Woodland Friends Church

We might see so much injustice, “God why aren’t you doing anything?” His patience is not a sign of His inactivity. His patience is not a sign of His non-existence. It’s a sign of mercy. And the irony is, is His patience is meant for our repentance and redemption concerning where WE have been unjust and don't even know it.

We might see so much injustice, “God why aren’t you doing anything?” His patience is not a sign of His inactivity. His patience is not a sign of His non-existence. It’s a sign of mercy. And the irony is, is His patience is meant for our repentance and redemption concerning where WE have been unjust and don't even know it.

It's a simple enough logic that Malachi is preaching. He's essentially saying, “the man who can’t be faithful to his wife whom he knows and sees, obviously demonstrates he cannot be faithful to God whom he cannot see.” What does faithfulness with your fellow brother, sister, friend or spouse say about your faithfulness to God?

It's a simple enough logic that Malachi is preaching. He's essentially saying, “the man who can’t be faithful to his wife whom he knows and sees, obviously demonstrates he cannot be faithful to God whom he cannot see.” What does faithfulness with your fellow brother, sister, friend or spouse say about your faithfulness to God?

Integrity is defined as, a “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values,” and the dictionary points readers to see the entry for INCORRUPTIBILITY. Or, another definition states that integrity is “the quality or state of being complete or undivided.” I like that. When you or I act one way here, and another way there, that is divided. The Priests of Malachi were divided, claiming to be descendants of the likes of the Levites who cleansed Israel with Moses, or Phinehas, but acting in the present, less than that.

Integrity is defined as, a “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values,” and the dictionary points readers to see the entry for INCORRUPTIBILITY. Or, another definition states that integrity is “the quality or state of being complete or undivided.” I like that. When you or I act one way here, and another way there, that is divided. The Priests of Malachi were divided, claiming to be descendants of the likes of the Levites who cleansed Israel with Moses, or Phinehas, but acting in the present, less than that.

Respect. Is that a lost commodity in this world? A lack of respect for God leads to a complacent heart... and many times, as the definition of complacency implies, we're blissfully unaware of how our going-through-the-motions betrays a lack of respect of God and the way He wants worship? Maybe we should begin to ask God in our prayers, "Father, am I respecting You?"

Respect. Is that a lost commodity in this world? A lack of respect for God leads to a complacent heart... and many times, as the definition of complacency implies, we're blissfully unaware of how our going-through-the-motions betrays a lack of respect of God and the way He wants worship? Maybe we should begin to ask God in our prayers, "Father, am I respecting You?"

Jesus many times puzzles His hearers with his words. Sometimes they are enigmatic and mysterious. Other times they seem to constitute a tall order that hardly seems surmountable. What are they, and why does He speak so?

Israel had been through a school of hard knocks. You ever have a history? You ever get that scarred chip on your shoulder? “Yeah I'm a believer. I guess. I don't know why. XYZ happened. That threw me for a loop,” and then you kind of - either vocally OR subconsciously get to this, “God owes me,” sort of feeling. Embittered. “I guess I grew up. I thought He was with me. For me. I guess not.” Even so, God has the audacity to look Israel in the face after all they've been through when they thought they could trust Him - and He says, "I HAVE loved you!"

Israel had been through a school of hard knocks. You ever have a history? You ever get that scarred chip on your shoulder? “Yeah I'm a believer. I guess. I don't know why. XYZ happened. That threw me for a loop,” and then you kind of - either vocally OR subconsciously get to this, “God owes me,” sort of feeling. Embittered. “I guess I grew up. I thought He was with me. For me. I guess not.” Even so, God has the audacity to look Israel in the face after all they've been through when they thought they could trust Him - and He says, "I HAVE loved you!"

Most of us I think know the what of Easter Sunday. What happened: Jesus resurrected. But I sat down yesterday afternoon and said, “Why?” The why of Easter? And that’s what I wanted to answer plainly, and thus I set out to consider few verses from John.

Whether it’s deciding and believing and choosing to live for Christ altogether, or it’s discerning what you think God is saying to you about a few things in your life – it’s in, out, in, out, what they said, what He said, what they said, what He said, and maybe at the end of some choices all it has been is a defeated, reluctant choice. I wonder if we realize the stakes? The stakes at times of our obedience. Of our saying yes to Christ not only for He to save us, but also when He commissions us to do whatever He wants us to do. Who is waiting on your obedience right now, and neither that person or you know it? What does the Holy Spirit say to you about what yo need to do?

Whether it’s deciding and believing and choosing to live for Christ altogether, or it’s discerning what you think God is saying to you about a few things in your life – it’s in, out, in, out, what they said, what He said, what they said, what He said, and maybe at the end of some choices all it has been is a defeated, reluctant choice. I wonder if we realize the stakes? The stakes at times of our obedience. Of our saying yes to Christ not only for He to save us, but also when He commissions us to do whatever He wants us to do. Who is waiting on your obedience right now, and neither that person or you know it? What does the Holy Spirit say to you about what yo need to do?

We examine Peter's denial and find quite shockingly less a sad story of Peter's failure, but humbly, a story of faith, albeit broken, still challenging to aspire to. May we aspire to it, and even greater past it! Do we love Jesus? If we do, how are we tending His sheep?

We examine Peter's denial and find quite shockingly less a sad story of Peter's failure, but humbly, a story of faith, albeit broken, still challenging to aspire to. May we aspire to it, and even greater past it! Do we love Jesus? If we do, how are we tending His sheep?

Meanwhile here is a Guy who can walk on water, command the weather - you know, stop practically hurricanes on the lake! He can cast out demons! This Jesus can literally undo infirmities like paralysis, or blindness… But how is it that here - in this garden - He’s giving Himself up so quickly? He’s letting a bunch of knuckle-headed, oppositional, hostile people... He’s just going to give Himself up? So Peter steps up to the plate! He can't let this happen!

Meanwhile here is a Guy who can walk on water, command the weather - you know, stop practically hurricanes on the lake! He can cast out demons! This Jesus can literally undo infirmities like paralysis, or blindness… But how is it that here - in this garden - He’s giving Himself up so quickly? He’s letting a bunch of knuckle-headed, oppositional, hostile people... He’s just going to give Himself up? So Peter steps up to the plate! He can't let this happen!

After David defeats his son Absalom in the Civil War, as things are coming back together, there's a shadow and pall over the kingdom. What's this demonstrate? What is this about..?

After David defeats his son Absalom in the Civil War, as things are coming back together, there's a shadow and pall over the kingdom. What's this demonstrate? What is this about..?

I don’t know. Absalom maybe, had he lived, would have sucked up to David, “Thanks for beating the army and sparing me,” and looked for an opportunity later to kill his father. Maybe Joab was right. Maybe Absalom should’ve died. Maybe the world only goes around on the wheels of the likes of blood thirsty men like Joab. But then again, has the love of God reached you? You and I were part of this world, before He found us, and showed us His mercy. Ought we to be merciful like He?

I don’t know. Absalom maybe, had he lived, would have sucked up to David, “Thanks for beating the army and sparing me,” and looked for an opportunity later to kill his father. Maybe Joab was right. Maybe Absalom should’ve died. Maybe the world only goes around on the wheels of the likes of blood thirsty men like Joab. But then again, has the love of God reached you? You and I were part of this world, before He found us, and showed us His mercy. Ought we to be merciful like He?

With Ahithophel, we might feel the moral sting of David's sins against his own granddaughter - Bathsheba. Even so, we must not disagree with God's grace and forgiveness. And thus it is interesting in the fulfillment of judgment upon David’s sin (2 Sam 12:11,12), God also is redeeming David from his current predicament and restoring him as king!

With Ahithophel, we might feel the moral sting of David's sins against his own granddaughter - Bathsheba. Even so, we must not disagree with God's grace and forgiveness. And thus it is interesting in the fulfillment of judgment upon David’s sin (2 Sam 12:11,12), God also is redeeming David from his current predicament and restoring him as king!

It’s not enough for a book to be on a table. Or an app to be on a phone. It’s not enough to take and eat like you would junk food, or even a meal that’s been prepared, but there must be emotional effort! So then, why give it that much effort? Where else could we find such words that lead to eternal life?

It’s not enough for a book to be on a table. Or an app to be on a phone. It’s not enough to take and eat like you would junk food, or even a meal that’s been prepared, but there must be emotional effort! So then, why give it that much effort? Where else could we find such words that lead to eternal life?

Special Speaker - Mark Brewster Revelation 2:1-7

As we see King David have to retreat what was rightfully his, reigning in Jerusalem, he leaves spies to stay in the rebellious kingdom of Absalom. Likewise we are commissioned by the Greater King David to report to Him what we see in the kingdoms of this world, and continue our holy sabotage that will one day bring His Rightful Reign to complete visibility!

As we see King David have to retreat what was rightfully his, reigning in Jerusalem, he leaves spies to stay in the rebellious kingdom of Absalom. Likewise we are commissioned by the Greater King David to report to Him what we see in the kingdoms of this world, and continue our holy sabotage that will one day bring His Rightful Reign to complete visibility!

It has been attributed to Charles Spurgeon, the quote, “I take my text and make a beeline for the Cross.” It’s been attributed in the sense of finding the Cross, finding the Gospel in the text of Scripture and presenting it. Maye it was the continual soap opera, or story that feels like everyday life, but also I believe it was the Holy Spirit, that through this drama of David, Joab, Absalom and the Woman of Tekoa, we see the Gospel through a dark glass here!

It has been attributed to Charles Spurgeon, the quote, “I take my text and make a beeline for the Cross.” It’s been attributed in the sense of finding the Cross, finding the Gospel in the text of Scripture and presenting it. Maye it was the continual soap opera, or story that feels like everyday life, but also I believe it was the Holy Spirit, that through this drama of David, Joab, Absalom and the Woman of Tekoa, we see the Gospel through a dark glass here!

Part of me wanted to change gears and start a new series in a Gospel account this week. I get tired of preaching, “Yup, this person was violated. That person is a jerk. That jerk’s brother decides to kill him. That dad’s doing nothing. It’s all one big mess,” the end, right? How uplifting! How encouraging! What CAN this tell us...?

And some have wondered if David feels unable, incapable, hypocritical, ashamed? “Why reach for this speck in my son Amnon’s eye, when I have the board in mine?” To use a saying of Jesus that would come many years later after David. But I want to tell you, that’s not righteousness on David’s part. That’s not good, valid, or correct on his part!

And some have wondered if David feels unable, incapable, hypocritical, ashamed? “Why reach for this speck in my son Amnon’s eye, when I have the board in mine?” To use a saying of Jesus that would come many years later after David. But I want to tell you, that’s not righteousness on David’s part. That’s not good, valid, or correct on his part!

I’m more than 70% convinced that perhaps the original readers, and maybe those more closely familiar with the original languages and cultures and customs, probably had little to no questions about the text that I do. Don't hear me wrong, I ran into the questions of interpretation I'm about to pose in my studies… I suppose for me, the ambiguity of the text and the questions I'm about to pose spiritually speaks to the state of David’s heart before the Lord right now. Who is he? Who is he choosing to be? What is he acting on, faith? Or expectation? What path is he taking?

I’m more than 70% convinced that perhaps the original readers, and maybe those more closely familiar with the original languages and cultures and customs, probably had little to no questions about the text that I do. Don't hear me wrong, I ran into the questions of interpretation I'm about to pose in my studies… I suppose for me, the ambiguity of the text and the questions I'm about to pose spiritually speaks to the state of David’s heart before the Lord right now. Who is he? Who is he choosing to be? What is he acting on, faith? Or expectation? What path is he taking?

2 Samuel 12... the after-stuff. The judgment happening. The birth of Solomon. Upon first reading, I wondered.. “Well can I say much about this? Maybe I’ll preach on 20 verses to get something out,” but as I began to study... I didn't expect the shocking truths that found me out!

2 Samuel 12... the after-stuff. The judgment happening. The birth of Solomon. Upon first reading, I wondered.. “Well can I say much about this? Maybe I’ll preach on 20 verses to get something out,” but as I began to study... I didn't expect the shocking truths that found me out!

2 Samuel 12:9 asks “Why have you despised the word of the Lord?”How many of you view it this way, or are willing to admit this when breaking God’s commandments? Because that’s what we’re doing when we sin. The heart that David had when he looked upon Bathsheba, stole her, and his way with her, manipulated and schemed and plotted to try and get Uriah to cover up his sin, and eventually murdered Uriah? 
The heart that did that was a heart that was saying in God’s ears, “I despise what you say about purity. I despise the sanctity of marriage. I despise the women I have. I despise the fact that Uriah’s in the way. I despise your Word, Lord.” That’s how God sees it.

2 Samuel 12:9 asks “Why have you despised the word of the Lord?”How many of you view it this way, or are willing to admit this when breaking God’s commandments? Because that’s what we’re doing when we sin. The heart that David had when he looked upon Bathsheba, stole her, and his way with her, manipulated and schemed and plotted to try and get Uriah to cover up his sin, and eventually murdered Uriah? 
The heart that did that was a heart that was saying in God’s ears, “I despise what you say about purity. I despise the sanctity of marriage. I despise the women I have. I despise the fact that Uriah’s in the way. I despise your Word, Lord.” That’s how God sees it.

Christmas Communion 2024: Sunday December 22nd morning was not recorded due the style of its service. However, the Communion Service sermon was recorded. The text is Matthew 1:21. When God shows up, when the Almighty Sovereign Ruler and Maker of the Universe when He becomes flesh He doesn’t come so you and I can say, “I don’t know Him,” or “If He’s real, He doesn’t like me,” no when God shows Himself to us He does so as Savior.

I love this, in Exodus 3, God tells Moses, “My name is Yahweh, I am,” and here when that God becomes flesh, when that God who scared Moses and scared His people and destroyed their enemies, when He becomes flesh He says, “My name is Yahweh, I am, and I Am Savior. That’s why I’m here.”

After 3 or 4 other attempts at Scripture passages and sermons, I came to my keep-it-simple-stupid-senses, and listened on my audio Bibles to the story of the birth of John, a promised son near the Promised Son Himself: Jesus. And I heard this... this prescribed muteness. This judgment, this discipline of “You shall not speak,” and that spoke to me, because I’ve been feeling like I can’t speak behind the pulpit without greater and greater struggles most weeks. And I said, “LORD, let’s explore this.” Let’s explore how, quote, a, “righteous [man] in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord,” faces the Lord, quite literally, is face-to-face with a Messenger, an Angel of the LORD, and ends up not only silent, speechless, but it’s because of unbelief! A priest, one of the relatively few who gets to enjoy this office, is chosen by lot, and again – is righteous and blameless, but he comes to a place of exercising unbelief.

After 3 or 4 other attempts at Scripture passages and sermons, I came to my keep-it-simple-stupid-senses, and listened on my audio Bibles to the story of the birth of John, a promised son near the Promised Son Himself: Jesus. And I heard this... this prescribed muteness. This judgment, this discipline of “You shall not speak,” and that spoke to me, because I’ve been feeling like I can’t speak behind the pulpit without greater and greater struggles most weeks. And I said, “LORD, let’s explore this.” Let’s explore how, quote, a, “righteous [man] in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord,” faces the Lord, quite literally, is face-to-face with a Messenger, an Angel of the LORD, and ends up not only silent, speechless, but it’s because of unbelief! A priest, one of the relatively few who gets to enjoy this office, is chosen by lot, and again – is righteous and blameless, but he comes to a place of exercising unbelief.

Have you ever gone back to read, in context, those times Matthew says, "This was to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet..." and wondered? When Christ fulfilled "Out of Egypt, I called my Son," why is Hosea talking about the Exodus of the Israelites? And Isaiah 7:14, why is that in the middle of a narrative about Isaiah confronting unrighteous King Ahaz about a war brewing between two alliances? The sign that Ahaz will have is about a virgin who gives birth, that Ahaz won't even be around for? Was Matthew trying to pull a fast one on us, or are we missing something?

Have you ever gone back to read, in context, those times Matthew says, "This was to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet..." and wondered? When Christ fulfilled "Out of Egypt, I called my Son," why is Hosea talking about the Exodus of the Israelites? And Isaiah 7:14, why is that in the middle of a narrative about Isaiah confronting unrighteous King Ahaz about a war brewing between two alliances? The sign that Ahaz will have is about a virgin who gives birth, that Ahaz won't even be around for? Was Matthew trying to pull a fast one on us, or are we missing something?