Archive for the ‘Eternal Life’ Category

5 May

What’s New?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Change, Christian Living, End Times, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Heaven, Praise, Salvation, Second Coming, The Good News.

There are flowers, leaves on the trees, green grass and warm breezes, Can spring finally be here? I believe it is so! Now, as the Lord provides rain, things will really be looking up.
We celebrated some birthdays this past weekend. My wonderful wife and two of our dear friends were the birthday people, and we three couples got together for an evening of dining and fellowship. Our long-time Christian friends are just the best!
This time of the year always reminds me of God’s promise to someday bring renewal to the earth, in a grand and glorious way. There are so many scriptures that come to my mind in the spring. I’ll share a few, and I trust they are some of your favorites as well.
God, through the prophet Ezekiel, makes this promise to Israel regarding a time when he will gather them from among the nations: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26) Talk about a new beginning!
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
In Hebrews 10:30 we are told of a “new and living way”, made possible by the death of Christ on the cross. Though His death, burial and resurrection we are given new birth into a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
In 2 Peter 3:13, we read, “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
And, finally, some verses from Revelation, as the apostle John recorded his vision of heaven: “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” The He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5).
All of this, and we are also given a new song to sing (Revelation 5:9). And it begins with the new birth that occurs when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Praise His Name!
Welcoming spring,
Pastor Jerry
Note: As always, I welcome your thoughts on these weekly articles. Send them to: lakecitynews@gmail.com

14 Apr

Resurrection is Coming!

Posted by sandhillspastor in Easter, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Praise, Salvation, The Good News, Truth, Worship.

Saturday, it was 70 degrees, and a beautiful day. Sunday began with rain that changed to wet snow and high winds. The high temperature for the day was in the low 40’s, by late afternoon, it was near freezing. It must be spring in the Sandhills.

This week brings two events that mark the foundation of the Christian faith. Those two being Good Friday, and Easter. Good Friday is important because it was the day the Lord Jesus went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “He was delivered over to death for our sins…” (Romans 4:25). The apostle Paul wrote, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
Easter (I prefer Resurrection) Sunday commemorates the raising of Jesus from the dead. Peter puts it this way: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Peter 1:3).
Without these two, our faith would be useless, and we would have no hope for eternity. Paul sums it up in this way: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14-17).
I’ll close with this little poem:
“Easter time is here again
and bunnies everywhere,
Don’t salute a substitute,
there is no holy hare.
So colored eggs and jelly beans,
don’t mean a bunny thing,
Cause bunnies do, what bunnies do
and have no gifts to bring
So Easter time’s the time to know,
a lie could not survive.
And here’s the proof in gospel truth;
JESUS IS ALIVE!”
[William F. Heffner]
Because He Lives,
Pastor Jerry

7 Apr

Debt (and Guilt) Free

Posted by sandhillspastor in Change, Easter, Eternal Life, Forgiveness, God's Word, Salvation, The Good News.

Can you say spring? I believe it is finally here. Yesterday was beautiful and ended with a thunderstorm and a nice rain shower. It has been much too long since we’ve experienced anything so welcome.
In my study for last week’s sermon, the scripture caught my eye. “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:13-15).
Here is an experience of ours that might help explain this truth: During the agricultural “crash” of the mid-1980’s, the bank ordered us to disperse our cow herd. We had to sell everything and pay back what we had borrowed, which we did. The debt was canceled and a large sum of accrued interest was forgiven.As a condition of this, we could never do business with them again.
In comparison,when Christ died for our sins, he canceled the debt completely and forever; past, present and future. He nailed the canceled “note” to the cross. Our debt is paid and we are forgiven 100 percent, past, present and future. Not only that, we have a personal relationship with him forever.
In addition, the last verse gives assurance that the devil and his demons have no power over the Christian. His defeat was insured when Jesus’ work on the cross was finished, and an exclamation point was added when Jesus rose from the dead.
You might be interested in learning how your own sin debt can be canceled, allowing you not only freedom from sin, but freedom from guilt over sin you may have committed. Here is how it goes: Admit to God that you are a sinner, Believe Jesus died for your sins. Confess those sins and ask for his forgiveness (Romans 10:9-13). Then, obey his command to live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way….” (Colossians 1:10).
You will have peace with God, and the sure and the certain knowledge of spending eternity in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Forgiven!
Pastor Jerry

17 Mar

Who Will Go?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, Great Commission, Salvation, Service, The Good News.

In news from home, changes are taking place again in our lives. I suppose over the next few weeks, I’ll be able to share a little more information with you. Lest anyone worry, it is all for good. If there is anything I’m learning, it is that change comes to everyone, and it is of little use to try to deny or avoid it.
I was in Topeka, Kansas on Friday for a meeting. Some of the discussion centered on the real need for pastors in rural areas. The problem is, much time and money is being spent in urban settings, at the expense of rural ministry.
I arrived at the realization that I needed a Savior through the ministry of a small rural church. I pastor a small church, and even though it is in a town with a population of 92, it is considered a rural church. I personally can relate to the prophet Isaiah, who heard God ask, “Who will go?” and Isaiah said, “Here am I, send me” (Isaiah 6:8).  In my case, I could answer “send me”, because I could be bi-vocational, but there are little churches in communities and villages where there are no opportunities for work. Those places need a pastor who is supported by other folks who have the means to enable him to answer God’s call to ministry.
There are people in these areas who desperately need the Lord, and the scripture asks the question, “How will they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15).
There are people in heaven today, who are there through the ministry of a tiny church in the middle of nowhere, but there are many others who may die without Jesus because there was no one where they lived to tell them about Him. The need is real, what can you do to help? The rest of the quote from Romans 10 reads, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
This is not an appeal for funding or commitment to become a preacher, but if you feel God is calling, you need to know He doesn’t dial any wrong numbers!
Serving Him,
Pastor Jerry

30 Dec

One Way

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Eternal Life, God's Word, Salvation, Work, Worship.

Happy New Year!

Christmas has been celebrated, the gifts opened, and families are back to “normal”. Now we can look ahead to 2014. I pray it is a good year for everyone. We will be heading up to Lake George for a few days this week.

 Once again, I have heard this comment: “There are many ways to God”.

 Why is it so hard to understand Jesus’ statement, when he says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me?”

May I submit this thought to you? Every “religion” or “pathway to God” that people propose in the place of following Jesus, is nothing more than man trying to get to heaven by being “good enough” to please God.

The only way to be saved from our sin and receive eternal life, is when we stop trying to please God by being “good’, and turn to Him in brokenness, confessing our sin and turning from it. He will certainly hear and forgive us. The next step then, is to begin to live for him out of love and gratitude for what he has done. We must get to the place of the hymn writer: “In my hand no price I bring. Only to Thy cross I cling.”*

“For it is by grace you are saved, not by works, so that no man can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

If you should die tomorrow without having placed your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation, you will not go to heaven, no matter how good you have been. That is the word of God, not something Pastor Jerry just made up. “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18).

I’m saddened when I hear those “many paths” statements, because there are so many people who believe them. The sad fact is, they are believing a lie.

Will you come to Him today? You can start the new year with the sure knowledge of an eternity in heaven with the Lord Jesus when your earthly life is over.

In His love,

Pastor Jerry

* [Rock of Ages (August M. Toplady)]

16 Dec

Going Home

Posted by sandhillspastor in Advent, Christmas, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Heaven, Salvation, The Good News.

It is the Christmas season, a time when people everywhere make plans to go home for the holiday, and reunite with family members. For the past week I have ministered to families who have experienced a loved one take the ultimate journey home. Their departed ones have gone to be with their Lord at Christmas time.

As hard as it sounds, I believe Christians have reason to celebrate Christmas, even in the midst of mourning the loss of a loved one. I will explain why I believe this is so.

First, scripture tells us that as believers in Jesus Christ, as we live here on earth, we are strangers in a foreign land (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11). The word used for strangers can be understood as “aliens, or temporary residents”, meaning that this world is not our home. Philippians 3:20 states, “our citizenship is in heaven.”

And, Jesus came to earth as a baby; God taking on human flesh, come to save His people from sin. The truth of this is what we celebrate at Christmas. However, He did not come to remain a precious infant in a manger. He came to die on a cross for our sins, and to be raised from the dead, in order to make a way for our salvation and to give us eternal life. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life.”
So, at this joyous season of the year, we can celebrate in the midst of sorrow, knowing that our loved ones are finally home. We will miss them, but we rest secure in the knowledge that they will be spending Christmas in the presence of their Savior and Lord, and we who know Him as Savior will be reunited with them, when we, also, are “finally home.”

Believing Heaven’s Promise,

Pastor Jerry

11 Nov

Religion or Relationship?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Eternal Life, Faith, Salvation, The Good News, Truth.

I admit to checking facebook more than I should. Every now and then, a post will just grab me and the only thing I can do is to comment on it from a Biblical perspective. This morning, I read a statement from someone I do not know. Here is a paraphrase of what he said: “I’m going to attend church today, maybe a little religion is what I need these days.”

The man who posted this, named the “church” he would be attending, and I can almost guarantee what he would find in that setting is “religion” that is totally dependent on man made ritual and tradition.

Religion has been described as “man’s effort to reach God.” In the context of this idea, I have to return to the statement made by Jesus. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In reality, the person needs Jesus, not religion. There are many “churches” that offer religion. What really matters is not religion, but a relationship with God, and that is only available by placing one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul warned of religion based on man-made tradition. These are his words in Colossians 2:8; “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Proverbs 16:25 tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

Man’s efforts to save himself are futile. Salvation is not found in man-made religion, but in a personal relationship with the Son of God. “There is no other name given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Religion or relationship? Which do you claim today? I pray you have made the correct choice.

In His amazing love,

Pastor Jerry

27 Oct

Are You Ready?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Salvation, Second Coming, The Good News.

Can you beat this fall weather? This is one of my favorite seasons. The down-side to this time of year is that winter is just around the corner, in fact, it may come this week. This leads to the realization that preparations need to be made for freezing temperatures. In light of this fact, I spent some time Monday at Lake George winterizing the lawn sprinklers. And, here at home, the camper has been made ready for storage.

The Bible has something to say about being prepared for winter: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6). Preparing for winter is a good idea for all of us, and it involves storing up provisions for a long winter.

Perhaps the most important preparation is the one we make for our eternal destination. Jesus had this to say concerning his someday return: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).

If your preparation for eternity consists of doing good works, let me give you a tip. No one gains access to the throne of God by doing good works. Why? Because no one can earn their salvation; it is a free gift of God, made available to all who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. This should be a familiar verse: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8). Referring to the Old Testament, the apostle Paul asked, “What does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). You see, even in the Old Testament, people were not saved by following the law, but by faith in the promised Messiah, just as people are today.

How are you preparing for your eternity? Are you storing up treasures on earth, or are you counting on the riches of heaven, made available through the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross?

“Jesus is coming back one day, ready or not.” (Passion Network)

Prepared,
Pastor Jerry

9 Sep

No One Else

Posted by sandhillspastor in Baptism, Bible, Christian Living, Eternal Life, Faith, God's Word, Salvation, The Good News, Truth.

It was a very good week for me. Thursday, I drove to Topeka, Kansas for a meeting, with my traveling partner of the last 49 plus years by my side. We spent the night in a nice motel, went to the meeting, and drove six hours home. It was a rare opportunity for some quality time together. It was great to see old friends and make some new ones.

Yesterday (Sunday), I was privileged to baptize a young lady from our church. She invited Jesus into her life a couple of years ago, and recently felt led to publicly express her faith by way of water baptism. Congratulations, Autum!!

The following has some bearing on the meaning and significance of baptism to the the Christian.

Along the highway Friday afternoon, there was a sign that said, “Jesus saves as no one else can”. I would rephrase that to read, “Jesus saves. No one else can.” I might even go so far as to have it read, “Jesus saves. No one, or nothing else can.”

Some folks believe salvation comes from doing good works, or joining a church. Or, they might have the idea that holding to some tradition is important to gain eternal life. And, I know of some who have the belief that baptism saves.

Here is the truth from the scriptures. Salvation is by faith in Christ alone. In the book of Acts, we are told “there is no other name by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). When Peter preached the message of salvation through faith in Christ, it says “those who believed his message were baptized” (Acts 2:41). Belief in the message of the gospel comes first, baptism follows, and is a public testimony to that faith.

Please don’t depend on anything for your salvation except faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He died for our sins, once for all. There is no other who can save us. Praise God, who raised Him from death to eternal life!
Once again, I welcome your comments and questions. Send them to me at lakecitynews@gmail.com.

In His Love,
Pastor Jerry

5 Aug

The Wrath of God

Posted by sandhillspastor in Eternal Life, God, The Good News, Truth.

As we get older, we find ourselves bemoaning the fact that things are just not the way they used to be. Sometimes new things are better than the old, sometimes not. In the past, I have at times been critical of what is called Contemporary Christian Music, or CCM. The reason for that criticism has been the lack of sound biblical doctrine in a fair share of that style of music, as compared to the older hymns.

This past week, it was reported that a major church denomination had elected not to include a modern hymn in its new songbook, because a line in that song was deemed offensive. The offending part of the song mentioned the “wrath of God”, and the committee decided that didn’t fit their image of a “loving God.” I’m quoting the article here: “Not wishing to portray a wrathful God, the committee requested permission from the song’s writers to change the line to speak instead of God’s love.” Permission was denied, so the song was removed.

There are those who insist the God of the New Testament is different than God in the Old Testament. They would have us believe only in the Old Testament does it speak of the wrath of God. In the New Testament, from John’s gospel to Revelation, we read of God’s wrath. We also read of God’s love.

Here is the truth of the matter: According to the Bible, sin arouses God’s wrath and demands payment. God is the righteous judge. He is also a loving and just God; in fact he loved the world enough that he sent his only Son to die that we might live. Jesus paid the penalty, God’s wrath was appeased, and all who will believe are saved. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

We sing of the wrath of God, and of the cross, and of the blood of Jesus. These do not exclude God’s love, they magnify it! And, we can sing: “In Christ alone my hope is found…On that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied…Here in the death of Christ I live!

In Truth,
Pastor Jerry

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