Temple Baptist Church | Blog

Make Me a Servant … 1 Corinthians 9:19

September 30, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 1 Corinthians 9:19 ESV

As Christians We have been called to serve not to be served. We have been called to do whatever is necessary to introduce the lost and dying to the Savior. We must always remember being the church is not about us but rather to bring glory to our Lord and Savior. When a person comes to know Jesus as Savior, angels rejoice. “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angles of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 ESV Never take the focus off the mission of reaching the lost or you could be in danger of appearing to be just another organization and not the church.

How can you judge for yourself whether you are a servant or just a attendee? First you must confirm in your spirit that you are exactly where the Lord wants you. You will never find a perfect church, for the church is filled with imperfect people redeem and saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. When you have determine that you are in the church body which God has lead you to, never look back, roll up your sleeves and go to work. Being part of the church is not about just attending but working / serving till Jesus comes. Also servants do not demand their own way or worry about their own feelings but rather find joy in serving. Will you ever have your feelings hurt or disagree with how a certain thing is done? More than likely … yes. Don’t let this cause you to spend your lifetime jumping around looking for the perfect church; you will only be disillusioned and waste much time in the battle for lost souls.

I wish to reflect upon the greatest servant that ever lived. For if you never learn from the Master how to serve, I will dare say you will never find godly contentment as a Christian.

1. We must have the mind of Christ

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2: 5-8 ESV Jesus, submitted himself to the will of his Father as a servant. It was God’s will that his son would be crucified upon the cross and Jesus willingly submitted. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Never the less, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 ESV

2. As Jesus, we must serve with a single focus

Then Jesus said to him,“Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Matthew 4:10 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24 ESV If we serve as Jesus, we must focus upon God the Father. Deuteronomy 5:7 ESV makes it clear…You shall have no other gods before me. If God is the focus of our service, we will cooperate with his will.

3. As Jesus, we acknowledge It’s not about ourselves

“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 ESV If you ever start down the slippery slope of the me me me type thinking, you will lose the reflection of Jesus in your life, and others will not see Him in you either. For with the “me” lifestyle everything is focused upon yourself. How might one tell if they have the me lifestyle rather than the service lifestyle. Are you easily angered when things do not go your way; easily offended; threaten to leave or quit often? You may be in danger of being self serving. How would you over come this if this describes you? Make a conscience effort to live Philippians 2: 3-4 ESV…Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others as more important than yourself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others. (Now refer back to point number one and read verses 5-8 of Philippians 2)

In closing let me encourage you to make a song written by Kelly Willard the prayer for your life every day. The Lyrics to the song are as follows:

Make me a servant humble and meek

Lord, let me lift up, those who are weak

And may the prayer of my heart always be;

Make me a servant, make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.

You can go to youtube.com ~ type in Kelly Willard, Make me a Servant and hear this beautiful song.

May we as a church become such servants to each other that those watching would say, “My, how they love each another.” What a testimony this would be and what a joy it would be to be a part of this type church. Make it a point to serve someone this week…be purposeful and do something intentionally.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Doers of the word…James 1: 22-25 ESV

September 16, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1: 22-25 ESV

This message is going to sound a lot like a works based faith and that is because it is exactly what this message is about. However, do not confuse works based faith with a works based salvation, for there are no works by which a person can be saved. Clearly in Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV it states; For by GRACE you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; It is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. However, the Christian has not been redeemed by the blood of Jesus to go on in life as if nothing ever happened. A redeemed life is a changed life and the result of a life changed by Jesus will be reflected in the testimony of how their life is lived everyday. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV
So let us begin by evaluating what it means to be a doer of the word rather than just one who hears. In general a doer is one who works to accomplish the task that is before them. So what is the most important work a person should do? BELIEVE ! There was a crowd of people that was looking for Jesus and when they found Him they asked this question. Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6: 28-29 ESV
Believing is so important because what you believe determines how you live. Believing may sound easy until you are in a crises situation, for that is when doubt can set in. In Mark chapter nine a father who had a son tormented from childhood by demons brought him to Jesus pleading with him to help his son. Jesus said to him,“If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9: 23-24 ESV It can be challenging to believe when things are difficult if you haven’t walked and trusted him daily. The people of Israel on the way to the promise land had experience ~ seen God work in the plagues, walked on a dry sea bed, were given food from heaven, water from rocks, guided by clouds and pillows of fire, experienced victories in battle, and his power at Mount Sinai, and yet did not believe he could give them the land. Believing is powerful because it will determine the decisions you make in life. You might say, “If I had experienced and seen all that the people of Israel did, then I would have believed” and maybe you would have. Only two of the twelve spies sent into the land believed they could possess the land, and it was those two that lead the next generation into the land. What did the other ten spies lack; the belief that the God who had done so many amazing things was able to give them the land. Let me remind you that we see and experience something amazing everyday…. the world that God spoke into existence. Belief is faith that God can do all that he promises and acting upon it. This not a “name it and claim it” type faith, rather a faith that lives worshiping and trusting God no matter what. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless. James 2:18-20 ESV Action always speaks louder than words. What actions dominate your time? Claiming to be a Christian is more than going to church; it is living everyday the truth openly that lives inside you. I do believe church attendance is very important as Christians for church was God’s idea, and it is an important step but not the only one. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV This light is the life you live in the world daily showing them the difference God has made in your life. It is not about you but the God who saved you. Being a person of light is not saying, “I said the sinner’s prayer, so at least I’m saved.” It is about the person who has been saved, and works as if it all depends upon them, and lives knowing it is only by his grace. If you worked at your jobs the way you work at being a Christian, would you be fired from lack of accomplishment? (Just a thought) Everything we do should be about bringing Him glory. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Remember these three thing from James 1:25 Be the one ~ “who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and PERSEVERES”…. the one who ~ “being no hearer who forgets but IS A DOER WHO ACTS,” the one who ~ “will be BLESSED in his doing.”

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Be Holy, for He is Holy…1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV

September 9, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written,”You shall be holy, for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV

Let me be clear from the beginning; we are holy only because the Holy Spirit Himself dwells in us as Christians. There are no works by which we are made holy other than the work of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Christ. Holiness is necessary, for without it no one will see God.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 ESV Why does the word teach us to strive for holiness if it is impossible to obtain it by ourselves? It is because it bears witness of He who lives in you….Jesus Christ. Jesus / the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out other wise we are just white washed tombs. Jesus said it best, “Woe to you,scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside are full of greed and self-indulgence . You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Matthew 23: 25-26 ESV Being a Christian is only possible because of the inside job the Holy Spirit did in your life. So let us reflect upon this call and how it is possible to live holy in the world.

First, you must realize who you are in Christ and the fact that you are the only holy light some people may ever see. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV

The believer is to live their lives out loud… so all the world can see the holy evidence of Christ in you. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to you Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Secondly: Recognize and worship the Holiness of God in the present as we will one day in our heavenly home. As the four living creatures in Revelation 4, we need to recognize him day and night as “Holy, holy,holy, is the Lord God almighty.” We need not and should not wait for the day when we enter into his kingdom to worship his holiness. When worshiping His holiness, it will cause us to view God in the light of his holiness thus growing in us the desire to be more like Him. As redeemed, forgiven of all our sins, let us worship him in his holiness and not give ourselves to the former life from which we were saved. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

Thirdly: Do everything you can to emulate Jesus. Study how Jesus walked when He became flesh and lived among us. Live as He lived… in obedience to His purpose….all the way to the cross. In three of the gospels Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23 Jesus said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Christian, we must realize that we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus, and we are not our own. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV When you glorify God in your body, you will be an example of holiness- not your own but His.

I know that many will say there is no way a person can live holy in today’s world and you would be correct if you were trying to do so in your own strength. However, you must remember two things: For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 ESV… and…. I can do all things through him who strengthens me Philippians 4:13 ESV. Live on purpose for God, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16

Because of his Grace ~ Pastor David

Make a Joyful Noise, Daily…Psalm 100:1-5 ESV

August 26, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! For the Lord is good; his stedfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 100:1-5 ESV

The first part of Psalms 100 describe how the Christian should live everyday. We should be joyful, serving gladly, enjoying his presence, and knowing God is Lord of our lives. We should alway remember that we were wonderfully made. (Psalms 139: 13-16) God’s signature is on your heart, and you are protected as sheep by the Shepard. We should look at everyday as the opportunity to come into gates of a new day being thankful and praising him in his presence. To do this we must remember three important facts.

1. First, we must acknowledge the Lord is good. In a day of whys and skepticism we must not falter in knowing the truth … God is good all the time! This comes by believing in this truth by faith. It is not based on what we feel or the doubts that at time rear its ugly head but rather the truth of His word. Some in this world have become angry at God and the church and have walked away or will do everything possible to eradicate God from life. God alone has the words of life and when things become difficult and you may be tempted to walk away, remember the conversation of Peter and Jesus after Jesus had finished a difficult teaching resulting in many of his disciples walking away. After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him,”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6: 66-69 ESV So by faith the Christian will believe no matter what, “God is Good! As a Christian I may be called a fool for believing this, and a fool I may be; but let me ask you a question. Whose fool might you be?

2. Secondly, that His steadfast love endures forever . Hebrews 13:8 ESV states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Think about that for a moment… this means the Love of God is as true today as it was the day it was manifested on Calvary. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17 ESV This also means the message in Romans is as true today as when it was written. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10: 9-10 ESV … For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Romans 10:13 ESV

Understand…. this is huge because this means something so very important….. that we are called the children of God. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1 ESV

3. Thirdly, his faithfulness to all generations. Faithfulness is a word today that has been misused and abused. Someone to whom you gave yourself committing to a lifetime of faithfulness has walked away. A loyal friend that had been faithful to listen in confidence just told the whole world your deepest hurts. The employer to whom you have been faithful to has let you go for no apparent reason.

Faithfulness for some seems like only a pipe dream. God, however, is truly faithful in every area of our lives. God made a promise in the Bible… his word. Jesus spoke these words to us just before he ascended into heaven…“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 20 ESV In Hebrews 13:5 we are reminded how we should live and think when trusting in the Lord. Keep you life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said,” I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Jesus said, ” The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have abundantly.” John 10:10 ESV

Take note that Jesus said he came to give abundant life not an abundance of things.

Let us live out loud what we say we believe. Let us make a joyful noise and serve him with gladness singing in his presence. Acknowledge that he is our protector and Lord. Be thankful for his love and never ending faithfulness. Amen

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Pleasing God … Hebrews 11:6 ESV

August 19, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Years ago I heard a story about a farming community that was desperate for rain. The community in their desperation called for a city wide prayer meeting to pray and as God to send the much needed rain. It was agreed this prayer meeting would take place the coming Saturday at twelve noon in the town square. That Saturday people began gathering in the square, and before long the square was filled to capacity. The prayer meeting was about to start, and there was not a cloud to be seen in any direction. About that time a little girl showed up with an umbrella in her hand to which a farmer chuckled and said, “Why did you bring that umbrella?” To which the little girl replied, “I thought we were going to pray for rain.” Oh the faith of a little child.

Let me share another story with you. One summer during my college years I served as a summer missionary in Tennessee. A pastor’s wife shared with me about her little boy that had been very sick. The doctors were confused as to the cause of the little guy’s high fever with no success in bringing it down. She told me how frightened she was because if the condition didn’t change, it would become life threatening. She said one night she took the little guy in her arms and was rocking him and with a cool wash cloth was desperately trying to bring the fever down. Then this small child looked at his mother and said, “Mommy, if you ask Jesus, he will heal me.” The mother said with emotion, “I just looked into the eyes of my small boy and prayed Jesus please heal my little boy.” She then, with excitement, told me how at that very moment she could literally feel her son cooling. She said it was so amazing …she had not experienced anything like it in her life… Oh the faith of a little child.

There is much to be said about a child like faith. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom”. Matthew 18:3-4 ESV

So what is a child like faith? Is it a name it and claim it mentality? I don’t think so. Is it having a carefree attitude not worrying about a thing? No, I do not believe it to be this either. I believe child like faith is the faith that pleases God. Faith that will go beyond reason to simply trust in the words of Jesus. It is faith that trusts in God even when He may not make sense.

It is not based on logic, reasoning or understanding…it simply believes that He exists. Child like faith is action, not just talk. It is bringing an umbrella to a prayer meeting when praying for rain. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 ESV. The question was asked of Jesus, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent,” John 6:28-29 ESV. Action always speaks louder than words… What you believe will determine how you live. When a person says, “I’m a christian” people will look for the evidence proving the truth of this statement in their life. One evidence of this truth in a person’s life is the strong desire to live for God and to be near Him. Submit yourself therefore unto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:7-8 ESV. The end result for this type of life is reward. Not that we live for reward, but it is promised to those who seek him. What is the reward? I believe the greatest reward is the privilege to be called a child of God. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1 ESV. So let us live like little children…pleasing God with a child like faith…drawing near to him…believing and living purposely so…knowing the greatest reward is that we can call him Father.

Becase of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Kingdom Value…Matthew 6:33 ESV

August 12, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV

Two words came to my mind that have significant repercussion in the Christian life. The words…” kingdom and value.” Shouldn’t everything have kingdom value in the life of the Christian? Having kingdom value ultimately will, according to scripture, bring God glory. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10: 31 ESV

The Holy Spirit quickens / convicts the Christian by teaching truths that may or may not have been known, but need to be practiced as a part of daily Christian living. This world we live in is built on self gratification, and the question arises, is it even possible to have a kingdom value focus? “For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world”. 1 John 2:16 ESV The world is so alluring with all it offers, yet as Christians we must remember this world is passing away. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17. ESV

Jesus knew the temptation of gaining this world; it was offered to Him. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4: 8-10. ESV

You must never forget everything in life has a cost. You pay with your time, talents, youth, health, relationships, money, and on could go this list. You may say, “salvation is free,” but it was not to Jesus; He paid the price for the salvation of our lives with His life. Because Jesus didn’t accept the offer of the kingdoms of this world, He was able to pay salvations price at Calvary. Christian, you must remember the world and all it offers is not important. It offers no eternal value. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matt 16:25-26 ESV Please do not misunderstand; these words are not written to make us feel guilty concerning the blessings of life nor to judge someones lifestyle. These words are to help us reflect on what is important in life while it is the day. What is important ……… just ask this question; what was important to Jesus? For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost Luke 19:10 ESV It is no understatement to say His life had kingdom value.

By His Grace ~ Pastor David

Suffering As a Christian… 1 Peter 4:16 ESV

August 6, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Peter 4:16

What does it mean to suffer for Christ and glorify God in the suffering? Does it involve the affliction of physical pain? Would emotional ridicule or scoffing constitute suffering? Perhaps these and other means of discomfort could be accredited to suffering but nothing could compare to the sufferings of Christ. If we experience suffering, it should not surprise us. Jesus said theses words. “If the world hates you, know it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you’re not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: Servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, the will also persecute you.” John 15:18-20 ESV Isn’t it interesting that the person who wrote the words of 1 Peter 4:16 is the same person that denied Jesus three times on the night before His crucifixion. Peter, a forgiven man, according to tradition, was crucified in Rome upside down, for he did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Christ. Peter, a changed man, was not ashamed to bear the name of Christ and tells all that may suffer for Christ not to be ashamed. In fact, he goes on to say, “Let him glorify God in that name.” Glorify God in suffering? How? We have examples in the New Testament showing how to glorified God in suffering. Peter and the other apostles were beaten and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and d let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Acts 5 40-41 ESV Paul and Silas are two more examples.

The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16: 22-25 ESV These are not exactly the response you might expect from those suffering, yet it brings glory to God. Satan wants to destroy the joy in the Christian life, but his efforts are frustrated when Christians rejoice, pray, and sing to God praises in times of suffering. The intention is to remove the focus from the suffering to the sweet blessing of serving the faithful God, Creator. So when you face difficulty in your Christian walk, focus upon God who is faithful and bring Him glory with prayer, rejoicing, and singing.

By His Grace~Pastor David

Heaven Focused…Colossians 3:2

July 15, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

Set your mind on things above, not on the things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 ESV

I have heard it said,” Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good.” In fact, I remember stating this when I was younger. Today, I do not believe this to be a true statement. I do not believe a person can be too heavenly minded when it comes to a life in Christ. The verse we are studying today tells us to set our mind on things above…..to focus our attention upon things above. Why should this be our focus? Because verse one states, “Where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” When seeking those things which are above, it will requires focus because it should involve your whole mind. Continuing to read through chapter 3: 5-10, it teaches us how we should and should not live. “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (verses 5-10 ESV) Living the lifestyle as described in these verses will not reveal Christ to you; in fact, worldly thinking / living will fill your mind with reasons why certain biblical teachings are not applicable. That is why we must set/fix our mind on things above. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. bearing with one another, if one has complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. There is so much today that will steal away our focus or busies our mind robbing you of mental peace. There really is no great secret in having a mind of peace. When you worry, it brings great stress to your body. When you rest, it renews your mind. Let your mind rest upon Jesus and all that He has done for you. There are other gods in which people put their trust, but there is only one God that was, is, and always will be. Hebrews 13:8 teaches, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (ESV) When your world may come crashing down, look to heaven; for all that is important is seated there.

By His Grace ~ Pastor David

Christian Liberty/Freedom…Galatians 5:13 ESV

July 8, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 ESV

I once heard someone say, “Freedom is not freedom to do what you want but the freedom to do what is right.” Of course the next question becomes who determines what is right? As christians we believe this question and standard is answered by the Bible. Please understand that the freedom I am speaking of here is not the freedom that we adhere to as a nation but freedom in Christ. Individuals may have what they call freedom in this world but be in bondage to sin and death. All freedom is authored by God both physical and spiritual. But in reality there is no physical freedom without spiritual freedom. Sin will always places people in bondage and take away freedom …. spiritual and physical.

Paul says in Galatians, For you were called to freedom. But who is doing the calling…answer Jesus. Come unto to me, all who labor and are heaven laden, and I will give your rest. Matthew 11: 28 ESV You see there is a standard by which God will judge the world and that standard is his law. But because of sin, it is impossible to keep this law; and ultimately, we are all sentenced to punishment. In fact, we could and would absolutely wear ourselves out trying to keep this law. Christ did for us what the law could not accomplish in our lives…. make us free from the law of sin and death. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 ESV

A person might reason if the requirements of the law are fulfilled in Christ, then I am free to do whatever I want. I personally believe that the person who is genuinely freed from the consequence of their sin and love God, will not want to live in this reasoning. Paul addresses this logic by saying, Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. In Romans 6:1 he says, What shall we say then? “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!

Paul tells us we should live….as servants. But through love serve one another. What is the purpose of this service? Paul say in 1 Corinthians 9:19 “I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” Paul is referring to the gospel of Jesus which is the good news to anyone who will hear it. We are to live this way in order to bring glory to God. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace; whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV

May we live in the freedom in which we have been called, never just for ourselves but with a servant’s heart, to bring much glory to God!

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Faithful to Pray and Worship…Daniel 6:10 ESV

July 1, 2015 no comments in Ministry Blog by David Moon

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10 ESV

Daniel was a man that honored God and pleased God with faithful dedication to love and serve him. Daniel lived in a very difficult time as Babylon had sieged Jerusalem and took him captive. He was chosen to serve in the palace of a king that did not honor God. Men from the palace were assigned to train and teach Daniel the literature and language of the Chaldeans to prepare him for this service. This education was to take three years. During this period daily food that the king would eat would be provided for Daniel but, Daniel did not want to defile himself with the kings food. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. There fore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8 ESV I make this point to give you a glimpse of Daniel and his relationship with God desiring not to dishonor God even in the food that he ate. Even in a very difficult time, Daniel honored God. Now let’s fast forward to another king .… The king was Darius. Darius was impressed with Daniel and was going to set him over the whole kingdom. Others were not so excited about this and made it a point to find something in which they could accuse Daniel. When they could not find anything, they decided to convince the king to make a law that said you had to worship him and no other gods for thirty days. They did this because they knew that Daniel was faithful to pray to God daily. After years of being in captivity and in the courts of those who did not honor God, Daniel had remained faithful to God. The men that approached the king with the idea of worshipping him for thirty days and no other god, convinced him it was a good idea. The consequence for worshipping any other god….death in a den of lions. But this didn’t deter Daniel for When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10 ESV Even with consequence of death Daniel worshipped and prayed to God for God was who he lived for. What can we learn from Daniel?

The decision of the land does not affect our prayer and worship of God. “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had a windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem,” Daniel lived in plain sight for God as he did everyday before this document was signed. He did not go into hiding or close his windows but left them open. He did this not to bring attention to himself but to continue to honor God.

He bowed down to God and not man, “He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God,” God is God and he alone is worthy of our prayers and worship and deserves no less even in difficult times.

He did not change his daily practice of prayer, “He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God,” as he had done previously. Nothing had changed for Daniel, He continued in his daily practice just as before. The laws of man did not regulate his lifestyle or belief in God. If anything did change I believe it would have been the intensiveness of his prayers.

The concluding point ….press on remain, faithful, and know God has not moved…He is still on His throne.

Because of His Grace~ Pastor David