Benwood Mt. Lebanon Church

06/08/2026

6.7.26 Sermon Summary: I Deserve It
I deserve it. A feeling so many people get from employees at companies, all the way down to little kids playing baseball.
Parents believe their kids deserve to play a certain position and play more than others, regardless of their true ability. Perception may not be reality. Perception may be more of “We don’t see things the way they are, we see them as we are.” When we say our son or daughter deserves it, we are actually putting others down and causing resentment to build against the coach and the other player. The kids hear and see this and start to believe they deserve it, regardless of reality. This lesson carries into adulthood, where frustration and anger set in against those who don’t give what is thought to be deserved.

In Luke 18:9-14, we see a Pharisee, who others looked up to as a leader, standing and praying aloud so others could hear, thanking God he was not a sinner like other people. He also pointed out that he fasted and tithed. He believed he deserved praise and rewards from God because he had earned them. The other man, a tax collector who was looked down on, stood alone at a distance not wanting to be noticed. He didn’t list the good things he had done. He didn’t even list bad things. He could only look down in humility, confess, and cry out for mercy. He knew he was not deserving.

More than once, God says, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
One thief on the cross understood that he was a sinner and didn’t deserve it, but he called on Christ to remember him when he entered his kingdom. Jesus responded, "Today you will be with me in paradise." Undeserved, but saved.

Do we understand what we deserve? Ephesians 2:3 “Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” But God, because of his love, gives us grace and mercy if we only confess and cry out for him.

Join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

Satan the Copycat
5.31.26 Sermon Summary
Copycats mimic what we do. Kids copy what they see and hear from parents, older kids, or perhaps athletes and other types of leaders. They are examples watched, good or bad.

Satan tries to mimic God. He’s not very original, just imitates God in an effort to deceive us. 2 Corinthians 11:14 “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light”.

An Islamic holiday, Eid al-Adha, recently observed, is about a man named Abraham, his wife, Hagar, and son, Ishmael. Abraham was told by Allah to sacrifice his son on a mountain, but just in time, a ram was provided for the sacrifice instead. Sounds remarkably like Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac in God's word.

The Bible says there are children of God and children of the devil. Jesus has apostles and workers while the devil has false apostles and deceitful workers. God is going to put a seal on the foreheads of 144,000 servants; the beast is going to force his mark on the foreheads of those who want to survive in the tribulation period. The Bible has God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; Satan has himself, the beast, and the false prophet. Islam also has a person, the Mahdi, who ushers in the end times and paradise. The description matches exactly who the Bible calls the Anti-Christ.

Christianity follows Christ. Islam follows a copycat deceiver. Ezekiel 38 and 39 lists several countries that will oppose God and Israel at the end times. In today’s world, they are all Islamic countries except Russia, and even there, it is the fastest-growing religion.

The Bible tells us that in the end, we’ll see the Lord's victory. In the meantime, pray for the deceived, put on the full armor of God, and fight the daily battle against Satan in the power of the Lord.

Listen to the full message at www.BenwoodMtLebanon.org/Sermons/

Join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. We would love to have you.

05/25/2026

5.24.26 Sermon Summary

This weekend we observed Memorial Day. It was also the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was sent to Believers. Over 1.3 million soldiers have sacrificed so we can have freedom. Freedom from fear and threats to safety, and freedom to enjoy all that this country offers. Freedom to worship each day. Jesus also made a sacrifice for our freedom. He sacrificed his life on the cross so we can have life and life abundantly.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.

Christians must also lay down their lives in true and proper worship to God. In some cases, it may be literally. All over the world people are being killed because of their faith, and yet they stand firm in declaring Jesus Christ. Other times, we are to sacrifice our wants and desires so others can be lifted up and cared for. Either way is for God and his glory.

As a Believer, you volunteered to be in the Lord’s army. Some lead on the front lines; others provide support or help others. The point is to be active, not MIA. Don’t be on the list of the presumed spiritually dead, only showing up occasionally with little active duty to show. Follow the example of those who have made sacrifices for us.

Hebrews 12:28 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”

Be thankful to a soldier who gave all to keep this country free. Be thankful for Jesus, who died for your sins, so you can be set free and have eternal life. Be thankful for the Holy Spirit who fills you with God's presence and guides you. We owe them and have a responsibility to respond to their sacrifice.

To listen to the full message, visit www.BenwoodMtLebanon.org/Sermons/

Join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

05/18/2026

5.17.26 SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
Recently America Reads the Bible was held with various people reading the entire Bible aloud over seven days. Inspired by Nehemiah and Ezra, the reading was to awaken revival and inspire people and our country to return to the Godly principles on which it was founded.

Problems exist today and many people expect governments and their leaders to fix them. Our issues can only be overcome by God and a returning of people back to him in submission and repentance.
In Matthew 16, Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus blessed him and the revelation of Jesus to him. He told Peter, "On this rock I will build my church." Peter was a mighty leader in getting the church going, but the rock that builds the church is the confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1 tells us Jesus has been appointed as head of the church, his body of believers. Hebrews 10 commands we meet together as a church. 1 Corinthians 12 says that although there are many parts, there is only one Spirit and one body.

The church (Greek: Ekklesia, or "called-out ones") is not a place, location, or denomination. It does meet on certain days at certain times. The head of the church is not the pastor, elders, or deacons. The head of the church is Jesus, and the church is all those who have turned to Jesus and become children of God. Church is 24/7.

The early church seems very different from today. Those who sacrificed comfort, security, and their lives. We don’t see much sacrifice today, at least not in our country. We don’t see the gathering together as one body. Satan has always used division to combat God’s people and God's Word. One church has separated into many denominations because of disagreements and feelings. That wasn’t God's plan. Searching the scriptures and prayerfully seeking the truth was the plan. Church(es) today have influence, nice buildings, and resources, but how are they being used? Programs and entertainment abound, but is the Holy Spirit present and truth spoken by Jesus, the head of the church?

Prayerfully, we will get back to what God called us to be, Spirit-filled, Word-grounded, and mission-minded. Will you be obedient to your call?

This Sunday Sermon may listened to at www.BenwoodMtLebanon.org/Sermons/

Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

05/12/2026

5.10.26 Sermon Summary: SuperMom

Mothers are uniquely made by God. The number of job titles and the abilities given to them are theirs alone. Women who nurture, protect, encourage, and discipline children with all the love they have.

Matthew 20 speaks of a mother named Salome and her two sons, James and John, the Apostles. She was a loyal, bold, and fearless servant of Jesus. She was at the crucifixion and at the tomb the morning of the resurrection. She was also mom to the two boys Jesus called “Sons of thunder” for their boldness and a bit of hot-headedness in their quick decisions. Salome took her two sons to Jesus and asked if he would place one son on his right and the other on his left in his kingdom. Pretty bold, but as a mom, she wanted the best for her sons. Moms are selfless and want the most for their families.

Everyone has a woman who has positively influenced them. Everyone is blessed to have a mom. But the most positive influence we can have in our lives, our most important need, is to have Jesus. He wants the best for the children of God. He will make a difference in your life and will walk beside you, always. There is no better time than now to begin that relationship.

To listen to the full message, go to www.BenwoodMtLebanon.org/Sermons/

Join us Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. We would love to see you.

05/10/2026

Happy Mothers Day! Last Sunday we had our ladies dinner…more celebration today!!! See you all soon!

05/04/2026

5.3.26 Sermon Summary: Do You Seek and See God?
Games such as crossword puzzles and word search are challenging and require us to dig into them to find the answers. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
We can just read the Bible, or we can dig deeper into the scriptures to really understand and see what God is telling us.

Genealogies may seem a little boring to some to read, but God-given names have meanings for us. You have to dig into the meanings of the names and put them together to receive a message you may have missed.

In Genesis 5, we can read the lineage of Adam to Noah. If you convert names to meanings, it reads: “Man is appointed. A mortal man of sorrow is born. The Glory of God shall come down instructing that his death shall bring those in despair comfort and rest.” The names give us the plan from creation to Jesus. Genesis 46 has the names of the twelve sons of Jacob. Try looking up the meanings of each name for the hidden message.

Old Testament accounts aren’t stories but historical records and events. Pick any account, such as Joseph’s or Abraham's, and if you look closely enough, you will see resemblances that mirror the life of Jesus.

You can also find Jesus in the happenings around you, if you truly seek Him. When you truly seek to see Jesus, you will find Him in every happening in your life. So, go ahead, seek to see Jesus. You will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart.

To listen to the full message, visit www.BenwoodMtLebanon.org

Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

04/28/2026

Let me know by noon tomorrow if you need to add anyone please!!! We have a nice size group coming…exciting!

RSVP to Brandy Biddle 812-239-3793