"I've Got Your Back"

Our Youth from HOPE are going rock climbing this Sunday afternoon.  If you have never been rock climbing at one of these indoor places, you ought to stop in sometime and observe.  It is very interesting to watch.  

There are two ways to climb the rock walls.  One is a kind of free-style.  You are on your own.  You powder you hands so your grip won’t slip as easily.  And you can choose different walls to climb in accordance to the difficulty.  Here is the problem with this choice (in my opinion), while individually challenging, it is individually challenging.  In other words, there is no one to have your back.  If you miss a grip, well, you fall on the mats below.

The other way to rock climb walls in one of these venues is to belay.  Belay is a different way of climbing.  First, you have to have a partner.  You cannot belay alone.  Second, you have to be trained in the proper technique of belaying before you can even start.  If you have not been trained, you CANNOT climb one of the belay walls.  These walls are higher, steeper, more difficult and more dangerous.  Someone has to have your back.  Oh, by the way, belaying has to do with a rope being attached to you and your partner.  You are linked and dependent on him or her to guard or climb and protect your fall.  It is very interesting to watch.

I was reading in my devotion this week the call of Moses by God at the burning bush in Midian at Mount Horeb.  You all know the story of God’s call for Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt.  As God comes calling, Moses rebukes, “I cannot do it!  I’m not a leader. I’m not a speaker. No one will listen to me!”  God says, “Hey Moses, I’ve got your back.  I AM! and tell them I Am has sent you?  Furthermore, I’ll give you a partner to help you and guard you, and even protect you as you go.  Aaron, your brother will be at  your side.”  Moses took on the mission and lived into it fully, for he had partners in God and Aaron.  They had his back.

So often, in our walk, we try to go it alone like the individual style of rock climbing.  We say, “I don’t need someone else to help me.  I’ve got this by myself.”  While an admirable challenge, in life we need a partner.  In our Christian life, even more so.  Satan and this world is going to throw every challenge and road block to make you fall.  Satan’s purpose in life is to cause your failure.  When you have someone who has your back, who is there for you to help in times of need, trouble, or to steer you back onto the right path, man, what a great asset in life.

I was talking to a close friend on Sunday and we were talking about this very thing.  He said he had told someone that he had two men in his life that he could call any time of any day and say, “I need you” and they would be there without question.  I’m one of those men in his life and I know that those two would do the same for me.  They have my back.  They challenge me to walk with Christ, holding me accountable to HIM who has called me.  These two men in my life live into 1st Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 

Do you have someone you have partnered with, belayed with (become attached to), to have your back?  Someone who holds you accountable in your walk with Christ?  Someone who steers you the right way when you seem to take a wrong turn?  Someone who challenges you and you know will be there for you at any cost?  I hope you have that person in your life.  But know this!  Our God is always with you and will not forsake you and HE too has your back.  As a true believer, your life is secure in Him and nothing will be able to separate you from Him!  As with Moses, if He calls you, He will equip you.  How awesome is this folks, to know that God has your back!

Blessings my friends, 

Pastor Marty 

Worship, Grow & Serve 

                     

"Tell The Story"

“That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.  And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into the boat and sat down, and the who crowd was standing on the beach.  And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying…” Matthew 13:1-3a

“Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying…” Matthew 22:1

Over and over again in the gospel, especially the Gospel of Matthew, we hear “Jesus spoke to them again in a parable.”  The definition of a Parable is: “a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.  A statement or comment that converts a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.” dictionary.com 

Jesus used these stories He told them to convey a truth, religious principle, or moral lesson that would cause one to think, gain wisdom, or in some cases be confused.  Often, after telling one of these simple stories, Jesus would have to go back and explain what the story meant to bring understanding.  Still, groups like the Pharisees did not understand what he was saying because they did not KNOW Him.

The true church of Jesus Christ calls the world, “A lost world” because the world does not know Him.  How can you understand who someone is unless you know them?  To know Christ is to have a relationship with Him.  To know Christ is to study His Word?  To know Christ is to communicate with Him in prayer.  Otherwise, He is nothing more than a religious figure.  It is important to know the stories of Christ so you get to know Him.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with one of my congregational members who lost her mom this week.  During those few hours I got to know her and her mom because of the stories that were shared.  They were precious stories from the heart and such a blessing for me to hear.  Stories that shaped her, carried her, and now sustain her.  But here is the thing, because she is a follower of Jesus Christ and her mom was a follower of Jesus Christ, the stories Jesus told remind her that this is not the end.  There is more!  In fact, a reuniting one day!  Stories are important.  

Our own stories shape us into who we are.  Our understanding of HIS story and how His story impacts our lives saves us and brings us into His eternal story.  How precious!  How fantastic is that!!!

I would invite you to begin to share your story of Christ with others.  You will be surprised how many people will listen.  People love stories.  When you share your authentic story of Christ, the Holy Spirit will draw those He is working on to Him.  His desire is for us to tell the STORY and what better example do we have?

Blessings, 

Pastor Marty   

Worship, Grow & Serve                      

“20/20 A Focus on Holiness”

HOPE EPC Raleigh celebrated their 8th Anniversary on January 1, 2017.  God has been gracious to HOPE and has lead us through some curves and crannies that were unexpected.  He has even taken us down some paths unknown.  But in the end, the Leadership and the church has united around His direction for HOPE even if it meant abandoning our own.

This past Sunday during our brunch together I asked if anyone would like to share a word about HOPE, maybe a memory or what HOPE means to them.  Many uplifted up testimonies to the work of the LORD in and through HOPE in their lives.  One of the most special testimonies was when one shared how they had come to Christ through work of the Holy Spirit and HOPE.  If HOPE was started just for this one soul, everything minute was worth it.

One of the things I noticed as I listened to individuals share was how often I heard, “We are a church who preaches and teaches the Word of God and I have grown so much.”  There were those who lifted up our Children and Youth ministries and how our children and youth are getting a strong foundation in Christ.  One grandmother shared that her 5 year old granddaughter, at the local playground, went around to each child there and asked if they knew Jesus.  Come on folks, how precious is that?

One of the focuses early on at HOPE was to preach the Word, to give context, history, and relationship of the text to that period of time and to us today.  I believe we have maintained that focus.  So many churches today are topical in nature and still, God is using that approach to further His kingdom.  Many of those churches are filled and have multi-services to meet the crowds.  I still feel God calling HOPE church to be Word driven in its preaching and teaching.  We are an Evangelical congregation who loves the LORD and loves to learn more about Him who has saved us.

We have been preaching through 1st Corinthians at HOPE.  We started the sermon series on September 13, 2015.  Yes that is right 2015.  Except for the seasons of Advent and Lent, 1st Corinthians has been our focus.  The sermon series is titled, “20/20 A Focus on Holiness.”  I have shared with our congregation that the Apostle Paul’s intent of the letter is for the believers of Corinth, (and forward) to have a clear vision (20/20) of who Christ is, what He has done, and how we are to live with Him as our Savior and LORD (living a Holy life).  We will finish the series the last Sunday in February before heading into Lent 2017.

Because we have focused on a life of “Holiness” over this past year and half, I have had many of the HOPE congregants tell me how they have grown in the knowledge and understanding of how to live a holy life for Christ.  How they have gained understanding of the context of the time Paul was writing to the believers in Corinth.  

Many people claim to know God today, about 80% say they believe in a higher being.  When you start to add, do you believe in Jesus Christ and have been born again, it drops to about 33%.  When you add the question, do you attend church regularly, pray and read the Bible, the percentage drops to 8%.  Listen to this, if you add “Do you have the inward character to live a holy life for Christ?” the percentages drop to about 2%. 

Folks, while our belief in Christ is central to our salvation, (and salvation is secure), God’s desire is for us to know Him more, Worship Him more, Grow in Him more, Serve Him more, and share His love and story more.  He calls us to holy living for Him.  I want to challenge everyone reading this article to a focus on Holiness in HIM during 2017 giving HIM the glory for it all!

Blessings, 

Pastor Marty   

Worship, Grow & Serve                      

“In 2017 Take Hold of the ONE Who Took Hold of You”

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1st John 1:5

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD…”  Jeremiah 29:11    

Yesterday we traveled up to Boone, NC to take our son, David, back to school.  Yes, earlier than usual because of his work schedule.  West of Winston Salem on Hwy. 421 the clouds and fog were setting down on the mountains and the visibility was low.  We have traveled this road a lot over the past couple of decades and know it well.  That helps greatly when you cannot see very far ahead of you.

Any time I travel in fog my mind goes back to August of 1977.  I had moved to Four Oaks, NC and was stationed at POPE AFB adjacent to Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC.  I was told there was a back way to POPE and Bragg that was shorter than going down I-95.  Traveling the back roads through Lillington and Manchester Road you can cut off 30 to 40 minutes.  That sounded great to me.

First week of traveling that way, the 4th trip to work, I left home as usual at 5 a.m.  It took me about 60 minutes to get to my Squadron Headquarters and I needed to be armed and ready for inspection at 6:30 a.m.  It was a little foggy when I left home, but by the time I reached Lillington, I could hardly see 10 feet in front of the car.  I turned onto Manchester Road, south of Lillington, hoping the fog would clear up, but it actually got worst.  I was driving too fast for the conditions because I was afraid of being late for work.  I didn’t know the roads very well because I had not traveled that way but 3 times before.  Add the fog to this, well, it was a recipe for disaster and that is exactly what happened.  

I remember looking down at the speedometer to see how fast I was going.  It read 50 miles/hour.  I looked up and could not see a foot in front of me.  It was then I felt the left tire run off the left side of the road.  Realizing I was on the left side I jerked the steering wheel to compensate and that was it.  My car began to flip and ended upside down on a bank on the right hand side of the road.  All the windows were busted out, top flatten, and the engine smoking.  I was not wearing seatbelt, but remember, it was 1977.  I crawled out the back window, cutting myself up a little, but I felt safe now that I was out of the car.  I walked around trying to get me bearings and realized I had kept straight on a right hand curve having driven off the left side and my correction caused me to flip and wreak.  What happened next is interesting also, but I’ll tell that another time.  

My point of telling the story is this, first, I did not know my way that morning, not being familiar with the roads, the path I was traveling became a liability for me.  Secondly, the conditions, in this case, the fog, hindered my ability to see what was ahead.  I was throwing caution to the wind trying to make work in time thus all the negative factors came into play.

Folks, we are about to begin a new year, 2017.  My best advice to you and me in this coming year is to be familiar with the ONE that can guide us.  Knowing the WAY is how we will stay on the road and not veer off, finding ourselves trying to correct ourselves instead of allowing HIM to lead, and cause a wreak of our lives.  HE knows the plans for us, the way for us, let Him guide our way.

We also need the Light.  Often in this world Satan is trying his best to darken our way, our path ahead, so we will be derailed.  Don’t let that happen.  Stay steady in 2017 allowing God to light our path so that we can see each step of the way.  God is Light and in Him there is NO darkness.  When we depend on Him it doesn’t mean there won’t be fog ahead, hard times, or even some valleys to go through, but it does mean He will be with us each mile, each step, each mountain peak and each valley.  That’s the God He is!

So, in 2017 take hold of the ONE that took hold of you and don’t let go,  Worship, Grow, and Serve and watch the journey that unfolds.  It’s going to be a good one!

Blessings,

Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow & Serve                      

“The ONE!”

Following Mary and Elizabeth’s encounter as recorded by Luke in 1:39-56, Luke goes on in the following verses to announce the birth of John who would later be called John the Baptist.  If you remember the earlier story in Luke where the angel of the Lord came to Zacharias to tell him Elizabeth would give birth to a son who would be the forerunner to the Messiah.  Zacharias questioned the angel and his mouth was shut.  He could no longer speak.  It was not until after John’s birth when he was named by Zacharias, on a tablet when asked what he shall be called, that his mouth was opened and he cold speak again.  And my, was he able to speak!  I want you to hear what Zacharias had to say as recorded in: 

Luke 1:67-79:   

“And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying; ‘Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the old, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him  all our days.  And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise form on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’”

I want you to notice that the Holy Spirit came upon Zacharias just as it had come upon Elizabeth before she spoke her blessed announcement to Mary.  Zacharias tells us that redemption has come, not in the person of his son, but in Jesus the Christ.  His son is prophet of the Most High who will prepare the people for His ways and guide them in the knowledge of salvation by forgiveness of their sins. 

What a blessed message from the father of John the Baptist.  He not only sets the stage for the ministry of his son, but the redemption through the promised ONE, Jesus Christ.  Jesus, the ONE, who brings Sunshine into darkness.  Jesus, the ONE, who guides us to eternal peace.  There is no other!

You see, all of the Journey to Bethlehem points to the ONE and only Jesus Christ, who came into the world that the world might be saved through Him.  There is no other way!  

On this Sunday, Christmas Day, let us again give thanks for the ONE, who was, who is, and is to come!!!  Hallelujah!!!

Merry Christmas to all of you,                                                                                                    Pastor Marty       

Worship, Grow & Serve

"Team Work for Christ"

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  And He said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.  Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.  Immediately they left the boat and their father, 

and followed Him.” 

Matthew 4:18-22

This is a very familiar text of Jesus calling His disciples.  We know that He went on from calling these four mentioned here to calling another eight for a total of twelve disciples.  And we know from scripture that though He called twelve for His “inner circle,” there were other followers that traveled with them from place to place during His ministry.

I could go many different directions with this text today, but want to focus on one concept that I believe very few think about when it comes to the paradigm Jesus set up in His ministry.  I was reminded of that on Saturday night.

This past Saturday night Emma Grace, my daughter, had basketball practice with her SCCS Middle School team.  They had their first game on Monday in Fayetteville.  As I watched the coach lead practice and as I listened to her teach these 12 to 14 year old young ladies, she kept emphasizing working together and playing as a team.

We have all heard the statement, “There is No ‘I” in Team!”  And yes that is true!  But often it appears many think that there is.  You have players on teams that certainly have more talent, are more capable of playing at a higher level than others on the team.  But it is still a team.  You don’t put your basketball team on the court with one player and leave the rest of the team on the bench.  The player could be Michael Jordan, but he would still lose.  No matter how great a player he is, playing against five on another team, he would lose!  We hear it all the time.  Team Work is a must!!!!

While we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in our salvation, that does not mean that we walk alone.  Jesus called individuals to Himself.  Jesus saves us individually, but over and over again we see Him, after gathering them as individuals, bringing them together as a team.  He teaches them as a team.  He sends them out as a team (Luke 10).  You fast forward to the church that formed, as accounted for in the early chapters of Acts, and we again see them meeting together for meals, worship, and prayer.  The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelist for the gospel of Jesus Christ to ever live, took other men with him on his missionary journeys.

Yes, you need private time to study, pray, and mediate on God’s word and will for your life.  Jesus did the same.  But you cannot go it alone.  The paradigm Jesus put in place works perfectly.  We are to gather together with other BELIEVERS and worship, grow, and serve together for the cause of the Kingdom.  Sitting at home on Sunday mornings, staying away from Bible Studies, thinking, “I can do this myself,” is not the best plan.  Will that mindset take away your salvation?  Certainly not!  If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ and have surrendered your life to Him, your salvation is secure.  But, you will not grow as you should in Christ and serve His will for your life by only going it alone.  His plan is plurality!  Multiples! A Gathering of Believers!  And His plan works!!!

By the way, Emma Grace played their game this past Monday night and they won the very first ever basketball game for SCCS.  Their star player was a star, but she could not have done it without the other players like Emma supporting her on the team.  Team Work for Christ!!!  Let’s Go For It!

Blessings this Advent Season,

Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow, & Serve                      

“All Our Hope is Found in Him!”

I have always loved the 23rd Psalm, but there is one verse in this Psalm that runs through my mind constantly in the world in which we live today.  That verse is verse 4:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

You only have to read the Headlines each morning to realize the world we live in.  Here are only just a few:

“Women accused of stabbing boyfriend who drank her blood.”  

“The Great Smokies Burn: 100’s removed from their home as fires threaten Gatlinburg and Dollywood Resort.”  

“TRAGEDY OF HUGE PROPORTIONS:
At least 75 dead after Brazilian soccer team's plane crashes in Colombia.”  

“Mom charged for overdosing while shopping with 2-year-old daughter.”  

“Nick Cannon says Planned Parenthood engaging in 'modern day eugenics.”  

“War on ISIS: Seized documents reveal thousands of planned ISIS attacks around world.”

Those of you reading this know that just in today’s headlines, these are only the tip of the iceberg.  We are constantly bombarded with horrific things happening here in the US and around the world.  When there are good things happening those headlines are either buried on the back pages or at the very end of the newscast.  It’s kind of like, Oh, one more thing.  Here is a feel good story.

Let me ask you, did any of you see this headline on Tuesday, November 29th?  Some of you may have, but my guess is most did not and would never know.

“Underground Church movement grows in Iran despite regime's efforts.  Despite the Iranian regime’s best efforts to stop the spread of Christianity, a large underground church movement is growing.”  

You see, the positives in the midst of the negatives don’t seem to sell the news in any given cycle.

I read these headlines and verse 4 of the 23rd Psalm rang through my head.  The church of Jesus Christ is flourishing in Iran and also in China by the way, even though they are suppressed, persecuted, even killed for their faith in Jesus.  Yes, they can claim the verse: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  Folks, they live it everyday and their hope is ONLY found in the LORD!

We certainly live in perilous times.  The value of human life is at an all time low.  Though we have the greatest modern medicine in history, diseases are taking their toll on people.  Bodies still wear out.  Horrific accidents happen everyday.  Not a single one of us knows what today will bring.  Oh, I just gave a lot of negative headlines.  Sorry, just facts.  BUT here is the good news.  No matter how bad the bad news is, the good news is God is always with us, even to the end of the age (and that is even our age) Matthew 28:20

As we begin this celebration of the birth of Christ, let us not forget that Immanuel means “God with us.”  This baby born in Bethlehem, the Son of the Living God, Messiah, Savior of the World, came that we might have life in Him.  He came to give us HOPE, to give us PEACE, to COMFORT us, and give us LIFE, that though we die, we live because of Him.  

The Savior, Jesus the Christ, has done just that.  You can take it to the bank.  So even in this lost, demonic, Satan filled world, you are Safe, you are Kept, you are His and Nothing in all of creation can change that.   All our Hope is found in Him!

Hopefully verse 4 will stick in your head from now on too!

Blessings this Advent Season,

Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow, & Serve