Archive for the ‘God’s Word’ Category

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

24 Mar

Life Demands Change

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Change, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, The Good News, Truth, Uncategorized.

After last week’s little mystery statement, I suppose I should enlighten you a bit. As you may know, I am fond of saying “change happens”, and we can adapt or resist, but it happens. Several months ago, we decided to sell our Lake George property. As a by-product of that decision, we now own a small property at Ericson Lake, just outside of Ericson Village. I think that is all we can tell you at this point. More will follow at the proper time.

Over the last two weekends, I have attended a meeting of our two-state Baptist Convention’s Mission Board, and, what is called a “Normative Church Leadership Conference.” Both of these events had a measure of focus on the need for change. Churches face change as the culture changes. Church leaders see the need for change in means and methods of ministry, as long as the message stays true to the scriptures.

In our businesses, we must change to meet the demands of customers, and the requirements of governmental regulations. In our personal lives, change comes with the different stages of life: High school to college, newlyweds to parents, parenting to being grand-parents. The list goes on.

In our spiritual lives, we are to expect change, as well. When a person believes that Jesus paid for our sins through his death on the cross, and is spiritually reborn, we are told that person becomes a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As we grow spiritually, we are encouraged to leave the “milk” stage and move on to the “solid food” of the gospel, this, too, involves change (Hebrews 5:12-14). Also, the Word says we are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This would involve changes in our attitudes and actions based on our deepening relationship with Him. “You were taught…, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). As we grow up in the Lord, change is not only good, it is necessary.

Changed and changing,

Pastor Jerry

10 Feb

What Is Love?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, God, God's Word, Salvation, The Good News.

Hello friends,
We received some snow this weekend. It wasn’t much, but it looks nice compared to the dry, brown landscape we’ve had for most of the winter. I have to say I’m ready for spring, not because our winter has been particularly bad, I’m just ready for green grass and flowers.

Valentine’s Day is this week, and it’s all about LOVE. Here at our church we observe the occasion with a catered meal and entertainment, usually on the Sunday evening nearest to February 14. It’s not exclusively for couples, singles are welcome. Our motive is just to get people out for an evening of fellowship.

I thought I’d share a bit this week on the topic of love from a Biblical perspective. The Bible from beginning to end has much to say about love. Love, as promoted by the world, is romantic love, and I see nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, I believe love as God defines it, goes far beyond romance. It is a deeper and more committed love. Let me give some examples from scripture.

A familiar passage would be John 3:16. “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.” John expands on this statement in his first letter: “Dear friend, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4: 7-10).

The apostle Paul, teaching on the sacrifice of Christ for payment of sin, writes: “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).

This sacrificial love is what Paul had in mind as he wrote to husbands and wives in Ephesians, chapter 4. 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, commonly called the “Love Chapter”, describes this deep, self-sacrificing love in detail. Your assignment this week will be to look up these passages and meditate on them.

Happy Valentine’s Day,
Pastor Jerry

3 Feb

Prosperity Gospel?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Truth.

We had a rather uneventful week, something that is unusual for us. The next few days appear to be more of the same. I believe there will be at least six weeks of winter, and then it will be spring. This has nothing to do with a large rodent, it’s just the way God planned the seasons.

I will admit I watched the Super Bowl. Afterward, I wondered why I wasted the time. I did not watch the half-time show, since I was pretty sure the Gaither Vocal Band was not on the program.

If you read these commentaries each week, you know my purpose is to share the truth of God’s word. You also know that I am an observer of social media, in particular Facebook. Today, I will share some of those observations.

First, I see Christians who re-post those memes that promise blessing for reposting, and missed blessings for scrolling past them. I believe superstition is at the heart of these things. I, also believe, God is more concerned with whether or not we trust him to provide our needs, than if we are faithful to re-post everything that pops up on our Facebook page. In fact, He has stern warnings about following superstitions and man-made traditions. “Have nothing to do with godless myths (superstitions) and old wives’ tales; rather train yourselves to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7).

The second thing is the number of professing Christians who follow the teaching of the prosperity gospel preachers. God does not promise health and wealth to everyone, and if this is my best life, why am I looking forward to heaven? We are promised trials and suffering if we follow Jesus Christ: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2), and, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith…may be proved genuine…” (1 Peter 6-7).

Here is an insightful comment from an article on the so-called prosperity gospel: “The very thought that God owes us a relatively trouble-free life, and the anger we feel when God doesn’t act the way we believe he is supposed to act, betray a heart that expects God to prosper us because of our good works. That’s the prosperity gospel.” (9Marks Journal)

Meditating on His Truth,
Pastor Jerry

27 Jan

Out Of Tune?

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, God's Word, Holy Spirit, The Good News.

The devotional thought for this week takes a more light-hearted turn. There will be time for more serious stuff next week.

A few weeks ago, I treated myself to the purchase of a new guitar. It is a basic acoustic model, but can be plugged into an amplifier. It also has a built in-tuner, which should allow me to keep it always in tune. If you know something about music, you know that instruments are tuned to a specific standard. In the instance of this guitar, the standard is built into the instrument.

Did you know God has given Christians a built in tuner? He is called the Holy Spirit, and He keeps God’s people in tune with His will. The Spirit is in tune with God’s standard, that is, his Living Word. When we as Christians get outside of God’s standard, the Spirit reminds us that we are “out of tune” with God, and brings us back. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

As a whole, when the body of believers, much like a collection of musical instruments, are in tune with God and with each other, beautiful music is made as we work together for God’s glory. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step (in tune) with the Spirit” Galatians 5:25).

In 1 Peter, 3:8, we read: Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

I’ll close with this thought; If you are not sure if you are in tune with God, read his Word. In it you will find everything you need to know about the standard he has set for his followers.

Blessings,
Pastor Jerry

20 Jan

Living in Sin

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Forgiveness, God's Word, Marriage, Sin, Truth.

I had the privilege of officiating at a wedding this weekend. Weddings are such fun times, and I appreciate the chance to be involved. While researching my message to the couple, I came across these statistics: In 1990, 50 out of 1000 divorced or widowed persons chose to remarry.

In 2011, that number was only 29 out of 1000.
Here are a few other numbers from the article in USA Today. Unmarried couples of all ages are moving in together. According to 2012 census data, 37 percent of those who live together have been married before. Between 1990 and 2012 the percentage of unmarried couples living together more than doubled, from 5.1% to 11.3%. A generation ago it was called “living in sin”, today it is called “cohabitation.”
The reason I bring this up is to remind us that God had a plan at creation, and he has never changed his plan. The Bible says to live together outside of the bond of marriage is sexual immorality (the old term was fornication). There is no exemption for the divorced or widowed. I must insert here, that Jesus said divorce is a sin. The Bible also teaches that confessed sin will be forgiven (1 John 1:9). Also, according to scripture,the death of a spouse frees a person to remarry (1 Corinthians 7:39). We who are older may try to blame the younger generation, but who is their example? Retired people are also involved in cohabitation.
As always, I must apply scripture to my thinking, so here ya’ go: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality…For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4).
When we deliberately disobey God’s commands and refuse to repent of our sin, we are in danger of judgment. Those are God’s words, and his word is unchanging.
In His amazing love,
Pastor Jerry

13 Jan

In Defense of Life

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, Faith, God's Word, Sanctity of Human Life, Truth.

Dear friends,

It is good to return to a “normal” schedule after all the busyness of the holiday season. We’re probably not any less busy, but it is at least somewhat predictable from week to week. This week, I have an appointment with the dermatologist to see about a spot on my lip that isn’t healing. After having a cancerous spot in the same area a few years ago, I tend to be a bit cautious about these things. Also, this week, Alex hopes to get his learner’s permit to drive.

Each year, as January rolls around, we are reminded that since 1973, abortion has been legal in this country. We are also reminded of the millions of unborn who were sacrificed on the altar of convenience. It is a sad commentary on our culture when we have to have a Sunday set aside to recognize the Sanctity of Human Life. Somewhere we have discarded God’s command that all human life is sacred. From Genesis to Revelation, God placed a high value on people at all stages of life. He has not changed.

The following is from an article by Russell Moore, president of The Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, written last January: “I hate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, because I’m reminded that we have to say things to one another that human beings shouldn’t have to say.

  • Mothers shouldn’t kill their children
  • Fathers shouldn’t abandon their babies
  • No human life is worthless, regardless of skin color, age, disability, or economic status.

The very fact that these things must be proclaimed is a reminder of the horrors of this present darkness.”

God says, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). As human beings are created in the image of God, killing a person is an attack on God: “…in the image of God has God made man” (Genesis 9:6). The Bible places a high value on all human life, including the unborn.

I pray we, the people, would repent of the sin of abortion, and return to the moral and ethical standard of our God and His Word, the Bible.

In defense of the innocent,
Pastor Jerry

6 Jan

We Are Not Gods

Posted by sandhillspastor in Bible, Christian Living, God, God's Word, Sin, The Good News, Truth.

My lovely wife and I were able to get away for a few days last week. We went to Lake George on New Year’s Eve, and upon arriving, found there was no water in the house. I was convinced it must be an electrical problem, because I had “fixed” all those places where the pipes had frozen in the past. Long story short, the pipes had actually frozen, showing me that all my preparations were not as secure as I had assumed. In spite of the water issue, we had a good week, and celebrated the arrival of 2014 over a steak dinner with two of our dearest “old friends.”

Inspiration for this weekly letter often comes from some really strange sources. The following is from the label on an anti-antiperspirant sitting on my bathroom shelf: “We Are All Judges Of Ourselves And My Verdict Is Champion.” Another part of the label has this bit of wisdom: “Believe In Your Smellf”*
Therein lies the problem for many people today. We judge ourselves and declare that we are okay. We might even go so far as to judge ourselves “superior”, or “wonderful”, maybe even “excellent”, or “champion.” We are filled with pride over our “self-worth.” In effect, we are setting ourselves up as gods.

What does God think of all our self-exaltation? Let’s look at some verses from His word: “You shall have no other gods before me” (#1 of the Ten Commandments). “There is no one righteous, not even one…there is no on who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12). There are numerous verses where God says, “The Lord is God; besides him there is no other.”

 There has been much emphasis on concepts like “self-worth” and “self-esteem” over the years, but I wonder, wouldn’t we be much better off if we would put God in his proper place, and ultimately base our own worth on our relationship with Him? After all, he thought we were worth sending his only Son to die for us.

Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry

*[Trade Mark of Proctor & Gamble]

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
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