LifeBridge Community Church

Reaching the Lost. Discipling the Saved. Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

Tag: Sermon (Page 6 of 13)

The Real Battle

February 25, 2024 /

Heart-wrenching.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20ab

That may be the closest we come to describing the happenings in the Garden.

Jesus is about to be betrayed, denied, and much more leading to death. He knows it’s coming. He knows the immense pain and suffering about to take place – and at the hands of His friends and religious leaders who were supposed to welcome the Messiah and prepare the people for Him.

But the main antagonist in this story is the one who is not named – “Satan,” Jesus’ adversary.

He tempted Jesus at the beginning of His ministry and would return at “an opportune time.” He entered Judas and was looking for the right time to betray Him. He is looking forward to “sifting” Peter, leading him to deny Jesus. His chaos in this moment cause the disciples, not to stand firm in the temptation, but flea in fear.

This is his hour. His moment. And Jesus knows it!

He tries to tell the disciples to pray in this moment and He Himself makes sure to; with a pit in His being that is palpable.

The real battle of good and evil. Spiritual forces, flesh and blood. And this is evil’s time.

Heart-wrenching.

But where Satan and evil will have the moment, Jesus will have the rest of eternity!

Satan still works his wares. Our sinful nature still gives in to temptation and evil. These things still affect us for the moments we’re this side of eternity. But those moments will end; forever!

Jesus made sure of it; in those moments. In the Garden with blood and tears. On the cross in agony and death.

But that moment ended, and the rest – life – is yet to come!

Just you wait!

Scriptures

  • Luke 22:39-62

He Was Numbered Among the Transgressors

February 18, 2024 /

Jesus, the greatest One of all, tells us in today’s Scripture that He is present as “One who serves” and later as the One “numbered with the transgressors.”

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20ab

This at His last supper with His disciples.

Disciples whom He has taught, shared with, suffered with, laughed with, repeatedly banged His head against the wall with.

And what do these disciples, these ones whom Jesus has assigned kingdoms to and who will judge the tribes of Israel; what do they do in this last supper with their Lord and friend?

They argue – again – about whom among them is the greatest.

We are at the beginning of the end of Jesus suffering. The battle of evil in this world and the spiritual realm against God and good is climaxing.

And the disciples are going to be a part of the evil.

They will choose it. They will take part in it. They, the closest to Jesus, who have “stayed with Jesus in His trials” will fall away and deny.

All will seem lost.

And if it were left to the disciples – if it were left to us – that would be the end.

But it wasn’t left to them or us. It was left for the Suffering Servant; the One who took became sin for us; the One who took on all evil and won! Forever!

He is the Victor! He is our Victor! Through faith in Him our place in heaven is secured!

How much greater news is there than that?

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dealing with evil and our part in it and conquering it for us!”

Scriptures

  • Luke 22:14
  • Luke 22:24-38

With God’s Radiance

February 11, 2024 /

Transfiguration Sunday is an interesting celebration. We harken back to Moses on Mt. Sinai, speaking face to face with God and Jesus being transfigured before Peter, James, and John, with Moses and Elijah on a mountain top.

[Jesus] was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

Mark 9:2b-3

When Moses was in God’s presence, he radiated God’s glory. People couldn’t help but notice the difference that enveloped him. – And they didn’t like it! They didn’t want to hear from Moses – at least not directly. They feared the change. They tried to put off the messenger.

Peter, James, and John didn’t have that same reaction. Rathen than be put-off, they were confounded and confused. They didn’t know how to react to this transformation and or understand what it really meant.

So here’s a question: with whom do we identify? Are we like the Israelites, who fear the glory of God and only somewhat reluctantly follow Him out of fear? Are we like the three apostles who are happy to do something but really no idea what or why? Or are we like Moses, who went to commune with God, listen to Him, and carry His message, His radiance, His glory to those around – regardless of how they may take it?

The fact is, through faith in Jesus we are joined to Him; the One who was transfigured; the One who transfigures us! We are changed, forever! We have His Message of Salvation! We have His glory! We shine with His radiance!

Others should see that! It should have an impact on all those we encounter! We have been saved by the Light of the world, and we are to shine like starts with Him; always!

May we be bold in that calling, and always point to Jesus through it all, so that His saving glory may show the Way to a people still in darkness!

Shine on and through us, O Lord!

Scriptures

  • Exodus 34:29-35
  • Mark 9:2-0

All Mighty

February 4, 2024 /

The scale of creation is truly beyond understanding. It boggles the mind. From the smallest to largest and everything in between. From the intricacies of our being to the faculties of understanding. It is astounding and surpasses all understanding.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.

Psalm 147:5

The One who breathes out stars and knits life together in the smallest detail. Who sets the heavens in motion and lays out the seasons in their time. Who creates cells more complicated than rockets and lays out galaxies in their beauty.

This is the God we serve! Beyond astronomical!

And yet the most amazing things we consider is not that He determines and names the stars, but that He gathers outcasts, heals the brokenhearted, and bind up our wounds. It is not in the incomprehension of His power, but in that of His pleasure in those who love and fear Him! It is that the same God who created and sustains everything sent His Son, incarnate, to save us so that we could dwell with Him forever!

Amazing! Utterly and unfathomably amazing!

Scriptures

  • Psalm 147:1-11

Stumbling Block

January 28, 2024 /

“The land of the free and the home of the brave!”

What a great way to describe our great nation! We value the great freedoms our Constitution provides, which have been protected and secured by the blood and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have and continue to serve!

Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 8:9

What a blessing God has given us in this great country!

Of course, our country isn’t perfect. We have more laws on the books that restrict freedom than most countries. We have more people incarcerated than most countries. To say we have some serious issues is an understatement.

For American Christians, we have a peculiar shortcoming: we value the freedoms in our country and the ultimate freedoms we have in Jesus, but we are not very conscientious about how we use them. That is to say, we love exercising our freedoms without much concern for how they may negatively affect others.

That may be acceptable secularly, but it is altogether wrong and inappropriate as Christians!

We are called to make sure that in the exercising of our freedoms in Jesus, we are not a stumbling block to others and their faith!

That means always putting the needs others before our own desires. It means being no obstacle to others seeing and following Jesus. We want to be the reason people see Jesus clearly. We want to be a help to those who may be struggling in their faith, not the reason they question it more.

And if that means we don’t get to exercise all our freedoms all the time as we want, so be it!

It’s not about us. It’s about Jesus.

Let’s keep that in mind – always!

Scriptures

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Wait on Him

January 21, 2024 /

I’ve heard many people say, “patience is a virtue, and I don’t have it!”

I certainly felt that way sometimes as well.

But the truth is we all have patience we just don’t like to use it or exercise it very much. Patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit, which we all have.

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Psalm 62:7

The questions is, what are we patient for? Why are we patient? Maybe it’s something that we’ve wanted for a long time; maybe prepared or saved up for.

But what about being patient for the Lord? For His Plan? For His timing? Are we patient, waiting on Him?

I would venture to say we are not altogether good for that, either. We are an immediate, impatient people. We want what we want when we want.

But our timing is not God’s timing. Our ways are not His ways. Our plan is not His Plan.

And we are called to wait on Him.

Wherever He takes us. Whenever He deigns. However He wants.

That means knowing that His way, His Plan, and His time will always be the best for us. Trusting in Him regardless of what is happening in our lives. Relying on Him through everything. Knowing that His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His salvation is sufficient for all our needs for all time.

“We wait on You, Lord, and out hope is always and every in You alone!”

Scriptures

  • Jonah 3:1-5, 10
  • Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8

Life

January 14, 2024 /

We’re going to get into one of those tricky difficult topics today: life and abortion.

We often try to stay away from lightning rod topics like this because we don’t want to put off some people. But the fact is, where Scripture speaks we must also; and scripture speaks very clearly on this topic.

For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

The Bible tells us that God created us in our mother’s womb; intricately weaving us into exactly the person He wants us to be. And throughout Scripture we know that God is a God of life. That started all the way back in creation in Genesis where He brings life from nothing and breathes His Spirit into humanity.

Scripture is the story of God creating, restoring, promising, and through Jesus being life. So it should not be controversial warranting surprise that God is strongly pro-life.

Perhaps the challenge for us is that we don’t want to come off as judgmental. And that is true. And so let us always remember, that where there has been sin and there is confession, there is forgiveness. The God who forgives sins is available for any who have not chosen life in the past. Period. Not just in the areas of abortion, but in avenues of freezing or discarding embryos; birth control which prevents implantation; or when we belittling, harm, insult, demean, or just don’t seek the best for others through their lives.

When we look at life in all the glorious aspects God has blessed us with, it is evident that we have all failed to be the true pro-life advocates and witnesses He has called us to be.

So, then: let us confess our sins and be renewed in the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; forgiven and given a life to live and His life to share in all areas to all people!

“Lord, be our Life and our Light for more abundance for everyone!”

Scriptures

  • Psalm 139:1-18
  • Psalm 138:23-24
  • John 14:1-7
  • John 10:10

A New Year. A New You.

January 7, 2024 /

It’s fitting that we start the new year with the start of scripture in Genesis. But that’s not the only start to consider today.

I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Mark 1:8

In Mark we also see the beginning of Jesus’ ministry when He was baptized in the Jordan.

That might seem like a strange connection, but the newness for Jesus and His ministry and the newness of creation have a deep connection for us. That is, we are new creations when we are joined in our baptism with the baptism of Jesus!

We are new, forgiven, made pure!

So as we look to the new year and trying to make ourselves anew in resolutions, let’s not forget that in Jesus and through His baptism and ours, we are new also truly and perfectly new!

Scriptures

  • Genesis 1:1-5
  • Mark 1:4-11
  • Psalm 29

Always New Again

December 31, 2023 /

My eyes have seen Your salvation.

Luke 2:30

Jesus redeems, renews, and moves us forward to a next thing we may not know or expect.

A new year; a new life in Christ.

Relationship not religion. — Jesus did it all and does it all to move us ahead.

Scriptures

  • Luke 2:27-32

CHRISTMAS EVE – “Wrapped Up In Love”

December 24, 2023 /

Tonight is the culmination of our series and our waiting! It all comes down to this. To HIM; born for us!

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7

May the Lord bless your celebration o f the birth of the Savior, Jesus, through Whom you, too, are “wrapped Up In Love!”

“Robed in Righteousness”

December 24, 2023 /


I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10

There are times we put on our best. For many that was for big, special occasions, like weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and Sundays. (Remember, “Sunday best” for clothes?)

There’s something to that. Something about dressing up in our best attire for special occasions. But it can go further than that. We can also tell some people by the clothes they wear. Military uniforms tell us branches, campaigns, and ranks. Royalty can be observed with crowns and ornate robes. And, in liturgical traditions, some pastors and priests can be differentiated by their garb.

This was true in Scripture as well. In fact, when God commanded the Israelites to build a tabernacle in the desert, He also gave detailed instructions on how the priests were to dress. The outfits were very ornate. They included many aspects, but one that I find interesting is the gems on the ephod (breastplate). There were twelve, each with the names of each tribe, so that when the priest entered into the “Holy of Holies” (or “Holiest Place”), their names would be born “as a continuing memorial before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29).

But we’re getting ready for Christmas. And we see a Savior born for us and bear our name before the Father, not with gems on an ornate breastplate, but through a manger and swaddling clothes!

There is a “great exchange” which takes place tonight: a priestly intercessor for the Great intercessor. Our wretched sins for His perfection. Our worst for His best. Our hurts and pains born by Him on the cross. Our shame on His cross. Our attempt at a holy projection for the Holy One, naked and dying.

Is dressing up in our best good? Sure! But seeing the One born humbly in the manger; the One who died naked on a cross, well, that’s infinitely better!

Through faith in the One born for us, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: we have been clothed and covered with a robe of righteousness, so our soul will exalt!

O Come, O come, Immanuel!

Scripture

  • Isaiah 61:10
  • Exodus 28:15-30

“Clothed in Conviction”

December 17, 2023 /


The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

Jonah 3:6

This is a tough one. It involved being “clothed” in sackcloth and ashes. (A far cry from “Louis Vuitton” or whatever the fashionable wear is now!)

Jonah was dreading this. He knew of Nineveh’s true, utter, undisputed wickedness cruelty. And he also knew of God’s mercy for those who repent. In the off chance Nineveh would head God’s Word, Nineveh would be spared and their evil continue.

And that’s what happened.

What a disaster!

But this is precisely the point of God’s call for repentance – a turning from sin and back toward God and His ways.

So what does that have to do with clothing or sackcloth and ashes?

Being clothed in sackcloth and ashes was a sign of one’s sorrow and repentance. A sign that they were truly sorry for what they had done.

God didn’t spare the people of Nineveh because they changed their cloths and got a little dirty. He spared them because they changed their hearts and saw that they were very dirty.

The call is for us, too. We are called to repentance. True repentance. Soulful repentance. Deep repentance. Full repentance. Not an outward change of clothing or actions, but an inward transformation of the heart which produces from our very being a want and desire to change our actions.

If our repentance is done only for God and others to see, well, God sees through that; and He isn’t fooled. He wants to see that our sins, which break His heart have broken ours too. He wants to see that the actions He despises are despised by us too. He wants to see our hearts in sackcloth and ashes because we see the seriousness of our sins.

But He doesn’t leave us there! Where there is faith in Jesus there is forgiveness of our sins! Where there is confession sins there is mercy freely given! Where we were covered in ashes, He has traded us Light. Where we were drowning in sorrow and mourning, He has lifted us to peace and rejoicing. Where we wallowed in despair and hopelessness, He has stood us up in Life and hope.

Take to heart your sins, for they are serious.

Even more, take in His heart the forgiveness of all your sins through faith in Jesus, for it is certain and everlasting!

Scripture

  • Jonah 3:6-10
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Phone / Email

(979) 885-7270 [Church]
(713) 965-6761 [Pastor Scott Heitshusen’s Cell]

info@lifebridgesealy.com

Location // Mail

2162 FM 2187 Rd (location)
P.O. Box 934 (mail)
Sealy, TX 77474

Connecting People to Jesus by:
Reaching the Lost.
Discipling the Saved.
Sharing the Love of Jesus with Everyone.

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