Wednesday, April 26, 2017

The Finish Line

Running long distance is a challenge. When I ran track, the biggest challenge for me was figuring out where to start and where to finish. When you are running on an oval track, to make the race fair, the different lanes have different starting positions so that everyone will end up running the same distance. To make things more confusing, because different events are held on the same track, there are several finish lines marked on the track. Knowing where to start and where to finish was essential to having any chance of winning the race.

Paul describes the start and the finish of ultimate victory in 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, concluding with the momentous statement "He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Join us this week as we discover that the start and the finish is found in Jesus.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, April 13, 2017

What You Lose

Recently, a Norman Rockwell original painting called "Lazybones" was recovered by the FBI. Stolen back in 1976, the painting was recovered when the man in possession of the painting saw an FBI report and realized it was stolen. The FBI returned the painting to the family of its original owner, Robert Grant, who bought the painting for $100. When it was stolen, the insurance company compensated Mr. Grant $15,000. The painting is now worth an estimated $1 million. Mr. Grant passed away several years ago, but his daughter said, "He would be thrilled right now and beyond elated to get it back, because it meant a lot to him and he really enjoyed it and loved it and was proud of it." Get back a $1 million painting that I bought for $100 - I'd be thrilled, too.

Sometimes we don't know what we've lost. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, in part, to remind Corinthian believers of the importance of the Resurrection of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-21, we discover what we would lose if the Resurrection was not true, and what we gain because it is. It's news worth celebrating this Easter.

See you Sunday!

Here this message at NHBC Media

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Eyewitness News

With the development of taped (and then digital) video and satellite trucks, local news stations began calling themselves "Eyewitness News." The idea was that, as news happened, their reporters were there, taking video of the event, so that you could witness the crowning of the blue ribbon pie baking contest winner for yourself.

This week, Paul refers to eyewitnesses of the greatest event of all history, a reality that makes the Resurrection of Christ stand out from every other religious teaching (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Join us this week as we celebrate the reality of the Resurrection.

See you Sunday!

Hear this message at NHBC Media

Monday, April 3, 2017

Developing

Some may remember Polaroid cameras. Snap a shot, the paper shoots out....and you wait. The image is there, but it has to develop to completion.

This example was used when discussing that an unborn child is immediately a person made in the image of God; however, not yet seen in entirety because he/she has to develop. Similarly, people all around us (including us) are in different stages of development in our Christian walks. We need to be compassionate, realizing that we ALL are being developed by our Creator. Just because we don't see the finished product, we know God will complete what He began (Philippians 1:6). None of us have arrived, we all are still working to be more like Him. We are all in this together and God intends for us to love each other as He loves us. Now THAT'S a beautiful picture.