Sermon Notes & Videos
2021-07-23 | Deuteronomy 3-7 | The Next Generation
The 2021 Olympics have kicked off. On this world stage, Men and Women compete for medals that bring recognition to their sport, their Country, and themselves as athletes. In Track and Field, one type of event is the “relay race.” Runners must pass a baton to their teammate who continues the race. A clean exchange helps the next runner keep the momentum. Making all clean exchanges gives the team the best chance of winning. From time to time, a poor exchange will result in a dropped Baton. That team is instantly disqualified.
It is evident in Deuteronomy that Moses is passing the baton to Joshua, although it does not always appear to be a “clean exchange. Nevertheless, he Charges, Encourages and Strengthens Joshua as the one who would bring the Nation of Israel into the promised land. Each generation thereafter has had to pass the Baton to the next in a sort of spiritual relay race. Some exchanges have not been so clean and I can say we’ve even had a few “dropped batons” resulting in disqualifications. I think you can imagine what I mean.
We have a task at hand. We must run the race well and make a clean exchange as we pass the the baton to the Next Generation. May I paraphrase what Paul said on the matter… “All the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. I discipline myself and stay under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Don’t drop the handoff! Don’t be disqualified!
2021-07-16 | Deuteronomy 1-3 | Enough Already!
Enough already? Or, enough already! Have you learned your lesson yet, or do you need to be reminded of Yahweh’s faithfulness —again? Do you still get fearful when your faith is tested, or do you quickly remember His faithfulness? As we enter the book of Deuteronomy, Moses takes a trip down memory lane. Listen people, Yahweh has made good on His word EVERY TIME, so, when He tells you to have no fear as you enter the Promised Land, you can trust Him. “He will go before you and fight for you.” Remember, “Yahweh carried you, as a man carries his son, everywhere you went, until you came to this place.” “He has blessed everything you’ve touched for the last forty years in the wilderness, and you have lacked nothing.” “Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh has done.” Do you think He will fail you now? And by the way, here’s a sneak peak; the whole thing was a test! “God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness to test what was in your heart, whether you would obey Him or not.”
In Y’shua, the Father makes the same promises to you. The prophetic patterns are striking! “Let not your heart be troubled; I go to prepare a place for you; where I am, there you may be also.” Yes, through various trials (the wilderness), your faith is tested, and in the end, you will have lacked nothing. Y’shua also uses the same heart test; “If you love Me, you’d obey Me!”
So, enough already? Or, enough already! It should be obvious; it’s enough already!
2021-07-09 | Numbers 30-36 | Dissipation or the Spirit
When you were saved into your new life, it was required (not recommended) that you leave your old life behind. Many times along their wilderness journey, Israel was given specific warnings about entering their new life, the Promised Land. Destroy every remnant of pagan worship, idolatry and sexual temptation, or IT WILL come back to haunt you. They were ordered to remember Egypt, from where they came, and to consider Canaan, where they were going. The mandate: “DO NOT do what those nations do in any way!”
For Christians, the mandate is the same! You must “no longer live the rest of your new life in the lusts of the flesh, but for the will of Yahweh. You have spent enough of your old life in doing the will of the Pagans—so, if after you have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Y’shua, you are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end will be worse for you than the beginning. It would have been better for you not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then turn away from God’s holy commandments.
Pick a life — go back to the same flood of dissipation or live by the Spirit!
2021-07-02 | Numbers 25-29 | My Peace I Give You
“Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Fear can be a paralyzing emotion, the birth place of every type of anxiety. But, it should have no place in the Christian’s life. Be anxious for nothing…let the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Fear and anxiety are literally the opposite of peace, an thus are the antithesis of the Christian life. So, how can you access this peace at all times, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances?
Phinehas found himself in a tough spot that threatened the peace of God’s people, and he made a radical choice to stand on the side of righteousness, “because he was zealous for his God.” And for that Yahweh made to him this amazing promise. “I give to him My covenant of peace; and it shall be to him and his descendants after him.” Why such a blessing for such a man? The psalmist might just give us the best explanation.
“Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.” Psalms 37:37
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalms 119:165
If we amalgamate these thoughts it becomes clear. The blameless and upright man is he who is zealous for Yahweh, loves to obey Him, and experiences His peace. Y’shua promised it this way; “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you…let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” Y’shua implanted in us the desire to be blameless and upright. Walking out a blameless and upright life is exactly how you guard your heart and mind, cast out fear, and experience a peace that surpasses all understanding!
2021-06-25 | Numbers 22-25 | The Insidious Prophet
On June 23rd, 2003, I walked down to the pulpit to receive Salvation. I remember that moment as if two minutes ago. The evening prior to my born-again experience, I had an encounter with an older gentleman who challenged me with a handful of questions regarding my eternity. I had very weak answers, if any at all, mostly in the form of questions. I recall waking the next morning as if I had been in a boxing ring for ten rounds with Mike Tyson. One thing was evidently clear that morning; I knew something was off and I could not shake it. I had to get to know the character of the God to whom this gentleman was referring.
I recall growing up as a Catholic and my view of God was one of intimidating fear, and I believed that God was confined either within the walls of the Church or in Heaven. I feared that if I stepped out of line, He could, at any moment, strike me with lightning and finish me off. I retell this, not to bring attention to my life, but to introduce today’s character, the insidious prophet, Balaam.
Balaam had a similar problem, his view of Yahweh was also very wrong! He thought that Yahweh was malleable, one who could be bribed or tempted. Balaam believed that he could convince God to change His mind, to break His own Abrahamic covenant and to, instead, fulfill Balaam’s own greedy desires. Boy was he wrong!
2021-06-18 | Numbers 19-21 | Watch Your Anger
Anger is a huge problem in our society today. And it seems to be on the rise. One does not need to look any further than the local news to see how uncontrolled anger affects everyone. But, in the midst of the congregation of Yahweh, what should we say to one another when anger rises out of the heart of the believer in similar fashion to what we witness in the world? Is there a place for such? Without hesitation, the answer is an resounding NO, and I pray all of you would agree.
Yahweh has much to say regarding the subject of anger. And sometimes it takes looking intently into the narratives of Biblical history for us to notice the parallels in our own lives. Without recognizing how those narratives speak to our own issues, it’s easy to miss how these stories point directly at us, and we simply walk away without considering their personal application. Would you prefer to simply feel validated in your own muck and mire, or would you rather change?