God Of The Ordinary | Pastor Chris | 3.30.25

God Of The Ordinary

How God has moved through seemingly ordinary ways to do global-scale Kingdom

change.

1. Abraham Being Chosen

Genesis 12:1–3

3 Promises from God:

Given this Land

Made into a Great Nation

All Families Blessed

Massive covenant to restore humanity… started with one man’s faith.

He died without seeing any of the promises fulfilled.

2. Moses in the Basket

Exodus 2:1–10

God would:

Set His people free

Lead them to the Promised Land

Establish a new covenant

How did it start? A woman placed her baby in a basket to float down a river… just to

save his life.

3. David Being Chosen

1 Samuel 16:1–13

A turning point for the nation

Establishment of a new covenant (an everlasting throne)

A careful process of selection by God

4. God Coming as a Baby

God Himself came to save all of humanity.

He came as a baby, born to two newlyweds.

Not a king in splendor, but a child in a manger.

5. Jesus Calling His Disciples

Matthew 4

A Rabbi tells fishermen and tax collectors to follow Him.

He recruits eleven riders to help build His Kingdom.

The Illusion of Grandiosity

(Wrongly perceived need for all things to be flashy, big, or impressive)

It’s the false expectation that when God moves, it must look big, loud, flashy, or

important by human standards.

Examples:

• David vs. Goliath – Everyone expected a warrior, but God used a shepherd boy

• Elijah on the Mountain – God wasn’t in the wind, earthquake, or fire — He was in

a whisper

• The Cross of Christ – Looked like defeat, but was the greatest victory in history

We often think bands, trumpets, honor, glory, applause, wealth, and riches equal

success and spirituality.

Matthew 13:31–32 — The Mustard Seed

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed… the smallest of all seeds, but

grows to be larger than all garden plants and becomes a tree.”

1 Corinthians 1:27

“God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise…”

In a Similar Way…

In the quietness and humbleness of everyday decisions:

God is building and perfecting His bride through your marriage and child-raising.

Get the gravity of this.

Like our fathers before us—

People watching from the outside wouldn’t have known it at the time.

It seems small.

It seems insignificant.

But:

We know we are building marriages that will rob the gates of hell.

We are raising warriors for Christ who will bring revival to this nation.

So Remember:

Your everyday decisions — your small arguments, your quiet prayers, your acts of faith

— bear weight.

They matter.

They are important.

That’s Why Holiness and Sanctification

Matter

We aren’t just here for a good time.

We are building a Kingdom.

Your Marriage:

Produces godly adults

Produces godly offspring

Produces a pure bride for Christ

Revelation 19:7–8 (ESV)

"Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and His Bride has made herself ready;

it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."

Colossians 1:21–22 (ESV)

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

He has now reconciled...

in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him..."

Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV)

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,

so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or

any such thing,

that she might be holy and without blemish."

1 Corinthians 1:27

“God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise…”

Final Word:

If you want to be great in the Kingdom —

Go home.

Love your wife.

Love your husband.

Train your children.

The Two Become One | Pastor Tre Townsley | 2.23.25

The Two Become One

 Genesis 2:18-24 18  And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man

should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”  19  Out

of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every

bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call

them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its

name.  20  So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and

to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper

comparable to him. 21  And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall

on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up

the flesh in its place.  22  Then the rib which the Lord God had taken

from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

23  And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my

flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out

of Man.” 24  Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother

and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

 Marriage is not merely a contract, but it is a covenant

 Malachi 2:14 Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because

the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth,

With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion

And your wife by covenant.

 A contract is an agreement between two parties that creates

an obligation to perform or refrain from certain actions or

duties; or the exchange of things. A contract usually has a

term/timeframe it is in effect.

 The biblical understanding of the word covenant is derived

from the Hebrew word b e riyth /ber-eeth’/ (a compact or

alliance made between two parties (me for you). A covenant

is usually for the lifetime and is often sealed with blood.

 Examples of blood covenants: Abrahamic (Genesis 15:9-15),

Mosaic (Exodus 19; Hebrews 9:19-21), New covenant (Luke

22:20)

 The ‘two become one’ does not mean one party ceases to

exist. This expresses a compound unity. Genesis 2:24 uses

the same word expressed in Deuteronomy 6:4—echad,

which means united

 Deuteronomy 6:4  4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God,

the Lord is one!

 This ‘unity’ is a spiritual, emotional, and physical bond

designed by God

 Ephesians 5:31-32 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father

and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one

flesh.  32  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the

church.

 Spiritual Oneness in Marriage

 Both spouses must be believers. The expression of Christ

uniting with His bride is not a believer uniting with an

unbeliever.

 2 Corinthians 6:14-16a 14  Do not be unequally yoked together with

unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with

lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?  15  And

what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with

an unbeliever?  16  And what agreement has the temple of God with

idols? For you are the temple of the living God.

 Ephesians 5:25-27 25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ

also loved the church and gave Himself for her,  26  that He

might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the

word,  27  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not

having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy

and without blemish.

 Marriage has a spiritual purpose

 Malachi 2:14-15 14  Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because

the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth,

with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion

and your wife by covenant. 15  But did He not make them one, having a

remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring.

Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously

with the wife of his youth.

 Emotional and Relational Oneness in Marriage

 Husbands have been given an impossible task.

 Ephesians 5:25 25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also

loved the church and gave Himself for her

 The only way Jesus was able to give Himself was through

providential help…

 Luke 22:42-44 42  saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away

from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”  43 Then an

angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  44  And being

in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like

great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

 The only way to ‘1 Corinthians 13’ a woman is through the

strength of the LORD

 4  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not

parade itself, is not puffed up;  5  does not behave rudely, does not

seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  6  does not rejoice in

iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  7  bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

 Wives have been given an impossible task

 Ephesians 5:24 24  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ,

so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

 Genesis 2:18 18  And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man

should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

 There is only one who is designated ‘The Helper’ -John

14:26 26  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in

My name

 The only way to be a help to your husband is to be filled with

the Helper

 Physical Oneness in Marriage

 Physical intimacy a gift to married couples, but to refrain can

give Satan an area to exploit.

 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 3  Let the husband render to his wife the

affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.  4  The

wife does not have authority over her own body, but the

husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority

over his own body, but the wife does.  5  Do not deprive one another

except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to

fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not

tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

 Being married does not give a license for immorality

 Hebrews 13:4 4  Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed

undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

 Physical intimacy is a large part of the consummation of

husband and wife

 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 15  Do you not know that your bodies are

members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and

make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!  16  Or do you not know

that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the

two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 

Final Challenge:

 Are you pursuing oneness in your marriage?

 If you’re single, are you preparing yourself to be ready for a

Christ-centered marriage?

His and Her’s | Pastor Chris Searcy | February 16th

His and Her’s

Discovering biblical Marriage rolls

Antidote for culture

Antidote: A medicine taken to counteract a particular poison.this is good are there any others

Biblical Teaching VS. Anecdotal

Anecdotal: Based on personal accounts rather than facts or research

Biblical Truth: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for

reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Anecdotal  Cultural

Examples Biblical Truth (Opposite)

Subjective personal

experiences Objective biblical authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Social norms that shift over

time God’s unchanging Word (Isaiah 40:8)

Human reasoning and

ideologies Divine wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Feelings-based conclusions Truth rooted in God’s character (John 17:17)

Empirical evidence that can

change

Spiritual realities that remain constant (Hebrews

13:8)

Cultural definitions of marriage

family

God’s design for marriage  family (Genesis 2:24,

Ephesians 5:22-25)

Individual autonomy self-

definition Submission to God’s authority (Romans 12:2)

Culture’s Edicts

For Men:

Toxic masculinity narrative – Viewing male leadership as oppressive.

Passive husband/fatherhood – Encouraging men to be emotionally absent or uninvolved.

Career over family – Defining success solely by work achievements.

Avoid commitment – Promoting promiscuity and casual relationships.

Emotional suppression – Discouraging men from leading with love and gentleness.

For Women:

Radical feminism – Rejecting submission and respect in marriage.

Independence over partnership – Promoting self-sufficiency over biblical unity.

Career-first mentality – Devaluing homemaking and child-rearing.

Marriage is outdated – Suggesting marriage is unnecessary or restrictive.

Rejection of motherhood – Viewing children as burdens rather than blessings.

For Marriage in General:

Egalitarianism – Eliminating God-ordained roles in marriage.

Sexual fluidity – Redefining gender and marriage itself.

Divorce culture – Treating marriage as disposable.

Personal happiness over commitment – Encouraging self-fulfillment over covenant

faithfulness.

Casual cohabitation – Prioritizing relationships over lifelong commitment.

What does God want from Marriage: Godly Offspring

Malachi 2:14-16

14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife

of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by

covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what

was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of

you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but

divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says

the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

1. The Role of Husbands in Marriage

Ephesians 5:25-28, 31-33

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the

word,

27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or

any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who

loves his wife loves himself.

31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the

two shall become one flesh.

32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she

respects her husband.

Colossians 3:19

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

1 Peter 3:7

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to

the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so

that your prayers may not be hindered.

Proverbs 5:18-19

18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,

19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be

intoxicated always in her love.

1 Timothy 5:8

8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his

household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Psalm 82:3-4

3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the

destitute.

4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Key Responsibilities of Husbands:

• Love sacrificially (as Christ loved the church).

• Sanctify their wives spiritually.

• Live with understanding and show honor.

• Be faithful and rejoice in their wives.

• Avoid harshness and treat them with care.

• Provide

• Protect

2. The Role of Wives in Marriage

Ephesians 5:22-24, 33

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his

body, and is himself its Savior.

24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to

their husbands.

33 ... and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Colossians 3:18

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

1 Peter 3:1-6

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey

the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold

jewelry, or the clothing you wear—

4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty

of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by

submitting to their own husbands,

6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good

and do not fear anything that is frightening.

Proverbs 31:10-12, 26-27

10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Key Responsibilities of Wives:

• Submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ.

• Respect their husbands.

• Demonstrate godly conduct to influence their husbands spiritually.

• Cultivate inner beauty with a gentle and quiet spirit.

• Manage the household wisely and with diligence.

3. The Mutual Responsibilities in Marriage

1 Corinthians 7:3-5

3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her

husband.

4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.

Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you

may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not

tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Genesis 2:24

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and

they shall become one flesh.

Malachi 2:14-16

14 But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the Lord was witness between you and the

wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and

your wife by covenant.

15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was

the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none

of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.

16 For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of

Israel, ‘covers his garment with violence,’ says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in

your spirit, and do not be faithless.

Joint Marital Duties

• Men are called to love sacrificially, lead spiritually, and honor their wives.

• Women are called to submit, respect, and support their husbands.

• Both are to be faithful, fulfill marital duties, and work together in unity.

Strongholds:

Male self preservation, and egalitarianism:

Men are called to lay down their lives as Christ did for their wives.

1. Greek Word Study: Gave Himself Up(παρέδωκεν ἑαυτὸν - paredōken heauton)

A. Greek Breakdown

• παρέδωκεν (paredōken) – gave up, delivered over,surrendered

◦ Root: παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) – to hand over, deliver, or entrust

◦ Used in contexts of betrayal, sacrifice, and divine surrender

• ἑαυτὸν (heauton) – himself

◦ Indicates voluntary action—Jesus chose to lay down His life.

B. Other Biblical Uses of paredōken

This word appears in other passages showing Christ’s voluntary sacrifice:

Ephesians 5:2 – And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant

offering and sacrifice to God.

Galatians 2:20 – The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me

and gave himself for me.

Mark 14:41 – The Son of Man is betrayed (paredidoto) into the hands of sinners.

Female independence:

Hermeneutic Study of the Word Submission in Ephesians 5

I. The Greek Word for Submission in Ephesians 5

The word submission in Ephesians 5:21-22 is ὑποτάσσω (hupotassō).

Greek Definition of ὑποτάσσω (hupotassō)

Root Meaning: To arrange under, to subordinate.

Usage:

To place in an orderly fashion under a superior rank.

To subject oneself voluntarily.

To obey or yield to authority.

In a military sense, it means to arrange troops in order under a leader.

Strong Concordance Number: G5293

Verb Form: Middle/passive voice, often implying voluntary submission.

Occurrences of ὑποτάσσω in the New Testament

Here are some key places where hupotassō appears in the NT:

1. Ephesians 5:21 - submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

2. Ephesians 5:22 - Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

3. Colossians 3:18 - Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

4. 1 Peter 3:1 - Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands...

5. Romans 13:1 - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities...

6. 1 Corinthians 15:28 - When all things are subjected to him, then the Son

himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him...

7. James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God.

8. Titus 2:5 - To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to

their own husbands...

The word is used in contexts of:

• Marital relationships (Eph. 5:22, Col. 3:18, 1 Pet. 3:1)

• Government and authority structures (Rom. 13:1)

• Jesus’ subjection to the Father (1 Cor. 15:28)

• Christians submitting to God (James 4:7)

II. The Hebrew Equivalent for Submission

The most common Hebrew word for submission is כָּבַשׁ (kabash), though there are a

few others.

Hebrew Definitions of Submission Words

כָּבַשׁ (kabash)

Meaning: To subdue, bring under control, subject to authority.

Strong’s Concordance: H3533

Example:

Genesis 1:28 - Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue (kabash) it.

Numbers 32:22 - And the land be subdued (kabash) before the LORD.

שָׁמַע (shama')

Meaning: To listen, obey, heed authority.

Strong’s Concordance: H8085

Example:

Exodus 19:5 - If you will indeed obey (shama') my voice and keep my covenant...

יִכַּח (yikach) (Less common in this sense)

Meaning: To take or accept authority.

Strong’s Concordance: H3947

Example:

Proverbs 6:23 - For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; and reproofs of

instruction are the way of life.

III. All Biblical Occurrences of Submission in Context

Below is a compilation of where hupotassō and its Hebrew equivalents appear in

scripture:

Old Testament

• Genesis 1:28 - Subdue (kabash) the earth.

• Numbers 32:22, 29 - If the land be subdued (kabash) before the LORD...

• Joshua 18:1 - And the land was subdued (kabash) before them.

• Psalm 81:11 - But my people would not hearken (shama') to my voice...

• Proverbs 6:23 - The commandment is a lamp...

New Testament

• Ephesians 5:21-22 -Submit (hupotassō) to one another... Wives, submit

(hupotassō) to your husbands.

• Colossians 3:18 - Wives, submit (hupotassō) to your husbands.

• Romans 13:1 - Let every soul be subject (hupotassō) to the governing

authorities.

• 1 Peter 3:1 - Wives, be subject (hupotassō) to your husbands.

• 1 Corinthians 15:28 - The Son himself will be subjected (hupotassō) to him...

• James 4:7 - Submit (hupotassō) to God.

• Titus 2:5 - Women should be submissive (hupotassō) to their own husbands.

IV. Hermeneutical Interpretation of Submission in Ephesians 5

1. Submission in the Context of Mutuality (Ephesians 5:21)

• Paul begins by saying,submitting to one another out of reverence for

Christ.

• This means that submission is not a one-sided command but part of mutual

relationships within the church and family.

2. Wives Submitting to Husbands (Ephesians 5:22)

• This is not about oppression or inferiority but about voluntary alignment under

God’s design.

• The model is Christ’s submission to the Father (1 Cor. 15:28).

• The parallel command to husbands (Eph. 5:25) is to love sacrificially, which

means submission is met with self-sacrificial leadership.

3. Submission to Authority in Society

• Romans 13:1 commands submission to government.

• 1 Peter 2:13-14 echoes the same.

• This means submission is part of God’s order, but not absolute—when authority

contradicts God’s law, obedience to God takes precedence (Acts 5:29).

4. Submission to God (James 4:7)

• The highest form of submission is to God Himself.

• It is a voluntary act of trust and obedience.

V. Application and Conclusion

1. Submission is not oppression – Biblical submission is voluntary and mutual,

modeled by Christ Himself.

9. Submission applies to all relationships – marriage, church, government, and

God.

10. Husbands are also called to submission – by loving sacrificially.

11. The ultimate submission is to God – yielding to His will in all areas of life.

The Meaning of Marriage | Pastor Chris Searcy | 2.2.25

The Meaning of Marriage

I. The Context of Ephesians: Unity in Christ Leads to Unity in Marriage

• Paul’s overarching theme in Ephesians: Unity in Christ

• Ephesians 1:9-10 – God’s plan to unite all things in Christ

• Ephesians 2:19-22 – The church is built together as God’s household

• Ephesians 4:3-6 – Unity in the Spirit through the bond of peace

• Ephesians 5:21-33: Unity in marriage reflects the unity of the church

• → Paul transitions from unity in theology (chapters 1-3) 
→ unity in the body (chapter 4) 
→ unity in the home (chapter 5)


The home is the foundation of Christian community:
Not the belief system - “Christ is the foundation of the faith” 

In Deuteronomy: Moses recounting Isreal’s journey from mount Sinai to the promised land urges Isreal to obey God’s commands…..

He shares with them the greatest commandment…. called the Shema!

Deuteronomy 6:4-10
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 

7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 10 “And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 



Two questions to ask ourselves:

1. Have we taught this to our children!
2. Have we ourselves forgotten!

God designed it so that:

• A Godly marriage builds a Christian home!

• Christian homes build strong churches!

• Strong churches build a Christian society!

II. The Gravity of Marriage:

A. It’s Gods design

• Genesis 1
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. 
27 So God created man in his own image,
    in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them.

• Genesis 2
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 

21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
    because she was taken out of Man.”

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Marriage is Gods design! It is his creation!
You can’t change what is his…

B. Marriage Reflects Christ and the Church

• Old Testament:
Isaiah 54:5 
5 "For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called."

• New Testament:
Ephesians 5:31-32 (quotes Genesis 2:24)
31 "‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”

• Yet to be fulfilled:
Revelation 19:7-9
7 "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”

The Bible consistently describes marriage as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church—a union of love, sacrifice, and covenant faithfulness

III. The Seriousness of Marriage in God’s Eyes

A. Marriage is a Covenant, Not Just a Contract

• In Genesis 2 Marriage was the first institution established by God.


• Hebrews 13:4 – "Let marriage be held in honor among all

• Malachi 2:16 – “For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”

If God hates Divorce how do you think the devil feels about divorce….?

• 1 Peter 3:7 – Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

B. God Tied it to Blessings and Responsibilities

• Proverbs 18:22 – "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

• 1 Peter 3:7 – Husbands must honor their wives or their prayers will be hindered.

• 1 Timothy 3:2, 4-5 – A qualification for church leadership:

• "Husband of one wife… manages his own household well."

IV. What Does Marriage Mean to God?

• It is Holy – Hebrews 13:4 – "Let marriage be held in honor among all…"

• It is for His Glory – Malachi 2:15 – 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God[g] seeking? Godly offspring.

• It is a Reflection of His Faithfulness – Hosea 2:19-20 – 19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.

• It is a Picture of Redemption – Isaiah 54:5 – "Your Maker is your husband…”

• Ephesians 5:27 – 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.


Closing Challenge:

• If marriage represents Christ and the church, are we living that out?

• Understand the seriousness of marriage.

• Fight for Godly marriages in our midst.


Final Call to Prayer & Reflection

The Gift We Return | Pastor Chris | 12.22.24

"The Gift We Return"

I. What the Bible says about Christian Community

A. Jesus Taught on Christian Community

1. Love as the Hallmark of Discipleship

◦ John 13:34-35: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

2. Jesus Asked for Unity

◦ John 17:20-23: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

3. There is Power in It

◦ Matthew 18:19-20: "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

4. Love for Neighbor as the Second Greatest Commandment

◦ Matthew 22:37-40: "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'"

B. Jesus Left Us in Christian Community

1. The Early Church's Model of Christian Community

◦ Acts 2:42-44, 46-47: “42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people.

C. It is Reaffirmed by the Apostles

Ephesians 2

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 

Ephesians 4

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

2. Miracles Through Christian Community

◦ Acts 12: James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Peter Is Rescued

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

◦ A number of times the arresting authorities had to change how they handled the apostles because of fear of the christians… 

(Acts 5:26 gently bc fear of stoning,  Acts 4 Peter & John let go because all the people were praising God.

II. Why We Forfeit This Gift

A. Fear of Vulnerability

• Ephesians 2:19-20: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

B. Hurt and Offense

• Past experiences can cause us to withdraw from community.

• Ephesians 4:15-16: "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

III. The Importance of Community in the Last Days

A. Prophecies About Division and Betrayal

1. Matthew 24:10-12: "And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold."

2. Matthew 10:21-22: "Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

3. Luke 12:53: "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

B. The Church as a Refuge

• In a world marked by betrayal and division, the church must stand as a beacon of unity and love.

• Ephesians 4:15 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ!

V. Practical Steps to Embrace Community

1. Know what Christian Community is:

◦ It is living a vulnerable life tethered to others believer.

2. Seek Reconciliation:

◦ Don’t let offenses keep you isolated. Pursue peace and forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-20).

3. Commit to Fellowship:

◦ Engage with small groups, prayer meetings, and corporate worship (Acts 2:42-47).

4. Protect it:

◦ Do not allow the enemy to divide you from Christian community! (Matthew 12:25)

VI. Conclusion

• Closing Challenge:

Don’t return God’s gift of community out of fear or hurt. Embrace it as a vital part of your walk with Christ.

• Final Scripture:

Hebrews 10:23-25

 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The Cycle of Giving | Pastor Chris Searcy | 10am

 1. Recognize that we have been Given to

1 Peter 1:18–19 (ESV)

"Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Colossians 2:13–14 (ESV)

"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

2. In return Give cheerfully 

We give only with a cheerful heart. Any other gift isn’t worth giving. 

2 Corinthians 9:

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.”

3. He rewards our heart to give

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way………

4. We Praise the provider

11 (cont.) …… which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

The Leper Who Returned (Luke 17:11–19)

Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returned to praise God, falling at Jesus' feet and thanking Him. Jesus said:

The Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11–19

11 While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.

15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 “Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine? 18 Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”

19 Then Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well!”

The phrase "has made you well" is translated from the Greek 

"σέσωκέν σε" (sesōken se), which can also mean "has saved you." 

This dual meaning reflects the holistic nature of Jesus' healing—addressing both physical and spiritual needs.


20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

They were looking for the messiah to usher in a physical kingdom…. So they missed HIM!

26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

More than Money | Pastor Chris Searcy | 11.24.24

More than money
The heart of giving

"More than money: The Heart of Giving"

1. The Macedonian Example: Generosity Amid Hardship (2

Corinthians 8:1-5)

8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among

the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy

and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For

they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their

own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the

saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and

then by the will of God to us.

Context: Paul speaks to the Corinthians about the churches of Macedonia, who,

despite their own poverty and affliction, gave generously to help their brothers and

sisters in Christ.

Principle: The Macedonian churches gave “beyond their means” not out of wealth but

out of faith and love, driven by their joy in Christ and commitment to support others.

Application for Today: Like the Macedonians, many of us may not feel wealthy or

comfortable. Yet, God sees the heart and honors even the smallest gift. when it’s given

with joy and faith. Giving in hard times is an act of trust in God, a way to place our

“treasure” and, therefore, our “heart” in His hands (Matthew 6:21).

2. Dorcas (Tabitha) Legacy: Giving of Time and Talents (Acts 9:36-42)

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means

Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill

and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since

Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him,

urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them.

And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him

weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with

them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the

body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she

sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and

widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa,

and many believed in the Lord.

Context: Dorcas, a disciple in Joppa, was known for her “good works and acts of

charity.” She used her skills to make clothes for the needy, especially for widows. Her

generosity was so impactful that, when she died, the widows and disciples sought Peter

to come and help.

Principle: Generosity is not limited to financial giving. Dorcas gave her time and talents

to serve her community, and her work was a ministry of love that left a lasting legacy.

Application for Today: Even if we don’t feel we have the financial means to give, we all

have gifts and talents that God can use to bless others. We can follow Dorcas’s

example by using our abilities—whether through serving, creating, teaching, or

helping—to make a difference.

1 Timothy 5:8

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his

household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 John 3:16-18

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our

lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in

need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little

children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Practical Takeaways

Consider How You Can Give—Not Just Money, but also Time and Talents: Like

Dorcas, find ways to bless others with your unique skills, whether that’s making meals,

offering a listening ear, or sharing an encouraging word.

Trust God’s Provision and Give from the Heart: In economic hardships, giving

financially might feel intimidating. But God honors even the smallest gift given with love,

and He is faithful to provide for our needs.

Remember the Joy in Giving as an Act of Worship: The Macedonians found joy in

their giving, even in hardship. We too can experience the joy of blessing others,

knowing we’re part of God’s work and are representing His love to a world in need.

The Foundation of Giving | Pastor Tre Townsley | 11.10.24

The Foundation of Giving

 Matthew 10:8  “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

 Giving is progressive

 To be an effective giver, I must first be an effective recipient

 1 Corinthians 11:23 ”For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you”

 Paul is an effective minister (giver) of the gospel because of what he received

 Ephesians 3:6-7 ”6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power”

 John 4:5-29, 39-42 ”5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” 19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” 27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?” 28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”  

39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

 Jesus asked her for a drink of water,  but she rejected him 

“7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?”

 Jesus presents her an opportunity to become a recipient

“10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew (eido: to properly see, consider, perceive with any of the senses) the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

 Key #1: To Properly Perceive the Holy Spirit

 Matthew 12:22-32   ”22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”

 Key #2: To Ask

Matthew 7:7 ”Ask, and it will be given to you”

Matthew 6:8b ”For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

 Key #3: To Recognize Your Need

“19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive (theoreo: to discern, behold, perceive) that You are a prophet.”

“16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

Luke 18:35-43 ”35 Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41 saying, “What do you want Me to do for you? ”He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” 42 Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”

Mark 5:22-34 ”22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Election Wednesday | Pastor Chris Searcy | 10.30.24

 

Election Wednesday

The What

The US is not a pure or direct Democracy. The U.S. is a constitutional republic and, more specifically, a representative democracy.

Constitutional Republic

• In a constitutional republic, elected officials represent the people, and their powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

• Laws and governance are conducted according to the rules of the Constitution, which protects certain individual rights regardless of majority rule.

Representative Democracy

• Rather than direct voting on most national policies or leaders, citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

• The Electoral College is a form of indirect representation. Rather than a direct popular vote for the president, the system delegates that decision to a body of electors who, ideally, represent their states' choices.

The president is selected by the Electoral College:

The Electoral College was established as a compromise during the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

The framers of the U.S. Constitution created it to address a central question: how to fairly elect the president of a new nation with a diverse population and strong, independent states.

Balancing Large (populous) and Small (less populous) States:

Direct election by popular vote alone would give large states more power. while letting Congress elect the president could overly concentrate power in the legislature.

Safeguarding Against Uninformed Voting:

Electoral College was presumed to be well informed.

Federalism and State Sovereignty:

Federalism: a principle or system of government in which several states form a unity but remain independent in internal affairs

The Electoral College fits within the federalist structure of the U.S. government. By giving each state a certain number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress, the system respects state sovereignty while uniting the country under one chief executive.

Basic Structure of the Electoral College:

Electoral Votes: Each state has a set number of electoral votes, equal to its total representation in Congress (Senators + Representatives).

How Its calculated:

Electoral Votes = Number of Senators (2) +Number of Representatives

Senators: Each state has 2 senators, giving every state at least two electoral votes.

Representatives: Each state’s number of representatives is based on its population, with more populous states receiving more representatives. The total number of representatives is capped at 435 and is redistributed among the states every 10 years based on the U.S. Census.

For example:

California: 2 Senators + 52 representatives = 54 electoral votes

Alabama: 2 Senators + 7 representatives = 9 Electoral Votes

*each state guaranteed 1 representative. the remaining seats (usually 385 out of the 435 total) are distributed using a mathematical formula called the "method of equal proportions."

Electors: Political parties usually select electors before the general election, and these electors pledge to vote for the presidential candidate who wins their state’s popular vote.

Winning the Presidency: A candidate must secure a majority of the electoral votes (currently at least 270 out of 538) to win the presidency.

The Why

Why Christian should vote?

The Bible doesn’t explicitly mention, mandate or command voting. 

In fact if you are a believer you are a part of another Nation. See: Revelation 5:9-10 Galatians 3:28

However, voting is a way to exercise biblical principles and advocate for morality and righteous. 

Responsibility and Stewardship

• Romans 13:1-7

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."

• 1 Peter 2:13-17

"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

1. Since we are to live in subjection to authority it would be in the believers’ best interest to vote for those who they are to be subject to.

2. Secondarily, leaders are called ministers of God, and servants so it would behoove believers to vote for those who resemble those characteristics, or the candidate who will allow them believers to continue to do so. 

3. Lastly, it would be imperative for a believer to vote for the candidate who will uphold or promote biblical values and freedom of worship. 

Seeking Justice and Promoting Good

The historical context of Micah 6:8 takes place during the 8th century BC, a time when the kingdom of Israel was divided into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Micah, a prophet from Judah, spoke to the people of both kingdoms during a period of significant social and political upheaval.

During Micah’s time, both kingdoms were experiencing moral decay, corruption, and social injustice. The wealthy and powerful were exploiting the poor, using dishonest measures in trade, seizing land, and engaging in bribery. Idolatry was widespread, and the leaders of the people, including priests and prophets, were complicit in these injustices.

• Micah 6:8

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

• Proverbs 31:8-9

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

For Who

Now comes the big question, FOR WHO?

To answer that question we must first see what God requires of man, because we have discovered the reasons for a Christian to vote are Responsibility and Stewardship and Seeking Justice and promoting good. 

We will start with the foundational biblical requirements, the Ten Commandments.

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

(Exodus 20:3)

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

(Exodus 20:4)

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

(Exodus 20:7)

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

(Exodus 20:8)

5. Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

(Exodus 20:12)

6. You shall not murder.

(Exodus 20:13)

7. You shall not commit adultery.

(Exodus 20:14)

8. You shall not steal.

(Exodus 20:15)

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

(Exodus 20:16)

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.

(Exodus 20:17)

The bible speaks more to what biblical morality looks like: 

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (ESV)

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

2. Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

4. Revelation 21:8 (ESV)

"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

3. Ephesians 5:5 (6-15) (ESV)

"For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

    and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Christian Values Chart

Does their platform promote or accept these anti-Christian values

Anti Christian Practices Chart

What happens historically when nations turn away from God

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 takes place near the end of Moses’ leadership over Israel, as he prepares them to enter the Promised Land. 

The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith in God’s promises. Now, on the edge of the land, Moses gives his final instructions and warnings, urging the people to remain faithful to God.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV): 15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.

Approx 400 years later (David’s reign) 

We see this play out. 

The book of 2 Chronicles tells the story of 21 different Kings of the southern Kingdom of Judah (split from Northern Israel) 

Solomon – Reigns from 2 Chronicles 1-9.

Rehoboam – 2 Chronicles 10-12

Abijah – 2 Chronicles 13

Asa – 2 Chronicles 14-16

Jehoshaphat – 2 Chronicles 17-20

Jehoram – 2 Chronicles 21

Ahaziah – 2 Chronicles 22

Athaliah (Queen) – 2 Chronicles 22-23 (although she was a queen and not a king, she ruled for six years as the sole monarch).

Joash – 2 Chronicles 24

Amaziah – 2 Chronicles 25

Uzziah (Azariah) – 2 Chronicles 26

Jotham – 2 Chronicles 27

Ahaz – 2 Chronicles 28

Hezekiah – 2 Chronicles 29-32

Manasseh – 2 Chronicles 33

Amon – 2 Chronicles 33

Josiah – 2 Chronicles 34-35

Jehoahaz – 2 Chronicles 36

Jehoiakim – 2 Chronicles 36

Jehoiachin – 2 Chronicles 36

Zedekiah – 2 Chronicles 36

Faithful Kings Chart

Unfaithful Kings Chart

When leaders follow God the people live and multiply, when leaders turn away to other Gods the people perish.

1. Worship of Baal and Asherah

• Practiced by Kings: Rehoboam, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ahaz, Manasseh, and others.

• Description: Baal was a Canaanite god of fertility and weather, while Asherah was a goddess associated with fertility. Worship included setting up altars, poles (Asherim), and shrines on high places.

2. Setting Up High Places for Sacrifice and Worship

• Practiced by Kings: Rehoboam, Jehoram, Joash, Ahaz, and others.

• Description: High places were altars or shrines set up on hills or elevated areas where sacrifices and offerings were made to various gods. These locations often featured idolatrous practices, such as animal sacrifices or incense burning to pagan gods.

3. Offering Child Sacrifices in the Valley of Hinnom (Topheth)

• Practiced by Kings: Ahaz and Manasseh.

• Description: Kings like Ahaz and Manasseh engaged in the horrific practice of child sacrifice, burning their children as offerings to the god Molech in the Valley of Hinnom (also called Topheth).

• Leviticus 18:21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

• Matthew 18:5-6. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

• Ezekiel 16:20-21 20 And you took your sons and your daughters, whom you had borne to me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your whorings so small a matter 21 that you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire to them? 

(Not her body, not her choice)

4. Sexual Immorality

• Practiced by Kings: Rehoboam, Manasseh, and Ahaz.

• Description: Many pagan religions, especially the worship of Baal and Asherah (Canaanite fertility gods), included homosexual and heterosexual ritual prostitution. People believed that engaging in sexual acts with temple prostitutes would encourage the gods to bless them with fertility, agricultural abundance, and prosperity.

5. Bringing Idols and Altars into the Temple of the Lord

• Practiced by Kings: Ahaz and Manasseh.

• Description: Kings like Ahaz installed altars and idols of foreign gods within the temple itself, defiling the sacred space intended for the worship of Yahweh alone.

6. Consulting Mediums, Spirits, and Divination &Astrology

• Practiced by Kings: Manasseh and others.

• Description: Manasseh consulted mediums, necromancers, and engaged in sorcery and divination practices, which were associated with pagan religions and forbidden by God. (Leviticus 19:31)

7. Making Alliances with Pagan Nations and Adopting Their Gods

• Practiced by Kings: Ahaz and others.

• Description: Kings like Ahaz sought alliances with powerful nations like Assyria and adopted their gods and religious practices, hoping to secure military support.

Platform Chart

Questions to consider

1. Is there a difference between my party and my morality? 

2. How does the party’s views on religious freedom align with my beliefs about worship and religious practice in public and private life?

3. What are the candidates' stances on life issues, such as abortion, and how do these align with my views on the sanctity of life?

4. Does the candidate respect the role of parents in educating and raising their children, including issues related to school choice and curriculum content?

5. How does each candidate’s stance on family and gender policies align with biblical teachings on marriage, sexuality, and family structure?

6. What role do I believe government should have in addressing poverty and caring for the vulnerable, and which candidate's approach best aligns with these beliefs?

7. How do the candidates view and approach justice and law, especially in policies around crime, incarceration, and rehabilitation?

8. Does the candidate’s plan to address environmental issues reflect a biblical view of stewardship and care for creation?

9. In what ways does each candidate's immigration policy align with Christian values of compassion, hospitality, and respect for law?

10. Is there consistency between each candidate's personal conduct and the policies they support, and how important is this alignment to my voting decision?