SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

This week is not unlike recent weeks as human beings are shot, peoples displaced, and the fabric of our culture ripped. Except the fellow assassinated was young, handsome, charismatic, a husband, a father, a favorite of those in power. His legacy as varied as the intensity of his discourse.

No one should be murdered for their beliefs. What shall we do, the people of God – which God? ...Yahweh? ...Jesus ...opportunity? Or the god of "because I can"?

An organization, Redeeming Babel, was formed to "pursue a biblically faithful approach to politics that offers a hopeful alternative to the polarization currently besetting so many communities." It offers –

We grieve. We lament the violence itself and the brokenness it exposes in our common life.
We pray. For those who loved Charlie Kirk, for leaders who must act wisely, and for peace in our nation.
We resist despair. As David declares, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). Our ultimate security does not rest in elections, guns, or courts, but in Christ.

Our text this Sunday is from the Book of James,

"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

"In the exercise of His will He gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God."

In Christ we trust, we hope, we live.

See you Sunday – invite a friend!