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© Copyright Pastor Dirk Rodgers
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Weekly reflections on the scriptures from our Worship Services at Roser Church, Anna Maria, Florida.
176 Episodes
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What is the point of our work? What are we trying to achieve? How do we know when we have succeeded? Faith enables us to define success in realistic ways, not just in the future, but every day of our lives.
As biological creatures, we naturally strive both to avoid pain and maximize pleasure. However, does this biological pursuit make us truly human? Does it satisfy our deepest desires as human beings? Faith provides a way forward when pleasure is not enough, and pain is too much.
Our world changes at a rapid pace, but have we changed as human beings? Have all our revolutions around the sun helped us to fully realize our potential? Faith gives us a way to think through the confusing collision of human success and failure.
Our broken world has a way of convincing us that we must remain trapped within its destructive cycles. Weeks before Jesus Himself rises from the dead, however, He proves that He has the keys to free us from this prison, in this world and in the next.
The fear of death underlies all other fears. Until someone conquers death, fear will never be conquered. When Lazarus is at death’s door, his family has choice about how they may respond, a choice that centers entirely around Jesus.
We know the process all too well, sickness that leads to death. Lazarus and his family experienced it too. It is a fear-filled slippery slope for them and for us. Jesus wants to inspire hope in us as we face this fear, and His friend Lazarus becomes a living witness of this hope.
Nothing is more convincing than a dead person brought to life. God brings Jesus to life to demonstrate His power over death, and now He extends this power through His servant Peter. The same message, the same power, and the same God.
It seems only right that a former skeptic must now convince other skeptics. He is therefore not surprised by their resistance. But the power that changes him calls him to stay engaged in the mission.
Some people can become strongly but wrongly convinced. Jesus meets a confirmed enemy on the road to Damascus and powerfully convinces him to change his ways.
Sometimes truth can speak more powerfully than miracles, especially for those genuinely seeking truth. God sets up a divine appointment for Philip to respond to a seeker’s questions.
Simon had seen power before. He pretended to be an expert, until a new power comes to town. By meeting Philip, Simon meets Jesus, and his world could never be the same.
Running for his life, David seeks refuge in a holy place, asks for holy bread, and lies to a priest in the process. By most standards, he has broken a lot of rules, but does this really matter?
Allies are sometimes found among enemies. Strangers and can become close friends and family who fight together for the good that God desires. In the friendship between Jonathan and David, we find a pathway toward finding allies in a relationship-challenged world.
Relationships are tricky, especially in a world driven by power and wealth. David must face this new challenging world as he learns God’s plan for his life. We can learn from his example as we navigate our own power and wealth-dominated culture.
There are always bigger giants and bigger enemies in the land, and they can inspire fear or courage, depending on one’s point of view. In David’s view, a giant enemy has only one purpose, to bring glory to an even bigger God.
Powerful people can have powerful demons. When evil tormentors possessed Saul, David’s spirit was his only comfort. What was David’s secret, and how can we use it to help the tormented souls in our world?
Saul had been a great and powerful king, but his fall put God’s people in danger. Now God calls an unlikely servant to fill this role. Why this young man above all others? How can his calling inspire us to fill our role in God’s work?
Just shepherds. Not exactly the upper echelons of cultural power and prestige. Yet, God chooses them to hear great news that brings great joy. Their message continues to inspire our rejoicing!
Just as Joseph considers abandoning his beloved Mary, God works to reclaim all His children. Through this perplexed but blessed couple, He sends His own Son in human flesh to declare that He is forever with us.
It may seem absurd to talk of peace when the world seems ripped apart by war and rumors of war. God boldly promises peace, however, precisely when it seems most elusive. His words still can restore our peace when we need it most.
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