August 2
Sunday School – Teacher Larry Rohrer
Subject – Faith and Wisdom
James 1:1-11
James wants us to come to a place where we can live in joy.
Faith is not an elective in the Christian life.
Everyone finds themselves in a struggle for joy, trust and faith.
God will always give us reliable guidance if we go to Him in faith and trust.
Psalm 90:12 – Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom
James – the half-brother of Jesus – and senior pastor to the church in Jerusalem taught practical action during a life of faith and the reality of trials.
If you were an artist, how would you paint “Joy in a Storm?”
Trials should be teaching us steadfastness.
What would Jesus do in today’s world?
The Bible suggests that He would:
Obey civil authorities
Love His neighbor
Assist those who need special help
He would not be afraid.
He would pray for the government and spiritual leaders.
The Bible is written for times like this – a time to feed our faith.
Stay in the Word.
Ask God for wisdom.
Your battle of faith will last your entire lifetime.
Be intentional about your faith and in sharing your faith.
Sermon by Jon Cassel
Subject – The Path to Restoration – John 21
Each of us can relate to mistakes and the need for restoration.
How would you like your mistakes recorded in the Bible – like Peter when he said to Jesus, “I will never deny you” then he promptly denied him three times.
Peter wept bitterly – then he went fishing.
Isn’t that how we react when we have sinned – go to work doing something familiar – but it doesn’t work out very well.
They caught nothing.
Have you ever tried doing something to forget a failure – but failed.
They were professional fishermen. Catching nothing was similar to a professional golfer not getting a ball in the hole during an entire game.
Then they heard Jesus – the Lord of the universe – call out, “Have you caught any fish?”
He really didn’t have to ask. He knew they hadn’t caught fish.
When they followed Jesus’ instruction to cast the net on the right side, they caught 153 fish.
Why was Peter counting fish and not sitting with Jesus?
Jesus saying, “Come and dine” reminds us that Jesus gives each of us a second (and many more) chance.
Jesus loves – us even when we have hurt Him.
It may have been an uncomfortable breakfast meeting.
Then Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”
Peter – “Yes, you know I am your friend.”
Jesus – “Take care of my lambs.”
Jesus – “Do you love me?”
Peter – “You know I am your friend.”
Jesus – “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus – “Do you love me?”
Peter – “You know I love you.”
Jesus – “Feed my sheep.”
Peter denied Jesus three times and Jesus restored him with three statements.
Restoration is a path. A journey.
Jesus chose leaders that probably would not be chosen as leaders in many of today’s churches.
When he told Peter about some future things, he asked Jesus, but what about John.
Jesus said, “What is that to you. You follow me.”
It is not my business how God deals with other people.
God was shaping Peter and He is shaping you.
We are all on a path. A journey.