Month: May 2022

Three Marks of a Follower of Christ

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good afternoon!

First, we’d like to ask for your prayers for those of our neighbors who are currently evacuated due to the Simms Mesa Fire and for those who are fighting to contain the fire. We praise God that the winds have decreased and that rain/snow is falling now. But we also pray that the fire would be put out quickly and without loss of life. Thank you for your prayers!

Last Sunday, Pastor Alan continued taking us through the Gospel of John, teaching from John 12 about “Three Marks of a Follower of Christ.” To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included Pastor’s outline (Thank you Jen!), as well as links to the verses referenced.

Three Marks of a Follower of Christ

John 12:1-26

  1. We are to be a giving people (vs. 1-10)
    • We give in light of the death of Jesus on the cross.
    • We give in service with a heart of humility. Example of feet washing
    • We give in love remembering how much we have been forgiven.  (Luke 7:36-49)
    • We give in faith based on grace.  Not as a work based on a rule or formula. (2 Corinthians 8-9)
    • We give with a proper perspective of what we possess.  Do our possessions possess or do they bless?
  2. We are to be praising people. (vs. 12-19)
    • We praise Him by declaring His title (vs. 12-13)
    • We praise Him by acknowledging He is King of His Kingdom (v. 15)
    • We praise Him by remembering His glory. (v. 16)
    • We praise Him by witnessing of Him (v. 17)
    • We praise Him by going after Him. (vs. 18-19)
  3.  We are to be a dying people (vs. 20-26) (Matthew 16:24-25, Galatians 2:20, Esther 4:15-16, Colossians 3:1-4)

The principle is this: The only measure to which Christ will be seen living in and through us is the measure to which we are willing to die to our self.  Just as a seed is buried in the ground, and in a sense “dies” to produce, we have to die to our self-centered agendas to be productive.  We must be like Esther in the Old Testament who said, “If I perish, I perish.”  She was willing to die if it could save her people.

Conclusion:  How are we doing at giving, praising, and dying? 

Sources: 

NIV translation of the Bible,

The Bible Exposition Commentary:  Warren Weirsbe

If I Perish, I Perish:  A Study on Esther by Major Ian Thomas

Christ Centered Exposition of John by Matt Carter and Josh Werdberg

*Special Note: Pastor Alan taught at Calvary Community Church in Ouray last Sunday evening, and if you are interested in hearing his teaching on the afterlife from that service, check out our “Listen to a Message” page.

Power Over Death

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good afternoon! Pastor Alan was feeling better yesterday, and he was able to join us on an extra windy Mother’s Day. He taught from John 11 about Power Over Death. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included his outline with links to the Scriptures he referenced.

Power Over Death: Lessons from the Raising of Lazarus

  1. The words, plan, and purposes of Jesus in response to the news of Lazarus. (John 11:1-16)
    • (vs. 1-3) Mary and Martha – a reference to Mary’s anointing of Jesus that occurs later and that Lazarus is sick.
    • (vs. 4-7) Jesus will allow Lazarus to die for the purpose of raising him up.  Raising Lazarus will display Jesus’s glory and cause many to believe.  Also, Jesus doesn’t always make sense to our limited understanding, but one thing is certain; He loves us. (Romans 3:23)
    • (vs. 8-10) Jesus is light that can drive out darkness and fear.  No one could snuff out the light.  No one could take Jesus’s life unless he allowed it.
    • (vs. 11-15) Jesus views death as not the final power.  He has the power to raise someone from the dead as if they are simply someone waiting to be awakened from sleep.
    • (v.16) The world has many wrong views of death.  A common approach is distraction.  Another is a stoic sort of fatalism.  Thomas exhibits a loyal determinism. A brave approach into the face of death, because that’s how life ends.  Jesus provides a different reality. (1 Corinthians 15:47-58)
  2. The words of Jesus in response to Martha and Mary (vs. 17-37)
    • (vs. 23-25) The promise Jesus makes to Martha and all who will believe who He claims to be.  Lesson:  the final resurrection of the dead is assured on the one who is the resurrection and the life.
    • (vs. 33-36) The compassion of Christ is there when we grieve. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
  3. The power of Jesus over death to the glory of God. (vs. 38-44).
    • Eternal life (John 17:3)
    • (vs. 38-40) No doubt Lazarus was dead.  Not a smoke and mirrors parlor trick.
    • (vs. 40-41) God the Father works through his son.
    • (vs. 43-44) The power of Jesus’s spoken word. He speaks life into death.
  4. Religion’s response to Jesus (vs. 45-56)
    • Religion is all about rules, ritual and power over people.  As we have seen in our study, Jesus comes up against the religious leaders again and again.  So, once again that’s how the chapter ends.  Just remember resurrection living is better than religious dying.   

Contact info: Dr. Alan Brock, albrock.ab@gmail.com   www.Summit40.com

Our Hope

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good morning! Pastor Alan was under the weather yesterday, but we were blessed to have Terry teach us about Our Hope from Philippians 3:20-21. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included links to the Scriptures referenced by Terry in his teaching. Enjoy!

Scripture References