This Sunday we will celebrate Communion – The Lord’s Table. Growing up my mother was insistent on proper table manners from her two very active boys; I’ll share a bit more about that on Sunday. My mother did this because she believed certain manners at the dinner table made for a better dining experience for everyone. Every culture has its own unique table manners, and those manners reveal what is important to those people. In 1 Corinthians 11 the Apostle Paul shares some table manners for coming to the Lord’s Table. How should we prepare ourselves? What is the purpose of the meal? How do we best participate in the meal? These table manners will make the Lord’s Table a better experience for everyone.

This Sunday we will also celebrate Believer’s Baptism with Ed Kohl’s baptism in the ocean after our Beach Church service. Join us as Ed publicly shares his faith in Christ through his obedience in baptism.

The story of Superman has intrigued us for generations. A man from a different world that seemed uninhibited by things that would kill most humans. He was super fast and could even fly. He was super strong and bullet proof. He had super hearing and could send lazer like rays out of his eyes. Superman was unstoppable, until he was stopped. We all know that when Superman was exposed to Kryptonite he became weaker than the average human. That word “kryptonite” has become synonymous with something that steals another person’s power.

Materialism can be a powerful force in a person’s life. Material things appeal to us as humans because we are very much a part of this material world. Material things can bring pleasure and even joy for a season. Many people find security in material things, and others take pride in all that they have been able to accumulate. The message of materialism is that it will meet all of your needs and provide the greatest fulfillment of life. Like Superman, it seems unstoppable, until it comes to an end. There’s no question that Jesus and the general teaching of the Bible warns against being materialistic. Is there a kryptonite for materialism? In this week’s text Jesus points us to the only thing that will stop the relentless pursuit of materialism – generosity!

I’m sharing this message in conjunction with our special offering “Debt No More in 2024.” God has been faithful to this church in not only meeting the needs of our congregation, but at the same time expanding the reach and influence of this ministry. This Sunday I am asking you to be generous for the sake of the gospel and the continued growth of our ministry. Giving sacrificially is a good spiritual exercise that not only supports the work of God, but to do a work in you by removing the desire for material things. Join me this Sunday as we explore Generosity, the Kryptonite for materialism.

As we celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday it is difficult to separate the role of a father and what it means to be a man. Historically, men have found a lot of their value and worth in physical strength and size. Men are typically bigger and stronger than women and in the ancient world at least, the bigger the man, greater would be his position in the society. In the book of 1 Samuel, King Saul is a good example of this. The Israelites wanted a king like other nations, so they chose Saul who just happened to be a full head taller than the average man in Israel at that time. Even in our modern time there is a bravado that is expected to come with male leadership in our society. Society looks to an authoritative kind of male leadership that has been successful in the military, the business world or the world of sports as the benchmark of leadership. Once again, scripture turns the societal norms on its head, projecting a kind of spiritual leadership that is counter cultural as it reflects and glorifies God.

The Bible definitely describes a unique role of male leadership for our homes, churches and communities. But if you are trying to understand that leadership through the lens of secular leadership, you will be disappointed. Scripture calls men that have first surrendered to God to be a leader after the pattern of how Jesus led. In addition to being our Creator and redeemer, Jesus is also the ultimate example of servant leadership: Jesus came not to be served, but to serve the needs of others. What our families, churches and communities need are leaders that will follow the example of Jesus and be loving leaders to those God has called them to serve. Join me this Sunday as we take a fresh look, and for some of you, a completely new look at what God has called men to do and to be as husbands, fathers, and members of society.

Finding the correct motivation to do something is an essential key to success in that endeavor. Students attending college only because their parents want them to be there usually will not do as well academically as those that are there because they want to learn that specific discipline. On sports teams, a good coach will give their team motivation to execute their position well and help the team win the game. This week was the anniversary of D-Day in France, where soldiers were motivated to fight in order to not only save their lives but preserve freedom for future generations. The same is true in the church. If the church is lacking motivation or has the wrong motivation, they will become stagnant, stop growing and eventually die.

In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus makes a statement that identifies with great simplicity what should motivate a church in our mission. In a word: LOVE! The Beatles had it right when they recorded the hit song “All You Need is Love.” My wife Sue says people will do things out of either fear or love. Being motivated by fear is never a good thing so love is the motivation we need. Jesus was specific that the Church is to first love God, and then love our neighbors as ourselves. When we join the mission of God, motivated out of love for God, we will develop a compelling love for other people. And with the correct motivation, mission becomes a delightful thing to do. Join me this Sunday as we explore the reason for mission.