pieces of paper and place it in strategic places, that His Word will continually be before us!  “Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I may live, and Keep Thy Word!”  Loving you, Pastor

The Word to Live By! January 22, 2012

Welcome to a brand new year, a time to regroup, a time to challenge our selves to greater spiritual depth. We trust you sense the presence of the Lord as we join together to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! May we work at being more involved in the things of the Lord as we walk through this brand new year.  You are always welcome in this Church family.

“That He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. − Deuteronomy 8:3

I am so blessed to have a Church family who loves me and prays for me! I want to thank you for your love, prayer, flowers and encouragement that you have given me in this unsettled time of my life.  God has been gracious to me and all is well.  I exceedingly want to thank Dr. Anderson for filling my pulpit these past weeks and for the faithfulness of our Church family to carry on in my absence. My greatest joy last year was to hear my brother made eternal reservations. Now as we move forward in the New Year, let’s talk about the power of the Word. I have always preached concerning the Word of God and have encouraged the saints to “fill up” on the Word of God, this is still my message for 2012.  The Word of God gives life!  But it must go beyond our understanding into our heart where it grows into the strength of our life!  I read somewhere these past few weeks that it is good to set aside a “Word” to live by for the New Year!  You know I loved that remark for I thought of the Word of God!  Words like Peace, Joy, Lovingkindness, change, forgiveness, grow; all Scriptural Words that could bring great growth and life to the individual as we face this wonderful new year. Isa 11:1-2  comes to mind:  “And there shall come forth a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of His roots: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; … This is the kind of ‘Growth’ that we need – As we ‘grow’ in the Branch, Jesus, The Spirit of the Lord will be implemented in our life!  We need the Spirit of God in this Coming New Year to fill our life with the power of His Holy Word.  Choose a Word, pursue the Scripture regarding that Word and seek to keep that Word in front of you in this New Year! My Word-Grow …Eph. 4:15 “Speaking the truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  ─ Loving you, Pastor