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Have no fear! - Matthew 10:26-33 By Pastor Lee Hemen November 10, 2019 Some information is so important that it should never be hidden or kept secret. In a free society we believe this to be a foundational truth. There are those who want to stifle free speech and try to keep certain things from the public by using things like secretive personal internet servers or throw away cell phones. Usually these folks do these things because they know that if their secrets came out they might likely go to jail. However, the message of the Gospel is not to be kept secret. There are no special or secret messages within it or in the life of Jesus. He is exactly who he said he was: “I and the Father are one. (John 10:30 NIV)” Jesus desired that his followers would continue to share the good news until he returned again to take home his church. In doing so his disciples did not need to be afraid because what they believed and shared was not to be kept from anyone. They were to have no fear! Let’s see ...

Respond to God’s direction! -- 2 Kings 8:1-2; 9:1-6, 10b-13 By Pastor Lee Hemen October 7, 2018 On March 23, 1775, the second Virginia convention met in Saint John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia. This convention moved that the colony be armed. In defense Patrick Henry spoke these passionate words: “Gentlemen may cry, ‘Peace! Peace!’ But there is no peace! The war is actually begun! ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” Patrick Henry expressed publicly the thoughts of many that God was concerned about what happened to the colonies. Because of the courageous decisions and actions of Henry and others, we enjoy freedom in our nation. These verses are about how a Shunammite woman responded to a command from Elisha, how an unnamed prophet obeyed Elisha and carried out a dangerous mission, and how some military leade...

Facing fear! Trusting God! – 2 Timothy 1:7 By Pastor Lee Hemen July 7, 2013 AM When John Kennedy’s speechwriters wrote his famous words, “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country”, they were borrowing from the thoughts of our Nation’s forefathers. George Washington wrote, “Nothing is a greater stranger to my breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and detestable one, ingratitude.” We live in a day and age whereby folks seem to be more interested in what they get out their relationship with Jesus than what their responsibility should be in their relationship with Jesus. Paul wrote his young friend Timothy two letters of instruction and encouragement. Paul cared deeply for Timothy, but for some reason, he kept not quite living up to the expectations Paul had for him. Like many believers today, Timothy was often embarrassed of not only Paul and his bold and outgoing witness, but he was often ashamed of his own relatio...

Courage is remembered! -- Esther 9:1-5, 18-23, 26-28 By Pastor Lee Hemen June 2, 2013 AM God frequently operates within the sphere of the human situation. In performing supernatural deeds, God often uses such forces as nature (the wind in the parting of the Red Sea). Likewise, He commonly works through imperfect servants (David) or even evil human beings (Nebuchadnezzar). In Esther God limited His work to an edict that used a unique feature of Persian law. This does not lessen the miraculous nature of His activity. Rather, it ought to cause God’s people to recognize His presence and power in everything that happens. If I were to ask you this morning, “In what ways is God working in your life today?” could you give me an answer? How God works through those He loves demonstrates His devotion. We should respond in courage. Paul encouraged others to “Fight the good fight of the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12 NIV) And he wrote about himself, “I have fought the good fight, I hav...

Courage triumphs with truth and justice! -- Esther 7 By Pastor Lee Hemen May 19, 2013 AM Esther had invited King Xerxes to bring Haman and attend a special banquet she had prepared. Haman’s status appeared to be secure. This new development seemed to reinforce his reputation. Haman must have thought only the king rivaled him in power and prestige. Haman’s morale had soared. Then, he encountered Mordecai, who “didn’t rise or tremble in fear at his presence” (v. 9). Mordecai remained seated. When Haman told his wife and friends what occurred, they advised him to build a gallows 75 feet high on which to hang Mordecai. He did so and that night Haman slept soundly, secure in his plans to bring about the demise of Mordecai and in his elevated status. In contrast, King Xerxes was restless. Seeking reprieve from his insomnia, he requested his servants read to him from his chronicles; and was reminded how Mordecai had exposed a plot to assassinate him. Xerxes sought Haman’s counsel...

Courage triumphs when we are vindicated by God! – Esther 6 By Pastor Lee Hemen May 12, 2013 AM Over the years, I have learned to listen more intently to what people say because the words they use reflect what they truly believe about themselves and others. Recently, I listened to a speech given by a national political figure and began to count the number of times he used the terms “I” and “me.” In a 20 to 30 minute speech, he referred to himself over 20 times and for the people and nation he is supposed to serve, he only offhandedly referred to them twice. What do you think this politician’s speech says about himself? We truly live in the “me first” generation. Interestingly today we celebrate mothers who often do not have that kind of luxury. Haman was a “me first” kind of guy. Again, how he came to power or into the King Xerxes’ circle we are not told, but we can speculate that it was probably due to the fact he was very wealthy. Remember, Haman was not Persian but...

Courage triumphs when we step out in faith! – Esther 5 By Pastor Lee Hemen May 5, 2013 AM    My wife is a great cook; she comes from a long line of great cooks. She had to develop her cooking ability and there were a few experiments along the way but for the most part her trials have been great. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everything in life could work out like great cooking? Of course, we know it can’t, but it makes one wish it could, especially if pie was involved! It is during the times of trial that courage triumphs when we step out in faith. Xerxes had elevated Haman to high office in the Persian court. Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, had not shown Haman the admiration the vile Persian official craved. Haman then used his status with the king to seek revenge against Mordecai. Haman sought payback by wiping out the entire Jewish population. When Esther learned of Haman’s plot, it was not as easy as pie, she eventually decided to intervene for her people. She faced ...

How to Be Bold In Witnessing! -- 2 Timothy 1:4-18 July 27, 2008 AM By Pastor Lee Hemen In our day and age there are those who think that Christianity needs to not only change the way it conveys its message but that it should change its message as well. Both are heresy and unbiblical. They have become ashamed of the gospel message. What needs to occur in a society that has become aggressive toward the gospel is for the church and its members to be bold in their witnessing. There is a false doctrine that runs rampant in today’s evangelical churches, namely, that we should lure unsuspecting people into Christian worship in order for them to experience Jesus. However, this is not what Jesus taught nor what the early church was encouraged to do. Christians are to be bold in their witnessing. Paul wrote his second Letter to Timothy as his personal situation worsened. He had apparently already attended a preliminary hearing (2 Tim. 4:16-18) and some had deserted him (1:15), and others had gon...