http://hishiddenvoice.livejournal.com/2634.html
Pastoral Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Stacie Orrico
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: Don Besig (http://www.faithsound.com/a_closing_prayer.asp)
Pastoral Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we bow our heads before You today, we know our prayers are heard. Never do You ignore the call of Your children, even if those children have gone astray. Those that seek shall surely find, this we can be assured. We know that we fall short of You and need Your ever bountiful mercy. Father, let the words you’ve given me words that we all need to hear. As my pastor says, we shall not preach unless we are preaching to ourselves. All of us need You, and we all pray you give us the power to take the one step towards You that draws You running with open arms of acceptance.
Special Music: http://www.youtube.com/user/AngelaWho#p/u/12/vGnV1ItpwQo
Brothers and Sisters, I give no “main quote” or “starter verse” today. The topic I have been impressed to cover is lead forth by many words given by our Almighty Father. It is a topic that many of us will feel hit home; hypocrisy. It’s a foul concept that, as Christians, we can not afford to express. However, we do, and a great many are pushed away because of it.
Christians are actors, in the eyes of those we must save. I can witness to that, for it is the very reason I have been a Christian for only two of my seventeen living years. We grow up in a church where the images are perfect; the people around us worship with joyful smiles and kind eyes. But once the sanctuary walls are passed, foul language and sin blacken the perfect image.
When we first begin, we, of course, aim to be the better human. We pray with a whole heart, minds open to the word of the Father. We’re young and innocent; the world’s horrors have not yet set us in unchristian ways. God is good and the world is overtaken by rainbows. We have no reason to doubt, no trials to wobble our faith.
And so we’re happy for this time, lost in a perfect world where God exists, but Satan is nothing but a legend to scare children into good behavior. We’re old enough to know right from wrong, but we’ve never questioned the path of righteousness. All we know is God’s love and mercy, for He has shielded us from Lucifer’s forbidden ways.
As the first trial is laid in place, we hang tight to the hand of the Father. Our faith is only mildly shaken by the unfortunate turn in events, but not enough to draw concern. As the trial, topped with more of it’s kind, remain strongly fighting the light in our hearts, we begin to weaken. God exists, but now Satan does too. Perhaps we begin to think that the Devil is stronger than God because, seemingly, he’s overpowered our Father. He had to do so in order for all this junk to be piled into our lives, right? What a dangerous thought. One that so many, myself included, fall to.
As a last resort, we turn to our church family for support, only to find out that once the church is not in sight, the people are just like the rest of the world we live in; sinful. What a devastating revelation to someone who is already questioning their faith. And so we walk away from God, angry at Him, or simply no-longer believing.
“There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way to death” Proverbs 14:12. And it’s true. If we go down the path to destruction, we obviously think it is right. Satan makes it almost undeniably perfect, tempting by every means. He makes it appear as if his way is better than God’s way, and man believe him because they see all the other Christians doing it and surviving. There used to be a group of kids in Germany called “swing kids”. The Wikipedia definition is “The Swing Kids were a group of jazz and Swing lovers in Germany of the 1930s, mainly in Hamburg and Berlin. They were composed of 14 to 18 year old boys and girls in high school, most of them middle or upper class students, but some apprentice workers as well. They sought the British and American way of life, defining themselves in Swing music, and opposing the National-Socialist ideology, especially the Hitlerjugend.” I watched a movie in German class, called “Swing Kids”, and it instantly made me think of hypocritical Christians. What happened on numerous occasions was a swing kid would join the Hitler young by day, and remain a swing kid by night. They convinced themselves they would live the evil way of life to impress the Hitler army, but that they could continue their rebellion by night. In other words, their daytime activities were hypocritical against their nighttime beliefs. Well, they couldn’t do it. On many, if not all occasions, the twofaced teens would slowly fall away from the swing kids way of life. The dark lord beckoned them, and though they tried to resist, they’d eventually go over to his side. This is like a Christian who tries to live in a life of both Godly and worldly pleasures. Eventually the Godly way will melt away; sin will win because it’s human nature.
How could you know God, say you love Him, and then live in worldly sin? Some may wander away, then give up because they think God hates a hypocrite so He hates them. Well, yes and no. Okay, God does hate sin. But have you ever heard the phrase “God hates the sin, but loves the sinner”. It is true. Completely true. Why else would He send His only begotten son to die for us? We were sinners when He did that! “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. Also, has He not promised us forgiveness with sincere repenting? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9.
I know I have a lot of work to do. Sometimes I say one thing, but do another. My words are Christian, but my actions belong to the dark lord. I don’t want to journey alone, Brothers and Sisters. Will you join me?
Closing Prayer: The time has come, O Lord - for us to leave this place; Guide us and protect us and lead us in thy Grace. Wherever life may take us as we go our separate ways, help us share with others the things we've shared today. May the peace of God, the Father, and the love of Christ, His Son, Guide us in the days ahead and strengthen us each one. May the blessing of the spirit fill us from within; God bless us and return us to the fellowship once again. In Christ’s name we pray, AMEN.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Pick a Side
http://hishiddenvoice.livejournal.com/2382.html
Pastoral Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Psalm 101, sung by Jack Marti
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: Thoughts About God (http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/prayer/opening-prayer.html)
Pastoral Prayer: Heavenly Father, oh how merciful You are. Each breath we take, is only taken by Your absolute and merciful grace. We would have no hope for the future, if not for knowing we have a kind and just Lord to turn our eyes to. We raise our prayers to You this day, Father, knowing they are falling into capable and willing hands. Sit with us here as we dive into a discussion and study of Your word, that we may come to understand Your works, so that we may be able to honor and glorify You with a gleeful heart. We pray all this in the name of our beloved Brother, Christ Jesus. AMEN.
Special Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4yAVwoGA1s
Psalm 101:1-8 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises. I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.
I have fallen short of my heavenly Father. I must confess this sin to you, beloved family. Those around me, they are not pure. But I find much pleasure in their impurity, their humor that roars so crudely. I think that being around them is not enough to raise unease in the Father. I think I am strong enough to be around and to overcome. I use the excuse that I plan on teaching them to Good Word. But I don't. I stand and I laugh at what they laugh at. I am wicked.
The Father above does not wish us to walk away from these who do not know Him. We are not to separate ourselves from their lives, or else who can the Lord work through to save them? But we mustn't surround ourselves, burying and drowning ourselves, with nothing but filth. We can not make the dangerous assumption that we are strong enough. By the grace of God, we can overcome all temptation, but do not test Him. We are not to test the Father. He will make it clear who we must devote our energy to; do not take it upon yourself to save the world.
"I will behave wisely, in a perfect way". How can we do such if all we ever see is unwise, immoral images? We must discard such evil from our sight (as if said in Psalm 101 as well). Focus your mind on the clean of thoughts, recharge your battery with the light of the Father's word. We mustn't let Satan win by playing his games while we are weak. "I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me". Do you hate the Devil's work? Then why do we let ourselves enjoy it? It surrounds us, swallows us whole. And we accept it. We seem to live by the phrase "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"! But we CAN beat them! We just have to trust in the Father, stand firm, and let His will be done.
Why, Brothers and Sisters, do we use so much energy trying to convince ourselves that what we are doing is okay? Is that really the easier route? Deep down, we know what we watch, think, and say (all the purpose of being accepted among men) is wrong. But yet, we justify it with "I need to gain their trust by doing what they do, so that they'll listen to me when I go to teach them of the Father". No. Simply N-O. In this process, the Devil will grab hold and drag you to his level. Teach by example and the Lord will impress curiosity in the hearts of those we must save. Lead a life of joy the way God intended, and people will see your smile and realize there's something to all this "God stuff". Do not condemn yourself in order to save the condemned. If you do, you're helping the Devil. He will be "killing two birds with one stone".
Pick a side and stay loyal to that side. Do not endure a proud or perverse heart, or house the wicked. Be Christ-like in every sense. Look at Jesus! He never once fell to the level of the wicked, and yet He saved millions of people! He had not needed to risk His salvation in the small chance that He'd save ours. If He had, chances are, we'd have no future to this day. So, dear friends, who's side are you on?
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we come to the end of our time together we thank You for what has been accomplished here today. May the matters discussed serve as a catalyst to move us forward and cause us to advance and see growth in all areas of our lives. May we leave here recognizing You are the God of all wisdom and You are willing to lead us forward. This we pray in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Psalm 101, sung by Jack Marti
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: Thoughts About God (http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/prayer/opening-prayer.html)
Pastoral Prayer: Heavenly Father, oh how merciful You are. Each breath we take, is only taken by Your absolute and merciful grace. We would have no hope for the future, if not for knowing we have a kind and just Lord to turn our eyes to. We raise our prayers to You this day, Father, knowing they are falling into capable and willing hands. Sit with us here as we dive into a discussion and study of Your word, that we may come to understand Your works, so that we may be able to honor and glorify You with a gleeful heart. We pray all this in the name of our beloved Brother, Christ Jesus. AMEN.
Special Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4yAVwoGA1s
Psalm 101:1-8 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises. I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.
I have fallen short of my heavenly Father. I must confess this sin to you, beloved family. Those around me, they are not pure. But I find much pleasure in their impurity, their humor that roars so crudely. I think that being around them is not enough to raise unease in the Father. I think I am strong enough to be around and to overcome. I use the excuse that I plan on teaching them to Good Word. But I don't. I stand and I laugh at what they laugh at. I am wicked.
The Father above does not wish us to walk away from these who do not know Him. We are not to separate ourselves from their lives, or else who can the Lord work through to save them? But we mustn't surround ourselves, burying and drowning ourselves, with nothing but filth. We can not make the dangerous assumption that we are strong enough. By the grace of God, we can overcome all temptation, but do not test Him. We are not to test the Father. He will make it clear who we must devote our energy to; do not take it upon yourself to save the world.
"I will behave wisely, in a perfect way". How can we do such if all we ever see is unwise, immoral images? We must discard such evil from our sight (as if said in Psalm 101 as well). Focus your mind on the clean of thoughts, recharge your battery with the light of the Father's word. We mustn't let Satan win by playing his games while we are weak. "I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me". Do you hate the Devil's work? Then why do we let ourselves enjoy it? It surrounds us, swallows us whole. And we accept it. We seem to live by the phrase "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"! But we CAN beat them! We just have to trust in the Father, stand firm, and let His will be done.
Why, Brothers and Sisters, do we use so much energy trying to convince ourselves that what we are doing is okay? Is that really the easier route? Deep down, we know what we watch, think, and say (all the purpose of being accepted among men) is wrong. But yet, we justify it with "I need to gain their trust by doing what they do, so that they'll listen to me when I go to teach them of the Father". No. Simply N-O. In this process, the Devil will grab hold and drag you to his level. Teach by example and the Lord will impress curiosity in the hearts of those we must save. Lead a life of joy the way God intended, and people will see your smile and realize there's something to all this "God stuff". Do not condemn yourself in order to save the condemned. If you do, you're helping the Devil. He will be "killing two birds with one stone".
Pick a side and stay loyal to that side. Do not endure a proud or perverse heart, or house the wicked. Be Christ-like in every sense. Look at Jesus! He never once fell to the level of the wicked, and yet He saved millions of people! He had not needed to risk His salvation in the small chance that He'd save ours. If He had, chances are, we'd have no future to this day. So, dear friends, who's side are you on?
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we come to the end of our time together we thank You for what has been accomplished here today. May the matters discussed serve as a catalyst to move us forward and cause us to advance and see growth in all areas of our lives. May we leave here recognizing You are the God of all wisdom and You are willing to lead us forward. This we pray in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Because I Said So
Pastoral Prayer- Lindsay Lagasse
Music- SDA Hymn 309; I Surrender All
Sermon- Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer- Lindsay Lagasse
Pastoral Prayer: Father, we continuously fall short of Your glory. Many times we hastily ask for forgiveness, but we lack the sincerity to allow You to do so. We bind You down by our unwillingness to put aside time for You and only You. We ask that You soften our hearts, Lord, so that our will may be strong enough to hand it to You. Only by Your grace can we do what pleases You. And now, Father, we ask that You bless what is written here. Each word typed will, by Your grace, be honoring and glorifying Your perfect name. In Christ's good and holy name we pray, amen.
Special Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8 (includes written lyrics as song is sung)
Scripture reading: Jeremiah 7:23 out of the New King James Bible "But this is what I commanded them, saying 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you".
Brothers, Sisters, why are we such a stubborn people? I walk the school hallways and see nothing but rule breaking. A prime example played out in a class of mine today. A young boy used foul language, and then had an attitude when confronted by the teacher. He buried himself deeper and deeper until it was ended by him being sent away. If he had taken the criticism maturely, obeying his superior's wishes, his punishment would have been less severe. In fact, if he had refrained from breaking the school policy on language to begin with, he could have avoided the whole issue. My friends, why are we, as a race, so disobedient?
Am I the only one who's noticed that the ability to follow simple demands has declined in recent years? Another realization is that as fast as those numbers decline, so do the number of Christian teenagers. Connection? Maybe, maybe not. If we can not follow the orders of those older than us that we can see the wrath of, how can we expect to have enough control to behave in a fashion a being we do not physically get spanked by, would approve of. I think it's quite clear that, if we keep going at the rate we're going, many of us are going to get the curse mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:26-28, rather than the blessing said in that scripture. "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I commanded you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known." Which sounds more like what you want? Obey and be blessed, or go through the trouble of disobeying and get the curse. It's your choice, but it's also your consequence.
All the Father asks of you is to obey His ten simple commandments. If you do so, your peace will be like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 28:18). He makes it so desirable to do His commandments, it is hard to understand why someone would choose not to. They aren't hard, for the most part. Only worship Him, do not take His name in vain, remember the Sabbath, honor your parents (further discussion on that coming up in this sermon), do not murder (hardest one, sometimes), do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness (aka, no lying), and do not covet your neighbor's house (Exodus 20:3-17). I know sometimes we fall short, and the Lord knows this too. This is why He is willing to forgive when we sincerely seek His mercy. Doesn't get a whole lot easier to please than this--and yet, so many fail to care enough to even attempt.
"If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). To love the Lord, we must know Him. To know Him, we must dedicate time to Him. It is unfortunate when you see a soul lost because they become discouraged when they do not feel the grace of God right after baptism. They failed to take the time to study His word, thus did not grow a personal relationship with Him. It is those individuals that find it so hard to follow the Lord's commandments. If we have a true, earnest love for Him, we will want nothing more than to obey Him simply because He asked us to do so.
In addition to obeying the Father Himself, we are asked to obey another pair of individuals. The fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12), tells us to honor our father and mother. "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord" (Colossians 3:20). However, it also makes it clear in Colossians 3:21 that the father should not tempt the child. "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged" is a passage that is often forgotten. We know a child should, and must respect their elders, but does that mean a parent can taunt and harass that youngster and expect no retaliation? How is a child supposed to grow in Christ, if their soul role models are hypocritical in their own faith?
"Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding" (Proverbs 4:1). Father could be read literally, or perhaps as a term used for any elder. It is true, for the most part, that a child should listen in order to learn, for those older have seen more, thus know more. A friend once told me to listen twice as much as I speak; that's why God gave us two ears and one mouth. There is nothing more true than that statement. You never learn anything if you continuously spew out sounds. Through all this, however, we must keep Acts 5:29 in mind, "We ought to obey God rather than man". Even if it is an elder telling us to do something, we must run it by God before taking action. We must learn to obey God simply because He said so.
Closing prayer: Father Almighty, we ought to obey You, and yet we don't. No one knows what's best for us as well as You do, and no one wants what's best for us as much as You do. Why, then, can we not follow Your simple demands that You make out of love? Our hearts are hardened against Your laws, Lord, and we ask now that You take them close to Your perfect form so as to soften them. There is not a thing in the world that we want more than to be willing to fully surrender to You and obey You. So, Father, please be with us in the coming week, that we may walk the steps You place before us, honoring and glorifying You. In Christ's name we lift our prayers, amen.
Music- SDA Hymn 309; I Surrender All
Sermon- Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer- Lindsay Lagasse
Pastoral Prayer: Father, we continuously fall short of Your glory. Many times we hastily ask for forgiveness, but we lack the sincerity to allow You to do so. We bind You down by our unwillingness to put aside time for You and only You. We ask that You soften our hearts, Lord, so that our will may be strong enough to hand it to You. Only by Your grace can we do what pleases You. And now, Father, we ask that You bless what is written here. Each word typed will, by Your grace, be honoring and glorifying Your perfect name. In Christ's good and holy name we pray, amen.
Special Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8 (includes written lyrics as song is sung)
Scripture reading: Jeremiah 7:23 out of the New King James Bible "But this is what I commanded them, saying 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you".
Brothers, Sisters, why are we such a stubborn people? I walk the school hallways and see nothing but rule breaking. A prime example played out in a class of mine today. A young boy used foul language, and then had an attitude when confronted by the teacher. He buried himself deeper and deeper until it was ended by him being sent away. If he had taken the criticism maturely, obeying his superior's wishes, his punishment would have been less severe. In fact, if he had refrained from breaking the school policy on language to begin with, he could have avoided the whole issue. My friends, why are we, as a race, so disobedient?
Am I the only one who's noticed that the ability to follow simple demands has declined in recent years? Another realization is that as fast as those numbers decline, so do the number of Christian teenagers. Connection? Maybe, maybe not. If we can not follow the orders of those older than us that we can see the wrath of, how can we expect to have enough control to behave in a fashion a being we do not physically get spanked by, would approve of. I think it's quite clear that, if we keep going at the rate we're going, many of us are going to get the curse mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:26-28, rather than the blessing said in that scripture. "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I commanded you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known." Which sounds more like what you want? Obey and be blessed, or go through the trouble of disobeying and get the curse. It's your choice, but it's also your consequence.
All the Father asks of you is to obey His ten simple commandments. If you do so, your peace will be like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 28:18). He makes it so desirable to do His commandments, it is hard to understand why someone would choose not to. They aren't hard, for the most part. Only worship Him, do not take His name in vain, remember the Sabbath, honor your parents (further discussion on that coming up in this sermon), do not murder (hardest one, sometimes), do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness (aka, no lying), and do not covet your neighbor's house (Exodus 20:3-17). I know sometimes we fall short, and the Lord knows this too. This is why He is willing to forgive when we sincerely seek His mercy. Doesn't get a whole lot easier to please than this--and yet, so many fail to care enough to even attempt.
"If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). To love the Lord, we must know Him. To know Him, we must dedicate time to Him. It is unfortunate when you see a soul lost because they become discouraged when they do not feel the grace of God right after baptism. They failed to take the time to study His word, thus did not grow a personal relationship with Him. It is those individuals that find it so hard to follow the Lord's commandments. If we have a true, earnest love for Him, we will want nothing more than to obey Him simply because He asked us to do so.
In addition to obeying the Father Himself, we are asked to obey another pair of individuals. The fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12), tells us to honor our father and mother. "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord" (Colossians 3:20). However, it also makes it clear in Colossians 3:21 that the father should not tempt the child. "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged" is a passage that is often forgotten. We know a child should, and must respect their elders, but does that mean a parent can taunt and harass that youngster and expect no retaliation? How is a child supposed to grow in Christ, if their soul role models are hypocritical in their own faith?
"Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding" (Proverbs 4:1). Father could be read literally, or perhaps as a term used for any elder. It is true, for the most part, that a child should listen in order to learn, for those older have seen more, thus know more. A friend once told me to listen twice as much as I speak; that's why God gave us two ears and one mouth. There is nothing more true than that statement. You never learn anything if you continuously spew out sounds. Through all this, however, we must keep Acts 5:29 in mind, "We ought to obey God rather than man". Even if it is an elder telling us to do something, we must run it by God before taking action. We must learn to obey God simply because He said so.
Closing prayer: Father Almighty, we ought to obey You, and yet we don't. No one knows what's best for us as well as You do, and no one wants what's best for us as much as You do. Why, then, can we not follow Your simple demands that You make out of love? Our hearts are hardened against Your laws, Lord, and we ask now that You take them close to Your perfect form so as to soften them. There is not a thing in the world that we want more than to be willing to fully surrender to You and obey You. So, Father, please be with us in the coming week, that we may walk the steps You place before us, honoring and glorifying You. In Christ's name we lift our prayers, amen.
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