Final Hours: The Agony of Victory
Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." But victory is often preceded by the agony of preparation and anticipation. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced extreme agony as he prepared to face the trial that was before him. The anticipation of being crushed and beaten, being separated from the Father, and bearing the sin of the world brought him to the brink of death. In the garden, Jesus agonized, he recoiled, but he surrendered his will to that of the Father.
This message was presented at FBCVA on March 26, 2017.
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- Mar 28, 2017Final Hours: The Agony of VictoryFinal Hours: The Agony of VictoryMost of us are familiar with the phrase, "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." But victory is often preceded by the agony of preparation and anticipation. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced extreme agony as he prepared to face the trial that was before him. The anticipation of being crushed and beaten, being separated from the Father, and bearing the sin of the world brought him to the brink of death. In the garden, Jesus agonized, he recoiled, but he surrendered his will to that of the Father.This message was presented at FBCVA on March 26, 2017.
- Mar 20, 2017Final Hours: Dirty Feet and Dirty HeartsFinal Hours: Dirty Feet and Dirty HeartsIn John 13:1-20, Jesus performed an act that only the lowest of servants would be required to do - He washed the feet of His disciples. In the middle of the Passover meal He took the time to teach His disciples an important lesson. He had told them that the Son of Man hadn't come to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many. But here He demonstrates this by serving His disciples. But Jesus wasn't really interested in the cleanliness of their feet. He was also teaching them about dirty hearts. Because more than anything else, God desires two things from us: a surrendered heart and a servant spirit.This message was presented at FBCVA on March 19, 2017.
- Mar 13, 2017Final Hours: Lasting Truths from the Last SupperFinal Hours: Lasting Truths from the Last SupperIn this sermon series, titled Final Hours, Pastor Mike looks at the 94 hours from the Last Supper to Resurrection Sunday. The first message in the series takes a closer look at the Last Supper as recorded in Mark 14:12-25. This last Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples reveals Careful Preparation, Self-examination, a Powerful Representation, and Joyful Anticipation.This message was presented at FBCVA on March 12, 2017.
- Mar 5, 2017Seven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Laodicea, You Make Me SickSeven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Laodicea, You Make Me SickThe ancient city of Laodicea was a prosperous city. It was known for its banking, textiles, and medical school. But for all its wealth, it lacked a local supply of drinking water. Aqueducts carried water from nearby hot springs and cold springs. By the time the water reached Laodicea, however, it lacked the healing nature of the hot water and the refreshing nature of the cold. It was merely lukewarm.In this closing message from the Seven Letters, Seven Churches series, Pastor Mike unpacks Jesus' letter to the church at Laodicea. This letter, found in Revelation 3:14-22, reveals the tragedy of lukewarm faith. In this message, we learn the condition of, the cause of, and the cure for lukewarm Christianity.This message was presented at FBCVA on March 5, 2017.
- Feb 27, 2017Two Ways to LiveTwo Ways to LiveWhen driving to a destination, you usually have a choice of ways to get there. You can follow major highways and have a faster, easier trip with more conveniences. Or, you can follow the "back roads" which will be harder, but could result in a more rewarding experience.
In the portion of the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 7:13-27, Jesus gives examples of two ways to live. One way is to follow the majority and one way is to follow Jesus.This message was presented by Kyle Essary at FBCVA on February 26, 2017. - Feb 19, 2017Seven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Philadelphia, Little Is Much When God Is in ItSeven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Philadelphia, Little Is Much When God Is in ItThe church at Philadelphia was the smallest mentioned among the seven churches of Revelation 2-3, but it was one of only two for which the Lord had no criticism - only commendation. Although the church was small, it was faithful to the calling it had received. God views churches in light of His call and plan for that church. Each congregation has a particular call and work to do. We are all called to fulfill the Great Commission, but we are uniquely called and equipped to carry out the commission in the area where we are.In this message from Revelation 3:7-13, Pastor Mike outlines Jesus' letter to the church at Philadelphia. They were presented gospel opportunities. They were praised for their faithfulness. And they were promised divine protection.This message was presented at FBCVA on February 19, 2017.
- Feb 17, 2017God’s Grace for God’s GloryGod’s Grace for God’s Glory
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer.
The apostle Paul sent Timothy to pastor the church in Ephesus. But this church was a mess, and Timothy had to deal with various problems from false teachers and false doctrines. Paul's first letter to Timothy is a charge to "hang in there." It is a letter that gives instructions on dealing with false doctrines and establishing faithful church leaders. The passage in 1 Timothy 1:12-17 is like a runway where Paul is preparing to launch into this instruction by reminding Timothy that he is thankful for personal grace and for universal grace. He completes the takeoff by praising the God of grace. When Paul thought of God, he knew Him as the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God.
This message was presented at FBCVA on February 12, 2017. - Feb 17, 2017Listening and Hearing: A Nobleman and His ServantsListening and Hearing: A Nobleman and His Servants
Jesus was a master teacher and story-teller. This particular parable was based on a historical event that was very familiar to those who heard it. But there were also deeper spiritual meanings associated with this parable. We may acknowledge that Jesus is King, but when it comes to making Jesus King of our lives, that is often a different story.
Jesus told the parable recorded in Luke 19:11-27 as He and the disciples were anticipating going to Jerusalem. But the disciples didn't realize that Jesus was not going to Jerusalem to take up a crown but to take up a cross. He used this parable to help the disciples understand what He came to do.In this message, Pastor Mike outlines the return of our Lord, the responsibility of our life, and the reward of our labor.This message was presented at FBCVA on February 12, 2017. - Feb 15, 2017Seven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Sardis: It’s Time for an AutopsySeven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Sardis: It’s Time for an AutopsyThe church at Sardis had a great reputation. In today's terms, they had great programs, an inviting atmosphere, a rocking worship team. But all of that was just window dressing. In Jesus' letter to the church, found in Revelation 3:1-6, He said they had a reputation for being alive, but, in truth, they were dead. The message to the church at Sardis needs to be heard today. Many people are captivated by external things, but God looks at what's inside.In this message, Pastor Mike unpacks what Jesus told the church at Sardis: You have a deceiving reputation, and you need to be revived.This message was delivered at FBCVA on February 5, 2017.
- Feb 6, 2017Seven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Thyatira, You’ve Got a Jezebel ProblemSeven Letters, Seven Churches: Dear Thyatira, You’ve Got a Jezebel ProblemA little corruption can lead to alot of trouble. In many churches there are only a few who are complaining, but those few can cause the church to become unsettled. In the church at Thyatira, there was one person causing trouble, but it was more than simple complaints. In His letter in Revelation 2:18-29, Jesus commends them for their work, but tells them they have a Jezebel problem.In this message from the Seven Letters, Seven Churches series, Pastor Mike outlines the Unceasing Work of the Church, the Upsetting Woman in the Church, and the Uttered Word for the Church.This message was presented at FBCVA on January 29, 2017.
