Sermons Podcast

What Would Jesus Say to THE DONALD (Trump)? I’d think he’d say Donald I like your real talk. I mean who does not like real talk. Donald just say it like it is. I believe Jesus would say I like that. But then Jesus might tell Donald some money stories. Because Donald in hyped up on money. I love it when Forbes, or Business Week try to guess Donald’s net worth. They are always wrong because Donald is always worth more than you can guess. At this point Forbes says Donald in worth about 4.1 Billion that with a Capital B. but Donald says they are wrong because he worth is more like 9 billion. Forbes guessed that Donald’s brand is about 200 million but the DONALD say it about 3-Billion. Don cares about what you think about him and his money. Donald is to be congratulated he’s pulled himself and his empire out of bankruptcy at least three times. The real-estate market has waxed and wained but the DONALD is still standing. So what would Jesus say to Donald? I think we can find out as we look at what Jesus had to say about money. 1. Your Money Does Not Make You BETTER 2. Your Money Does Not Put You In CHARGE 3. Your Money Does Not Make You SECURE 4. Your Money Does Not Bring you MEANING and PURPOSE or LOVE

As we celebrate the nations birth today, I though this would be a good weekend to ask what would Jesus say to USAmerica and to his Church in USAmerica? We see the patriotic signs... God Bless America, United We Stand, One Nation Under God, Freedom Is Not Free, United We Stand, Sweet Land of Liberty, Home of the Brave, Don’t Tread On Me, Let Freedom Ring, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death, Liberty and Justice For All and Live Free or Die. Can you think of any more? What would Jesus say to us...? USA: #1. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, #2. CHOOSING GOD = BLESSINGS, & #3. DON’T FOGET THE USA CHURCH: #1. IF MY PEOPLE..., #2. IF YOU DON’T LOVE..., #3. WHENEVER YOU DID ONE..., #4. DON’T GET FATIGUED...

We’ve heard all types of things these last few days. He’s been called MONSTER, RACIST, MURDERER, CRAZY, EVIL, SATAN INSPIRED, What would YOU say to DYLANN? One Heartfelt Christian Response When we encounter such senseless violence, we sometimes instinctively develop ‘animosity’ or ‘hatred’ towards the ‘Sinner’ rather than towards the ‘Sin’. However, it is important that we remember that although our offenses may not be as ‘Radical’ as Dylann’s — by definition, we are all offenders nonetheless because we all have fallen victim to Sin at some point in our lives (no matter the ‘flavor’) Yet after the news broke, hundreds of people immediately became Angry with the shooter and condemned not only his actions, but some even condemned the young man himself (which is what Christians are warned against) #1. DYLAN Hate in a LEARNED behavior, you can unlearn it #2. DYLAN Your sin has CONSEQUENCES #3. DYLAN your sin does not have to be FATAL or FINAL #4. DYLAN FORGIVENESS is yours IF you will receive IT

Dad's Day with Pastor Alex Williams

Today I want to ask the question what would Jesus Say to the Class of 2015. “Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or––worse! ––stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Matthew 6:19-21 (MSG)

We’re talking about fame today. We’re talking about Kim Kardashian. Curvaceous Kim Kardashian, marketing guru Kim Kardashian. What would Jesus say to Kim Kardashian? What a great question. Known for her fashion, her family and most of all for ‘being famous,’ Kim Kardashian is one of today’s most sought after celebrities. She’s adored by millions of fans around the world, and is instantly recognized on camera and on the street. So what would Jesus say to this modern day cultural icon? What would Jesus say to Kim Kardashian? Well, what would he say to you? What would he say to you? #1. MAKE ME FAMOUS. You’ll never be known until you’ve made him well-known. Have you allowed him to come inside your heart of hearts? Have you given him the totality of who you are? #2. I VAULE YOUR VURNABILITY Have you gotten vulnerable before God? “You’re God. I’m not.” #3. YOUR PAST DOESN’T DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE. Even though your past is checkered, even though your reputation isn’t the best, make this day a game-changer, a pivot point in your life when you go God’s way. And I’m telling you something. You’ll be well-known by the Savior of the world as you make him well- known. Because that’s what fame is all about.

Today I want to do something a little different as I ask the question what would Jesus say to the folks in Baltimore City. I know the riot/uprising/protest are in the past, the Baltimore Orioles are back at Camden Yards, and the burned out buildings are boarded up and the cars towed away. I purposely waited on this message because our live in the moment media, and our soundbite reality has trained us to pay attention to the most recent happening, tragedy, injustice etc. Despite the time that has passed since the Baltimore situation. I believe that Jesus would have some things to share with the Baltimore crowd. A good question that I would ask if I were sitting where you are is “James who are you referring to when you say the Baltimore crowd?” I’m glad you asked. Here they are: Protestors Police Provocateurs Politicians Pundits Peace Makers Peeps (People of God) I believe each of these groups pay a role in the Baltimore situation and I believe Jesus would have something to say to each of them. I want to address these groups specifically as I share what I believe Jesus would say to them and then I want to share how I believe Jesus would address the Baltimore situation that in not unlike what we have seen in a number of location across the USA and around the world and across the centuries.

NOTE: This message was given BEFORE Bruce transitioned to Caitlyn Jenner Introduction: You know, certain people and athletes are so iconic, so popular, if you just say one name or an initial you know who you’re talking about. You know, celebrities and rock stars like J-low, Beyonce, Sting, Bono, Elvis, Micheal J and athletes like Jordon. RG3, Kobe, Shack, Dr J. Bird, Magic, K Love, Lebron Peyton. Well back in the day if you said Bruce J. people knew who you were talking about. Some of you only know Bruce J. as the Reality TV Step-dad and husband to the Kardashian klan but Bruce J. first came to international fame as William Bruce Jenner (born October 28, 1949) when he won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal. It had been a long time since the USA had won the decathlon and Bruce J. set the USA on fire when he did it that year. He got the ultimate prize his picture on the Wheaties Cereal Box.

Good morning. Hats off to all the moms it's a great day to be in the Lord's house. We're going to do something a little different today a little special because today is a special day. We just want to honor moms today so whether you're a single mom, soon-to-be mom, a super experience mom, a mentor mom, a spiritual mom, a stepmom, A foster mom, a grandma, or what ever kind of mom you are we want to honor you today. Let's hear it for the moms today. Mothering is not for the faint of heart right. You're nodding your head like what are you know James about mothering? And you would be right, I don't know about mothering so I'm going to bring someone up who does. One of my closest friends, my wife and the mother of my children ROSE. So today we're celebrating moms. We celebrate all types of people in our society famous people and famous people celebrities sporting grades politicians , etc., but if we should celebrate anyone is should be our mothers. Somewhere in the series and were asking the question what would Jesus say to icons of our society sports heroes politicians owners celebrities and etc. We are trying to figure out what Jesus was saying that those who are popular in our culture and what he might also say to us at the same time. So today since its Mother's Day, the question is what would Jesus say to moms? Because we know the real celebrities are moms moms are some of the most important I want some of the most amazing people in the world. So I asked Rose what she thought that Jesus was say to moms I know this roses amazing moms or our kids so I don't know anyone else I'd rather hear from on the topic Because she's an amazing mom did them and also to me sometimes guys you know what I mean.

He’s one of the USA rich young guy at an early 33 age he purchased his favorite childhood sports team. He’s known for his larger-than-life personality, recognized by folks all over the DMV and beyond. You may love him or hate him (well us Christians don’t hate people we hate things) and yet he unquestionably a business genius. He is also worth $1.7 billion. In this message, Pastor James Heyward takes a look at one aspect of Dan Snyder’s life of which we can all relate. And as we discover a few things Jesus would say to the Owner and Meddler-In-Chief of the Washington Redskins, we learn that he may be saying the very same things to us.

KEY VERSES Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone's a friend to the philanthropist. Proverbs 19:6 (MSG) A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person; a heartfelt present cools a hot temper. Proverbs 21:14 (MSG) Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted. Proverbs 17:8 (MSG)

The truth is that for most of us, 2015 would be a great year if we could learn to handle our finances better. Regardless of how much money you earn, or what you bring in annually, figuring out what to do with your money is very important. I think it's not only important to you as a person, but I think it's also something that is important to God! The bible talks a lot about money. Jesus talked a lot about money... and its been said that preachers talk a lot about wanting your money! But if we are honest, the bible isn’t generally our primary source for deciding what to do with our money. In fact, we all have myths about money. MYTHS LIKE: If I had more money, I would be happier - or this is my money - or money can bring me security. These myths, if we are not careful, will ultimately override what God says about money. REAL TALK: if we let myths run our money then we will end up broke. Here’s the truth about debt - it traps and it binds you. The difference between someone who has debt and someone who owns everything free and clear is one word - Freedom! When you don’t have debt, you have a tremendous amount of freedom! On the other hand, when you are is debt, you are a slave to someone.That’s exactly what Proverbs 22:7 talks about... “The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.” Proverbs 22:7 (MSG)

If anyone knows a thing or two about money, it’s Solomon. And apparently we need help in managing our money, sixty-four percent of all families argue over money (I’m surprised it’s not higher), and fifty-four percent of all divorces are over money. Let’s look at some of the principles God gives us for financial freedom from Proverbs. The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Curses on those who drive a hard bargain! Blessings on all who play fair and square! The one who seeks good finds delight; the student of evil becomes evil. A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God–shaped life is a flourishing tree. Proverbs 11:24-11:28 (MSG)

10 New Year’s Resolutions from the Wisest Man Who Ever Lived. This is the 1st Sunday of the New Year. You know, when you think about it, all New Year’s Resolutions basically fall into 3 categories. They deal with: 1. Things to make us look better and live longer. 2. Things to make us have more. 3. Things that will help us to get along with everyone. I call them - Longevity, Prosperity and Peace. I have often said that we could find an answer in God’s word for any question or situation of life if we would just look. So what is there in God’s Word about New Year’s Resolutions? Well there not called New Year’s Resolutions but I don’t think you could do better. I’m reading from the book of Proverbs - Chapter 3. I’m titling this sermon 10 New Year’s Resolutions From The Wisest Man That Ever Lived.

Transformation is in our DNA. We were created to grow, and the best kind of change leaves a permanent mark on our soul. Let’s learn together what it means to become New.

The greatest symbol of new life is found in an empty tomb! That what the angel said to the tomb visitors that first Easter morning. Listen in on the conversation The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. "Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead.” Matthew 28:5-7 (MSG) Paul says that if we are in relationship with the God who raised Jesus from the dead we to will be raised to newness of life. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive–and–present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s.” Romans 8:11 (MSG)

We are looking at the words of Jesus. In Luke 23:34, Jesus is actually saying the very first words as He hung on the cross. Now, Jesus had just been beaten. He had just been humiliated, spit on, he'd been punched in the face over and over, beaten with a rod. He was flogged 39 times with this evil whip thing, with bone and stones and stuff, where you would whip the person and flesh would come out. He was humiliated to a point where He was unrecognizable because of the bodily damage that was done to Him, not to mention the emotional damage of creation doing this travesty to the creator. Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Luke 23:32-33 (MSG) He stands in the middle and He looks down on His accusers, and He looks down on those Roman soldiers that just humiliated Him and beat Him and were ruthless. He looks down on those scribes and Pharisees that were just full of hate and jealousy, and He says these words that just changed everything. Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing.” Luke 23:34 (MSG) "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re are doing." Now, I don't know about you, but if it's me, I'm saying; "Father kill them, Father destroy them, Father take them out, we need justice, deal with this situation now!" But Jesus said, "Father forgive them."

You may ask, why did God abandon Jesus? My God, my God, Why have you forsaken me? The answer is found in Scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:21, The Bible says: God put the wrong on him (Jesus) who never did anything wrong, God put the wrong (sin) on (Jesus) why? so we could be put right with God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (MSG) Why did God have to abandon Jesus? Because Jesus became sin. On the cross, He became a murderer and adulterer, he became lust and lying, God put on him our addictions to pornography , our cheating, and racism and hatred, and any other sin that's existed in this world; Jesus became sin and God had to look away because His eyes are too righteous to even look upon sin. He died for our sins, so that our sins can be forgiven. When everyone around the cross didn't understand, God put the wrong on him, who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

Leading at Home: "God's Requirements for His Families" Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 5:21-6:4 (MSG)

Leadership & Vocation: Seeing our ‘work in the world’ as ‘work in the Spirit’ 1. Our work finds meaning and purpose when it aligns with God’s ongoing work in the world 2. God’s ongoing work in the world is characterized by two covenantal commitments—God will complete what He began & He will rescue the lost and enslaved in the process.

Students (of all ages K-12) are called to lead in one of the greatest mission fields the worlds knows. How should you lead at school? Paul encouraged Timothy his young mentoree, to lead by living a consistent life that teaches. As is often quoted students should share their Christ-story and if necessary use words. A life lived consistently, gives credence to the Christ-stories students are called to share. Right living is more powerful than right confessions. A student’s life truly speaks much louder then their words. 1-Timothy 4:20 (MSG) “And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.”

Church leaders are used of God in their areas of gifting to serve the Body-of-Christ. Everyone in the Body-of-Christ has a gift that the Spirit of God administers at salvation. A gift is not a talent, strength (although your gift becomes a strength) or natural ability. Gifts of the Spirit are given so that the believers are built up and become mature in the faith. This message will encourage and challenge listeners to discover their spiritual gift(s) and then put them to work on behalf of the kingdom of God. KEY SCRIPTURE:1 Corinthians 12:4-13 (MSG) God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, [and] interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. 12-13 You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body. It’s exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive.

INTRODUCTION: Today we begin a brand new message series on leadership in the Kingdom of God. We began this year of leadership with a series called Follow that challenged us to live and lead like Jesus. Now we want to complete the year grappling with the everyday implications of leadership in the world of work, church, home, and school. SOME IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS:
 The word culture generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. Different definitions of "culture" reflect different theoretical bases for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity. Anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their experiences symbolically. The Kingdom of God is that place where those who belong to it worship, obey and love God, most willingly, and every single thing exists in terms of Him and for His pleasure. This is not to say that God is not sovereign elsewhere, for He has TOTAL Sovereignty over the whole of His creation, God is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and the ruler over all of His creation, but in His Kingdom (Heaven) all is done perfectly according to His will. SCRIPTURE: "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt–seasoning that brings out the God–flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage."Here's another way to put it:You're here to be light, bringing out the God–colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light–bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand––shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)

Today we wrap up our Multiplied Series. I know I said that we wrapped it up last week but I could not wrap the series without dealing with the area of debt—a killer of the multiplication that God wants to work in us as we bring him the first and best of our time, talent and treasurer. As I writing this message I decided to entitle it DEBT: MULTIPLIED SUBTRACTION. Now I told you a number of weeks ago that I’m not very good in the area of math. So Friday night as I was discussing the title of the message with my daughter Jasmine (who is somewhat a math scholar). She said that my title did not make any sense. Being the tenacious person that I am I tried to explain what I was getting at and yet she didn’t change her mind about my non-sensical title. She said dad what you are talking about is not called Multiplied Subtraction. What you are describing in Exponential Decay. Can you see me shacking my head having never heard that term in my life? So for all you math enthusiast out there when I say Multiplied Subtraction I mean Exponential Decay. You can see the formula on the screen. It might as well be german because i don’t know what it means. So today I want to discuss debt and the effect it has on our ability to live lives of Kingdom Multiplication. Debt is a symptom, not the root MULTIPLIED SUBTRACTION problem. Materialism is the root problem. But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self–destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. 1 Tim 6:9-10 (MSG) Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot. Luke 12:15 (MSG) DEFINITION OF Materialism: seeking happiness through the accumulation of material things.

Scripture: Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back––given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Luke 6:38(MSG) The NIV says it like Give and it will be given to you. With good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. Key Thought: Our key thought about planting and harvesting is this: What you keep is all you have. What you give, God multiplies.

SCRIPTURE: Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Luke 9:12-17 (MSG)

MULTIPLY Message 1: God Must Be First Scripture: God spoke to Moses, saying, "Consecrate every firstborn to me––the first one to come from the womb among the Israelites, whether person or animal, is mine.” Exodus 13:1-2(MSG) You are to set aside the first birth out of every womb to God. Every first birth from your livestock belongs to God. You can redeem every first birth of a donkey if you want to by substituting a lamb; if you decide not to redeem it, you must break its neck. "Redeem every firstborn child among your sons.” Exodus 13:12-13 (MSG)

Ezekiel 37:1-13 “God grabbed me. God 's Spirit took me up and sat me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them––a lot of bones! There were bones all over the plain––dry bones, bleached by the sun.” “He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, "Master God, only you know that.” Ok here comes the big idea for this message… Your current location doesn’t have to be your final destination. “James, I’m a bag of bones in the valley. I’m depressed. I’m buried. I’m dusty. I’m dry. I’m brittle.” Your current location doesn't have to be your final destination. Where are you located today?

A Place For You - Get Connected - Get Involved - Learn More & - Grow He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor–teacher to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love––like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. Ephesians 4:11-16 Msg.

Every day, we are faced with decisions that either lead us toward God’s plan or away from it. And often, those decisions seem overwhelming. Too many times, in the face of temptation, we feel lost and alone. But the reality is, we aren’t. In this message, Pastor James Heyward gives us an insight into temptation that will help us all battle the tough decisions in life. And he reveals how even in our darkest times, we have someone who can relate, someone who can help us succeed and overcome temptation at every turn.

ZOMBIE: Someone who moves very slowly and who is unaware of what’s happening, especially it’s someone who is very tired. SCRIPTURE: We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master's Supper. Paul addressed the congregation. Our plan was to leave first thing in the morning, but Paul talked on, way past midnight. We were meeting in a well–lighted upper room. A young man named Eutychus was sitting in an open window. As Paul went on and on, Eutychus fell sound asleep and toppled out the third–story window. When they picked him up, he was dead. Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him hard. "No more crying," he said. "There's life in him yet. Acts 20:7-9 (MSG)

Getting Over the Post Christmas Blues Christmas 2003 is over! The tree is still up, but it looks mighty empty underneath. All that’s left of the turkey or in our case beef tenderloin is drippings. Visiting family members (the crazy uncle Fred and aunt Mildred and her fruitcake have headed back home. The excitement of Christmas took weeks to build to a crescendo … and now it’s over. Life has gotten back to normal. Or to as normal as life gets around your place. AND … many psychologist tell us that people suffer from what’s called the post-Christmas blahs … a kind of depression after all the hoop-la of Christmas … the “Post-Christmas Blues”. SCRIPTURE: After the scholars were gone, God's angel showed up again in Joseph's dream and commanded, "Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him.” Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight. They lived in Egypt until Herod's death. This Egyptian exile fulfilled what Hosea had preached: "I called my son out of Egypt.” Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. (He determined that age from information he'd gotten from the scholars.) That's when Jeremiah's sermon was fulfilled: A sound was heard in Ramah, weeping and much lament. Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace, Her children gone, dead and buried. Later, when Herod died, God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt: "Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead."Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother, and reentered Israel. When he heard, though, that Archelaus had succeeded his father, Herod, as king in Judea, he was afraid to go there. But then Joseph was directed in a dream to go to the hills of Galilee. On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, "He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:13-23 (MSG)

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why:so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. John 3:16-17 (MSG) This is how we've come to understand and experience love:Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. 1 John 3:16-17 (MSG) Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?” He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?” He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence––and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.” "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live.’” Luke 10:25-28 (MSG)

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one–of–a–kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 (MSG)

Scripture: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory––this was during Herod's kingship––a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 (MSG) This week we are going to examine how to Spend LESS and Give MORE instead of Spending MORE and Giving LESS. You know we spend the most money on the stuff that here’s today and outdated, outsourced and antiquated in a couple of years. The presents that cost the most money are sometimes the lessor gifts. I like the Lexus commercials each year. Who gives these Lexus' with the big red bows for Christmas anyway? I mean with 240,000 miles on my car I like to be-friend or even be adopted this Christmas by one of those Lexus gift giver. Ok. I digress. Now don’t get me wrong there’s nothing wrong with presents, So don’t tell folks the pastor went all Soorge on us this morning. But when we put such an emphasis on the “stuff” of Christmas, when we give into the greed and extreme consumerism of the cultural Christmas we always end up disappointed.

Worship Fully: How Do You Keep Christmas at the Manger and Not the Mall? 1. FOCUS: Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed––that exhilarating finish in and with God––he could put up with anything along the way:cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 (MSG) 2. CHANGE: Serenity prayer -God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebuhr 3. ENJOY! 4. WORSHIP Angels: At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:13-14 (MSG) Sheepherders: As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Luke 2:15-18 (MSG) Magi: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory––this was during Herod's kingship––a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him. Matthew 1:1-2 (MSG) Herod: NOT! Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth–announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship. Matthew 1:7-8 (MSG)

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him:“What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 1 Kings 19:1-16 (MSG)

Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bowed deeply in prayer, his face between his knees. Then he said to his young servant, "On your feet now! Look toward the sea."He went, looked, and reported back, "I don't see a thing.” "Keep looking," said Elijah, "seven times if necessary.” And sure enough, the seventh time he said, "Oh yes, a cloud! But very small, no bigger than someone's hand, rising out of the sea.” "Quickly then, on your way. Tell Ahab, 'Saddle up and get down from the mountain before the rain stops you.’” 1 Kings 18:42b-44 (MSG)

The moment Ahab saw Elijah he said, "So it's you, old troublemaker!" "It's not I who has caused trouble in Israel," said Elijah, "but you and your government––you've dumped God 's ways and commands and run off after the local gods, the Baals. Here's what I want you to do:Assemble everyone in Israel at Mount Carmel. And make sure that the special pets of Jezebel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of the local gods, the Baals, and the four hundred prophets of the whore goddess Asherah, are there." So Ahab summoned everyone in Israel, particularly the prophets, to Mount Carmel. Elijah challenged the people:"How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it's Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!" Nobody said a word; nobody made a move. Then Elijah said, "I'm the only prophet of God left in Israel; and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Let the Baal prophets bring up two oxen; let them pick one, butcher it, and lay it out on an altar on firewood––but don't ignite it. I'll take the other ox, cut it up, and lay it on the wood. But neither will I light the fire. Then you pray to your gods and I'll pray to God. The god who answers with fire will prove to be, in fact, God." All the people agreed:"A good plan––do it!" Elijah told the Baal prophets, "Choose your ox and prepare it. You go first, you're the majority. Then pray to your god, but don't light the fire." So they took the ox he had given them, prepared it for the altar, then prayed to Baal. They prayed all morning long, "O Baal, answer us!" But nothing happened––not so much as a whisper of breeze. Desperate, they jumped and stomped on the altar they had made. By noon, Elijah had started making fun of them, taunting, "Call a little louder––he is a god, after all. Maybe he's off meditating somewhere or other, or maybe he's gotten involved in a project, or maybe he's on vacation. You don't suppose he's overslept, do you, and needs to be waked up?" They prayed louder and louder, cutting themselves with swords and knives––a ritual common to them––until they were covered with blood. This went on until well past noon. They used every religious trick and strategy they knew to make something happen on the altar, but nothing happened––not so much as a whisper, not a flicker of response. Then Elijah told the people, "Enough of that––it's my turn. Gather around." And they gathered. He then put the altar back together for by now it was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob, the same Jacob to whom God had said, "From now on your name is Israel." He built the stones into the altar in honor of God. Then Elijah dug a fairly wide trench around the altar. He laid firewood on the altar, cut up the ox, put it on the wood, and said, "Fill four buckets with water and drench both the ox and the firewood." Then he said, "Do it again," and they did it. Then he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. The altar was drenched and the trench was filled with water. When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, "O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I'm doing what I'm doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance." Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench. All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, "God is the true God! God is the true God." 1 Kings 18:18-39 (The Message)

And then this happened:Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab:"As surely as God lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought––not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise." God then told Elijah, "Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I've ordered the ravens to feed you." Elijah obeyed God 's orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook. Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: "Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you." So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, "Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink." As she went to get it, he called out, "And while you're at it, would you bring me something to eat?" She said, "I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die." Elijah said to her, "Don't worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what's left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel:' The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought. '" And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said––daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty:God' s promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it! Later on the woman's son became sick. The sickness took a turn for the worse––and then he stopped breathing. The woman said to Elijah, "Why did you ever show up here in the first place––a holy man barging in, exposing my sins, and killing my son?" Elijah said, "Hand me your son." He then took him from her bosom, carried him up to the loft where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. Then he prayed, "O God, my God, why have you brought this terrible thing on this widow who has opened her home to me? Why have you killed her son?" Three times he stretched himself out full–length on the boy, praying with all his might, "God, my God, put breath back into this boy's body!" God listened to Elijah's prayer and put breath back into his body––he was alive! Elijah picked the boy up, carried him downstairs from the loft, and gave him to his mother. "Here's your son," said Elijah, "alive!" The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now––you are a holy man. When you speak, God speaks––a true word. 1 Kings 17

Executive Director for Middle East Understanding

One day the guild of prophets came to Elisha and said, "You can see that this place where we're living under your leadership is getting cramped––we have no elbow room. Give us permission to go down to the Jordan where each of us will get a log. We'll build a roomier place." Elisha said, "Go ahead." One of them then said, "Please! Come along with us!" He said, "Certainly." He went with them. They came to the Jordan and started chopping down trees. As one of them was felling a timber, his axhead flew off and sank in the river. "Oh no, master!" he cried out. "And it was borrowed!” The Holy Man said, "Where did it sink? The man showed him the place. He cut off a branch and tossed it at the spot. The axhead floated up."Grab it," he said. The man reached out and took it. 2 Kings 6:1-7 (MSG)

“One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves." Elisha said, "I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?""Nothing," she said. "Well, I do have a little oil.” 2 Kings 4:1-2 (MSG)

The king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom started out on what proved to be a looping detour. After seven days they had run out of water for both army and animals. The king of Israel said, "Bad news! God has gotten us three kings out here to dump us into the hand of Moab." But Jehoshaphat said, "Isn't there a prophet of God anywhere around through whom we can consult God?" One of the servants of the king of Israel said, "Elisha son of Shaphat is around somewhere––the one who was Elijah's right–hand man." Jehoshaphat said, "Good! A man we can trust!" So the three of them––the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom––went to meet him. Elisha addressed the king of Israel, "What do you and I have in common? Go consult the puppet–prophets of your father and mother." "Never!" said the king of Israel. "It's God who has gotten us into this fix, dumping all three of us kings into the hand of Moab." Elisha said, "As God –of–the–Angel–Armies lives, and before whom I stand ready to serve, if it weren't for the respect I have for Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I wouldn't give you the time of day. But considering––bring me a minstrel." (When a minstrel played, the power of God came on Elisha.) He then said, "God 's word:Dig ditches all over this valley. Here's what will happen––you won't hear the wind, you won't see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill. This is easy for God to do; he will also hand over Moab to you. You will ravage the country:Knock out its fortifications, level the key villages, clear–cut the orchards, clog the springs, and litter the cultivated fields with stones." In the morning––it was at the hour of morning sacrifice––the water had arrived, water pouring in from the west, from Edom, a flash–flood filling the valley with water. 2 Kings 3:9-20 (MSG)

Elijah went straight out and found Elisha son of Shaphat in a field where there were twelve pairs of yoked oxen at work plowing; Elisha was in charge of the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha deserted the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please! Let me kiss my father and mother good–bye––then I'll follow you." "Go ahead," said Elijah, "but, mind you, don't forget what I've just done to you." So Elisha left; he took his yoke of oxen and butchered them. He made a fire with the plow and tackle and then boiled the meat––a true farewell meal for the family. Then he left and followed Elijah, becoming his right–hand man. 1 Kings 19:19-21 (MSG)

A number of you have asked when I was going to share with the church what I learned during my attendance at a Peace and Justice Gathering in the Middle East. Well today I will begin to share a little of what I learned and how it impacts me as your pastor and Calvary as a Faith Community. This is the message I shared with Jerusalem First church during my stay there. It is just as relevant for our faith community as it was for there’s As I prepared this message I wanted a text that would encourage us to live out what it means be people of Justice in our day. The text that God has used to challenge, comfort and spur me on toward reconciling act and confronting injustice is Isaiah Chapter 58. Would you hear the key passage for message of God today as read from Isaiah. "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed,cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill–clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Isaiah 58:6-9 (TM) Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am

I want to lay all this out on the table as clearly as I can, friends. This is complicated. It would be easy to misinterpret what's going on and arrogantly assume that you're royalty and they're just rabble, out on their ears for good. But that's not it at all. This hardness on the part of insider Israel toward God is temporary. Its effect is to open things up to all the outsiders so that we end up with a full house. Before it's all over, there will be a complete Israel. As it is written, A champion will stride down from the mountain of Zion; he'll clean house in Jacob. And this is my commitment to my people: removal of their sins. From your point of view as you hear and embrace the good news of the Message, it looks like the Jews are God's enemies. But looked at from the long–range perspective of God's overall purpose, they remain God's oldest friends. God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty––never canceled, never rescinded. There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you. Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in. In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in. Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes ROMANS 11:25-30 (TM)

On a clothes Iron: "Warning! Never iron clothes while they are being worn." On a Superman costume: “Warning: Cape does not enable user to fly.” On a bottle of hair coloring: “Do not use as an ice cream topping.” On a toner cartridge: “Do not eat the toner.” On a portable stroller: “Caution: Remove infant before folding for storage.” And my favorite - In a microwave oven manual: “Do not use for drying pets.” Now, why would they make these labels? Doesn’t it seem obvious enough that you shouldn’t use these products in this way? Well yeah… but you just know somebody must have actually tried do the things these labels warned against! Warning labels often warn about the obvious. But as one person once said “The desire to make something foolproof vastly underestimates the creativity of fools.” Have you ever seen a sign on a wall that says “wet paint”? When someone sees that sign… what can you COUNT on them doing? (they’ll touch the wall, just to see…) So, the Bible often states the obvious because people are often lacking wisdom. But even when Scripture states the obvious - some people have trouble accepting it. Today we're going to talk about “warning label”. But the warning label is NOT the main focus of the story. The main focus of this story is on hope beyond hope.

Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They've made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It's good work you're doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth. Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel. If I come, you can be sure I'll hold him to account for spreading vicious rumors about us. As if that weren't bad enough, he not only refuses hospitality to traveling Christians but tries to stop others from welcoming them. Worse yet, instead of inviting them in he throws them out. Friend, don't go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God's work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn't know the first thing about God. Everyone has a good word for Demetrius––the Truth itself stands up for Demetrius! We concur, and you know we don't hand out endorsements lightly. I have a lot more things to tell you, but I'd rather not use pen and ink. I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart–to–heart talk. Peace to you. The friends here say hello. Greet our friends there by name. 3 John (MSG)