Monday, August 23, 2021

August 22 Sermon and Announcements

 We are sorry about the brief break in posting sermons and announcements. Life happens and we just didn't get them posted. Back to the routine now.


CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

August 22, 2021

 

IT IS UP TO GOD

ACTS 12:1-25

 

As we see what is now happening to the Christians in Acts, almost a year has gone by since Jesus’ death on the cross. To get an understanding of the timing, we can simply see that in verses 3 and 4. In the 3rd verse we can see that James had just been killed by King Herod and King Herod decided to arrest Peter. It happened to be during the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. In the 4th verse, we can see this happened just before Passover. Of course, Passover was going on when Jesus was arrested and ultimately crucified.

 

Now to go back to the verses 1 and 2 in the 12th chapter, we see it is now King Herod that is taking the lead in arresting and persecuting the Church. He even had James, one of Jesus’ original disciples, killed by the sword in execution manner. King Herod saw how happy the Jewish leadership was about the killing of James, so he went after possibly the most outspoken and effective apostle of them all, Peter. We see he arrested Peter and made him so secure you would have thought he had an army at his disposal or was Harry Houdini. How many of you know who Harry Houdini was? He was probably the greatest escape artists of all time. King Herod put Peter in jail and had him guarded by four squads of soldiers with four soldiers in each squad, 16 men were to guard this one man. King Herod did not want to ruffle too many feathers so he had decided to wait until after Passover to have the public spectacle of a trial. We read the day before the trial, actually during the night, something absolutely amazing happened. In verse 5 we read while Peter was in prison the church was praying earnestly to God on his behalf. Clearly, the prayer chain had been activated and someone or groups of people were praying nonstop around the clock for Peter’s release or escape, or looking for something good to happen. Then it happened! Peter was guarded in the cell by two guards. He was in chains and the other guards were posted throughout the prison to prevent Peter from somehow getting away. But what is it that can stop God and his plans for our lives? NOTHING!

 

In spite of everything King Herod had done to prevent Peter from having any chance of getting away, an angel sent from the Lord changed everything. If you notice what was said in these verses, Peter was simply told to get up, put your clothes and sandals on, wrap a cloak around yourself and follow me. The chains had fallen off. Peter and the angel simply walked by every guard who was there watching. It does not say they were asleep or in a trance. The angel and Peter just walked by as if they could not even see them. Once on the street and out of the prison, the angel left Peter. Peter promptly went to where he knew the apostles and others were. Peter gets there, knocks on the door and a girl answers the door. She is so stunned by who is knocking on the door, she does not even open the door but tells those in the house that Peter is there. They told her, “You are out of your mind!” Yet she insisted. They went as far as to come up with the crazy answer that it must be Peter’s ghost. These are men and women of faith and yet they came up with this crazy way to explain what this girl thought she had seen. Peter kept on knocking, probably thinking what in the world are you doing in there. Someone may see me standing out here and I am a sitting duck. Open the stupid door! That is probably what I would have been thinking. They finally opened the door and sure enough it was Peter in the flesh. Peter ultimately decided not to endanger those staying there but told the people there to tell James and the other apostles who were not there that he is all right and will catch up with them later.

 

Once King Herod found out what happened, he ordered the men who had been in charge of guarding Peter to be executed as well because he felt they had made him look bad in the eyes of the public. King Herod was apparently going around to the surrounding towns doing damage control and some of the people from Trye and Sidon wanted to talk to the King about keeping supply lines open for themselves. When they went in to talk to King Herod, he was all decked out and they started laying it on good saying that King Herod was the voice of a god. Instead of correcting them, he soaked it all in and then it happened. An angel of the Lord struck him down and he did not just die. He was even eaten by worms. Looks like what goes around, come around. We do not know if this was the same angel that led Peter’s escape or not but somehow, I believe it was.

 

Though all of this, we see the church continues to grow and spread throughout the region. The chapter concludes by telling us when Barnabas and Saul’s year in Antioch was over, they returned to Jerusalem bringing with them a man by the name of John Mark. There is a lot going on here in this chapter. We see that James was killed by King Herod and yet Peter is led by an angel to escape what would have been almost certain death. Why? Did the church care more about Peter than James? Did God care more about Peter than James? Of course, the answer is no. God loves and cares about all of his sons and daughters just the same. Then why did it have to happen this way? As much as I hate this answer, the fact is, we just sometimes do not have all the answers. We have seen similar things happen in our own lives and our loved ones’ lives as well. God answers a prayer we have been praying for on this occasion, but we do not see the answer so many have prayed for over here. There are not easy answers sometimes. That is just the way it is. Should we give up on our faith in God if things do not work out like we want? Boy, I hope we won’t. Sometimes God is simply asking us, “Do you trust me?”

 

Later in this chapter we are reminded God sees what is happening in the life of his believers and his Church. King Herod ultimately paid an earthly price for his arrogance. I guarantee you everyone knew how things ended for him. We read once again that through it all the Church keeps on moving forward. It seems like God is bringing me back to that theme over and over again lately, but I am convinced God is saying the same thing to us today.

 

There are a list of things going on in America and the world today that could have the Church and its people saying, “What the use? What is the point? Does God really see what is going on? What are you waiting for God?” Just like with the early Christians, at times it would have been understandable if they gave up, but they did not and we should be thankful that God kept encouraging them and moving them forward. That message is as valid and real today as it was 2000 years ago. Jesus is still on the throne at the right hand of the Father. We will be victorious. We simply must understand that everything is up to God and his timing.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

 

Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday

 

Backpack school supplies are needed by Sunday, Sept. 5. Please put them in the container at the back of the sanctuary.

 

District Conference is November 5 and 6 and is virtual this year. We need 2 more delegates (Carol & Larry are delegates). Talk to Carol or Larry if you are willing.

 

Sept 3 – 6 Family Camp at Camp Emmanuel

September 8 Church Board

 

October 2 All church wiener roast sponsored by Women’s Fellowship

October 9 Rummage sale at Brethren Church to benefit the Lord’s Storehouse. Take items to Katie or Amy.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!

 

Donation Box: AC Bills

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook

Keep in Your Prayers

Marge Starr and family; Linda Martin and family, Andy Black and family; Jen Durst and family; Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); Tera Runyan; Tim and Betty Sue Laird; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike Gentry; Larry Albro; Mike McCleery; Sherry Wright; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Anna Gentry Thompson; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 621,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; the situation in Afghanistan

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                       

Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.


Monday, August 2, 2021

August 1 Sermon and Announcements

 

August 1, 2021

 

WHAT HAS CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

ACTS 9:1-31

 

Starting a couple of weeks ago we saw a man by the name of Saul emerge as one of those who is seeking to destroy the early church. Saul gave his approval for the stoning of Stephen. Saul then turned his attention to the church that remained in Jerusalem, even going door to door rounding up both men and women to throw them in jail or even worse. We read this morning that Saul is determined to follow these Christians wherever they go with the intention of arresting them and throwing them in jail, just like in Jerusalem. Saul asked the high priest for papers that would allow him to go to Damascus with the plan to terrorize the men and women who were followers of Jesus Christ there. Clearly, Saul got what he wanted, so off to Damascus he went, but something happened to Saul while he was still a little bit from getting to Damascus. Saul had an encounter with Jesus the risen Savior. There was a light that flashed that I believe was so bright it blinded him and then he heard a voice calling out to him. As we saw from what we read this morning, it was Jesus talking directly to Saul. Jesus point blank asked Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” Saul did not want to believe it could have anything to do with what he was doing to the church so he asked the very simple question. “Who are you, Lord?” You have to believe he really was not ready for the answer. “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Then Jesus gave him instructions on what he was supposed to do. “Go on in to Damascus and you will be told what to do."

 

We read others were traveling with Saul and while they heard noises, they were not allowed to understand what was going on or where the sound came from. Saul told his travelling companions to lead him to Damascus and that is what they did. In the meantime, Jesus spoke to one of his followers, Ananias, who lived in Damascus. Ananias was told exactly where to go and that he would find Saul of Tarsus there. Saul was well known among the believers by now and Ananias asked Jesus, “Do you really want me to go there? He is out to arrest all of us believers.” Jesus assured Ananias that it would be alright and that he had a plan for Saul. Ananias faithfully did as Jesus asked, went to the house Saul was staying, placed his hands on Saul’s eyes, prayed for his healing and Jesus honored Ananias’ faithfulness by healing Saul right then and there. Immediately Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit, got up, and was baptized and in more ways than one Saul could see lots of things more clearly.

 

Saul then moved about with some of Jesus’ other followers in Damascus preaching about Jesus in of all places, the synagogues. While many in the church in Damascus were skeptical of Saul more and more, they could see the commitment and power Saul displayed and they began to accept him. In fact, in a very short space of time Saul went from being the most feared man the church had to deal with, to the man the Jewish leadership most hated and wanted to get rid of. The Jews in fact plotted to kill Saul because he was beginning to persuade Jews about who Jesus was. All of a sudden Saul became public enemy number 1 to the priests and Jewish leadership. Closing out what we read this morning, we see at this time the church experienced a degree of peace from persecution and their numbers continued to increase. 

 

Saul had a truly life-changing encounter with the risen Savior on the road to Damascus. This morning the question I would like each of us to answer is what was that moment like that changed your life and mine? Many of us may have grown up going to church from an early age. Others though may not have started attending a church until later in life. I believe the fact remains that at some point we each went from attending church to truly accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. You cannot speak for me and I cannot speak for you. This is a very personal decision and moment that may be different for each one of us. Is it possible some of us here today or some of you watching on Facebook have never officially taken that leap of faith and accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? I would have to say yes that could be possible. You and you alone, as well as the Lord, are the only ones who really know. I am not claiming to know with absolute certainty where anyone of you stand in relation to the Lord, just as you do not know for absolute certain about me. Some of us may have had just about as dramatic an encounter with the risen Savior as Saul did. For others of us, maybe not quite as dramatic.

 

The thing that is exciting to me is that God is still transforming lives. Bringing hope to the hopeless, joy to those who at times struggle to find joy and bringing healing to those who need God’s special touch. Saul’s story is like many others who have come after him. In Saul’s case, he did not really know he was headed down the wrong path, but Jesus came and helped to change him at just the right time. What that shows us is God knows what we need at times long before we realize it. I hope God has used Saul’s example this morning to get us to look at what it is, and what it was, that brought us to the point of realizing we needed a Savior. Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is still meeting all who will welcome him in to that place where we are changed forever.

 

Thank you, Father God, for loving us enough to still change lives and to help us be the best husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, children, we possibly can be. To God be all praise, honor and glory. Amen.

Pastor Larry


Announcements:

 

 

Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday

 

We are looking for help with the regular adult Sunday School class. If you are willing to take a turn teaching, please sign the sheet on the east bulletin board.

 

August 11 7:00 p.m. Executive Committee

 

August 14 4:30 Oakley Brick Church Pork Chop Supper

 

October 2 All church wiener roast sponsored by Women’s Fellowship—stay tuned for details.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thanks to everyone for your faithful giving!

 

Thanks to those who are keeping our church lawn mowed!

 

Donation Box: AC Bills

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook

Keep in Your Prayers

 

Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); David Roe; Tera Runyan; Tim and Betty Sue Laird; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike Gentry; Larry Albro; Mike McCleery; Sherry Wright; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Evelyn Eads; Anna Gentry Thompson; Clyde and Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose Larrick; Gary Jesse; Norm & Marge Starr; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of the 600,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; victims of the volcano in Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda

 

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                       

Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace