Pastor Matt

May 30, 2020

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

When Jesus gave this invitation, he was not speaking to pastors. He was not speaking to preachers. He was speaking to his followers.

There is an invitation from Jesus for all of us to preach the Good news of God and that includes you. Now, that preaching might not be in the form of a formalized sermon.  It might be in the form of a ministry that you are involved in, the shape of your family life at home or simply the way you have chosen to carry out your life.  Regardless, we are all called to “preach.” Consider on this day what form of “preaching” God has invited you into. Is God calling you into a new ministry group?  Is God calling you into a new act of service?  Is God calling you into a reformed life?  Where is God calling you to “preach” with your life?

Pastor Matt

May 18, 2020

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

What an amazing image. God “clothes” us with power from on high. I like to imagine the Holy Spirit covering us just as we wear our clothes. That there is not a movement I make where the Spirit does not move with me and go where I go.The picture is beautiful: God covering us with his righteousness, peace, beauty, comfort, and protection. With this image, God becomes a part of how we carry ourselves around in this world and how we present ourselves.
I like to think of myself in a posture of prayer with my hands extended out. I picture as I stand in this posture God is covering me with his Holy Spirit. He is covering me in a way that his Spirit is wrapping me in his love.

God has promised this. It’s a beautiful promise. Put your arms out and receive this beauty.

Pastor Matt Knopf

“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

This message is so great! It is a summary of what Christianity is all about. We are not a people who believe that God is only about wrath and punishment. We know God as one who gives salvation!

Our God is about life and joy. Christianity is not a fearful religion of hiding from an angry God. Christianity is about celebrating our God of life!

YOU have been appointed to receive salvation from God! It is a beautiful thing!

There is no news that can come our way that would outweigh the salvation that God delivers to us. There is no virus, no bad news, no job loss, no economic downturn, that could outweigh the SALVATION that comes through Christ. His ways are about LIFE. Not even death itself can conquer Christ Jesus – for He rises from the dead!

Our God reigns!

Pastor Matt Knopf

“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every namethat is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:19b-23

When God raised Jesus from the dead, he exalted him to a place of power. Jesus was not raised to be just another human being continuing on life. He was raised and given glory as the almighty. His rule goes beyond earthly power. Jesus is ruler of all, the heavens and the earth. Jesus’ power is not confined to one time, his power is over all time. Jesus sits in the throne of life and the earth is his footstool.

When God raised Jesus from the dead he wasn’t just raised in flesh and now lives in flesh. He does not survive as a mortal. Rather, Jesus reigns in full glory. He is supreme, Lord, King of all.

Our job as the church is to point to this reality. That Jesus is the Divine. Our job as a church is to be the body that worships the resurrected Lord who sits at the right hand of God.

Pastor Matt Knopf