Every Saturday, Pastor Mike and Sherry write our congregation a letter of encouragement as well an introduction for the sermon topic he will preach the following morning. Below you will find the letter from April 13th, 2024. To watch this sermon, follow this link: God's Ultimate Weapon
Week of April 21, 2024
Greetings in the Name of our most gracious and wonder-filled Lord. Great is His love and Faithfulness to those are called by His Name. He is our comforter and complete source of rest and security. He will never leave us defenseless in the face of our enemies. He will surely rescue us from the one who would devour our very souls. To Him be all Praise and glory.
On Monday this week Jews all over the world will celebrate Passover. This year, however, it will be a Passover unlike many celebrated in the past. This year Israel is at war; families will set down to the seder (Passover meal) whose loved ones are held captive by Hamas. They live in hope that they are still alive, but with each passing day that hope grows more distant. I don’t think it is possible to understand how these families feel unless we have walked in their shoes. In the midst of all this, we are witnessing the rise of anti-Jewish hatred across the world. When asked, “What can we, as Believers do?” My simple answer is pray, pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Follow the admonition of David in Psalm 122:
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. “May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,I will seek your good.” (Psalm 122:6-9)
There is not much you or I can do to change the things that are happening. It is not within my power to rescue the hostages, we have no influence over Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, or any other nation. We cannot assuage the growing hatred toward Israel or the Jews across the world. We have no ability to quell the division that has existed since the time of Abraham. BUT, we do have the ability and the power to pray with the assurance that GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL AND THAT HIS PLAN IS PERFECT.
It’s interesting to me that the text of the message tomorrow is Romans 12:14-21. We will look at “God’s Ultimate Divine Weapon”. In this text Paul echo’s Jesus’ words in the Sermon On The Mount, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44).
Christians in first century Rome were singled out for special threats, intimidation, or outright persecution because of their faith in Christ. They were asking, "How does God want us to respond?” Paul has an answer to that question and his answer is, essentially, LOVE THEM! Because love is God’s ultimate weapon. The beauty of all this is that love will always win in the long run. Love is stronger than any force that may come against us. Oh, don’t misunderstand me, there will be times when hatred will seem to have the upper hand and will win the day. But, in the end when all is said and done, hatred will lay defeated before us and love will raise victorious over the field of battle.
I guess the best way to illustrate that very point, is to point out that for a moment in time, on that Passover 2000 years ago, hate appeared to have conquered but in the end when all was said and done, Jesus rose from the dead and Love, Divine Love, stood in absolute victory over the field of battle.
I want to take just one moment before I close to thank all those who faithfully labor within our fellowship. You are all rich treasures in the Kingdom of God and I do not want to be negligent in expressing my gratitude for all you do. Thank you so very much for your generous support of this ministry. Thank you and may God prosper you.
I pray I will be able to see many of you tomorrow as we get together for Bible study at 9:45 am, and then meet together to worship at 11:00 am. I hope you will make every effort to join together and to strengthen and encourage one another in “love and good deeds”.
We love and pray for each of you,
Mike and Sherry
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