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Sep 6, 2023
Exodus 32
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  • Sep 6, 2023Exodus 32
    Sep 6, 2023
    Exodus 32
  • Sep 3, 2023Labor Day
    Sep 3, 2023
    Labor Day
    Series: 2023
    Most people think of labor day as the unofficial end of summer
     
    They celebrate with BBQs and beach trips
     
    When I think about Labor day I think about a different kind of labor
     
    Thinking about this kind of labor made me think of what Jesus told Nicodemus
     
     
    Remember who Nicodemus is?
     
    Nicodemus came to Jesus at night
     
    When Jesus said you must be born again Nicodemus was genuinely baffled
     
    Jesus broke it down in verse 5
     
    Remember that the Jews being God’s chosen people, felt they were destined to Heaven
     
    Why would they need to be born again, they were born right the first time
     
    Today some people mistakenly believe that they are destined to Heaven
     
    God loves us, so of course He would allow us all in heaven
     
    Jesus said unless we are born again we can’t see the kingdom of God
     
     
    He said that because Nicodemus was extremely familiar with the Old Testament
     
     
    It takes cleansing and being filled with the Spirit in order to be born again
     
     
     
    Jesus isn’t saying that the Spirit of God is random
     
    He is saying that although we can’t see it, the Spirit wishes to fill all who repent and believe
     
    Many people today think they are saved but they have not been born again by water and Spirit
     
    God desires for ALL to come to Him but only those who do will see the kingdom of God
     
    Have you been born again?
  • Aug 30, 2023Exodus 30 & 31
    Aug 30, 2023
    Exodus 30 & 31
  • Aug 27, 2023Second Chances
    Aug 27, 2023
    Second Chances
    Series: 2023

    Today we are going to cover the story of Jonah
     
    Some background to know is that Jonah lived during a time of moral decay and worldly unrest
     
    We could be talking about today just as easily
     
     
    So God told Jonah to go and instead Jonah tried to run away from God
     
    In today’s tumultuous world God is telling His people to go and tell but most are trying to hide instead
     
    Why did Jonah do that?
     
    Everything he had been taught in Israel was to hate those against Israel
     
    He had been taught to be against people that were not Godly
     
    God changed the narrative and said preach repentance to this people
     
    Today American Christians also have these biases against lost people
     
    We somehow believe that God only loves America and those who have already accepted Him
     
    We would probably never say that but it is how we act
     
    What happened to Jonah when he ran from God
     
     
    Even when Jonah was disobedient God protected him
     
    However Jonah was miserable in this situation
     
    When a Christian is not doing what God calls them to do they can not have true Joy.
     
     
    See even when we are disobedient if we call on the Lord He will answer
     
    This was a second chance for Jonah
     
    He did what God asked but he wasn’t happy about it
     
    God even used this half hearted effort to open the hearts of the people of Nineveh
     
     
     
    If we are honest we are just like this sometimes today.
     
    God gives us chance after chance but we somehow feel others don’t deserve that
     
    The story of Jonah ends without saying if Jonah ever had a change of heart
     
    When we leave Jonah he is still miserable even after doing what God told him to do
     
    God will give us second chances and He will use us despite ourselves
     
    When we are begrudgingly serving God we will not receive the Joy that should be there
     
    Today my question for you is are you running from God?
     
    Are you serving Him but not happy about it?
     
    Wouldn’t you like to have the Joy that God gives when we serve Him gladly?
     
    Use your second chances joyfully!
  • Aug 23, 2023Exodus 29 part3
    Aug 23, 2023
    Exodus 29 part3
  • Aug 20, 2023Persistence In Prayer
    Aug 20, 2023
    Persistence In Prayer
    Series: 2023

    Do you ever pray for something truly important and grow weary when you don’t see the answer?
     
    Many believers will pray diligently but after a couple weeks allow it to fade away.
     
    I want to read a story about George Mueller and prayer.
     
    Where did he get the idea that he had to be so persistent?
     
     
    In America today we have become an inpatient people.
     
    "I want what I want and I want it now!"  Also, "I am not willing to wait any time for it."
     
    Sometimes it just takes time
     
    Smoked meat takes hours to be ready but it is so worth it when you taste it
     
    I believe the lack of persistent prayer is the greatest reason for church decline today
     
    We as a church need to be in persistent prayer for God to use us to reach people
     
    If you want to see Orchard or any church grow persistent prayer is the key
     
    When I say persistent prayer I mean you gotta PUSH
     

    Pray  

    Until

    Something

    Happens
     
    So when we pray for something we have to prepare to receive it
     
    One of my favorite quotes from “Facing the Giants”
     
    If you are praying for rain, prepare your field to receive it
     
    God’s people today, when they do pray, they are not preparing to receive what they pray for
     
    This means that we have to pray and we have to prepare
     
    For every believer, we have to pray persistently, believing God will deliver
     
    If we are praying persistently we have to prepare persistently
     
    We need to get out in our community and invite people to meet God
     
    As we saw in George Mueller’s story, God answers in His time but our job is to keep praying
     
     
    “Do your work heartily, as for the Lord”
     
    Christians, we must get to prayer and get to work for God
     
    Being satisfied with how things are is not doing things for the Lord
     
    Are you ready to diligently pray and prepare today?
     
    If not, then why not? What is preventing you from that?
     
    Do you truly know God?
  • Aug 16, 2023Exodus 29 part2
    Aug 16, 2023
    Exodus 29 part2
  • Aug 13, 2023Consecrate Yourselves
    Aug 13, 2023
    Consecrate Yourselves
    Series: 2023
  • Aug 9, 2023Exodus 29 part1
    Aug 9, 2023
    Exodus 29 part1
  • Aug 6, 2023She Perished Not
    Aug 6, 2023
    She Perished Not
    Series: 2023
  • Aug 2, 2023Exodus 28
    Aug 2, 2023
    Exodus 28
  • Jul 30, 2023In His Image
    Jul 30, 2023
    In His Image
    Series: 2023
  • Jul 26, 2023Exodus 27
    Jul 26, 2023
    Exodus 27
  • Jul 23, 2023The Walls Of Jericho
    Jul 23, 2023
    The Walls Of Jericho
    Series: 2023
  • Jul 19, 2023Exodus 26 part2
    Jul 19, 2023
    Exodus 26 part2
  • Jul 16, 2023Rainbow Promises
    Jul 16, 2023
    Rainbow Promises
    Series: 2023

    God’s word begins with Genesis 1:1 God created the heavens and the Earth
     
    By Genesis 8, man was so evil, God destroyed everyone except the family of Noah
     
    In Genesis 9 God makes us a promise that includes a sign
     
    The Rainbow!!
     
     
    This weekend in VBS the theme has been Noah and the Ark
     
    What I want to focus on today in the Promise or the Covenant
     
    A covenant made by God to all living things
     
    A covenant that God wanted to remind us of often so He gave us a beautiful rainbow
     
    A rainbow is actually a full circle when seen from above but we only see half from the ground
     
    A circle also represents perfection and continuity
     
    God destroyed the earth because of the evil of man
     
    This covenant never says man won’t be punished for their evil
     
    However it is a promise that God loves us so much he won’t flood the whole world again
     
     
    The first thing that Noah did when he stepped out of the ark was give an offering to God
     
    God says “the intent of a man’s heart is evil”
     
    The only thing that can change that is God
     
    Some try to explain away the rainbow as simply a scientific explanation
     
    God’s word clearly shows that a rainbow is from God
     
    Some of the most beautiful rainbows seem to occur after the worst storms
     
    God reminding us that He will never leave us or forsake us even when times are bad.
     
    Have you ever seen a double rainbow?
     
    Have you ever noticed that the color pattern of the second rainbow is a reverse of the first
     
    How amazing!  I like to think of that as a full picture from top to bottom and bottom to top.
     
    No matter what comes your way God is always there
     
    A rainbow also causes me to think of another covenant from God
     
    The one in which Jesus gave His life to save yours
     
    This beauty makes a rainbow dim in comparison
     
    Have you ever entered into that covenant with God?
  • Jul 12, 2023Exodus 26 part1
    Jul 12, 2023
    Exodus 26 part1
  • Jul 9, 2023Forgivness Is Paramount
    Jul 9, 2023
    Forgivness Is Paramount
    Series: 2023

    Everyone here is human
     
    Since we all make mistakes, we all need forgiveness
     
    God gave us the ultimate forgiveness, if we accept it
     
     
    If we have been forgiven, what does that mean for us?
     
     
    When we need forgiveness, it is the greatest thing we can receive
     
    Forgiveness can repair relationships as nothing else can
     
    In this passage a person was in the wrong but they asked for compassion
     
    The compassion led to complete forgiveness
     
    This was an incredible act of kindness
     
    Unfortunately, many people receive forgiveness but don’t reciprocate
     
     
    Forgiveness should be given as easily as it is received
     
    Today we hear many people say, I can never forgive them
     
    I’m talking about Christians right now
     
     
    When we have been forgiven there are consequences if we don’t forgive
     
    If we are to have a relationship, forgiveness is paramount
     
    When we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, the person that hurts the most is us
     
    Unforgiveness creates a barrier to a relationship with people and with God
     
    When we have hurt someone we need to go to them and apologize
     
    This gives us a chance to show our sorrow and them a chance to forgive
     
     
    We need to go to those we have hurt and make amends
     
    This can make both hearts right with God
     
    See we, as believers, must give others the same forgiveness that God gives us
     
    The way to do this is be kind to everyone
     
    If we do something wrong to someone, apologize
     
    When someone apologizes, forgive them
     
    Have you received the forgiveness that Jesus offers today?
  • Jul 5, 2023Exodus 25 part 2
    Jul 5, 2023
    Exodus 25 part 2
  • Jul 2, 2023Excessive Heat Warning
    Jul 2, 2023
    Excessive Heat Warning
    Series: 2023

    This week we will celebrate Independence day!
     
    As a country we are blessed to be free to live and worship as we choose
     
    So many people have fought and even died to make sure we have this freedom
     
    Which brings me to today’s very pointed message
     
    We ALL have a choice of where we will spend eternity
     
    This last week we spent under an Excessive Heat Warning
     
    It has been so hot, peoples shoes were literally sticking to melting asphalt
     
    If you choose to reject Jesus Christ…..you ain’t seen nothing yet.
     
     
    We don’t like to talk about Hell because it is scary
     
    I personally don’t believe that our minds can even comprehend how horrifying it is
     
    And this horror and pain and suffering and heat will NEVER end
     
    Are you scared?
     
    All week long I heard about how bad the heat was and looking for when it will end.
     
    Praise God, this too will pass
     
    According to what I just read in Revelation, Hell is no joke but it is real!
     
    People make jokes about hell.  When God described it, He wasn’t joking
     
    Think of the most horrifying awful thing you can think of and multiply by a billion
     
    Some say don’t use hell as a way to convince people to accept Christ
     
    I just want you to know the reality of your choice
     
    Now, here is some good news
     
    You don’t have to spend an eternity in Hell
     
    In the beginning of the passage I read from Revelation, it mentioned a 2nd book
     
    The Book of Life
     
    If your name is found in that book, you will be spared the penalty for your sins
     
     
    This passage says “having believed you were sealed”
     
    That sealed, means you were written in the book of life and sealed in it
     
    You can’t get scratched out of it.
     
    Those who were found in the book of life were not cast into the lake of fire.
     
    Those in the book of life are sealed in Him, meaning for all eternity
     
    This means you will spend an eternity in Heaven with Jesus
     
    Today, it all boils down to your choice. Only you can choose.
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