Hello Aspen
Grove Family,
I pray this finds you well. Like
last year, this year seems to be flying right on, because here we are almost
done with March! Speaking of which, on March 1st, I was finally able
to preach a message out of one of my favorite Books of the Bible… the Book of
Ecclesiastes:12:1-14. I love this Book because of all the Wisdom that King
Solomon unloads and in particular in Chapter 12, Solomon reminds us something
very important: “Remember Your Creator!” Solomons starts off this
last chapter of The Ecclesiastes by stating, “Remember
now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…” He emphasizes the urgency
of seeking GOD by stating, “Remember NOW…” Not tomorrow, not next week, but
right now is the acceptable time to get right with GOD! After he stresses the
urgency of the matter, he quickly transition us into his next point… Life is
short! He reminded us that our bodies are not permanent and death will come,
sooner whether than later. He reminds us that the body will return to the dust,
the spirit returns to GOD, and that we will meet our Creator. Solomons is
making one last appeal to us by reminding us not waste life on frivolous stuff,
not assume that we have plenty of time left, and for us to finish strong and to
finish well. Solomon is asking us to RECOGNIZE THE EMPTINESS OF LIFE
WITHOUT GOD, as tells us plainly about all the stuff in life, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.”
Let’s face it, we chase after a lot of things that has no real meaning or
purpose in life, other than temporary satisfaction. As Solomon brings the Book
of Ecclesiastes to a close, he tells rather bluntly about the only thing that
matters most, Vs. 13, “Let us hear the
conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this
is the whole duty of man.” That’s it. Everything else is in life is
nothing more than just commentary. Solomon’s final message is simple: Life is
short. Death is certain. Judgment is coming. Jesus saves. That’s salvation in a
nutshell. All we have to do is to simply repent truly and believe by Faith in
Jesus. Some really wise Words, don’t you think?
On March 8th, we
preached on the topic of, “Stop Going and Start Being” Acts 2:42–47; James
1:22; Matthew 5:13–16. We started off by asking a simple question: “If Aspen
Grove church disappeared tomorrow, would our community even notice?” That
question got me thinking about how church is today. Generally speaking, most
church attendees are simply going to church… ie… going through the motions,
instead of realizing that they are the Church. Church, we have learned how to
attend. We know what time service starts. We know when to stand, when to shout,
and when to say amen. The question this morning is not: “Did you go to church?”
but in reality, the question is: “Are you being the Church?” The early
believers didn’t “go” to church. They were the Church. They didn’t gather for
entertainment. They gathered for empowerment, and when they left their
gathering, you know what they did? They shook cities and told the world
right-side up! They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. They broke
bread from house to house. They prayed together daily… one mind, one body, and
one accord. They shared what they had
with whoever was in need, and the Lord added to the church daily. In the Book
of Acts 2:42–47, we learn that the Church Is Not a Place… It’s a People! And in
the Book of James 1:22, we learn that the church is not just a place to hear
the Word of GOD but doing the work that GOD has called us to do. Finally, from
the Book of Matthew 5:13-16, we see that the Church is to be the Light Outside
the Walls of the building. GOD did not save you to sit you. He saved you to
send you. What if tomorrow every believer in this room decided to live life as
Jesus did? What if we started to seriously love radically, to forgive quickly,
to serve humbly; and to witness boldly? Our community would feel it. Our
workplace would feel it. Our families would feel it. Our neighbors would feel
it. Brothers and sisters, let’s Stop going to church… and let us Start being
the Church!
On March 15th, we preached a message titled,
“Intentionally Setting your Face towards Jerusalem” from the Book Luke 9:51-56,
with emphasis on vs. 51. He we say a change in the ministry of Jesus. Up to
this point, Jesus went around explain, teaching, showing, and healing all the
way up to this point. Here, Jesus becomes very intentional about His true
purpose of leaving Heaven and coming to the earth. The Bible says when the time
came, Jesus “steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” Jerusalem was not just
another city or town. No, Jerusalem meant betrayal, suffering, the Beating, the
Cross, the nails, and the death on a hill called Calvary. Jesus looked at the
storm of sin that humanity was in, wept, and then started the journey to the
Cross anyway. Jesus knew exactly what waited for Him there, & yet… He still
intentionally set His face towards it anyway! No hesitation, no second
guessing, and no other options. Jesus intentionally made an intentional
decision to do the Will of the Father. That, my friends, is how our Faith
always begins… when we intentionally seek out GOD with that same determination!
Our eyes must stay fixed on Christ. When the Church regains that focus, the
Walk of Faith begins to stir and comes to life! Jesus intentionally set His face
towards the Cross because He loves us that much! He walked towards suffering so
that we could walk towards salvation. So today, the question is not about the
decision that Jesus made, but instead, the question is about the decision that
we are making here and now! Have you set your face towards GOD?
On March 16th, we began our Spring Revival. Pastor
Steve Duncan, from Webb’s Chapel, opened the revival services by preaching out
the Book of Haggai 1:115, with a message titled, “Consider You Ways!” With
everything that is happening in the world these days, this message was right on
time. This world, the leaders of this world, as well as all the people of this
world should really consider their ways. Prophecies are being fulfilled right
before our very eyes and so the End Times are very near. Sadly, most folks are
“too busy” to do that which GOD has called us to do. Busy… Being Under
Satan’s Yolk. We find all kinds of excuses to stay busy for
ourselves and/or for the world, to be active into what GOD has called us all to
do. We need to be stirred up once more for GOD. GOD used the Prophet Haggai to
remind the Israelites about priorities. They finished rebuilding Jerusalem and
their homes, but the hadn’t finished the House of GOD. Mind you, GOD doesn’t
need be confined to a building. No, instead, GOD was reminding His people that
they had replaced Him first. They were busy living their lives, but the work of
the Temple was incomplete. Sounds a lot like today, doesn’t it Church?
Question… where is GOD on your List of priorities? The easy answer is first and
foremost, but is it really? When was the last time you repented and feared the
LORD? Pastor reminded us all that when GOD speaks, the best response is
obedience… not negotiation. GOD stirred the folks back in Hagai’s day. Can HE
stir us the same way? Have you truly “Considered you ways?”
On March 17th, Pastor Duncan preached from the
Book of Haggai 2:1-9, with a message dealing with “Discouragement from
Comparison.” Pastor Stephen started out with one question: “What do you see now
compared to the olden days?” In Haggai chapter 2, GOD addressed three folks in
this passage: 1—Zerubbabel, 2—Joshua, and lastly, the people. Do you remember
when the church was packed, youth was everywhere, and the church did things
together… but what happen between then and now? It’s so easy for us to compare
things. We do it naturally, and yet… when we do, we tend to get discouraged and
depressed from the way the things used to be. GOD understands this dilemma we
find ourselves in and HE offers some advice: “Be strong, keep on working, and
Fear not because regardless of how things seem, I AM with you!” All the stuff
in the world that can distract us belongs to GOD… all the silver, all the gold,
all the cattle… its all His. Because it is all GOD’s, here is the kicker… Yes,
the church in its “hay day” seemed to be thriving, the new church that GOD is
bring will surpass it be far! So, keep doing what GOD has called you to do.
Why? Because GOD never breaks His promise and He has promised to be with you
always, even until the end of time! Because GOD is with us, we have the Peace
that surpasses all understanding. So, it’s ok to look back and remember, but
just don’t stay there, and keep moving forward. Trusting GOD and His Word.
On March 18th, Pastor Duncan preached a message
from the Book of Isaiah 6:1-13 and he asked the question, “Who Shall I send?”
Pastor Stephen pointed out how Isaiah had a reality check when he was standing
in the Throne Room of GOD. Isaiah said, when he realized his position, “Woe is
me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the
midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD
of hosts.” (Vs. 5) How would you feel if it were you standing before GOD
Almighty? Would you be as truthful? Could you admit your true position in
comparison of GOD’s Will for your life? It’s humbling, ain’t it? If we could
only grasp the reality of our position in relation with GOD and His Will,
imagine what all could be done? I guess that is why GOD, made the following
statement in Vs. 8a, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I
send, and who will go for us?” When think about it, GOD really doesn’t ask much
of us. Which is probably why Isaiah responded with such enthusiasm in Vs. 8b, “Then
said I, ‘Here am I; send me.” When we realize all that GOD is and has done for
us, it really should be a no brainer in our response as well. As we read on
further down to Vs. 11, “Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until
the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the
land be utterly desolate.” Sound familiar? It’s the great commission! We’ve
been given our marching orders to go forth and share the GOSPEL. What a great
Revival service!
On March22nd, we preached a message titled, “He told them
what was coming,” from the Book of Luke 18:31-34. Jesus understood the cost of our
salvation, and he was fully aware of His purpose here on earth. Jesus told the
disciples plainly what would happen in the days to come of how He would be
betrayed, mocked, beaten, and killed. The cross was not a surprise to Him. It
was His mission. Jesus knew pain that was instore for Him, yet He went anyway.
He did it because He knew that we were trapped in our sin and headed for
destruction, and Jesus came down from Heaven to rescue us from our sinful
nature. The good news is our story didn’t end with the Cross… but in reality,
it was only just the beginning. Jesus paid the cost for our sins and satisfied
GOD’s Wrath once and for all. All we have to do is to simply believe by Faith
in Jesus. Why? Because He is alive! The King of kings, and the LORD of lords
paid our debt off completely. Death does not win; sin does not win; nor does
the grave win either… but Jesus does! Jesus wins! Jesus going to Jerusalem to
pay our sin debt once and for all deserves more than just a holiday
recognition, don’t you believe? Many people today hear the gospel every Sunday
but never truly respond. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew about the cross.
He knew about the suffering. He knew about the grave… and He went anyway. He
did it for you. So, this morning the question is not: “Did Jesus die?” No, the
real question is: What will you do with the One who died for you and rose
again? Revival begins when people stop hearing about Jesus… and start
surrendering their lives to Him. So, what are you doing with Jesus today, right
here, right now?
This wraps up the month of March for us. It truly is an
awesome privilege to be sharing the Gospel with all who will listen. Looking
forward to April and seeing what GOD has planned for us. Have a great day and
remember… GOD loves you! Remember to be the light that GOD has called you to be
until the next time we meet. I love you all.
Pastor Sonny Williams
