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December 4 Worship

11/23/2016

What I have liked about the Advent season is that we are brought to the theme of hope. So often it seems we are a bit dubious about the turnout of events or if anything will happen at all. We may have expected something to happen in our lives and never fully believe that it will come about.

The Scriptures present us with an entirely different view of hope. My message will be based on the words of the apostle Paul to the Romans and here is an excerpt:

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15: 4-13

Our Christian hope is grounded in God. This makes all the difference in the world. We know that God will come through in what has been promised to us. This hope is what we ought to reflect on during this Advent season when we look at uncertainty and divisiveness following the presidential election and also as we think about the issues we face in our personal lives. As we look to God we have someone greater than human power who can make things happen beyond our expectation.

I would invite you to read the lesson in its entirety which is Romans 15:4-13. May God's blessing be upon your preparation and worship for this Sunday.

Pastor Marty

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November 27 Worship

11/17/2016

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With this Sunday we enter into a new liturgical year. We are brought to the season of Advent where we focus on Jesus' coming. We lift up his coming to us at Bethlehem, his coming at the end of time, and also his coming into our hearts.

My message will focus on Paul's writing to the Romans, calling on believers there to have a sense of "time" in relation to Jesus' coming again. Here is an excerpt:

"Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;....." Romans 13:11-12

Because we as Christians know of Jesus' coming again, we are instructed to be diligent in terms of our living today. Yes, we are to be alert and not give way to the works of darkness. It is interesting that earlier in this letter Paul wrote that we are not to be conformed to this world. The time to put on the armor of light is now and not tomorrow. We never know the hour of our Lord's coming!

I would have you reflect on how you will be living out your faith in this Advent season leading up to Christmas. We are all aware of the commercialization of Christmas, but will you exemplify that you are different from the world by how you live?

You may want to read the lesson in its entirety which is Romans 13:11-14. May God's blessing be upon your preparation and worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty

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November 20 Worship

11/10/2016

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As we come to Christ the King Sunday, it is a time to reflect on Jesus' kingship. It might seem strange but we are brought to the scene of the crucifixion in today's Gospel reading! It is from Luke 23. Here is an excerpt:

"And the people stood by watching; but the leaders scoffed at him saying, He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one! The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! There was also an inscription over him, "This is the king of the Jews." Luke 23:35 - 38

Jesus had been referred to as a king at other points in his ministry, but here again it surfaces. What we would notice here is that Jesus is not just a king with this title, but he is one who lives out his kingship even from the cross that might have confounded his captors. For instance, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father for forgiveness for his captors. There are two thieves crucified alongside him and Jesus says to the one thief who asked to be remembered: "Truly I tell you , today you will be with me in Paradise." Who else could say this with authority except Jesus the Son of God!

While we might see him as our king, I believe we also need to dig deeper into the implications of living under his kingship. Do we see him merely as one who has given us eternal life or do we see him as one who would influence the decisions we make each day? This reading would also make us reflect on the role of suffering in his kingship.

If you want to read the entire lesson, it is Luke 23:33 - 43. May God's blessing be upon your preparation for this Sunday's worship!

Pastor Marty

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November 13 Worship

11/4/2016

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This is Stewardship Sunday for us at Savior Divine. It's a time for us to reflect on how we are being good stewards of our talents, treasure, and time. I will use the text from 2 Thessalonians 3 which reads:

"For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right." 2 Thess. 3:11 - 13

There was idleness from the believers in Thessalonika because of the belief in the imminent return of Christ. While we are aware that we do not know the actual time of our Lord's return, we are still to do the work that our Lord has set us to do. Think now about how many people have become disengaged from church life. They might have membership in a church but don't feel it necessary to be active at all. After all, they may feel it is not required, or believe others can do the work, or may just feel that they aren't capable of doing much in the church or for the Lord.

I believe that on this Sunday, we must examine our own lives to see how much we are doing the Lord's work in our lives. It must go beyond just attending Sunday worship. It might entail being in service to your community, helping to build relationships with people who are unchurched, or helping the least of those in our world.

And of course, our financial giving also comes into the picture. We are to give knowing that all that we have received is a gift from God. While the church itself needs money to keep going, the larger issue is what is means to you on a personal level. You are giving back to God what God has given to you. Think of the many ways that God provides for you!

In preparation for this Sunday's worship, I would ask you to reflect on the stewardship of your time, talents, and treasure. How are you doing? The Lord needs you for his work and Savior Divine needs you as well.

Pastor Marty

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December 4 Worship

November 27 Worship

November 20 Worship

November 13 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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