
Rewatch or catch up on the full sermon with the link below!
Rewatch or catch up on the full sermon with the link below!
Recent Sermon Notes
Pastor Jim was back and gave his 24th installment of his study on the book of Romans called “Unveiled Grace: The Dominion of Grace.” By now, the congregants that have been following Pastor Jim’s teaching on Romans should have a clear understanding of what justification is and what it means to the believer. There are many benefits to this justification. It’s a gift of New Testament righteousness. But this righteousness is something you must be established in. And fortunately, by the time this study on Romans has been completed, you absolutely will have been established in it. Because, as Pastor Jim said, “I’ve been hammering it and hammering it and hammering it!”
Pastor Mac gave a message entitled, “How to Finish the Year Strong.” We’re at the end of the year and many use this time as an occasion to pray about what the Lord would have them do in the coming year…to set their sail in Christ, so to speak. They want the Lord to help them identify the marks they are to press toward in order to finish their race. To that end, Pastor Mac spoke to us about “finishing strong.”
Special guest Dr. James Tan continued his message entitled, “Releasing the Anointing.” He used Hebrews 5:14 as his text: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Dr. James said, “This tells us there is solid food available, but it only belongs to those who are full age.” If there is full age, then that means these is a half age, or partial age, or young age. God’s goal for us is that we grow and mature into “full age.”
This past weekend, Pastor Mac gave the last message in his series entitled, “The Vision Imperative.” Since it was the last message, that made it “Commitment Sunday.” He talked about commitment being the final step to whatever we need or desire from the Lord. Without commitment, he said, not much is going to happen in your life. Many people avoid commitment and, instead, are always seeking the proverbial “backdoor” of a situation. Pastor Mac said, “You can’t go through life that way. The only blessed person is a committed person.”
Pastor Mac gave his fourth installment in his vision series, “The Vision Imperative.” The whole objective for this year’s vision series is designed for the purpose of setting our sails for the coming year in order to establish our goals and objectives as a local church for what God’s called us to do. And then, individually, you too must sharpen and clarify God’s vision in your own life and how it will fit into the larger vision of the local church. This is the very thing that will cause your life to “Come Alive!” After all, Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish!”
Pastor Jim Hammond | July 17, 2022
Recap:
We’re right in the middle of the seven letters of Revelation written to seven different churches. These letters are important to understand for they lay the groundwork for things we need to be aware of as a church today. The letter Pastor Jim focused on this past weekend was the letter to the church at Smyrna who faced intense persecution. Jesus wanted them to know that they didn’t need to be afraid of persecution, but they could stand strong and hold onto their faith no matter what came their way!
Dive Deeper:
No one wants to be persecuted. Everyone would prefer to be well-liked by others and avoid the scrutiny that persecution brings. The church at Smyrna, however, wasn’t able to do that. False teachings were prevalent. In fact, they were one of the first cities to sponsor Caesar’s worship under the Romans. This included a gesture of formality that citizens had to annually and publicly acknowledge that Caesar was Lord. Rome didn’t necessarily care who you worshipped throughout the year. They simply wanted you to acknowledge Caesar that one time. Once you did, you could get a document that showed proof you obeyed.
Some Christians at that time figured it would be fine to say Caesar was Lord and then go back to church. Others recognized that their words were powerful and meant something. To say both Caesar and Jesus were Lord was incompatible and untrue. What that meant, though, was Christians were persecuted, burned at the stake, or fed to the lions if they didn’t obey.
Jesus encouraged these Christians to stand fast. He saw the trouble coming and what was awaiting the church, and He let them know that they did not need to be afraid of the certain persecution that was headed their way. Even when the Jews persecuted the Christians, they should stand firm in their faith.
May the Lord give us that same stamina, perseverance, and faith as well to hold to our faith! We don’t have to be afraid. We can choose Him!
Read About It:
Revelation 2:8–11 KJV
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
1 Corinthians 1:5 KJV
That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Hebrews 10:34 Amp.
For you did sympathize and suffer along with those who were imprisoned, and you bore cheerfully the plundering of your belongings and the confiscation of your property, in the knowledge and consciousness that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession.
Ephesians 2:4 KJV
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever faced persecution of some sort?
2. What can we do today to strengthen our faith so we are ready for persecution that comes our way?
3. Why would people choose to claim that Caesar is Lord even when they knew it wasn’t true?