PASTOR’S PEN
Send it on Ahead
Send it on ahead
Sometime in the summer of 1989, my brother and I received tickets to an event at a local hotel.
I don’t remember where I got them, but I do remember what happened when we went. It turned
out to be a series of sales presentations given by highly enthusiastic speakers. The title of one
of the presentations was very enticing:
“How to buy a dollar for 41 cents”
The speaker convinced us that through a legal loophole for purchasing bonds, we could do just
that. We were so excited! And so we dug into our hard-earned savings that we had built up
earning our minimum wage jobs ($4 an hour at the time) and plunked down the $400 to
purchase the program. When we got home, we found that the entire kit was a series of tapes
instructing us on the basics of investing in real estate.
We never bought a single bond. It was a totally wasted investment – except, perhaps for the
enduring lessons it taught us (in the long run, it was probably worth the $400). One lesson was
most about the importance of putting faith in reliable sources! Perhaps you can relate to that
story.
There is Good News – there is one investment advisor that’s supremely reliable. Jesus said:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal,20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
On November 26, 1922 archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tut. By the
time they were done excavating, they found over 2,600 pounds of gold and jewels. Why was it
all in there? Because they believed that King Tut could take it with him into the afterlife.
Not according to Jesus. According to Jesus, there’s something much, much better – Treasure in
Heaven! Nothing compares to the infinite and eternal value of God and his promises. Author
Randy Alcorn writes,
“In Wall Street terms, Jesus is bearish when it comes to investing on earth. His financial forecast
for this world is ultimately bleak. But he’s unreservedly bullish about investing in heaven, where
every market indicator is eternally positive!”
In other words, according to Jesus, you can’t take it with you – but you can send it ahead!
Every investment commercial you listen to ends with the same qualifying statement: “Past
performance is no guarantee of future results.” But that’s not true when it comes to Jesus! As
the Bible tells us: “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep (in death) in him.” (1 Thess 4:14)
Join us as we gather to worship Jesus Christ, our eternal treasure and learn to invest all we are
in the only sure thing there is, the Kingdom of God.
Pastor Ryan Sarenpa
God is Good, All the Time!
Read more...
THEREFORE
THEREFORE
In 1954, the psychologist James Olds made a few ordinary rats the happiest rodents that had
ever lived. How?
ever lived. How?
He had directly wired an electrode into the rats’ brains, plugging into the septal area. The rats
seemed to enjoy it, so Olds gave them a lever: when pushed, it would turn on the electrode. The
rats quickly learned how it worked, and they had a fantastic time with it. Some of the rats would
giddily push the lever 2,000 times per hour for 24 hours straight.
seemed to enjoy it, so Olds gave them a lever: when pushed, it would turn on the electrode. The
rats quickly learned how it worked, and they had a fantastic time with it. Some of the rats would
giddily push the lever 2,000 times per hour for 24 hours straight.
Recently, scientists began to apply this research to human beings. Through non-invasive
means, they have found how to stimulate this region of our brains. How? It happens through
the presence (or simulated presence) of another person and the sounds of their movement and
voice. It requires an “emotional element,” which leaves the viewer feeling “safe, and warm, and
loved.”
means, they have found how to stimulate this region of our brains. How? It happens through
the presence (or simulated presence) of another person and the sounds of their movement and
voice. It requires an “emotional element,” which leaves the viewer feeling “safe, and warm, and
loved.”
Good News! Long before researchers discovered this, God the Grand Designer provided it.
How? That’s the Message of the Bible, summarized in the book of Romans.
How? That’s the Message of the Bible, summarized in the book of Romans.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.” (Romans 5:8, New International Version)
died for us.” (Romans 5:8, New International Version)
In other words, the power for Christian living comes from the Mercy of our Maker. It’s the source
of strength for living the life God has designed for you and me. And this design is described in
Romans chapter 12. I call it the great THEREFORE. This comes from the first few words of
verse 1:
of strength for living the life God has designed for you and me. And this design is described in
Romans chapter 12. I call it the great THEREFORE. This comes from the first few words of
verse 1:
“THEREFORE, in view of God’s mercy….”
Romans chapter 12 goes on to summarize what God’s design entails. In other words, what
does God’s great love produce? It’s nothing mysterious, nothing magical. In fact, it’s both
logical and intuitive. In a word, Love. Great love begets great love. It’s what empowers us to
fulfill what Jesus called the Great Commandment taught to us by Jesus:
does God’s great love produce? It’s nothing mysterious, nothing magical. In fact, it’s both
logical and intuitive. In a word, Love. Great love begets great love. It’s what empowers us to
fulfill what Jesus called the Great Commandment taught to us by Jesus:
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Luke 10:27)
strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Luke 10:27)
What does it mean to be a Christian? Ask anyone you meet, and you’ll probably get a different
answer every time. But God gives us an answer in one chapter: Romans 12.
answer every time. But God gives us an answer in one chapter: Romans 12.
For the first four weeks of 2023, we are learning so that we might live into God’s purpose and be
a part of his grand plan in my sermon series entitled, THEREFORE!
a part of his grand plan in my sermon series entitled, THEREFORE!
Pastor Ryan
Read more...
Unless the Lord Builds the House
“Because I said so.”
That’s a phrase that you’ve heard – and that you might have used. As a son and as a father, I’ve
been on both ends of that expression. In all likelihood, “because I said so” ended the
conversation. Sometimes it’s necessary, perhaps because the situation is urgent or time is
short. But often it creates frustration and even misunderstanding. And in parenting, it’s a
missed opportunity in explaining to a child how and why to make good, solid choices. And,
even more importantly, it’s a missed opportunity to build trust.
been on both ends of that expression. In all likelihood, “because I said so” ended the
conversation. Sometimes it’s necessary, perhaps because the situation is urgent or time is
short. But often it creates frustration and even misunderstanding. And in parenting, it’s a
missed opportunity in explaining to a child how and why to make good, solid choices. And,
even more importantly, it’s a missed opportunity to build trust.
God, as our all-wise Creator, has the absolute right to use this phrase. But the fact of the matter
is, he often takes the time to explain. The Good News is that our Heavenly Father wants us to
know why. Even more important, our Heavenly Father wants us to trust him, and so he gives
his children a thorough explanation in his Word, the Bible.
is, he often takes the time to explain. The Good News is that our Heavenly Father wants us to
know why. Even more important, our Heavenly Father wants us to trust him, and so he gives
his children a thorough explanation in his Word, the Bible.
God wants his household of faith to be built on a solid foundation.
The church is often called a “community of faith.” This very title presupposes that everyone who
participates is a person of faith. As Christians, we have faith in many different things: That God
exists, that God hears and answers prayer, that there is a reason for evil and suffering, that the
Bible is true and trustworthy, and that life has purpose and meaning.
However, to be human means to have doubts. Faith can be shaken. In fact, doubt often
coexists alongside faith. That is, we have reasons to believe and reasons to doubt the very
same thing.
participates is a person of faith. As Christians, we have faith in many different things: That God
exists, that God hears and answers prayer, that there is a reason for evil and suffering, that the
Bible is true and trustworthy, and that life has purpose and meaning.
However, to be human means to have doubts. Faith can be shaken. In fact, doubt often
coexists alongside faith. That is, we have reasons to believe and reasons to doubt the very
same thing.
In his book, Reaching for the Invisible God, Philip Yancey writes: “The church at its best
prepares a safe and secure space that belief may one day fill; we need not bring fully formed
belief to the door, as a ticket for admission.” Jesus himself honored the faith of everyone who
asked, from the bold centurion to doubting Thomas, healing a man who brought his son to him
and said, “I do believe! Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
prepares a safe and secure space that belief may one day fill; we need not bring fully formed
belief to the door, as a ticket for admission.” Jesus himself honored the faith of everyone who
asked, from the bold centurion to doubting Thomas, healing a man who brought his son to him
and said, “I do believe! Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
Come and join us as we as a community of faith seek greater understanding. All are welcome –
and it’s safe to ask all your questions!
and it’s safe to ask all your questions!
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
Pastor Ryan
Seeking Jesus, Serving Others
Seeking Jesus, Serving Others
Read more...
The Good Life
Having moved here to Warren in February 2020, last year’s Marshall County Fair was the first that the Sarenpa family experienced. What fun! It started with a parade and a bag full of candy, and proceeded to four days of freedom, friends, food, games, music, and rides, rides, and MORE RIDES! Life was good, and the kids were living the good life! They wished those days would never end.
Perhaps you’ve seen, or even have one of those t-shirts that says, Life is Good. And perhaps you’ve never thought about it from God’s perspective. The Bible tells us that God when created everything, including all different kinds of life, he declared that it was Good – and human life, which God created in his very own image, was Very Good. While Heaven is the eternal hope of all Christians, that doesn’t mean life on earth is bad. Heaven is simply described as “far better.” But still, here on earth, life is good.
So how do we live the good life? What is that, really? Is it summers at the lake and winters in Phoenix or Florida? Well, God tells us that we can have it, no matter where we are, no matter what season we’re in. In the book of Psalms in the Bible, it says:
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
In other words living the good life means doing good – because life is good!
Enjoy your time at the Marshall County Fair, and please come to the Worship Service in the Grandstand! It begins at 9:30. See you then!
-Pastor Ryan Sarenpa, Warren Covenant Church
Read more...