Election Day Sermon

Did you know that beginning as early as 1633, for over 250 years in America the Election Day Sermon was common practice? These sermons were most often preached the morning of a particularly important election.

Tim Ewing writes that although each Election Day Sermon was unique, they all shared common aspects. These sermons always addressed from a biblical perspective one or more of the following five points:

1. The foundation required for social order.

2. The purpose and legitimate functions of civil government.

3. The duties that civil authorities owe to the people they serve.

4. The duties that citizens owe to civil leaders/institutions.

5. the qualifications for candidates being considered for public office.

This Sunday, November 2, 2008, I will be preaching an Election Day Sermon. No, I won't tell you who to vote for. I wouldn't do that even if the IRS said I could. I respect soul freedom to much to do that. However, I will be sharing some biblical principles that I believe are essential for voting as an informed Christian citizen. What kind of qualities should we expect in our leaders? Does the Bible address the kinds of issues that matter to God? Come discover this Sunday what God's Word has to say on these matters. And of course, don't forget to exercise the privilege that you have as a citizen to vote.

For His Glory!

Pastor Joe

Special Message: What To Do With Your Worry

This Sunday, October 19th at the 10:30 a.m. service only, I will be sharing a message on "What To Do With Your Worry." It's been kind of scary lately with everything that has been happening in the financial markets and the economy in general. We are living in anxious times, but the Lord has a word of encouragement for us. Use this opportunity to invite someone to worship with you this week. The message will be very practical as to what we can do with our worry and will focus on Christ as our refuge in uncertain times. See you Sunday.

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

Sermon Text for Sunday, October 19, 2008

Malachi 3:6-12 (New King James Version)

[6] “ For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

[7] Yet from the days of your fathers
You have gone away from My ordinances
And have not kept them.
Return to Me, and I will return to you,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“ But you said,
‘ In what way shall we return?’

[8] “ Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘ In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.

[9] You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.

[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

[11] “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the LORD of hosts;

[12] And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the LORD of hosts.

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

Sermon Text for Sunday, October 12, 2008

Malachi 2:10-16

[10] Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? [11] Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. [12] As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob—even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty.

[13] Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. [14] You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

[15] Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

[16] "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe

Sermon Text for Sunday, October 5, 2008

GONE FISHING!
John 21:1-6

[1] After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: [2] Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. [3] Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately[a] got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. [5] Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.” [6] And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe