Purdie Church

07/22/2026

06/19/2026

Sermon for Singletary and Purdie Churches on June 14, 2026.
GOD OF THE MOUNTAINS
Most of us have read Genesis 1 in our Bibles that talks about God creating the heavens and the earth. And how He placed certain details on our earth to help sustain mankind, plants and animal life. Then we see His great artistry when He made the “wonders of the earth”. These include the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights; the Grand Canyon; the Great Barrier Reef; the Harbor at Rio de Janeiro; Mount Everest, the Paricutin Volcano; and also, Victoria Falls.
Isaiah 40:25-26 tells of God’s great power and majesty where it says, 25 “To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom
shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; Not one is missing.
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your unmatched power and glory, recognizing that all creation reflects Your majesty. Thank You for being the Creator of the universe, the Sustainer of life,
and the source of all our strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Some of us may have had the privilege to travel and see some of these wonderful places of nature. We only have to go about an hour, and we can enjoy the Atlantic Ocean. A few hours the other way and we can see the majesty of Mountains. Further west there’s the Grand Canyon. And up north, Niagara Falls. We can look up into the skies and see the Sun, Moon, and celestial bodies. Aren’t we just blessed beyond measure to be able to see and enjoy these things that God has given to us?
There’s a sense of majesty when we think about mountains.
Mountains are more than just landscapes. They are symbols of strength, patience, and timeless beauty. Rising high above the earth, they remind us of nature’s power and serenity. They shape cultures, challenge climbers, and give life to rivers that feed nations. Their beauty cannot be captured in words. It can only be truly experienced by the heart.
Mountains are a place of peace. They are refuges from noisy cities. The fresh air, the sound of waterfalls, and the silence of high peaks help to heal the soul.
Spending time in the mountains is like pressing a pause button on life and breathing deeply again. Mountains teach us patience, humility, and balance.
It’s no wonder that so many Biblical events took place on a high hill or mountain. It’s a great place for God Almighty and Jesus Christ to show their Majesty, Authority, and Knowledge.
God told Noah that He was going to flood the earth and destroy all mankind except for Noah, his family, and the animals and supplies they would carry with them. He instructed Noah to build an ark. Noah and his family floated around for close to a year and then God caused the ark to rest upon the mountains of Ararat.
We can find in Genesis 22 where God tests Abraham's faith and obedience by commanding him to provide a fitting sacrifice, his son Isaac! Abraham didn’t just go out and build a fire. No, he traveled for 3 days to Mount Moriah. There, God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac.
Moses encountered God in the burning bush at Mount Horeb, which is also identified as Mt Sinai. When Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, God brought them back to Mount Sinai. This is the same place where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses. And forty years later, God led Moses up to the top of Mount Nebo, where He allowed him to see the Promised Land. And later in history, the Prophet Elijah hears the "still small voice" of God at Mt Sinai also.
Jesus often retreated to mountains to pray and seek solitude, especially during significant moments in his ministry, such as after performing miracles or facing challenges. These mountains served as places for reflection, healing, and communion with God. This was essential for His spiritual strength and guidance.
Satan tried to tempt Jesus by carrying Him to the top of a mountain. Jesus gave followers the teachings of the Beatitudes on a Mount overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The event called the Transfiguration of Jesus is believed to have taken place at either Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon. This is where Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain,
and then met with Moses and Elijah.
Jesus was taken captive after praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, which is at the base of the Mount of Olives. He was strung up on a cross on Golgotha, or Calvary, another hill. After His Resurrection, He ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives. And when He comes back, that’s exactly where He’s going to touch down on earth.
Prophets tell of His return in Isaiah 2 and Micah 4, and I’ll read from Isaiah. 2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning
hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
The mountain of the Lord's house refers to Mount Zion, where the temple of the Lord will be established as the highest of all mountains, symbolizing a place of worship and divine teaching. In the last days, all nations will flow to it to learn His ways.
I ran across a song I’d like to share with you. I’m not going to try to sing it…but I think you’ll like it anyway. It has a lot of meaning. It’s called “GOD ON THE MOUNTAIN.”
Life is easy, when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind, like you've never known
But things change, when you're down in the valley
Don't lose faith, for you're never alone
For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night
You talk of faith, when you're up on the mountain
But talk comes so easy, when life's at its best
Now it's down in the valleys, of trials and temptations
That's where your faith, is really put to the test
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times
The God of the day, is still God in the night
The same God of the mountain is the same God of the Valley. How about you this morning? Are you enjoying a spiritual high way up on the mountain? Or is there something happening right now in your life that has drug you down deep in the valley? I think our faith actually increases when we get down in the valley so deep that there’s nowhere else to go. That’s when we pour out our soul to God and really mean what we say. It seems like we do a heap more praying when we are in distress, rather than when we are enjoying the sights and sounds on the top of the mountain.
I want to invite you this morning to come to the Altar and talk with God. I heard a song a few months back that talked about, “there’s dust on the Altar, where we used to pray.”
You can thank Him for your Blessings. Or you can ask Him for help if you’re going through some type of distress. You don’t have to have a problem to come pray. Our God is always with us…in the good times and the bad.
Psalm 125:2 states, “2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.”
In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Benediction: I want to remind you that God loves you and wants a relationship with you. He wants to give us wisdom and strength as we navigate life’s challenges. Lord, give us the courage to face our trials, knowing that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. May Your light shine through us to others that they too may know of Your great love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

06/19/2026

Sermon for Singletary and Purdie Churches on June 7, 2026.
GOD IS MY PILOT
Remember the time when you saw a bunch of license plates or bumper stickers that stated, “GOD IS MY CO-PILOT”? Then they started making some that read “IF GOD IS YOU CO-PILOT, YOU SHOULD SWITCH SEATS”. Make no doubt about it. God is ever-present in our lives. But we have to do certain things to draw even closer to Him if we want to see and feel His spiritual presence and protection. It’s not just an automatic response. It’s based on our faith and devotion. God is always ready and available to help us in times of need. But is that really the only time that we call on Him?
Psalm 121,1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; the
Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth,
and even forevermore.
Debbie and myself had to go to Durham on Friday. I’ve gotten to where I dread to make that journey. Driving on I95 is bad enough. But I40 around Raleigh and Durham has become completely ridiculous. I didn’t see any bumper stickers about God. But I did think about asking Jesus to take the wheel several times. Some of these people were definitely NASCAR fans. They were weaving in and out of traffic at 10-20 miIes per hour over the posted speed limit.
There’s a story of a pastor who served a large church that had a large outreach ministry. He had executive responsibilities and traveled to many places around the Country. He told of one of the most frightening experiences of his life. He was on a long flight one time when a lighted sign on the plane started flashing a warning saying “Fasten your seat belts.” After a few more minutes, a calm voice came over the intercom saying, "We will not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming a little apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us.” A short time later they started going into the storm. Loud claps of thunder could be heard above the roar of the engines. Bolts of lightning lit up the darkening skies. Within moments the plane was tossed in some bad turbulence. One moment the airplane was lifted up on the strong currents of air. And then, it dropped down as if it were about to crash.
This pastor confessed that he also shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said that as he looked around the plane, he could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. It was scary. And many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.
Then suddenly he noticed a little girl. It was like the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat. She was reading a book and everything within her small world was so calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes. Then she would start reading again.
She would move around to get more comfortable. But worry and fear were not in her little world.
When the plane was being shaken by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that one child seemed completely composed and unafraid. He just couldn’t understand how she remained calm.
But the storm subsided and the plane safely reached its destination. While the passengers were hurrying to disembark, the pastor stayed around to try and speak to the young girl. They talked about the storm and how the plane had been bounced around. And he asked her why she had not been afraid. The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home.”
One side of our thought says that God should not be in the back seat. No, He should be piloting the ship. But the reality is that we write your own life story. We wake up and choose which way to go. It’s all up to us. So many of us usually like to make the decisions to do this and that, and not worry God about trivial things. But God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.
He is our creator and sustainer. And He is the very author of our lives. We find the Word given by God to Jeremiah in 29:11-13 to give to the Jewish captives in Babylon, 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” I believe that prophecy could very well apply to us today if we seek God all of the time, and not just when we find ourselves in a situation that we cannot control.
Sometimes when we do not hear God’s voice in a certain matter, it could be that God trusts us to decide. God might be compared to a thing called GPS, which means global positioning satellite. He guides us in the best possible paths to take. But it is our decision to choose to listen to Him. He’s allowed us to have certain freedoms in our life. We have to make the decision to let His Holy Spirit to guide us.
We wear ourselves out sometimes trying to solve problems or situations that we can’t see a good outcome. Jesus says “come to me all who are burdened and heavy laden,
and He will give us rest”. And He will, if we let Him. It might be a severe illness or injury. A financial crisis, or even a relationship. He gives us certain supernatural powers that most of us never tap into. Yes, you heard me right. Through our belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we too have been granted certain powers. Let me give you a few examples…
Let’s start with Proverbs 30:5 states “5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
In John 14:12 Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Ephesians 1:15-21, 15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all
principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Mark 16 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Many so called “storms” can come and throw our lives into utter chaos. Let us always remember that God, our Father, is the Pilot. He is in control and will take us home.
God tells the Prophet Isaiah 41:10, 10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
You hold the steering wheel in your hands. The answer is clear, choose life. Choose Jesus.
Let us remember the great love that our Creator has for us by sending His Son to atone for our sins.

06/19/2026

Sermon for Singletary and Purdie Churches on May 24, 2026.
MEMORIAL DAY 2026
We are here at Church today to worship and praise the person that loves us more than anyone else in the world, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He always has loved us, loves us now, and wants to reside with and love us as we share Eternal Life.
Others have loved us greatly too. Our mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, spouses, children, our friends, etc. That being said, there’s another group of people that we probably don’t really know by name that have played a monumental part in all our lives. They are sometimes called unsung heroes. Without them, we might not be enjoying our culture and the freedoms that we almost take for granted today. We might be living under foreign rule and speaking another language. We may not have many of the rights and benefits that we enjoy today.
Today is the Sunday before Memorial Day. On Memorial Day, we pause to honor the men and women who have laid down their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is both sobering and sacred.
Many of these unsung heroes went to a foreign land, away from the luxury of being in America. They took the fight to our enemies, so that we could live in safety and comfort. They paid a high price to defend us and the United States. Their sacrifice reminds us that freedom is not free. It is paid for with blood, with courage, and with love.
Jesus talks about people that make the ultimate sacrifice in the Gospel of John 15:13 where He said, “13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Let’s pray. Dear God, we thank you for the freedom you have given to us, and for the price that was paid by Christ so that we could live free. We remember today. The cost of it all. The great sacrifice for freedom. We thank you for the brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, so courageously for our nation. We ask for your cloak of armor and blessing over them and their families. We pray that you will be gracious and encircle them with your peace. We pray for your great favor and goodness to be evident in their lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
These brave men and women had names. They had families that endured the grief of losing a loved one. Many became single parents much too early. Children became motherless or fatherless. It affected many people very personally. We may not have had relatives or close friends to enlist in the military and never come back. It’s hard for us to comprehend the stress and strain of having a loved one in a war zone far away. They were nothing less than patriots. They went into harm’s way so that we didn’t have to. Those that did come back never seemed to get the appreciation that they truly deserved.
Many came back with emotional problems or physical disabilities. Some developed diseases from things they were exposed to. They deserve nothing less than state-of-the-art health care and the finest treatment for the troubling things that they have seen and experienced. That’s a goal we can help work on today. We have some of our veterans that are homeless. And that’s not right. These people may have been spared the sting of death, but some are still fighting battles in their minds every day. War is a terrible thing, and it leaves many scars.
Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:8 that there’s “8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. I wish we could concentrate on the love and peace part more than the hate and war. We would be so much better off. In our own life, in the life of our nation, and even in the entire world.
God wants us to have a whole lot more of that love and peace too. Jesus also said in John 15:12, 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Jesus came to earth as a human and gave His life to save ours. And yes, there were wars between nations going on then.
But Jesus wasn’t fighting a conventional war. Yes, people and even rulers opposed Him and worked against Him. He was an unsung hero. If the world back when He was alive on earth, and those here today, would only come to realize that He was, and still is fighting a tremendous battle to save our souls, maybe we would honor and praise him so much more. He’s doing it entirely for our benefit. And on top of that, He offers life, abundant life, and not the horrors of death. He says it plainly in John 10:10, “10 The thief does not come except to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
That thief is satan. He is an enemy of God and of mankind. He deceives, he destroys, he confuses, he’s sneaky, he’s conniving, and he’s all evil. There’s nothing good or wholesome about him. And even knowing all that, many people in the world seem to follow him.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Christ not only taught this love, but He also lived it. And through His example, He invites us to do the same. This is not just a day of remembrance, It’s a day of rededication to the way of love. He didn’t just say “love each other.” He gave us a perfect model: “as I have loved you.” His love was called agape, and is defined as the highest form of love, characterized by selflessness and unconditional care for others. It transcends circumstances and is not dependent on reciprocation, embodying a profound commitment to the well-being of others.
The love that He extended to us is sacrificial. And He too lived out His very words by the ultimate expression of love. He laid down His very life on the cross for each one of us.
Today is a day that we recognize those in the military that gave their lives serving God, country, and family. But a very honorable mention goes out to many more unsung heroes that put their lives on the line for us. Our law enforcement that faces uphill battles trying to maintain peace and calm. Other Emergency personnel such as firefighters, EMT’s, and medical professionals see or hear and respond to dangers while others might be running away. They see and hear of many horrors of today and do their best to send help, to give good advice, and even defuse bad situations. There’s a whole team of helpful and loving people that are there to help us when something goes terribly wrong.
Say for instance a loved one grabs their chest and falls to the floor. You make a call to 911. The dispatcher there sends out someone to help. That might be firefighters, law enforcement, and EMT’s. Not only that,
they keep you on the phone and instruct you how to give CPR. Firefighters and EMT’s arrive and give immediate life-saving care until they can get the person to the hospital. Then Dr’s and nurses do everything they can to save their life and to get back to better health.
The loved ones and families usually thank the Dr’s. But there were so many other people involved in this medical emergency that never get recognized.
And this sacrificial love can be said of other individuals such as parents, teachers, and even Church members. People that choose to put others before themselves.
This applies not only to soldiers on battlefields, but to everyday people who choose to put others before themselves. To love those that sometimes seem to be unlovable. To extend a helping hand to those in need. To offer a good word to those who need encouragement.
Let today be more than a moment of remembrance. Let it be a time of rededication to living a life marked by sacrificial love, at home, in our Church, in our communities, and to the ends of the earth.
Memorial Day is often seen as the start of summer. We enjoy hot dogs and barbecue, family gatherings, and rest. But it is more than a holiday. It’s a holy moment to reflect. We remember those who gave their lives for our nation’s freedom. And as the Church, we are also called to remember the works of Jesus, the people of faith who came before us, and the calling God has placed on our lives. Tomorrow, and in the days to come, remember those who have worked and sacrificed so that we can have a better life.
This week, ask God “Who are you calling us to love more sacrificially”? “Where can we lay down comfort, pride, or time, to help or to lift someone else up? And if you ask these things, be ready to act on them, because love is not love until it moves.
On this day of remembrance, be sure to reflect upon the very one who gave His life for our freedom, Jesus Christ. He said in John 8:36, “36 Therefore if the Son (Jesus) makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Benediction: May we honor the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for our freedom, and may their memory inspire us to be peacemakers in our communities. As we leave this place, let us carry their courage in our hearts and strive for a world filled with justice and peace." In Jesus’ name, Amen.

06/19/2026

Sermon for Singletary and Purdie Churches on May 17, 2026.
HE GAVE HIS ALL
As a Pastor, I am constantly thinking of stories and examples to make a sermon out of. Sometimes I hear a song, and even though I might have heard it many times before, something in the lyrics jumps out at me. Or it might be that I hear someone preaching, or talking about a religious topic, and glean some ideas that I had never thought of before. And even sometimes I get a direct feed directly from above. I like them direct feeds. They flow so much easier.
And the title of the message for this week is HE GAVE HIS ALL. Jesus didn’t give 25%, 50%, or even 75%. He gave 100%. The Father assigned Jesus a mission to atone, or reconcile, His people with Him. This had never been done before. God had given His people commandments to follow. If they sinned, there were consequences. They offered sacrifices to atone for their wrongdoing.
And in God’s perfect plan for humanity, He devised a plan to make one final blood sacrifice that would last forever.
That sacrifice would be a most perfect way to show God’s great love and compassion for us. And that sacrifice was Jesus.
We find two good scriptures in the Gospel of John where Jesus told of His great mission. In John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” And in John 10:11 where He says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
But one day in the grand theme of God’s perfect planning, Jesus entered into a new dimension of human history. He was conceived of a woman on earth. He was born as we were born. He grew up in a family as we grew up. Some say He even followed His stepfather’s trade and worked as a carpenter. He experienced life as we experience life. He knew joy. He knew sorrow. He knew anger. He knew grief. He knew betrayal by His most trusted friends. He knew pain, pain beyond what you and I will ever experience. He knew what life was like in all of its ups and downs. He knew of the human condition called it sin. Even though He Himself did not sin. He knew what we humans are really like when we turn from God and try to figure out and live life on our own terms.
Listen to how the Apostle Paul explained Jesus in Philippians 2:5-8, 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
And in 2 Corinthians 5:21 we find, 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus didn’t come to earth to amaze people with His Divine Majesty. He came as a humble servant and offered us advice on how to live a life of holiness. He said in Matthew 20:27, “27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Here is a man who was born in a small village. The child of a peasant woman. Very little is known between His birth and the start of His ministry. Then for three years He traveled the countryside teaching and healing. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never traveled more than two hundred miles from the place He was born. He had no credentials but Himself. It was hard for the people to realize that He was the One that the Prophets had written about.
Jesus faced many uphill battles during His ministry. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only pieces of property that He had on this earth – His clothing. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today He is the centerpiece of the human race.
I can only imagine the place that Jesus dwells at today. Heaven is a real place where God resides, filled with Holiness and perfection. Perfect God, perfect joy, and perfect love.
It is often depicted as a paradise, offering perfect peace and communion with God and others, beyond what we can imagine. Heaven transcends our human understanding, promising experiences beyond our wildest dreams. And the thought of Jesus leaving this place of safety and peace to come to earth to save sinners is mind boggling.
But He did! He loved us so much that he was willing to die on a cross so that we might be able to come back into a love relationship with God.
And how does this great act of love and atonement rank in our lives today? A man, a deity of the Most High God, gave His life for ours.
In December 1920, New York Congressman and World War I veteran Hamilton Fish Jr. proposed legislation that provided for the interment of an unknown American soldier at a special tomb to be built in Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of the legislation was “to bring home the body of an unknown American warrior who in himself represents no section, creed, or race in the late war and who typifies, moreover, the soul of America and the supreme sacrifice of her heroic dead.” In 1937, the guards became a 24/7/365 presence, always standing watch over the Unknown Soldier. Rain or shine, cold or hot, ice or snow. Our nation honors those who gave their life for us. That tomb and the presence of the guards show that their sacrifice did not go unnoticed, and it means a great deal to us.
Keep this in mind, Jesus foretold His disciples what He was about to do in Mark 14:22-24, 22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.
This man Jesus changed world history. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the governments that ever convened, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.
Imagine this scenario. It’s Sunday, and we are attending Church. We are alone, no family, no close friends. Just you and other members of the Church worshipping and praising God.
Then all of a sudden the front door flies open and gunmen storm into the sanctuary. They rob everyone of their possessions and take the money from the offering plates. As they are about to leave, one of them says…if one person will stand up, we will let the rest of you live.
There is a man here that told a lie about you 12 years ago. Another person is here that you loaned money to and they never paid it back. In the crowd are children that made fun of the limp you had from a previous injury. Even others that won’t even speak to you. Would you even consider to be the one to stand up? Would you be the one to lose your life to save others? Those others may not even be your friends.
Jesus answered that call with His Life. He died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves His love for us. He gave His all for you. He gave His all for me. He gave His all for the world. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we find “21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” He carried the sins of the World with Him when He died on the cross.
If Jesus was willing to give His all for us, why is it so difficult for us to give our all to Him? Why is it so hard to give Him credit and praise every day, instead of just Sundays, Christmas, and Easter?
What’s holding us back? I know we have jobs and other responsibilities. Yes, even Jesus worked. I’ve got a family. Jesus had a family too. What is holding us back from giving our all to Him who gave His all for us?
What could possibly happen to a world that recognized and obeyed Jesus? I would say that we would live in a much better place. Where we loved God and one another? The world could use a little more peace and harmony.
What could possibly happen if we personally decided to devote more time to Jesus? More than 1%, more than 25%.
We find in James 4:8, “8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
And what could happen when we draw nearer? Jesus tells us something amazing in John 14:12, 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Today, right now…Let’s set our minds to draw closer to God. Get more involved in the Church. We would love to have you join the Church and come to the business meetings. We would love your input and participation. But most of all, we need to deepen our relationship with God. Go the extra step. Jesus gave His all for us. Let’s sincerely offer Him our heart and soul. We can do that also, right here at the Altar, right now.
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen