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Were you unable to worship with us?
Notes and highlights from selected pastoral sermons may be found below.
7/25/2002
1/5/2003
1/12/2003
2/9/2003
3/16/2003
4/20/2003
2/13/2005
3/28/2006
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7/25/2002
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A Biblical Wrestling Match By Ken Hornok
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Genesis 32:24-32
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Title: "A Biblical Wrestling Match" (by KRH at Midvale Park)
Spiritual conflicts are like wrestling matches. Sometimes they are against
the forces of evil (Eph 6) but sometimes they are against God. In may ways
it's easier to say NO to the devil than YES to God.
Bible people who wrestled with God include Abraham (Gen 19), Job, Habakkuk,
even Jesus in the Garden.
Jacob was a wrestler even in utero (Gen 25:22). He put a hold on Esau at
childbirth, which gave him his name "heel-catcher" which implies "one who
will trip you up by deception." Jacob had a habit of getting what he
wanted by devious means:
Taking advantage of Esau when he was hungry.
Deceiving Isaac for the blessing of the firstborn.
Trying to marry the youngest sister when custom dictated she should wait
until the eldest was married first.
Attempting to get the strongest animals as his share, and give the weakest
to Laban (30:37-43).
Not telling Laban when he was leaving (31:20).
Even in Jacob's first encounter with God (28:10-22) he cannot simply
believe what God told him; he turns it into a kind of bargain: "IF God does
what He said He would do, THEN He will be my God."
Now on his return trip, Jacob must learn that he can trust God, and he must
learn to rely on God. Jacob has not gotten rich by his own cunning; God
did it. See Hosea 12:2-6. Jacob caught Esau's heel and would not let go.
He also took hold of God and would not let go (Gen. 32:26).
"Jacob" signified his character. In this wrestling match, God pulled the
Jacob out of him. That's what He wants to do to me also.
God made Jacob confess his own name (character) and then changed his name
to "Israel" which either means "prince with God" or "God fights for him."
Jacob's struggle was over. God would fight his battles from now on. His
disability caused a permanent limp (corresponding to our thorns in the
flesh) as a lasting reminder of his need for Someone to lean on.
When we struggle with God, we must lose!
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1/5/2003
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Check Your Motive (by Pastor Ken Hornok)
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Matthew 22:34-40
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What drives you and keeps you going? What is your greatest passion?
Matthew 22:34-40 asks Jesus a series of questions–almost an attempt to find “the weakest link”! Pharisees were the religious right wing. Herodians were the political left wing.
QUESTION #1 - by the Pharisees: Should we pay taxes to Caesar?
ANSWER by Jesus - His image is on the money; therefore it belongs to him.
IMPLICATION - God’s image in on you; thus you belong to God.
QUESTION #2 - by the Sadducees: A woman with several husbands on earth will be whose wife in heaven?
ANSWER by Jesus - No marriage relationships in heaven.
IMPLICATION - God is the God of the living, even after they die.
QUESTIONS #3 - by a lawyer who was a Pharisee. His colleagues sent him to ask Jesus the million-dollar question: What is the purpose of life?
ANSWER by Jesus - Love God with all your being (Heart, Soul, Mind = Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual) AND love others. The second is like the first = one doesn’t exclude the other. Both comprise the greatest command.
IMPLICATION - all the law and prophets (ie. the whole Bible) hangs on this–loving God and loving people. The Jews had divided God’s law into 613 commands: 365 negative and 248 positive. Jesus sums them up into one command with two applications.
LESSONS from this passage:
1 - Abandon ourselves to God. Love Him with all aspects of our life and existence. What if a husband told his wife he loved her with his eyes and hands but not his time? With his mind but not his money? When Jesus names heart, soul, mind (and body), he means completeness not division. He means inclusiveness; nothing excluded.
2 - How do we love God when we cannot see Him? Feel Him? Or perhaps even like what he’s doing? I John tells us the tangible way to love God is by living a holy life (obeying the commands) and loving each other. This sums up the whole Christian life. (See also Lev. 19:18, Deut. 6, 11, and John 17.)
3 - Loving God should be the passion of our lives, our motivation for all we do.
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1/12/2003
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Principles Of Evangelism From Acts 17
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Acts 17:1-7
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1 - Uncover Common Ground
17:2 - Paul reasoned with them from the Old Testament Scriptures for three weeks. Always use Scripture. It is the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16).
2 - Undergo Dialogue
17:3 - “Explaining and demonstrating.” Explaining means dialogue; a back and forth discussion. Demonstrating means giving evidence; laying something side by side for comparison. Paul no doubt laid down an Old Testament promise next to its present-day fulfillment in Christ. Attract; don't attack. Inform; don't inflame. Agree; don't argue.
3 - Use the Gospel Message Every Time
17:3 - Christ had to suffer (die for sins) and rise again from the dead; Jesus is the Christ. Our purpose is to show who Christ is and what He accomplished for us. The death of Christ delivers us from sin. It is not doctrine, ethics, reform, charitable deeds, a church, or baptism that delivers us from sin. The gospel involves 8 words: Christ died for our sins and rose again.
4 - Understand God’s Part / Our Part
17:4 - God does the persuading. God holds us responsible for one thing–getting the message out. God gives the increase. We plant and water; the growth and fruit is done by God. See I Corinthians 3:5-7.
17:4 - a great multitude (of Greeks) and several leading women "joined" the believers. Being passionate about the gospel and our trust in Christ has an influence on others to want what we have, but remember that salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit. We can offer and ask for response, but we should not force a decision.
5 - Undeserved Opposition will Happen - Expect It
17:5 - Some will reject Christ no matter what you say. Don’t be surprised. People will distort your message and falsely accuse you, thinking they are doing the right thing (17:7 - Paul and Silas had not done anything against Caesar or broken any Roman laws, but a mob attacked them.)
6 - Urgency - Never Give Up
17:10-12, 17, 22 - Paul preached in every city, taking advantage of every opportunity. Persecution could not stop his passion (17:16 - his spirit was provoked when he saw the city given over to idols.) He not only made himself available, he created opportunities to explain who Christ was and what He accomplished for sinners.
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2/9/2003
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Stewardship For All Seasons
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Malachi 3:8-12
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Biblical principle of stewardship = When we assemble before the Lord, we give a tangible expression of our love and gratitude.
Old Testament = Tithes and offerings.
New Testament = Evaluate self and give as God has prospered you (I. Cor. 16:2).
SETTING for Malachi 3 = The people of Israel were back in the land after chronic rebellion and restoration; God’s blessings were being restored to them. Therefore they should have gladly given their tithes.
A TITHE is always 10% (no less) of your 100% (no less). Israelites were to bring a tenth of everything they acquired, and then tithe on what was left as well. They actually had three different tithes over three years which exceeded 23% of their total income.
Mal. 3:8-9 - God says they were robbing what belonged to Him. Consequently, He tells them 2 things they are to do and 2 things He will do.
Two instructions for the people:
1 - They were to bring ALL their tithes into the storehouse (3:10a).
The principle of contributing to a designated place parallels giving to the local church today. The church has the oversight and responsibility to designate it wisely and use it for the support of valid ministries.
2 - They were to TEST God in the matter of giving (3:10b).
God challenges them to see how He will bless them if they bring the whole tithe. Give Him the opportunity to bless you. We give because we are blessed, not to get blessed, but blessing does result. If we put God First, He will take care of our needs (Matt. 6:33). Have I ever tested God in this way?
Two promises from God:
1 - God will bless us by pouring out favors from heaven (3:10c).
This passage is a promise. It is supported in the New Testament by Matt. 6:33, Gal. 6:6-10, and 2 Cor. 9:6-11. God’s blessings are not necessarily financial or material. He also blesses us with loving relationships, health and healing, respect from others, a good testimony to unbelievers (note Mal. 3:12), fun, laughter, and pleasures.
2 - God will bless us by preventing destruction (3:11).
He blesses us with protection and prevention. Thank God for what hasn’t happened! Accidents, diseases, house repairs are expensive. God blesses us by preventing our resources from being drained this way. Many times we will not even be aware of His protection.
POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS:
1 - Decide ahead of time what to give. Mal. 3:10 says, “NOW.” A delayed decision is a negative decision. If we cheat the Lord, He has a way of extracting it anyhow!
2 - Discipline is required. Giving is against our nature. If we don’t give to God FIRST, we will probably have nothing “left over” to give. Thus we will “rob” God.
3 - Definition of giving = “a faith adventure.” How much faith is enough? How much prayer is enough? How much giving is enough? By faith, give more than you think you are able to give.
4 - Devotion is the result. Giving results in more devotion to God and more dependence on God. Our heart follows our money (Matt. 6:19-21).
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3/16/2003
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How Does God Finance His Work?
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Exodus 25 & 35
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Background - The BLUEPRINT for the Tabernacle is given in Ex. 25-31
The BUDGET for the tabernacle is found in Ex. 35
The BUILDING begins in Ex. 36 ff.
To build and furnish the tabernacle today would cost ten million dollars. How did former slaves have that kind of resources?
1 - God created the need - Ex. 25:1-9
Every need we have is known to God and/or created by God. We may think we made a mess of things or made wrong decisions, but always God will use us at the point where we are. Often God brings about difficult circumstances because He wants our special relationship with Him–the relationship of dependence and trust. He wanted Israel to have a visible reminder of His dwelling among them (25:8) so He created the need.
2 - God provided the resources. Ex. 35:20-29
He planned ahead of time how the need would be met - Ex. 35:20-29. He had prepared in advance by His works in Egypt so that the Egyptians would give Israel their “back wages” when they left (Ex. 12:35-36). God is in the business of re-distributing wealth. Yes, it can be mis-used and taken away (Ex. 32 - the golden calf), but the tabernacle was built from Egyptian valuables.
Notice that the people gave TO THE LORD (35:21,22,24,29) not to Moses and not to the project.
3 - God generated the giving. Ex. 25:2 & 35:21-22.
Their “hearts were stirred” (God’s part) and their “spirits willing” (their part). This was not emotional pressure or persuasion or competition; no guilt or coercion involved. Everyone participated = both men and women (35:22) and the leaders (35:27). In fact, the leaders probably gave the things most rare and most valuable.
4 - God blessed the giving. Ex. 36:5-7.
God provided more than enough. If the need is of God, the people of God will have the ability to meet the need.
Conclusion = We are privileged to be used by God to help build His works on earth.
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4/20/2003
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Responses To The Resurrection Of Christ
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Matthew 28 and Luke 24
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The resurrection of Christ is foundational to our entire belief system–the basis of the Christian faith. Without it, there is no reason to believe that Christianity is true! (I Cor. 15:14-19)
The real issue is not the question, DID Jesus resurrect? The real issue is what is YOUR response to His resurrection? Scripture gives three possible responses.
1 - SATISFACTION & DELIGHT - Matt. 28:8-9
The women who saw the risen Christ, rejoiced, worshiped, and obeyed Him by telling others. What relief they must have felt when their mission to anoint His dead body was changed to the responsibility of announcing He was no longer dead.
In New Testament times women were not thought of as credible witnesses. However the "least credible" witnesses were the most trusted by Christ to testify about Him.
2 - SABOTAGE & DECEIT - Matt. 28:11-15
Ironically, it was the religious leaders who put the most stock in what Christ said about rising again in three days (27:62-63). They did not doubt the soldier’s report. They knew the truth but rejected it and tried to prevent others from believing it.
The disciples had nothing to gain by lying and starting a new religion–they faced hardship, ridicule, hostility and martyrdom. Would they have stayed the course if they had stolen Christ’s body and lied about it? No.
Yet the religious leaders told this lie, paid others to spread it, and many believed this false report rather than the truth (28:15). The same thing happens today. Many false doctirnes are being spread by religious leaders for financial gain and self-promotion.
3 - SKEPTICISM & DOUBT - Luke 24:9-12, 19-25, 36-41
The disciples should have been the most excited, most expectant, most enthusiastic, because they were the most informed. Sometimes those who know the most become the greatest skeptics. When God does not do what we expect, we are perplexed and confused. Accepting God’s plan done in God’s way with God’s timing can give us the women’s response–that of satisfaction and delight. The disciples were surprised when they finally realized what Christ had done. There was SHOCK and AWE in the Middle East!
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST?
1 - Does it satisfy and delight you because you believe Jesus died and rose again for your justification?
2 - Do you believe in and promote man-made doctrines instead of biblical truth?
3 - Are you still in doubt as to Christ’s claims on you?
When the great Christian scientist Sir Michael Farady was dying, a journalist questioned him as to his speculation for life after death. "Speculation!" said he, "I know nothing of speculations! I’m relying on certainties: I know that my Redeemer lives, and because He lives, I shall live also."
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2/13/2005
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Victory Over Pornography
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Matthew 5:27-30
"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart, and if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you..."
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Freedom from the Use of Pornography
Sex is a God-given desire that does not stay satisfied, but God has given boundaries so we can control this passion wisely and enjoy it free from guilt.
One of Satan’s most effective tools in the life of believers as well as unbelievers is pornography. We forget that its use involves:
1 – Deception
Pornography pays immediate dividends but diminishing returns. Thus it easily escalates to addiction. James 1:14-16 describes any sin’s progression from temptation to death=separation from fellowship with God.
It causes bondage without us realizing it. Pornography is not a harmless pastime or temporary temptation. The more you give in, the easier it is to keep giving in.
2 – Danger
It degrades women and exploits children. It will give you an improper view and attitude toward other people.
It is unrealistic – it gives false expectations that your spouse cannot live up to or fulfill.
It undermines a good marriage relationship.
I Peter 2:11-12 says, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which WAR against the soul; having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
1 – We are Sojourners in a foreign world. Keep a “Pilgrim Mentality.”
2 – We are Soldiers in a spiritual war. Take an offensive approach. Try to stay ignorant of sin, but if not, then be brutal against it.
3 – We are Saints in an ungodly culture. We must have blameless behavior and abundant good works.
Deliverance from Pornography Use is Possible – see Matthew 5:27-30
These verses are for both genders. Jesus refers to eyes and hands offending us (sight and touch). Sexual desires and fantasies involve both eyes and hands. Jesus’ illustration exhorts us to take drastic measures to avoid sexual sin: STOP WATCHING! STOP TOUCHING!
A literal interpretation of doing bodily harm to yourself in order to stop sinful practices would involve pain, scars, lifelong handicaps, as well as eventual healing. But Jesus says this is “better” than entering eternity as a Christian with a record of bondage to sinful acts.
A figurative interpretation of “amputation” involves being thorough and final. You must deal with it drastically. You must get it all. Pornography is a lethal enemy not an unprofitable friend.
Our natural passions out of control will become “besetting sins.” Deliverance is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s strength available to us in abundance.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).
Conquer sin in your life so you can receive the crown of life and God’s approval.
Remember that temptation is “common to man” and no temptation is greater than your ability to bear it because every temptation has a “way of escape” (I Cor. 10:13).
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3/28/2006
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God's Waiting And Waiting And Waiting Room
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Various Psalms
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GOD’S WAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING ROOM
You arrive on time for your doctor’s appointment, only to wait in the waiting room. You finally get assigned to an exam room, only to wait again.
“Hurry up and wait!” It’s the American way.
Have you noticed that when you are waiting, time seems to stand still. Life gets put on hold. Ten or twenty minutes can seem like hours—hours in which no progress is made. Life has come to a screeching halt.
How many of you feel like you are in a waiting room of life? You are waiting for circumstances to change, relationships to improve, life goals to be met, positive results from your efforts…and you know, ultimately that you are waiting for God to DO SOMETHING! But God cannot be hurried.
Last week I was talking to a believer from another town, and he told me about the turnover at his church. People change churches looking for excitement and relief for their unmet needs, because they are not willing to stay in God’s waiting room too long. It feels like such a waste of time.
You didn’t ask to be put into God’s waiting room; you’ve already been there a while, and you have no idea how much longer it will last.
But God’s servants have a manual for waiting. Sixteen psalms instruct us about waiting. They answer the following questions:
1 – What does it mean to wait on the Lord?
2 – Why should we wait on the Lord?
3 – What happens when we wait?
Consider the first question – what does it mean to wait on the Lord?
It is more than the passage of time; it involves anticipation and expectation.
Psalm 130:5-6 – Waiting means expecting. Just as we anticipate morning to come, so we expect God to work, to come to our aid, but we must not put our time requirements of God.
No one knows this better than a hunter, like myself. On opening day, I like to get to my “spot” before the sun comes up. I sit there waiting and anticipating sunrise, and it always comes. I also anticipate that game will come within sight, but that is totally beyond my control. Sometimes I wait in different spots all day, or all season, and never get a shot. But I love being out there, in God’s creation. For me it is not a waste of time, even if I have nothing to show for it but tired muscles and cold toes.
In Psalm 52:8-9 – David anticipates God’s deliverance. God will uproot the enemy out their tent and land; yet it was David who was a homeless fugitive when he wrote this. David can wait with confidence, however, because he has God’s promise of the throne. Thus he thanks God in advance, even though it hasn’t happened yet, and he has no idea when it will happen.
What are God’s promises to us in His word? Peace, comfort, love, God’s continual presence, a secure future with Him. We can keep expecting these things when we find ourselves in God’s waiting room.
You see, waiting is not a passive activity. God often uses the metaphor of a tree when speaking of those who seek Him and wait on Him. Nothing may be happening TO them, but something is certainly happening IN them. The tree is growing, getting stronger, being prepared to produce fruit. All kinds of processes are taking place. And although these things are imperceptible, they are happening.
So, waiting means that God is working, even if we cannot see visible results or goals met or prayers answered.
Waiting means having confidence in God’s purpose and God’s timing.
Let me add one caution. Psalm 37:7-8 acknowledges that waiting is a struggle. It’s not easy. What is the opposite of waiting? Anger, wrath, fretting. These are common attitudes during a period of waiting, and we must guard against them. “Do not fret—it only causes harm.” When we lose our confidence in God, we get tired of waiting, and the result is worry, anger, and frustration.
We can guard against these negative responses by considering question #2 – Why should we wait on the Lord?
Psalm 25:3-5 – Waiting on God is designed to be a learning experience. We don’t do much praying or meditating on the run. God often plans the waiting room to slow us down, to force us to sit there and learn His ways and His truth.
How good of a student are you when the waiting room becomes God’s study hall?
What else does it teach us? Psalm 62:5-6 – It teaches us that our source of strength and security is Him. Not people, not programs, not personal abilities or a great personality. Depending on a job, money, human relationships, or any tangible thing is to trust in shaky ground.
The bristle cone pine is one of the oldest living things on earth. Because it lives so long, we might think it is found in mild, favorable climates. But the opposite is true. The bristle cones are found in the harshest conditions – high altitudes, extreme temperatures, lack of water. Those are the conditions that produce a tree strong enough to survive and thrive in adversity.
Finally, we ask what happens when we wait on the Lord? What are the benefits to waiting?
Psalm 27:14 – God strengthens our heart. As we sit in His waiting room—fallen, broken, bowed down, and we keep placing our confidence in God, keep learning from Him, He gives inner resources to keep us going. (Isaish 40:31 promises renewed strength.
Don’t set time limits on God. Have you noticed He’s on a different schedule than you are?
Whenever you encounter a difficult situation, your choice is to wait or to worry, to anticipate God, or get angry, to grow or groan, to submit or struggle.
Psalm 40:1-3 assures us that our time in the “Waiting Pit” will eventually end. He will give us a “new song” to sing when we spend our time learning from Him.
I think one of our greatest fears is that we will come to the end of our waiting period and discover we were wasting time. It won’t be a waste if it brings us closer to God. God is never so close to us as when He is pruning us. The fruit may be internal not external, but there is fruit.
Waiting on God will be worth it
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