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Authentic Belief

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good evening! I finally have a chance to post Pastor Alan’s messages for the past two Sundays. The message below is from December 5th and is based on John 4:46-5:16. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes from the message with links to the verses on Bible Gateway. Enjoy!

Why did John write his gospel? John 20:30-31

  1. Healing a Nobleman’s Son
    • John 4:43-45
      • some consider this a Bible contradiction, but Jesus was welcomed not honored; do we want Jesus for Himself or for what He can give us?
    • John 4:46-48
      • the world says that seeing is believing; God says BELIEVING IS SEEING
      • Hebrews 11:1-3
    • John 4:47
      • there will always be a point in our lives when something will hit us that we have no control over.
      • Mark 9:14-29
    • John 4:49-54
      • Jesus is not limited by the necessity of His presence
      • “I believe. Help my unbelief.”
      • Authentic belief abides in Christ and grows in Christ
  2. The Healing at Bethesda
    • John 5:1-9
      • Jesus miraculously healed the man
    • John 5:10
      • outward obedience does not equal inward change/faith
    • John 5:11
      • the ungrateful man threw Jesus “under the bus”
    • John 5:12-14
      • the man was so self-involved, he didn’t even know who Jesus was
    • John 5:15
      • unlike the nobleman, this man never put his faith in Christ
    • John 5:16-18
      • the moment when Jesus & the Pharisees really began to butt heads

Things to note

  1. Obedience isn’t always a mark of saving faith.
    • Three Requirements to be a Christ Follower
      1. be born again
      2. live in dependence on Christ
      3. obey
  2. Not always, but sometimes, sickness can be a direct result of sin (v. 14)
    • 1 John 5:16-17 — habitual, unrepentant sin can lead to physical death
  3. We must be careful not to put our rules above compassion
  4. Jesus is equal to God (v. 18)

Sowing & Reaping

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Hello again! Pastor Alan continued our journey through the Gospel of John today with John 4:27-42. To listen to this message about sowing and reaping, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included is an outline of the message with some of the quotes Pastor Alan shares and links to the verses. Enjoy!

Principles for Sowing & Reaping John 4:27-42

  • “Woe to those who are silent about you. However garrulous they are in general, they are mute about what counts.” -St. Augustine
  • v. 27: The Good News is for everyone to hear and for us to share
    • Women were often the first to share the Good News about Jesus
    • Phoebe: Romans 16:1 — diakonos (deacon/teacher/preacher)
  • v. 28: Do we get so caught up in Jesus that we “leave our water behind”?
  • v. 29a: Invite others to come and see Jesus
  • v. 29b: Be excited about who Jesus is
    • When you’re talking about heaven, at least put a smile on your face. When you’re talking about hell, your normal face will do. -Charles Spurgeon
  • vv. 31-34: Is doing God’s will what feeds you?
  • v. 34b: Complete the work God has sent you to do.
  • v. 35a: Don’t procrastinate!
    • “Get action. Do things. Be sane. Don’t fritter away your time. Create. Act. Take a place wherever you and be somebody. Get action!” -Teddy Roosevelt
  • v. 35b: Opportunities are all around to sow (share) & reap (see results)
  • vv. 36-38: Appreciate everyone’s efforts to share the Good News
  • v. 36: Rejoice in sharing the efforts of sowing & reaping
  • v. 36: Realize the eternal significance of sowing & reaping
  • vv. 39-40: You may be the spark that the Spirit will use to bring many to salvation
  • v. 41: You are telling people about a universal Savior that everyone needs
  • v. 42: Jesus is the Savior of the world.
  • vv. 43-45: Be wise with your sharing — some will believe and some will not.
  • “You are ever active yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, though you suffer no need…you welcome those who come to you, though you never lost them. You release us from our debts, but you lose nothing thereby. You are my God, my Life, my holy delight, but is that enough to say of you? Can anyone say enough what they speak of you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you!” -St. Augustine

Living Water & Worship

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good afternoon! Pastor Alan continued his series on the Gospel of John this morning by taking us through the first part of John 4, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included his outline with links to the verses he references in his message and the quotes he shared with us. Enjoy!

Living Water & Worship

I. Everyone has a need to feel as if they belong: John 4:1-7, 16, 27

  • Nicodemus: morally upright — came at night for fear of rejection
  • Samaritan woman: not morally upright — came at noon because she was already rejected
  • Jesus was available to both
  • How open are we to everyone?

II. Everyone has a need to feel satisfied in life: John 4:9-18

  • Ecclesiastes 2
  • Everyone is thirsty and hungry for something that satisfies them.
  • Jesus is more than temporary satisfaction.
  • John 7:37-39
  • “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” -C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

III. Everyone has a need to worship: John 4:19-26

  • It’s not important where, but to whom and how.
  • In Spirit — emphasis on being born again
  • In Truth — the object
  • Examine your heart: why are you coming to church?

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” -John Piper

“Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” -Thomas Watson

“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” -John Newton

Praying you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

God So Loved

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good Afternoon! Pastor Alan continued his series on the Gospel of John this morning by finishing up John chapter 3. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included links to Scriptures that Pastor Alan references in his message (the links will take you to the verses on biblegateway.com). Enjoy!

Scripture References

The Gospel of John

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Thanks be to God, He brought us a pastor to guide our little flock here at Colona. Dr. Alan Brock has joined us and has begun to lead us through the Gospel of John. I apologize for not posting these in a more timely fashion, but here are three of Pastor Alan’s messages on the first few chapters of the Gospel of John.

October 3, 2021
October 17, 2021
October 31, 2021

Christ Alive to Live in You

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Yesterday, we were blessed to have Dr. Alan Brock join us to share a message from Galatians 2:20-21, which he called “Christ Alive to Live in You.” To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

Colona Church family: though this was his first time joining us at Colona, this gentleman has demonstrated an interest in the pastor’s position for our church. Your feedback is so very vital during this pastor search, and your church board would greatly appreciate any input you have. If you want to express your opinion regarding his potential as a spiritual leader for our congregation, please send me a message through the prayer request page on this website or contact our wonderful elder, Archie. Thank you!

Unexpected Gifts

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Since we are not able to gather together on this Resurrection Sunday, Pastor Steve has recorded his message for us. A list of Scripture references is also included for your convenience. Please click the play button on the audio player below to hear Pastor Steve’s Easter message.

Call to Worship: Psalm 46

Psalm 46 
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

James 1:17

Galatians 4:4

1 John 3:1

Ephesians 2:8

Hebrews 10:10

Titus 2:11-12

Happy Resurrection Day! God bless you today and every day.

In Times Like These

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

A special note from Pastor Steve:

Although we will not be holding service during this special Easter season,
due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is my hope and prayer that all Christians
continue daily with hearts full of praise and worship, with thanksgiving for
the kindness, love, and sacrificial gifts that have been freely offered to mankind.
May we continue to pray and be concerned for one another. Even though we
are separated for a time, may we be bound together spiritually.
Even so Lord Jesus, come!

Pastor Steve’s message for today, Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020:

In Times Like These

Yes, that’s the title of a famous gospel hymn that says, “In times like these you need a Savior…Be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock…this Rock is Jesus. Yes, He’s the One…”

Matthew 14:24 (NKJV) says, “…the wind was contrary…”

The rude, blustery, and contentious winds of this past March did their best to blow us off course, and they continue to try the very core of our faith. As believers in the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, we know the trials of this world often result in bringing us closer and closer to a “Rock Solid” relationship with Jesus.

Better it is that we struggle through the valley of temptation, confusion, and anxiety that we may see more clearly the beauty of His love when He brings us to the other side.

It is that very love of Jesus that opens our hearts this time of the year. It is the same love that sustained Elijah when hiding by the brook; the ravens brought him bread and meat (1 Kings 17:1-6). That some love will carry believers through the trials of our lives.

In 1 Peter 1:3-9, the author reminds us that even though we may suffer grief and hardships of all kinds, it may result in praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us faith is “…the evidence of things not seen.” We can’t see the outcome of these days, but we know the Almighty Creator knows perfectly well how things will play out.

God is never too early or too late in the working of the events of this world. Should it really be any wonder that the events of today may cause hearts to be renewed in worship and obedience to the Prince of Peace?

May we not allow the events of these days to overshadow our desire to focus on praising and worshiping the God that Ephesians 1:5 says has “…predestined us for adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” It was His will that the perfect, sinless Lamb of God would be the atoning sacrifice that would reconcile humanity back unto Himself.

These days should help teach us:

  • the credibility of biblical prophecy
  • the brevity of life, which should cause us to look to the care of others. As James says, your life is but “…a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)
  • to endure, as James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation…he will receive the crown of life…”

Let us with contrite hearts praise and obey the Son that gave His life, so that many would live.

God bless.