Saturday, April 28, 2007

The LORD's Day

Today is a very special day in our church. The daughter of our founding pastor is coming to speak. 55 years ago she lived in the old parsonage across Sunrise Highway. She is now a pastor herself.

We will not be posting a message this morning but instead I have posted this e-mail I just received from my 13 year old niece. It touched my heart. I believe it will do the same to yours.

A
Special Day
for Us


Included in your bulletin this morning are a number of items.
There are reports of our pastor and our church finances.

There is special message for our nation.
Thursday is the National Day of Prayer.

There is a brief history of our church.


Bringing us the Word this morning is Karen Cubie Rydwansky
She is the senior pastor of Crossroads Worship Center
in South Weymouth, Massachusetts.

But to us here at the Bay Shore Church of the Nazarene she is much more. Karen’s Dad, Dr. Alex Cubie, was one of the founding pastors here He built the first building which is right across from us on Sunrise Highway, now the Brightwaters Justice of the Peace Office.

Karen lived in that home as little girl.

Welcome back Karen We are so glad you are with us

Listen because this morning the LORD has special things for each of us to hear To God be the Glory


WOW, WHAT A WAKEUP!

Dear God:


Why didn't you save the school children at ?. ..


Moses Lake, Washington 2/2/96
Bethel, Alaska 2/19/97
Pearl, Mississippi 10/1/97
West Paducah, Kentucky 12/1/97
Stamp, Arkansas 12/15/97
Jonesboro, Arkansas 3/24/98
Edinboro, Pennsylvania 4/24/98
Fayetteville, Tennessee 5/19/98
Springfield, Oregon 5/21/98
Richmond, Virginia 6/15/98

Littleton, Colorado 4/20/99
Taber, Alberta, Canada 5/28/99
Conyers, Georgia 5/20/99
Deming, New Mexico 11/19/99
Fort Gibson, Oklahoma 12/6/99
Santee, California 3/ 5/01
El Cajon, California 3/22/01
and
Blacksburg, VA 4/16/07 ?

Sincerely,

Concerned Student

-----------------------------------------------------

Reply:

Dear Concerned Student:
Sorry,

I am not allowed in schools.

Sincerely,

God

----------------------------------------------------------

How did this get started?...

-----------------

Let's see,
I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained
She didn't want any prayer in our schools.

And we said, OK.


------------------

Then,
someone said you better not:
Read the Bible in school;
the Bible that says
"thou shalt not kill,
Thou shalt not steal,
And love your neighbors as yourself,"

And we said, OK...


-----------------

Dr. Benjamin Spock said
We shouldn't spank our children
When they misbehaved
Because their little personalities
Would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.

And we said,
An expert should know what he's talking about
So we won't spank them anymore..


------------------

Then someone said
Teachers and principals better not
Discipline our children when they misbehave.
And the school administrators said
No faculty member in this school
Better touch a student when they misbehave
Because we don't want any bad publicity,
And we surely don't want to be sued.

And we accepted their reasoning...


------------------

Then someone said,
let's let our daughters have abortions if they want,
And they won't even have to tell their parents.

And we said, that's a grand idea.


------------------

Then some wise school board member said,
Since boys will be boys
And they're going to do it anyway,
let's give our sons all the condoms they want,
So they can have all the fun they desire,
And we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school.

And we said, that's another great idea...


------------------

Then some of our top elected officials said
It doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.

And we said,
It doesn't matter what anybody,
including the President,
Does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good....


------------------

And someone else took that appreciation a step further
And published pictures of nude children
And then stepped further still by
Making them available on the Internet.

And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech....


------------------

And the entertainment industry said,
let's make TV shows and movies that promote
Profanity, violence and illicit sex...
And let's record music that encourages
Rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes...

And we said,
it's just entertainment
And it has no adverse effect
And nobody takes it seriously anyway,
So go right ahead.


------------------

Now we're asking ourselves
Why our children have no conscience,

Why they don't know right from wrong,
And why it doesn't bother them to
Kill strangers, classmates or even themselves.


------------------

Undoubtedly,
If we thought about it long and hard enough,
We could figure it out.
I'm sure it has a great deal to do with...


"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW"


------------------

Pass it on
If you think it has merit!
If not then just discard it...
But if you discard this thought process,
Then don't you dare sit back and complain about
What bad shape this country is in!!

Why is it our children can not read a Bible in school, but can in Prison


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The LORD’s Day

April 29, 2007

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Rev. Karen Rydwansky, daughter of Dr. Alex Cubie,
founding pastor of our church


*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.
Monthly Prayer Meeting this evening at the Parsonage- 6pm


This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 97-100

Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am

Wednesday Bible Study - 7:30pm 1312 Pine Acres Blvd.
Thursday National Day of Prayer Meeting - 9:30am in the basement with the Nursery School
Bible Study - 10:30am at the church

Next Lord’s Day

Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children) The LORD’s Supper

Spanish Service- 4pm


In Your Prayers For All of God’s People

Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. left for Iraq last week (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter home and continuing to recover from surgery. Please pray for Monica’s (Katrina’s granddaughter) mother-in-law, Rosemary, with breast cancer doing well. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Their son Michael is recovering from surgery from this week . Pray for Eloise Brooks in Southside undergoing Rehab. Remember Jean Louis as both he and Eloise are on dialysis. Christopher (Uncle of Good Shepherd Grad) with leukemia. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, fibromyalgia. kidney stones and liver inflamation. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Also Lisa Siler, a staff member of John’s, is expecting a baby and has three year old named Lauren with scarlet fever.
************************************
A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see John or Terri Garry.



Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:








Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
(Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436


Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Sunday, April 22, 2007

The LORD's Day April 22, 2007

Jesus Will Come Again
Psalm 96

With the massacre at Virginia Tech this week and the days of violence in Iraq we can become heavy hearted. So many people are suffering in one way or another. Our prayer list grows. Prices continue to rise. Children suffer today in our nation.

We must be careful and Jesus warned us about this, not to allow the Blessed Hope, His Return to escape from our thinking and from our heart. One thing that is indicative of those who have wandered away or departed from the faith- they lost this truth from their consciousness.

Jesus will come. He will come to judge the earth and receive His Bride, the church, to Himself.

I Thessalonians 4.13-18

1. The Earth will Rejoice to See Him Come 96.11-13a

Romans 8.19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

There is a recognition in nature itself that something is out of wack. It recognizes this imbalance. It has adjusted but it is not satisfied. The plants, animals, the whole eco system is persistent in its waiting for the LORD to come and straighten out what sin messed up. The floods this week in New Jersey are signs of the earth’s imbalance due to sin. Walk on the beach last night with Marlee.

Remember when Jesus was out on the boat with the disciples and the squall came up? What He spoke to it shows this bondage to decay and destruction that the earth and atmosphere and the whole universe is experiencing. He said, “Peace, be still” or “Be muzzled ” This storm was a result of sin and the enemy is behind it. One day when He comes Jesus will bring peace and quiet to all that rages Volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis... Glorious Freedom is coming for the whole creation.

The One Who created everything will come again and recreate everything He said in Revelation 21.5 He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.

Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, drought, floods, disease and death were not in the Garden of Eden nor will they be in the new heaven and the new earth or the New Jerusalem. It will be liberated! Hallelujah!

2. Jesus Will Come. 96.13b

We are losing our bee population in America and Europe. The honey bee population is down 70% on the east coast. Albert Einstein said that if we lose our bee population then we will have 4 years to live. Many plants depend on the bees to pollinate and produce fruit and vegetables.

Don’t worry- Jesus is coming

He promised He would. John 14.1-3 We use it at funerals but it is for the living
Stand upon that promise Think about it. Be comforted by it. Rest in it!

It will be an entrance. Ezekiel 44.1-3, Psalm 24.7-10 The Middle East at peace!
Eternity will enter time and time will be swallowed up.

It will be an appearance. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2.13) It will be conspicuous. We know the LORD. We are waiting for Him to come. Those who do not know will be amazed when all they rejected about Jesus is proven true. They’ll have to bow and confess He is LORD. We already have and in fact that is how we were saved!

There is a warning Jesus gave us too. Mark 13.32-37

It will be a gathering. Mark 13.26-27
This word gather means to bring a group together with another group already assembled. Those who are there are waiting for us to join them as we wait for that day on earth. It also means to gather to a certain place- the place Jesus is preparing for us!

There will be a reuniting with all God’s people. There will be a great transformation.

It will bring judgement.


3. Jesus is Coming to Judge the Earth’s Inhabitants. 96.13

He is coming to execute judgement. He is coming to reward and punish.

Righteousness= justice- something that often eludes our system.

In Truth= firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness

And so we will ever be with the LORD

Revelation 20.11-15


There’s a Great Day Coming


The LORD’s Day
April 22, 2007
We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Jesus Will Come Again Psalm 93

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.

V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 97-100
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am
Wednesday Bible Study & Thursday Bible Study will not meet this week

Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm
Monthly Prayer Meeting at the Parsonage- 6pm

In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. left for Iraq last week (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter home and continuing to recover from surgery. Please pray for Monica’s (Katrina’s granddaughter) mother-in-law, Rosemary, with breast cancer doing well. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Praise God for a good report on Judy Mucci. She continues on Chemotherapy. Pray for Eloise Brooks. She had her leg amputated on Thursday and is in Good Sam. Remember Jean Louis as both he and Eloise are on dialysis. Christopher (Uncle of Good Shepherd Grad) with leukemia. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, fibromyalgia. kidney stones and liver inflamation. We are praying for all the families in grief following the massacre at Virginia Tech this past week.
************************************
A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503

If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see Alice Gordon.


Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
Jesus Will Come Again

Psalm 93





Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
(Church Phone: 631-969-1730
*1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Sunday, April 15, 2007

The LORD's Day April 15, 2007

God's Blessing on the Righteous

Psalm 92.12-15

Throughout God's Word the spiritual benefits of serving Him are pointed out to us.

These are the things that come to those who love the LORD, walk with Him and serve Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. There are blessings for the God's people. Wonderful blessings come from our life with Jesus.

We are warned by Paul, the apostle, in the letter he wrote to the church at Rome not to allow the world to crowd us or squeeze us into its own mold. Those who do not follow Jesus many times are seeking after the things that are temporal. They seek for things which have no lasting benefit. The pleasures of this world are temporary. Solomon's reflections on this are plain: We read his counsel in Ecclesiates 12.1-8. He laments there about how you really enjoy life in the temporal sense in one's youth. As a person ages the basic enjoyment of life begins to wane, particuarly those who do not know Jesus.

But Paul puts this dilemma into such a wonderful perpesctive: II Corinthians 4.16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. While we face the same aging process as those who do not know Christ, we do not face it the same way. We know that we have eternal life. We know that the troubles we experience are not worth comparing with what awaits us. We know that the present suffering is not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

So for those who are young- Remember Your Creator in the days of your youth. For those who are old don't lose heart. Inwardly you are being renewed day by day and heaven is closer now.

The Psalmist here in this 92nd Psalm tells us of the spiritual blessings we now have as we walk with the LORD.


1. The Righteous are like Trees

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

Today, palms are a popular symbol for the tropics and vacations, cruises and resorts. In the Word of God palms were associated with such ideas as victory, peace, and God's blessings.

They are ever green. Green stands for everlasting life. The are analogous to the tree of life, whose leaf never fades.

Palms bear fruit such as coconuts and dates. The dates off the Palm Date Tree are very very sweet and healthy.

The Romans rewarded champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches. Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul (After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7.9), as in the Palm Sunday festival celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In Judaism, the palm represents peace and plenty.

God blesses His people with victory, peace and abundant life.

The righteous will...
Flourish- to bud, sprout, send out shoots, bloom, to break out (of leprosy), to fly

We in turn pass on these blessings to others. The LORD works in us and through us and brings victory sometimes even in spite of us! When we talked to someone who is struggling with defeat we seek to encourage them. That is the righteous flourishing like a palm. When someone is ovecome by life, we offer God's mercy to them. John the Baptist said of Jesus, "A smouldering wick He would snuff out and a bruised reed he would not break." We imitate Jesus when we do the same.

Over and over again God has called us to be peacemakers. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3.18

Out of our innermost being flow rivers of life... the abundant life which Jesus promised, by His Spirit within us which He also promised.

It is a blessing to be a blessing. We are blessed as we give to others. They are blessed but it is more blessed to give than to receive. The giver has the greater blessing! Righteous people are the most generous people on earth!


they will grow like the cedar in Lebanon
The importance of the Cedar of Lebanon to the various civilizations is conveyed through its uses. The trees were used in ancient times by the Phoenicians to build their trade and military ships, as well as their houses and temples. The Egyptians used its resin for mummification, and its sawdust was found in the pharaoh's tombs.

Kings of neighboring and distant countries asked for this wood to build their religious and civil constructs, the most famous of which are King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and David's and Solomon's Palaces. In addition it was used by Romans, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians.

Shade, height and planted by the LORD well watered are all described of Lebabnon's cedars in God's Word. We provide shade to those scorched by the heat of sin or life's troubles.

Grow- increase, to grow (great)

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. II Corinthians 3.18

Our growth in becoming like Jesus is for God's glory. Mature children bring delight to their parents. When they move from the give me stage to the let me give back to you stage it is wonderful. It blesses our souls. God is praised and honored. He wants all of His children to mature. It is sad that not more do.

13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

Transplanted is the actual idea. We are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever we does prospers. (Psalm 1.3) Once we were stuck in the mire of sin and its consequences. Now we are free and stand on the rock Christ Jesus. We are planted on the good soil.

As we abide in Christ and His Word abides in us we are fruitful and bring glory to God.



2. The Righteous have Eternal Life.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green.

Gray headed age. Many trees stop bearing fruit as they get older. They wind down from their productive years. Not so with God's people. I believe that the most productive years for God's people are in their last years. It is then that the full maturity of the Spirit comes, the fruit of the Spirit matures.

They are the vigorous, stalwart ones in prayer and things of God... among others their age... among all the people - Caleb.

When I think of my grandmother who was frail and battled several things such as TB and cancer, I remember that I came into the world when she was in her late 50's. she went to be with the LORD at 87, I was 31. It was in her 60's, 70's and 80's that I was blessed by the fruit of her life, the fruit of the Spirit. She wasted away outwardly but never was she strong in her faith as she was when she was in her last hours. She never lost consciousness, 36 hours before she died she blessed all my children. I read John 14 to her and she was on her way to heaven, literally.


3. The Righteous have the Correct Perspective.
15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

This may not seem like some great blessing but sometimes a blessing can be measured by its absence. Do you know what it is like when you do not have the right perspective? We all do. It is misery.

Wickedness= injustice, unrighteousness, wrong
We need people to be conspicuous, tell, make known, to tell, declare, announce, report, expound, to inform, to publish,
to avow, acknowledge, confess, be a messenger about this aspect of the LORD. He is just. He is good. He is right in all He does. God does everything perfectly. I love to talk about the LORD to others and catch a glimpse of those who are passing by- they often speed up their steps- like Jonah they are running from God. I pray like Jonah they will find out they can't hide from God.

There are people who need to be corrected gently but firmly. They think the LORD does harsh things to them. "Why is God doing this to us?!" The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. This is one of the things he throws up. He blames God on the residual effects of sin on the human race when it is he who introduced the idea of rebelling against God that brought sin about!


Stand upon a boulder, hide under a cliff. Standing on the Rock of Ages, He hides us beneath His wings!

The blessings of God upon His people are great.
Like the palm and the cedar,
They bear fruit and stand strong.
The blessing of eternal life is theirs
And in their hearts, God puts a song.

They know the LORD and His Goodness,
They hear his voice in His Word,
They praise Him with all their heart
In music the most beautiful ever heard.

God leads us through each day,
He shows us the path to take.
He tells us that he loves us
all this for His Names' Sake.

We stand upon the Rock
Secure in every storm and blast
He hides us under His wings
Until the dark night is past.

Then one day when life is done,
He bring us to heaven
These are some of the blesssings
Of those who have been forgiven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The LORD’s Day
April 15, 2007

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
God’s Blessings on the Righteous Psalm 92.12-15

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.
V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 93-96
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am
Wednesday Bible Study -7:30pm at the parsonage
Thursday Bible Study-10:30am at the church

Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm


In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. left for Iraq last week (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter home and continuing to recover from surgery. Please pray for Monica’s (Katrina’s granddaughter) mother-in-law, Rosemary, with breast cancer. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Praise God for a good report on Judy Mucci. She continues on Chemotherapy. Pray for Eloise Brooks. She had her leg amputated on Thursday and is in Good Sam. Remember Jean Louis as both he and Eloise are on dialysis. Christopher (Uncle of Good Shepherd Grad) with leukemia.
************************************

A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see Alice Gordon.
Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
God’s Blessings on the Righteous

Psalm 92.12-15








Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
(Church Phone: 631-969-1730
*1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God






Sunday, April 8, 2007

He is Risen!

The Last Thing on Earth They Expected

Mark 16

There were two things that were the last events on earth the followers of Jesus expected that first Holy Week. They did not expect Him to die and that on a cross and they did not expect Him to rise again from the dead.

Jesus had told them plainly about both of these events. They didn't listen to Him. We can stop a lot of trouble in our lives if we just listen to Jesus.

They expected Him to restore the kingdom to Israel that Holy Week. Palm Sunday firmed that up in their minds and hearts. When He was arrested their dreams were dashed. When He died their hope was shattered. When He rose from the dead they were so amazed that they trouble at first believing it even after they saw Him!

Perhaps this morning you are facing some thing that is not expected, maybe the last thing on earth you expected. Words like divorce, cancer, job loss terminal illness, death of a loved one, - all of these and many others are traumatic and can bring down your world with a crash. Perhaps you have been plagued with fear about something that could happen that you view as the worst thing in the world to you.

I pray that the He Who is the Resurrection and the Life will meet you this morning and do what He did to those first believers- flood their hearts with joy!


1. The last thing on earth we expect sometimes does happen.

It did for those early believers.
Jesus died and they lost their hope. Luke 24.13-24 We had hoped...
The thought of Him dying was met with absolute denial and rejection by those men who followed Him. Matthew 16.21-23

But we know Jesus died. They knew it too. They had hoped and now they were in a locked room for fear that they might meet a similar fate.
They had no place to turn. Peter expressed this thought when people began to leave Jesus. John 6.67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Now they are in that spot- deciding what to do. Jesus has died and they did not remember His Words of rising again.

It can take place in our lives.
I have faced untimely deaths in my life. Some where I have had the opprtunity to say goodbye and some where that wasn't given to me.
These men had the opportunity but they didn't take it. Every one of them had guilt over fleeing that night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Fear and Guilt are powerful emotions. They can dominate behavior. People can take advantage of them in us and drive us to do things.

I have witnessed the worst thing happening and people still standing. Ann Van Hine is someone like that. Bruce, her husband, a fireman,
lost his life in 9-11. She serves children faithfully in her church in Warwick Valley now 5 1/2 years later.

It has taken place to men and women of God in the Bible.
Joseph- sold by his brother, put in prison as an innocent man
David- hunted down by King Saul out of jealousy
Daniel- thrown in a lion's den for praying
Mary, the mother of Jesus, having to explain her pregnancy to her betrothed, having to live her whole life under a cloud of illegitimacy.



2. There is hope if we have Jesus as LORD of Our life.

Who do you turn to when you are in need?
Human help will fail. At the very best it has limitations!

What lifts your spirit when darkness comes?
The hymn writers knew these experiences- One wrote, "When darkness seems to hide His face I rest in His unchanging grace."
Another one wrote that God is Holy though the darkness hides Him.

If He is our Rock, then there is always Hope.


3. Jesus can restore our life in a moment.

Joseph- from the prison to the place in a day
David- from a fugitive to the King of Israel in a moment
Daniel- Out of the den back to his position and his accusers dealt with
Salvation, the greatest gift. God can change a heart, a life, a family.

The worst thing turned out to be the best things!
Before Jesus died/ After He rose again - John 14.16-17 I have been with you. I will be in you!

For followers of Jesus Christ there is always life after death, restoration after destruction (mission teams rebuidling devastated areas)
God rebuilding lives. If there is brokeness in your life today, they are opportunities for God to show you how wonderful He can restore you soul!


4. Trust in Him and What He has said.

He will never leave us.
Difference between being confident of His presence and conscious of it

He will be with us always!
Right up the end of the age and then into eternity

He is makes all things beautiful in His time!
Butterflies and Emma. We have this confidence.

5. He is Alive!

Empty Tomb The early believers saw it but Him they did not see at first because He was not there. (v.4-6)

Hearts that are full

Strength for Today. He is going ahead of you- He always does. Ever interceding!

Hope beyond this life.

The last thing on earth those early disciples expected to happen happened. Jesus was put to death.
Before they could completely process what had happened, another thing happened, Jesus rose from the dead!
Because He lives, we too live and face whatever happens in our lives, if we believe in Him and follow in His Steps!

-----------------------------
The LORD’s Day
April 8, 2007
Celebrating His Resurrection

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
The Last Thing on Earth They Expected Mark 16

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.

V
This Week
Bible Reading Psalm 90-92
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am
Wednesday Bible Study -7:30pm at the parsonage
Thursday Bible Study-10:30am at the church
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm

In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. left for Iraq Thursday (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter recovering from surgery. Please pray for Monica’s (Katrina’s granddaughter) mother-in-law, Rosemary, with breast cancer. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Praise God for a good report on Judy Mucci. She continues on Chemotherapy. Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson recovering from a heart attack. He is doing well and is thankful for all the prayers offered for him. Pray for Eloise Brooks and Jean Louis as both are on dialysis. Christopher (Uncle of Good Shepherd Grad) with leukemia.
************************************
A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503*

If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see Alice Gordon.




Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
The Last Thing on Earth They Expected

Mark 16







Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God

Sunday, April 1, 2007

The LORD's Day - Palm Sunday

Into Jerusalem

John 12.12-17, Matthew 21.10-11 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

This was it. This is what the crowds had been waiting for. This is what the disciples dreamed of. Jesus was riding into Jerusalem on a colt, the sign of a conquering King. (v.15- Zechariah 9.9- so many promises in Zechariah's prophecy- rebuilding of the temple by God's enabling, Coming of the Messiah, Mt of Olives splitting, Jerusalem at the forefront of world events- prophesied 2,500 years ago!)

Throughout His ministry men tried to force Jesus into the position of the King of Israel (John 6.14-15). Some believe that was behind the darkness of Judas. Many followed Him because of the miracles but when He would not allow them to impose their own will on Him they left Him.

In Bethany, just over the Mount of Olives, Jesus had raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. This miracle was done openly and had sparked both admiration and hostility from people. Most of the people were delerious from joy over it but the leaders of the Jews were deeply troubled. They knew all too well the signs of the Messiah and this was one of them. They looked at Jesus as a threat to the hold they thought they had on the temple and Roman Government. Palm Sunday contains many past present and future truths for us .


1. Jerusalem, the City of God

*In His Word

It began with Abraham. David captured it from the Jebusites and made it Israel's capital. Just uncovered the temple wall from his time this past month!The Knessett declared it in 1982 to be the eternal capital of Israel. It will culminate with Jesus. Issac offered there as a foreshadowing, sacrifices made there in the temple.

Psalm 51:18
In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 68:29
Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts.

Psalm 102:21
So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem

Psalm 116:19
in the courts of the house of the LORD— in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 122:2
Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.

Psalm 122:3
Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure."

Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Psalm 128:5
May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,

Psalm 135:21
Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 137:5
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill .

Psalm 137:6
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.

Psalm 147:2
The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.

*In His Plan for Jesus

To die there, fulfilling the Old Covenant, bringing in the Everlasting Covenant Colossians 2.13-15
Jesus died putting an end to the sacrificial system, fulfilling the event of Abraham, prophecies made and putting into effect the New Covenant, the everlasting Covenant.

The true worshippers John 4 A time is coming and now has come when the true worshippers will neither worship the Father here in Jerusalem


*In the coming ages Ephesians 2.6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 2.3 Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.


2. Jesus the King

The King of Glory Psalm 24
He will return to Jerusalem to take up His throne on earth.

The King of kings (I Timothy 6.15)
He is the King over all
3. The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world

He rode into Jerusalem to die for you and me. He came to the Passover Feast. He was the Passover Lamb!I Corinthians 5.7 "...Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." This is Holy Week. The Jews will celebrate Passover this week as well.

God was offering His Son. He came to offer peace. (v.15) They were still rejecting Him. We read Jesus lament over the city in Luke 19.41 As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

He went there knowing the cross would be His destination for His ministry on earth.
He knew this from the beginning...
Of His ministry
Of His Life on earth Luke 2.34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Of the creation fo the world and back into eternity ...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.Revelation 13.8


4. He was crucified.

He suffered. We do not have the time this morning to go into all of this, just touching on some of it...
Hebrews 13.12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Jerusalem cast Him out.
Isaiah 53.1-12 gives an account of His suffering.

He died on the cross for you and me. Jesus died between two criminals and we see the two distinct destinies of souls here in these two men. In the last hour one repented and Jesus promised that day He would be with Him in Paradise. The other died cursing God.
5. He rose from the dead on the third day.

The leaders of Jerusalem in the first century put Him to death but they could not keep Him in the grave!
He never spoke of His death without speaking of His Resurrection.

There was a roller coaster ride of the disciples emotions that week. This week we'll look at the events between the two Sundays- Palm Sunday and the Resurrection. Good Friday they were in despair. By the LORD's Day they were overjoyed.

He conquered death. He lives. Because He lives, we too live and while we will pass into eternity one day leaving this body here, we will live forever.
6. He ascended into heaven.

This was part of His victory too. We ought to celebrate it more than we do! Listen to these words: Acts 1.1-11

7. He will come again.

Psalm 96.11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 12 let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; 13 they will sing before the LORD, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His truth.

Into Jerusalem and into People's Hearts

On Palm Sunday long ago
Jesus rode a donkey
Into Jerusalem
Son of God, Man of Sorrow

Crowds came to cheer
The end they thought
Of Roman Rule and tyranny
Jesus of Nazareth is setting us free

They didn't know nor suspect
That by this Holy Week's end
The Messiah would lay down His life
for His friends

He sought to enter people's hearts
As He does today
His desire to bring real peace
But so often He's turned away

Jerusalem shut Him out
Yet there were those who believed
Keep spreading the Good News
Planting that precious Gospel Seed

For meek souls will receive Him Still
And He will enter in
like Nicodemus of long ago
They will be born again

Lord, strengthen Your Church
In these last days
Give us holy fire
We'll do your Work
While its still light
Seeking souls deep in the mire.

Lead on O King Eternal
For soon time will be no more
It won't be long until we all
Are gathered on heaven's shore.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The LORD’s Day
April 1, 2007
Palm Sunday

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Receiving the LORD’s Supper
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Into Jerusalem John 12.12-17, Matthew 21.10-11
*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.

V
This Week
Bible Reading Mark 11-16
Monday through Friday 6:30am Walking With Jesus in Holy Week
Good Friday Service at 2pm

Next Lord’s Day Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Sunrise Service- 6am Bay Shore Marina
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm

In Your Prayers For All of God’s People
Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son on his third tour of Iraq. Please pray for the whole family. Billy Knapp, Jr. leaves for Iraq Thursday (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton... Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Christine Frankland, Katharina’s daughter recovering from surgery. Please pray for Monica’s (Katrina’s granddaughter) mother-in-law, Rosemary, with breast cancer. Sonya, Albert and Anka’s niece in Canada results on the biopsy were negative Praise the LORD Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Praise God for a good report on Judy Mucci. She continues on Chemotherapy. Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson recovering from a heart attack last Sunday. He is doing well and is thankful for all the prayers offered for him. Pray for Eloise Brooks and Jean Louis as both are on dialysis. Christopher (Uncle of Good Shepherd Grad) with leukemia.
***********************************
*A number of nursery school families are going through difficult times. If you would like to sponsor a child presently at Good Shepherd, see Alice or call the school at 666-7503
*If you would like to help with the Sunday Morning Bagel ministry see Alice Gordon.



Notes on Our Time in the Word of God This Morning:
Into Jerusalem
John 12.12-17, Matthew 21.10-11




Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
(Church Phone: 631-969-1730
*1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all for the glory of God