Father's Day Sermon and Announcements

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

June 18, 2023

A Loving Compassionate Father

Genesis 27:30-14

To all of you fathers Happy Father’s Day! It would have been

easy to talk of the greatest father of all time. No, I must admit I

am not talking about any of you here today but maybe I

should be. I am talking about our Heavenly Father. He, of

course, has done everything he can for us, his children. Even

to the point of Jesus Christ, God the Son, paid the price for

our sins. Yes, that would have been a natural choice, but this

morning we are going to spend a few minutes to look at

another father found in scripture. Isaac – Isaac is famous for

being the son who looked like he was going to be sacrificed

for the sins of the people of that day. Isaac was the one God

had promised would have so many descendants you couldn’t

count them all. Yet it looked like that was never going to

happen for a little while. Ultimately Isaac came to understand,

as best he could, the role God had given him to carry out. It

looked like Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, were going to have

the same problem his father, Abraham and Sarah, his mother,

had.

The promise of God was to continue through Isaac and yet

when he and his wife sought to have children nothing was

happening, much like Isaacs’ parents. In chapter 25 of

Genesis, verse 21 we see Isaac praying to God his wife could

have children. God answered Isaac’s prayer and Rebekah

became pregnant, but something strange happened

throughout her pregnancy. She could feel strange movements

going on inside her during this time. She became so

concerned she sought answers from the Lord. In chapter 25,

verse 23 we see what God told her. “The Lord said to her.

Two nations are in your womb, and two people from within

you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the

other, and the older will serve the younger.” So even before

these twins were born there was some jockeying for position

going on.

Let us look at what happens at the birth of these two boys and

then what happens once the boys are growing into manhood.

Genesis 25:24-34

New International Version

24  When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.  25  The first to

come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him

Esau. [a]   26  After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was

named Jacob. [b]  Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. 27  The boys grew

up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to

stay at home among the tents.  28  Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but

Rebekah loved Jacob. 29  Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the

open country, famished.  30  He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m

famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. [c] ) 31  Jacob replied, “First sell me your

birthright.” 32  “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

33  But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to

Jacob. 34  Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and

then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

So, we see even at the time of their birth the younger son is

trying to claim a spot with his brother. As the boys grew, we

read that Isaac had a deeper love for Esau and Rebekah had

a deeper love for Jacob. To understand how things worked at

this time in Israel’s history even though the two were twins

born at most a minute apart the first to be delivered was

entitled to all the blessings from his father, Isaac when that

time came. In the verses we read to close out chapter 25 we

see on of the things the firstborn was entitled to was the

birthright. Esau clearly did not understand the value of the

family birthright or just did not care because he basically gave

it away for something to eat and drink.

As we now move ahead to what we read for our scripture this

morning we read for our scripture we see Isaac’s health is

failing and he decides it is time to give his firstborn the

blessing that will be honored by God all that son’s days. In

the verses we did not read in the chapter 27 Isaac tells Esau,

“Prepare some food for me just the way I like it and at that

time I will give you the blessing God has for you.” What Isaac

did not know is that Rebekah, his wife, was listening to what

he told Esau to do and came up with a plan to have her

favorite, Jacob, get Esau’s blessing. Isaac was blind at this

time and after Rebekah prepared the food, she had Jacob

pretend to be Esau and take the meal into his father. After

Isaac had eaten the food, he then proceeded to give Jacob

the blessing that was supposed to be Esau’s. Jacob left Isaac

as soon as he got the blessing just before Esau got there with

the food he had prepared. Isaac was confused by what was

happening. Instantly Esau realized what had happened.

Saying Jacob stole by birthright, now he has stolen my

blessing. Esau began to beg his father, “Don’t you have a

blessing for me too?” Isaac conceded Jacob will have power

over you, what id one is done. But Esau continued, “Don’t you

have anything for me?” Finally, Isaac said to Esau, “Your

dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the

dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will

serve your brother, but when you grow restless you will throw

his yoke from off your neck.”

I believe Isaac loved both of his sons but Esau held a special

place n his heart because Esaw the more like him. So, while

Isaac did not condemn Jacob for doing what he did, he tried to

do all he could for Esau.

To go back to what the Lord told Rebekah during her

pregnancy God made it clear what would happen between

these two boys. Unlike Jewish tradition the older son would be

subject to the younger son. Isaac was probably told this way

back at the time by Rebekah but had forgot about it until now.

Isaac knew he could not change God’s plan s. He had

experienced how God works when he was a young man with

his dad, Abraham.

As you look at this extraordinary story, I ask you fathers here

this morning, “Have you even been in a position with your

children when it looked like you favored one over another?” If

so, did it create conflict between your children, maybe even

your wife?

While Isaac did not do what he did on purpose, you can see

the regret and sorrow he felt about what had happened. Even

though I believe Isaac ultimately realized this was part of

God’s plan for His people he still felt terrible for his oldest son.

The blessings a father gave before God was binding. God

honored these blessings. So while Isaac conceded Esau

would be subject to Jacob his blessing for Esau stated there

will come a time in which he will break free from his brother.

May the love and compassion Isaac had for his son who felt

left out and one might say abandoned be part of every father,

grandfather, great grandfather here today. Sometimes those

sons and daughters, those grandchildren need our support

and encouragement that only a dad or grandpa can give. I will

say it again, “I believe Isaac truly loved both of these boys.”

But there came a time when one of those boys needed a

special word that only his dad could give. That is what God is

calling us men to do.

God is seeking men who will love and support first of all those

within our families. God wants each man to understand the

important role we have been given, to honor God and show

what that means to our families and then also to friends as

well as anyone God send our way.

Fathers, men, Happy Father’s Day. May God bless you and

your families and continue to use you in a mighty way. You do

make a difference, maybe in ways you may never know or

fully understand.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

Sunday School 9:00

June 25 4:00 Movie Night—Jesus Revolution—here

Everyone is invited. There will be popcorn!

--Thank you to everyone who helped make the Strawberry

Festival a success! It takes all of us.

--Sign up sheet for children’s message in July, August, Sept.

Please consider taking a turn for this important ministry.

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

your continued giving!

Donation Box: VBS

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Keep in Your Prayers

Shonkwiler family in Bement; 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 &am; Darlene Hanaver;

Patty Cripe; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; manpy 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 Martin Creek congregation

and the Global Missions office as it works with Brethren

communities around the world.

June 11 Sermon and Announcements

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

June 11, 2023

What an example!

Job 1:1-22

As we approach Father’s Day, we are going to look at a man

that is not credited necessarily for being a father as much as

something else. We all have probably heard the saying that has

made Job a household name. “You have the patience of Job.”

Job endured more things than possibly anyone else in the

history of the world. If it could happen to a person, it did to Job.

In the 5 th verse we see the love and concern he had for his

children. As we read his sons loved to have feasts from time to

time where they would invite all their brothers and sisters to

join in. Job apparently did not attend these parties but was

concerned about what might be going on at them. So, when he

knew the feasts were over, he would get up early in the

morning and offer sacrifices on behalf of his children to God.

These sacrifices were the type that would cover sins against

God that might have been committed during these feasts.

In the very first verse, we read he sees Job was undeniably a

righteous and upright man before God. God had blessed Job

and his family in part because of this faithfulness and Satan was

telling God, “If you allow me to take away these blessings Job

will not be such a faithful person.” The only reason, Satan said,

that he is staying true to you is because of your blessing and

protection of Job and his family. So, God said to Satan, “Do

what you want to Job but you cannot take his life.” So, on it

began. We read how Satan had all of Job’s livestock carried off

or killed. Then Satan saw to it that at one of the sons feasts the

building collapsed, killing all of his children. After he was told

the news from the one surviving person from the feast Job’s

reaction was, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and

naked I will depart. The Lord gave the Lord has taken away.

May the Lord be praised.” In all this Job did not sin by charging

God with wrong doing. Obviously, Job did not know it was

Satan doing all these things to him. It is true God was allowing

Satan to do these things to him and his family. Satan was

stunned that Job did not instantly turn from God and expressed

anger, even hatred and rejection of God but he didn’t. Satan

then said to God, “If you allow me to harm Job physically then

he will curse you God.” God said, “Very well you can take his

health but you cannot take his life.” So, Satan brought serious,

painful health problems to Job. In the midst of this trial Job’s

wife even said to her husband, “Why don’t you curse God and

die? That does not sound very nice or reassuring from Job’s

wife, but I am sure she was confused and disillusioned from

losing her children, their possessions and now watching her

husband go through these health problems. She knew there

was nothing she could do to help and felt maybe it would be

better for her husband if he could die.

If we were to reread all of the book of Job, you would see his

frustration and disappointment about all the things he was

going through but never would he ever truly blame God for all

his troubles. Even Job’s friends piled on wondering how he

could remain faithful to God through all the problems that

seemed to never go away. Every time someone questioned

Job’s faithfulness to God, Job would give an inspirational

answer saying, “What right do we have to expect anything from

God?” Once again Job made it clear he wasn’t happy things

were happening to him as they were but recognized God’s

sovereignty in all things. After all the things Job endured, when

his close friends tried to come up with explanations that were

not in agreement with God we see what Job said to the Lord

how God dealt with Job’s friends and what ultimately happened

to Job in verse 42 and the final chapter.

Let us read this amazing conclusion to all of the things Job

endured for such a long time.

Job 42 Then Job replied to the LORD:

2  “I know that you can do all things;

    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

3  You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

    things too wonderful for me to know.

4  “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;

    I will question you,

    and you shall answer me.’

5  My ears had heard of you

    but now my eyes have seen you.

6  Therefore I despise myself

    and repent in dust and ashes.”

Epilogue

7  After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am

angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me,

as my servant Job has.  8  So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant

Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I

will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken

the truth about me, as my servant Job has.”  9  So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the

Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted

Job’s prayer. 10  After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and

gave him twice as much as he had before.  11  All his brothers and sisters and everyone

who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and

consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him

a piece of silver [a]  and a gold ring. 12  The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more

than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a

thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.  13  And he also had seven sons and

three daughters.  14  The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the

third Keren-Happuch.  15  Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as

Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.

16  After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to

the fourth generation.  17  And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

We see God was merciful first of all to Job’s three friends that

also did not understand what and why all these things were

happening to Job. God made it clear to Job’s friends how wrong

they were about everything and then had Job himself do the

things that brought his friends back to a right relationship with

Him. Then we see God restored everything and more back to

Job when God said to Satan, “You can now see what a

tremendous man Job is and what an amazing example he is to

everyone around him.” Job was once again blessed with 7 more

sons and 3 more daughters. We see God blessed Job’s

daughters with beauty unlike anyone else. Job even did what

was not common in that day by giving his daughters an

inheritance along with their brothers.

In the final two verses of the Chapter 42, we are told Job lived

140 years. He saw his children and their children to the 4 th

generation and so he died old and full of years. Job was a

tremendous example to everyone who knew him. After

everything he endured God make sure his children, his

grandchildren even to his great, great grandchildren learning

from this man of God. Everyone can learn from this

tremendous man of faith, this tremendous man of God.

I pray that somehow all of us men can apply some of the

wisdom and faith Job has showed us in our lives. The fact also is

shown to us in this example that God does and will reward our

faithfulness. I pray also that none of us ever have to go through

anywhere close to the things Job went through, but I would

love to be a man God was so confident in that he would

consider me to be worthy to go through some of the trials Job

did.

The book of Job is such an inspirational book. I would

encourage you to read it again when you have a chance. What

an example Job is for everyone that reads and considers his

incredible life. Men, what a challenge it is to have the patience

and faith of Job. The fact is though that Job was a man just like

us. May we strive to be fathers, husbands, friends like Job was

to all of those around him. God will be with us helping us every

step of the way.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

Sunday School 9:00

June 14 7:00 Executive Committee

June 25 4:00 Movie Night—Jesus Revolution--here

Sign up sheet for children’s message in July, August, Sept.

Please consider taking a turn for this important ministry.

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

your continued giving!

Donation Box: VBS

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Keep in Your Prayers

Carolyn Fansler; Iva Traughber Brunner; Nora Hanaver; Todd

Henricks; Tate Sawyer; 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 Woodland congregation;

for National Junior High Conference this month; for the youth of

this district.

June 4 Sermon and Announcements

 CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

June 4, 2023

How Far Are You Willing to Go? Part 2

1 John 3:7-24

We began this look into 1 John two weeks ago. As a quick

reminder of some of what we looked at then we know John has

been made aware of problems creeping into the churches

throughout all of the Christian world. Gnostics have come into

the churches and are sharing things that are totally different

than what had been told to the churches by the apostles. Some

of those things being told to believers were that:

(1) Jesus really did not die for your sins.

(2) Morality was not really necessary for salvation.

(3) You achieve salvation by your own efforts by becoming

more enlightened and achieving greater harmony with the

world and with yourself.

(4) Jesus was really a spirit incapable of paying the price for sins

because he really did not live like other people.

So as John writes this letter to all the churches, he is wanting to

assure them that the message they received in the beginning is

still true and changes lives. He is giving everyone a refresher

course on what the true message of salvation is. In the first

verse we read John makes it clear, do not let anyone deceive

you and lead you astray. In verse 8 he goes on to say the reason

the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. In

verse 9 and 10 John is pointing out once we receive God’s gift

of salvation through Jesus Christ our attitudes and desires will

change. We should no longer want to continue in sin. This goes

directly to the belief Gnosticism tells you that morality has no

real value. John then goes on to point out that love should

guide everything we do. In verse 13 John wants everyone to be

aware that if you stand up for God’s laws and righteousness the

world may hate you so be ready for what that will mean. This is

the same man that wrote the gospel of John. So as we look at

1 John 3:16 it is interesting how it is similar to John 3:16. Of

course John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave

his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not

perish but have everlasting life. In 1 John 3:16 we read, “this is

how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us

and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”

As we, the church, continue the work Jesus began, it is our turn

to potentially make the sacrifices. John then goes on to point

out sometimes those sacrifices will be of money or goods you

have that other may be lacking but have need of. John points

out if we see a brother or sister in need but are not willing to

help, is the love of God really living in us. Then he is telling the

believer about two different attitudes of our hearts. Sometimes

we may not find peace in our heart but God really knows our

hearts better than us. There will be other times we may be truly

at peace in our hearts about our relationship with God.

What is the difference John is trying to point out? In the first

case John is reminding everyone Satan is going to try to steal

the believer’s joy and confidence in Christ. Maybe you have

been a long way from the Lord but you have asked for

forgiveness and God’s word tells us God is faithful and just to

forgive us of our sins. Satan will continue to lie to you and tell

you God can never forgive you. Of course, Gnostics are trying to

tell the believers that Jesus cannot forgive your sins because he

was not able to pay the price for your sins anyway.

In the second case, your heart is in tune with God to the point

you know you have been forgiven. John is reminding the first

group God’s promises are real and you can trust God’s salvation

through Jesus Christ. John closed out these verses with this

final reminder, “Believe in the name of the Son of God, Jesus

Christ and love one another as he commanded us.” He goes on

to say those who obey his commands live in him and he in

them. And this is how we know that He lives in us. We know it

by the spirit he gave us. The Holy Spirit has been given to all

who believe to give us power to overcome Satan’s lies.

As we see the concerns John has for the church in his day, can

we see the parallels in today’s churches? Are there factions

trying to dilute the righteous laws of God today? Is the church

willing to point out that sin separates us from God? That if we

really love another as God through Christ loved us, we will lift

up God’s holy standard because that is the only way God’s

word tells us we can receive forgiveness and salvation. John

points out the contrast between love and hate by pointing out

the difference between Cain and Abel. Cain’s attitude was evil

but Abel’s desires were God’s righteousness. Again, John points

out if we stand for God’s righteous laws the world will probably

hate us. If we are willing to take a stand with God, it could cost

us everything. Are we being told that may be the cost or are we

being told there is a painless way you can get everything you

want. If we are not walking with God, Satan will try to tell us

everything is fine. God loves you. Then at other times when we

are walking with God Satan will try to tell you God can never

forgive you, you are worthless and unworthy. John wants

everyone to know, go back to the basics I told you to begin

with. The basics the other apostles may have taught you as

well. You can trust in the risen Savior Jesus Christ. God loves

you and has forgiven you of your sins, but we must continue to

lift up God’s holy standard. We must expose sin, not to be

mean or to try to say we are better than others but out of love.

Just like God we want everyone to enjoy and receive God’s

forgiveness and salvation. That is why we continue to believe

and share God’s word.

Again, the question is as we look at the world today, as we look

at what is happening in our nation as well as the church’s in

America, are God’s standards being lifted up? Or is the church

caving to the pressure of the new social standards? That is what

John was concerned about when he wrote this letter to the

church of his day. What would John say to the churches today if

he was here seeing what is happening not only in America but

also in the churches in America? Would he have a similar

concern today?

May we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s

truth to us today. May we stand for God’s truth and be used by

God to lift up His righteousness just as John sought to

encourage the church to stay strong.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

Sunday School 9:00

June 10 9:30 Stem strawberries, arrange tables

June 11 4:00 – 6:00 Strawberry Festival

Sign up sheets are in the back for Strawberry Festival needs.

These include supplies, pie shells, workers.

Sign up sheet for children’s message in July, August, Sept.

Please consider taking a turn for this important ministry.

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

your continued giving!

Donation Box: VBS

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Keep in Your Prayers:

Iva Traughber Brunner; Nora Hanaver; Todd Henricks; Tate

Sawyer; 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 Camp Emmanuel and the

campers this summer as it celebrates its 75 th year.