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.
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. 2 He
saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were
washing their nets. 3 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.
4 When he
had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water,
and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 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.”
6 When
they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began
to break. 7 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.
8 When
Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord;
I am a sinful man!” 9 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
