Under Roman law, prisoners who were accused of crimes would first undergo what we would call today a “preliminary hearing.”  This would allow for evidence and witnesses to help the accused before the trial began.  In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul found himself in a similar situation in Roman imprisonment after his initial hearing and as he awaited his trial.  

Paul states that at his first defense all “deserted him.”  At first glance, this appears sad to think of Paul being deserted by the many he had ministered to and served with.  This was, of course, during the days of Nero’s persecution.  Had someone spoken on his behalf, they would have likely been arrested.   

We should take note of the remainder of the verse.  Paul does not have any bitterness towards them, but rather displays grace and love.  He asked that their failure “not be counted against them.”*  Paul is putting into practice what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:5 where he says that love “does not take into account a wrong suffered.” 

When you feel betrayed or wronged, how do you respond?  Do you allow bitterness to take root?  Or do you respond like Paul?

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

*For similar responses see Ps. 32:2; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60

This Sunday morning we will continue our look at Matthew’s gospel as we begin chapter 10.  In chapters 8-9, Matthew has shown Jesus’ power over defilement, nature, demons, sins, and his compassion for the lost.  In Chapter 10, the focus changes from miracles to discipleship.  The first two messages in Matthew 10 will be a study of the Twelve Disciples (Apostles) of Jesus.

Below are some resources that you might find helpful.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

This Sunday evening, October 18, we will begin a new sermon series on the Minor Prophet Haggai.  Haggai encouraged those who had returned from captivity to finish the work the Lord had given them.  But before the work could resume the people needed to get their priorities right.  The study will show the need for God’s people to put Him first in their lives or miss out on His best for them. 

Below are some resources that you might find helpful as we begin this study.        

The first message will be on Haggai 1:1-6 and is entitled “Misplaced Priorities”.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

Our attitude toward something often appears in our behavior.  For example, a person can say something but what they really believe is revealed in their behavior.  For a Christian, the way we live our lives oftentimes is a direct reflection of our attitude toward the Lord.

Throughout history, mankind has struggled with never being satisfied and has a deep longing for something missing in their lives.  In our culture today, we find evidence of this in the need to constantly get something new.  We do this hoping that the next thing will satisfy our souls only to be left with the emptiness that worldly things provide.

Bernard of Clairvaux composed a hymn that describes a restless soul that ultimately finds rest in the Lord Jesus.  The hymn is called “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts.”  The hymn is similar to the words of Peter in John 6:68-69.  In this passage, many people have abandoned Jesus because they feel His words are too much to hear and to obey.  Jesus in turn asked the disciples if they too want to leave, and Peter responds “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).  Peter recognizes that only in Christ can a person find what they are looking for in the present and the future (John 6:69).

As Bernard writes in his hymn, “our restless spirits yearn for thee.”  To find rest for the soul is to find Christ.  We then spend our remaining days growing in our knowledge of Him, His Word, prayer, and service. 

Have you found rest for your soul?  Have you found Christ?

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

This Sunday morning we begin a new section in our study in Matthew’s gospel that details Jesus’ Great Galilean Ministry.  Jesus shows himself to be the long-awaited King of Israel by displaying his power over defilement, distance, disease, and nature.

Below are some videos that you might enjoy.  They give an introduction to Galilee as well as many other topics.  These videos will help you better understand and appreciate our Lord’s ministry in Galilee.

Introduction to Galilee of Jesus – https://youtu.be/El1iIJRMjuY

Miracles of Jesus in the Galilee – https://youtu.be/pvFwLK83or4

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

2020 has been a year that many will never forget.  The world is filled with anxiety and confusion about what lies ahead in the future.  John Walvoord once wrote that “mention the words end times and most people will respond with a combination of fascination and fear, confusion and conjecture.  [But understanding it] will relieve fears for those who have placed their trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.”

Christians can live hopeful lives in the last days because we know what God’s Word promises about the future.  One area of hope is in the future Millennium.  What and when is the Millennium?  What will the conditions be in the Millennium? 

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

There is no shortage of suggestions for how we can put our lives in order.  Turn to the news, YouTube, or the latest secular book and you will find countless ways to put your life in order.  While many of these suggestions might be helpful in the short term, they fail to give you anything other than various opinions rather than truth.

The Apostle John wanted Christians in the church to order their lives by something different than what the world suggested.  In 2 John 1:4 and 3 John 1:4, John points to the need to order one’s life by the Word of God.  In both verses, the elder John uses the expression “walking in the truth.”  For John, to hear that the Christians were practicing the truth of God’s Word in their daily lives brought him great joy.

Do you want your life to be in order?  John tells us that if we do we must put into practice the truths of God’s Word.  Faithfulness to God’s Word is the foundation of Christian living and puts our lives in order.

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

As Christians, we have several words that we use so often that they can sometimes begin to lose their meaning to us.  One of these words is grace.  Grace is usually defined as God’s “unmerited favor.”  We do not deserve grace nor does God owe this goodness to us.

In addition to remembering what grace means, through God’s grace we have many abundant blessings.  Below is a list of various blessings that we have because of God’s grace.  Take some time to read and pray through them, and be reminded of all that the Lord graciously has done for those in Christ.

*Adapted from Lehman Strauss, Galatians and Ephesians Devotional Commentary

Blessings,

Pastor Steven