Tag Archives: Andrew Kikkert

Sunday – August 4, 2013 “All’s Well That Ends…Well?”

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August 4, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

All’s Well That Ends…Well? from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

The ending of Mark’s gospel often raises more questions than it answers. In terms of Easter passages, it is the road less traveled. We want the details of the resurrection seen in the other gospels, to experience the emotion of Mary meeting her Lord or the satisfaction of Jesus reunion with the disciples. Was Mark being clumsy or just deeply unsatisfying with his ending? Mark’s gospel has been incredible in its power and its subtlety, but does that mean there are no lessons to be learned from Mark’s unique stopping place?

Word On Worship – August 4, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 16:7-8
 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.” They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

The ending of Mark’s gospel often raises more questions than it answers. In terms of Easter passages, it is the road less traveled. We want the details of the resurrection seen in the other gospels, to experience the emotion of Mary meeting her Lord or the satisfaction of the reunion of Jesus with the disciples. Was Mark being clumsy or just deeply unsatisfying with his ending? Mark’s gospel has been incredible in its power and its subtlety, but does that mean there are no lessons to be learned from Mark’s unique stopping place?

There is no narration in any of the gospels about the resurrection, only the aftermath. Whether it is the response of the religious leaders to the report of the Roman garrison about the body disappearing or Jesus meeting up with the disciples and the restoration of Peter, none of the gospels tell us what happened at the resurrection other than the tomb was empty. The prophets said death could not hold Him, Jesus promised that God would raise Him and the angels proclaimed that God has done exactly this. But for those at the tomb this Sunday morning, the only evidence they have is an empty grave with the command to go to Galilee to see Him. The question that must be answered is a question of faith: How can we find Him?

The angels do not tell the woman: “Surprise! He is here.” Instead their message is go and tell. Tell Peter and the others He has gone on ahead of them to Galilee. Yet, Mark does not write of any reunion with the earthly form of Jesus, no tears of joy or hugs of comfort. We are only told of the fear of the women and their fleeing from the empty tomb. But people respond to the Lord in fear throughout the gospel of Mark. The disciples were afraid when Jesus calmed the storm. The people of Gerasenes feared Jesus power to cast out demons and restore a man to his right mind. Not to mention the eleven at the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Humans have been deaf, dumb and afraid to know God’s glory throughout the story.

How do we treat the empty tomb? Is it our Wailing Wall that we visit every year at Easter? Have we become like the women? — leaving the sanctuary in haste and afraid to speak to anyone about the resurrection evidence? Consider what Mark teaches us and consider how the words of the angels should cause us to move forward, not retreat in fear. All we have is the news that Jesus has been raised. If any want to see Jesus for themselves, they must go to where He leads. For the disciples, that was Galilee. If today we ask where is Jesus, Mark tells us the answer. Jesus is always ahead of us, leading us on to new lands. Jesus is to be found when we are obedient to His commands.

Sunday – July 28, 2013 “The Reversal of the Reversal”

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July 28, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

The Reversal of the Reversal from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

The world is continually looking for a sign or demonstration that meets their worldly criteria but that is the opposite of faith. Their attitude is show us and then we will believe but they will never see enough for them to believe. Faith is trusting to the point of death, not seeing enough to believe. The centurion stands in stark contrast to those who shouted to Jesus for a sign to prove He was the Son of God. God demonstrated power over Rome, the religious leaders, the fickle crowds and the demonic hosts by the humiliation of the cross and reverses the reversal which occurred when man was forced the Garden of Eden.
Join us this week as we examine the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ from Mark 15 verses 22 to 47 in Pastor Kikkert’s sermon, “The Reversal of the Reversal”

Word On Worship – July 28, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 15:37-39
“And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

In his excellent book The Six Pillars of Biblical Power, John Rankin wrote about the reversal of the reversal. In God’s infinite power, He gave glorious gifts such as life, the created world and the ability to love. Yet when His creation soiled themselves by their sin (the reversal) to take what was not theirs, God’s love gave even more to redeem and restore His creation (the reversal of the reversal). I can think of no better picture of this than the centurion at the foot of the cross. Christ’s faithful obedience to His Father, even in death — not wondrous works of power or majesty — converted the executioner.

In a single moment, the centurion’s world view that governed his life changed. He had sworn allegiance to Caesar and was the physical representation of Roman power in Israel. To the Romans, power was the defining characteristic of deity and the title “Son of God” could only belong to Caesar, the embodiment of Rome’s power and majesty. This centurion never saw any of the prior miracles of Jesus or heard any of His teachings. Yet in Christ’s death, this soldier saw who Jesus Christ was and what it meant to be the Son of God. Divinity was no longer associated with the might of a leader to impose his will, but with humble obedience that transforms lives.

There was one thing the centurion saw in the crucifixion of our Lord that likely reversed his view of Jesus. As a soldier, he understood the necessity of absolute obedience. As another centurion told Jesus in Matthew 8, he understood what authority was and what that meant when orders were given. In the final hours of Jesus this centurion witnessed the Son of God carrying out His mission from the Father in absolute obedience. As bystanders ourselves, we need to reverse our false view of the true nature of divinity and power to see that at its core is obedience.

The world is continually looking for a sign or demonstration that meets worldly criteria. But that is the opposite of faith. The world’s attitude is show us and then we will believe – but they will never see enough for them to believe. Faith is trusting to the point of death, not seeing enough to believe. The centurion stands in stark contrast to those who shouted to Jesus for a sign to prove He was the Son of God. God demonstrated power over Rome, the religious leaders, the fickle crowds and the demonic hosts by the humiliation of the cross and reversed the reversal which occurred when man was forced out of the Garden of Eden.

Sunday – July 21, 2013 “How to Confound a Cynic”

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July 21, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

How to Confound a Cynic from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

How many times do we ask ourselves, “What am I to do?” The answer is often to answer the crowds- our friends, family and those whose opinion we value. Usually our decisions are to cede responsibility for our actions to popular opinion and cultural standards. It is often easier to keep our finger on the pulse of society as long as it costs us nothing. We want to satisfy the expectations of our friends; even we know their desire to be less than honorable. How often do we sit in the seat of Pilate? We ask the right question- “What shall I do then with Jesus?” But we get the answer wrong.
Join us this Sunday as we look at Jesus before Pilate as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. “How Do You Shock a Cynic?” Join us tomorrow and find out.

Word On Worship – July 21, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 15:9-13
“Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

How many times do we ask ourselves, “What am I to do?” The answer is often. To answer the crowds – our friends, family and those whose opinion we value – we usually cede responsibility for our actions to popular opinion and cultural standards. It is often easier to keep our finger on the pulse of society as long as it costs us nothing. We want to satisfy the expectations of our friends; even when we know their desire is to be less than honorable. How often do we sit in the seat of Pilate? We ask the right question – “What shall I do then with Jesus?” But we get the answer wrong.

In the quiet of our own mind and souls we prefer Jesus to the envious and manipulating religious leaders and the rebellious Barabbas, but in the noise of real life we never move further.  It is easier to risk nothing than it is to stand next to Jesus in the noise. The difference is whether Jesus is king of the Jews or He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. A king of some other people can be deferred to when it is convenient, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords requires our utmost devotion and loyalty. In Pilate’s mind, this crucial moment in God’s dealing with mankind’s sinful nature was just another day in his long tenure of dealing with the squabbles of the troublesome Jews.

Jesus took the place of a condemned man. He did not volunteer to die in the place of Barabbas, but was chosen by God to die for all sinful mankind. Jesus took up the bitter cup and took the place of a murderer and all humanity on the cross. To be the victim of leaders who have no moral compass would be difficult for anyone to abide. But it would be particularly difficult for one who brought about so much good in the lives of people. And still every day we turn our eyes away so we can pretend not to see what is taking place. And on this dark day, no one stands up to say stop.

How much have we learned since the day the crowds shouted for the release of Barabbas and for the crucifixion of Jesus? We still prefer the one who represents our narrow personal hopes. Barabbas appeals to our personal interest, with violence if necessary. Jesus holds out a kingdom that will require personal sacrifice and perseverance in this life. One path allows us to defer to the blowing wind of public perception. And when others use tools we do not agree with, that is just the cost of doing business. The other path requires we trust God at a personal cost. We gladly trust God for the afterlife, but do we trust God enough with the here and now if we have to suffer? Do we fear not only the physical pain, but also the blast of disapproval from friends, family and culture when we answer the question of what we will do with Jesus Christ?

Sunday – July 14, 2013 “Mission Impossible”

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July 14, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Mission Impossible from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

It is easy to conclude Jesus is the victim of great injustice, false evidence and a rigged jury. But nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was the Son of Man and was in complete control of everything that took place. Jesus was under no compulsion to testify against Himself, and the false witnesses were doing just fine shooting themselves in the foot. If Jesus chose too, He could have shredded the charges against Him just as He dismantled the traps set to trip Him up while He was teaching in the temple. Jesus is not going to argue over trivia or petty charges. Jesus would testify when it came to the critical issue of who is Jesus Christ. Is He the divine Messiah? Is He truly the Son of God?
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our study of the Gospel of Mark chapter 14 verses 53 to 72 on “Mission Impossible” and see why this text was written for us.

Word On Worship – July 14, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 14:61-64
Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.”

A common name for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark is the Son of Man. The term comes from the Book of Daniel and is associated with great power, glory and forth coming judgment. Judaism in the time of Christ saw the Son of Man as someone who would be a supernatural man who would transcend the suffering of the Jewish community because He would possess the power and exaltation they lacked. And yet when Jesus claims the title, it is the testimony which seals His fate before the High Priest.

In Mark, we see the Son of Man associated with power that is blended with suffering and weakness.  Jesus openly declares He is the Messiah only when there is no possibility the crowds will rise up and crown Him king. His admission is the only evidence the Sanhedrin has to convict Jesus of blasphemy and secure a sentence of death.  This was not the Messiah they wanted. Jesus as Messiah is far less than they hoped because He never raised a finger against Roman authority and passively submits to the beating of the religious elite and a sentence of death.

It is easy to conclude Jesus is the victim of great injustice, false evidence and a rigged jury. But nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was the Son of Man and was in complete control of everything that took place. Jesus was under no compulsion to testify against Himself, and the false witnesses were doing just fine shooting themselves in the foot. If Jesus chose too, He could have shredded the charges against Him just as He dismantled the traps set to trip Him up while He was teaching in the temple. Jesus is not going to argue over trivia or petty charges. Jesus would testify when it came to the critical issue of who is Jesus Christ. Is He the divine Messiah? Is He truly the Son of God?

As Messiah, Jesus was far more than anyone hoped. In the most devastating and chaotic time in all human history, Jesus is in charge. God’s power is seen in weakness and Jesus demonstrates the power of God. He is bringing about His death, in His time and in His way. Anyone looking for mighty displays of power, miraculous feats or startling prophecies will see nothing. But those who connect the dots see the Son of Man, orchestrating the events of this kangaroo court to accomplish the will of God. And the will of God will be completed when the Son of Man returns with the clouds of heaven to judge those rejected Him and the His calling to be the Lamb of God.

Sunday – June 30, 2013 “Slavery, Shrimp & the Supreme Court: Did God Get It Wrong?”

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June 30, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Slavery, Shrimp & the Supreme Court: Did God Get It Wrong? from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Idolatry and unbelief are evil bed fellows. While there is a relationship between unbelief and idolatry, we would not be correct in thinking idolatry is only practiced with images of stone or clay. Idolatry, at its heart, is fashioning God in our own image. Idolatry is sinful because it fails to do justice to God’s perfection. Idolatry misrepresents God, often distorting His character as a cartoonist characterizes the features of a prominent personality. But we distort God with wrong concepts and wrong theology just as much as we do with physical likenesses which have no resemblance. Theology is simply a word-picture of God.
Man is continually editing that word picture of God to make Him less than He truly is. We think if God got eating shrimp wrong, how can we trust what He has to say about something as complex as human sexuality right? After all, now even the Supreme Court agrees with us.
Join us this Sunday for a thoughtful response to the events of this week as Pastor Andy returns to the pulpit for his message “Slavery, Shrimp and the Supreme Court- Did God Get it Wrong?”

Word On Worship – June 30, 2013 Download / Print

Romans 1:20-22
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Idolatry and unbelief are evil bed fellows. While there is a relationship between unbelief and idolatry, we would not be correct in thinking idolatry is only practiced with images of stone or clay. Idolatry, at its heart, is fashioning God in our own image. Idolatry is sinful because it fails to do justice to God’s perfection. Idolatry misrepresents God, often distorting His character as a cartoonist caricatures the features of a prominent personality. But we distort God with wrong concepts and wrong theology just as much as we do with physical likenesses which have no resemblance. Theology is simply a word-picture of God. If we are wrong here, we are idolaters.

Knowledge of God is given to everyone. This knowledge is attainable by observing the handiwork of God in creation around us. Just as we can learn much of a writer by studying his work, or of a painter by his paintings, so, also, we can learn of God from His handiwork, His creation. We may learn, Paul says in verse 20, of God’s eternal power and of His divine nature. Who can look at the raging power of the Niagara Falls and not be struck with the power of the One Who created them? Who can study the power of the atom and not be impressed with the infinite power of the Creator? And who can ponder creation without concluding that someone far greater than mortal man was the originator of it all?

But many men have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and exchanged the blessings of God in His provision for sexual fulfillment for that which is unnatural and disgusting. “… for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire towards one another …” (Verse 26). This is a deadly sequence of events. Rejection of God’s revelation leads to idolatry, and idolatry leads to immorality and man at last plummets into the grossest perversions imaginable.

To a great extent, the judgment of God is getting exactly what we want. Men reject God’s revelation of Himself and God gives men over to idolatry. Men reject God and His purposes for men and God gives man over to practice the unnatural. Not only is this so in the present; it will be so in the future. What an awesome thought. Hell is getting exactly what we want. And on the reverse side of the coin, how grateful we Christians should be to our heavenly Father Who has and will withhold much of what we ask for, for our own good.

Sunday – June 16, 2013 “His Name is YAHWEH”

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June 16, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

His Name is Yahweh from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Secular humanism is attempting to banish all thought of God from the minds of people. They have assumed modern science has relegated the God of the Bible to the tales of Hans Christian Anderson and so God, merely being the elderly gentleman in the sky, has no more power or authority to control the affairs of men than the Greek gods of antiquity. Who do we think God is? Is He merely the “old man” who started up time only to become bored and disinterested with His creation? Is He an attempt to explain unknown forces by an ignorant people? Or is He the One who spoke the universe into existence and controls all things for His plan and purpose?
Join us this Sunday as we seek to understand who is God as a special Father’s Day message entitled “His Name is Yahweh” from Isaiah 42.

Word On Worship – June 16, 2013 Download / Print

Isaiah 42:8
“I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images.”

Secular humanism is attempting to banish all thought of God from the minds of people. They have assumed modern science has relegated the God of the Bible to the tales of Hans Christian Anderson and so God, merely being the elderly gentleman in the sky, has no more power or authority to control the affairs of men than the Greek gods of antiquity. Who do we think God is? Is He merely the “old man” who started up time only to become bored and disinterested with His creation? Is He an attempt to explain unknown forces by an ignorant people? Or is He the One who spoke the universe into existence and controls all things for His plan and purpose?

The Bible does not make an argument for the existence of God and it does not need to because it is the record of the way God has revealed Himself to mankind. It begins with the positive conclusion there is a God in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth“and those that come to Him must believe He exists (Hebrews 11:6). The Bible begins with the statement God is the Almighty Creator and implicitly refutes all other attempts by man that deviate from the truth about who God is. It refutes atheism which states there is no God. It refutes polytheism which states there are many gods. And it refutes humanism which worships man as the creator of his own world and destiny.

By the time of Moses, some 400 years after Abraham, the human race had begun to worship so many false gods and idols that God clearly distinguished Himself from all other gods of the pagan world. That is why God, through Moses, revealed His name as YAHWEH in Exodus 3:14-15 “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.” God chose the people of Israel as His divine channel for revelation about Himself to maintain this truth. They were the people of Yahweh, literally people of the Name or Semites.

Through the people of His Name, Yahweh revealed He is the God of redemption as well as Almighty Creator and Master. He is the God of love and grace who offers us not only to know of Him, but that we may come to know Him personally. As the Self Revealing God, He demonstrated He is a God of redeeming grace and has provided for the rescue and redemption of sinful men in order that they may know Him and fellowship with Him. And that begins with our coming to YAHWEH, through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross of Calvary.

Sunday – June 2, 2013, “Jesus Arrested, Follower Barely Escapes”

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June 2, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Jesus Arrested, Follower Barely Escapes from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Mark’s version of the arrest of our Lord conveys a grim realism. A large mob deputized by the temple rulers converges on the garden of Gethsemane armed with swords and clubs as if Jesus were some terrorist bandit. But Jesus has been teaching in their temple all week long with nothing to hide and no revolution planned. Ironically, Jesus chastised the rulers of the temple for turning His Father’s house of prayer into a den of thieves and robbers. Now temple goons, led by Judas, arrest Him after His prayer as if He were a robber.
Join us in our continuing study of the Gospel of Mark as we learn about the power and sovereignty of our Lord Jesus as He delivers His disciples from arrest and delivers Himself up for for our sin as we examine Mark 14 verses 44 to 53 and see “Jesus Arrested, Follower Barely Escapes”.

Word On Worship – June 2, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 14:48-50
And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures.” And they all left Him and fled.

Mark’s version of the arrest of our Lord conveys a grim realism. A large mob deputized by the temple rulers converges on the garden of Gethsemane armed with swords and clubs as if Jesus were some terrorist bandit. But Jesus had been teaching in their temple all week long with nothing to hide and no revolution planned. Ironically, Jesus chastised the rulers of the temple for turning His Father’s house of prayer into a den of thieves and robbers. Now temple goons, led by Judas, arrest Him after His prayer as if He were a robber.

This mob does not understand the Scriptures nor has no idea they are involved in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy and the promise of Jesus to the disciples in John 18:9 “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.”  The temple leaders on hand to supervise the arrest foolishly thought they were so clever in accomplishing their purposes with their plots and hired mercenaries to ensure the arrest of the rabbi from Galilee. But Jesus knew in all of this the plans of God were being fulfilled – plans which did not require swords and clubs. God’s power is manifest in weakness. Jesus has extended God’s mercy and forgiveness to sinners and now He is led off to be killed by sinners.

Peter previously told Jesus the disciples had left family and jobs, forsaking all things that they might follow Him. But now, their desire to save their lives causes them to flee into the night. At a time when all hope appears to be lost, Mark reminds us that God’s will is being fulfilled. What is taking place – the betrayal, the arrest and the desertion of the eleven – is all a fulfillment of the Scripture. And despite the darkness of the garden this night, Jesus has promised to be reunited with them in Galilee after His resurrection.

Are you in the darkness of the garden this morning? Maybe you stand with the religious leaders thinking how clever you are as if you were in control of your own plans and destiny. Or maybe you are waking with the disciples, overwhelmed and afraid at what stands around, looking to run.  Each of these is vanity; a false thinking that you have outwitted God with your schemes or outrun His grace by your failure. The Lord is still sovereign in all things, and for those who plan against the Lord, He sits in the heavens and laughs (Psalm 2:4), but for those who have come to Him for mercy and grace,  He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:6). Truly, what can man do to you?

Sunday – May 26, 2013, “The Essence of Hell”

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May 26, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

The Essence of Hell from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Mark’s record of the Gethsemane scene is the darkest of the four gospels. Matthew’s account describes Jesus’ grief as simply grieving while Luke omits all references to Jesus’ grief entirely. The lack of description in the other gospels has caused many to wonder why Mark includes this description of anguish and wrongly concludes that Jesus suffered from an eleventh hour crisis of nerve. Join us as we look at Mark 14 verses 26 to 42 and learn the lessons of the Garden of Gethsemane and explore the “Essence of Hell” as Jesus prays to His heavenly Father.

Word On Worship – May 26, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 14:33-36
“He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Mark’s record of the Gethsemane scene is the darkest of the four gospels. Matthew’s account describes Jesus’ grief as simply grieving while Luke omits all references to Jesus’ grief entirely. The lack of description in the other gospels has caused many to wonder why Mark includes this description of anguish and wrongly conclude that Jesus suffered from an eleventh hour crisis of nerve. How can Jesus challenge James and John to drink His cup when He now seemly shrinks from it Himself?

If we attempt to discount the strong emotions of Mark’s description then we fail to see that Jesus has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Many explanations have been suggested to explain His trembling and tears. Did He know the sins of the world were to be laid upon Him? Maybe it was from contemplating dying by a cursed method of hanging from a tree? Others suggest it was being abandoned by His closest friends when the disciples lose faith and scatter leaving Him alone.

Jesus’ mental torment during the waiting in the garden was yet another temptation He had to face. The suffering Jesus experienced at the beatings and floggings were a physical ordeal. But it is the anxiety of waiting that can make one fall to pieces. Jesus knew infinitely more about the holiness and righteousness of God and what would be required to pay for the sins of the world. Jesus was not worrying about the future as we do. He is not exaggerating possibilities. He knew precisely what the future held. What He anguishes over is exactly what He will experience and knew He must call upon His Father and to entrust Himself to His will.

So what do we get from Mark’s gospel which is not included in the other gospels accounts of the long night of Gethsemane? Mark allows us to see Jesus following His own teaching to the disciples – praying and drawing closer to His Father. Hearing Jesus pray at this moment of great crisis is the example He wants each of us to follow. Satan battles for every human heart and we are hardwired by sin to try to save our own lives. The disciples are no example to us as they flee in the night when Judas changes sides and Peter denies Him publicly. Jesus, our Great High Priest, resolves the anguish by coming to His Father in prayer and obediently submitting to the will of the God.

Sunday May 12, 2013, Mother’s Day: Et Tu Mommy?

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May 12, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Mother’s Day 2013: Et Tu Mommy? from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

It is very easy for many to speak in glowing terms about their mother’s especially on Mother’s Day. But what about those who see Mother’s Day as a painful reminder? How does the young woman who has had an abortion or the young man who has know idea of what a father looks like because so many men have passed through their home because his mother’s immorality celebrate Mother’s Day? Jesus offers to call everyone who believes into a new family, a closer family, than any earthly experience we may have. Join us this week as we look at Jesus teaching on who is His mother and who are His brothers and sisters from Matthew 12 verses 46 to 50.

Word On Worship – May 12, 2013 Download / Print

Matthew 12:48-50
“But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”   And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!   “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Every news story we read or see on television seems to hinge on morality. Whether the issue is over homosexual marriage, immigration reform, health care, or even taxation (even sugary drinks and obesity are now issues of morality in our state), there are denomination and special interest groups which have become very visible and very vocal in promoting their agendas. Even evangelicals have become active in proclaiming morality, patriotism, and fidelity to traditional American values. And so everyone, from the left to the right, is trying to grab the ear of a legislator to turn the morality of the nation in a direction they approve.

As Christians, we must be concerned about moral and ethical issues. God’s Word is unequivocal in its standards of righteous living, justice and social responsibility and we should reflect that same standard. But morality cannot be separated from a right relationship to God. In fact the Scriptures give us many examples of the dangers of morality separated from right relationship from God such as the Pharisees. They were committed to the highest human standard of religion and ethics and were so convinced of their self-righteousness that when God Himself lived amongst them they rejected Him and crucified Him. Their acts of morality only cleaned the outside of the cup, but never brought regeneration or redemption of the soul.

Being rightly related to Christ, however, requires more than self righteousness or a verbal promise of loyalty to God. Jesus warned the disciples in the Sermon on the Mount that “not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)  In fact many of these same people will point to incredible deeds and miracles they may even attribute to God. But these works of righteousness were not accompanied with a right relationship to the Lord. A saving relationship with Jesus Christ only comes from a submitting to Him and receiving the gift of salvation He offers.

Morality changes the outside of a person, in its best sense, but in some cases, it is barrier to the changes required of the heart. A right relationship with Jesus Christ brings about new life, both inside and outside. The central truth of the Scriptures is that Jesus Christ came to the earth to save sinners, which requires transformation not merely reformation. The message of the gospel, and also of the church, is not a call to clean living for the sake of morality, but a call to deliverance from sin through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday – March 31, 2013 – Lessons from the Empty Tomb

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March 31, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Easter 2013: Lessons from the Empty Tomb from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

It is very easy to read the story of the women at the tomb of our Lord and to expect a very different message from the angels. When I consider my shortcomings and lack of faith, I hear the angels prepare a word of rebuke at why these women failed to take Jesus at His word at rising again on the third day. How many other things has Jesus spoken to us in the gospels that we acknowledge as Scripture but still fail to truly take Jesus at His word?
Join us this Resurrection Sunday at we “Learn From the Empty Tomb” lessons on taking Jesus at His word for life and living from the Gospel of John 20 verses 1 to 18.

Word On Worship – March 31, 2013 Download / Print

John 20:11-13
“But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

It is very easy to read the story of the women at the tomb of our Lord and to expect a very different message from the angels.  When I consider my shortcomings and lack of faith, I hear the angels prepare a word of rebuke at why these women failed to take Jesus at His word at rising again on the third day. How many other things has Jesus spoken to us in the gospels that we acknowledge as Scripture but still fail to truly take Jesus at His word?

This is a teachable moment in the lives of these women, just as you and I have teachable moments when the Lord calls us closer to look and see, testing for ourselves that the validity of His promises is sure and not to throw away our confidence which yields great reward. Jesus is no longer in the tomb, but the evidence remains — the linen wrappings lying there with the face cloth rolled up to the side. No disciple has come to remove the body or any enemy to pillage the tomb. Jesus has yet again kept His word.

There is a time to believe the promises of God as a child believes a parent when told to be ready for school in the morning. But there comes a time when each one of us must learn by faith to believe the Word of God is unfailingly true. We will experience the prick of our doubts, just as the women must have felt when the angels reminded them in Matthew 28:6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” This resurrection Sunday is the day for us to move forward, past our previous doubts and failures, into the realm of faith. Not understanding how God will do what He has promised, but believing He who has promised is faithful, and will bring it to pass for our good and His glory.

For the church to believe Jesus rose from the dead is fine, but it is not enough. We need to personally understand what kind of Savior rose from the dead. He is the same loving Redeemer who healed the sick, comforted the mourning and died for the sinner. That is the Savior who now calls us to share with others  — the news Jesus Christ has risen — just as He said. He laid down His life so we could share in the inheritance as members of His family, if we believe as John did that first morning when he entered the tomb and saw and believed.