Summer has certainly got the best of my schedule, so I apologize for the lack of posts.  But, I’m back, and let’s go from here!

Sunday was another great day to be in the house of God.  As the summer winded down, we were able to celebrate some of the great things God has done in our children’s ministry.

This summer we studied the passage about the full armor of God found in Ephesians.  My hope was not only that they would learn the scripture, but that it would find daily application for their lives as well.  One of the challenges for Christians today, in my opinion, is for us to live out the faith and doctrine that we profess.

The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and the others mean nothing if we do not let the light of Christ shine thru how we live these things out.  I hope that as you listen to this message, you will be challenged to consider your faith and witness.

You can listen to my message here:  The Armor of God – Rev. Bryon LePere

Scriptures Referenced:

• Ephesians 6:10-17
• John 14:6
• 1 John 3:7
• Romans 1:16
• Hebrews 11:1
• 2 Corinthians 7:10
• Matthew 7:1
• 1 Samuel 19:4

Another great day to be in the House of the Lord!  In the past few weeks, I am finding myself more and more drawn into God’s Word and His Holy Scripture.  Not that I avoided it before, but I am even more motivated to get to know Him through the Bible.  Part of this was reflected in my message Sunday.  I did not want to preach from Romans 12:17, but after reading it during the week, I couldn’t get away from it.  What a challenge to all of us to strive to do what is right before everybody.

But then this begs the question – who’s right?  And is that who’s (who is) or who’s (possessive)?  Think of all the incredible outside influences in our lives today – newsmedia, family, friends, co-workers.  And so many of our news channels are driven today by personalities as much as they are driven by the actual news!

So who’s right?  Simply put, God is.  And where do we find that right?  We find it in scripture.  No matter what else you have learned through the years or what you see in the newsmedia, it is God’s Word that is the final statement on what is right.  One of the fundamental aspects of having a Biblical worldview according to George Barna is believing that there is absolute truth in our world.  Sadly, many people think too much in our world is relative, which leaves us open to all kinds of viewpoints controlling our world.

As Christian believers, we need to build our faith on what is right, by God’s standard.  Then we need to be careful with that, guarding and growing from that grace and knowledge, and finally we must realize that making everybody happy is impossible.  In the end, the One that must be pleased by us is God, and He is the one that we live to honor and glorify.

You can download the sermon here:  Who’s Right? by Rev. Bryon LePere

Scriptures Referenced:

1. Romans 12:17
2. Psalm 19:8, Hosea 14:9
3. Proverbs 14:12, Judges 21:25
4. Deuteronomy 6:3, Joshua 23:6, 11
5. Psalm 1
6. Ephesians 5:15, Matthew 12:33-37
   1. Luke 3:8, Acts 26:20
7. Proverbs 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 3:12
8. 2 Timothy 4:1-5
9. Galatians 5:14-15
10. John 14:15
    1. John 15:12, Psalm 103:8-10

Friends,

Have you ever felt powerless in a situation, maybe in most of your life?  Ever felt like you have no control over what is happening around you, that you are just bouncing from obligation to obligation?

I was thinking about how much (or little) I let the Bible control my life and my decisions.  So then I got to thinking about how many things in our life are controlled by outside influences.  I only drive 35 mph (right!?) thru Big Island because that is the speed limit.  I (or Annie) is outside by 7:45 because that’s when the bus is coming.  I am outside by 3:20 because that’s when the bus is coming.  If it’s windy/rainy/etc. and our satellite tv goes out, we just wait…no control over that.

I paid $1.859 for gas the other day because that was the price.  When a stoplight is red or I come to a stop sign, I stop.  Haven’t done our taxes yet (but I will Annie!), but I won’t be calling the IRS to try to renegotiate a new tax rate.  When I park, I try to fit my truck between the white lines.

I could go on, but think about all of these things that you have no control over.  They guide your life, and if you want to be a law-abiding citizen, you follow them.  What would happen if a speed limit sign said “Whatever” or gas stations charged “What you feel is right?”  How about the IRS accepting whatever I pay them, or people parking wherever they want?

Perhaps we have so little control of our life and surroundings that we guard so preciously anything we can control?  And sometimes this flows into our moral decisions.  We want so badly to be happy, to feel like we have control over something in our lives, that we will sacrifice what we know (or think) to be wrong in order to just be happy or content in our lives, just to keep a little control over our world.

I believe in the Bible.  I believe the Word of God is designed in part to be a guidebook upon my life, to direct my words, thoughts, and actions.  But do I always let it do that?  What if I feel it is taking control over my life?  And yet, that is exactly what it should do!  Let me ask those of you who profess to be Christians…how much of your life (words, thoughts, deeds) is guided by Holy Scripture?  The book of Judges finishes this way, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” (21:25 NIV)  Could that describe you in some areas of your life?  Or, put another way…how much of your life does the Bible control?

But let me go a step further…for those that might read this that do not believe in the Bible as the guiding Word of God…what does guide your life?  How do you decide what rules to follow and apply to your life?  What is your compass in life?  Do you have one, or do you just do as you see fit?

Blessings

Pastor Bryon