Rick Bergh

Uncomplicated Faith - (October 23/11)

2011-10-24T09:57:00.000-06:00

Simpler the better! Not too many options. People will get confused and then no longer make a decision if there are too many choices. That's marketing truth!

Ever try to buy a vehicle and get all of the options straight? You have to place them on an excel spread sheet to know which one belongs to each car. So confusing sometimes.

I love what Jesus does with this text. He makes it easier and simpler for people to understand his point. He takes 10 commandments and narrows it down to just two. Love God and Love Neighbor. Easy!

I love what God does in hopes to bring us into a relationship with himself. He makes it really simple and uncomplicated. He makes it easier to understand. There is no confusion or options to consider.

God gave his one and only son to die for us. He allows his son to come back alive. It's the cross that we point to. One thing, one truth, one way to God.

This week, why not try simplifying the faith and making it uncomplicated. If a person asks you, "Why do you go to church?" or "What do you believe?" could you just share the message of Jesus, uncomplicated and simple? Don't let anything get in the way of the simple truth of the gospel. Why not practice sharing the message of Jesus around the table with your family.

Our memorization scripture is John 3:16, " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".
　
Pastor Rick Bergh

Partnering with Jesus - (Sunday, October 16/11)

2011-10-17T10:36:00.001-06:00

Watch this Worship Service video here

Who is your best friend? Have you given them a call? Have you spent some special time with them lately? Do you ever find that it's difficult to carve out some time in your day for your friend? After your time at work, family time, keeping up with your chores and responsibilities, there are not a lot of minutes left over in your day.

Imagine your life as a pie. Each section you cut becomes a part of your life. The slices become pretty small once you look at all of the different sections of your life. Where do you fit Jesus into that pie?

This past Sunday, we talked about Jesus wanting to be our best friend. I'm wondering if we could place him at the center of the pie and allow everything else to flow from this center.

Remember the attributes of a friendship: Friends stay in touch; friends forgive; friends are there for each other; friends confide in each other; friends allow you to be yourself and friends go the extra mile for each other. Can you see Jesus as your best friend?

Our support scripture is Mark 14:32-42.

Do you think that Jesus wants us to spend time with him? Why was it so difficult for the disciples to do the one thing that Jesus asked? Do you think it was important for Jesus? Do you believe that you have a role, that you are a partner with Jesus today?

Our memorization scripture is from James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
　
Pastor Rick Bergh

A Smorgasbord Gospel - (Sunday, October 9/11)

2011-10-11T15:46:00.002-06:00

Watch this Worship Service video here

How was your Thanksgiving meal? Was there enough food to fill your stomach? Any leftovers? Can I come over?

I enjoy left overs. There is not a lot of preparation in getting supper on the table when all you have to do is reheat the food from the night before. And it tastes so good!

I have always been intrigued by the prophet Ezekiel and God's request found in chapter 3:2-3, "So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, 'Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.' Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey." Jesus says eat and drink, this is my body broken for you, this is my blood shed for you.

Is there always more left over of Jesus for you? Should we consider the spiritual nourishment in our lives ? How do you feed your soul?

Our support scripture is the story of the woman at the well found in John 4:1-26. She was a prostitute with an empty heart that needed to be filled with a new kind of love. Do you ever have a hurt, lonely or empty heart? Jesus offered her living water. What do you think the living water Jesus talked about is for us?

Our memorization scripture for this week is John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to click on the comments link just below and send us your response. Thanks.

The Real Thing (Sunday, October 2/11)

2011-10-07T15:58:00.001-06:00

Watch this Worship Service video here.

How would you say is the best way to draw closer to Jesus? What has worked for you? What challenges do you experience as you continue to follow Jesus in your life?
Table Talk
Has anyone ever said to you, there are many pathways to God, but all of them are correct? What is your response and how do you talk about Jesus as the only way that one can enter into a relationship with God? Do you feel judgemental when you are asked that question and respond with Jesus' words, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through me." (John 14:1-6)

As you consider some of the challenges that confront you in questioning your understanding of Jesus as the 'Real Thing', write them down and then go the Bible for your answers. Talk to your Christian friends about how they handle some fo the objections or misunderstandings of how people talk about Jesus.

- Do you see Jesus as more than a teacher, prophet and good moral person?
- If you were to describe Jesus to a friend, what would you say?
- Why would you want the Real Thing in your life? What kind of difference does Jesus make in your life?

Examine the story of Philip[ and the Ethiopian Eunuch from Acts 8:26-40. This man was curious to who Jesus was and needed someone to explain him the truth. He went to God's word. Go to God's word and ask yourself, If someone came to me and asked me to explain Jesus to them, what would I say?

Our memorization text this week is from Psalm 34:8. "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

If you would like to share your thoughts, questions of insights with others, join us here on this blog for our conversations about Jesus.

Take time to talk about the faith around your kitchen table and bless you as you seek to apply God's word in your week.

Pastor Rick

The Signature of God (Sunday, September 25/11)

2011-09-27T15:49:00.002-06:00

The video for this week is not available.

Do you really that the Bible is the inspired Word of God?

Can you think of a time when a person having authority over you made you feel uncomfortable? Was there ever a time in your life when you were asked to compromise your principles because of a person who had authority over you?

As you reflect upon Pastor's message, begin to reflect upon how you make decisions in your life and if you refer to God and his word as a source for your decisions. Stop yourself this week as you make decisions and ask yourself if you have taken time to talk with God and read the Bible before moving forward.

Can you count on God's word to speak into your life and situation? Examine Jesus' challenge to compromise his purpose as found in Matthew 4:1-11. How did Jesus confront an authority figure who promised to give him everything if he just followed him?

Where do you fit into the story? Examine your responses. Do we not have the same resource that Jesus had as he followed His father's will? Because Jesus was human, he had the same temptations as us. What advice do you think the story might give to us?

Our memorization text this week is from John 14:23, Jesus said, "If any one loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
If you would like to share your thoughts, questions or insights with others, join Pastor Rick on his blog. Go to rickbergh.com and join in on the conversations about Jesus.

Take time to talk about the faith around your kitchen table and bless you as you seek to apply God's word in your week.

Pastor Rick Bergh

It's not fair! (Sunday, September 18/11)

2011-08-16T19:31:00.001-06:00

Watch this Worship Service Video here.

Join me in a discussion folks! Why is it that some people respond to Gods grace and others don't?

Table Talk
Can you think of a time that you were on the receiving end of something that was not fair?

As you reflect upon Pastor's message, and the gospel lesson (Matthew 20:1-16), try to live this week with a new attitude. Instead of comparing yourself to others, desiring something that your neighbor has that you don't, why not ask God to give you more of Him each day? Just say, "God, I want more of you, not the world, more of you. You say that you are generous. Pour into me your generosity."

God is fair when it comes to his desire to be a bigger part of your life. He wants more of you. His grace, forgiveness and love are unlimited! God fills us up. He is the living water that quenches our thirst. He is the bread that satisfies.

As you think about this, remember that God is not only pursuing you but he is waiting for you to approach him, to come back, to start each day with him in your life.

Our supplemental and supportive texts this week are the lost and found stories found in the gospel of Luke, Chapter 15. Read them. Reflect upon the themes of each story, Where do you fit into the story? What do the stories say about how God feels and acts toward you?

Will you be ready to discover something more, different, new about Jesus in your life this week? Do you want more of Christ in your life? Why not ask him? Invite the Holy Spirit into your week, allowing fresh insights to come out of His word and your time of prayer as you spend time listening to the voice of God.

Our memorization text this week is from Domans 5:5. "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into out hearts by the Holy Spirit who he has given us."

If you would like to share your thoughts, questions or insights with others, join us here on the blog in our conversation about Jesus.

Take time to talk about the faith around your kitchen table and bless you as you seek to apply God's word in your week.

Pastor Rick