“Seven Times Seventy” (Matthew 18:21-35)   The ability to forgive is an attribute that is essential for a disciple of Jesus Christ. Peter asked Jesus how many times he would need to forgive someone. The Rabbinic tradition was that you needed to do so three times. Although Peter assumed seven times would be adequate, Jesus taught him that there were no limits set on how often we are to forgive.   To help the disciples better understand this, Jesus teaches them using a parable. There was a servant of the king who owed a debt so large that he could never pay it back. When asked to pay it, he pleaded with his master to give him more time to repay the debt. Because of the master’s great mercy, he forgave all of his debt.   However, the servant then went out and found another servant who owed him just a small amount. When the second servant asked for time to repay, the first servant refused and threw him into prison. When his master learned of this, he jailed the first servant for his unwillingness to forgive even though he had been forgiven so much himself.   Jesus teaches us that we have had all of our sins forgiven by God’s great mercy. This serves as our model for forgiving others. We need to be willing to forgive, no matter how many times it is needed.   Is there someone you need to forgive? Let us be a people who know no limits to forgiveness.   Blessings,   Pastor Steven

Currently, our Sunday night sermon series is on the book of Daniel. Below are some extra items that will help you understand this great book better. These extras are related to Daniel chapters 3 and 4.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_4#/media/File:William_Blake_-_Nebuchadnezzar_(Tate_Britain).jpg

  Blessings,   Pastor Steven

Currently, our Sunday night sermon series is on the book of Daniel. 

As we go through Daniel, I will periodically provide extra items that will help you better understand this great book.  Below is a list of extras related to Daniel chapter 2.

1. What Scriptures were used as cross references in the two Daniel 2 sermons? 

Psalm 20:7

Psalm 50:15

Isaiah 2:2

Micah 4:1

Zechariah 14:9

Revelation 11:15

2.Nebuchadnezzar’s dream = Good article that explains the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  https://www.gotquestions.org/Nebuchadnezzars-dream.html

3. Daniel 2, The Great Statue = This is a helpful chart with explanatory notes related to the great statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.  https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/blog/do-you-know-how-to-interpret-the-four-kingdoms-of-daniel

4. Videos = Two brief videos done to show a 3D view of the great statute.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aK7zpVU7bE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFtoX_rz3tg.

Blessings,

Pastor Steve

The book of Psalms is made up of five books (or collections) of 150 psalms.

Psalm 42 begins the second book in the Psalms. Contrary to common thought, there are psalms written by other authors than David. In the case of Psalm 42, it is one of several psalms written “of the Sons of Korah.” The psalm is typically categorized as a lament, although it does contain other aspects to it.   Psalm 42:1-5 provide a picture of a person who has a deep longing for the Lord. For example, verse 1 pictures a deer who longs for water, just as the human soul does the presence of God. Verse 2 describes the human soul that thirsts for God, desperately trying to be in His presence. Just as water is required for life, so is the Lord Himself needed for true life. In Psalm 42:5, the question is raised as to why a child of God would be cast down (e.g. in despair) instead of hoping in God. The child of God does not need to be in despair, God will again help them just as He has before. It is important to remember that Biblical hope differs from the world’s view of hope. The world sees hope as having an element of doubt to it, whereas Biblical hope is not based on feeling or doubt. Rather, Biblical hope is based on the certain and solid belief that God’s promises and Word will come true. Said another way, it is hope that is completely confident in the Lord.   Like the psalmist, we must ask ourselves where our hope is when we are down cast or in despair. Is it in the many temporary things of this world? Or, do we have hope in the One True God and know with certainly He will fulfill all His promises and Word?     Blessings,   Pastor Steven

Recently, some of you have asked for some resources to help in their daily walk with Christ. Below is a re-post from a year ago that be helpful. I would probably add to the below John MacArthur’s “One Perfect Life” (https://www.amazon.com/One-Perfect-Life-Complete-Story/dp/1401676324) as another great resource. Pastor Steven Pace February 2019  

In recent sermons, I have mentioned the need for Christian’s to daily reflect on Jesus Christ. This is something that will enable you to grow in Christlikeness. It is hard to follow someone you do not know. For several years, my practice has been to read the gospels constantly. I always try to be reading one of the gospels. This allows me to reflect on Jesus, who he is, how he responded to situations, etc. Several people have asked me for suggestions on doing this. Below is a list of ways and resources that may assist you in your walk with Jesus Christ. The list is not exhaustive but has been a good source for me over the years. Suggestions:

Last night we began our new Sunday night sermon series in the book of Daniel.  As we go through Daniel, I will periodically be providing extra items that will provide more details.  Below is a list of extras as we begin.

1. Who were the Chaldeans?  https://www.gotquestions.org/Chaldeans.html
2. John Phillips = audio summary of the book of Daniel.  Excellent overview of the book.  https://voicesforchrist.org/welcome/search?q=john+Phillips+daniel
   1. Looking At Daniel-01 ~ Chapters 1-6
   2. Looking At Daniel-02 ~ Chapters 7 & Prophecies Daniel Prophecy 

Blessings,

Pastor Steven

At Christmas time, we often hear the word, Immanuel. We hear people use it when they sing, and we read about it a variety of books and literature. But what does it mean? What does it have to do with Christmas? In our culture today, most people think of Christmas in terms of Santa, presents, and parties. So how does understanding what Immanuel means help us better understand the meaning of Christmas? Immanuel is a name (or title) that means “God with us”. For a word referred to so much, it is only found once in the New Testament. In Matthew 1:23, we read that a virgin will have a son and call his name Immanuel. Matthew is quoting a prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 made approximately 700 years beforehand. Isaiah speaks of a time in the future when a virgin will give birth to a son and his name will be called God with us (Immanuel). Matthew’s use of Immanuel as a title for Jesus shows two key things. First, it shows Jesus’ divinity as the Son of God. Second, that God came to us through the birth of Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus reveals God to us (ex. John 1:18). These truths and many others are developed throughout the gospels. Lastly, Immanuel should remind us that God is faithful in fulfilling His promises. He might not always fulfill them the way or when we want, but the Lord is always faithful in keeping His promises. Merry Christmas, Pastor Steven