Andy Talks

Today in our readings, we are told that we can do nothing apart from Jesus and that our greatest calling is to abide in Him.  But how do we do that?  How is it that we abide in Jesus?  

Today in our reading, we look at John 14: 25-27.  Jesus tells us that He will leave us peace. The Holy Spirit, the Advocate will be there for us.  He does not give to us as the world gives.  He gives peace. Today, if we do not have peace, ask yourself this.  Are we being formed more by the media (tv, social, news) that we consume, or more by Scripture and the Holy Spirit?  Jesus leaves us with peace. The world never will.  

In  our sermon from our Easter Traditional Service, Andy look at John 20: 1-23.  Nothing was the same after the resurrection.  Nothing could be back to normal. What does it mean for us to think about going back to normal?  Do we want to do that?  Or is there a better way? 

Today on this Good Friday we look at one of Jesus' last words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  In this moment, we fill the weight of the sin all around Jesus and the full of effect of it. This sounds like a moment of defeat for Jesus. But, when we understand that Jesus is actually quoting Psalm 22, this moment turns from defeat into a moment of victory.

Today on this Maundy Thursday, we look at John 13: 31-35.  Jesus models for us love with service and with the meal. Then He tells us that the world will know we are His disciples not by our political stands.  Or theological stands.  Or that we are right.  He tells us that they will know we are His by our love.  Of the things that God can and probably will judge the world, the church, and me over will be our lack of love.  That is how they will know we are His. By our love.  

The Wednesday of Holy Week is often called Spy Wednesday. This is the day when Judas agrees to betray Jesus.  This is a warning to us.  At some point, Judas was willing to leave all that he had to follow Jesus and was trusted by the other disciples.  Today we see Satan enter and he betrays everything and everyone.  Be on guard against the devil and against evil today.  He longs to cause to betray what is good and pure.

In our Holy Tuesday scripture, we see that after Jesus cursed the fig tree on Monday, the disciples find it withered on Tuesday.  Why is this fig tree dead?  This passage always confused me.  But, we will see that this passage shows us a lot about the truth and bearing fruit, and is a great warning for us going into Holy Week and Easter.

In our Holy Week reflections, we'll look each day at what happened in the life of Jesus. Today is Holy Monday and we look at Matthew 21: 12-17.  We see Jesus cleansing the Temple, driving out those selling animals and the money changers.  Jesus is making it easier for folks to enter into the Temple to worship.  What would He find if He came into our churches? Are we doing all that we can to make sure as many as possible know about Jesus? 

In the last sermon in our series on the Apostles' Creed, we look at the forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Forgiveness is as much an essential part of the Christian faith as is the Trinity and the Resurrection.  In the end, we will be made whole and restored.  

Today we read from Jeremiah 29: 1-7.  We see that God commands the exiles to work for the good of the city.  Even though Babylon is not their home, they are to work for its good. For it's good is their good. As the children of God, they are to work for good wherever they find themselves.  Same for us.  Let us work for the good of our city. Let us never be so heavenly-minded we are no earthly good.

Today in our reflection, we look at Hebrews 2: 5-10.  We see in this passage that Christ suffered as we do. Today, we learn how this suffering can bind us to the deep heart of God's love for us.  As hard as our suffering can be, it can have a divine purpose.

Tonight in Bible Study we are going to look at the some the reasons to fast and see what the practical ways that we can fast. What are some useful tools for this discipline.  

Today we look at a passage that really lays out life, John 10: 9-11.  The devil longs to rob our joy, kill our lives, and destroy us for all eternity.  Jesus came that we can have life and have it abundantly. Today is a gift.  Today is a joy.  Live abundantly.  Learn the difference between what the devil wants to do and what Jesus came to do.  He came that we may live, fully and abundantly.

Today we look at one of my favorite Psalms, 121.  In this passage, we are reminded to lift up our eyes to where our help comes from - the Lord.  He is your help, He is your protector, He is your hope.  Never forget that. He is with you. He loves you. And He will keep you.

Today we look at John 9: 1-6.  In this passage the disciples see a man born blind and they ask Jesus this question. Whose fault is this?  Who sinned for this to happen, him or his parents?  Jesus gives an answer they did not expect and shows a different purpose for this and all of life.  

In our message from March 21, Andy shares with us from 1 Corinthians 12: 21-27.  Today we continue looking at the Apostles' Creed and we focus on the Holy Spirit.  We see the role the Spirit plays in the Trinity, our salvation, and the Church, which is open to persons of all races and nations.  Racism has no place in Christ's Church.  

Today in our morning reflections, we look at John 6: 25-27.  In this passage, we see Jesus ask the people, what are they working for?  Are they spending all their time and effort working for the stuff of earth, are they working to know Him?  When we work only for this moment and to satisfy the body, we miss life. When we work to know Jesus, we find all that we could ever desire.

Today we look at John 6: 11-15.  This is the very end of the story where Jesus feeds the 5,000.  We see at the end of this, they want to take Jesus and make Him a king. But what they wanted from Jesus wasn't what Jesus came to do. His plan wasn't their plan.  What do we do when Jesus' plan isn't our plan?  What do we do then?  

In our Traditional Message, Andy looks at Hebrews 1:1-4.  In our focus on the Creed we will look at His ascension, His sitting at the right hand of the Father, and His return, and what this means for our life, and the power we have at our disposal.  

Today in our morning reflections, we learn one of the most important things we need to know in our spiritual growth.  The devil is a liar. Tempation is a lie.  Temptation promises us life, joy, fun, all these things. But it is a lie.  It will destroy us. Once we understand this truth, we are more easily able to defeat it, through the power of the Spirit.  The devil is a liar.  Tempation is a lie.  Remember that truth.