“You shall have no other gods before me . . . . You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me . . . .”(Exodus 20:3-5).

. . . every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father(Philippians 2:11).

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one(2 Thessalonians 3:3).

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

It is so good to be back with you! Thank you for your kind prayers while we were away on our recent vacation. The Lord refreshed us in every way, and we are so grateful for the opportunity you provide for us to rest.

Today, as we begin another week of service to our dear Savior and King, I want to encourage you along the lines of the theme of loyalty. And by this, I am referring to the loyalty and exclusive dedication we owe to our Lord Jesus, and to His Kingdom.

As we look around us, anxiously watching the news flowing from virtually every corner of the globe, there is a lot being said about kneeling, and about reciting one’s allegiance to a particular cause or ideology.  With frightening speed, we are witnessing the unfolding strategy of malevolent forces that are dictating to the world what is and is not acceptable, even down to the very language we use in everyday conversation.

I’m sure you have seen the videos of individuals being forced to kneel in the streets, seeking forgiveness for offending the wrong people, and being forced to recite a secular creed of sorts.  And all this while pledging allegiance to a devilish ideology that is diametrically opposed to Christ and His Word. Many observers have called this a war of cultures.  And from a purely horizontal vantage point, this seems true enough. But looked at from the perspective of Scripture, it is way more than simply the clash of cultures! What we are now witnessing, perhaps to a degree never so obvious in our lifetimes, is actually a clash of deities.

On the one hand, there is “ the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4) who is always demanding obeisance and loyalty. This false-god has disguised himself as an “ angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14), and stealthily crafted his message of death in the language of liberation, love, respect, and equality–terms that, in and of themselves, are good and righteous, but coming from his mouth are weapons of mass deception and bondage. This god is ever on the prowl, seeking to consume any who will not bow before him while confessing his perverted ‘gospel.’

On the other hand is the only true Lord and God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the Lord of all creation, the only worthy recipient of worship and adoration, and the sole Judge of the living and the dead.  He not only possesses the truth and speaks it, He is the Truth Himself! He will make no deals with the devil. He will allow no other loyalties to compete with Him. He will not share His glory with any other.

It is He who has told us who and what we are–humans made in His image and likeness, all without exception granted the sacred gift of life, none superior and none inferior, each a member of Adam’s race, all precious in God’s sight (even the pre-born!), yet all spoiled by our sins, all equally guilty, none righteous, none standing on some higher moral ground with unblemished hands and hearts, none qualified to render judgment upon anyone else, not one nation or tribe innocent of the worst atrocities against others (including the evils of slavery, racism, and bigotry), all worthy an eternity in hell, and all hopeless apart from Divine grace!  And this Sovereign One, whose Word tells us exactly who and what we are, requires from us an exclusive pledge of allegiance, one sounded by believers for two-thousand years, “Jesus is Lord!”

Christians of the first century faced this very situation. In their case, all they had to do in order to be left alone by the Romans was to utter a few simple words while tossing a little incense into a fire in the name of the emperor. Three simple words would save them a world of trouble and tribulation: “Caesar is Lord.”

Of course, packed tightly into those three words was an entire universe of meaning and a multitude of thoroughly anti-Christian implications. If Caesar was indeed Lord, then there was no other king, there was no other kingdom, and there was no other lord and acceptable recipient of worship and ultimate loyalty. Yet, for refusing to say those three words an estimated 2 million Christians went to their deaths prior to AD 325, joyfully giving thanks to the Savior for the privilege of suffering and dying for Him.

My encouragement today is this: Don’t say those words that the enemy demands that you say! Don’t utter those words that offer you a way to escape harassment and persecution!  Don’t say those words that, on the surface, seem acceptable and yet are filled with anti-Christian ideology! Let your language be that of Scripture, spoken in the spirit of compassion and humility! Love the lost people of this world enough to speak the truth! Love your Lord enough to never compromise! Never kneel before anyone other than Jesus! Never embrace any ideology or philosophy that is contrary to His Word!  Bend your knees and bow your hearts only before Him who alone is worthy!

Now, to be sure, this will make it very hard for us. This will place us at odds with the spirit of the age. This will mean trouble for all who are loyal to Christ. Our fidelity to our one and only Lord will be called racist, hateful, bigoted, on the ‘wrong side of history,’ ignorant, and will be equated with the most radicalized and destructive delusions there are. As Jesus Himself warned us, we will “ be hated by all” on account of His name (Matt 10:22).

But this very confession of Christ’s singular Lordship, which the world utterly abhors, will bring true unity and reconciliation among people of all classes and races and nations–just what our Father desires! If all who know Christ Jesus will confess that only He is King, that we are His, that what His Word declares about us is true, and that He is our one and only Savior, then and only then there will be true brotherhood! And this terribly fractured world of ours will see in His Universal Church–the beloved Bride of Christ–the eternal beauty of His mercy and grace!

And remember, while you are standing your ground out of loyalty to Him, and while you are refusing to speak those words that are demanded of you, the One who dwells within you, who is ever with you, and to whom you belong as a precious sheep, will never let you go! He will never fail to strengthen and protect you, and to save you from the evil one!

Praise His Name!

I love you all so very much,

Mike

Sermon Preview

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

While Carol and I are away for the next couple of weeks, it will be our joy to have Rev. Jim Daughtry preaching for us this coming Sunday and again on June 21. Jim will be preaching two messages from the Gospel of John. This Sunday’s sermon will come from John 4:31-42, and is entitled “Drawing From the Deep Well.”  Then on June 21, Jim will be preaching a sermon entitled “The Father and Son Working” from John 5:16-29.

As you become familiar with these passages, please pray fervently for Jim and for the preaching of the Word.

I will look forward to returning to the pulpit on Sunday June 28.  And on that day, the Lord willing, we will begin our summer preaching series on “The Church Under the Cross.” Our first message will be taken from Mark 8:34. Until then, we are so thankful for your prayers while we are away, and for the opportunity to rest that you so graciously provide for us.

Before I go, I want to remind you of something that I find so comforting at this difficult time in our lives and in our nation.

It goes without saying that there is much anxiety for many of us over all that is presently happening. We are experiencing fears that we have never had to face before.  Our faith in our Father’s power, sovereignty, and wisdom is being tested in many ways and by many forces that are hostile to our Savior and His kingdom. I share these same fears and anxieties, and often discover that my faith is weak.

When I find myself in the grip of such distresses and in need of our Lord’s comfort, I remember something that He said about faith. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus declared, “ For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Many years ago, a wise and seasoned pastor explained to me that this verse teaches us that it’s not the amount, or the size, or the strength of our faith that matters.  It is only the object of our faith that counts. This is what Jesus meant when He spoke of the efficacy of even a microscopic fraction of faith, one as small as the mustard seed. If our faith, albeit miniscule and equally weak, is focused upon the Son of God, then that’s all that is needed. As we trust our Lord, even with a faltering faith, He moves in great power to accomplish His will, even to the point of moving mountains!

With this truth in mind, we can triumphantly face all of those things in our lives that make us fearful and anxious. For when we turn to Him, even in great fear and trepidation, He uses our faith to bring about good for His people and glory for His Father.  The truth is that there is absolutely nothing going on in our world that is outside of His sovereign control! Praise His Name!

So let us take our fears to Him, even when we sense that our faith is failing. He will uphold us and grant us His peace!  And let us then faithfully pray for our city, our state, our nation, and world.  And let us do so in the confidence that His eternal Kingdom will prevail, and that He will use our simple trust in Him as the means to accomplish even the impossible!

Carol and I love you all more with each passing day, and rejoice that we have the privilege of serving our Lord with you.  And even when I am away on vacation, I will be coming before our Father in prayer for each of you every day!

You are our joy in Christ,

Mike

PS: Our Monday Encouragement notes will resume on June 29, and my next Friday email will be posted on July 3.

Online Orders of Worship:

Below is are printable versions of this week’s Order of Worship and Children’s Bulletin

Order of Worship
Children’s Bulletin

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

Our weekly service of worship has resumed! Please observe the following guidelines. First, practice distancing as much as possible – no physical contact, and keep 6 feet between your family and other families. Sit in pews where marked. There will be no nursery or childcare, or any other food or beverages on church property. There will also be no communion or congregational singing. Masks are highly encouraged. There will be no Sunday School until September. Per the State Health Department, if you have been in contact with someone who been sick, if you feel sick yourself, or if you have any pre-existing health conditions, you should remain at home. We will continue to provide a recording of the worship service to allow for participation in worship at home.

Message from your Diaconate:

As we continue through this difficult time, if you have needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. Please remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.

Psummer Psalms:

Announcing our 3rd year of Psummer Psalms! Everyone, young and old, is invited to memorize one entire Psalm this summer. Then join us for a recitation and light dinner at church on Sunday afternoon, Aug 16. Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. New this year: a trophy t-shirt for anyone who recites an entire Psalm from memory! If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for periodic encouragement and accountability.

Resources for Further Study:

Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.

Senior Fellows:

Children’s Ministry:

Women’s, Career/Singles, and Youth Ministries:

Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.

Men’s Studies:

The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Libertos, expecting in August, and the Elys, expecting in September.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.

Online Donations:

If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:

Emails:

general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
counsel and ministry needs: matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org
men’s ministry: men@christpreshamptoncove.org
women’s ministry: women@christpreshamptoncove.org
children’s ministry: children@christpreshamptoncove.org
youth ministry: youth@christpreshamptoncove.org
senior fellows: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

Address:

288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

“ For now we see in a mirror dimly”–1 Corinthians 13:12

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the most unnerving experiences I’ve had more than once involves flying on a commercial airliner. I’m generally a calm flyer, but I experience a good bit of anxiety whenever a landing is executed in thick, cloudy conditions when visibility is at a minimum.  I really like to keep my eyes on the ground as we descend. And when this is impossible, due to the low cloud deck, my heart tends to race and my grip on the armrest tightens considerably. On such occasions, the plane seems to emerge out of the darkness just a mere inches above the runway.

In analyzing this fear, I would say that my problem is that I can’t see what’s coming and when its coming. And you can tell me all about the high tech gizmos on that plane that make such landings a routine piece of cake for the pilot, but it is of little consolation to me.I really want to see what’s happening all the way to the safety and security of the ground!

This makes me think of Paul’s words to the Corinthians. And in that magnificent thirteenth chapter of his first letter, he seems to say this very thing about following Jesus our Lord.

According to the Apostle, our experience “ now,” today, is that we only “ see” a little of what’s ahead for us. He likens it to looking at an image in a “ mirror” in very dim light. We can see a little bit, but not everything. We want to see more, but we are prevented from doing so because there are many things ahead that are not intended for our examination, just yet. And this makes us uneasy!

Now, to be fair to the context, what Paul seems to be saying here is that there are many wonderful, yet unseen, things ahead for all those who are in Christ. And for now, we are only able to manage a small glimpse of the blessings and glories that await us in heaven. But it is also true that we cannot see what’s ahead in this life as we make our way to the heavenly city. The details of what shall happen today, and each day thereafter, are not accessible to us. We have to sit calmly in our seats, so to speak, as our Divine Pilot safely guides us to our eternal destination.

We might also link this very thought to what our Lord Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount. As recorded in Matthew 6:34, Jesus declared, “ Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Here our Savior seems to be saying, ‘Trust Me! I am guiding your life! I know what I’m doing. Keep your focus upon today, don’t worry at all about what’s ahead, and be faithful to Me and My Kingdom.’

To be frank with you, as I look out across our nation and our world, I feel as if I’m in that jet airliner, making a descent into the thickest fog I’ve ever seen. My heart, perhaps like yours, is very troubled. And I am especially anxious over the prospect of what might happen next.  I would feel so much more secure if I could just see what is coming.  Will hatred, division, and chaos rule? Will there be greater conflict in our land, racial strife, sectarian violence, or even anarchy? Will the foundations of our freedoms finally collapse?  Will we who love our Lord be persecuted for our allegiance to Him? Will some turn away from Christ and His Church?

Well, what I am learning, albeit slowly, is that the answers to these questions are not for me to know. I am not permitted to see all that I want to see. I can see a little bit, but not everything. And if I am to find comfort and consolation, I need to trust my Sovereign Lord who is fully in command.

The fact is, what I do see now is not always the truth anyway.  From where I sit, I see only dark ominous clouds. I see disaster on the horizon. But this is not what our Pilot sees! He sees what’s really ahead with crystal clarity!  And He does so not only because of His divine omniscience, but because He has ordained all that shall come to pass, and has lovingly designed every bit of it for our good and His glory! And despite the turbulence we will experience as we make our way home, He has guaranteed that our landing will be a safe one!  He will not lose even one of those whom He has eternally loved and redeemed with His own blood!

So, let us be content with what we know and don’t know. Let us trust our Father for today, and then rest in the assurance that He has good plans for us tomorrow, and every day until we see Him face-to-face. Our peace does not depend upon our vision, but upon His!  Praise His name!

I love you all so very much, and my prayer for you all is that this week will be one filled with joy, peace, and encouragement!

Mike

Sermon Preview

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Before introducing Sunday’s sermon, I just wanted to offer a quick word or two about the turmoil and unrest in our nation, state, and in our own city (and I hope to add more to this a bit later).

Our hearts are sincerely broken by all that has happened and is still transpiring before our eyes. It’s almost inconceivable that we would witness such an intersection of terrible events, each of which in its own right convulses and twists our souls in the most painful way imaginable.

For all of us who belong to the Savior it is a time for fervent prayer. It is a time for a vibrant faith in the all-conquering power and grace of God. It is a time for mourning and grieving, but not as those without hope. It is a time for humility as we recognize our own sins, our unworthiness before God, and our need for massive doses of His amazing grace. It is also a time for boldness in proclaiming the one Message that gives us life and peace, and reconciles man to God and men to men.  It is a time to love, and to demonstrate this Divine Love by giving ourselves more fully to the King of Love, and then taking His compassion to the world that needs Him so desperately.  And it is a time for truth, and for speaking His truth in the spirit of His sacrificial love.

The fact is, we are where the Church has always been. Our mission station is a world in flames, lost and dying, determined to bring about its own destruction, in need of a divine miracle, and full of people who need our Savior.  Let us ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth His laborers, for the fields are ripe for reaping!

Sunday’s Sermon

This Lord’s Day we will consider another of the well-known verses from the Epistle to the Hebrews. Our text well be taken from Hebrews 4:12-13. It would be helpful to read the (surprising) background of this passage, which is Numbers 14:1-45, with particular attention given to the warning found in verse 33.

A Look Ahead

This Sunday’s message will be our final one from Hebrews until September.  I will be away on vacation from June 13-27, and in my absence Rev. Jim Daughtry will be preaching for us on June 14 and June 21.

Then, beginning on June 28, I will be starting a series of ten sermons on the cross. The series is entitled, “ The Church Under the Cross,” which is respectfully borrowed from the title of the book by J. B. Phillips, the twentieth-century Anglican theologian and pastor.

I love you all so very much!!

Mike

Online Orders of Worship:

Below is are printable versions of this week’s Order of Worship and Children’s Bulletin

Order of Worship
Children’s Bulletin

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

Our weekly service of worship has resumed! Please observe the following guidelines. First, practice distancing as much as possible – no physical contact, and keep 6 feet between your family and other families. Sit in pews where marked. There will be no nursery or childcare, or any other food or beverages on church property. There will also be no communion or congregational singing. Masks are highly encouraged. There will be no Sunday School until September. Per the State Health Department, if you have been in contact with someone who been sick, if you feel sick yourself, or if you have any pre-existing health conditions, you should remain at home. We will continue to provide a recording of the worship service to allow for participation in worship at home.

Message from your Diaconate:

As we continue through this difficult time, if you have needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. Please remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.

Psummer Psalms:

Announcing our 3rd year of Psummer Psalms! Everyone, young and old, is invited to memorize one entire Psalm this summer. Then join us for a recitation and light dinner at church on Sunday afternoon, Aug 16. Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. New this year: a trophy t-shirt for anyone who recites an entire Psalm from memory! If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for periodic encouragement and accountability.

Resources for Further Study:

Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.

Senior Fellows:

Children’s Ministry:

Women’s, Career/Singles, and Youth Ministries:

Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.

Men’s Studies:

The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Libertos, expecting in August, and the Elys, expecting in September.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.

Online Donations:

If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:

Emails:

general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
counsel and ministry needs: matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org
men’s ministry: men@christpreshamptoncove.org
women’s ministry: women@christpreshamptoncove.org
children’s ministry: children@christpreshamptoncove.org
youth ministry: youth@christpreshamptoncove.org
senior fellows: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

Address:

288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

For several days now, I’ve been thinking about one of the most remarkable episodes from the life of our Savior. It’s one that I’m fairly sure most of us are familiar with. We find it recorded in Matthew 14:

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

For a brief season, in the early morning dark between 3 and 6 AM, the world inhabited by our Lord’s disciples became most terrifying indeed.

They found themselves in the middle of a vast lake, far from shore, in the bullseye of a terrible storm which exhibited an intensity that dismayed and horrified even those seasoned fishermen among the Twelve.  The vessel they occupied was filling with water as it was being smashed to pieces by the great swells and squalls. In terms that are surely understated, Matthew simply explains that “ the wind was against them” (v. 24).

I would suggest to you that this episode, as it ultimately (and happily) unfolded, presents to us a most accurate picture of our lives as fellow-disciples of Jesus.

The twelve original disciples found themselves in the heart of this great storm simply because they had obeyed the voice of their Master, who had ordered them to travel to the other side of the lake (v. 22). Our Savior knew full well that this journey would take His men through a most terrible trial, one that would bring them face-to-face with their own mortality and the horrible fears associated with such a realization.  And especially for one of them, Simon Peter, the terror would be particularly intense and personal.

As we reflect upon this event, there are a few observations that we might enumerate for our consideration and encouragement:

• Jesus not only knew that the storm was approaching, as the Divine Son and Lord of all creation He had ordained it for His good and holy purposes.

• There are lessons that we disciples must learn that are best taught and applied in the tumultuous events of life.

• Our Father loves us way too much to grant us smooth sailing all the time.

• Disciples must experience the Lord’s power and comfort in the storm in order to be witnesses of that very power and consolation.

• Our faith in Christ is made both stronger and richer as we come to the end of our strength and our abilities.

• Despite the ferocity of our tribulations, we are never really in danger at all! Jesus is always with us! Our souls are ever safe in His strong hands!

• As we make our way down such frightening pathways, we are gaining a greater understanding of our Lord’s power and love.

On this Monday, we are certainly in the midst of a great storm. It is dark. The waves are crashing against us. The world is aflame.  2020 will be a year that we shall never forget, and it is not even half way over!

But. . .

Jesus our Lord is the sovereign Commander of the storms! He will yet come to us, and we shall witness His great power!  And as we do, we too will worship Him, and shall declare, “ Truly you are the Son of God”!

I love you all. You are my joy in Christ!

Mike