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Published: 24 July 2020

You can say that word in a number of different ways and mean something entirely different by your tone.  You may rejoice in people, you may be amazed by people, you may be frustrated by people or, you may be amused by people.  People are made in the image of God.  Of course, the image is cracked and slightly wonky but God’s intention is clearly the restoration of His image to His original design.  That’s what discipleship is about.  That is what will bring God glory.  That is our destiny as Christ-followers.  Getting that “work” done in the world is something we join God in doing.  He will not do it without us and we cannot do it without Him.  Our chapters in Romans for Sunday highlight this reality.  Over 30 people are mentioned in the closing verses of our survey.  Most of them, we know very little or nothing about.  What we do know is that they joined God’s mission when they became believers and they were instrumental in the establishment of a local church in pagan Rome.  Sure, it was God’s plan to do this, and whatever was accomplished was through God’s power—but the people cooperated.  That is our task; we join Him “in our going;” in our work, our play, our church life, our retirement, and whatever else we do.  Covid-19 hasn’t stopped God!  Keep your eyes open my friends.  He is up to something in you and with you, are you looking for it? 

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Published: 17 July 2020

One of the delights of sermon study is that I always find more truths than I can talk about in a single sermon.  These truths nourish my soul and today I feel compelled to bring up a truth that I don’t plan to concentrate on this Sunday.  Hope.  We cannot live without it.  The opposite of hope is despair.  There are many things that can lead to despair, especially these days!  Personally, I just want so much of this “stuff” to be over.  I sometimes say, “I’m so over this Covid junk.”  But, the rest of the world is sure not “over it.”  If I allow hope to vacillate with the statistics and circumstances, I start leaning toward despair in a hurry.  If I equate hope with wishful thinking by saying things like, “I sure hope we can have church inside soon,” I am tempted to despair with every new Executive Order.  However, biblical hope is not wishful thinking and it is not dependent upon circumstances.  Our hope is rooted in the faithfulness of God.  I like what an author named Newell wrote, “Many people cherish their doubts, even adducing them as proof of their humility, which is sad indeed.”  Another named Deems wrote, “Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts—most people believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs.”  Our God is the God of Hope.  He wants to fill those who believe with joy and peace and abounding hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Him and our hearts immersed in His Word.  He is not the God of despair, and He is not glorified when we live without hope.