Mar 26, 2017
Identification as Sheep
By: Nik Derow
Series: Regular Sunday Service
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10
This beautiful analogy of Jesus as the shepherd and we as His sheep is a wonderful description of our relationship with God. Jesus, here, is giving us a great explanation of true and false teachers and their claim to having the way to knowing God. There are many false shepherds in the world today. Not just people but things like wealth, power, fame or health. Unbiblical ideas about alternative lifestyles and lapsed morality being OK. But He alone is the good shepherd. The only way to the kingdom of God. We know His voice if we are His own and we will identify with Him and follow Him only. We are told to test ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. To make sure we are following the Shepherd and His ways. John 14 reminds us that He said:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
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- Mar 26, 2017Identification as SheepMar 26, 2017Identification as SheepBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday Service“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10This beautiful analogy of Jesus as the shepherd and we as His sheep is a wonderful description of our relationship with God. Jesus, here, is giving us a great explanation of true and false teachers and their claim to having the way to knowing God. There are many false shepherds in the world today. Not just people but things like wealth, power, fame or health. Unbiblical ideas about alternative lifestyles and lapsed morality being OK. But He alone is the good shepherd. The only way to the kingdom of God. We know His voice if we are His own and we will identify with Him and follow Him only. We are told to test ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. To make sure we are following the Shepherd and His ways. John 14 reminds us that He said:“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- Mar 12, 2017A Servant, Before and After ChristMar 12, 2017A Servant, Before and After ChristBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday Service15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.We are searching Gods word for our spiritual growth. No other experience or revelation or self-help books will accomplish any spiritual growth within us except preaching Christ and studying His word. We need to read and understand His word so that we may use those skills when we interact with other people. This is our service to God.We learned in the passage from John 21 an interesting fact about an impetuous Peter who seems to give up and go fishing. In that era it was a strange move for Peter to go fishing, because he claimed to be a disciple, but he went back to his old job and gave up on waiting for Jesus. Then Jesus comes back and appears to the group and reminds Peter of his responsibilities. We see the great power of God in all the intricate little miracles there on the beach. No fish, the caught fish, the net, the fire and the food ready in a moment's time. The lesson is, God showing us in His awesome way, that He wants to lead us in a life of humble, grateful service to Him.
- Mar 5, 2017We Preach ChristMar 5, 2017We Preach ChristBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday Service14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”[c] 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”The mission of the Christian church should not be to make the unbeliever as comfortable as possible. To make them feel good, or to appease their sensitivities. Jesus is the only way to God and to heaven. If the believer is not following the examples of Christ and His word then the believer is not going to be recognized by God. Those that are turning the Biblical truths into softer versions and more likeable versions as not to "step on any toes" are sailing dangerously near the edge. We cannot pick and choose the Bible parts that we like and ignore the parts we don't like.
- Feb 26, 2017The Immutable Attributes of a Holy GodFeb 26, 2017The Immutable Attributes of a Holy GodBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday ServiceO Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent. God is all knowing, all seeing. He knows us better than we know ourselves. It is hard to understand but the greatness and magnificence of it is amazing.
- Feb 19, 2017Why Doesn’t Our Church Grow?Feb 19, 2017Why Doesn’t Our Church Grow?By: Nik DerowSeries: Bible AnswersHebrews 12:6“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]Is our church growing? Are we letting sin stand in the way of growth?
- Jan 22, 2017What we offerJan 22, 2017What we offerBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday Service
Romans 12: 1-2. A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Scripture tells us in multiple places that our mouth is the cause of a lot of trouble. It tells us that out of our heart comes the truth of how we think and feel and it comes flooding right out of our mouths. We are told that the mouth is the best indicator of if we are truly growing spiritually. If we are able to curb our disobedient thoughts and tongue then we are seen as gentle, obedient children of God.45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.Luke 6:45
- Jan 15, 2017Two Kinds of FollowersJan 15, 2017Two Kinds of FollowersBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday ServiceToday we explored the reality of two different kinds of followers of Jesus Christ. We see that there are those who are "giving" and those who are "getting" when it comes to Christianity. Jesus speaks of the wise builder and the unwise builder. Two very strong contrasts. Romans 9:6 speaks of "Not all people being 'Isreal'6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Although outwardly they may have seemed to be the people of God, inwardly they fell short. Hebrews 4:13 speaks of God's word judging the hearts and attitudes of the people. If the attitude of the heart is bad then naturally what comes out of the person is probably going to be unsavory as well. Just as Jesus rebukes the Pharasees in Matthew 23, 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. But if the heart is genuine, as that of Jesus Christ, then that person is learning to be a mirror image of Christ himself.
- Jan 8, 2017ChangesJan 8, 2017ChangesBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday ServiceIn Colossians 3: 1-17 we read how that if we are in Christ we need to be acting and thinking as Christ would have us do.Setting your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and [k]patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.There is no time like the present to make changes. The new year is a good time, like we all know, to make those resolutions. But maybe instead of the resolutions where we promise ourselves what we are going to do, we should be deciding to stop doing those things that are not suitable for a Christian's walk or for our health.
- Jan 1, 2017New Year! ExpectationsJan 1, 2017New Year! ExpectationsBy: Nik DerowSeries: Regular Sunday ServiceWhat are your expectations for the new year? Many are wishing that they have a better year in 2017 than they did in 2016. They say " I sure hope that this year's better!" But hoping and wishing and gritting our teeth won't give us a better year. Only obedience will. Only complete obedience to God's word will. So if 2017 is going to be a year of great opportunity and success we need to grow closer to God and develop spiritually and for that to happen we must begin with obedience. You may think, "that's a lot of rules" but really there are only 3 basic rules to follow: First, Read more. Second, Pray more. Third, Love more. Galatians 6 reminds us of this:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
- Dec 18, 2016Fourth Advent: The Spirit of Christmas. PeaceDec 18, 2016Fourth Advent: The Spirit of Christmas. PeaceBy: Nik DerowSeries: Advent and ChristmasAs we light the fourth candle in the Advent wreath, the candle of peace, I wonder if we are really experiencing any significant amounts of peace in our lives at this busy, hectic and sometimes frustrating time of year. Just because we celebrate the season that depicts the advent themes, love, joy and peace, it doesn't necessarily mean we truly are achieving all its benefits. We sometimes fool ourselves into thinking that if we try really hard to do everything perfectly, keep every tradition, give, get and do the right things, those desired qualities will be ours in copious amounts. But peace, especially, will only be achieved and retained if and when we follow the mandate set out by scripture about peace. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 states, "Now may the God of all peace, Himself, continually grant you peace in every circumstance." So right away we discover that it is God alone who grants us this desired, somewhat elusive quality called peace. Therefore in life in general and even more specifically, Christmas, we obviously can have peace. But there are certain criteria we must follow to achieve this Christmas bliss... and first Corinthians 10:31 says this, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Then First Peter 4:11 continues by saying "in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" So the real question in regards to Christmas must be, then, are we glorifying God as we prepare and as we celebrate?
- Dec 11, 2016Third Advent: The Glory of GodDec 11, 2016Third Advent: The Glory of GodBy: Nik DerowSeries: Advent and Christmas
It is the glory of a saviour, born, lived, crucified, died and risen again.... kind of glory. When we see the aspect of God's Glory revealed in the whole manger scene then we realize it's complete ramifications then we understand its entire profoundness to our ongoing spiritual growth. Then we will, as it says in verse 9, "be filled with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God," And when that occurs, even Christmas will take on an entirely new and glorious meaning that lasts all year.
- Dec 4, 2016Second Advent: More WonderDec 4, 2016Second Advent: More WonderBy: Nik DerowSeries: Advent and ChristmasOn the second Sunday of Advent we light the "Love" candle. We are re-reading the Biblical Nativity story so that it remains vivid, fresh and real in our minds and in our hearts. So that "it" and only "it" becomes our theological view of the season. We are entering into the Christmas season where it is so easy for everything around us to NOT be about the birth of Christ. We see everything but biblical theology. Christmas is the start of Jesus' journey. His birth, life, death, burial and resurrection. It all starts here. Watch TV and see movies and commercials about Christmas and what do you see? Family, food, presents, decorations and happy times! Which are great! But that is not all there is. There is the theological aspect of who Christ really is. But we are inundated with all the "Glitter". So hopefully the wonder, the surprise and the glory of the truth that is in this event will rub off on us and once again cause you and me to be overwhelmed and amazed. Amazed at the marvelous birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ~ Pastor NIk
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
- Nov 27, 2016First Advent: The WonderNov 27, 2016First Advent: The WonderBy: Nik DerowSeries: Advent and ChristmasIn the First Advent Sunday's message we hear about that wonder. That amazement. That joy that must have been felt by Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi. We are reminded that Christmas and its preparations should fill us with an awestruck wonder at the arrival of the prophesied King.Matt. 1: an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[g](which means “God with us”).Matt: 2 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.