Tag Archives: Worship

Sunday – March 3, 2013

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March 3, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

The Abomination of Desolation from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Many are fascinated with what Jesus said about the last days. The Olivet Discourse has all the elements of a great action movie: the tension of the saint’s persecution by those who hold earthly power set against the working of the Holy Spirit and the Jesus’ coming to gather His own, complete with cosmic fireworks. A series of sermons on the Great Tribulation and the identity of the Antichrist will usually draw far more interest from people than the ethical demands of the Sermon on the Mount. And while some view our passage a litmus test on certain views of the end, I think Mark 13 was intended to turn down the flame on apocalyptic fever because the passage contains far more puzzles than answers.
Mark’s message is far more subtle than fill in the blank answers for our “end of time” charts. Mark’s message for the saints of every generation, from first to last, is: God’s way, God’s Messiah and God’s people will be vindicated is such a conclusive way that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ to the glory of God. We should not be ignorant of the last days, but God has made it clear that we are to learn to cope with the last days.
Join us this Sunday as we explore what Jesus has to say about “The Abomination of Desolation” in Mark chapter 13 verses 14 to 23. Join us at 8:45 AM to show God is worthy of our praise!

Word On Worship – March 3, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 13:21-23
“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. “But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.”

Mark wrote his gospel at a time when the world appeared to many to be falling apart, especially if you were a Jewish Christian. Tacitus, the Roman historian of the first century, documented three civil wars, the assassination of four emperors, numerous earthquakes and natural disasters all of which took place after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The warnings of Jesus in our passage provide a guide for the saints of every generation to make sense of what has happened and will happen in the course of human history.

Many are fascinated with what Jesus said about the last days. The Olivet Discourse has all the elements of a great action movie: the tension of the saint’s persecution by those who hold earthly power set against the working of the Holy Spirit and the coming of Jesus to gather His own, complete with cosmic fireworks. A series of sermons on the Great Tribulation and the identity of the Antichrist will usually draw far more interest from people than the ethical demands of the Sermon on the Mount. And while some view our passage as a litmus test on certain views of the end, I think Mark 13 was intended to turn down the flame on apocalyptic fever because the passage contains far more puzzles than answers.

Mark’s message is far more subtle than fill in the blank answers for our “end of time” charts. Mark’s message for the saints of every generation, from first to last, is: God’s way, God’s Messiah and God’s people will be vindicated in such a conclusive way that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ to the glory of God. We should not be ignorant of the last days, but God has made it clear that we are to learn to cope with the last days.

The question for us to answer is how shall we live in such difficult times, with the persecutions, suffering and trials as we wait for the blessed return of our Lord and Savior? The drama of the last days will play out according to God’s plan, scene by scene. The actors on the stage can estimate where they are in the play, but only the stage director knows exactly where they are. He has given the actors instructions on what they are to do and what they are to say as they see certain events and cues take place. The actors know how the play will end, but they still do not know when the curtain will fall.

Sunday – June 24, 2012

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June 24, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Esteem the Name Of God from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Which group are you in? Are you standing with those who think it is not profitable to follow God, or do you stand with those who fear the Lord and esteem His Name? It is an important question because no matter how often you go to church, only one group is recorded in the Lord's book of remembrance. Join us Sunday as we continue in Malachi 3:13-18 and see the beautiful people who "Honor Your Heavenly Father." Come for the worship and stay for the fellowship

Word On Worship – June 24, 2012 Download / Print

Malachi 3:16-18
“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”

Do you sometimes watch people around you deny God, yet they seem to receive greater blessing than believers and especially you? You would never say it, but you cynically think it in your heart: “What profit is there in serving God? It doesn’t pay!” Here’s the message of Malachi: God records everything. The God who does not change not only records our foolish actions, but God keeps record of all that we do and say in His name. Asaph in Psalm 73 was looking at the prosperity of the wicked and was thinking “It’s a waste of time serving God!” Asaph had honest and painful questions, but when he took them before God he saw their action in terms of eternity. You must keep eternity’s values in view, because in the end we will win!

There is a second group of people found in verses 16 through 18. God calls these people jewels; God’s jewels. “My jewels — they shall be mine.” He gives this beautiful name jewels to those who, in an age of compromise, an age of worldly values, apathy and indifference still speak about the Lord and who fear the Lord. I think these are some of the most beautiful verses in all of Scripture. God says they are a remnant people; true to Him throughout all of time.

Now I want you to note both of these groups, those who were the judges and those who are the jewels, claimed to be among God’s people. What makes the difference? The difference is the jewels feared the Lord. The book of Proverbs tells us “To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” These were people who, in the midst of all that was going on around them, reverenced God and submitted to His authority and no one else’s.  They began to fear God more and fear others less. They feared the Lord, they thought upon His name, and then they spoke often about Him.

Here’s the question out of Malachi’s message for all of us: what do our lips portray about our heart? Do you talk often, one to another, about Him? Don’t miss the fact even in Malachi’s day the remnant kept company together. They encouraged one another and they promoted love and faith in each others hearts. They did not forsake the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some, as they saw the Day approaching. They kept company with those who were talking about the Lord, thinking on His name and who feared the Lord. Can I give you a bit of advice? Keep company, not only in the assembly, but in your personal private company, with those who talk about the Lord, not about other Christians!