Home Now

Just a quick update. I am home now. I ended up in the hospital on Tuesday and thought I would be out pretty quick. I had some infection and more damgage than I previously thought. I am now on crutches, a knee immobilizer and working toward full recovery.

What I thought was really awesome was the witness of many of the people of our church. Thank you for ministering to me with cards, flowers, visits, phone calls and encouragement. It really meant a lot to be ministered to by all of you. I really do belong to a great body of believers in our Savior. I am looking forward to worshipping with you all this Lord's Day!

Taste-Tester or the Real Deal - III

Pastor Dan's sermon from 6/24/2007

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Click here to listen.

Personal Note--I covet your prayers....

On Sunday night, I was planting a tree. In order to do so, I had to dig through the great soil of Odessa, Delaware. You know the type, rocks, sand, clay, and dry as a bone. Well, my wife went to Lowes and purchased a pick axe for me to use. I was hoping for a powered auger, but that just wasn't in the budget.

I was about 2 feet down and 2 feet wide when I began to swing the axe side to side to chip away some rock, err, I mean dirt--at least that is what they call the soil here. Just as I was thinking that I ought to be careful not to hit my leg...you guessed it...the sharp end of the pick axe found its way to the inside part of my left knee.

Long story short, I finished the job but found myself in a great deal of pain later that night. I was in so much pain, and continue to be in so much pain that I cannot walk right now. I am asking for prayer for healing if you think of it. I am on some pain meds and antibiotics and plan to see an orthopedics doctor today. Please pray that my beautiful wife would be able to keep up with her fourth child now--me. She is such a blessing.

Judas Vs Peter

I received a great question this past week after the conclusion of my sermon series, "Taster Taster or the Real Deal?" In my sermon I compared Judas Iscariot with Peter. Judas was a taste tester and Peter was the real deal. We know this because the Scriptures record the facts that Peter repented of his betrayal whereas Judas, although sorry, did not truly repent, was filled with evil and ultimately took his own life.

The danger of identifying Judas as an example of a "taste tester" is that we know what happened to him and history (as well as the church) has labeled him as the ultimate villian. What we must consider is that Judas ministered with Jesus for 3 years. He was by his side, preaching the Good News, casting out demons, maybe even healing people. From the outside, Judas was a full disciple of Christ. Maybe this is why upon Jesus' announcement at the Last Supper that one of his own would betray him, the disciples looked around in confusion. Judas wasn't wearing an evil grin and laughing in Jesus' face. No, Judas seemed like he was the real deal.

Ultimately, Judas did not truly repent and put Jesus to open shame by rejecting the Gospel. If Judas had repented as Peter did in John 21, the end of the story might have been just the beginning for Judas.

So what do we learn from all of this? If you claim to follow Jesus Christ, you must truly repent of sin, rely on the finished work of Jesus Christ, Stay in the Word, and test your calling so that you may be mature and complete. Keep on persevering.

How do you know the Bible is the Word of God?

I was recently listening to a Christian broadcast which was playing a few interview clips from a conservative Christian college concerning their theology on the Word of God. The simple question was, "Why do you believe the Word of God to be God's Word?" or "How do you know the Bible is the Word of God?"

The answers were very interesting. But it gave me an idea. I would like to know how you know that the Bible is the Word of God. I will post your answers on my blog. I think it would make for some great discussion and sharpening of one another. If you would like to post, click here and fire away. The question, "Why do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God?"

"Taste-Tester or Real Deal?" Part II

Pastor Dan's sermon from 6/10/2007

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 6:4-6

Click here to listen.