Friday, December 1, 2023

Community Christmas Vespers

 This is short notice, I know, but our annual community Christmas Vespers is this Sunday (!!), December 3, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.

This is always a lovely service, and we serve a light supper afterwards. Come and enjoy the blessings of the beginning of the Advent season and the fellowship of the meal following.



Monday, November 6, 2023

Sermon and Announcements November 5, 2023

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

November 5, 2023

Luke 5:1-11

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

 

Come Follow Me

Luke 5:1-11

Today we officially welcomed Bob into the Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren family, much like we did with Dorthea, Bill, Bob, Ruth and Martha a few months back. While each one was already a part of God’s church family, they had not been officially part of this congregation’s fellowship.

 

God has called each and every one of us to be a part of the work he is continuing to do wherever we might be throughout our lives. The role God is calling us to do may change but the overall mission remains the same. God wants us to be his witnesses. When Jesus was just beginning the ministry that God the Father was calling him to do, he knew he would need help. That is a part of what life on earth is all about. No one person is expected to do all things by themselves. Whether it has to do with sharing the word of God and the salvation he has made available to everyone or simply living life with all of it’s ups and downs.

 

In the Garden of Eden God had Adam look for an appropriate help mate. When none could be found from all the animals God had created, he created woman because God knew the importance of supporting one another no matter what we do or what we face in life.

 

As Jesus began his ministry, he knew that others would be necessary, not only during his earthly ministry, but long after his time on earth was over. The importance of being there in work and play, in good times and difficult times is still an essential part of God’s plan for us. When Jesus called his first disciple, it was because God had made even Jesus need support and at times reassurance during his time here on earth. There have been those who claim they do not need anyone but themselves, but even the most independent person knows in their heart how important it is to have others at key points in their lives. That is why in the ministry Jesus had and the one each one of us has, it is important to have others to bounce things off of. Others that help us stay focused.

 

God wants us to be part of a church family. I pray most all of you has a family that loves you and supports you, just as you love them and support them. Not everyone has a family that is close by or a family that offers support in those good and bad times. God has created the church for just those situations. The Lord gives the church this encouragement.

James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

 

One of the most important roles the church has is to be there for one another. Let’s face it, none of us are going to get it right all the time. We may be, at times, pulled many different directions. But being part of a supportive, loving church family is what God’s desire if for each one of us. May we continue to work hard to fulfill that call on each one of us here at the Cerro Gordo church of the Brethren. May we find ways to love and support each other, even when we do not agree on everything.

 

Jesus knew that even though he was God, he would need the help of others to share the message of hope and redemption God the Father had given him to share. God still wants and needs our help. May each one of us continue to answer the call, just like Simon Peter did when Jesus first reached out to him. While our role in God’s church may change over time, there will still continue to be things each one of us can do. We simply must be willing to say yes, yes I will do that, knowing God will honor and bless you, a faithful and important part of his family.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

November 8 Board meeting—6:15 Exec Comm; 7:00 Commissions; 7:30 Board

November 10,11 Oakley Brick Revival 6:30 pm

November 12 Council meeting after worship

November 18 LaPlace CoB soup, sandwich supper 4-6 pm

 

College Care Package snacks are needed by November 12. We have 10 students so far.

 

Needed: Volunteers for Children’s Bible story in nursery during worship. Please sign up in back.

Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box: The Lord’s Storehouse

First Sundays: Food Bank donations—TLS needs cold cereals and canned goods.

Keep in Your Prayers

Ava (Traxlers’ great-niece); Carolyn Hirsch; Nora Hanaver; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Wilma Cable; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Moracco; Israel and Hamas war

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Highland Avenue congregation in Elgin.


Monday, October 16, 2023

October 15 Sermon and Announcements

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

October 15, 2023


There Will Be Wars and Rumors of Wars


Matthew 24:3-8


Jesus warned his disciples about the things that would happen

in the world as the end of this age got closer and closer. We

have talked about this before, but the disciples were convinced

Jesus would come back for his people during their lifetime.

Obviously, that did not happen. Here we are 2,000 years later

and we are still waiting for Jesus to come for his church. All

throughout history since Jesus made this announcement to his

disciples the world has experienced wars and rumors of war.

That is still happening today. For over 1-1/2 years Russia and

Ukraine have been at war. The United States of America and

many other European countries have been giving aid to

Ukraine. Now just over a week ago a group called Hamas went

into Israel and killed and kidnapped Jewish people as well as

some American citizens. The brutality of what Hamas did have

caused most nations to condemn what they did. Once again

America is drawn into another inevitable war.


I am not going to go into why these wars are taking place.

However, I will say this about the war that is about to officially

happen between Israel and Hamas. When God promised a set

apart people to Abraham, he made this promise to Abraham.

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever

curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed

through you.” As God’s church, we must pray for peace, yet at

the same time, the church and this nation I believe must

support Israel.


Before we move on, Peter reaffirmed what God had promised

Abraham a thousand years earlier. Acts 3:25   And you are

heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your

fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all

peoples on earth will be blessed.


I have mentioned the two wars that are catching the attention

of most Americans but there also continue to be wars in Africa

and civil unrest in South America and elsewhere throughout the

world. Even tough Jesus warned that wars and rumors of war

will happen, he also called the church, his people, to do what

we can to strive for peace. In what we know as the Beatitudes

Jesus said in Matthew 5: 9, “Blessed are the peacemakers for

they will be called the sons of God.” So, we have an obligation

to do everything in our power to seek peace. The sad reality is

not only are there wars in the world but seems to be the


equivalent of wars in this nation. One group after another

seems to have trouble finding ways to live at peace with

another.


Politics have become a nasty place in which neither side at

times is willing work with the other on anything. I still

remember hearing of how two leaders of their respective

parties dealt with their disagreements. In the 80s when Ronald

Reagan was president, clearly at that time he was the leader of

the Republican party. At the same time Tip O’Neal was speaker

of the House. As a Democrat most considered him to be the

leader of the Democratic party at that time. Throughout the

eight years Ronald Reagan was president he and Tip O’Neal

would have strong disagreements about what America should

be doing on a variety of policies. They would have meeting

after meeting to try to come to some sort of agreement. When

it was all said and done and the battles were over, they found a

way to not only not hate each other but on occasions go out to

eat together and do other things together. They found a way to

disagree without being disagreeable.


Whether we are talking about the wars going on around the

world or the ones going on in our nation, the church needs to

be committed to praying that the Lord can get all involved to

find a way to resolve their differences peacefully. In regard to

the wars going on in the world at this time that may be hard to


do because too many bridges may have already been burned.

However, in this nation and even in our churches, we need to

pray that the Lord can bring us together. In some cases, maybe

the best we will be able to hope for is to agree to disagree.


May we seek out God’s word for wisdom and guidance. May

the Holy Spirit reveal to us those things that can bring us

together. What Jesus told his disciples 2,000 years ago is sadly

true for mankind. There will be wars and rumors of war. This

will happen until the Lord calls his church home. That, however,

should not prevent us from doing all we can do to promote

peace in this nation in our churches and in the world. The most

important weapon in our warfare is prayer. That being said I

believe we should pray for the people of Ukraine to remain

independent of Russia. I also believe we should pray that Israel

remains a nation and that the most extreme elements of Islam

will be defeated. I also believe we should pray that our

churches and our nation can find a way to turn down the heat.

That all of us will be wiling to find ways to support in love one

another without demanding that we compromise on what we

believe. This is also true within families between friends, as well

as at the workplace. It can call start with you and me. Pray for

the Holy Spirit’s guidance on how and what to pray for. If

everyone would take the advice given in Romans 12:18, there

would be no more wars. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on

you, live at peace with everyone.” If we all would realize that it


does depend on us and I mean really all of us. God is still

changing hearts and minds one person at a time. May we

faithfully do all we can do to promote God’s holy and righteous

standard. I will say it again, “There will be wars and rumors of

war.” But God has given us a message of hope, of love and of

grace to share in a world, a nation, a community that is

searching for answers. You and I have been called to be God’s

ambassadors. May we answer that call in whatever way the

Lord leads us with, the starting point using our most powerful

weapon, PRAYER.

Pastor Larry


Announcements:


October is Pastor Appreciation month.

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

October 17 1:00 Women’s Fellowship meets at the library—We

will learn about the history room.

Oct 21 1-4 p.m. Pumpkin Fest Oakley Brick Church


College Care Package snacks are needed by November 12. We

have 7 students so far.


Delegates needed for District Conference in Lanark Nov 3,4


Needed: Volunteers for Children’s Bible story in nursery during

worship. Please sign up in back.

Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.


Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Keep in Your Prayers


Traughber family; Nora Hanaver; Jonah Martina; Jan

Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Carolyn

Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen

Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Carl and

Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim

Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren;

Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims

of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine;

Moracco; Israel and Hamas war

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Walnut Grove congregation and

the COB in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Monday, October 9, 2023

October 8 Sermon and Announcements

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

October 8, 2023


Who Wants to be a Servant?


Mark 9:33-37


Last week was World Communion Sunday. Jesus, the most

powerful man to ever walk the earth, became a servant to all.

Every time we share in the Love Feast, we catch a glimpse of

what Jesus’ example is like. Clearly the example he gave by

washing the disciples’ feet is overshadowed by his willingness

to be the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus did not have to

do that, but he chose to go that far out of his love for the men

and women he created with God the Father starting back in the

Garden of Eden.


In his short novel, Journey to the East, German author Hermann

Hesse told the story of a group of men on a mythical journey.

One of the main characters is Leo, a servant who handles all the

group’s menial tasks and neds until he disappears. Without Leo,

the journey falls apart and is abandoned. Years later, one of the

original journeymen discovers that Leo, the servant, was the

head of the league that sponsored the journey. He was a


powerful and noble leader but had exercised his leadership by

being a servant to others.


This fictional parable illustrates what Jesus taught his disciples

about leading through service. When Jesus figured out that the

disciples were arguing about which one of them was the

greatest disciple Jesus showed what it really takes to be a true

leader. In the eyes of God, it takes a person willing to do what

needs to be done no matter how blessed you have been in any

one of a number of ways.


In Philippians 2:3-4 Paul puts it this way, “Do nothing out of

selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others

better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to

your own interests, but also to interests of others.”


As we look at all of the examples Jesus has given us, the

importance of being willing to serve one another stands out as

one of the most important. It is easy to brag about all the things

we have accomplished. And we should be proud of using the

gifts and talents God has given us to help others and to make

life more enjoyable for us as well. However, we are encouraged

to walk that line of being thankful for those gifts and talents we

have been blessed with, with the attitude of how great the

things we have accomplished are and taking all the credit for


ourselves. God needs leaders who are willing to, at times, take

on the servant’s heart and attitude. Yes, God does need

leaders.


When Jesus challenged the disciples, he knew they would be

the ones leading the way when he ascended back to the Father.

Sometimes through the years of experience we have the “right”

to lead in certain ways. That is not wrong. However, Jesus’

example shows us there are a variety of ways to be an effective

leader. In some ways I feel reluctant to share this message with

you because I believe virtually everyone of you have lived out

this example with your life. I believe, however, we all need to

be reminded from time to time of what an incredible example

of love, mercy and grace Jesus was during his time on this

earth.


And on the heels of World Communion Sunday, it seemed to be

the perfect time for the Lord to remind me, as well as the rest

of you, of Jesus’ amazing example. It is true we can never out

give God. When things are going well, it is a time to learn and

know God is in the middle of that. When things are not going so

well, God is also there in the middle of that as well. May each

one of us use all the gifts and talents God has blessed us with to

the best of our abilities. Some have and will in the future be

called to be in leadership positions. Sometimes that will mean it

will be necessary to take a strong and direct stand. Other times


those in leadership will be best served by taking a less

aggressive position, one more like a servant.


As God continues to use us in this church and in this community

may we seek God’s wisdom and guidance on when to be a

strong leader who stands firm in the beliefs of what needs to be

done and how it should be done. And when to be less

aggressive and more willing to draw others into whatever is

going on and encourage others to use their gifts and talents to

accomplish what God is doing. May God continue to help us

understand how we can be the best person and the best church

we can possibly be. I know you all know this, but it takes all of

us working together in fellowship with God to do what God

wants us to do with our lives and this congregation. At times

that means having a servant’s heart.


May each one of us continue to learn from Jesus’ example of

how to display God’s love, mercy, grace and righteousness

wherever he leads us. When we do that, there is no limit on

what God will accomplish through us and His church right here

in Cerro Gordo.

Pastor Larry


Announcements:


Sunday School 9:00

October 11 7:00 pm Executive Committee

October 17 1:00 Women’s Fellowship meets at the library

Delegates needed for District Conference in Lanark Nov 3,4

Needed: Volunteers for Children’s Bible story in nursery during

worship. Please sign up in back.

Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362


Keep in Your Prayers


Sharon Lee Traughber (Bill’s wife); Nora Hanaver; Jonah Martina; Jan

Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Michelle’s mom; Mike

Gentry; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick;

Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina

Wilhelm; Mindy Sawyer; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol

Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Shawn

Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Stacie

Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters;

victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren;

Ukraine; Moracco; Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Church of the Brethren Mission

and Ministry Board and denominational staff.

Monday, September 11, 2023

September 10 Sermon and Announcements

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

September 10, 2023


EVEN IF

Daniel 3:1-18


As we get started this morning, I would like to have a song

played by the Christian group, Rend Collective. The song title is,

“Hallelujah Anyway”. There is a lot being said in this song. I was

drawn to this song because of the honesty that is stated in it. At

times I feel some Christian leaders want to claim that

everything is going to work out the way we want it to if we only

have enough faith and God just doesn’t promise that.


God has promised to be with us. In Isaiah 41:10 we read, “So do

not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your

God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with

my righteous right hand.” I would like for us to look at the

honest situations the song we listened to throws out.


EVEN IF

By Rend Collective


“I will find a way to praise you from the bottom of my broken


heart.”


“I’ll find a way to than you through bitterness is read and hard

cause I’d rather take a chance on hope than fall apart.

I don’t think ‘m ready to surrender to the dark.


Even if my daylight never dawns.

Even if my breakthrough never comes.

Even if I’ll fight to be you praise.

Even my dreams fall to the ground.

Even if I’m lost, I know I’m found.


Even if my heart will somehow say Hallelujah anyway.

I’ll hear a hymn of triumph in the wilderness of my lament in

the lowlands or the mountaintops I won’t forget.

All the goodness that you have shown me, the promises you

have kept. There’s better days on the horizon up ahead.


Let’s look at what was going on with Shadrach, Meshach and

Abednego. They had a choice to make – Bow down to the

manmade gods of King Nebuchadnezzar or face certain death.


They could have said to themselves, “God would know that we

don’t mean it. God will forgive us.” But instead, they chose to

take a stand for their God. They without hesitation said, “We

know our God can save us but even if he doesn’t, we will not

bow down and worship your god.” These 3 young men were

faced with a choice – bow down and seemingly save their lives

or stay true to God. They knew even if God did not save their

lives from the furnace, better things were waiting for them. As

strong in the faith as these 3 young men were in this situation, I

was thinking, “Is there anyone in scripture that went through

anywhere near all the things mentioned in the song and yet

remained faithful to God?” I thought of one man who in many

ways stands alone. Do you know who I am referring to? Job. We

have talked about Job before. He loved the Lord with all his

heart. Job loved his family and did all he could to protect them.

God blessed Job with all kinds of success. Without Job having

any idea why, things suddenly began to change. His livestock

was stolen or killed, his land was taken from him, all of his sons

and daughters died. Job had sickness that caused him to be

unable to do virtually anything. Job’s wife and friends offered

no support. There seemed to be no end in sight for what he

was going through yet he remained faithful to God.


When I first really listed to this song, I was challenged to ask

myself, “How would I, how do I respond if and when I never see

the answers I am praying for if my breakthrough never comes?”


One could say this is a kind of depressing song, because it

doesn’t promise everything will work out okay as many

Christian songs do, but the more I listened to this song, it has

become a song of victory to me.

Will we only praise God when we at least see some victories?

Satan said to God about Job, the only reason he praises you is

because you have blessed him with so much. Take it away and

see what happens. So, God allowed Satan to do just that to Job

and yet he still remained true to God.


What about you and me? I know each one here has had trials in

your lives. I also am pretty sure you have seen God’s blessings

at times as well. What if you never have another full-blown

victory the rest of your life? Will you, will I say, even if I don’t

see another victory in this life, my heart will somehow say,

“Hallelujah anyway!” What a testimony of our faith that would

be to a world that is searching for something honest and true to

believe in.

Pastor Larry


Announcements:


Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

September 13 Board Meeting—Executive Committee 6:15;

Commissions 7:00; Board 7:30

September 30 Camp Emmanuel Fish Fry; 75 th anniversary

celebration

October 1 6:00 Love Feast here

October 8 12:00 Potluck HERE with conversation and sharing

time to follow—Walt Wiltschek, District Executive, will be

present; area churches are invited.

Needed: Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.

Donation Box: utilities

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362


Keep in Your Prayers


Sharon Lee Traughber (Bill’s wife); Pam and Tom; Iva

Traughber Brunner; Nora Hanaver; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower;

Larry Traxler; Randy West; Michelle West; Michelle’s mom;

Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron

& Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina

Wilhelm; Mindy Sawyer; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol

Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler;

Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty

Cripe; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests;

healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters;

victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian

Brethren; Ukraine; Maui fire victims

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Girard congregation and

Girard Area Homes.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

August 27, 2023


Are We Good Enough?

Romans 3:21-23


What we are looking at this morning was inspired by something

I saw on TV while we were gone last week. I have a bad habit of

feeling the need to have the television on when I go to bed.

Cathy does not want the television on and I would probably

either feel more guilty or try harder to go to sleep with the TV

off if it was not for the fact that most nights within minutes,

almost seconds, of Cathy’s head hitting the pillow she is asleep.

When I ask her how she can do that, she simply says “That’s

what I go to bed for. To sleep.”


Anyway, one of the first nights we were gone I woke up during

the early morning hours and there was a guy on TV speaking to

an audience about Christians. I did not see the beginning of this

broadcast so I do not know if it explained who he was

specifically talking to or not, but I became interested in what he

was saying so I continued to watch. He seemed to be talking to

a group that apparently had a lot of people in it who were not

professing Christians. He basically seemed to be attacking

current Christians for what he claimed most all believed. He

was saying Christians believe if they do good over 50% of the

time that that is enough to satisfy God. If you do alright 60 or

70% of the time, that really is good and that is good enough for

God. That is what he was implying, virtually every professing

Christian today believes. I continued to listen. I was thinking, “Is

he right? Is that what most believers actually believe?” I was

convinced this must be some atheist or agnostic, someone who

is not a real Christian. He was basically virtually throwing every

modern-day Christian under the bus, saying every Christian

today is a hypocrite who has convinced themselves that being a

basically good person most of the time satisfies God.


I may have mentioned this before but once upon a time 40+

years ago that attitude was in a way my attitude. After all, I

went to church almost every Sunday and tried to be a good

person, so I felt I was doing more than most of the people in

America and around the world so God has to respect the effort,

doesn’t he? During that time in my life 40 years ago, the Lord

led me to really read His word. Then at the church in LaPlace at

that time we had a young adult Sunday School class led by Fern

Doolin who encouraged us to look truly at God’s word for truth

and direction. During that time my thoughts and my attitudes

began to change. The Lord led me to scriptures like what we

read this morning in Romans 3:23. That all have sinned and

have fallen short of the glory of God. I had to concede that yes,

that means you, Larry. So, as I continued to seek answers, I was

led to more and more scriptures that sometimes seemed to

give the answers I needed and sometimes seemed to make

things more confusing. I was led to what is said in Ephesians

2:8-9. I like the way it is said in the King James version where it

says: “For we are saved by grace through faith and that not of

yourselves, it is the gift of God and not of works lest any man

should boast.” So here I was being told it is only by God’s grace

that I am saved. It does not matter how good I am or how good

I think I am that saves me. Then I was led to the scripture in

James 2 verse 14-26 where we see a somewhat different story

being told than what is said in Ephesians. I am not going to read

all those verses but in verse 26, we see the point of what is

being said. Again, because I like the flow of the King James

version, I will share that version with you. Verse 26 simply says,

“As the body without the spirit is dead, faith without works is

dead also.”


These three sets of scripture are what the Lord has used in my

life to keep me focused, but as I listened to this man speaking

to a group of what seemed to be primarily people who weren’t

professing Christians, I kept wondering, “Where is he going with

this? Is he right?” He seemed to be saying to not worry about

Christians, they are no better off than anyone who is not a

Christian. I thought, “Is this guy similar to the people John and

Jude were warning about trying to slip something else in to

people who are willing to listen?” Finally in the final 5 or 10

minutes of the broadcast he got to it. He explained everyone is

on a level playing field. He did state that the only way anyone is

good enough is because of what Jesus did for us all on the

cross. It all comes down to us receiving and accepting that

mercy and grace shown to us and spoken of in Romans 5:8,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this while we

were yet sinners Christ died for us.” So finally, this man got to

the heart of what Christianity is all about.


As I still was thinking of what he had said through most of the

broadcast I had to ask myself the question that seemed to be

his main focus. Do most Christians believe being a basically

good person is all we need to be saved? Did this man really

believe most Christians think being good 60 to 70% of the time

is what God is okay with? So, as I searched myself for what I felt

this man and perhaps God was challenging me to think about, I

am asking you to answer the same question. If we do good

most of the time is that good enough? Are most professing

Christians hypocrites as this guy seemed to imply? Do we

believe it is the things we do that saves us or is it what God did

for us that saves us? If it is what God did for us, what does that

mean?


We are going to stop it here this morning. We will pick it up at

this point next Sunday. As God has challenged me to look at

myself and what I believe, I ask you this week to answer these

questions for yourself as well. Can we be good enough on our

own? If so, what does that mean to you? If not, if we believe

we need God’s saving action, what does that mean? The other

big question is are we Christians too often viewed as hypocrites

by the unbelieving world? If you think that might be true, why

do you think that is and how can we change that belief?

Pastor Larry


Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

August 30 11:30 Women’s Fellowship luncheon—Judy’s Kitchen--RSVP to Nancy Born Martin

August 30 Newsletter submission deadline

September 6 School supplies deadline

September 13 Board Meeting

Needed: Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.

 

 

Donation Box: AC bills

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

Keep in Your Prayers

 

Pam and Tom; Iva Traughber Brunner; Nora Hanaver; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Michelle West; Michelle’s mom; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mindy Sawyer; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Maui fire victims

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Oak Grove congregation and for the Church of the Brethren Global Food Initiative.

Monday, July 31, 2023

Sermon and Announcements July 30

 Announcements:


Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

Sunday School 9:00

July 31-Aug 4 6:00 – 8:30 pm VBS at Methodist Church

Aug 5 2:00-4:00 pm, Born Park, CUIC ice cream social


Our Upper Room subscription was inadvertently canceled.

Please tell Nancy Born Martin if you would like to receive it

again. We will resume the subscription if enough want this

devotional. The Daily Bread devotional is in the back of the sanctuary.


Needed: Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.


Donation Box: AC bills

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362


Keep in Your Prayers


Pam and Tom; Carolyn Fansler; Iva Traughber Brunner; Nora

Hanaver; Todd Henricks; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry

Traxler; Michelle West; Michelle’s mom; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli

Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Ron &

Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina

Wilhelm; Mindy Sawyer; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol

Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler;

Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty

Cripe; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests;

healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters;

victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian

Brethren; Ukraine

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Champaign congregation.


Sermon:

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

July 30, 2023


No Excuses!

Jude 17-25


We are going to take a look at what God expects of His

people this morning. This can take at least a couple of

different turns. I shared with you a few of the issues the

church and society are dealing with at this time a couple

weeks ago. We could expand that in more detail and in

many other directions but we are not going to do that

today.


As we begin today, I would like to share with you one of

the dominant themes God has established for His people

beginning in Genesis and going consistently all the way

through to the last verses of Revelation. It may not be

what you would immediately think. For one thing as we

have looked at the Ten Commandments as well as a

couple of the other rules or laws given to Moses found in

either Genesis or Leviticus, we see God establishing a

stand to live by for His people. Jesus made it clear what

should motivate us to do our best to obey those laws.


Love. In fact, as we look at the laws given to mankind

through Moses by God when Jesus was asked what is the

greatest commandment this was his answer. We see this

answer:

Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first

and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love

your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang

on these two commandments.”


So, one can truly and accurately say love is the most

dominant theme in scripture. However, this is not the only

dominant theme God gave us throughout His word. There

is one more. Personal responsibility, no excuses. In the

beginning after God created man and woman, what

happened? There were lots of trees in the Garden of

Eden. They could eat from every tree or of any plant they

wanted except one. God commanded that they do not eat

from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And what

happened? Eve allowed herself to be deceived by Satan

and at of that tree. She hadn’t anymore than finished

eating when Adam came along and she convinced him to

eat as well. When it became apparent to God what they

had done, what did they do? Eve made excuses, “Well the

serpent tricked me!” and what did Adam do, “Well the

woman you gave me talked me into eating of the tree!” In

both cases, “It is not my fault” was their excuse.


The next major event in scripture happened with Cain and

Abel. One offered the best he had to God; the other did

not. When God questioned Cain about his mediocre

sacrifice, how did Cain react? He refused to recognize his

error and drew Abel out to a field and killed him. When

God asked Cain where his brother was, he said he did not

know. Again, refusing to take responsibility for his own

actions.


From that point on God’s relationship with His people

would go back and forth as people would sometimes

admit to their sins and at other times try to pretend, they

were doing nothing wrong and make excuses.


In the New Testament Paul went as far as to say this.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The

one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”


In verses 6-9 Paul goes into detail about what lead him to

share that warning. Once again, no excuses. It is up to

you to do the right thing in the eyes of God and as an

example to others around you. With all this being said,

what does the Lord expect of the church today? Are we to

honor and value the commandments God gave to Moses

all these thousands of years ago still today? Did Moses

make them up because those are what he thought were

the right way to honor God? Did they apply to God’s

people thousands of years ago, but it is a different world

today? We know so much more than they did back then,

after all.


In biblical times it was often thought that every bad thing

that happened to a believer happened because they or

their parent or family or village committed sin. Jesus

dismissed this belief to a degree when he was asked

about a man who was born blind. In John Chapter 9 we

see this situation. Jesus’ answer was this.

John 9:3 (NIV)

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this

happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.


I cite this example because in reality the majority of

things that happen to us in life is a direct result of the

choices we make but not every one of them. When we see

bad things happening in our lives more times than not,

we can look at a choice we made that brought it on. One

pastor once said this very simple statement, “Choose to

sin, choose to suffer.” Yes, it is true. Some things happen

we just do not understand and may never understand in

this life. However, let’s get back to the title of today’s

message, No Excuses.


If we believe God gave Moses those very detailed rules or

laws, why did He do it? There are a couple of reasons but

the main one was because God created us and know

what is best for us. If we were capable of obeying all of

them, we would live an incredibly happy, healthy life. But

because sin entered the world with Adam and Eve, it is

simply impossible to obey them all. Satan is alive and

well and still tricking and deceiving even the godliest men

and women. That is why our salvation, our victory is in

what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.


I had hoped to wrap up our look at the church and society

and what we as God’s people are to do in this modern

world today, but I apologize, it is going to take one more

Sunday. We are going to stop here this morning and look

next Sunday at what it all means to you me and God’s

church in today’s world. Can we live a “no excuses life”?

When we look at God’s word and how we are to apply it to

our lives, what does that really mean? I pray the Holy

Spirit will give us those answers as we seek to serve God

and be His arms, feet, hands, ears, voice and heart to a

world he wants to have fellowship with.

Pastor Larry