"Seeing is Believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are things we can not see"- The Conductor
The Polar Express, released in 2004, is a story of a young boy who is doubtful of the reality of Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve a mysterious train pulls in front of his home offering him a trip to the North Pole to see for himself if Santa is real. Tom Hanks was featured in the film, doing the voice over for 5 of the characters in the movie. As the movie concludes the Hero Boy does indeed come to discover the "reality" of Santa. The movie has become a class Christmas movie. There's much to admire about the sentiment to believe. Our beliefs are central to who we are as people. As Jesus arrived that first Christmas we read in Matthew 2 some believed and wanted to worship like the Magi, while others with more information ignored Him. Your Beliefs Matter - but most of us fail to appreciate why they matter. Here's a couple ideas for your consideration: 1) Our actions, how we live, choices we make, are all tied to what we really believe. Advertisers know this and tailor there advertisements to appeal to our emotions, which in turn fuel our actions. It's why negative self talk is so harmful, for what we repeatedly tell ourselves we'll begin to act on. When you read much of the New Testament you'll discover that often the writer began by focusing and who Jesus is to us, what He has done for us, how much He cares and loves us. Then there was instruction on behavior. Because you believe this, then behave like this... 2) I can appreciate the conductor's sentiment that "sometimes the most real things in the world are things we can not see." Things like love, joy, justice come to mind. These are all inward qualities that work themselves out in our actions. Finally, one of the more pivotal moments in the movie is when the boy must decide to board the train or not. He has to take a step of action. This Christmas season you may be on the fence about a matter. Maybe it's something you feel the Lord directing you to do. Let me encourage you that you may not see the result you desire until you decide to trust and obey. Jesus said to Thomas in John 20, "Because you have seen me you believe, but blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." That's you and I today friend. Jesus calls you blessed. Together let's continue to trust the One who has gotten us this far and promises to see us Home. His name is Jesus. Immanuel. God with Us! See You Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike PS - On Sunday the new flooring will be installed. It's looking awesome! This past Sunday one of newer guests left us a gift towards the campaign. When I quizzed him a bit as to why, knowing he was kinda new around here, he said he wanted to be a part and appreciated our transparency about where his money would go. Grateful for your kindness and generosity!
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Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is about? laments our favorite guy Charlie Brown. It was December 9, 1965 when the Peanuts gang appeared in A Charlie Brown Christmas movie. Linus steps up and delivers one of the most inspirational moments in movie history as he recites Luke 2. In fact I read there was a pause for concern before the movie aired because of this seen. An older gentleman once said to his sons, "I don't need to be told but occasionally I do need to be reminded." The same can be said for many of us when it comes to the approaching chaos that surrounds this time of year. How can you keep your focus on Jesus over these next 3 weeks. Let me give you 3 suggestions. 1. Once a week reread the Christmas story that Luke gives us. This week read Luke 1:26-38 and look at how Mary received the news of the Coming King. Read Luke 2:8-20 and let your thoughts focus on how the shepherds might have felt or said to one another upon the Angels visit. How must Joseph & Mary felt upon their arrival? What might that conversation been like? 2. Wish people a Merry Christmas! Period. Not Happy Holiday. But sincerely want people to have a Merry Christmas. Those you greet at stores or wait on you while you shop. 3. Pray for 3 family members or friends to experience the love and life of Jesus. Each week, for 3 weeks. You can have a Merry Christmas! Christmas is about Jesus. Sure, there is nothing wrong with parties, friends, gifts and of course food. Each has it's place as long as we keep Jesus at the center! This week join our friend Shawn Simmons as he unpacks what "A Charlie Brown Christmas" movie and discover afresh what Christmas is really all about! See You Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike PS- Did you see that over $37,000 has been pledged for our Shine Your Light '23 giving campaign. We want to invite over 2000 people to join us for Christmas. We are going to make some needed improvements to the building. We want to set aside funds to do ministry in 2024. If you haven't asked the Lord how you could be a part, I invite you to do so! It's a Wonderful Life is the story of George Bailey, a guy who had "big dreams and big plans to design run ways and buildings and see the world." When his dreams get derailed as he stays behind to tend to his father's Savings & Loan business, he experience frustration and comes to a point where he wishes he had never been born. It's at that point Clarence the 2nd Class Angel appears and gives him a glimpse of his wish. Have you ever been there friend? Because your dreams have been dashed you find yourself wishing you had never been born. Is your life is filled with sorrow and regret? You're not alone. Joseph is a man who may have felt that way. When we read his story in Matthew 1:18-25, we see a guy who had plans to marry the girl of his dreams. Only to find out she was carrying someone else's child. With a story he didn't believe to be true (v. 19), he was looking for a way to minimize the damage. He didn't wish harm or embarrassment on Mary, but he had no intention to go through with the marriage, until God showed up. One of the lessons I would ask you to consider from the life of Joseph that we see illustrated in It's a Wonderful Life, The Lord will show up if you call out to him. You might recall George prays, "Dear Father in Heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there and you can hear me, show me the way." The Lord answered his prayer. And the Lord answered Joseph's prayer. While this life is indeed filled with difficulties, disappointments and heartaches, the Lord will show you the way when you ask in humility. Both George in the movie and Joseph & Mary in real life end up surrounded by people wishing them well and marveling in a miracle. Jesus has come friend. He is our source for a Wonderful Life. Not trouble free mind you, but surely as you read this one filled with hope, awe and wonder at the presence of God in your life. Immanuel, God with Us! He is With You! See You Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike PS- Did you see that over $37,000 has been pledged for our Shine Your Light '23 giving campaign. We want to invite over 2000 people to join us for Christmas. We are going to make some needed improvements to the building. We want to set aside funds to do ministry in 2024. If you haven't asked the Lord how you could be a part, i invite you to do so! This week numerous storm warnings have been posted for those traveling for Thanksgiving. It doesn't appear as if any are for the St. Louis area, but other parts of the US could see some snow and or rain. Which got me to thinking about how often warnings get ignored. Tornado warnings come to mind. How many times do we hear of a "warning" but give no thought to taking any action unless we might see the storm heading right for our home. Sometimes we get a heads up on a "warning" regarding finances and we might move our money around in order to protect it. There are warning labels on various products that get totally ignored (tobacco products come to mind). There are warning stickers on bags, sheets on our bed, lawn mowers. I heard of a warning label on a child's stroller that said, "Warning! Remove child before folding!' Like wow! Paul was writing to his friends and wanting to give them a "heads up", or a "warning" about what to expect in the last days. In 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5 he spoke to them about the rapture of the church and the coming destruction to those without Jesus. A Storm is coming he said. The coming Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:2) will be a time of intense pain and heartache. But people can be prepared. He concludes by saying saying "Encourage one another and Build Each Other Up". How? Here's one thing to keep in mind. Following Jesus is our guarantee of a safe passage through the storm. Verse 9 says God has not destined His people to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. On Sunday we're going to be thankful for Jesus our rescuer. As we watch the news and see the chaos, our Hope in Jesus is our security we are going to make it through the storm. See You Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike PS- As you're praying about what God may have you do with our Shine Your Light campaign, know that we now have over $28,100 pledged towards our goal of $32,500. Bring your pledge cards on Sunday if you're ready! So they did a study of 39 different denominations to determine what caused some churches to grow while others were leveled off. There was 1 overwhelming factor they discovered. It had nothing to do with size? Or programs? Or Location? It was true across various belief or doctrinal systems. It wasn't the teaching or kids ministry or great music... When the results were in, churches where the people identified they felt loved and cared for, they were shown to be growing. Yep, it matters most how we treat one another. One of the things Paul says about the Christians in Thessaloniki, in chapter 4 & verse 19-10, is that he doesn't need to say anything to them about loving each other. For they were already considered masters at it. Yep go figure (Read for yourself). What I love about what Paul does is he commends them, and then if you read in chapter 5 verses 12-18 he gives some very specific and practical ways to put love in action. For that's what it means to love. Love is a verb, a choice that results in us DOING SOMETHING for the one or thing we say we feel partial towards. Jesus said that our Love for God and for one another is the best thing we can do (Matt. 22:37-39), and it would be our love for one another that convinced people Jesus was who He claimed to be (John 13:35). So what can we do to put our love in action: Here are 10 ways you could love this week,
Paul said this is what a great church looks like- one that is an example of love towards others in their community and in their spheres of influence. I want to be a part of a church like that. A church that really loves, will be a church that is really growing. Be Thankful for a Church Family that loves you! Join me Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike PS- On Sunday we announced our Shine Your Light campaign, to reach 800 homes with the Christmas message and more. We have $17,500 and pledges of $25,000 towards our goal of $32,000. Join my family as we Bring the Love of Jesus to the Lives of People this Christmas. Sunday Service - 11/12/23 - Give Thanks - Week 2: "Be Thankful for Tough Times" - 1 Thessalonians 311/14/2023 Most might say life is difficult... and the reasons vary as to why that might be. Some things I've thought of would be:
Sunday we're going to look at some positive ways the Lord gives us to respond when life is difficult. In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul gives practical help for dealing with hard times. Here's one way that may be of help. As we read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6 we see that Paul sent Timothy to check on them, to see how the church was doing as it faced persecution and threats for simply following Jesus. Timothy went to "strengthen and encourage them in their faith". We need the input of other Godly, or at the very least Good people. We often try to go it alone, or we try and dumb down the pain or hurt. We need to find others who will care for us and look to help us. Peter says of your Lord God, that we should "turn our burdens and hurts over to Him for He cares for you!" When life is Hard, look for a Helper! Read Peter's words here! Are you facing a difficulty right now? Who can you trust to confide in and know they will pray for you? Get hold of them today! See You Sunday Friend! Pastor Mike |
AuthorStonebridge Community Church is a Bible-based non-denominational church located in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri. Archives
May 2024
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