Straight from the heart, "I'm just me, nothing special or great.  All I can do is preach what the Lord gave me."  Pastor Josh went on to say that the sermon may seem a simple one and he is what would be called a 2 x 4 preacher.  This week had been a challenging one for him.  When water backs up in the house and it seems like it keeps getting worse, the challenge seems to fade into a losing battle.  Can't just stop trying to find the blockage.  Water has been backing up for two days.  Friends and snakes, plumbing snakes, were helping to find it.  Still no success.
     The sermon is from Acts 11:21-26.  It's the story about where the people who are followers of Jesus are first called Christians.  But, to make it more meaningful, one should back up and take a short course on what has taken place.  This is what Pastor Josh does. 
     In Chapter 9 of Acts, Saul of Tarsus encounters the Lord.  This is the Damascus Road experience.  As soon as he's back on his feet he begins preaching Christ. (Acts 9:20) This made the Jews mad in Damascus and they wanted to kill him but he got away and went to Jerusalem.  Saul wanted to join the disciples but they were afraid of him.  Barnabas defends Saul (Acts 9:27) to the apostles but still there are those who want to slay him.  So, they send Saul off to Tarsus.
     After this, in Chapter 10, Peter has a vision from God.  In the vision God tells Peter three times, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." (Acts 10:15)  After this, in the same chapter, Peter is told by the Spirit to go to Cornelius the Centurion's house.  While speaking to them the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (verse 44)
     In the beginning of Chapter 11, Peter acts as a testimony to the church at Jerusalem of the Gentiles being saved.  Even so, when the church at Jerusalem heard that many at Antioch were being saved, they sent Barnabas to see what was going on.  Remember Barnabas, the one who stood up for Saul in Chapter 9?  He goes to Tarsus and fetches Saul and they both go to Antioch and remain there for a year.  This is when the disciples were called Christians. (Acts 11:26)
     Barnabas encountered the 'cold-water committee' at Jerusalem when it came to Saul.  But it didn't change Barnabas's conviction that Saul had been changed from the inside out by God.  Just like Peter, God told him not to call anything impure that He had made clean.  Just like the backed-up drain.  The snake was threaded through the pipes one more time.  And all was flushed out and made clean again.      ​

     Solomon is the author of Proverbs.  He was the King of Israel from 970 to 931 B.C.  He is most remembered for his wisdom.  The first story that comes to mind is the one of two women fighting over a baby.  Both had a child during the night but one of them died.  An argument over who the living child belonged to was taken to Solomon's court.  After he heard the facts he ordered that the baby be cut in half and each woman should receive half since they could not agree who the actual mother was.  One woman cried out to spare the baby and let the other woman have it.  This told Solomon that the woman who cried out was the actual mother because it mattered to her what happened to the child.
     Resources say that Proverbs contains 513 of over 3,000 sayings or proverbs of Solomon's. (I Kings 4:32)  Be that as it may,  our weekly sermon covered only Proverbs 14:9-16.  These verses are timely ones and still have relevance for today's world.  However, the entire book is one of great interest and is valuable for in-depth study.  
     "You can't be saved until you believe.  Believing--what does the Bible mean?" as he opened the sermon.  He pointed out that many people believe, that they have head knowledge.  But this is not enough.  "The devil believes but it doesn't change his soul."  Believing, which is having faith that God is going to do what He says, has to be a living faith.  It has to have action behind it or it is nothing more than a dead faith (or belief).  Just like the devil, he believes but it doesn't change who he is.
     "The devil will war against our faith.  We live in a world full of dead faith, people who make a mockery of faith.  It seemed right to Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit.  Lot looked toward Sodom because it seemed right to him to desire the land.  Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup because it seemed like the thing to do." 
     Of course, there are other biblical stories that play the same refrain.  Even today, many are repeating the same errors in judgment as they did back then.  "There's a world out there trading the blessings of God for something that seems right to them.  If the Bible wasn't true, why do they ban it in communist countries?  Whatever the devil offers is too cheap." In closing Pastor Josh said, "Do all you want to do, but follow God.  Obey the ten commandments.  Tell your kids the truth.  Remember that John 3:16 still applies." ​

     "I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more..."  It's the beginning of a hymn that's been around for quite some time.  Pastor Josh, in addition to preaching, plays the piano and other instruments as well as singing.  He opened this service singing the lines quoted at the beginning of this paragraph.
     Quite an opening for a service from the book of Jonah, Chapter 1:14 through Chapter 2:2.  Although Jonah was the example, Pastor Josh pointed out that this is the condition of mankind, too.  He went on to point out that Jonah was fast asleep (Chapter 1:5).  God had put the ship in jeopardy on his account and he was sleeping peacefully.  Mankind repeats the same old mistake by not realizing they're in danger and headed to a devil's hell.  Jonah was going to go to the far end of the world, as far as man had been. Pastor Josh said, "There's no 'fraidy' hole you can get in that God doesn't know you're there."
     "If the Church would really understand that since Pentecost the world has not been the same." continued our pastor.  Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension (Acts 2).  "It started out with 11 disciples.  You can never get so far that God can't see where you are.  Go as far as you can, do as much as you can, and then do it all again.  God will be there." encouraged the pastor.
     Jonah was sinking to rise no more.  He was pitched overboard.  But God had prepared a great fish (Jonah 1:17) to swallow him up.  Jonah had no hope except that God had sent the fish.  Here Jonah is in open rebellion and God prepares a place for him. The fish saves Jonah so, too, Christ saves mankind.  Don't despise witnessing.  Remember, this all started when Jonah didn't want to witness to Nineveh.
     Here Jonah is on the other end of the world and at the bottom of the ocean.  Out of despair he cried out.  When all seems lost the stoutest of hearts cry out.  God hears.  Jonah remembers God.  He also remembers his actions that got him there.  He prays.  "Salvation is of the Lord." he says.  He ceased being in danger.  The fish spit him out on dry ground.
     Remember to stop and pray.  Know where the victory is.     ​

​     "I might have brush hogged a little too early." continued Pastor Josh. "But the fields really needed it.  Then the rain came.  It was just enough to green up everything again.  Well, the sage grass started growing.  I probably should have waited until the sage grass was through.  It got so high it was impossible to see the new calves.  Oh, maybe a little black spot would pop up now and then.  But, most of the time, I couldn't see them."
     "Going out into the field I could see the paths the moms had made.   They weren't straight but they were if you were a momma cow.  These paths went to water, the pond.  The calves would follow mom to the water and then I could count and see how many we had."
     This story was at the tail end of the sermon taken from Hebrews 12:1-17.  Someone has to go first and the same is true with faith.  Abraham didn't know where he was going but he stepped out.  Others are mentioned in Hebrews 11 such as Noah who built the ark and Moses who led the people out of Egypt.  There are many who stepped out so that others could do the same.  There's strength in that and it should encourage others.
     "If God gives you the ball, run with it.  God has given you his grace, his Word and his Spirit.  Run with it.  Lay aside the weight (sin) that you can run faster.  Holiness is the task that is set before us."  Pastor Josh continued, "Don't go through this world and say 'I'll sin but it'll be okay.'  It's not okay.  We're not perfect.  That's why we need to be sat down and corrected.  A believer's walk has to be guided by the Holy Spirit."
     He went on to say things like: "It's not enough to just quit sinning--fill up your life with God."; "If you walk in the light, look up.  We're Christians which means we're like Christ."
     Why the tale of the sage grass?  Hebrews 12:13 "And make straight paths for your feet..."  Even the cows make paths to life-giving water and they make them for others to follow too.

​     It's an ancient battle.  Actually, it could be considered a duel of sorts.  The year was 1063 B.C.  It's safe to say that this battle was over three thousand years ago.  And yet, it is probably as well-known a battle that there is.  As soon as one reads that it was between the Philistines and the Israelites this battle between two men will jump to mind.
     Yes, it is David and Goliath.  The match between these two couldn't have been more lopsided.  Goliath, as far as is known, was at least nine feet tall, a powerful and imposing warrior who was able to fight while wearing close to 200 pounds of armor.  That's impressive.  He was an accomplished enemy.  And he was fearless.  For forty days he called out the Israelites. (I Samuel 17:16)  Verses 8, 9. and 10 of chapter 17 recounts the goading he gave Israel.  "Send a man to fight me.  If he kills me, we'll be your servants.  If I kill him, you'll be our servants."  That was the meaning that was repeated by Goliath for forty days.
     The Philistines knew that all was not well with King Saul and chose this moment to strike.  Here they are in the valley of Elah which is well inside Israel.  They are camped on one side of the valley and Israel is camped on the other.  The Philistines were certain to win.  After all, who of the Israelites had a champion like Goliath?
     Enters David, the young man who plays the lyre to sooth the nerves of the king.  The young man who spent his youth as a shepherd, and tended the flocks of his father.  He is older now since the last time Saul saw him.  He had been out to the battlefield and heard Goliath's taunt.  Now he approaches the King.  He wants to fight Goliath.  He pleads his case to Saul.
     No one, not even Saul, believes that he can be a match for this giant.  However, he pleads anyway and persuades Saul that he was able to whip the lion that stole a lamb in his care and a bear, too.  This was the tipping point for Saul.  He offered David his armor but David declined and took five smooth stones from a brook, his staff, and his slingshot.  Out he went to meet Goliath.
     This time the taunt was from David.  "This day the Lord will deliver thee into mine hand..." (I Samuel 17:46)  With that, David loaded his slingshot with one of the smooth stones and slung it.  The giant fell.  The stone sank into his forehead.  He was dead.
     This story was renewed for us in the Sunday sermon.  "Don't be a coward especially when it's against the devil." said Pastor Josh.  Then he repeated this engaging battle written in the Bible.  "What's the giant in your life?  Don't you know that the Lord has equipped you to do battle just as he did David?"

     Pastor Josh is not one to stand on ceremony.  Just because some think that "this is the way we've always done it" and that continuing on the same path is necessary, our pastor doesn't necessarily agree.  So, this past Sunday, he broke with ceremony.
     God must be working on him.  Our church has just spent the past 5 weeks listening to sermons on the ten commandments. (One had to attend the evening services to get the other half of the commandments; hence, five weeks, ten commandments.)  Now, this week, our beloved preacher preached most of Romans 8.
     There's a total of 39 verses in this chapter.  And, if one has never been privy to hearing a verse-by-verse sermon, it is truly something to behold.  Speaking for myself only, it was a new experience and, hopefully, one that will be repeated again.  Taking notes, which is what I do, was a taxing experience.  But, it was also refreshing.  Kind of like someone had blown away all the cobwebs and here was this beautiful chapter waiting to be seen through fresh eyes.
     Romans 8 is hope for the believer.  Paul, the author of Romans, is speaking to those who are in the Spirit.  Those who are in Christ Jesus are free from sin and death.  The law was perfect but man was not.  God made up the difference and sent Jesus. (Romans 7:24-25)  Sinful man was now able to become a new creature.
     "The old man's dead.  I may drive the same truck, the same tractor, wear the same old clothes but the old man is dead.  I'm a new man." said Pastor Josh as he expounded on verse 3.  As he continued on it was clear that there is a definite division between the flesh and the Spirit.  It's the believers' responsibility to know who he's cheering for.  It's important to walk God's way, not the way of man.  Remember that the Word of God will stand when the world's on fire.
     Life comes from the Spirit.  Sin comes from the flesh and leads to death.  Live by faith and not by experience.  As it is now, we live by faith for the things not seen.  A day will come when faith will end in sight.  God showed his love towards man when he sent his Son to redeem him.  It's about what God wants.  Please Him.  ​

   As far back as Genesis 12 God said that he would make a great nation.  He as much as said so to Abraham who is referred to as the father of the Jewish nation.  Because of a great famine the people of God wound up being in bondage in Egypt for four hundred years.  God had told Abraham that this would happen. (Genesis 15:13)  
     The story of Moses and the pilgrimage from Egypt is a familiar one.  God has brought his people out of bondage.  He says as much in Exodus 20:2.  In fact, this is the very introduction to the Ten Commandments.  "I am the Lord thy God, which has brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."
     God has redeemed his people and now they are returning to the promised land.  God must have looked at them and realized that some changes needed to take place.  The first thing that he asked for was some respect.  The first four statements he makes have to do with Him:  no other gods before Him, no graven images, no bowing down to them, and don't take the His name in vain.
     The last six have to do with how other people are to be treated:  honor your parents, don't kill or commit adultery, don't steal or bear false witness,   and don't covet your neighbor's possessions.  Those are the ten  commandments.
     Four hundred years they spent in bondage.  Four hundred years among pagan worshipers.  Four hundred years of mistreatment.  Is it any wonder that God wanted his people to write these commandments on their hearts so that they could have a better life than the one they had been in.    ​

​     Sometimes, trying to imagine the circumstances of a verse helps to bring it to life.  Luke 13:1 is just such a verse.  The setting is obviously an informal occasion that people are gathered around and just talking about the news of the day.  Probably much like today.  The news is that Pilate has sacrificed some Galileans in their synagogue and mingled their blood with the blood of their sacrifices.  It's not so much that these Galileans have been murdered but that Pilate was bold enough to desecrate their holy place where they carried out their own sacrifices.
     Jesus must have read something in their speech because he responds with a question that seems odd.  It's "Do you think those Galileans were the worst of the worst because of the way they suffered?"  It seems strange but the next verse straightens out the conundrum.  Jesus, aware that they may be trying to score some points by talking about mingling of the sacrifices, turns the occasion into one of reflecting on one's own repentance.  Verse 3, "If you don't all repent, you'll all perish."
     Pastor Josh went on to say, "Dying without God is an awful thing.  Repent.  Try Jesus, if you don't like him, I'm sure the devil will take you  back.  Hell is full of those with good intentions because none of us knows when the last second might be."
     Jesus goes on in verse 4 and cites another example.  There was another tragic event that he refers to.  The tower in Siloam fell and killed 18 people.  Jesus supposed again, "Do you think they were the most terrible people in Jerusalem because the tower fell on them?  Not hardly.  The same thing can happen to you.  Repent." (verse 5)  His concern was for those standing around sharing the news with him.  Not the ones already dead.
     There are no guarantees in this world.  We live on an earth that can be the scene of earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and disasters of all kinds--both natural and manmade.  "Boast not of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)