One of the Bible's unsung heroes, the unnamed blind man healed by Jesus, stands up against the powerful Pharisees, a religious group with a reputation for piety and self-righteousness. When he asks them if they want to become Jesus' disciples too, they throw him out. Jesus seeks out the healed man and asks him if he believes in the Son of Man. What was his response when Jesus told him he was looking at the same man who had healed him? "Lord, I believe." Jesus' care for this one forgotten man illustrates the lengths that God will go to in the ongoing effort to share his Grace and Mercy with us all.
To watch the video, click on the links below:
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2
This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Play Ball!
Today is that quintessential American day, the opening day of Baseball. In the tradition of the fans of generations past, most true-believers think that there team has a chance this year. Well, maybe not in Cub fans, but just about everybody else. There's something special about being able to start over fresh each year. No matter how well, or how poorly, last year went, this year starts from scratch. In life, most of us could use a fresh start from time to time. Perhaps our career needs a restart, perhaps our finances, or perhaps it is our relationships that need to be revamped and renewed.
In keeping with my firm belief that God must love baseball (you did see "Field of Dreams", right?), the Covenant that he made with the people of Israel contained this concept of starting over. Every fiftieth year was a Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), a year when all property reverted to its original owner and all slaves were given their freedom. The purpose of the Law was to give those who had fallen on hard times a second chance. No family would be down and out forever, and nobody's wealth could grow to great at the expense of his neighbors. This may not make economic sense in the modern economy, but it certainly makes spiritual sense. We've all spent time heading down road that lead to nowhere, and we've all done serious damage to relationships that mean a lot to us. As Easter approaches, consider the opportunities that you have to reconcile to those whom you've hurt, and take the God-honored step of going to those who have hurt you and letting you know that you've forgiven them. What grudge is worth holding on to year after year, what offense is worth the destruction that it does to our own souls when we cling to it?
Our God is the God of second chances, he gave one to Moses, David, Rahab, Ruth, Elijah, Johanh, Peter and Paul, just to name a few. Why not imitate our heavenly father and be the people of second chances? A new season offers new hope, and a new chance. Go Tigers!
In keeping with my firm belief that God must love baseball (you did see "Field of Dreams", right?), the Covenant that he made with the people of Israel contained this concept of starting over. Every fiftieth year was a Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), a year when all property reverted to its original owner and all slaves were given their freedom. The purpose of the Law was to give those who had fallen on hard times a second chance. No family would be down and out forever, and nobody's wealth could grow to great at the expense of his neighbors. This may not make economic sense in the modern economy, but it certainly makes spiritual sense. We've all spent time heading down road that lead to nowhere, and we've all done serious damage to relationships that mean a lot to us. As Easter approaches, consider the opportunities that you have to reconcile to those whom you've hurt, and take the God-honored step of going to those who have hurt you and letting you know that you've forgiven them. What grudge is worth holding on to year after year, what offense is worth the destruction that it does to our own souls when we cling to it?
Our God is the God of second chances, he gave one to Moses, David, Rahab, Ruth, Elijah, Johanh, Peter and Paul, just to name a few. Why not imitate our heavenly father and be the people of second chances? A new season offers new hope, and a new chance. Go Tigers!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sermon Video: John 9:13-25 "I was blind but now I see!"
What is the response to Jesus healing a man born blind? Wonder? Gratitude? No, controversy. The healing took place on the Sabbath when "work" was forbidden. What kind of man heals with the power of God on the Sabbath? The healed man's famous response to being questioned on the matter, "One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see!"
To watch the video, click on the links below:
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2
To watch the video, click on the links below:
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
We are indeed all mortals...Isaiah 40:7-8
"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”
I came across this text today, quoted by Peter in I Peter 1:24-25, and it reminded me of conversations I've had in the last 24 hours with my mother and my mother-in-law about two of our relatives whose health is failing and for whom we've been praying. We have a rather long life expectancy in America, but in the view of eternity, our time here is short. What do we make of this? Do we shout "carpe diem" and try to live each day like it is our last, or do we plan long-term and try to leave something behind that will last when we're gone? The answer is both. We must strive to make each day count, but we must also be wise builders who invest in the future and who take our responsibility seriously as members of the body of Christ. God's Church will continue long after we're gone, his Word will endure forever. God willing, the sacrifices we make for his kingdom will be enjoyed by the next generation.
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”
I came across this text today, quoted by Peter in I Peter 1:24-25, and it reminded me of conversations I've had in the last 24 hours with my mother and my mother-in-law about two of our relatives whose health is failing and for whom we've been praying. We have a rather long life expectancy in America, but in the view of eternity, our time here is short. What do we make of this? Do we shout "carpe diem" and try to live each day like it is our last, or do we plan long-term and try to leave something behind that will last when we're gone? The answer is both. We must strive to make each day count, but we must also be wise builders who invest in the future and who take our responsibility seriously as members of the body of Christ. God's Church will continue long after we're gone, his Word will endure forever. God willing, the sacrifices we make for his kingdom will be enjoyed by the next generation.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sermon Video: John 9:1-12, the Sin of the Man Born Blind
Why was this man born blind? Jesus' answer to his disciples question shows us that we cannot view all suffering as a punishment for sin. Sin causes suffering, but not all suffering is from sin. God wants us to help the less fortunate, not blame them. Jesus offers light in the darkness and truth for those who seek him.
To watch the sermon, click on the links below
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2
To watch the sermon, click on the links below
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2
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