Bethesda Christian Church Sermon of the Week

The Christian life is not a checklist of rules, but a life shaped by love and grace. Just as Christ gave Himself up as a fragrant offering, we are called to live sacrificially—with kindness, forgiveness, and love. True sacrifice isn't drudgery—it's worship that rises to God like a pleasing aroma.

In this message, we explore the beauty of prayer as a fragrant offering to God—like incense rising before His throne. Drawing from Psalm 141, Exodus, and Revelation, we see how our prayers, when offered with faith, gratitude, humility, and consistency, become a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Learn how to cultivate a daily prayer life that's Spirit-ignited, sincere, and powerful. Let your prayers rise—not out of duty, but out of delight.

In John 12:1–8, Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus' feet in a bold and costly act of worship, showing that true love for Jesus often looks extravagant or even foolish to the world. This story challenges us to consider whether our lives reflect sacrificial devotion or merely surface-level faith. While Judas criticizes Mary, revealing how easy it is to fake love for Jesus, she models wholehearted surrender. True worship may seem wasteful, but it's the only fitting response to the worth of King Jesus.

In this Memorial Day message, we reflect on how scents can stir powerful memories—and how the Bible uses aroma as a spiritual metaphor. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 2, we learn that Christ leads believers in a triumphal procession, like a Roman victory parade, where we are the "pleasing aroma" of Christ to the world. As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in joyful surrender, spreading the fragrance of His love, mercy, and truth wherever we go.

We make daily decisions to invest in our health, careers, and finances—but what about our souls? Scripture reminds us that while physical training has value, godliness is essential for both this life and the life to come. Jesus offers us salvation by grace through faith, and calls us to grow in Him, reflect His character, and impact the world. Invest in the future you that lasts forever.

Mother's Day is a time of joy for many, but it can be painful for those facing loss or unfulfilled hopes. The message, based on 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22, encourages us to support one another, live in peace, and be patient with everyone. We are called to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances—this is God's will for us in Christ. Though difficult, especially during hardships, a grateful heart is a sign of spiritual maturity and trust in God's plan. Living this way requires the help of the Holy Spirit and reflects our identity as Christ-followers.

Just like learning the ABC's is foundational to reading, so God's Word is foundational to living with purpose, direction, and hope. Always be a student and have that desire to learn more about Jesus.

Jesus reveals Himself to us through scripture. Faith comes by opening your heart and hearing the Word of God. Our confusion, our pain, our doubts - they find clarity when filtered through the lens of God's truth. Faith is not the absence of doubt. It's responding to doubt with an open heart, to take in the truth and believe.

Jesus is risen. The tomb is empty and the curse lifted. The crown of thorns is no longer on his head. Jesus wore the crown of thorns so you could have eternal life. He invites you to believe and receive eternal life. Do you believe?

Jesus didn't come to fulfill our worldly expectations. He came to fulfill God's eternal plan. The people wanted Jesus for all the wrong reasons. He didn't come to build our kingdom. He came to bring His. Why do you want Jesus?

A Story of Sin, Struggle, and Grace.

The curse of thorns is a tangible reminder and an illustration of sin's consequences in our lives. God does not leave us in the thorns, but rather He desires our lives to bear good fruit that demonstrates our faith. Jesus willingly took on the crown of thorns, so that we could bear fruit. The thorns we struggle with are not burdens to bear but reminders of Christ's love.

As we wrap our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, we close with self-control. Self-control is not self-effort. Self-control is self-submission to the Holy Spirit. Submitting to the Spirit brings peace, hope and victory. That is how we bear the Fruit of the Spirit.

Gentleness is the mark of a life: strengthened by God's training, governed by discipline, and in submission to His authority. Jesus, the King of Kings, described Himself as gentle and humble in heart. If the all-powerful Son of God chose to display His strength through gentleness, how much more should we?

As Christians, we are called to not only believe but to bear fruit that brings glory to God. In order to bear kingdom fruit, we must remain rooted in Christ. This isn't a one-time decision, but a lifetime commitment.

Faithfulness is a defining attribute of God, and as believers, we are called to reflect this fruit in our lives. True faithfulness isn't just about personal willpower or determination; it's about abiding in Christ and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Faithfulness doesn't mean the absence of doubt—it's trusting God even when doubts arise.

Part of God's goodness is His intention to see us become more like Him by exemplifying His character. It is more than an abstract virtue - goodness is a reflection of God's presence in us. We are carrying the presence of God into the world. We are to share His goodness and glory wherever we go.

Kindness is not just an internal characteristic; it is love moved by compassion. In order to release kindness to others, you need to receive the kindness that God offers you. God's kindness leads to repentance. When we demonstrate kindness, we reflect the very nature of Christ.

The Lord's patience is vast while our human patience is often driven by our limited perspective. The Lord is neither slow nor hurried; rather, He stands outside of time surveying everything with purpose. Patience isn't just waiting, but believing that God is working even when we can't yet see it.

In God's kingdom, surrender is the path to peace. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, surrendered His life to bring us peace. To cultivate peace, you must first lay down yourself and your preferences. As we walk by the Spirit, we mature in faith and bear the fruit of peace.

Joy is not the absence of hardship but simply the presence of the Holy Spirit, anchoring us even in the storms of life. In order to cultivate joy in our lives, we need to actively desire more of His presence. Reflect on the joy of your salvation in Jesus.

If our source is the Spirit, the fruit will be good and life-giving. Without Him, we can do nothing. Love is not merely an emotion or an action we muster on our own. Instead, it is a divine quality that flows from our relationship with God. The source of true love lies in our dependence on Christ.

Part of our mission is to live the Word of God in our daily lives. In Galatians 5, Paul says that we need to walk by the Spirit, but how do we do that? We must set our minds on the things of the Spirit. As we go through each fruit of the Spirit in the coming weeks, remember that spiritual growth is neither instantaneous nor self-generated. We must invite the Holy Spirit to help us.

Often, we let our circumstances determine how we're doing. Yet, Jesus reminds us that while we will face trouble, we can take heart because He has overcome the world. Our true source of life is found in Him. If you're struggling, turn to Jesus—surviving relies on our own strength, but thriving comes from abiding in Him. Additionally, God has given us the people of God to strengthen and encourage us along the way. By remaining in Jesus and connecting with His community, we can thrive despite our struggles.

Kingdom living isn't a two way street, it is a roundabout. Having faith in Jesus requires disciples to give what they have received. What would it look like if we live out our next year focusing on the Kingdom of God?

Immanuel is not just a title but a revelation of God's heart for humanity. From the beginning, God has desired to be with His people. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit. His presence with us and within us.

Life without Jesus is chaos, and we spend our lives looking for temporary relief. However, Jesus offers us new life in Him. New life is a gift of God, unmerited, undeserved, and Jesus patiently waits to give it to anyone who would receive. Through Jesus we are made alive. We are no longer defined by our past, our sins, or our failures.

At the heart of Christmas is the glorious truth that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's promises to humanity. The ultimate proof of God's faithfulness is found in Jesus. Jesus is the promise of God who came to show us that God is always with us.

As we kickoff our Advent series, Pastor Pat talks about how Jesus is the ultimate gift. One of the gifts from Jesus is the promise of heaven. Jesus tells us, "unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." What would it look like for you to walk in humility like a child and to have that joy and wonder.

As Thanksgiving is upon us, sometimes it can be hard to be grateful. Pastor Pat challenges us to not allow your heart to be robbed of gratitude. Gratitude flows naturally when we see Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate gift. Gratitude is something we should make apart of our daily life, not just on Thanksgiving Day.

We are called to be ambassadors of Jesus wherever we go. We look to Jesus as the example on how to live, serve, and engage with the world around us. Our mission is to represent Christ in every setting, including that difficult family gathering.

Jesus calls us all to place Him above all else as seen in Matthew 19 including family. We must speak in truth and grace which is a balance. Jesus showed love through compassion, patience, and grace, even while holding people accountable to teaching God's truth, and we are to do the same. We must trust God can work through that love in ways we may not even see right now.

Paul tells the church that we are not to judge those who do not believe or follow the ways of Jesus. We are called to keep each other accountable who have professed that Jesus is Lord. Always make sure that you walk in humility, recognizing your own need for grace while also holding each other accountable.

Jesus modeled what it looks like to give compassion and not condemnation. There is a balance of both grace and truth. Jesus offers a pathway to repentance and restoration. We as the church are called to follow Christ's example by offering love and mercy, and encouraging people to to turn from their sin to be transformed in Christ.

We live in an age of convenience. In every corner of life, people gravitate towards things that are easy, quick, and immediately satisfying. The same can be said for our spiritual life. Be careful what you take in and listen to.

We all have opinions, but what does God's Word say about our opinions? Focusing on personal preferences is failing to focus on God's purposes. Opinions must submit to unity in the church.

Overindulgence is a topic that is rarely covered in the church. The principle of balance and moderation extends far beyond food. When we think about balance, we must also think about our spiritual lives as well.

In this series, we will be going over topics that might be uncomfortable. In today's message, Pastor Pat address the topic of politics, and how we as Christians should interact. Use the Word of God to guide you when you cast your vote.

As our missions series comes to a close, Pastor Pat talks about how we are called to make disciples and share the good news of Jesus. We don't all have to be missionaries around the globe, but we are called to share the good news wherever we go in our day to day lives. If we are unwilling to share our time with others, we miss out on the opportunity to invest in relationships and contribute to the building and strengthening of the Kingdom of God. Are you willing to give up your time to go and partner with Jesus?

As we look at God's redemptive plan in the Scriptures, we see that the way God executes His mission is using His people. As believers, we all have a role to play in God's mission. He wants to use each and every one of us. Will you let God work redemption in and through your life?

We have the gift of Jesus in us, but we keep it to ourselves much of the time. It's hard in the world of many people who won't acknowledge Jesus, to be one who stops and helps the beaten and broken, or those who mock or cast aspersions toward us who walk in faith. I am not ashamed of the gospel and that is where real life and change needs to come.

One big God makes one big difference one life at at time. At Bethesda, we support missions because we believe that everyone needs to hear the good news of Jesus. Ask God for a person and a particular way to bless them this week.

There is a harvest of souls hungering and thirsting and ripe for eternal life. Will we heed the words of Jesus, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest!

As you go through life, don't focus on the harvest of material gain and forget the final harvest of life. What will your destination be? For those on the path to outer darkness, Jesus offers a new path that leads to the harvest of eternal life and eternal light.

God has called us to be holy as He is holy. That also applies to our finances. We tithe because it tells God, I trust you, and it allows us to be joyfully dependent on God. When you are obedient, thankful, joyful and generous, it does not go unnoticed by the Lord.

Remember to never let the sacrifice of Jesus Christ become a forgotten harvest. He is the bread of life, which came down from heaven for you.

There is physical hunger, and there is spiritual hunger. Jesus is the bread of life that satisfies our soul. Are we content with keeping Him to ourselves? Are we content that so many have forgotten or do not know of the harvest that brings eternal life?

God desires obedience over sacrifice. The reality is that you can deceive man, but you cannot deceive God.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

We fail to be bold in the present when we fail to remember what God has done in the past. We also fail to move in the present if we're only looking in the past. We must move forward into what God has for us, and it takes each and every one of us to do so.

God didn't make promises to give false hope. He spoke and He followed through. Yet we have promises of God that remain to be fulfilled, but like the cross of Christ, these promises will be kept and come to completion.