In John's Gospel Jesus is confronted with the news that a close friend named Lazarus is very sick, but Jesus decides to wait two days before returning to help. Lazarus dies before Jesus arrives, but Jesus tells his disciples that he is "glad" that he wasn't there because they will soon see his power (when he raises Lazarus from the dead), "so that you may believe". Why does God have the right to use our lives (our hurt, pain, even deaths) to further his will? And How could Jesus stand by and let someone he loves die? The Love and Wisdom of God are revealed by Jesus.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
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, August 7, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
A Lesson from my dog...
One of our dogs hasn't been feeling very well of late. Not eating, stomach problems, lethargic, that sort of thing. The problem is that we can't ask her what is wrong. Was it something she ate, is she in pain, is she sad that she misplace her favorite bone? Who knows.
The thought occured to me that many people act the same way. They go through struggles, difficulties, and troubles without ever letting those who care about them know it. Why do people hid their pain? Usually it is some mixture of shame, fear, pride, or stubborness. What will people say if they know what I've done? What will people think if they know what I'm afraid of? How will people look at me when they know how much I've let them down? I don't care how much it hurts, I'm going to fix this myself.
Maybe you've had some of those thoughts, maybe you're saying something like that right now. There are two very good reasons why you should let other people help you through tough times in your life. The first is that we're not meant to fight those battles alone. God created us to be social, to lean on each other, to offer mutal support. We're designed this way. When we try to do everything on our own, we make things much more difficult and miss out on the love that our friends, family, and church would offer if only we would let them. The second reason why we should ask for help is because we deny those same friends, family members, and church members the chance to be Christ-like when we don't go to them for help. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have an obligation to support and help those in need. The only way that we will grow as Christians is by serving others. If we all try to solve everything on our own, none of us will grow to be the mature Christians that God wants us to be.
The next time you face something difficult in life, rather than digging a moat around yourself so that nobody can get in, try instead to build a bridge so that someone can show you how much they love you. As God's Word reminds us, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (I Peter 5:7) Go to God, go to his people; we are his hands, his feet, here to serve each other, here to carries the burdens of those in need.
The thought occured to me that many people act the same way. They go through struggles, difficulties, and troubles without ever letting those who care about them know it. Why do people hid their pain? Usually it is some mixture of shame, fear, pride, or stubborness. What will people say if they know what I've done? What will people think if they know what I'm afraid of? How will people look at me when they know how much I've let them down? I don't care how much it hurts, I'm going to fix this myself.
Maybe you've had some of those thoughts, maybe you're saying something like that right now. There are two very good reasons why you should let other people help you through tough times in your life. The first is that we're not meant to fight those battles alone. God created us to be social, to lean on each other, to offer mutal support. We're designed this way. When we try to do everything on our own, we make things much more difficult and miss out on the love that our friends, family, and church would offer if only we would let them. The second reason why we should ask for help is because we deny those same friends, family members, and church members the chance to be Christ-like when we don't go to them for help. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have an obligation to support and help those in need. The only way that we will grow as Christians is by serving others. If we all try to solve everything on our own, none of us will grow to be the mature Christians that God wants us to be.
The next time you face something difficult in life, rather than digging a moat around yourself so that nobody can get in, try instead to build a bridge so that someone can show you how much they love you. As God's Word reminds us, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (I Peter 5:7) Go to God, go to his people; we are his hands, his feet, here to serve each other, here to carries the burdens of those in need.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sermon Video: Restraining Sensual Indulgence - Colossians 2:20-23
Do groups that attempt to isolate themselves from the world, like medieval monks or the Amish of today, hold the key to holiness? What is the value of self-denial (Asceticism)? Paul explains why this belief is misguided and ultimately fails to accomplish its goal, the restraint of sensual indulgence.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The 4th Annual Ecumenical Sunday: Music from the choir
The King B9's choir from the Cathedral of St. Andrew (Grand Rapids)
Performing at the First Baptist Church of Palo under the direction of Tom Good
"Jesus Met the Woman at the Well"
"Here I am Lord"
and a duet by Nicole Powell and Tom Good
"And all these things will be added"
to watch the video, click on the link below:
Music Video
Performing at the First Baptist Church of Palo under the direction of Tom Good
"Jesus Met the Woman at the Well"
"Here I am Lord"
and a duet by Nicole Powell and Tom Good
"And all these things will be added"
to watch the video, click on the link below:
Music Video
Sermon Video: "A Tale of Two Child Kings" - II Chronicles 33-35
The lives of these two child kings of Judah, Manasseh and Josiah illustrate the responsibility that each man and woman has before God. Manasseh had a righteous father, Hezekiah, but turned into one of Judah's most wicked kings. Josiah had a wicked father, Amon, but became one of the nation's most God-honoring kings. In both cases, these men defied that "apple doesn't fall far from the tree" mentality. In the end, we must all answer to God for what we do with the situation we find ourselves in.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
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