Perseverance- Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement;continue steadfastly.  Hebrews 6:9-12 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The prophet spoke to the people of Judah in a time of tremendous transition. They had had to get used to the notion that their homeland was no more; Judah had been taken, Jerusalem had been destroyed, the Temple had been pulled down, and they were going to have to live in exile in Babylon. It was not a happy time. They were tempted to sit down and bathe themselves in a nostalgic frenzy – how good it was back in the day. But the prophet insisted that that was a luxury they could ill afford, and that, in fact, they were showing the symptoms of a disease called nostalgia. The Bible tells us that if we carry around our old stuff too long, it will become an idol and it will be nothing but a burden. Isaiah tells Judah that, attracted as they were to the false gods of Canaan, they are going to wear themselves out carrying around burdensome stuff they should have gotten rid of a long time ago. Stuff that makes us feel like pack animals hauling bricks up the hillside. In the ancient world, quite often people had household gods, statues and images of the gods they worshiped. And if they had go somewhere, they took their gods along with them. Earlier in the Old Testament there is that wonderful story of Rachel going off to be Jacob’s wife, and she hid the household gods under her skirts. Now these things were idols; you and I know that. You and I know, and the Bible knows, and, to tell the truth, these people knew it too – that God cannot be transported like so much luggage. God is a spirit and not a little chunk of stone or metal. You won’t get charged an overweight penalty for carrying the true God with you when you travel! The picture here is of a people who are afraid to jettison old habits and old ways. They have had to pick up and move to a new place they don’t like very much. They are not sure what the future holds. But they think they might hold on to the past. So they pick up their little statuettes and load them on their pack animals and set off on their long and lonely journey to an uncharted destination. Their idols are burdens loaded on weary animals. Is it really any different with us? We have made ourselves into tired out, weary pack animals, beasts of burden, because we carry around with us too much stuff, and it is wearing us out.

Experts say that when the time has come for a young eaglet to learn to fly, the parent bird at first tries to coax the youngster into flight. If this method fails, the mother then resorts to what seems to be much harsher treatment. The mother bird will force her offspring off the nest out into the air. By this discipline of disturbance, she accomplishes her desire and design, the first flight of the eaglet. Now Moses, laying hold of this wonderful picture, shows that this is how God has acted toward His people. When they were settled down in Egypt, God stirred their nest through persecution until they were ready to leave for the Promised Land. Let’s look together at this preparation of disruption.

In this story Jesus left the Jewish area of Galilee for the seaport of Tyre, a pagan Gentile area. This was a very un-Jewish and un-rabbinical thing to do, but He knew there was a desperate mother there. Notice the verbs describing her: she heard about Him, came, fell at his feet, and begged His help. Yet Jesus answered her not a word. Her response to His non-response was to keep crying for mercy. Desperate people do desperate things. When you’re desperate you don’t care what people think, you don’t give up easily. Jesus finally said, in summary, “I’ve been sent to the lost sheep of Israel. My mission is the Jews. Why take the food of children and give it to dogs?” The word dog would be better translated, little dog or puppy. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their puppy.” Jesus was not being unkind, but making a theological point—His first priority was the Jewish people. “Yes, Lord,” the woman replied, “but even the puppies under the table get some crumbs.” In other words, “What you’re saying is true, but I don’t need the full meal. Just a few crumbs will be sufficient.” Can you sense this woman’s faith? Jesus did. “Woman,” He said, “you have great faith!” The Greek word is μεγας(megˊ-as), source of the English prefix mega. This woman had mega-faith! From this story, notice the characteristics of this impressive faith.

I wonder how many people we turn off to the gospel by arguing about religious concepts rather than sharing the truth of Jesus Christ’s love and mercy to save us from the wrath we deserve.  I wonder how many people got ready for church without so much as a thought of who they were coming to worship.  Mark 2:18–3:6 highlights the difference between religion and a relationship in three encounters Jesus had with a group of Pharisees.  There is all the difference in the world between religion and relationship.

Surveys continually show that education is among the issues of most concern to Americans. We want well-educated children in quality learning environments. Jesus, the “Master Teacher,” wants to develop us to our full potential, and He masterfully uses whatever learning environment is available at any given time. The Greek text of the Gospel calls Jesus teacher 45 times That which Jesus did is called teaching 45 times Those who followed Him were called disciples (Learners) 215 times Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is described as when Jesus taught the people With Peter, Jesus turned the Sea of Galilee into a classroom, and an old boat into a student’s desk. Peter no doubt looked every part the fisherman. He was rough and rugged with the jaws of a fighter and tough leather skin. However, through several encounters recorded in the Gospels, he became a big-hearted individual—a rock with a soft heart. Peter was a son of the sea, and from his encounters with the sea Jesus taught him great lessons, turning him from clay to rock.

Using a common everyday plant pot and some soil to help draw a parallel to how our faith should be growing.

Most people live their lives in obscurity. Few become famous during their lifetime, and fewer remain famous after they are gone. After all, God has called us to be faithful, not famous. After Nehemiah rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, his next task was to convince people to move inside the walls, into the “inner city.” What took place in Nehemiah 11 was the first “urban development plan” in history. Nehemiah 11 is a listing of names of people who were necessary for the success of the city, but unknown to anyone else. Three groups moved into the city: (1) Leaders (v. 1). (2) Draftees (v. 1). (3) Volunteers (v. 2). This last group deserves attention. The Hebrew word volunteered means to impel, or to incite from within. These volunteers symbolize God’s army of the great unknowns, the kind of solid people who fill every good and thriving church, people who toil behind the scenes without any credit, with no other desire than to serve. These volunteers teach us a simple truth: God calls us to be faithful, not famous.Five unknowns from Nehemiah 11 serve as our example.

Conflict Happens Christians can Wound each other If . . . ? It’s fairly sure you’ll be hurt eventually,  We’re not immune from hurt in Church,  in marriage, family, or friendships either. It hurts more to be hurt by ones you love, These stings hurt most and longest,  These hurts go the deepest Hurts Break relationships. Our response to pain is to withdraw.  Over time we become isolated & alone As love unites, sin (hurt) divides. The fruit of love is unity.  The fruit of sin is division. Unless we deal with hurt, division remains This is Serious stuff This is about what it is to be Church. Church membership – agreement - Church requires relational unity The Bottom Line: We will love Enough to Confront each other in Loving ways

Clay in the Hand of God Jeremiah 18:1–6, "As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand. (nkjv)" God can take your messed-up life in His hand and say to you, “I want to give you another chance.” I thank God for a hand like that, because all of us have messed up at some point. All of us have ruined something in our lives. Maybe you’ve ruined everything. I want to show you several examples Of God’s remolding hand from Scripture.

Mark 6:46–52 Surviving Deep Waters and Dark Nights All of us go through stormy weather, and we sometimes endure dark nights. The Bible gives us a wonderful story for such times, one of Scripture’s favorite and most vivid accounts.

Do you ever feel that life is one challenge after another? Perhaps you are one of thousands who struggles to keep your home, feed your family, or stay employed. Or maybe your battle involves your health, your marriage, or a rebellious child. Whatever form it takes, hardship comes to every life sooner or later. You and I live in a fallen world. Even as believers, we have no guarantee that our lives will be easy. However, we don’t have to be anxious in the midst of difficulty. The Word of God gives us four foundational truths that can help face troubled times with confidence.

Just after World War II, a Methodist leader in London named William Sangster contracted a disease that gradually paralyzed him. Eventually even his vocal cords were paralyzed. On Easter Sunday—his last Easter on earth—his daughter came to visit. Using stiffened fingers, he scribbled a message: “How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice with which to shout, ‘He is risen!’ ” Then, pausing a moment, he added, “Far worse to have a voice and not want to shout.” We feel like shouting today because this is Easter, and Christ has risen from the dead. But just what does that mean to us here, now, in this twenty-first century? The answer is in the Book of Romans, Paul’s definitive statement of Christian truth. Three times in Romans the apostle Paul cites the great implications of Easter.

In the book of Proverbs—we find God’s wisdom in small doses. A great number of these deal with our words. Many of our problems in life occur because we say the wrong thing, or we say it at the wrong time, or we say it in the wrong way. A 20-second tirade can damage a twenty-year career, a twenty-year marriage, or twenty years of reputation. As he wrote Proverbs, Solomon was cognizant of the power of the tongue, and when you read his thoughts on this subject in Proverbs, you find God’s wisdom in small doses

We are going to discover Paul’s four secrets for maintaining your joy in spite of adverse circumstances, difficult people, and insurmountable loss.   Joy is not a feeling, it is a choice a choice to be grateful for God’s blessings, a choice to be confident in God’s plan, a choice to connect yourself to other Christians in a church, and a choice to live your life for God’s approval.

When we board an airliner, we’re asked to show a photo ID. For security reasons, the airlines don’t take us at our word. They want proof that we’re who we claim to be. Jesus’ critics demanded proof of His identity, thus He showed them His “photo ID.” He told them His portrait was on every page of the Old Testament. “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me” (John 5:46). Where did Moses write of Jesus? One place is Genesis 22. The young man Isaac is a remarkable prototype of Jesus Christ. Everything about Isaac in this passage points to his being a type or illustration of Christ. Everything about him reminds us of the Lord Jesus, and those who carefully study Genesis 22 find a remarkable series of parallels between Isaac and Immanuel. Two thousand years before Calvary, we have the gospel story given to us in advance through a preview, a prototype. Yet Isaac himself could never have actually provided purification for sins, for he was a sinner just as we are. Two millennia later and two millennia ago, God became a man, went to the cross, and there, shedding His blood, bridged the gulf between His own holiness on the one hand, and you and me on the other. On the mountain of the Lord, it was provided. Will you believe it? Will you receive it? “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11–12).

Why are we not winning more of our friends, relatives, and associates to Christ? Why are we not better witnesses? According to surveys by George Barna, only about half (53 percent) of born again Christians feel a sense of responsibility to tell others about their faith. In other words, nearly half of us don’t think it’s our personal responsibility to share our beliefs with those who don’t know Christ.  “[Winning souls] is something you cannot outgrow; it is a lifetime undertaking.” “We need to be joined to the Holy Spirit so that the living water may flow through us. But let me also say that the channel of life has two ends: One end is open toward the Holy Spirit; but the other end is open toward men.”  “Beloved, there are two big days in the life of a believer: the day on which he believes in the Lord—and every day after that when he leads someone to faith in Christ.” How can we be better witnesses for Christ? • Ask God to give you a burden for a handful of people who need to be saved, and begin praying for them. • Live a consistent Christian life, letting others see the hope within you. • Be ready when asked to give a reason for that hope (1 Peter 3:15). • Seize opportunities for inviting others to church. If you invite enough people, some will come. And if enough come, some will be saved.

U. S. News and World Report said  “In the United States, 27 million adults and 7.5 million children have a diagnosable mental disorder—more than the combined number of people with cancer, heart disease, and lung disorders.” For many, that mental disorder is anxiety, worry. The man in today’s story was in the grips of an understandable anxiety attack, for his son was in crisis. Our greatest worries are often over those we love the most.  In our story today, it brought this father to Jesus, but once there, his unbelief threatened his receiving of the Lord’s help. While worry may sometimes drive us to the Lord, it can so dominate our prayers that we have trouble claiming God’s answers by faith. Maybe this father’s case may help us understand our own.

Good Friday Service from March 25, 2016.

Who sets the pace of your life as you follow Christ? Do you obey Him only when life is acceptable to you? Do you obey when it’s convenient? Do you ever reconsider whether you want to follow Him? Jesus warns us against this, so what is the Cost of Discipleship.