Sermon and Announcements March 23

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 23, 2025

 

Joy

John 15:9-11

 

Today we are continuing on with the 2^nd fruit of the spirit, Joy. Depending on the translation the word Joy is mentioned as much as 300 times in the Bible. The New International version I use mentions, in one form or another, Joy 242 times. But what is Joy?

According to the dictionary the definition of Joy is “The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something good or satisfying. A source of keen pleasure or delight.”

The Biblical definition for Joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and hope in His word.

So, you can see up to a point the definition most commonly found in a dictionary and the definition rooted in God’s word have some similarities but there is a very definite difference.

The use of the word Joy in the scripture we first read clearly shows Jesus was wanting his disciples to know what is available to them and how it can be flowing through them. When James was talking about Joy in James 1:2+3 he was describing a different way and reason the church can be experiencing Joy. There he says “consider it pure Joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. This encouragement from James makes it clear that the Joy a believer has comes from walking with the Lord in every situation.

 

The question for you and me is whether we are tapping into the Spirit lead Joy talked about in Galatians or is the Joy we more often have based on how things are going minute by minute or day by day like described in a normal dictionary. The reality is that no matter how much we try to walk with the Lord there will be times we allow circumstances to overwhelm us. I am reminded of the time that the disciples left Jesus on the shore and went on ahead in a boat. After a period of time Jesus walked on the water to catch up with them. When the disciples saw someone walking on the water toward them, we are told they were terrified. Makes sense no one expects to see someone or something walking toward you on the water. Jesus called to them to calm their fears and once Peter realized it was Jesus he said can I come out to you on the water? Jesus said go ahead and so there was Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. But before long he noticed the waves and the wind and said to himself what in the world am I doing I can’t walk on water and he began to sink.  This is found in Matthew 14:22-30. Do we lose the Joy the Holy Spirit has for us when we look less to God and more at storms of life going on around us?

 

Is it easy to always have Joy flowing through us as the Holy Spirit intends? No. Once again the question for you and me is are we allowing the things going on around us to dictate our Joy or are we allowing the Holy Spirit to help us to grow in this fruit of the spirit just like the good fruit grows on the good tree Jesus talked about?

 

Are we considering it pure joy when those difficulties of life come our way. Are we looking at them as opportunities to grow closer and more trusting in the Lord?

 

As we draw to a close our look at the fruit joy lets be reminded of what is said in Psalm 30:4+5 “Sing praise to the Lord you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but Joy comes in the morning.

 

The second fruit of the spirit is Joy. The Holy Spirit has made it available to every believer in Christ. It is yours and mine to claim. There may be times that we lose that Joy that is there for us, but we can reclaim it just as quickly as Peter did when he was walking on the water. For a moment he took his eyes off of Jesus and he began to sink but just as quick as he turned back to Jesus his faith his confidence his Joy returned. That is what God is saying to you and me as well. Keep your eyes on me, allow the Holy Spirit to guide your path and you can live in the Joy I have made available to you no matter what the circumstance.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

 

March 29 9:30-3:30 District Potluck Experience in Peoria

April 6 Blanket Sunday

Executive Committee after worship

April 13 Snacks due for college care packages—we know of 6.

April 17 6:00 pm Love Feast here

 

--Please sign up to give a children’s message during worship and/or in the nursery during the sermon.

 

First Sundays: Food Bank donations

Pastor Larry Traxler (217) 454-2362

 

 

Keep in Your Prayers

The families of Marianne Pittman, Cody Gentry, and Barb Wood; Vallen (Tracy’s granddaughter); Pat Creviston; Stacie Warren; Doris Morganthaler; Nancy Fansler; Ruth Siburt; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Kathy Gentry; Steve Needham; Larry Traxler; Nancy Gorrell; Nora Hanaver; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Doug Larrick; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Shirley & Carroll Clarkson; David and Jan Bower; Debbie Garvey Leibrock; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; many unspoken requests; victims of shootings and of natural disasters; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; the Haitian church; the CoB in the Democratic Republic of Congo; those in the middle of war and violence; military and other services and their families; Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the District Potluck Experience Team and for the potluck this coming Saturday. Also pray for Disaster workers and for Brethren Disaster Ministries.

 

 

      

 

                                          

Sermon March 16, 2025

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 16, 2025

 

The Fruit of Love

Galatians 5:22      

 

As mentioned last week we are going to look at Love which is the very first fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22. Love is one of the most talked about attributes mentioned in scripture.

 

There are a number of different ways Love is described in scripture as well as in life in general. The Love we are seeing mentioned in Galatians 5 is what is called agape Love. The definition for agape Love is selfless, sacrificial love, which is Love that comes from the Holy Spirit, as opposed to the other types of Love that may be based on feeling or preference.

 

Let’s take a look at what this Love means to us, as individual Christians, as well as the church. There are countless examples of Love given to us in scripture. Jesus gave us real world examples of how Love should be flowing through believers, Gods people. Let’s take a look at a couple of those examples at this time.

 

Last week I shared with you about the good tree and the bad tree from the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s look at how Jesus showed Love should be working in the attitudes and the hearts of Gods people. We will find that also in Jesus’ message on the Sermon on the Mount.

 

There are 2 very blunt examples of Love and how this agape Love should be operating in the life of a believer. The first is found in Matthew 5: 38-42, there we read “You have heard that it was said Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone wants you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

 

We have all read these verses many times before but the Lord is showing us if we have true love in our hearts all these things we will willingly do. Let’s begin with the first, eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth that is clearly a reference to the Old Testament law that allowed Gods people to demand immediate justice when they had been wronged. Jesus however is acknowledging that an evil person may have done you wrong but we should be willing to turn the other cheek. What do think about that, how easy is that to do? But that is what agape Love looks like.

 

Let’s continue on in Matthew the 5^th chapter the 43^rd verse thru the 48^th verse. There we read “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons and daughters of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. You know Jesus was about to point out a flaw in the peoples thinking or about to clarify what God really means about things when he started things off by saying, you have heard that it was said.

 

Jesus gave a lot of specific examples of what love should look like in the lives of Gods people. When Paul was telling the church about the fruit of spirit that was to be a part of there lives do you think they realized the things mentioned by Jesus back in Matthew really applied to the fruit love? Some of the people Paul was writing to may have actually been there when Jesus delivered that message.

 

When the Holy Spirits fruit of Love is flowing thru us as God intends we will not “resist evil people, we will Love and pray for our enemies.” Jesus points out if we only love those who love us how are we any different from “tax collectors and pagans.

 

So how are we doing when it comes to putting this fruit of the spirit in to practice on a daily basis. I don’t know if any of you have people you run across from time to time that you just don’t get along with. Or whether there may be people in the news or in entertainment that you just don’t like. How do we get where the Lord is telling us we need to be? For you and me all by ourselves it is impossible that is why Jesus promised and God the Father gave us the Holy Spirit. What we can’t do in our own strength we can do with the Holy Spirits help.

 

God has promised through the Holy Spirit that true agape love can be ours. This first fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 is for you and me.

As we wrap up our time together, I would like to leave you with these promises from what is entitled, by most, the Love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. The 6^th, 7^th, and first part of the 8^th verse tells us this, Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. What a promise God has made to the church when we have the fruit, Love flowing thru us.  

 

At times we may fall short of what God has made available for us but we should do what is said in that 7^th verse in 1 Corinthians 13, persevere. God will always honor our efforts when we are seeking to walk with him. While I pointed out a couple of the more challenging examples of Love, there are many other positive examples of Love in scripture as well. The important thing for, us, Gods people is to have all aspects of Gods flowing thru us as much as possible. The fruit of Love is ours to enjoy and to experience in all of its wonderful ways.

Pastor Larry

 

Sermon March 9, 2025

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 9, 2025

 

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-25      

 

Last week we looked at the fact that the Holy Spirit that was promised by Jesus Christ gave gifts to believers. These gifts have multiple purposes from equipping the church to be able to resist the lies of Satan to gifts that help believers carry out all the things we should be doing for Gods kingdom. These gifts also make life more enjoyable to, not only us, but also can be a blessing to others in a number of ways.

 

Today we are going to begin a look at what Paul calls in Galatians the fruit of the spirit. There are 9 different “fruits of the spirit” that are mentioned in the 22^nd and 23^rd verses of the 5^th chapter of Galatians. Just prior to those verses in Galatians are 15 different attitudes or actions or sins that should not be part of a spirit filled Christian’s life. Over the next several weeks, and it will take much longer than that, we are going to look at the 9 positive characteristics of a spirit filled Christian.

 

We will be taking the “fruit” mentioned one at a time to really get an understanding of just how important each one is for the church as well as each individual believer. I mentioned it could take quite a while to cover these because we will officially begin next Sunday with the fruit Love, continue on with Joy then take a break for a few weeks as we approach Easter.

 

When we think about fruit what is the first thing that comes to mind? It is probably your personal favorite fruit that you enjoy eating. During the winter months finding your favorite fruit might be difficult depending on what it is. I personally like a lot of different fruits. In winter, however I simply will not buy certain fresh fruits. Peaches for example simply don’t seem to have as good of a flavor when you buy them now as they do in summer, at least that’s my opinion and I could go on and on about a number of other fresh fruits I simply won’t buy in winter.

 

During Jesus sermon on the mount, he used an easy-to-understand example to help the people understand the importance of Gods people being Faithful and productive during our time on this earth. In Matthew 7 the 17^th and 18^th verses he describes Gods people this way: Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

 

So when we see Paul talking about the fruit of the spirit it is clearly a continuation of what Jesus was talking about in Matthew. In my Bible, the section beginning with the 16^th verse and going thru the 26^th verse of Galatians the 5^th chapter is called “Life by the Spirit. Theses verses cover both the “bad fruit” mentioned by Jesus and the “good fruit” he mentioned. I encourage you to read these verses this week as we begin our time together looking at the “good fruit” highlighted beginning once again with the 22^nd verse.

 

What a gracious and Loving God we have. He wants us to have everything we need to live a successful and abundant life. When the promised Holy Spirit was sent to the believers, he provided us with every tool we need to live a victorious life. As we go thru these fruits of the spirit it will give each one of us a chance to see just how much each one of these “fruits’ are flowing thru us the way the Holy Spirit intended.

 

The Lord is constantly reminding me that I have been given everything I need to live a joyful abundant life while I am here on this earth as I prepare to spend eternity with my Lord and Savior. So, let’s get encouraged together as the Lord reminds us of each one of the fruits of the spirit we have been provided with. Unlike the spiritual gifts that we have been given that may be different for each one of us, all of these fruits of the spirit are for each and every believer. So, one more reminder next Sunday we will begin with the first one listed which is Love. Is this one the most important or are all of the different fruits listed equally important for us? That will be for you and me to consider and decide.

 

May the Holy Spirit help each one of us to live the best life we can no matter what phase of life we may be in. We have all we need to do just that through Jesus Christ our Lord and the fruit of the spirit which has been given to each of us by the Holy Spirit so we can be successful in all we do.

Pastor Larry

 

       Announcements

March 16 One Great Hour of Sharing special offering

March 18 12:00 Women's fellowship lunch- meal provided- soups, etc.

March 29 District Potluck at the Peoria church                                                                                                                                                                                  

NEW SERMON March 2 2025

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 2, 2025

 

Do all to the Glory of God

Romans 12:4-6, Colossians 3:17       

 

We have looked at the scripture we have begun with this morning before. The section in Romans 12 is similar to the verses in 1 Corinthians 12. They both talk about the gifts given to the church by the Holy Spirit.

 

The inspiration for this message this morning has to do with a couple of the things we got to witness while we were on vacation.

 

We were Blessed to be able to go on a cruise while we were gone. I do not know how many of you have ever been on a cruise but it is a different kind of a vacation in that once you get on the ship you are there until the ship returns to port. You can’t decide, "I think I will go home early," or "I don’t like this;  let’s do something else" like you can on a more traditional land-based vacation. Beginning with our 25^th wedding anniversary we have been on several cruise over the years. They work for us but I know they aren’t for everyone.

 

That all being said--what led me to this message was a couple of the entertainment options that were on this cruise. First of all, there was a diving show that was performed several different times throughout the cruise. The pool that is available for them to dive into is probably about 15 feet by 30 feet. Some of the dives were from 30 or so feet above the pool surface. These dives are being performed out on the ocean with the boat moving as it goes through the water.  The incredible skill and talent of these divers is amazing, not to mention the unbelievable ability to hold your breath under water that these men and women displayed.

 

The second show that we got to enjoy was ice skating. They actually did 2 completely different shows on this cruise. The first was a show that had a story behind it, the second was a freestyle skate that the performers used their own creative talents to create.

 

 As we experienced these 2 different types of entertainment as well as the display of incredible talent, I was reminded of how God Blesses each and every one of us with gifts and talent. How we use some of those gifts and talents is up to us.

 

Some of those gifts and talents can be used by God to highlight the beauty and majesty of God. The diving and skating could be used as a tremendous platform for God for those lead to use it in that way. Some of the gifts and talents the Lord gives us is less spectacular in some ways but every bit as important.

 

So many of you do things on a regular basis here as a part of this congregation with little fanfare and little credit. If no one else notices I guarantee you God does. We just had a soup supper here that I didn’t feel I should attend because of the flu. I felt so bad that I let you down but I know so many of you stepped up and made it a success yet again. So many of you have been using your gifts and talents for this congregation and this community for a long time.

 

So, whether it is the awe-inspiring talents of divers and skaters or the variety of gifts and talents some of us “less gifted” people have, all God continues to ask us is to do is whatever we can for the work God continues to do in this world. God has given each and every one of us gifts and talents never forget that.

 

As we wrap up our time together this morning, I leave you with this from Ephesians 4:7-8 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This why it says: When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to mankind.” You and I continue to be Blessed with gifts by Christ to this day. Use them to the glory of God as we, each in our own way, seek to “To do all for the Glory of God”.

Pastor Larry