It Is Time to Invite the Unworthy (Reverend Ross Henzi)

Every single one of us, on our own, are a mess. We are all sinful human beings. Every one of us is unworthy. Once you know that, once you understand that, once you know that by God’s grace the gospel is what brought you to Jesus, you begin to want that for everybody else.

Look at Jesus. Look at who he welcomed. He met with, talked to, and ate with sinners. Tax collectors. The poor and the sick. The outcasts. He went to the woman at the well (she was certainly unworthy), but once she heard the gospel, she immediately went and invited others to come and hear. Jesus went to Peter who denied him, Thomas who doubted him, and Paul who at that time was desperately trying to stop the gospel from being shared.

Jesus didn’t wait for any of them to become worthy. Jesus went to them, called them, forgave them, and restored them. Just as he has with you and me. And now he’s sending us. He’s sending us out to extend the gospel invitation to others who are unworthy.

This place here, this church here, wasn’t built to be a home for the few, the proud, the chosen. This place was built by and for unworthy sinners who have been rescued by grace.

Time in God's Word with Pastor Moldenhauer!

Speak Truth to Power (Reverend Ross Henzi)

Have you ever noticed; it is nearly impossible nowadays to get people to agree on something? It doesn’t matter the topic. You can say, “I think Strawberry is the best flavor of ice cream.” Someone else will counter, “No way. Chocolate, Blue Moon, even Vanilla is better than Strawberry.” The same thing happens with politics, religion, science, or even pop culture. For example, who is the best singer of all time, male or female? Depending on your age bracket, you are going to get votes for Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, or Taylor Swift - just to name a few. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion is just as important as someone else’s.

So, is there anything that is so compelling, so factual, that everyone would agree to? In other words, is there absolute truth? Is there something that is true all the time, in all places and for all people? Actually yes. 2 + 2 = 4 anywhere in the world. The sun always rises in the East. Everyone dies. These are examples of absolute truth. No one can refute them. They are true for everyone, everywhere.

Here is another absolute truth: Jesus Christ came to this world once and one day he is going to come again. We believe that. Many do not. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. The day is coming when everyone will bow and acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

We are currently living in that in-between time, the time between Christ’s first and second appearance on earth. Each new day brings us closer to the end.

Today we begin a new sermon series entitled, The Beginning of the End. In these days before Christ’s triumphant return, the Apostle Paul instructs us to speak the truth - absolute truth.

· There is a truth that does not change because culture changes.

· There is a truth that does not change because people reject it.

· There is a truth that does not change because the world mocks it.

And that truth is this: Jesus Christ is Lord. The cross is still the answer. Sin is still real. Grace is still necessary. The resurrection is still our hope. And heaven is still our home. That is the truth we need to hold onto.