Presented by Casey Kluver (0:50)
Scripture reference: Genesis 39
September 08, 2019: Through Faith
Presented by Sherry Benner (0:21)
This morning Sherry Benner has a final word to share with the church body. She begins with Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God… By reminding us that God is totally faithful and trustworthy, we can flourish in our faith. Even in the midst of all our “stuff”, God is faithful. Together we are all on a faith journey.
Sherry really focuses in on, “through faith”. Hebrews 11:32-34 …who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle… We would like for God to change our circumstances or rescue us from difficulties. God wants to change us into his strong, powerful-in-battle people. We can be people with “through faith”, the kind of faith that takes us through. He does not deliver us from, but brings us through- to become the warriors He has designed us to be.
We often look for a way around, under, over, just not through the problem. Isaiah 43:2-3 When you pass through the water I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Sherry encourages us that although sometimes we may feel we will be overwhelmed by the rivers, or burned by the fires, God says He will be with us as we go “through” these things. God will take us through!
Scripture reference: Hebrews 11:6, 32-34; Luke 17:5; Isaiah 43:1-7, 51:11; 2Kings 6:14-17
September 01, 2019: It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone
Presented by Pastor Casey Kluver (0:47)
We start in the beginning this morning-well almost, Genesis chapter 2. Pastor Casey points out in verse 18, that after six times God saying it was good; God utters the first, “It is not good…” Remember, this is a perfect world, perfect creation, fresh from God- no sin, sickness, disease or death. God’s creation was good, however the alone-ness of man was not.
Alone means all one–all about me. Like the Dead Sea, everything is flowing in, nothing out. God remedies the situation by bringing forth from Adam, Eve(ezer). The name Eve (ezer), means helper, vital, powerful kind of help. God is referred to as the ezer/helper 16 times in the Bible. Keeping this in mind helps us recognize that Adam and Eve were designed to co-reign in life: which gives us a beautiful picture of God in His fullness. The perfect image of God (God made people in His image) is me connected to others.
Man was made of Spirit and dust; everything he needed was placed within him by God: woman, Eve, was taken out of Adam. When God created each of us, He placed everything we need within us. Whether we are single or married, we have what we need to become who God has called us to be. Singleness is not aloneness, unless we refuse to find connection and community with others. We must submit to God in order for Him to bring His fruitfulness out of us. Just as the image of God was not complete in the al-oneness of man, neither are we complete alone/disconnected from others.
Moving into the New Testament, in John 12, Pastor Casey shares on a very interesting passage where Jesus speaks of being alone or being fruitful. Please listen and consider what God has placed in your life and is desiring to bring out of your submission to Him in fellowship with the Body of Christ.
Scripture reference: Genesis 2:15-18, 21-25; John 12:23-28; Psalm 92:13;
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