2021 Sermons

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

October 17, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 92:9

When Apartheid ended, it was decided to keep December 16th as a public holiday, but to infuse it with the purpose of fostering reconciliation and national unity.  It was established by the government in 1994.  Communist Nelson Mandela was part of the group of politicians that helped start the idea for the holiday. On December 16, 1995, the first celebration took place. The first meeting of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission also took place on December 16, 1995. In an address in 1995, Communist Archbishop Desmond Tutu described the holiday as serving the need of healing the wounds of Apartheid.

In America, the plot was harder to execute.

by Alan Breitenstein

October 10, 2021

Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6

In the last message titled Painting, the Holy Spirit led me to explain what our thoughts should be on and that we should include God in all that we do.  The Holy Spirit had me point out a couple of passages for this message.

Do we have faith the size of a mustard seed? Have we moved mountains?  This message is going to attempt to explain what mountain represents and sycamine tree represents and whether or not we are using our ability to have faith the size of a mustard seed.

The First Two Chapters in Genesis

Sermon notes by Jim Jester

October 3, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 8:1-6

Genesis

Genesis is a book of beginnings. Its title comes from the Greek word meaning “origins,” “birth,” or “existence.” We should note that if you drop the last letters “sis” you have the word “gene” or “genes” (if you drop “is”). Surely, everyone recognizes this word.

Genesis, the first book found in the Bible, is key to everything else contained in the Bible. All Christians regardless of their theological persuasion or personal beliefs should remember this principle. Not to understand this key book is to misunderstand the intent and meaning of the whole Bible.

The Book of Genesis is highly symbolic; therefore, the subject of creation should not be approached from a scientific perspective. We should not read these chapters as chronological, astronomical, geological, or biological statements, but as spiritual, moral, or racial concepts. The Book therefore, is the account of God’s Covenant Creation for it begins a new era with Adam’s insertion into a world of chaos.

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

October 2, 2021

During this time there was a terrific revival of religion.  The reform that the ruler of the land launched cleaned up the country and made the truth of God known and the worship of God popular.  Who could fail to be pleased that the Scripture was once again known and preached?

The most popular preacher of this time was a man of prominence.  When you saw him at the head of the flourishing religious establishment, you could not help feeling better.  His enthusiasms were electric.  When he stretched out his arm in blessing, everyone, from the least to the greatest, knew that they were included.  Everyone loved to hear him preach.  He was positive, affirmative, and confident.  He had the ability to draw out the best from everything.  He was able to search the Scriptures and find texts that made the darkest days bright.  But his messages were far from being accurate.

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

October 1, 2021

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:7

When God’s people failed to follow the laws of their God, God raised up a couple of the countries nearby to invade the land and take the people of Israel into exile.  First, the Syrians took the Israelite tribes east of the Jordan River and then the Assyrians invaded the rest of the House of Israel and the House of Judah and then later the nation of Babylon invaded Jerusalem and took the remaining captives of the House of Judah to Babylon.  Before the exile, false prophets had claimed that what Jeremiah prophesied was untrue and that the exile would only last for two years.  Jeremiah warned that the exile would last for 68 more years. 

“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for your children so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:5-7 NLT).

This sermon will begin with a short question: Who wrote the two paragraphs, which contained the above verse (Jeremiah 29:7), which will be given shortly in this sermon, which was taken from the author’s small booklet?  Everyone here will recognize the author’s name when it is given.  Was he a preacher, a teacher or just an ordinary believer?  Maybe he wasn’t a Christian at all.  Maybe he was an atheist or an agnostic or a skinhead.  Some say that he was a hero; many say that he was a villain.  Some say that he was both.

By Brian Jones

September 26, 2021

Scripture Reading: Luke 23:32-33, 39-46

There were two thieves on the cross next to Jesus.  The prayer of one thief was rejected and the other was accepted.  Why?

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

September 19, 2021

Scripture Reading John 12:32:

“And I, [Jesus, the Son of God] if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.”

Universalism has evolved beyond the traditional topics of salvation and future punishment, and now covers many other theological issues and topics.  Universalism began during the early days of Christianity and has fostered as a heresy ever since.  It received a big boost in Europe in 1569 when Transylvanian King John Sigismund issued an edict establishing religious freedom. The Edict of Torda expanded the limits of religious freedom far beyond the standard of 16th-century Europe.  The decree did not put a complete end to discrimination, because official status was granted only to the Catholic, Lutheran, and Calvinist clergymen; but Unitarian, Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, and Muslim believers could also freely practice their religions.  Although neither the Calvinist nor Unitarian side was declared the winner of the debate at this session, John Sigismund accepted Unitarian ideas, which made him the only Unitarian monarch in history.

JESUS LOVES VOLUNTEERS

by Walter Giddings

September 12, 2021

We begin with The 2nd 13th Amendment to The Constitution for the United States of America.

Section 1.  Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Section 2.  Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.  ratified December 6, 1865. 

What form of Slavery is institutionalized, and sanctioned by this Amendment?  What form of Slavery does this Amendment fail to forbid?  The form of Slavery this Amendment fails to forbid is The form of Slavery that is against The Law of the Land to forbid!  What is the only form of Slavery that is against our Law to forbid?! Who  is willing to volunteer to be a slave?  Do I have any volunteers for slavery?  We do not have much time left. I wish to recruit all of you for slavery!

Sermon notes of James Jester

September 5, 2021

Scripture Reading: I Samuel 19:1-6

This message serves as a conclusion to the series, Psalms for Turbulent Times.

The First Epistle of Peter, A Living Hope

Peter’s opening greeting lets us know who he is writing to:

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (I Pet. 1:1-2)

The “strangers” here are those of the former northern house of Israel:

“The strangers scattered” — literally, “sojourners of the dispersion”; only in John 7:35 and James 1:1, in New Testament, and Psalm 147:2, “the outcasts of Israel” in the Septuagint; the designation peculiarly given to the Jews [Judeans] in their dispersed state throughout the world ever since the Babylonian captivity. These he, as the apostle of the circumcision, primarily addresses, but not in the limited temporal sense only; he regards their temporal condition as a shadow of their spiritual calling to be strangers and pilgrims on earth, looking for the heavenly Jerusalem as their home. (JFB commentary)

WAS AMERICA REALLY BORN IN REBELLION?

by Walter Giddings

August 29, 2021

Changing What Will Happen Tomorrow!

Greetings Kindred, Fellow Sheep, and Neighbors.  We are on a first name basis here.  My name is walter.  I am delighted to be with you.  Your presence here indicates your interest in changing what will happen tomorrow.  Our interest in changing what will happen tomorrow is unifying.  It is the basis of our Unity.  Every one of our Families forming our Neighborhoods has a vested interest in avoiding what does not work.  Every Family that forms our Neighborhoods has a vested interest in doing what does work!

The Head of each Family Household has a Dominion.  Each Head of House is a judge in his own court.  It is The Original Family Court.  The Magna Carta, or Great Charter, signed by King John, 1215, at sword point, provided no Englishman could be denied His Own Court!  What works for one may not work for another.  Each family’s assignment, in changing what will happen tomorrow, will be unique to that family.  For The Truth of what I say this Basic Maxim of English Law pleads my Cause:  a Man’s House is his Castle; even The King must knock to enter.