Month: August 2011

How Badly Does God Hate Sin?

R. Mangold

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Passage Link: Romans 12:19)

For Christians perhaps one of the most difficult things to reconcile with non-believers is God’s heavy hand of judgment which is so graphically displayed throughout the Old Testament. After all, just by virtue of HIS definition, God stated in Malachi 3:6, “I am the LORD, I change not.” Even in the New Testament James 1:17 describes God as, “the Father of lights in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Historically God has used different means and methods for dealing with humanity, but be it known God’s loathing and intolerance of Sin will never change. It is after all the element that set in motion the separation from HIS Creation. And since its inception, God, has worked toward eradicating both Sin and its effects, reconciling the world unto Himself. If you ever for one moment wonder how God feels about Sin, read the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John detailing the brutality with which Christ was crucified; beating, scourging, bloodshed, nails piercing His hands and feet, the Crown of Thorns, and the splintered and rough-sawn cross on which Christ hanged!

God took vengeance upon Sin and its source that fateful day at Calvary. No slap on the wrist, no probation, no parole, no warning, God with extreme prejudice took “away the sin of the world” by the sinless, blameless blood of His only begotten Son Jesus!

How badly does God hate sin? God hates sin as much as He loves you and me; He went to the extreme of robing Himself in flesh and laying down His life for His friends, repaying the debt He did NOT owe (Passage Link: John 15:12-14).

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

No Such Thing as a Secret

R. Mangold

There is a great deal of controversy today surrounding our privacy and the lack thereof.  Our government seems to have taken great lengths to ensure that your privacy be limited.  Every aspect of our lives seems to be monitored in some fashion.

Government agencies can retrieve records of every transaction that you perform.  From the things you purchase at the grocery store right down to the type of toilet paper you use.

–          Every store you shop at more than likely has security cameras

–          Hidden cameras make videos of practical jokes being played on people

–          Spy cams and “Nanny Cams”

–          You can even view your home as it would be seen from space with satellite cameras

We are being closely scrutinized today from every corner of our lives. But, even as tenacious as the government is, it has its limits…But an even HIGHER POWER is watching and sees it ALL!

This HIGHER POWER is not seeking to infringe on our privacy, but we will be called into judgment one day by God Almighty.  Every aspect of our lives will be vividly called into view one day. And those events will have one of 2 labels Good or Evil.

Amazing how differently we act when we know we’re being recorded. The most frightening aspect of this whole scenario could be that not only will our actions be called into question but our thoughts and intents as well. There will be no secrets with God.

Consider these passages…

Psalm 19:12 – Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Eccl 12:14 – For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Daniel 2:22 – He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Luke 8:16-18 – No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Looking Your Miracle in the Eye

R. Mangold

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (Passage Link: John 5:2-9)

This compelling story finds Jesus amongst a multitude of sick and infirm surrounding the mystical pool at Bethesda. One man stands out, who had been ill for 38 years.

Jesus’ question cut to the chase, “Wilt thou be made whole?”

The disenfranchised man replied, “Sir, I have no man!”

On the contrary Jesus must have been thinking – “I AM THE MAN!”

–       Jesus must have thought, “I don’t care what’s going on in that pool, this man needs a miracle NOW!”

–       This man so focused on what he thought was going to get him his miracle, he failed to recognize he was looking his miracle in the eye!

He had an urgent need, but felt he was at the mercy of an angel, some troubled water and a man…

–       The only mercy he ever needed was the mercy of God!

–       The only man he ever needed was the man Jesus Christ!

Today he could stop guessing whether or not someone would come to his rescue…

JESUS WAS READY TO PERFORM THE MIRACLE – NO GUESSING INVOLVED!

Guessing whether or not today is the day for your miracle is like doubting God can or will perform it.

JUST LIKE THE MAN AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA JESUS HAS GOOD NEWS…

 YOU AREN’T WAITING FOR YOUR MIRACLE…YOUR MIRACLE IS WAITING FOR YOU!

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Sequence of Temptation

R. Mangold

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (Passage Link – I Cor. 10:12-14)

In the plush green Garden of Eden, God commanded Adam not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Evidently Eve was told not to even “touch” the fruit (See Gen. 3:2-4) or she would die.

Understand the sequence of Eve’s Temptation…

 

  • TEMPTING
  • TOUCHING
  • TASTING
  • SHAME
  • SEPARATION

This sequence reveals the pitfalls of unbridled passion, obsession and fantasizing. Rationalizing there’s no harm in just “thinking” about a wicked act, couldn’t be farther from the truth. One element inevitably will lead to the next. When in the throes of temptation is not the optimal time to set your limit, rather, make up your mind now, while it is sound, without the influence of a power or passion that will so overtake you, that it is too great for even the purest resolve.

The decline is rapid and sure, like a wave crashing into the shore whose undercurrents will draw you deeper and farther than you ever wanted to go. Succumbing to depraved desire for something or someone, or surrendering to an insatiable habit or elicit addiction challenges our true devotion to God which paves the way to idolatry and we’re instructed to “flee from idolatry!”

God will faithfully provide the “way of escape,” but it will be you that must follow the escape plan; the path is clearly marked, but it’s you who must walk it! (Passage Link – Psalm 119:104-106)

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Serminutes – Now Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

R. Mangold

Dear Readers –

We’re baaack! Thank you for your patience while I took a much-needed vacation. With few exceptions, our new posting schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It’s my sincere hope you can find enough to pique your interest between the nearly 150 posts now in our archive, in addition to the 3 new posts weekly.

I want to again thank the faithful few that read this blog, and if you’re so inclined, feel free to drop me a line in the comments section of any post to let me know how or when you’ve found these Serminutes helpful.

Prayefully in Christ’s Service,

Rev. R.D. Mangold

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Serminute Sabbatical

R. Mangold

Dear Faithful Readers,
I want to thank you all for your daily visits. While this is a labor of love that I enjoy, just knowing there are people who read this blog at all is both humbling and encouraging.

For the next little while I will be posting less frequently as I am on vacation. Please take the time to visit the archives as there are around 150 or so Serminutes covering a wide array of topics.

Thanks again to each of you and I will soon be posting fresh content starting in September.

Love and blessings to you all,
Pastor Rodger Mangold

You Are Who You Are

R. Mangold

You are who you are for a reason.

You’re part of an intricate plan.

You’re a precious and perfect unique design,

Called God’s special woman or man.

 

You look like you look for a reason.

Our God made no mistake.

He knit you together within the womb,

You’re just what he wanted to make.

 

The parents you had were the ones He chose,

And no matter how you may feel,

They were custom-designed with God’s plan in mind,

And they bear the Master’s seal.

 

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.

And God wept that it hurt you so;

But it was allowed to shape your heart

So that into his likeness you’d grow.

 

You are who you are for a reason,

You’ve been formed by the Master’s Rod.

You are who you are, beloved,

Because there is a God!

 

Poem by Russell Kelfer 1933 – 2000. He was a layman and business man who taught for over 25 years. His timeless lessons on living the Christian life major on practical application and continue today to be heard, seen, read, and taught by others around the world.

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Protect the Source

R. Mangold

If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: 7 But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days. Deut. 22:6-7

Why would God even bother to include such a seemingly trivial commandment in the law that Moses was to deliver to the people? Because, protecting Mama means protecting the source of new life – the birth, protection, and continuation of the species.

In God’s wisdom, protection of the source of life is paramount. There will be casualties, and there will hard decisions to be made, but ultimately we are commanded to protect the source…the source of life. Destroying the source means the elimination of a generation, the elimination of a species, and possible extinction. We MUST protect the source.

Because this isn’t just about me getting what I need in my life time, this is about the continuation of the species…

  • There must be future Christians
  • There must be future Sunday School Teachers
  • Worship Leaders
  • Musicians
  • Preachers and Teachers

By protecting the source, we ensure the procreation and the propagation of another generation…THIS MUST OUTLIVE US!

God commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply.” That is our duty – we must give birth to another generation of believers, another generation of life givers, another generation of truth!

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Big Lessons in Small Packages – Don't Relegate Yourself to "Bug" Status

R. Mangold

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

On the brink of the highly anticipated “Promised Land” God afforded the Israelites a preview by allowing them to send a spy from each of the 12 tribes. Despite bringing back huge grape clusters, pomegranates, and figs, and reports of the land flowing with milk and honey, 10 of them came back with an “evil report.”

They considered themselves “grasshoppers” as did the giants (Numbers 13). Fearful and disbelieving in God’s Divine Protection, they could see no way possible for them to overtake the giants

When facing any adversary, stop relegating yourself to “bug” status, ESPECIALLY when God is calling the shots. God’s Word gives us protection…

Ironically, throughout scripture God used small creatures to accomplish his tasks (see the Plagues of Egypt); grasshoppers included in Judges 6:4-6, the Midianites were considered grasshoppers in multitude and impoverished Israel!

Don’t underestimate the grasshopper, had Israel “jumped” at the chance and trusted God they would have easily destroyed the giants and happily “infested” the Promised Land forty years sooner!

Related Posts

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

The Thread of Resilience

R. Mangold

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. I Peter 5:10

Throughout the rough course that is our life, there is a thread of resilience carefully woven into the fabric of our existence. Viewed in the right light, that is the light of God’s love and grace, that thread takes on a hue of compassion and tenderness. In the absence of God’s light, that very same thread of resilience exhibits bitterness and resentment.

Resilience is borne out of resistance, hardship, and even tragedy. Some of what we endure is brought on by our own selfishness, but other times we are being chastened, or corrected by the Lord. Hebrews 12:11 encourages us that, “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Were it not for God’s loving, yet firm Hand, we would be as a fatherless child Hebrews tells us. In fact, God corrects those He loves. Were we left to our own devices, appetites, and affections, we would find ourselves miserable and lost. Knowing, that when God corrects us it builds resilience, should bring us peace of mind. Because God’s motive for correcting us is borne out of love, not some selfish desire to manipulate. God is ultimately cultivating us, if we allow Him, so that one day we can spend eternity with Him.

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold