Encouraged in the Lord

   

Honestly, it seemed a little trite: “Yeah yeah, David encouraged himself in the Lord…that’s nice.  I don’t feel like encouraging myself in the Lord.  I am not in a worshipful mood here.  I don’t feel like singing.  I don’t have the energy to sit and meditate on high and lofty things.  All I can think about is what am I going to do now?!”

Listen as Pastor Rick transparently shares a message of encouragement based on the story of David and Ziklag from 1 Samuel chapter 30.

Planted in Death Raised in Life

   

Listen as Pastor Rick gently shepherds our hearts through the grief of losing one of our own.  Mama V you are missed!

2017 Advent Sunday 1 - The Hope of Prophets

Today's Service was not recorded due to its unique Nature.  As a result, Pastor Rick has just included the outline below:

The Prophet
My name is Isaiah.  Many years before the birth of Jesus the Christ, I prophesied many things about Him though I did not know Him then.  Once I stood before the King Ahaz and spoke the Word of the Lord: “7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” I had no idea at the time how incredible were these words!

Later I prophesied to my countrymen, “9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined… 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

What glorious words of hope!  In my time Israel was falling like a star from the heavens.  Great wickedness was all around.  Great was the coming judgement of God.  Yet, in the midst of these times and circumstances, God gave marvelous glimpses of hope! 700 years later, the fulfillment of these prophecies would come to pass in the midst of hard times for our nation under the heel of Rome as it once again approached destruction.  There again in my beloved nation which was full of corrupt religion and facing impending doom, the glorious light of God shined as a baby was born to a virgin fulfilling my words from so long before. 

That baby grew to manhood without sin and eventually fulfilled other words I prophesied: “53:1 ¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
 4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
 10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
(KJV)”

As He gave His life in intercession on the cross, He opened the way of redemption to us.  Three days after he died, he raised to life again and a few weeks later ascended back into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for you.  Now the hope about which I prophesied has come to pass and is even now held before you.  Once again the world is in chaos with wickedness all around.  Once again the world faces imminent doom.  But the light I prophesied about so long ago, fulfilled in Christ Jesus, is still the hope for all mankind.  There is no other.  No man can come to the Father except by Him!  No man has any hope of redemption or eternal life without Him!  Have you opened your heart to the hope of the prophets?  Does He live in you?

Pause for a Prayer.

Now I want to reinforce what I have said with these children here:

KIDZONE – Decorating Christmas Trees
Why do we decorate Christmas trees?  Well, some people trace the origins of the Christmas Tree back across many centuries to various times and places.  Some people associate it with very negative or bad ideas.  However, in our modern era, the Christmas Tree has become almost empty of symbolism and meaning and for most people is just another object associated with the holiday.  That alone is reason enough for its existence.
However, here at WLF we like to take every opportunity we can to redeem things and to imbue them with meaning.  We also like to do things that reinforce truth in our minds and the minds of our children.  So that is what we are going to do with our Christmas Trees this year.
Let’s talk about the symbolism of some of the elements we have before us. 
The Evergreen – The evergreen tree is a symbol of growth, health, and life.  It is constantly green amid even the harshest winter.  It is to us a symbol of “Eternal Life that comes from God through the gift of his Son, Jesus, Christ our Lord (John 3:16).  Additionally, we think of the manger (possibly made of wood) and the cross (definitely made of wood) as two objects made from trees that were used in the greatest love story ever told.
The Lights – The lights represent so many things that we see around Christmas time.  What are some of those?  The star?  The Bright Angels?  Jesus Himself: There are three Scriptures that reference this:
John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
 5 ¶ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 8:12 – Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
2 Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The Stars – I have here some stars.  What do these represent? Yes!  The Star of Bethlehem and the bright and morning star, Jesus!
Matthew 2:9 – When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2Pe 1:19 – We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Revelation 22:16 – I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
The Candy Canes – There are legends about the candy cane that you can research on your own, but today we use them to symbolize several things:
What is the shape of a candy cane?  Like a shepherd’s crook – with which he could steer or rescue sheep. Psalm 23:1-4 & John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Also the shape is like a “J” which stands for Jesus! – Matthew 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Underneath it is white like snow. God said through the prophet Isaiah, “1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Then the red stripes represent how Jesus was scourged or whipped before his crucifixion and represent the blood He shed for us. Isaiah 53:5-6 - 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The Crosses – These ornaments represent the reason Jesus came at Christmas.  He was born to die.  He was born to give his life as a ransom for sinful mankind. 
Matthew 20:27-28 – “27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

The Nails – With nails Jesus was attached to the cross.  How do we know this?  We know from the remarks of Thomas recorded in John 20:25, The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. With these nails we represent the agony He was born to carry for us.

The Rocks – What can these rocks represent?  Well they can represent some of the teaching of Jesus: Matthew 7 where he tells us about the wise man who built his house on the solid foundation of rock.  It can speak of Jesus Himself about whom the Apostle Paul wrote, “Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” But most of all for us it represents the end of the Easter story that gives meaning to Christmas.  Jesus was buried in a tomb made of ___.  Across the entrance was placed a heavy ___.  When the women came early on the first day of the week to anoint his body they found the ___ had been rolled away! (Luke 23:53 & Luke 24:1-3)

The Empty Egg – This is an Easter Egg.  That’s a strange thing to see at Christmas – especially on a Christmas Tree!  Why would we put an Easter Egg on the Christmas Tree?  What’s inside this Easter Egg? NOTHING!  What does that make you think of?  Yes!  The Empty Tomb! 

Luke 24: 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
 8 And they remembered his words,
 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
 10  It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Don’t you think that is what Christmas is all about?  That is the reason we celebrate His birth, remember His death, and rejoice in His resurrection!  Because all of this means we serve the Living God and His Son our Risen Lord Jesus, the promised Messiah!  It also means that since He kept His promise to rise again, He will also keep His promise to give us eternal life if we believe on Him and He will come again to receive us unto Himself just as He promised He would!  This is our glorious hope the hope of the resurrection in Christ! In his powerful opening statement to the Ephesian Christians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “16 [I] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

On this first Sunday of Advent – the Day of Prophets & Hope, I hope you have been reminded that God is our Good Father Who Keeps His Promises as we talked about last week; Who fulfills His prophetic Word and Gave us the Greatest Gift in all of History in His Son Jesus.  As we have decorated these Christmas Trees today, I hope the symbolism we have included helps you to think all Christmas Season about the real meaning for the season. 

ADVENT 2016 - The Hope of Forgiveness

Listen as Pastor Rick begins the Advent Series with a sermon about forgiveness.

What is your greatest hope? I would contend that your greatest hope is to be loved completely by someone who understands you, accepts you as you are, and forgives you when you are in need of it.  Someone who loves you with abandon without reservation.  May I introduce you to Jesus the Christ – the God Who loves you today just that way?  He designed you, created you, sustains you, and understands you.  He accepts you as you are when you come to him with a humble penitent heart.  He forgives every sin and wipes away every stain if you will only let Him in.  He loves you with abandon and without reservation as he demonstrated that first Christmas long ago when his tiny helpless form was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in the hay. 

This is the hope we proclaim this first Sunday of Advent: the hope of forgiveness: the hope of being among the living forgiven!  Are you living in this hope today?  Are you forgiven?  Have you opened the door of your heart to the Christ: JESUS who came to save you from your sins?  He stands at the door knocking.  Won’t you let forgiveness in?

SUFFERING

Listen as Pastor Rick shares a message with us about suffering as he attempts to very carefully share some very important ideas that may give strength amid difficulty and at very least will give food for thought.  This message comes with Pastor Rick's prayers.

Face to Face with God

Listen as Pastor Rick shares a very burdened message about the certainty of death and the judgment.  He also shares the positive part of this message.  We pray that you will find both conviction and encouragement in this message.

When I stand face to face with God whether I am ushered into his presence from I-64 or elsewhere, I want to know that I will not stand before Him clothed in the rags of my own righteousness or naked from the lack thereof but instead fully clothed in the wedding garment of the righteousness of the Son of God Himself.  I want to know that the books are empty of my sinfulness and full of the righteousness of Christ in me – the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)!

The Greatest Is Love

Listen as Pastor Rick scratches the surface of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 by recapturing and sharing part of a great sermon from more than 135 years ago by Henry Drummond.  It is a passionate reminder to the church to keep the greatest commandment and pursue the greatest virtue: that of agape love.

The Gospel of John Series - God SO Loved

Listen as Pastor Rick shares perspective on the most famous verse in Scripture: John 3:16. Word by word Pastor Rick draws out the beauty of this verse.  Do you realize how MUCH God loves you?  No matter your sin, God loves you and gave His only begotten son for you.  Will you surrender to Him?

The Preeminence of Faith - A Key Message

Pastor Rick explores the preeminent doctrine of the Bible: Faith.  Have you faith in God?  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  Faith is foundational.  Listen and consider these ideas and question yourself: Do you have faith?  - P.S. Have you heard of a blobfish?

The Post Resurrection Series - ANCHORED IN HOPE

Listen as Pastor Rick shares a message of faith and hope based upon the resurrection.  It is a hope certain and sure!  This is the first message in the Post-Resurrection Series.  Listen and be encouraged!

We Have A Hope!

Pastor Rick reminds us what it means to be a Christian in the context of Christ and Eternal Hope not the Earthly Hope of politicians!  This culturally relevant message will encourage your heart.

ADOPTED!

Inspired by friends and the Apostle Paul, listen as Pastor Rick elaborates on the beautiful picture of our relationship to God, portrayed through the act of adoption.  Are you part of the family?

HOPE

Below is the text of a message I shared in May of 2010 after my sister was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  Her surgery since then conquered the cancer and today she is cancer free.  but at the tie we didn't know that would be the case and this truth resonated with me.  I hope it encourages you too!

A man sentenced to death obtained a reprieve by assuring the king he would teach his majesty’s horse to fly within the year—on the condition that if he didn’t succeed, he would be put to death at the end of the year. “Within a year,” the man explained later, “the king may die, or I may die, or the horse may die. Furthermore, in a year, who knows? Maybe the horse will learn to fly.”

- Bernard M. Baruch (Source unknown)

What was this? Hope.  While a morbidly humorous example, today I want to share a little bit about hope.

Romans 5: 1-5

1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 15:13

13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

My sister this week was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  While this is devastating news, she still has hope: hope that there will be an effective treatment.  Hope that she’ll be able to beat it and live.  This is the hope of physical life.  However, hope of physical life is best rooted in the hope of eternal life.

From these two Scriptures it is clear that God wants us to have joy and peace through faith unto the abundance of hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the hope of abundant present life and the hope of eternal life through the resurrection.

Where does that hope come from?

1.     We are justified by faith

2.     We have peace with God through Christ

3.     We have access to grace by faith

4.     We rejoice in hope

Then, we glory in tribulation because…

1.     Tribulation brings patience

2.     Patience brings experience

3.     Experience brings hope

4.     This hope will not let us down or disappoint us

First is the Reason we have hope.

Second is the Recipe for hope.

Third is the Result of hope.

Why do we need to discuss this today?  Because we live in a world of hopelessness.

Describe the painting by Frida Kahlo – Mexican Painter (sad life)

“In the foreground, staring directly at the viewer, white tears visible on her cheeks, the artist lies immobile in a four poster hospital bed, only her head visible above the white sheet covering that is decorated with pale, pastel circles of cells or microscopic organisms.  The towering wooden oak easel that held her canvases, allowing Frida to paint when ill, is now the structure supporting a funnel of physical and emotional preoccupations erupting as vomit from her mouth: fish heads, dead chicken carcasses and fowl entrails, and skull inscribed with her name.  The background is a barren, parched and cracked desert.  The solitary objects in the sky, a moon and red-orange rimmed sun, suggest being trapped eternally, day and night, in this state, "Without Hope" --the painting's title. On the back of the painting Kahlo wrote, "Not the least hope remains to me....Everything moves in tune with what the belly contains."  [Hayden Herrera. Frida Kahlo: The Paintings (New York: HarperPerennial) 2002, p. 187] 1945: 

 

She was hopeless…without hope.  What a sad way to live.

We live in a world full of people without hope.  While many do not express it as graphically as Frieda Kahlo, they still are without hope. 

I’ve met many Christians in my life - and even have been tempted by it myself – who seem to live without hope.  They wrestle with shame, guilt, regret and despair.  While many of these are human emotions and may be experienced in our lives, we cannot keep them or hold onto them.  We must relinquish them in faith to Christ Who has given us the promise of hope.  As Christians we do not need to live in a soup of hopelessness.

Jeremiah17:7,8

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”

This is what God wants for us: a vibrant life rooted in the hope of Himself.  This hope is not idle.  It is not to be conjured up in our own strength.  It is to be rooted in His power and might. 

Ephesians 1:18,19

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

This calls us to realize that our hope is fundamentally based in His power above all things through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This hope is an anchor to us:

“19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” (Hebrews 6:19)

So I encourage us all today: harbor not guilt for sins committed in the past.  Carry not shame for deeds of days gone by.  Imprison yourself not in cells of regret.  Break free of the bars of despair through the power of hope in Christ.

In Christ old things pass away and all becomes new. 

In Christ we are new creatures.

In Christ we may forget the things which lie behind us and press forward to the mark of the high calling of God.

In Christ alone we may stand having this treasure in earthen vessels.

We serve this mighty King Who rules over everything.  He spoke and worlds were hurled into existence.  He breathed and stars were kindled.  He whispered and storms were stilled.  He has not changed.  He does not sleep.  He does not cease to watch over all His creation.

Isaiah 40:

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

 22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

 23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

 24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

 25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

 27 ¶ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.           

Cast all your cares upon the Lord.  He cares for you.  Leave your regrets, your shame, your guilt, your past, your sins, your fears, and any despair that would shackle you or cause you to stumble.  Leave them at the foot of the cross.  Let His blood cover them.  Let the power of His resurrection give you life anew that you may live vibrantly in peace through the joy of this hope in Christ Jesus!

During the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God's provision and keeping. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and wept. He felt he had come to his darkest hour.

Soon afterward, Gerhardt felt the burden lifted and sensed anew the Lord's presence. Taking his pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many.

"Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed;

God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears the way.

Wait thou His time, so shall the night soon end in joyous day."