2021-06-20

Posted on Jun 19, 2021 in 2 Peter 2021, Sunday Sermons |

2 Peter 3:14-18 – Don’t Mess With The Scriptures!

[2 Peter 3:14-18 ESV] Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
 
[Romans 10:14-17 ESV] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

 Call to worship: UMH #556 – Litany for Christian Unity

Let us ask the Lord to strengthen
in all Christians faith in Christ,
the Savior of the world.
Listen to us, O Lord.

 

Let us ask the Lord to sustain
and guide Christians with his gifts
along the way to full unity.
Listen to us, O Lord.

 

Let us ask the Lord
for the gift of unity and peace
for the world.
Listen to us, O Lord.

 

Let us pray.
We ask you, O Lord,
for the gifts of your Spirit.
Enable us to penetrate the depth
of the whole truth,
and grant that we may share with others
the goods you have put at our disposal.

Teach us to overcome divisions.
Send us your Spirit to lead to full unity
your sons and daughters in full charity,
in obedience to your will;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Music

452 – My Faith Looks Up to Thee
462 – ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher
454 – Open My Eyes That I May See
334 – Sweet, Sweet Spirit

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2021-06-13

Posted on Jun 12, 2021 in 2 Peter 2021, Sunday Sermons |

2 Peter 3:1-13 – What Sort of People Ought We to Be

[2 Peter 3:1-13 ESV] This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
 
[Matthew 24:36-42 ESV] “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

Call to Worship – UM Book Of Worship #555

Almighty God,
giver of every good and perfect gift,
teach us to render to you
all that we have and all that we are,
that we may praise you,
and not with our lips only,
but with our whole lives,
turning the duties, the sorrows, and the joys
of all our days into a living sacrifice to you;
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Music

469 – Jesus is All the World to Me
189 – Fairest Lord Jesus
2025 – As the Deer
526 – What a Friend We Have in Jesus

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2021-06-06

Posted on Jun 5, 2021 in 2 Peter 2021, Sunday Sermons |

2 Peter 2:12-22 – Who Are You Listening To?

[2 Peter 2:12-22 ESV] But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
 
[Numbers 22:22-30 ESV] But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again. Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”

Call to Worship: UMH #293

Behold the Savior of mankind
nailed to the shameful tree;
how vast the love that him inclined
to bleed and die for thee!

Hark how he groans! while nature shakes,
and earth’s strong pillars bend!
The temple’s veil in sunder breaks,
the solid marbles rend.

’Tis done! the precious ransom’s paid!
“Receive my soul!” he cries;
see where he bows his sacred head!
He bows his head and dies!

But soon he’ll break death’s envious chain
and in full glory shine.
O Lamb of God, was ever pain,
was ever love like thine?

 

Music

2022 – Great Is the Lord
2023 – How Majestic Is Your Name
601 – The Word Is a Lamp
474 – Precious Lord, Take My Hand
400 – Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing


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2021-05-23

Posted on May 22, 2021 in 2 Peter 2021, Sunday Sermons |

2 Peter 2:1-11 – Buckle Up!

[2 Peter 2:1-11 ESV] But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.
 
[Acts 2:1-21 ESV] When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians–we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Call to worship: 542 – Day of Pentecost

God of grace,
you sent the promised gift
of the Holy Spirit
upon the apostles and the women,
upon Mary the mother of Jesus
and upon his brothers.
Fill your church with power,
kindle flaming hearts within us,
and cause us to proclaim
your mighty works in every tongue,
that all may call on you and be saved;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Music

558 – We Are The Church
3105 – In Christ Alone
420 – Breathe on Me, Breath of God
2162 – Grace Alone


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2021-05-16

Posted on May 15, 2021 in 2 Peter 2021, Sunday Sermons |

2 Peter 1:16-21 – Who Said That, I AM Said That!

[2 Peter 1:16-21 ESV] For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Call to Worship – Psalm 63:1-4 (UMH #788)

1 O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land
where no water is.
2 So I have looked upon you
in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love
is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands
and call on your name.

Music

261 – Lord of the Dance
2025 – As the Deer
444 – O Young and Fearless Prophet
347 – Spirit Song

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2021-05-09

Posted on May 8, 2021 in 2 Peter 2021, Sunday Sermons |

2 Peter 1:8-15 – Don’t Forget

[2 Peter 1:8-15 ESV] For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Call to Worship – #755 Psalm 24:1-6

1 The earth is the Lord’s
and the fullness thereof,
the world and thosewho dwell therein;
2 for God has founded it upon the seas,
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand
in God’s holy place?
4 Those who have clean hands
and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls
to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
5 They will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication
from the God of their salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those
who seek the Lord,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Music

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman
338 – Where He Leads Me
468 – Dear Jesus, in Whose Life I See
666 – Shalom to You

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2021-05-02

Posted on May 1, 2021 in 2 Peter 2021, Sunday Sermons |

2 Peter 1:1-8 – Building Blocks of A Strong Faith

[2 Peter 1:1-8 ESV] Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Call to Worship – 477 – For Illumination

Open wide the window of our spirits,
O Lord, and fill us full of light;
open wide the door of our hearts,
that we may receive
and entertain thee
with all our powers
of adoration and love.
Amen.

Music

384 – Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
561- Jesus, United by Thy Grace
378 – Amazing Grace
601 – Thy Word Is a Lamp


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