Community Baptist Church Edwardsburg Sermons

Easter Impact: Easter might mean an extra pound or two. After all, those jelly beans are habit forming (especially the Starburst ones), and I'm not sure that the marshmallow peeps are really that good for you. But what else does Easter mean to you? Jesus died. Jesus rose. What difference does that make in your life? it can mean all the difference in the world, In fact, it can mean all the difference in this world and the next.

Suffering Savior: This is not our Lord's most attractive title. Some have even avoided Christianity because our leader is presented as one who suffered. Next week for Easter we will look at what the death and resurrection of Jesus means to us, but this week we will see what His suffering means to us. This will be a look at how His suffering contributed to Him being the perfect Savior.

As early as Mark 2, we see the beginning of the conflict that would lead to the crucifixion of Jesus. The Pharisees controlled the religious world, and it drove them bonkers that they couldn't control Jesus. However, they never stopped trying. We see their early attempts to challenge and discredit Him, and how our King courageously and skillfully handled their challenges. Jesus is Awesome!

Missionary Guest Ed Weber

On Sunday, we'll look at Mark 1, and some great truths about actually getting closer to Jesus.

Make us a church that reflects your priorities. In the second half of Mark 1, we meet the first Jesus followers. It's great to see what happens to them and others with whom their lives have contact.  

This week we'll start to look at the Gospel according to Jesus. What a beautiful Savior! What a glorious gospel!

We don't have to live very long to know that life doesn't always turn out the way we thought it would. How do we typically respond when life doesn't go our way? What emotions do we feel? What choices do we make? Are they healthy or unhealthy? We are going to spend time looking at some of our unhealthy responses to life. And how with God's help, we can choose a better healthier way.

I'm ready for our last look at Deuteronomy (for a while). Moses has been a busy boy. He has had 40 years of luxurious living in Egypt. He survived 40 years of hardships in the desert, and now 40 years of shepherding the people of God. I'm not sure which of those last two was more brutal. So what does he have to say before he dies, and how does he die? We'll find out on Sunday, and we'll also have a chance to count some blessings and celebrate salvation.

Scripture tells us that one day our faith will be turned to sight. However, today we live with many unanswered questions. There are things that God has chosen to keep secret. Without faith in the promises of God, these "mysteries" will derail us. We'll see one of the last things that Moses wanted Israel to know before they moved to the promised land. 

This week I get to quote John Bunyan and Kool and the Gang. Talk about variety. Mr. Bunyan will have quite a bit to say about our eternal hope, but Kool will bring just one word. You guessed it, "CELEBRATE." Moses has been encouraging, rebuking, and challenging God's people. When he gets to chapter 16, he tells them to make sure they take time to celebrate. Christ redeemed me. Christ is in me. Christ will take me home. Now those are some serious reasons to celebrate.

Don't put your family first! Did that get your attention? It sounds terrible, but consider this: The people of Israel decided to disobey God in order to protect their children (Deuteronomy 1:39). As a result, their children wandered the desert for 40 years. Consider this quote, "Live for your family, and you'll lead your family into the desert - Live for the Lord, and you'll point your family to the Promised Land." On Sunday, we'll talk about aligning our lives with the greatest commandment.

As Moses continued to lead God's people on a journey from mere survival to a life of thriving, he stresses the importance of loving God with all their hearts, soul, and strength. We will do well to examine his message. I am praying that God will help us answer the same question he posed to Peter in John 21:16, "Do you really love me?"

This week we move from surviving to thriving as we continue to embrace the message of Deuteronomy.

Did you know that every King of Israel was commanded to write out the entire book of Deuteronomy in his own hand? Me either, but they were! Each King was to copy all 34 chapters, read them, and obey them. It is no wonder that even Atheists have made Deuteronomy required reading for leaders. Let's explore the principles that God gives to get us charging fearlessly in 2019!

I know that Christmas is over, but please let me sneak in one more Christmas sermon about one more name of Jesus. How about "Messiah"? What a name! We will look into the most messianic Old Testament passage in Isaiah 53 and we will talk about the incredible importance of the Gospel in everyday life. Happy New Year!

We have spent the last couple of weeks looking at some of the name of Jesus. This Sunday, we are focusing on His name, Immanuel, God with us. Aren't you glad that God was with us 2,000 years ago as a Baby? Aren't you glad that God is still with us today?

I don't believe I could overstate the incredible impact Fathers have on their children. Whether for good or for bad, their influence lasts a lifetime. At a time of year when so much attention is given to families, we'll take some time on Sunday to think about our Everlasting Father. He knows us, loves us, and forgives us. Let's worship Him together.

It seems like maybe December sermons should be beautiful and fluffy, like a Christmas snow. So, since we are talking about Jesus as Mighty God, perhaps we should talk about all that He can do for us with all that might. Or we could remember what it really means that He is God. He is God. Therefore, He gets preeminence in every area of our lives.

Is it . . . Wonderful Counselor? or Wonderful and Counselor? Believe it or not, that question has caused disagreement and even dissension among believers. Truth be told, I think everybody is right. We will have a great time exploring what it means to us that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor.