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Audio Transcript All right, well, beautiful singing. So I’ve not met you. My name is Aaron and I’m the preaching pastor here and glad you’re with us today. There’s a lot of sickness again in our church. Feels like this winter, maybe you felt it, it’s been feeling better. Nope, we’re sick. Feeling better? Nope, we’re sick. And so this is one of those we’re sick weeks for a lot in our church. And so I’m glad that you’re with us. And also I just want to say I had a lot of fun at the karaoke night. So thank you for those who helped put that together and got a lot of good singers in the church. And so that was just a fun night. So if you have a Bible with you, could open up to the Gospel of Luke. Today’s texture study is going to come from Luke 6, verses 27 through 42. So a little longer passage, Luke 6:27 through 42. And if you don’t have a Bible with you, it’s on page 503 in the blue Bibles that are kind of scattered throughout the fuse. So let me read the text and then I’ll pray and then we’ll work through the so Luke 6, please hear the words of our God. But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also from the one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from the one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners and get back the same amount. But love your enemies and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you’ll be sons of the most high. Praise kind to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, you will not be judged. Condemn not, you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give it to be given to you good measure. Pressed down, shaken together, running over, we put into your lap for the measure you use it will be measured back to you. He also told in the parable, can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into the pit? Disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye? Did you not notice the log that’s in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, brother, let me take out that speck that is in your eye when you yourself do not see the log that’s in your own eye? You hypocrite. First take out the log in your own eye. Then you’ll see clearly. Take the speck that is in your brother’s eye. That’s God’s word for us this morning. Would you please pray with me? God, thank you for bringing us together. Lord, I pray for the glory of Christ and our good and joy in Christ you would bless this time. Please help me to be a good communicator. Please help me to not stumble over my words. Please protect me from speaking that which is false. Help me to only speak that which is true. Lord, please be with the congregation. Please give them ears to hear. The Spirit is saying, pray this all in Jesus name. Amen. This morning I’d like to start a story with you. It’s actually kind of a shameful story about myself. So I mentioned the past. So I became a Christian in college after a friend invited me to a Bible study. We’re at the study I felt the love of Christian people and heard the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that, by the grace of God, that landed on my heart, in ways I could repent and believe in him before the time I actually did go to church where I did hear the gospel, but I heard it in ways where I remember clearly thinking to myself, I really don’t believe any of these things to be true. Because if I thought these things were true, they should have some major bearing in my life and how I lived. For that being said, even though I knew I didn’t believe, I would still go to church. In fact, fairly consistently, I would go to church. And the reason why I would go to church was kind of twofold, two very related reasons. So first, I went as like, a source of pride for myself is I would go to church when my roommates in college were still sleeping in. So it made me feel a little bit better about myself that I would do the right thing, made me better than them. Second, I would go to church as a meeting just to try to satisfy my guilty conscience. So before becoming a Christian, I really hit every stereotype of being a college kid from small town Wisconsin. I mean, I loved everything related to like party life and drunkenness. However, you know, I love these things in many ways. These were my identity, this lifestyle that I had, it did eat at my conscience where I’d feel guilt and shame for all the things I was doing. So I’d go to church, but honestly, on many Sundays, like still inebriated from the night before, and I’d go just to try to satisfy my conscience. The guilt, the shame I was carrying, although that often just resulted in more guilt, more shame. So I knew that my lifestyle was not adding up as I pretended to the rest of the church I was something I was not. Okay. So with those things in mind, now back to my shameful story. I thought those things weren’t shameful, but one year, trying to get maybe a little bit extra credit to fill my pride, use my conscience, I began to volunteer at a Christian school to be an assistant basketball coach for their seventh grade boys team. Now I do love basketball and I love coaching. So that is part of the reason why I helped out. But more than that, I loved getting praise from the head coach, the players, the families. For being a college kid who’s helping out at a Christian school. It added to my pride, pride that I tried to help ease some of my conscience. Once again, the more praise I got, the more guilty I felt became more clear. It’s like living this double life as I tried to hide my party life and all the other dumb things I did from the team, from the families. Well, my shameful story during one of the games on the bench, I was exposed. My hypocrisy was exposed. So one of the kids on the team did something he was not supposed to do, only for me to yell out from the bench in my frustration. Yell out for everyone to hear the precious name of Jesus Christ. Seeing it as a curse to what just happened on the court, which is something I had no problem using as a curse in every other place. I wasn’t trying to pretend to be something I wasn’t around church people, but I yelled that out of the game. It felt like really everyone in the gym was looking at me. And I do know that the head coach and the kids on the bench all turned and looked at me for screaming that out. I was exposed. Exposed to everyone, including myself, of how much of a hypocrite I was. I wasn’t this nice, godly college student who is pretty Good at going to church. Rather, what came out of my lips, that’s what reflected what was actually in my heart. That was the real me that I was trying to hide from everyone else. Exposed in very humbling ways. I tell you this story this morning with hopes you actually send us up for our passage where I do think hypocrisy is at the core of this passage. Hypocrisy that is painful as it is to be exposed, friends, it does need to be exposed in our hearts. Now, before we get back to our text real quick, where we left off last week in our study of Luke was part of a sermon. We started out with a sermon that Jesus gave while standing on a plane. As mentioned last week is often referred to just as the Sermon on the plain, which is similar but a little different from the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus recorded in Matthew 5. So similar information, but a little bit different. Mentioned this last week because Jesus gave a similar sermon at least two different times. The sermon that Jesus gave is often, I think, arguably the greatest sermon of all time. For this last week, you may remember that as Jesus gave this great sermon started with a series of blessings for those who follow Jesus as his disciples, and then they’re followed by a series of woes for those who reject Jesus. When our text last week, the blessing and woes were actually grounded in the eternal life that is to come, which actually we see is important in our text today as well. As Jesus often thought through this life as it relates to the next life, the eternal life that is about to come. We also mentioned we learned last week the primary audience by which Jesus gave his sermon on the plain was to his disciples, to those who had faith in him. And this is actually important to our text today, we receive instruction from Jesus on what disciples are to look like so that his disciples will not be hypocrites. And for us this morning as it works, this passage, I do want us just to be really humble before this text. Humble in ways we’re actually asking the Lord to search our hearts to expose like any hypocrisy that may be there. Now, none of us necessarily enjoys having hypocrisy exposed. I mean, it’s actually still embarrassing to me how I was exposed at that basketball game. However, as embarrassing and perhaps even painful as it is to be exposed as a hypocrite, it’s the best thing for us for multiple reasons. So living like a hypocritical, almost double life, that’s exhausting, it’s stressful, it’s anxiety building. We have like no freedom to be ourselves if we just pretend to be something that we’re not. But also having our hypocrisy exposed made plain for everyone to see, including ourselves. It should drive us to confess our sins in ways that they’re running to Jesus rather than continuing to try to hide our sins. So through confessing our sins to the Lord, we can find forgiveness and healing and even freedom that he offers. That’s far better than holding on to hypocrisy, even if there’s, like, consequences that possibly might come for having our hypocrisy exposed. So say it again this morning. Let’s just be humble here, humble before God’s word, and let the Lord search our hearts. So back to the text. So let me read reread verses 27 through 31 if you want to follow along there. I’m going to read this together as a whole just to try to feel the momentum once again that Jesus said in the sermon and the weight which Jesus is calling his disciples to when it comes to loving others. And after reading through it, then I’m going to try to walk back through and just try to maybe answer some questions that maybe you have with that passage. So Jesus to the congregation of plain But I say to you who hear, which by the way includes all of us here today as we hear God’s word, love your enemies, which the love of our enemies result in doing good to those who even hate you, where we even seek to bless those who curse you, where we love in ways, we’re even praying for those who abuse you. Furthermore, as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to love our enemies in such a way in verse 29 that if one strikes you on the cheek, we are to offer the other as well. And if one takes away your cloak, we actually do not withhold our tunic either. Verse 30 as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to love others and it results in even like if someone comes and begs for you like to give it to them. We love in ways that we wish others would do to us, or we to love others in ways that we wish to be done to us. This here is often referred to as the Golden Rule. How we’re to live our lives with love, where we seek to love others around us in ways we want them to love us if we were in their shoes. Walk us back through the text. So first, I do think it’s really important to understand this teaching on loving our enemies. It’s really important for us to See this in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So Scripture is clear that before faith in Christ, we actually all stand as enemies of God, where we all have sinned against Him. However, the message of the Gospel, the good news, that while we are yet sinners, that enemies of God, Christ loved us in such a way that he died for us to take on the punishment of our sin as he made like sinful wretches his treasure. So back to this teaching. If God loves us, his enemies in this way, would it not be hypocritical for us to now in turn not love our enemies? So I think it’s really important we understand this love in the context, in relation to how God loves us. Second, this love that Jesus is calling the disciples to is not actually a love that we can do within ourselves. This is the type of love that only God can do with his strength through us, where his love is like compelling us to be able to love in this way for us. I think that’s kind of the point of this passage here, right? God putting his great and powerful love on display through us. We can’t do this on our own. It’s God’s love controlling us, compelling us to be able to love our enemies. Third, this love that Jesus is calling his disciples to, this obviously is a radical love. This one is so far different from what we see in the world around us. And I also think that’s part of the point of this type of love. Because as we love others by doing good works to others, loving in radical ways, that the hope that others will see like the glory of God, see it in ways that maybe they will turn and trust in him like we have, this is part of the point as well. We are to love our enemies for the glory of God. This is actually part of our worship of him and hopefully for the salvation of others. Fourth, loving others in this way, loving our enemies in this way, loving. Not only is it a real part of how we worship God, but actually helps indicate on whether or not we actually are true worshipers of God, if indeed we do know his love. Or like me in the story I just shared before I was a Christian, for just maybe someone going through the motions for self serving reasons. Remember the first character trait of the fruit of the Spirit? Love, making love the greatest of all. So without love, even love for enemies, how can we say we have the spirit of God living inside of us, the one who is empowering and compelling us to live out his love. Not that we’re gonna be perfect in loving like this, but this type of love should be present, which we’ll talk about more when we get to verse 35. Fifth, with all this being said, I do think it’s important to understand the principle that Jesus is preaching to us here from this passage, which we are to love others in ways that we want others to love us. Right? Once again, verse 31 because this is a principle to love others, the main principle that Jesus is stressing through these examples that he gives in verse 27 through 30. We do actually have a little bit of discernment here. So one of the commentaries I read this week, I rightfully wrote that this call to love in the sermon by Jesus. So Jesus is not advocating for suspension of like like normal civil justice procedures. Likewise, Jesus is not teaching this sermon some type of like hyper passivity in the face of evil. Rather, Jesus is teaching us the lengths by which we are willing to go to love other people, the rights we’re even willing to give up in order to love other people. Another commentary I read this week posed a question. Is Jesus abrogating to leave all personal self defense and rights to private property? The commentary no. Rather he’s demanding a loving attitude that’s not vengeful but is generous and giving. A loving attitude that is so real, so tangible. As mentioned, we’re even willing to lay down our rights in order to love others who do not love Jesus with hopes that through this radical love, not only will it bring glory to God, but God will use our love to bring our enemies to Himself. Okay, so keep that in mind as we think through this. So keep going. Verse 32 so after Jesus set the bar on the depths by which his people are to love even their enemies, we see him then in the text address maybe some pushback that his listeners were having in their own heart with this call to love. Maybe even pushback that some of us might even have on our own hearts. Jesus continued the text. If you love those who just love you, which is a pretty easy thing to do, we don’t need God’s strength to do that. And the text really what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good just to those who do good to you, also pretty easy to do something we can do on our own once again, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Verse 34 and what if you lend to others who you expect to receive a payment back? What credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. So giving to others, knowing you’ll get back, that’s also pretty easy. That’s not hard. But in the sermon, what is hard, verse 35. But to love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing back in return, friends, that’s hard. That’s not something we can easily do in our own strength and power. Once again, we need the Lord’s help, his strength, to be able to do that. In the text, by the help and the strength of the Lord. Indeed, we do these things. Jesus said, your reward will be great, a reward that will indeed bring benefit to you, which is you learned last week. Verses 20 through 23. This reward found in eternal life, a reward that will actually last for all eternity, where God will greatly reward his people for all their acts of faith, for all of their acts of love. And not only will we be rewarded for our acts of love and our acts of faith in the text, these acts of love actually prove to be the fruit of being this true disciple of Jesus Christ. So in the day that is to come, everyone will see, everyone will recognize, you’re a son of the Most High, who in the text is the very one who is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Thus, for his people, in verse 36, they are to be merciful, even as your Father is merciful, meaning if you receive such love, such mercy from God, it’d be hypocritical if we did not show love and mercy towards others. Keep going in the sermon on the plane. If loving our enemies is not an easy thing to do, or we need God’s strength to be able to do that, what is easy for us to do where we don’t need God’s strength is judging others, which is kind of the opposite end of loving. Verse 37. You want to take your eyes there, Jesus, people, judge not and you will not be judged. Condemn not and you will not be condemned. Instead, forgive and you will be forgiven. Give it’ll be given to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. Be put into your life for with you measure, for the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Okay, let me hit pause here and try to explain it. Try to explain a few things from that portion of the passage. So first, there seems to be a shift in who Jesus is referring to in verses 37 to 42 in terms of application. So application, verses 27 through 36 is clear to those who are not Christian. Right we are to love our enemies, show love and mercy and kindness towards others, even if they are putting hardship on us because of our faith in Christ. But now, Starting in verse 37, seems like Jesus now shifted the application and he’s speaking towards how we are to love each other in community, which New Testament expectations are primarily done like in a local church setting. So as this people live in community with another, they’re not to judge one another, they’re not to condemn one another, they’re not to hold forgiveness from one another, which, say it again, is not not always an easy thing for us to do. Even in church life. Even though we all follow Jesus Christ, even these things in church life, in community, Christian community, we need God’s strength and be able to do this command faithfully. By the way, just a little bit, we were taking the Lord’s Supper together. And one of the great purposes of why we take this meal together as a church instead of just like privately as individuals, is this meal has helped to remind us of our common faith in Jesus Christ. To help protect us against judging and condemning one another, to help us to live with forgiveness towards one another. Remember that Jesus was judged and condemned for us on the cross to forgive us of our sins. Second, I do also think it’s important to distinguish between judging and discerning as you think through this passage here. So as Christians we should have discernment when it comes to those around us like even others in the Christian community. So Jesus is not advocating to drop any type of discernment of right or wrong here, of like wise or foolish discern that between is like healthy or toxic. Rather, Jesus is telling his people to flee from these types of attitudes where we like want the worst for others, where we hold like bitterness towards others. Different commentaries I read this week where we’re like almost like eager to like fault find where we have like this like sensorious spirit where we want to like bind others up in our community rather than help them find like freedom and joy in Christ. By the way, this is one of the many reasons why it kind of continually cautious us when it comes to like how much like social media and podcasts that we can consume. You know, there’s so much of those things are just littered with nothing but like judgment, condemnation, fault finding. If we start consuming them, some type of attitudes can start to bubble out of us. Third, I do think it’s important for us to see the reciprocal reality that takes place in community, even Christian community. So look back at verses 36 through 38 and see the reciprocal principle here. So if you are a person who’s clearly not going around Judging others, guess what? Others are not going to go around judging you. If you are a person who is clearly not going around condemning others, guess what? Others are not going to go around to quickly condemn you. If you are a person who is quick to forgive, that’s your reputation. Guess what? Others will be quick to forgive you as well. If you’re one who has a reputation, who is quick to give when times of need comes up, guess what others are gonna be quick to give to you in your time of need. In fact, not only be quick to give in your time of need, in the text, they’ll be like generous towards you. This is what Jesus was speaking towards in that phrase. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will be put into your lap. So you’re kind of confused with that. So maybe think of a picture of someone holding a sack and like someone’s pouring grain into it and the person is like so generous with the grain, they’re pouring the grain down, they’re like pressing down, they’re shaking the sack, they’re squeezing as much grain as they can. But even in their attempts to do that, the generosity is so much, the grain is still like pouring over, filling your lap. When we consistently do good to others, where we know that others are for them, not against them, friends, that’s a picture what others will be for us as well. Reciprocate back to you for the measure you use, it will be measured back to you by the way we know this. This reality is not only true in the positive, but also in the negative. If in our hypocrisy we’re like judgmental, condemning, unwilling to forgive, unwilling to show any type of generous spirit towards others in the community, in the end, that hypocrisy will be turned against us as others in the community will reciprocate those types of attitudes and actions towards us. By the way, kind of on this note, if you’re kind of wondering on how well you’re treating others, a very real indicator could be how others are treating you, both positive and negative. Finally, we’re going to end our text today. Verses 39 through 42. Jesus continues to challenge his disciples, like to basically flee hypocrisy. We read that Jesus gave a parable to help illustrate what like judging, condemning, unforgiving, a non generous person can look like, as well as how we can like fall into the traps of being that type of person. Verse 39. He also told him the parable with a question at the start of the parable. Can a blind man lead A blind man with the obvious answer to Jesus question of no. Because in the text, if a blind is leading the blind, they both will fall into the pit. In this parable, Jesus is using this illustration to talk about teachers and disciples that they’re leading. We’re in verse 40, a disciple is not above his teacher. The teacher is the one who leads and trains so that everyone who is fully trained by his teacher in the end will be like his teacher. Which can also be on the negative or on the positive, but quite closely to the text on the negative. If the teacher is like a blind man going over the pit, disciple will follow and also go over the pit. And this illustration here, this parable here, this is Jesus hopes trying to protect his disciples false teachers was in the context he’s particularly speaking towards, like the Pharisees, who are like teachers of the law, who were judgmental, condemning, unforgiving, having a lack of generosity, who Jesus often called out for being hypocrites. So Jesus is warning his people to avoid such teachers, to not sit with men of falsehood, or to consult with hypocrites, because false, negative, judgmental, condemning, unforgiving, non generous teachers will raise up those who are just like them. Which by the way, for those like me who teach particularly God’s word, this is a real warning for us to hear that we are not hypocritical blind compassion guides. As mentioned, this is also a warning for all God’s people to hear to ensure they’re not sitting under those who are teaching, who are hypocrites, who hypocritically did not show love and mercy for others in verses 27, but instead they show the things listed in verses 37 through 88, where they’re always on the attack, always fault fighting, always belittling, always tearing others down rather than trying to build them up. Well, is always doing the things. Listen, verses 41 through 42, if you always want to look back there as false, judgmental, condemning, unforgiving, non generous teachers both exhibit and train their disciples to do the same. We see that they go around, they try to spot the speck in a brother’s eye, more than willing to tell everyone even their smallest faults. But in this parable, this judgmental, condemning, fault finding person, while they can spot the speck in the brother’s eye, yet somehow cannot not notice the huge log sticking out of their own eye. And not only that, if that’s not bad enough in verse 42, the judgmental, condemning fault finder has like the gall then to go over to his brother with a speck in his eye to tell him, brother, let me take that speck out of your eye. I mean, what nerve to say that to someone when there’s like this obvious plank in your own eye. It’s like almost hard to find words on the gall the nerve to do something like this. However, in the sermon on the plane for Lord Jesus, he was able to find a word. The end of verse 42. If you take your eyes there, you hypocrite, how dare you do that? How can you be so prideful, so full of yourself? First take the log out of your own eye and then from there, sure, with love, tenderness, compassion, humility, then sure, you will clearly be able to take or see and take out the speck in your brother’s eye. For us, as we’re in our text today, before we close, there’s one thing I do want to leave us with, which is actually not necessarily some ideas on how we can like better love our enemies or better love or show mercy towards others, or even how to like avoid like false teachers, like blind guides, or how we can keep our community free from like judging and condemning fault finding within each other or even give you thoughts on like having planks in your eyes. You know, to me, this sermon from Jesus really needs no help for us on that end. I’m sure we know what these things look like. So what I wanted to do in this time is I just want to invite all of us just to simply put away any and all hypocrisy that we know we are currently living with friends. Living with hypocrisy obviously does not unlock honor the Lord. It is not how we worship Him. It does not reflect the love and the mercy that we have been given through Jesus Christ. A hypocritical life is not one that result in a great reward given to us by God in eternal life. Rather, a hypocritical life is really a wasted life. One in the end will only bring us harm. We’re going to feel like anxiety and worry of others, like finding out who the real you is. You can just leave us exhausted, always trying to cover things up. A hypocritical life will lead to more and more others from the community actually pushing away from you, reciprocating towards you in negative ways. Hypocritical life also brings just harm to other people, particularly those who are closest to you, who maybe can see through the hypocrisy. So to say it again this morning, I just want to invite you to trust God, confess your sins, make no provision for the flesh. Repent of your hypocrisy and come to the Lord for forgiveness, for healing, knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ is loving towards those who come to faith in Him. If you come to faith in Jesus, he comes, or he’ll meet you full of his mercy, a mercy that is greater than all of our sin. So what should you do today for the glory of God, for your own good, for the good of others? Would you repent of your hypocrisy and come for healing? If I go back to the story I started with. So after my hypocrisy was exposed, it really did put me into a tailspin. And I tried to run from everything, which not only led me to some real depression and isolation from others, but actually it actually led me to transfer schools. I was just eager to just get away from what was exposed. But now, looking back, as painful, as embarrassing as it was to have the hypocrisy exposed, I could now see how the Lord’s hand of love and mercy was on me, like through it all, because as the exposure of my hypocrisy put me on the run. So I ended up in college, a different college, where I met a friend who invited me to a Bible study. We’re at that study I felt the love of Christian people where I heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that by the grace of God, it landed in my heart so I could repent and believe in Him. So one last time, as painful, as embarrassing as it may have hypocrisy exposed, let that pain, let that embarrassment lead you to Jesus, the One who is perfect in every way, who has no hypocrisy in himself, where he actually perfectly fulfilled this passage that he preached on the plain, wherein his love and mercy gave his life over to his enemies who cursed him, who struck him on the cheek, who tore off his clothes before they nailed him to the cross, where on the cross, Jesus even prayed for those who nailed them there, praying, father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Yet it was on the cross where we see the greatest act of love and mercy and generosity. Because Jesus laid down his life for his people and died for them, even hypocrites. Jesus died even for hypocrites to take on the just judgment of God to provide forgiveness, that we need forgiveness of sin, whether they’re big plank sins or little speck sins, so that through his death resurrection we would know his love. We know in ways, and not only that allows us to love him back, but we know it. And now we can love others as well, even our enemies. Church May the greatest act of love found in Jesus, may that affect us in ways that would push out hypocrisy where his love would fill us so we could love him and we can love others. Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for loving hypocrites like us. Thank you for Jesus, who is no hypocrite, but who is true and right and faithful without sin in all that he did. And Lord, I do pray that you would help us today to push away our hypocrisy wherever it may be found, that we take it and we nail it to the cross. And Lord, I pray that the hypocrisy that we carry would just be so nailed to the cross that you just give us freedom, that you fill us with your love and your joy. Pray this on Jesus name. Amen. The post Love Your Enemies – Luke 6: 27-42 appeared first on Red Village Church.

Thom knows this person well, because he is one. He and Jess dive into how church leaders can best understand and utilize introverts in the church. The post The Quiet Power of the Church Introvert: Why the Most Influential People in Your Church May Be the Least Noticeable appeared first on Church Answers.

Emmy and Natalia continue the conversation about finding a church fit, what your search might lead you into, and why you might not want to church search at all.    Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachistian Venmo: @cafeteriachristian  

We asked, and you all responded! This week Emmy and Natalia read and talk about the ways Cafeterians have church shopped and how it went.  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Please view and pass on this inspired homily by Dearcon Dr. Mark Miravalle at St. James Parish, Medjugorje, May 28, 2025, on the Fifth Marian dogma and the New Pentecost through Our Lady, Queen of Peace.

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ENCOUNTERS part 4: From Shame to Salvation: The Story of Zacchaeus - Brenden Lang - Teaching & Residency Minister

Sermon Series "1 John - Walking With Jesus"-Week 2-What if I Slip?-1 John 1:5-2:2

Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 25, 2025 ========== May 25 - These Words Changed My Life Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 25, 2025 - Ryan Rice "Good God, Provider and Sustainer" Psalm 23 (CSB) 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. Psalm 23:1-6 CSB THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES- vs 1 Jesus is adequate for every need the sheep may have as they are in the pasture- W. Wiersbe THE SHEPHERD LEADS vs 2 THE SHEPHERD GIVES LIFE- vs 3 THE SHEPHERD GLORIFIES HIMSELF- vs 3 THE SHEPHERD IS WITH US- vs 4 THE SHEPHERD PROTECTS US- vs 5 THE SHEPHERD HAS HIS HAND ON US - vs 6 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org

This week at Box Church, we discussed 1 John chapters 3–4, exploring what it means to abide in God's love and live as His children. Catch the conversation here if you missed it or want to listen again.Next week, we'll be back at the Koworx building in Venice—doors open at 10:00 AM and worship begins at 10:30 AM.We'd love for you to join us in person!the eXchange church | Box Church

ENCOUNTERS part 3: Living Water - Parker Loghry, Creative & Teaching Minister

Emmy and Natalia answer our most commonly asked listener question about churches and how to find a “good” church that also is safe, but also has good music, and also good preaching, and and and and and.  Links: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

The Apostles' Creed emphasizes the belief in the holy, catholic (universal) Church. The Church is the holy, set-apart people of God who have been saved by the sacrifice of Jesus. The Church is meant to be the place where we, the people of God, worship, work, and witness to one another and the world; however, far too often it becomes just a building we occasionally visit out of obligation or guilt. The Church is meant to be far more than we allow it to be in our lives. What does it truly mean to believe in the church, and to walk in that belief every day? Key Verses: 1 Peter 2:5,9

Sermon Series "1 John - Walking with Jesus" -Week 1-Who is Jesus?-1 John 1:1-4

Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 18, 2025 ========== May 18 - Anxiety Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 18, 2025 - Jay Spivey "Rest" Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -- Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB) I. The Invitation: Come to ME! A. What does it look like to come to Jesus? 1. Take up my Yoke - Submit to his Lordship as King 2. Learn from Me - Become a Disciple II. The Promise: Rest Exodus 33:12-17- 12 Moses said to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.' 13 Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you. Now consider that this nation is your people.” 14 And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 “If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don't make us go up from here. 16 How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.” 17 The Lord answered Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor with me -- Exodus 33:12-17 (CSB) Colossians 2:16-17 saying “Therefore, don't let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ.” Rest isn't found on a certain day of the week or in a place, but in a person. III. The Justification: Why does Jesus give rest? A. Because Jesus is a Good Master Philippians 2:5-11 — Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth —and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. B. He Offers a Better Yoke Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org

Anchor Bible Church is a fellowship of believers committed to the authority of Scripture, the clarity of the gospel, and the leadership of Jesus Christ to serve Him and others.   Thanks for listening!   Subscribe...it's free!  Go to: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/0rMpe6TGdsld Take a minute to visit our website at: www.anchorbible.org  Also: Our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Anchor-Bible-Church/100064875392767/

Join us for this week's Box Church gathering where we dive into a discussion on 1 John chapters 1–3. Together, we explore what it means to walk in the light, live out God's love, and recognize the evidence of true fellowship with Him. This is part one of our two-week journey through 1 John.Box Church happens 3–4 times a month on Sunday mornings and is a core part of how we do church at the eXchange Church. We meet weekly at 10:30 a.m. at the Koworx building in Venice, FL. Next week, we'll finish the book with chapters 4–5, where we'll discuss the power of love, God's perfect nature, and how we can live with confidence in Christ.If you're in the Venice area, come join us!For more info, visit myexchangechurch.com#BoxChurch #eXchangeChurch #1John #VeniceFL #HomeChurch #BibleDiscussion

ENCOUNTERS part 2: Wreck The Roof (Mother's Day) - Dan Walter, Senior Minister

Sermon Series "Encounters with Jesus"-Week 5-Encounter on the Road-Luke 24:13-35

Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) May 11, 2025 ========== May 11 - Anxiety Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo May 11, 2025 - Micah Cating "Fight for your Family" Nehemiah 4:14 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. Nehemiah 2:17–18 NIV 6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. 11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” 13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. Nehemiah 4:6–9, 11, 13 NIV RECOGNIZE THE OPPOSITION BUILD WITH COURAGE 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14 NIV REMEMBER THE LORD · Prayer · The Word · Church FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families… FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY · Teach Biblical Truth at Home · Guard the Gates · Stand Firm in a Shifting Culture 15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:15–16 NIV Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org

Mothers are the glue of the family system both physically in what they do every day, but also spiritually in how they hold the household in prayer, kindness, and teaching us all how to live our lives the right way. That is why once every year when Mother's Day comes around we have some very special messages from Pastor Liz Sarno honoring all of the Mothers who watch and attend. Welcome to Relevant Church Live, the online campus of Relevant Church located in Daytona Beach, Florida. We pray that through this service you find your place, reveal your purpose, and unlock your potential! We pray this message blesses you and gives you the strength you need to do and be all that God has called you to do and be! Leave a comment below letting us know how this message impacted you today, we'd love to chat with you! #RelevantChurch #PastorLizSarno #MothersDay #Mom #MomsDay #Mother #RelevantChurchDaytonaBeach #OnlineChurch #Relevant #ChurchOnline #RelevantChurchFlorida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ways to Give: Text to Give: Text your amount to 386-968-1103 Online Giving: Visit our website http://www.relevantfl.org/giving to give via debit, credit, or ACH Mail It In: Send gift Via USPS to 920 Beville Rd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay Connected: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @RelevantChurch Relevant Church Website: https://www.relevantfl.org/ Relevant Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relevant_fl/ Relevant Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RelevantFL Relevant Church TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@relevant_fl Relevant Church App: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1615804850?fbclid=IwAR3aHqo_6kr8Tzd_JK6xihjfJkVk6j7-iqITDj1u1wFicDLn6g6C29gL3LY Rkidz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkidzfl Relevant Youth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relevantflyouth/ Relevant Church Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6nUtPIkecEehfstUWWPIVU?si=QBMEtu85SyuU3FxRM1X7lg&nd=1 Pastor Chris Sarno's Website: https://www.chrissarno.tv/ Chris Sarno App: http://www.chrissarno.tv/app -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scripture References: Isaiah 58:11 (NLT) 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 13-18 Ruth 1:15-19 (NLT) Ruth 2:2-3, 5-12 (NLT) Luke 1:26-38 Luke 2:19 (NLT) Psalms 138:3 (TPT) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, May 11th 2025 Pastor Liz Sarno Relevant Church In Every Season Flourish | Mother's Day | Pastor Liz Sarno Mother's Day at Relevant Church | May 11th, 2025 | Pastor Liz Sarno | Relevant Church

Come join your church family this Sunday at 10:00 for a special “God at Work” service! This is a time where we pause to share stories of how God has been moving in our lives—restoring, leading, comforting, and surprising us with His faithfulness. Looking forward to this rich time of church family connection.Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,Psalms 107:2 (NIV)If you are new to Hillside and are looking for ways to get connected and build community, visit our website: https://www.hillsidecovenant.org/ We welcome you to Hillside and are so glad you joined us today!To give in support of Hillside Covenant and its ministries follow this link: https://hillsidecovenant.churchcenter.com/giving.

Did Jesus truly rise from the dead? And what does His resurrection mean for us today? In week 3 of Exploring Jesus, Dr. David Nystrom explores these vital questions. He examines the historical evidence for Jesus' crucifixion, the implausibility of theories like resuscitation or the "wrong tomb," and the unique nature of the disciples' unwavering conviction. Why did they believe in a resurrected Messiah when no such expectation existed? How does the resurrection challenge standard historical methods? Listen as Dr. Nystrom discusses these points, reads the Gospel accounts, and shares why this event is not just a matter of ancient history, but one that speaks profoundly to our lives and deepest questions today. For message notes to follow along, please visit: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZKaqb5ZtInrI3lxdvQIaTaaxTA2YLPn22zV

ENCOUNTERS part 1: From Failure to Following - Brenden Lang - m Teaching & Residency Minister

Sermon Series "Encounters with Jesus"-Week 4-Encounter at the River-Matthew 3:1-17

TYLER MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH                Pastor: Scott WiseOrganist: Julie RiesPianist: Barb NowlinWorship Service: Sunday 11:00 AMChurch Office Hours: Mon, Wed 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMTyler Memorial United Methodist Church260 Mill StreetChillicothe, Ohio 45601(740) 773-1270tylermemorialchurch@gmail.comwww.tylermemorialumc.org CCLI# 592146CSPL089857

Series: Encouragement for Pilgrims on the Way Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Speaker: Pastor David HallettWhat does a true church look like? In a world filled with religious activity and outward appearances, Paul's thanksgiving in 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 shows us the unmistakable marks of genuine salvation and spiritual growth. He doesn't praise the Thessalonians for their size or success, but for their faith that works, love that labours, and hope that endures. These qualities are not man-made—they are the supernatural evidence of God's grace at work. Paul sees more than conversion; he sees transformation. The gospel didn't come to them in word only, but with power and the Holy Spirit. They turned from idols, served the living God, and awaited Christ's return. Their lives displayed the fruit of true salvation and the evidence of maturing faith. As we consider Paul's thanksgiving, may we examine ourselves and our church: are these same marks of life and growth present in us? 

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Audio Treasures is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The condition of a church may be very accurately gauged by its . . . Subtitle: Puritan Devotional Speaker: C. H. Spurgeon Broadcaster: Grace Audio Treasures Event: Devotional Date: 2/11/2025 Bible: Psalm 63:1; Colossians 4:2 Length: 1 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Audio Treasures is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The condition of a church may be very accurately gauged by its . . . Subtitle: Puritan Devotional Speaker: C. H. Spurgeon Broadcaster: Grace Audio Treasures Event: Devotional Date: 2/11/2025 Bible: Psalm 63:1; Colossians 4:2 Length: 1 min.

Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."The condition of a church may be very accurately gauged by its prayer-meetings. If the spirit of prayer is not with the people, the minister may preach like an angel, but he cannot expect success. If there is not the spirit of prayer in a church, there may be wealth, there may be talent, there may be a measure of effort, there may be an extensive religious machinery--but the Lord is not there!It is a sure evidence of the presence of God, that men pray--as the rising of the thermometer is an evidence of the increase of the temperature. In the same way, the prayer-meeting is a grace-ometer, and from it we may judge of the amount of divine working among His people. God is always working in a praying church. And if God is not there, then one of the first tokens of his absence will be slothfulness in prayer."O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Brian Croft about some good reasons your church may not grow numerically. Members leave to help plant or revitalize a church. Your church sends missionaries to the field. Your church places pastors in other local churches. Members relocate to improve their family situation. Divisive or unconverted members leave. Resources related to this podcast: “5 Reasons a Shrinking Church May Be a Good Thing” by Brian Croft

Polishing the Pulpit 2024 - Branson Coldwater Gage - How the Church May Use Its Money

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