Pastor Rich's Blog

Encounter #38: “ The Church Needs to Come Out of the Closet” a Message about LBGTQ+ and Marriage Read: Mark 10:1-12 The Pharisees (religious leaders) tried to tempt Jesus again by questioning whether a man can divorce his wife for any reason (Deut. 24:1). Jesus taught His disciple again. Jesus said because of man's hard heart Moses wrote this mandate. But it wasn't the case since the beginning of Creation. God created them male and female. Several facts are presented here from Jesus. Creation, not evolution is a fact. There was no type of humans (“cave men”) before Adam and Eve were made. God made Adam, a male, and Eve, a female. There is no other genders. God's original plan and intent was for one male to marry one female, for life. Marriage is God's plan. But sin came into the world. Therefore, sin corrupts manners, minds and marriages. Jesus said the two will be one flesh (body). Those whom God joins together in marriage no one is to separate. The on...

Encounter # 37: Have Some Salt Read: Mark 9:38-50 John told Jesus that there were other people , not from their own group, casting out demons in Jesus' Name. This “fringe” group wasn't following the “discipleship” group. Therefore, they were told to “cease and desist” by John's group. But Jesus said to leave them alone because they were using His Name and therefore were not mocking or resisting Him. Those who are not against Jesus, are for Him. Just because someone doesn't follow your group, denomination, church, fellowship or “clique,” doesn't mean they are not following Jesus. As long as they are Christians and attend at Bible- believing-Christ centered-Church they are not against you. And we should not have an “exclusive spirit” as did the disciples. The Corinthian Church had splits, cliques and groups (see 1 Corin. 1:12-17). If someone isn't against Jesus, then they are for Him. Even if we give a cup of cold water to someone thirsty, we ar...

Encounter #36 : Who is the Greatest? Read: Mark 9:30-37 Jesus told His disciples that He would have to suffer, be killed, but rise from the dead in three days. They did not understand what He said. They believed that the Messiah (the Son of Man) would rule over the Roman Empire; not be killed. But Jesus came first to die for our sins, and will come back again to rule and reign as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. While they went into the house Jesus asked them about the argument that they just had among themselves. They were quiet. But Jesus knew that they were debating about who would be the greatest. Jesus gave the qualifications of greatness. They were to be “last of all,” not the “first of all.” And they were to be a servant of all. They were to volunteer to be a servant. As an illustration, Jesus picked up a young child and put him in His arms. They were to be childlike, not childish. A child is innocent, teachable, simple, humble, loving and willing to serv...

Encounter #35 : “ All Things Are Possible” Read: Mark 9:14-29  The disciples, a great multitude and the scribes were all together. The scribes were questioning the disciples. Jesus shows up and the people are greatly amazed and astonished. When people begin to question the ways of God, expect Jesus to show up. Jesus to the rescue! Jesus asked the scribes what they were questioning. They didn't answer. They knew Jesus would have corrected them again.   A father brings his only son to Jesus to deliver him. The son couldn't talk nor could he hear. The father said the spirit tormenting his son tears him, dashes him to the ground, seizes him, and the boy foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes emaciated. The disciples couldn't help him. Jesus said it was a faithless and unbelieving generation. He rebuked them. The boy comes to Jesus but the spirit throws him into convulsions. Jesus asks the father how long this has been going on. The father said since he...

Question: Are YOU a Christian? "What is Christianity and what do we Christians believe?" Answer: The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of "do's and don'ts," the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Beyond these core beliefs, there are many other items that are, or at least should be, indicative of what Christianity is and what Christians believe. Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired, "God-breathed" Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16...

Encounter #34: Prepare the Way Read: Mark 9:11-13 The Jewish religious leaders questioned Jesus as to whether Elijah should come before the Messiah. Jesus said that Elijah is to come before the Son of man comes. The words “Son of man” were a term used for the Messiah. The prophet Daniel states this in 9:26 of his book. Jesus was saying that He is the Messiah and Elijah had already come (Matt.11:14). When you read Luke 1:17 you understand that John the Baptist came “with the spirit and power of Elijah.” John was to be forerunner of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Lk. 3:4; Isaiah 40:3). Jesus was saying that John had the “spirit and power” of Elijah and that He was the Messiah. Elijah had come. In Mark 9:4 who was with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration? Moses and Elijah were with Him. Jesus said that He was to suffer and die. But the Jewish leaders wanted the Messiah to free them fr...

Encounter #33 : Changes Read: Mark 9:1-10 Jesus said that there were some who were with Him that would not “taste of death” until they would see the Kingdom of God come in power. Some would not die until they saw God's Kingdom come in power. This implies 3 things. First, in six days Peter, James and John would see God's power and glory revealed in Jesus (vv.3-4). Secondarily, that on the Day of Pentecost the 120 would experience the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2). And thirdly, that the disciples would be witnesses of Jesus after His resurrection from the dead. My prayer is that you would experience God's Kingdom in power before you “taste of death.” Jesus was transfigured (transformed) right before their eyes. His whole being was changed from the inside, out. His clothing gleamed brighter than the sun. We also need to be transformed from the inside, out (Romans 121:1-2; 2 Corin. 3:18). Elijah and Moses began talking to J...