April 2017 - Message from Bill

Christ died, but death did not conquer Him. On the first day of the week He would come forth triumphantly from the grave. He would show Himself to hundreds of witnesses that He was alive. He not only atoned for sin, but He demonstrated His Mastery over death in the process. The resurrection of Christ was a stamp of approval that He did indeed buy back sin through His dying. Paul wrote that Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:14). It's important that we know how the early church preached as much about the death of Christ as it did about the resurrection. Paul wrote, "We preach Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23); "I determine not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (2:2). So, again, without the work of Christ on the cross, the resurrection would merely be something to stand back and admire. Don't misunderstand what I am saying. I am not saying that the cross is more important than the resurrection or visa versa. The point I am trying to make is that we sometimes do pass over the meaning of the death of Christ on the way to celebrate the resurrection. It is the Cross that gives meaning to the resurrection of life. In the words of the apostle Paul, every believer's deepest desire should be: "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11). This month, we, as the body of Christ, will be remembering both the cross and the resurrection. And it will all start with the Good Friday Service on April 14th at 7pm. There will be music and a message remembering what Christ did for us on the cross. Then on Resurrection Sunday, there will be our annual Sunrise Service at Ramona Oaks Park in the Country Estates at 6:30 am. As always, there will be coffee, hot chocolate and donuts. This has always been a special time for us all to reflect on the events of Christ's resurrection. Afterwards, there will be an Open-Breakfast at the church from 7am - 9:30 am. Plan to attend and enjoy the fellowship and good food prepared for you. Then we will conclude our Sunday morning with our Easter Cantata at 10 am in the Sanctuary. The purpose of all these events is to praise, honor and glorify God.

March 2017 - Message from Bill

When Peter stood by the fire in Caiapha's courtroom, it was the greatest crisis of his life. He must have relived it over and over again in his mind, wishing he could take back his words, "I do not know Him!" He had said it not once, but three times. Somewhere in the night a rooster crowed out and reminded Peter of his failure. In that terrible moment, Peter looked over his shoulder and caught the eye of the One who loved him more than life. Peter turned his face from the fire and wept. What hurt Peter more - the smoke from fire in his eyes or the conviction of what he had just done?

It's easy for us to be hard on Peter. How could he have done such a thing? Wasn't it Peter who just hours before vowed, "Others will turn away, Lord, but not me."

Peter's guilt could have caused him to be cynical. "What was I thinking to believe He was the Christ, anyway?" He could have run. He could have become hardened with unbelief. But that's not the Peter we meet three days later running to the empty tomb. That's not the Peter who steps out of the boat to get to Jesus. That's not the Peter that Jesus pulls aside in a private conversation that restores his friendship and ministry. Did Peter and Jesus talk about that terrible moment by the fire in their conversation? We don't know. That's between them. But what we do know is that Peter's crisis had taken him to the right place with God. Sin prompts repentance. And repentance had turned Peter around to meet the face of grace. He recognized his sin. He understood the problem. He turned away from sin and turned to the Lord with a whole heart. He was now stronger, more humble and ready for greater days ahead. That's what revival does.

February 2017 - Message from Bill

Years ago, the Christian songwriter Steve Green, wrote a song entitled, "Find Us Faithful". The song asks the question: Will those who come after us look back and see that we Christian believers remained faithful? That song still rings true today. The fire is flickering. The footprints are few. The storm clouds of persecution are gathering. The winds are blowing. But no matter how difficult times may be, we are not to let our hearts be troubled.

The Lord is our strength and I believe He is raising up a new generation of believers. Young people today are becoming more fervent in their faith. Young Christians today are counting the cost. They are taking a stand and God will honor their faithfulness. The time has come. Who among us will risk everything for the cause of Christ? Who among us is willing to rise up and declare that we are still one nation under God? "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (Chronicles 7:14)

The problems facing America today can't be solved in Washington D.C. Real hope and change can't be found at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The problems that America faces today can only be found at the foot of the cross. Hollywood and the mainstream media would have us believe that we are the minority. Don't believe it. We together are a mighty force.

So what are we going to do about it? We need Christians who are willing to stand firm in their faith. We need patriots who are willing to defend religious liberty. Yes, they may demand to know the content of our prayers. Yes, they may tell us that we can't have a religious symbol in our front yard. But we can't be bullied. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced.