Commerce Community Church

Psa 51:17 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Your mother has given you the next best gift to God, and that is she willed to give you life! And what we do with this life is our choice. For our God has given us free will. He desires our love, our praise, and our worship.

"What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus." Rev. 19:13 "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." 1) Jesus sweat great drops of blood, 2) Jesus shed blood as He suffered deep stripes on His back, 3) Jesus shed blood down His face due to the crown of thorns, 4) His hands were pierced and bled, 5) Jesus' feet bled by the nails in His feet, 6) and finally when the spear was thrust into His side, blood and water streamed out of Him.

There is a silent sign when you met up with someone filled with the Power of the Holy Ghost! One important purpose of Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection was to impart the power of the holy Ghost to the believer.

The first mention of a Savior, the response was at this moment and Mary exclaimed: Luke 1:46-47 "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." O for the joy promised, the joy that was set before Jesus! We are partakers of resurrection joy! O what a Savior! Because Jesus came forth triumphant from the grave we have this glorious promise, that death is only a passage into the presence of the Living God, to behold our Savior face to face.

What motivates our Savior in this time of great suffering? Scripture tells us Jesus suffered from the Foundation of the World! Hebrews 9:26 "For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." But Jesus counted it "joy" to suffer and die for our sins. Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

1Co 10:12-13 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Mark 11:20-22 "And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

Jhn 9:4-5 "I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Php 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

We have a heavenly Father who knows all about us, even our daily needs and He is so much to us than perhaps we even comprehend. Mat 7:11 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

Often we hear Grace and Mercy in the same sentence, however there is quite a difference in the meaning of Grace and Mercy! Grace is God applying His righteousness to sinners. His Grace is in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." His Mercy is God having compassion for us; overloooking our offenses and not giving to us what we deserve! Lamentations 3:22 "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not." Let us meditate this week upon this Triune God of Grace, Mercy, and Peace! 2 John 3 "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."

The text for these messages come from Rev. 12:11 because it teaches us how we overcome the wrong things in our lives. There is peace in His blood as we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb.

There are two gates; you must decide, the broad wide way, heading for destruction, or the narrow way, heading for eternal, blissful life. Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Mat 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Let us give no attention to the works of our enemy, but 'overcome.' Jesus' precious blood tells us how to overcome, "By the "Word, by our testimony!" While our life is important to us, it is not more important than eternal life.

In John 4 we hear the conversation with Jesus and the woman at the well. When Jesus asks her for a drink; her reply was; "Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that Living water?" And everyone no doubt knows what Jesus' response was ..? John 4:10 "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

The Psalmist, often is harassed by the enemy, and therefore desires an escape. He knows that God is His strength, so resorts to "cause me to escape," and asks for the authority to God to make Him hear. Psalm 71:1-3 "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress."

Revive us again that Thy people might rejoice. These are challenging times and it is so good to know He is with us. Psalm 85:1-13 "LORD, thou hast been favorable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps."

As we wait in great expectation for the return of our Savior, God has offered us His gifts of the Spirit which are many. Whatever the future of 2025 holds it is for sure we are one day closer to Jesus' return!

Rev. Kevin Dershem brought forth the Sunday message addressing the commandment Jesus Christ stated in Luke 22:19-20: "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

In this New Year, consider something you might try to do every day, or not do! Let's enter into the gates of 2025 with rejoicing in our hearts, thankful in Spirit, and determined to be a stronger witness of Jesus' great love!

Advent Candles: 1st Candle-Angelic Message; 2nd Candle-Obedience; 3rd Candle-Joying; 4th Candle-Emmanuel In this holy season let the Church reflect upon spiritual things and remember the One who has brought about about a "Merry Christmas." It is a great time to show the love of Jesus, heal hearts, forgive, and offer prayers of thanksgiving, to let our light of Jesus shine bright.

The greatest event in our lives is our salvation, brought to us through a baby born of a virgin. This third week of advent expresses the joy we feel because of the gift of salvation. Luke 1:30-35 "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Through it all Jesus' obedience brought pain and sorrow! Jesus was obedient, Mary and Joseph were obedient , John the Baptist was obedient. The cross gave us the greatest gift ever given. "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name." Romans 1:3-5

John 1:32-33 "And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."

Angelic activity is in full swing. This is a day of preparation. While the whole world prepares to celebrate this event, many do not give Jesus a thought. It has become a holiday for them. But the receiver of salvation it is preparation to remember the One who gave His life for ou eternal home.

To make our petitions known, such as we see here in David's prayer, he tells God "he is overwhelmed!" We are reminded in this psalm, that it is important to address God with our cares, crisis, and just because ... all the while bringing forth a "song of victory."

So the question among many is basically, do we have a burden for America? I know we are concerned, I know we see the wickedness pressing in on Christianity, but does it burden our hearts as we note here in Habakkuk? Is there a grief in our soul as we see the signs of the unrighteous prevailing, in laws being changed, more power to the wicked and less respect for God? Hab 1:5 "Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you."

While as followers of our Saviour, we daily give thanks, there is a season of thanksgiving and it has great purpose. Just ahead as we face November there will be a season wherein the church is called to offer thanks. A Living God in this message today we find several avenues of thought as we come to the Thanksgiving season. And the beauty of His Holiness looms large upon this day of celebration.

In these messages let us grow another measure in Christ. May we desire to pursue His holiness, to meditate upon 'right standing' in Him. The Holy Ghost is our conviction, the One who continues to alert us to the areas that needs change in our lives. There is a Highway of Holiness, it is narrow according to Matt. 7:13-14 Jesus admonishes us: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Psa 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psa 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Psa 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Isa 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Psa 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psa 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Psa 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Isa 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

How does 'Goodness' without, that is kindness, temperance, gentleness, etc. effect us within? Then how does the evil of our day, the corruption, the anxiety, etc. effect us within? His beauty of creation has always had an effect upon me, but - also the corruption of our day has an effect upon us! I can only turn to Jesus, the Power of His Word, and the anointing of His precious Holy Spirit!

Guest Speaker Rev. Don Van Zandt blessed Commerce Community with the urgency of salvation, because today is the day of salvation.

Guest Speaker Rev. Kevin Dershem blessed Commerce Community with an inspiring message from the Lord. Beware of the enemies of the church from within.

Jesus, God's Lamb, was sacrificed once and for all! The writer of Hebrews wrote regarding the New Testament sacrifice of Christ's life: "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. " Hebrews 9:12

God shelters us by the power of His Word and the precious Holy Spirit! Christianity has been swept into the anxieties of the world. God is saying to major in spiritual things instead of the worldly things.

Isaiah 9:6-7 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

Humanity was created by the dust of the earth and God breathed into mankind the breath of life! The very breath we breathe has come from God, we are a creation of this awesome glorious God! Psalm 1139:17-18 "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

Most of all our greatest examples of endurance would be to remember Jesus on the Cross. Heb 12:2-3 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Psalm 34:1-4 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us."

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

The message is about "being a witness for Jesus Christ" to the point that people notice - to the point that our lives are energized - we have collided with evil and we are a witness for Almighty God! Chapter of Acts 17:27-28

For Jesus sail "I will give you the promise of My Father, the Power of the Holy Ghost, and He will guide you into all truth, and He will empower you with a holy unction. We are His witnesses, He is the light in our life! We are the light house to the lost. We must shine in our family, shine on the job, emanate His presences in all that we do.

Take time to remember the places where He met you and you knew He brought you through the difficult issue. He robed you with the garments of salvation! Isa 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

Mark 4:35-41: And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Faith is what it takes to believe on the Lord Jesus as our Savior, it is the way to our salvation and eternal life. Faith is WALKING through our trials, sorrows, and difficulties.

Our hope must be in our God, not in the things of this world. We know this, but we must be more mindful of spiritual things and practice our faith. Faith is more than confessing what we believe. It is trusting the Lord Jesus in all things, and is actually walking in a realm where you know that whatever happens, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Faith works best when it is activated by need.

Faith is more than confessing what we believe, it is trusting the Lord Jesus in all things and it is actually walking in a realm where you know that whatever happens He will never leave you nor forsake you. It is living the life of trust more than confessing it!

Just as our human father has certain responsibilities for his children, God has taken responsibility for us, His Children. So today as we honor our fathers, we remember our "Heavenly Father" and offer up praises of worship and adoration unto Him for giving us life.

Let the church be prepared, let us be ready for the coming of our Lord and Savior. As we "wait" let us order our steps. Be of good courage, always be prepared for His coming. Let us no fret, but cease from anger, do good and trust in the God of our salvation. Psalm 37:7-8 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Once we begin to experience a joyful spirit, the blessings of the Lord will bring us right into the presence of our God. Ps. 96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.