A Royal Pain | Part 8
Posted February 8, 2010 – 11:12 am in: Messages
Jezebel Jitters
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It’s axiomatic: the lowest valleys in life follow the highest peaks. Elijah’s life is no exception. Look at what just happened:
- He watched his God drop fire from heaven to consume his offering
- He slaughtered 450 prophets of Baal
- He prayed for and received rain for the first time in 3 years
- He ran in front of Ahab’s chariot all the way from Mt. Carmel to Jezreel
Life doesn’t get any more spiritually thrilling than that.
Now see what happens next: Jezebel threatens Elijah’s life so he takes off running into the wilderness in a downward spiral of fear, myopia, loneliness, self-pity, despair, and spiritual deafness.
In this week’s message we examined those qualities that fear brought to Elijah along with how God cared for and corrected his prophet.
Note: I read from The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon during the message.
No Comments | Tags: angel, Elijah, fear, Jezebel, silence, solitude
A Royal Pain | Part 7
Posted February 1, 2010 – 2:52 pm in: Messages
Rain
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Last week we looked at the showdown between the prophets of Baal and Elijah. That was likely the most spectacular moment that any Israelite had ever witnessed. If that was the most spectacular, then this week we looked at the most important: rain.
Now that Yahweh’s demonstrated his victory in so dramatic a fashion, it’s time to end the drought with a big ol’ rainstorm. This short narrative demonstrates four elements of the Christian life clearly:
- Humility
- Faith
- Abundance
- Strength
I had to clip out the parts of the message where we discussed the topics as a congregation, since I was the only one with a microphone. Feel free to share any of your experiences on these four topics in the comments.
No Comments | Tags: abundance, Elijah, faith, humility, rain, strength
A Royal Pain | Part 6
Posted January 25, 2010 – 12:12 pm in: Messages
Showdown
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Elijah has reached the apex of his ministry. Ever thing prior to this is prologue; everything that follows is afterword. After three years of drought—a drought that shook the Israelite’s confidence in Ahab and his wife’s god, Baal—the true God decided to demonstrate his power.
Read the passage for yourself (1 Kings 18:20-40). Seldom has so much drama been packed into so concise a package. My pulse starts to race as I imagine how the event must have played out.
Let me encourage you to get into the story. Imagine how Ahab would have felt as his support reached an all-time low. Imagine Jezebel’s rage as her prophets were killed. Imagine Elijah’s relief when the evening rolled around and God answered.
What a story.
Here’s the video we showed in the middle of the message:
. . .
In other news, our offering for Haiti raised approximately $2,200! Thank you for giving so generously. I know it wasn’t easy—especially since we took up an offering for the food bank in December, and one for Zimbabwe’s Village of Hope earlier in January. I don’t like to overburden you with requests for money, but as we all know, the situation in Haiti is desperate. Thank you sincerely for helping our Haitian brothers and sisters.
If you missed the offering and would still like to give, you can give online directly through the PAOC.
No Comments | Tags: altar, Baal, fire, Haiti, offering, showdown
Helping Haiti
Posted January 18, 2010 – 12:14 pm in: News
You’ve seen the reports on television. There’s nothing I can write that would more vividly illustrate the devestation. I’ve been to Haiti twice on mission trips—I can’t fathom how that country could possibly be in worse shape than it already was.
I’ll be blunt: we need to give. Money. I’ve donated through the PAOC’s ERDO division. I’ve met our contacts on the ground and know the money will be well spent. Also, the Canadian government will match all contributions made before Febuary 12th. Your contribution through ERDO will meet the government’s criteria for this program.
We are encouraging our own congregation to give in this Sunday’s offering. However, you can also give directly through the ERDO website.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
—Romans 12:15, NRSV
Update: Sunday’s offering raised approximately $2,200 for Haiti. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously.
No Comments | Tags: giving, Haiti, relief
A Royal Pain | Part 5
Posted January 18, 2010 – 11:57 am in: Messages
Troublemakers Unite!
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Oh, it’s on.
Elijah’s second visit with King Ahab was about as abrupt and unexpected as the first. He wandered out of the desert and gave Ahab some instructions: Meet me on Carmel. We’re going to settle this once and for all.
Ahab (predictably) called Elijah a troublemaker. Elijah turned the indictment right back. In this message we looked at what it means to be godly troublemakers in today’s world.
Troublemakers unite!
. . .
Here are the videos we played near the beginning of the message:
No Comments | Tags: Ahab, Baal, Elijah, troublemaker
Life In Zimbabwe
Posted January 11, 2010 – 12:56 pm in: Messages, News
This past Sunday Gord Coolidge (along with his kids) from Village of Hope in Zimbabwe came to update us on their work. It was exciting to hear everything that God has been doing through them in Zimbabwe. You can hear the full report below:
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And, in case you were curious, the offering following the service brought in $1,835.00 $1975.10 to further their work over there. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
There are a few ways to move forward from here:
- Support them regularly in prayer. Write their names on your prayer list and remember them daily. We need to back up with prayer those who take leaps in faith.
- Support them with monthly giving. Just mark “Coolidges” on an envelope and 100% of the funds will wired to their bank account.
- Consider sponsoring a child in Zimbabwe through the PAOC’s Childcare Plus program. $29.00 per month can make a big difference.
No Comments | Tags: missions, Village of Hope, Zimbabwe
Two New Messages
Posted January 4, 2010 – 12:04 pm in: MessagesThe holidays are over. We’ve survived Christmas, New Years, and a lot of turkey. Mmmm. Turkey. Here’s a message on the Five Myths of Christmas (with thanks for Bailey’s Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels):
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. . .
On the first Sunday of the new year, we took an in-depth look at Communion:
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. . .
Gord and Anita Coolidge from Village of Hope will be with us this coming weekend. I’m looking forward to an interesting time as we hear first-hand about what’s happening in the Village of Hope, Zimbabwe.
No Comments | Tags: Christmas, Communion, Zimbabwe
Downward Mobility
Posted December 21, 2009 – 11:52 am in: MessagesAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This past Sunday we looked at the origin of Santa Claus, one major similarity between Jesus and Santa, and one even more major difference. Unfortunately, we had difficulties recording the message.
Last week I posted a message from Christmas Eve, 2005. Today’s sermon is from the following Day: Christmas 2005.
Hopefully we’ll have something fresh for next week!
Merry Christmas.
No Comments | Tags: Christmas, humble, upward mobility
What Does Christmas Mean?
Posted December 14, 2009 – 12:18 pm in: MessagesAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Since we had to cancel yesterday’s service, I thought I’d post a Christmas message I preached a few years ago. The above message was delivered on Christmas Eve, 2005 in Petrolia.
. . .
Just a quick note on Luke 4: When I preached this message four years ago, I mistakenly assumed that it was Jesus’ application of the Isaiah prophecy to himself that made the people furious with him. If fact, that made the people speak well of him! It was his subsequent shunning of his own people that awoke their ire. My point in the message still stands, though. We the church have the same commissioning to do the same things Jesus did.
No Comments | Tags: Christmas, Luke, meaning
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow . . .
Posted December 13, 2009 – 10:35 am in: NewsHi Everyone,
In case you haven’t heard, we’ve canceled our church service this morning (Dec 13, 2009) due to the piles of snow we’ve received. I discussed this decision with the board and we thought it was the safest thing to do. This evening’s service is canceled as well.
I’ll see you next Sunday with the message: “Oh Ho Ho Holy Night”!
In Christ,
Pastor Steve.
No Comments | Tags: cancellation, snow
