“Jesus, The Anchor of the Soul”

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:23 - 25 (NASB)

As I read the news of today, certain headlines catch my eye.  One that I noticed this week read: “Suicide attempts among young American adults on rise, study says.”  It caught my eye, not in a way most of you reading this would think.  It was not just the word “Suicide,” but the term “young American adults.”  

Of course, as I read the article, some of the numbers are staggering.  In the past 10 years, the study shows (study by JAMA Psychiatry) that suicide attempts have risen 3 quarters of a percent.  And they says the increase is in young adults between the ages of 21 to 34.  One other fact that I was unaware of that they shared in the article was more women attempt suicide than men.  This article states from data collected by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention that on average: 121 take their lives everyday in American, 44,000 annually. How sad this is!

So I said, “Young adults” caught my eye in the headline.  Here is why!  It is not that I am unaware of the suicide rates in America, but when we are showing the rise over the past 10 plus years is in young adults, what does that say?  And, does it have anything to do with faith/church?  Does it have anything to do with this age group’s mass exodus from the church?

In an article The Barna Group posted in March of this year, the millennials (this age group of 21 to 34) view the church this way: 30% see no reason to go to church, 40% waffle in the middle of whether church is important, and 30% say church is an important part of their life.  With these statistics it is safe to say that about 1/2 of millennials (this age group) do not see church, the gathering for corporate worship, as a necessity and without Jesus, I believe true HOPE is lost.

So I began to ask myself, is there any correlation between these two data points?  And my answer is yes!  The Hebrews writer reminds us that we are to hold fast to our confession of HOPE and not forsake our assembly together.  In chapter 6 of Hebrews we read:

“In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest…” Hebrews 6: 17 - 20 

If we forsake worship of God, see no importance of this gathered community for encouragement and growth, for love and care, a place where your HOPE in Christ is made stronger, then there is a piece of the soul missing.  This HOPE in Christ “anchors” our soul.  Without it, the world and Satan and all the ills of the world will try to fill that void.  And Satan’s ploy is to tell us we have NO HOPE!  Satan’s message is “Why live?” And so many buy into it!

Folks!  It is so important for all of us to NOT give up on church, on God, on our assembling to grow in HIM who is our anchor of the soul.  The church has to continue to look for ways to impact these new generations that are coming along for the sake of the gospel.  Our children’s ministries and youth ministries have to be talking about these things.  Our youth and young adults have to understand the importance of church, and not let that go by the wayside in their college years and beyond.  We have to teach about Jesus who will anchor your soul.  Let us all pray that these statistics will change and Jesus, the anchor of the soul, becomes the priority again!

Blessings folks, 

Pastor Marty Duffell

Pastor of HOPE Church Raleigh - Worship - Grow - Serve

“The Ultimate First Responder”

Just a few days ago we passed through another September 11th or what we commonly now call - 9/11.  I would think that many of you reading this remember exactly where you were that day, that moment you got word about what was happening in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.  Yet there are many who do not.  Some were not born yet.  Some were too young to remember.  Some have only seen the pictures and heard the stories of that day that will live in our history forever.

What happened on 9/11 was a terrible tragedy and had a huge impact, not only on our nation and the world, but on so many families that lost love ones that day in all three areas.  Sometimes I think we forget that there were lost lives in Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.  We cannot forget any of ALL that took place that day.  For if we do not learn from it and remember, we will most certainly repeat it.  History has a way of doing that.

For me, one of the most breath taking sites of that day as I watched the unfolding events, was the First Responders rushing INTO a burning high rise building in NY.  Firemen and police just began running INTO a burning, exploding, soon to be collapsing building.  For what reason?  To save lives.  

Over the past few weeks we have seen this happening again.  Not a burning building, but flooded homes, businesses, and cars.  People needing help in a moment of chaos.  People who fear for their lives and need someone who is willing to risk their life for them.  These First Responders are amazing.  They have an innate instinct to “respond” without hesitation.  

My son Chris is a Paramedic and an Assistant Fire Chief.  I hear just a few of his stories of response to situations and I’m in awe.  I got to experience that one day when he was with us in Raleigh.  We were at Triangle Mall and had just finished eating at the Food Court.  As were in the van about to leave the parking lot and we heard someone yelling.  We looked and there was a man running out of one of the anchor department stores in a white tee shirt.  Behind him was a Security Guard yelling for him to stop.  I am not sure the Security Guard was going to catch this man mainly due to their size differences.  My son Chris shouted at Terry, my wife, stop and at the same time was jumping out of the van.  He took off running and tackled the guy from behind in the parking lot.  Twisted his arm behind him and put his knee in his back until the Security Guard and other back-up arrived.  I looked at Terry and said, “I can’t believe that just happened.”  I’m telling you, there is something about these First Responders that in an emergency or dyer situation, they can put their own safety, their own life aside to help another in need.  Needless to say, I was very proud my son captured a shoplifter that day.

Saying all of that, here is my point.  I’m always amazed that people do not see the Ultimate First Responder.  The One who gave it all.  The One who left heaven and came down to a lost, sick, satan fill earth.  The One who took the abuse and suffering from this world and walking INTO the pain of death for ALL.  Yes ALL!  All who believe!  Jesus Christ responded to the call of His Father that the time was right that His plan of redemption, salvation, “SAVING” was to take place and Jesus did not hesitate to take on the work of saving a lost world.  Jesus is the ultimate First Responder.  He, giving His life for a sinner such as I.  

Here is the additional wonder of it all.  The Ultimate First Responder said, Not, only will I save your life from the darkness of sin, give you joy and hope in a lost world, but belief in ME, your Savior, will give you life after death.  Or in some of the most wonderful words ever spoken, “Eternal Life with Me!”  Eternal…Forever!!!  Come on folks!  You’ve got to either be smiling or crying.  This Ultimate First Responder has and continues to make the offer.  Why would anyone even think about going down (no pun intend) with the world, when the Ultimate First Responder, Jesus Christ has come and provided a way out? 

I am so thankful for all of those men and women who have answered the call to be First Responders around the world.  It is often a thankless job and even some times goes on without notice.  But these men and women are true heroes in my eyes.

Maybe this article will make you either give thanks or think about the Ultimate First Responder.  At least, that is my hope.

Thank you Jesus for saving my life!  From your servant, Marty Duffell

Blessings folks,

Pastor Marty Duffell

Pastor of HOPE Church Raleigh 

Worship - Grow - Serve

"Break Our Heat Lord!"

I know many of you look at the images coming out of the Houston Texas area, and it is heartbreaking.  There are times during an event like this, we can only imagine what we would do.  How would I react to this type of flooding and devastation?  

In light of the past several weeks of non-stop news and imagines of other events plaguing our nation, I have been intrigued by the imagines and reports from Houston.  While we have heard of some price gouging, $100 for a case of water.  Sam’s sells a case of 40 bottles for $3.18.  So a $100 is a little out of line.  And yes, a few reports of people taking advantage of flooded businesses where they take things that they don’t own.  Most, even the majority, of the focus has been on people helping people.  

I’ve watched the pictures and videos flood in (no pun intended) that show, whites carrying blacks in their arms, on their backs to safety through chest high water.  I’ve seen blacks carrying whites in their arms through chest high water.  I’ve seen whites and blacks rescuing Hispanics, risking their lives to bring them to safety.  I’ve seen a parade of boats from other states flow in to Texas to help with the rescues.  Blacks, whites and Hispanics riding together.  Over 13,000 people have been rescued as I write this article.  Over 30,000 are in shelters and that number is growing.  I have been so blessed to see that in this tragedy, on the heels of all the talk of division and no hope for reconciliation as many say, we are able to see a community, even a nation (somewhat) come together for the good of all people.  Isn’t that the way it should be?

We have seen this over and over again in our nation’s history.  When a catastrophic event happens, people come together to help one another, regardless of the risk or race.  We saw this as recently as September 11, 2001.  People rushing into buildings burning, ready to collapse to save others.  It was interesting to see that the Sunday following 9/11 the church attendance was the highest recorded in recent decades.  Why can’t we have this compassion always?  Why only when a tragedy hits?  Why can’t we all live into Galatians 3:28?              “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

I can answer that question.  When tragedy strikes we begin to draw on the compassionate spirit we were created with but when the tragedy ends, our fallen nature kicks back in.  Satan goes to work again.  You see, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the believers in the church in Galatia.  He was saying that there should be no division in or with believers in Jesus Christ.  We are all one in HIM.  We know scripture tells us the world does not understand that concept.  For the world, it is all about “me.”  So here in lie the answers.  If fact, it has always been the answer and always will be the answer.  That answer is: “true faith in Jesus Christ.”  True Faith!  When we surrender ourself completely, our whole heart to HIM, our view of mankind begins to change.  How we view others changes (it better or something is amiss).  We are a new creation, as Paul states.  The old has passed away!  Let it be so LORD!  Let it be so!!!

That is the very reason the LORD has called us to be His hands, feet, and mouth in a lost world.  The more who come to faith in HIM, the more will change their mindset and look at things differently.

There is a song we sing at HOPE called “Jesus, Friend of Sinners.”  There is a line in the song that states: “Jesus, break our heart for what breaks Yours.”  Until we, as believers, live into that sentence, we have not lived into being what Paul calls us to: “all one in Christ.”

Pray for Houston.  Pray for the families and the life changing situations before them.  Pray that their communities and nation will continue to respond with help, money, and aid.  But also pray for people to have an ongoing change of heart.  Don’t let it stop here or today.  May believers everywhere show compassion and love that is ongoing.  May our heart be broken for those who break our LORD’s heart.  May it be so!

Blessings,

Pastor Marty Duffell - Pastor, HOPE EPC Raleigh

Worship - Grow - Serve

“What’s With the Rules?”

As many of you know my family was on vacation last week at the beach.  The place we where we were staying requires that you wear a colored wristband at all times while on the property and there are security guards that walk around the property hourly checking.  If they catch you without a wristband, either you go back to your room and get it and show it to them or leave the property.  This is the rule!  Not a bad rule either.

So during our stay there I noticed one particular family, a large family of 8, that never had on a wristband.  At the pool each day, walking around the property, etc. none of them ever had on a wristband.  Now I know they were not trespassing because the room balcony overlooked one of the pools where we would often swim and family members would often yell back and forth to one another from the pool area.  I thought, why don’t they have to follow the rules?  Why aren’t the security guards catching them, I’ve seen them question others.   That’s not fair!  Do I turn them in or ignore it?  Do they have special privilege?  

Then something a friend from my High School days said to me came to mind, “We don’t have to follow God’s ‘rules’ because we are under grace not His law.”  He was drawing off Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.”  I can tell you that my friend saw that verse as a sure way of not following God’s ways, God’s law, God’s “rules” for living.  “Why not enjoy life?” he would say, “Isn’t God’s grace sufficient?” he would ask me.  “Yes” I would say, but then I would remind him that the Apostle Paul did not only write one verse of scripture.  In fact, if you continue on to the next verse, Romans 6:15, you read, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace?  May it never be!”  Paul’s answer was an absolute NO!!!  Just because our sins are forgiven as believers in Jesus Christ, it does NOT give us the authority to keep sinning, doing whatever we want, ignoring God’s way of life He has called us to live.

If we sin, and we will, God’s grace is sufficient.  But because we belong to Him, because of His grace and mercy shown to us by His Son’s life, death, and resurrection, by His indwelling Spirit, we should never want to continue to live a sin filled life.  In giving our life to Him, we die to our old self, and rise to a new life.  And while we are not under the law, but grace, our inward desire should be to be more like Christ.  Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a flagrant aroma.”  I would encourage you to take your Bibles off the shelf or table and continue reading that chapter through verse 21 and see what it means to be imitators of God.

You see, you cannot just pull one verse of scripture out to justify your way of life.  Many do that as my friend does.  To know God, you have to read His Word, otherwise you would be ignorant of His Word.  Questioning my friend, I found out He was told that verse by his pastor.  He never read it for himself, but lived his life by way of this verse.

When I was a cop in the Air Force, I would stop people for a traffic violation and they would often say, “But officer, I didn’t know the speed limit was 35.”  Ignorance of the law does not change the fact that the law exist and for a good reason.

The family during our vacation never followed the rules.  Maybe because they didn’t want to.  Maybe because they forgot.  Even maybe because they thought, we don’t have to.  But any of those reasons never changed the rule.

We are under God’s GRACE - Thanks be to God!!!  But don’t be ignorant of God’s desired way of life for you!  He has set these “rules” for life in place for our good.  And you can know these rules by reading His Word, attending Worship, attending Bible Studies, Sunday School, and prayer time.  By doing these things your faith will grow and your desire to follow Him (even His rules for life) will grow and that desire to sin will wane.  He is SO good!

Blessings, Pastor Marty 

Worship - Grow - Serve

“Is This How We Live?”

“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 

2 Corinthians 3:1 - 3 (NASB)

I want you to read this passage using the “The Message” paraphrase version of the Bible.

“Does it sound like we’re patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority? Well, we’re not. Neither do we need letters of endorsement, either to you or from you. You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives…”  

2 Corinthians 3: 1 - 3 The Message (MSG)

We just finished another Vacation Bible School at HOPE EPC Raleigh.  By all measures, I think it was deemed a success.  But what do we mean by that?  Success?  Was it well laid out, organized?  Well, Yes!  Was the story of Joseph well conveyed, taught, presented biblically?  Again, Yes!  Was there fellowship and fun along the way?  Absolutely, Yes!!!  And all that is great and should be a goal that we strive for.  But, is that really how we would measure success?

I watched as my wife, who is the Children’s Ministry Director at HOPE and directed and organized VBS, received some pats on the back this past Sunday.  While I am so happy the congregation felt she had done a great job, I saw her uncomfortableness.  Yes she, like the rest of us, like to hear things went well, that everyone enjoyed it and had a great time, but for her, she is looking for the transformation in lives from the event.  And to be honest, I am too.

In all we do at HOPE we hope to prepare everyone of us to live our faith in God in our daily lives.  Our desire is that each worship service, each Sunday school class, each Prayer Meeting, every Bible Study, VBS event, etc. prepares us in a way that “Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.”  This is a letter “Christ Himself wrote,” and “not chiseled into stone,” but by the Holy Spirit of God, “into human lives” or hearts.  All we do, how we live everyday, is about Him and reflective of Him.  It is really not about us!!!

For example, worship is a must.  God commands it and as followers of Jesus Christ we should desire it.  Worship is about Praise, Relationship, Growing in Christ, Surrender, Fellowship both with our Savior & others.  As we worship Him, His Spirit connects to us in such a way that others cannot help but see Him in us.  His letter (Word) written in our hearts.  I read a quote the other day that said, “If parents view worship as a option then their children will view God as unnecessary.”  God should be the most “necessary” person/thing in our lives.

How are we living our lives?  Is our life each day pointing to Jesus?  Can others read HIS letter that is on our hearts?  I love that image.  What a powerful statement.  This is what God meant when He said, love God and love others.  His love needs to show daily through our lives.  When we make Him the priority in all things, people will begin to notice.  Your very life will begin to point to Him.  Others will be able to see the “love letter” of God written on your heart.

Is this how we live or has the world around us wrapped us up in “self” instead of Him?  This just may be something you want to think about.

Blessings, 

Pastor Marty - Pastor, HOPE EPC - Raleigh

Worship - Grow - Serve

      "Freedom to Belong"

     As I write this article it is July 4, 2017 and I know many of you know the story of this day, but let me give a brief summary for this article’s purpose.  Independence Day or Fourth of July, as it is often referred, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were a new nation and would be called The United States of America.  These colonies were declared no longer part of the British Empire.  The fact is, Congress actually voted to declare independence two days earlier on July 2, 1776.

     The Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independence from Great Britain rule.  After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision.  The document had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the document.  The final approval came two days later on July 4, 1776.  Ironically, historians say the actual signing of the document mostly likely did not happen until August 2, 1776.  That little fact did not nor has ever changed the date of celebration which was the “approved” date of The Declaration of Independence.  

     Every year, as I read the history of the event and hear that the colonies were declared no longer a part of the British Empire, it reminds me of God’s call for the believer.  I know, you think I’m stretching, but it really does give a reminder of where I belong.

     You see, as a believer, I am in the world, but not of the world.  I am a part of the Kingdom of God, adopted into His family.  In fact, because I am a believer in Jesus Christ, the world will hate me.  This fact is growing more evident day by day.

     Just this past week I read of a University in Oklahoma that took all the Bibles, all the hymnals, all the crosses, any signs of Christianity out of their University Chapel that had been built in 1957.  They said they did not want to offend other faiths, but be inclusive and that signs of Christianity were offensive.  Really?  Me carrying my Bible in my hand in public is offensive?  Me wearing a cross around my neck is offensive?  Yes, to a lost world it is.  Jesus predicted this would happen.

Take a look at the High Priestly prayer of Jesus on the night of His arrest before His crucifixion.  

“I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”  John 17:14-16;18

     So when I read that the colonies are no longer a part of what they were before, but now a new nation, I too am no longer a part of what I was before, but a new creation in Christ Jesus my LORD!  I love that!  I have been set free.  The Apostle John puts it this way: 

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36  It is in that freedom that I live.  So while I will continue to share my faith, preach His Word, carry my Bible, wear my cross, I know whatever I face in this world does not define me.  I belong to Him.  I am free even though I am living in a bound up world.  I am free because of Him.

     I love the USA.  I served to protect it years ago and I am proud to have done so.  I am thankful for all those who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms.  It comes at a cost and it hurts me to see how many degrade those who protect the freedoms of those who protest.  My prayer is that believers around the world will continue to share Christ so Christ’s freedom will be known.  “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”  I am in the world, but not of the world.  I am FREE and belong to Him!

     Happy 241st Birthday to the United States of America.

Blessings, 

Pastor Marty - Pastor, HOPE Church - Raleigh

Worship - Grow - Serve

Generation to Generation

1 O My people, listen to My instructions.

 Open your ears to what I am saying, 2  for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— 3  stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders. 5 For He issued His laws to Jacob; He gave His instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. 7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.

Psalm 78:1 - 7

The 37th General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has come and gone, but the impact of this GA will stay with me forever (at least, that is my prayer).  The theme of this years GA was “Generation to Generation.”  The passage from Psalm 78 (above) issues us a challenge.  That challenge is to teaching our children the: Lessons, Stories, Truths, Wonders, and Deeds SO THAT they will in turn teach their children. That is truly Generation to Generation. The question is: How are we doing?  How are we doing individually?  How are we doing as a church?

At GA we heard from several different Generations of pastors in sermons.  Each one bringing a different and fresh perspective to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s culture.  For example, one of our new church planters, who happens to be a Millennial, preached one morning for worship.  He has planted a new church in San Francisco.  The church is named: The Table.  His invitation to San Fran is to come to “The Table.” Their Mission Statement is: “Belonging to Believe.”  This is a town, as many of you know, where anything goes.  The pastor hits the streets to develop relationships (belonging) SO THAT Jesus can begin to infiltrate their lives.  The message never changes, but we may have to change how we reach the lost of this world.  An example, when someone comes to faith at The Table, they are not interested at all in membership.  But if you use the word “Partner With” then they are all over that.  They don’t like words like “Elders” or “Deacons”, but like the word “Leadership.”  “Belonging to Believe” is working in San Francisco!!!

God is so intentional in His command to teach our children, to teach Generation to Generation and this is a must for us folks.  Until He returns, His message for us is to go and tell, go and teach SO THAT this new Generation will “set its hope anew on God, not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.”  (Ps. 78:7)

It is God who calls!  God who saves!  This is an Absolute!!!  But it was never more apparent in the messages of this GA that HE intends to use us to share His message of the Gospel and what He has done for us!  How important is this?  Well, how well we do with our children will impact how well they do with their children.  Yes, God’s church will never cease to exist, but we are to never stop proclaiming His praise as long as we live, Generation to Generation!

Psalm 22 is considered a Messianic text telling us of Jesus Christ and His grace and mercy to come.  The last two verses read:

30 Our children will also serve Him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. 31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything He has done.  Psalm 22: 30 - 31

If God saw the importance of including these words in the Psalm about His Son, the Suffering Servant, then how important is it for us to proclaim His message of the Gospel with all we meet.  Generation to Generation!  Let us find a way to keep it rolling!

Blessings, 

Pastor Marty - Pastor, HOPE Church - Raleigh

Worship - Grow - Serve