Bethel Community Church Orlando

PSALMS - Week 3//Forgiveness Equals Happiness

In Psalm 32, David connects happiness with forgiveness. Happiness is found in God's forgiveness. It’s not just forgiveness for forgiveness sake. It’s forgiveness that reconciles us to God. There will come a time when a person can no longer call on God's forgiveness. God can use feelings of guilt or other things in our lives as a wake up call. These events are not to pay us back, but to bring us back. Seek God's forgiveness and find the key to happiness in reconciliation with Him.

PSALMS - Week 2//What is Going On?

What’s wrong with this world? The Psalmist says that mankind is in rebellion against God the Father and against His Son, Jesus Christ. While mankind revolts against God, we can find solace in the fact that God is where He’s always been, sitting on His throne. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He alone conquerors evil. The only hope for a rebellious mankind is submission to Christ and trust in Him for salvation.

PSALMS - Week 1//Does my Life Have Purpose?

David wrote Psalm 57 while hiding in a cave from King Saul, who was trying to kill him because David was to be the future king of Israel, and Saul was jealous. It is a pretty extraordinary Psalm, because in spite of all the things that were going wrong in David’s life, not one time does David ask God to change his situation. The only thing David asks throughout the Psalm is for God to glorify His name in that situation. David realized that the success of his life would be measured by whether he discovered his purpose to glorify God.

Resurrection - Easter

The Christian faith is built on a resurrected Jesus. Not everyone believes this to be true. Paul testified that Jesus is who He says He is. Paul, a former persecutor of Christians, told of the love and forgiveness he found in a relationship with Jesus. That didn't mean Paul's life was easy and free of pain, but it meant that he could remain joyful and hopeful for a future in heaven. Jesus is risen. Paul believed it. Do you?

Resurrection - Week 2

Pain, suffering, and disappointment are a part of our life here on earth. Sometimes it is hard to reconcile while God allows tragedy to take place. First, we have to understand that all suffering is a result of the curse of sin. We will all experience the curse no matter how good or godly we are. However, God sent Jesus to reverse the curse of death by suffering in our place. Finally, God uses the difficult experiences in our lives for His glory and our good. 

Resurrection - Week 1

Sometimes Jesus spoke in parables so that only those who were genuinely listening would understand what He was saying. One parable Jesus told before He died was about sheep and goats. Just as a shepherd separates the goats from the sheep, so will Jesus differentiate between His true followers and those that are only pretending. True believers are justified by faith, and then they live out their faith as an example of what Jesus has done in their lives. 

Get in the Game - Week 8 // Remaining in the Game until Christ Returns

In Luke 2, Simeon's desire to see Christ brought anticipation as Simeon waited for God to fulfill His promise. We aren't anticipating the birth of Christ, but we are waiting for Him to return. Throughout the game of life we should serve, worship, and long for Christ. We demonstrate that we desire Christ and anticipate His return by how we live our life. 

Goodness of God - Bethel Picnic

God knew that we would forget what He has done for us. In the Old Testament, after God's people had crossed the Jordan River, He instructed 12 men to return to that spot and retrieve 12 stones. They were to build a memorial in order to remember what God had done. It wasn't just for the people who had witnessed the miracle, but it was also a way for them to share the goodness of God with their children and future generations.

Get in the Game - Week 7 // Make the Best Use of Your Time

Prayer, Bible reading, church attendance, serving others - they are all ways for us to "Get in the Game" of the Christian life. However, as we live our lives, it becomes difficult to find the time to include these disciplines. God grants each of us a finite amount of time, and we must use that time wisely. Making Christ a priority in our lives will help us navigate our decisions on how we use our time. 

Get in the Game - Week 6 // Whatever it Takes

The Rich Young Ruler thought he was good enough to earn salvation. He probably saw his riches as favor from God. However, when confronted by Jesus to give up his wealth, he walked away sad. Salvation is not a reward for righteousness. No one can ever be good enough, rich enough, or blessed enough to earn salvation. Salvation is a gift from God to those who are humble enough to admit they need saving.