Sunnyside First Baptist Church
The Church is Resilient!
- Call to Worship!I thought I knew what it was to be resilient… I’ve been through a few ups and downs in my life and you have been in yours. We seem to always progress ahead.The Covid-19 has sent many of us for a loop. It is the unending disease, the unending changes from our Governor and Health Department. It has made many of us discouraged and wanting to give up… But I am and we are a resilient people who have been through much and come out on the other side.The church is that to… started as discipleship gatherings across the world. The morphed into something completely different, almost regressed to the place where the Jews where, their faith was in the law and the law fulfilled the law.But the church and followers of Jesus where resilient and a remnant remained that seeded the church we know today. The church was and is resilient.Today was are faced with many, many unknowns in our world and many in our personal lives and circumstances… But the church is resilient and we be here long after we are gone and many generations to come.I don’t do this often, and it is more than a bit liturgical. Our Presbyterian and Lutheran friends will be impressed. But in my devotion time that past week I was struck by this “call to worship” from Ps. 81 Listen...
Psalm 81:1–4 NIV84 1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; 4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.Joe and team… bring into the very presence of God as we worship.----------------------Thanks guys here on stage and up in our sound booth. ThanksLet’s provide a look back...The church we know really began in Acts 2, with the coming of the Holy SpiritActs 2:2–4 NIV84 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.And continues with the feet on the ground ministry of Peter and JohnActs 3:1 NIV84 1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.Then encountered a man who was lame from birth...Acts 3:7 NIV84 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.This man walked like he had never had!Acts 3:8 NIV84 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.Peter and John continued to minister where they found themselves, in the colonnade, in homes, in the street wherever people gathered they were there.Peter and John were BOLD with a capital B.They would be so bold to address, “Fellow Israelites” and sayActs 3:19 NIV84 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,Of course the Priests, the Captain of Guard and Sadducees confronted them in the strongest of termsActs 4:2–3 NIV84 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.Praise God… the proverbial genie was out of the bottle because the people heard what it was to be redeemed and reconciled to GoActs 4:4 NIV84 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.Peter and John were called before the rulers. They didn’t make excuse for who or what they were. When they were pinned up against the wall here is what they saidActs 4:10–12 NIV84 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”It was through this persecution… through their beatings, it was through their isolation and imprisonment that boldness became their mark when speaking with Jews, Gentiles, Pagans and any and all that could here them.And in case they could not be heard because of a language barrier they met needs by healing the impossible to heal, by bringing to a knowledge in Christ, centurions, sinners, Jews and Gentiles.Some practical needs have come up among the converts. The group, the group reached out to those in greatest needActs 4:34 NIV84 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the salesTake a pause here and remember what we talked about a couple of weeks ago.The Scarlet Thread of RedemptionThis is a thread that runs from Genesis 1.1 all the way to Genesis 22.19. All of scripture from beginning to end speaks, SCREAMS of the redemption that is only found in relationship with Jesus. [period]Stop worshipping the Law… the Law brings death as Romans points out.Realize that The Prophets have spoken clearly about the coming Messiah since the very beginning. And it is just now that God sent His son… Jesus to redeem, rescue and return to world to righteousness based on faith alone!Of course this was too simple… to easy, no membership, no dues, no sacrificeSo...Acts 5:17 NIV84 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.They threw the Apostles in jail… which God promptly freed them from.They “sentenced” them to floggingActs 5:40 NIV84 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.Well that was it then… the message of Redemption and Reconciliation in the person and work of ChristSTOPPED...The gates of hell and satan himself could not stop this train. This Gospel Train, this Gospel Balloon would not could not be stopped.Many lost their lives, many unnamed lost their lives in the cause of bringing to Gospel to Jerusalem. These Martyrs never stopped reminding the people, mostly Jews at this point of their past and its connection to place where they were of the history, prophets that God had always pointed to Jesus the Messiah and the inclusion of GentilesStephen is called the first MartyrActs 7:59–60 NIV84 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.Saul went on a terror… persecuting and killing “Christians” wherever he would find them.Acts 8:1 NIV84 1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.This Saul that would become Paul… From the most evil to the once chosen to being the Gospel to THE WORLD.It started simply...Acts 9:4 NIV84 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”After three days… Paul became a NEW MAN, just like thatActs 9:20 NIV84 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.In Acts 10 and 11 Peter is called to be the Apostle that preaches the inclusion of ALL persons. Regardless of Jews, Gentiles, Pagans, Ethiopians all are INCLUDED!---------------------Wow that was a journey getting us here… to Chapter 12. That one of the longest introductions that I have every done. Scripture is always best understood IN CONTEXT.If you have heard anything… please hear that Jesus came as a baby, won the world not with his power and might but with His humbleness, His servant attitude and His desire that the Gospel is for all… and it is our responsibility to bring to the world Grace, Mercy and significanceMatthew 28:18–20 NIV84 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”I’d like you to open your bibles your apps, your ipads, however to encounter the Word of God, to Acts Chapter 12.I’m 59 years old… I’ve never went without food, clothes, a roof over my head, I have a college and seminary education. I’ve never fought in war, I never, except for a couple of stupid times in college ever really feared for my life. We have two great kids who are both married to Godly women and even have a couple of grandkids.Why am I so fortunate?What was the magic pixy dust that got sprinkled on me in April 1961 that has sustained me and now my family until August 2020?That is NOT the case for most of you… I’ve heard your stories. I’ve heard your struggles.I’ve heard about your losses... deaths of children, husbands, fathers, mothers. I’ve heard about the conditions that were born into. The insecurity, the violence, the chaos, the hunger, the lack of clothes and shelter. I’ve heard about loneliness, sadness and depression.I’ve heard about your financial losses, the disasters as you approach retirement.I feel the things you feel, as much as I can. I identify on some level with your loss.I pray for you… I give advice… I give a listening ear.Why did God bring us all together here in this place? I guess a more important question what has the whole of our lives before us today mean to God and to the church?God has taught us… to be RESILIENT!God has taught us… to be RESILIENT! Definition: To able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.God has taught us… to be RESILIENT! Definition: To able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.God has lead the church up to the point of Acts 12. For His purposes, He is Sovereign in all of our workingsActs 12:24–25 NIV84 24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.“But the word of God grew...”In spite of the killing of Stephen, and the killing of James, in spite of the martyrdom of hundreds or more family members. In spite the constant fear of being identified with the other Christians, in spite of loosing everything including your lifeThe Word of God grew...The devil, his minions, our words and circumstances, our own choices that get us into a jam with others, especially those who we go to church with every weekThe Word of God grew...It will continue to grow until the very end. When at that time, all the weeping, all of the difficulties, all of everything will be DONE!Satan himself will be cast into the Lake of FireRevelation 20:10 NIV84 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.Until then...Acts 12:24 NIV84 24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread.We have a job to do… I hope your getting sick and tired of hearing me talk about his, I hope your so sick and tired of me saying it that you finally give up and start living, speaking, acting like the Child of the KING!The church in Acts, kept growing even through the persecutions, even through the difficulties. Why… What made that even possible.What will allow Sunnyside First Baptist to be here in another 120 years. What will sustain this movement that began when Jesus was born and was left to the Apostles and the Disciples and to us after Jesus returned to His Father’s side. What could be possibly be able to keep us from falling away from our faith, of abandoning all that we “know”The Word of God!I know that the church from its infancy was built on the Holy Scriptures.I know that among the 39 Pastors that Sunnyside First Baptist Church has had… the ministry was ALWAYS built on the WORD OF GOD.CANNOT BE DESTROYED!Our church exists to be the beacon of Grace and Mercy in Sunnyside.The universal church exists toMatthew 28:19 NIV84 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,The WORD OF GOD will NEVER PASS AWAY!Mark 13:31 NIV84 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.Many of you, through all of the things that “the world” has thrown at you have Persevered , that has built character, that character has made you resilient.Resilient - able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.Resilient - able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.As we go to communion now i’d like to to consider Jesus and then His disciples.---------------------------- [Come servers]It’s on Jesus back, on Jesus shoulders that the weight of the world’s sin rested. The perfect lamb that was to be sent to slaughter not for his sin, He was perfect. He did not sin. He could NOT sin, but for our sin his own Father sent him to His death.On the night... Psalm 81:1–4ESV
Acts 2:2–4ESV
Acts 3:1ESV
Acts 3:7ESV
Acts 3:8ESV
Acts 3:19ESV
Acts 4:2–3ESV
Acts 4:4ESV
Acts 4:10–12ESV
Acts 4:34ESV
Acts 5:17ESV
Acts 5:40ESV
Acts 7:59–60ESV
Acts 8:1ESV
Acts 9:4ESV
Acts 9:20ESV
Matthew 28:18–20ESV
Acts 12:24–25ESV
Revelation 20:10ESV
Acts 12:24ESV
Matthew 28:19ESV
Mark 13:31ESV
Sunnyside First Baptist Church
509-837-3084
11 members • 3 followers