4/12/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Communion Sunday

Service available upon request

4/4/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Luke 23

The 7 Statements from the Cross

Into Your Hands

The 7th Statement Jesus expressed from the cross is one of absolute trust. It is a quote from Psalm 31, a psalm that was used by children as a bedtime prayer. He began His statements with 'Father forgive them' and ends His 6 hour ordeal with 'Father I commit myself to your care.' It is instructive for us to ask, 'Do I trust in the Father the same way Jesus trusts in the Father?'

3/28/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

John 19

The 7 Statements from the Cross

Tetelestai

The 6th statement was a one-word Greek phrase 'tetelestai.' It was a very common word in the 1st Century, used mostly by merchants and slaves. Slaves used it at the end of the day to tell their master, 'I have finished the tasks you have required of me.' It was used by merchants when they wrote it across a bill to say, 'This debt has been paid in full.' It was also used by the priests when they had found a lamb who was worthy to be sacrificed. It is finished, there is nothing more to be done, has it been finished in your live?

3/21/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

John 19

The 7 Statements from the Cross

I am Thirsty

The 5th statement from the cross expresses the intense physical torment that Jesus experienced. He was physically nearing the end of His endurance and He was thirsty from the exertion of the cross. In this simple statement He is asking the soldiers for a small bit of mercy in the midst of His suffering. He is a picture of humanity without God. They are thirsty and longing for relief with no idea of what that relief is. We are the water carriers of life and can dispense thirst quenching help to those in need, so do we?

3/14/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Matthew 27

The 7 Statements from the Cross

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

The 4th statement Jesus cried out from the cross is one of deep loneliness. The saddest words ever exclaimed by a human tongue point out the desperation of our state apart from the saving grace of Jesus. That is ur cry; unfortunately we do not even know the words or the depth of our need. In 4 Aramaic words Jesus summarizes the deepest need of mankind, but by uttering these words He also provides hope.

3/9/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

John 19

The 7 Statements from the Cross

Your son, your mother

The 3rd statement from the cross is deeply personal. It is like a window into Jesus heart as He takes care of His mother from the cross. It is almost unfathomable to consider the love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross, not just for the world in a general sense; but specifically for those who were closest to Him. Why was Mary there? How could she stand to see her Son in such a vulnerable situation? What did she think of God’s promises to her some 30 years old now?

2/28/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Luke 23

The 7 Statements from the Cross

You Shall be with Me

As we consider the statements from the cross, one of the most amazing scenes emerges in the 2nd statement. In the most interesting stories of “soul winning” ever recorded, Jesus Himself leads a repentant sinner to faith. Jesus reminds us of the importance to be other’s focused even in the midst of pain and suffering and loss. Do you look to the needs of others?

2/21/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Luke 23

The 7 Statements from the Cross

Father, Forgive Them

We are in what the traditional churches call “lent”. It is a time to remember Jesus temptation in the wilderness and it marks the 40 day period before Easter. We are going to consider the cross over the next several weeks before Easter, and specifically focus on the sayings recorded in the Gospels that Jesus spoke from the Cross.

1/31/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Giving God Our Best

Problems

Why does life hurt so badly at times? We have all experienced it, from the first shock of life outside of the womb, to hurts and pains of childhood, to loss and pain as an adult. At times this pain can be overwhelming and we wonder if we will ever experience joy again. Other times we blame God, others, Satan for the grief we are enduring. God wants us to hive Him our problems and pain, will you?

1/24/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Giving God Our Best

Money

Giving God our Best: Money What should I do when the offering bag comes around? This is one of the most difficult questions to answer, because money is so personal. It does not help that TV evangelists have made money such a priority that society thinks of preachers as money grabbers or con artists. But the Bible speaks clearly on money and our attitude towards it. Are you giving God what He expects?

1/17/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Giving God Our Best

Talents

What are your talents gifts and abilities? You might say “nothing” but we all have them. We may value some over the other, but because we are all unique and special; God has made us so that we can do things others cannot. We are a unique and very special package designed to do something for Him, but we often waste the gifts given to us or never fully utilize them for the purposes given. I want to challenge you to consider your special abilities and ask, “Am I using them for God’s glory?”

1/10/2010

Pastor Phil Perry

Giving God Our Best

Time

The New Year is a great time to focus on our commitment to God. Are we giving to Him all that He deserves? We are going to consider giving God the best of our Time. Time is one thing that money cannot buy. It is irreplaceable once it is gone and it cannot be stopped or slowed down. Yet it is perhaps the one resource that we waste without further thought. How can we give God all that He deserves, including our time?