As thousands of runners passed by mile 21 ½ for the Denver marathon this morning, many people encouraged them to keep going all the way to the finish. In our service we received 3 encouragements from God’s Word to “run the race with endurance that is set before you.” Endurance is the ability to continue in the midst of pain until the task is finished. If you ever consider giving up on Christ because it is too hard, first reflect on these encouragements and the huge reward at the finish line for all who run with endurance!
Sermons by Dean Wertz (Page 36)
Don’t waste your life! Israel wandered for 40 years because they doubted God’s command to conquer Canaan. Listen to God’s clear and loving voice and trust Him by doing what He commands and promises. In this you will chose life. In this you will not waste your life!
The Ten Commandments were unveiled when God called Israel to a family meeting at Mt. Sanai. While they initially showed Israel, God’s redeemed children, how they were to live among the nations, they have implications for us as well. In this message we discover that Jesus and His disciples saw the Ten Commandments as useful for both unbelievers and believers today.
Sometimes God allows His children to enter seasons when we are trapped, stuck, ensnared and bound in such a way that we cannot rescue ourselves. When we are unable to deliver ourselves we tend to either fight or flee. In rescuing His children from slavery in Egypt, God reveals that He is our deliverer who is mighty to save us from any and every form of bondage in His time and in His way. As God commanded Moses and Israel to act in faith as He delivered them from Egypt, we discover that walking in step with God through the process of deliverance is better than our typical flight or fight tendencies.
Some days are prosperous. Some days are adverse. Joseph’s life, like ours, was filled with ups and downs. What was it that enabled Joseph to walk with God and honor God whether he was in the palace or the pit? He consistently lived with and walked with God. For all who walk with God there is great hope that He can use us, in ways that we might never expect, to advance His vision to make earth look more like heaven.
God made a promise to make Abram into a great nation through whom He would bless all nations. While Abram and his wife, Sarah, had to wait many years, God kept His promise. In this message we discover God’s vision for the world as well as His commitment to use ordinary people like us in order to fulfill that vision.
Everyone loves a good story that begins with “Once upon a time…” Genesis 1 begins with the similar phrase, “In the beginning, God…” This message declares that God is the maker of heaven and earth and that He is devoted to relating with the humans whom He has created. When Adam and Eve turned from God for the first time, God unveiled that He is committed to restoring their relationship with Him. This was great news for them in the garden as it is for us today.
The Bible has been translated, printed and read more than any other book in all of history. This message provides an overview of the Bible and encourages everyone to cultivate 4 habits in order to fully participate with us in the upcoming 31-week journey through the Bible.
Most religions include certain requirements or performances that are necessary in order to have a relationship with God. In the final paragraph of I Peter, Peter declares that Christianity is based on God’s grace for us rather than our achievements for God. In this message we observe three ways God’s grace is on display throughout I Peter and all of time.
The Apostle Peter had heard Jesus describe this era as “the end of the age.” Peter, like all of the early Christians, believed Jesus. Even though it has been 2,000 years, it is still the end of this age and this carries certain responsibilities for those of us who are followers of Jesus. In this message we learn about three relational priorities: love for God, love for our neighbors and love for one another while we anticipate Christ’s return.