The Way, The Truth, The Life

“Get on the Way, declare the Truth and live the Life!”

Over the last few months we have heard from Jesus’ lips the parables He used to teach those who were desperate to hear from Him; and for those who came to mock Him or discredit Him.

But, once you decide why you are listening to Jesus, then you decide whether you will follow Him or not. Many heard, many were moved, and many decided to follow or go back to their own way of thinking.

But the responsibility, and the lasting decision comes back to you. Many people believe there are multiple ways to spend eternity with God. But, if that is true, why send Jesus to die one of the most horrible deaths on earth?

And, if it is simply up to us, why have Jesus pleading with all to believe in Him?

One answer. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without Him, we flounder and wander and have no hope ahead of us but dreadful judgment. But, with Him, hope is always before our lives, leading us to light and peace and yes, even joy in the midst of great tribulation and seeming sorrow.

It is said of Jesus, “it was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross.” Joy is before us brothers and sisters if we will get on the Way, declare the Truth and live the Life. Will you join?

Pastor Brent

Parables of Jesus - Week 15

Are you paying attention? Do you now as a parent (or grandparent) have a “I’m really serious” voice, or do you remember the voice your parents had when they meant right now?

Sometimes I think we believe God is simply wanting to hear himself talk; so we hear but don’t really pay attention to Him.

In the first of our two parables God takes the time to invite people to the wedding, but everyone has an excuse as to why they can’t make it.

So they invite “others”, and when there is still room they invite the “other of others” and they are ecstatic to be invited to come.

Where do you find yourself in this parable?

The next is what we call the wise and the foolish virgins. Only foolish because they believed the Lord would come on their time so they didn’t have enough oil for their lamps.

Am I depending on the Lord being on my schedule? And when He isn’t do I have enough patience and the Holy Spirit in my tank to last until He visits my situation?

The Lord will require something of us when we least expect it, will you be ready?

Pastor Brent

Parables of Jesus - Week 14

Two very different subjects of the parables we are looking at this morning.

One is concerning prayer and our attitude, the other is all about our attitude.

One son says flat out, “I will not go!,” but later repents and goes and does his father’s bidding.

The other son says, “Of course, I will go father,” and never goes out to do the will of the father.

Which one am I? Which one are you?

The other parable is about the persistent widow and prayer. Being obstinate and demanding when the situation calls for it is something very precious to the Lord. If we realize we cannot bring about our own answers but need the help of a person of authority; we put ourselves in a position that we might receive the justice we are asking for.

And the last parable also speaks to our position in prayer. If we feel we are owed and better than all others praying, we simply pray to ourselves. And that’s all that hear us, ourselves. But when we understand our relationship with God, we come humbly, only believing we are heard because He is a gracious God.

Give your mom a hug, if possible, and thank her for all the prayers lifted in your name.

Pastor Brent

Parable of Jesus - Week 13

Two different times in the New Testament parables are told about servants receiving money entrusted to them by their masters.

The story is about the master being away and what they are going to do with the money till he returns.

If you haven’t caught on yet; you and I are the servants that have been given the responsibility to look after the Master’s affairs till He returns.

How are you doing with His money? Or in our case, His kingdom.

He judges each of us in our ability, never giving too much to someone who can’t handle it; but never shorting someone who is capable of much more.

The thing is, He doesn’t tell us what His expectations of us are, He just wants us to do our best.

It’s really up to us to do what God has given us the talent for.

So, what are you and I doing with what God has given us? Are you multiplying it? Or, are you at least investing it to earn interest? Or, have you buried it because you are afraid you will lose it or you don’t actually have the talent the Master has said you have?

Today, if you have buried it, dig it up, dust it off and begin to use the Lord’s gift so you can have something to present when He returns.

Pastor Brent

Parable of Jesus - Week 12

Two parables this morning; one is one of the most troubling of the parables and the other is about our nature.

The Shrewd manager has been negligent in his duties and is about to be fried. But, knowing himself, he tries to set himself up with some cushion after he is let go because he is either too proud to beg and too soft to do manual labor.

In the other parable Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats at the end.

But how He finds out who is who is pretty interesting and makes me wonder if we can actually change who we are through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In other words, are you satisfied with being a goat, or do you aspire to greater heights; and how exactly do we get there?

Listening to Jesus’ words can only help us in the long run. We need the power of the Spirit and the will to want the change.

Interesting who Jesus praises in these two parables and why. Don’t you think?

Pastor Brent

Parables of Jesus - Week 11

Which Son? Which son are you in the parable of the prodigal?

Or, as in many cases, are you both? Do you use your new-found salvation to complain about what is required and make everyone miserable; or do you rejoice with those who have rejoined the family?

Or, maybe, you are the one who’s going to wait and see if the younger son coming back really means it and has truly repented.

There will be no grump munchkins in Heaven!

Those who complained in the wilderness will just keep on complaining and trying to make everybody as miserable as they are. But we are of a higher calling!

Can’t we as sons and daughters of God rejoice because of the fact we are. The older son had everything the Father had at his disposal; but never lifted his head from “slaving” (his words) for the Father.

Life should be a great adventure for us—but we too often make it the drudgery we had before salvation.

Pick a life you want to live. On the edge of discovering the next adventure God has for you, or the same old things everyday.

Choosing wisely could change your life.

Pastor Brent

Parable of Jesus - Week 10

Humility—I have mastered this and it’s one of my greatest achievements.

Ok, so maybe we should bring in a guest speaker to teach on this subject.

Honestly though, humility is one of the most talked about subjects in scripture. 106 times, stories emphasizing humility, while faith has 104, and love is only 47.

It is important we don’t think we are the power behind our salvation or our destiny. God through Jesus has saved us and the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding those of us who want and acknowledge Him.

So, how do we keep ourselves in a state of humility when we so desperately want the recognition of others,

especially our peers? We let God have the glory and that which we so desire will accumulate for us in heaven.

Can we ever forgo what is now for the rewards that are laid out before us? I know we can! Our example gave up being God to become man. He gave up the adulation of all of heaven to come to earth and be treated as He was; eventually leading to His death on the cross.

I have been humbled many times, but not enough of them were of my own doing. When I read, “Let every person consider others more important than themselves.” I think that is a wonderful scripture for everyone else. But the scripture comes for me, to see as Jesus saw, and to live as He lived while on earth.

Hopefully, Humbly

Pastor Brent

Easter Sunday - 2021

Taking a break from the parables of Jesus, let’s look at the reality of what an empty tomb means.

“One day, we will realize that OUR tomb is empty. That is, our old self no longer rules and we are changed forever and living by a new set of rules. His rules.”

First, and foremost, it means Jesus wasn’t a liar and that He was absolutely correct in putting His trust in Father God.

Second, it means that the only, and last, absolute on earth—that is death—does not have any kind of hold on Him or us.

Death has lost its sting, as the scripture says; and there is no more need to fear judgment when we trust in Jesus.

So this morning as you’re around family and friends, are they secure? Do they know about your personal relationship with Jesus? About the turnaround in your life since you asked Jesus in?

And what about you, yourself, does Jesus still speak with you and move you toward a life that is worth living?

He is interested in your eternal self. Even when our mortal self doesn't seem to be doing so well; God still concentrates on your eternal you and the tools (fruits) you need to get there.

One day, we will realize that OUR tomb is empty. That is, our old self no longer rules and we are changed forever and living by a new set of rules. His rules.

May you have an eye-opening Easter.

Pastor Brent

Parable of Jesus - Week 9

Two parables this week about helping others- one about unsolicited help and the other about bugging someone until they do the neighborly thing.

I have to ask myself, “ Which one am I?” And does it matter that I would say, “It depends on the circumstance, my mood, how my day went and, probably most of all, my opinion of you.”

Comforting words from your pastor, right?

But, seriously, we get to look into what we might do, or if we are doing these things, or if we can even be interrupted to engage in God’s will.

We are put on this earth for one thing. To know and love God. He makes His love known to us and we respond (or not).

We have a testimony to share about darkness to light and what that has done for us. And to give that testimony is our one and only gift to God.

Make it an everlasting one.

Pastor Brent

Parables of Jesus - What Am I Owed? - Week 8

Most of us, when we get saved are grateful beyond measure; and we can’t wait to express our gratitude by doing something for the Lord.

Most of us also, when we are told to do something rebel in one way or another. Whether it is only in our thoughts but we carry out His wishes; or whether it is in sincerity that we simply refuse to do something we are told to.

My attitude reflects my real response to God. Willingly, and I am giving myself to Him because He truly has captured my being. Reluctantly, and I am submitting to His wishes but keeping my own identity in the process.

And then there is refusedly, (don’t bother looking it up, it’s not a word) which simply means. “Thanks for thinking of me I’ll take it from here.”

My natural parents gave physical birth to me and did their very best to raise me and provide for me. I was not always as grateful as I should have been, but tried to make it up as they got older.

As I get older in Christ, my question to us this morning is, “Have we paid God back already and we owe Him no more?” or, more likely, have we forgotten what it was He forgave in us and what He is asking is way beyond what we owe?

If we love and honor God our relationship will not be like the son who strayed in the story of the prodigal; thinking he has slaved for Him all those years—but will be one of enjoying the presence of the Father, His plans and His praise.

Get on the right side of servant hood this morning—the blessings are endless.

Pastor Brent