Perspectives

 
 

Sunday December 13, 2015

Joseph was a unique man.
 
As a direct descendant of David, at the right time, in the right place, God called him, and gave him responsibility to care for Jesus.
 
Thankfully, Joseph heard God, and obeyed him as well.
 
He’s a Bible hero.
 
A brief outline from Sunday’s message is below.
 
Joseph: A godly man and father, who heard God, and obeyed Him. (Matthew 1:17-25)
 
Joseph . . .
  1. Descended of David, fulfilled prophecy with his unique calling.
  2. Abided by the law of the land. He (Luke 2:1)
  3. Led his family, safely. He guided Him (Jesus) away from harm. (Matthew 2:1)
  4. Provided for & protected his family, thus preserving the Savior of the world. Everyone, Everybody needs a Savior.
  5. Loved Mary. By considering her role, he shows compassion, constraint, and patience mixed with the fear of God.
 
Joseph is a man of . . .
  1. Talent. He was a carpenter, a tradesman. (Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3)
  2. Thought. He pondered his actions.
  3. Deep spirituality. The Bible says he was a righteous or “just” man, which means he practiced his devotional faith. (Matthew 1:19)
  4. Instruction. He was teachable, meaning, God could instruct him and he followed instruction.
  5. Wisdom. He acted with intelligence. he knew the ramifications of decisions.
  6. Courage & Godly Fear.
 
Joseph also . . .
  1. Submitted to God’s Purpose
  2. Used Good Judgment.
  3. Became a “Bible Hero”. Joseph saved his family, by Caring for Mary, and by safeguarding Jesus (by moving for the sake of the family, first to Egypt, back to Israel, then to Nazareth). The end result being, He shielded the Savior of the World from harm. People forget that Jesus came into the world as a baby, in the vulnerable form of man. God entrusted Joseph to protect and guide this family. Likewise, as believers, God entrusts us with the heroic task of preserving the message of the good news of the gospel.
 
This Christmas, consider how you lead your family. They depend upon you. Likewise, consider your example, because you help to care for the souls of men and women. You see, everyone needs a Savior, a Messiah. There is none other but Jesus. He came once for all.
 
May God Bless your Christmas and New Year
 
Pastor Robert Bernier

Easter 2013

Saturday, March 30, 2013
CELEBRATE, REJOICE, BELIEVE
 
by Pastor Robert Bernier
 
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” John 20:21
 
“Peace be with you”. With one phrase, Jesus changed the atmosphere of a room filled with anxious and fearful followers. Three times, repeating Himself, He spoke peace to His disciples. He does the same today. He carried out His Father’s promise: to reconcile men to God. In the midst of the chaos of that day in Jerusalem, He brought contentment, tranquility and everlasting peace. These are things we long for. These are things the world longs for. This is a true “peace of the soul and spirit”.
 
Jesus came personally, privately, and gently to His closest disciples. He called them by their name. He confronted their anguish and turned their mourning into joy. Jesus has not changed. Today, with a word of “peace”, He then continues to send His followers into the world. With These few words He commissioned them and sent them. A few words changed the course of history. Today, Christianity is the world’s largest religious group.
 
Likewise, we continue to change the world in His name. As you go about your very busy lives remember this, Jesus has commissioned you to go and bring His peace to tense and anxious souls, joy to the world, comfort to the troubled, friendship to the lonely, food to the hungry, water to the thirsty and His gospel to the poor. Bring the message of His resurrection and the free gift of eternal life to your family and friends.
 
May His peace bring tranquility to your soul and, may His power accompany your delivery of His Good News to the world.
 
May God bless your Easter and Paschal Season,
 
Pastor Robert Bernier

A New Thing New Year

Thursday, January 17, 2013
by Pastor Robert P. Bernier
 
Read 2 Kings 2:20-22 in its context
 
When faced with the first challenge of his ministry, the prophet Elijah asked his entourage of fellow prophet’s for a new bowl filled with salt. He threw the salt into the source of the water and prophesied that death would no longer be in the waters. It was an incredible miracle. The bible says that the water is drinkable to this day. Elijah needed a new vessel, pure salt and a word from the Lord.
 
Jesus said that believers are the “salt of the earth”. When we believe, God makes us into new vessels – vessels of honor. The scripture says that we have treasure in earthen vessels. He places His pure Holy Spirit in us and then sends us out with a commission. He jettisons us into the sea of humanity. We speak good news into the waters of this world.
 
Let God make you into a new vessel. In his hands and at His word you can do extraordinary things, new things, better things. It’s God in you and through you. Isaiah once wrote, “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.” Give God what he needs – A new vesell . Give him your heart and soul, a clean and new vessel and expect, believe, that he will do a new thing.
 
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.
 
Read also: Matthew 5:5:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Isaiah 43:19; 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 12:1; Jeremiah 18:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:20-22

Thursday, August 30, 2012

by Pastor Robert P. Bernier
 
“Are you ready for school?”, my grandmother asked me.
 
It was a sunny September morning. My mother was doing laundry and I was standing on a chair looking over the back of the seat cushion. I was almost six. I had no idea that I was going to school. I wondered IF I even had to go to school. I liked being home. I had no real responsibility except to play, put my toys away, and do a few other simple chores. A day or so later I was being walked to the corner bus stop by a couple of neighbor kids. I wore the obligatory grey wool slacks, a white shirt, a navy blue sweater and a clip-on blue plaid tie. My mother tells me I never looked back. She cried.
 
At first, I hated going to school. Later, I began to enjoy it. Sometime during the first year my teacher asked me to help a fellow first grader with his reading and spelling. That was my first teaching responsibility. Today my entire family seems to be involved in some form of education. Who knows where your first steps will take you.
 
Ready or not, school is starting. Formal education and lifelong learning is probably one of the most significant, ongoing, and productive things we ever do. Education can be the stepping stone of great things. You may not always be “in school”, but you will always be learning. In school you learn how to learn. Learning leads to wisdom and skill.
 
Whether you are teaching your children to tie their own shoes with the rabbit ear method, discussing current events with a college student, or having a dinner conversation with grown family, we continue to learn and teach (Deut 6:7). Whether you, are self-taught, taught at home, or in public or private school, you and your family are doing a great work. Don’t give up. Work, study, be diligent and look forward to the reward of your efforts. Point in the right direction, set good goals, aim and trust God (Pr 22:6). As you gain knowledge, humbly ask God to give you a spirit of wisdom, prudence, and a spirit of excellence in whatever skill or endeavor you do. Be teachable. Ask him to bless the work of your hands (Deut 4:19). Let others read you like a letter (2 Cor 3:2). Others will watch and learn not only from what you say, but from what you do.
 
May God bless you and your families during this school year.
 
Read Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 4:19 and 2 Corinthians 3:2

Love Builds The Family

Saturday, July 28, 2012
By Pastor Robert Bernier
 
Paul’s description of “love” or charity (gk. Agape) is a masterpiece or descriptive prose. While addressing a developing church’s understanding of spiritual gifts, Paul nails down the greatest value of the Christian faith. He emphatically states that of all the values and gifts that one can receive, the greatest is love. Likewise, love is the foundation of the family bond. Families need many things, but love is at the top of the list. Love builds the family. It builds relationships that keep marriages and families healthy and life-producing. With this in mind, reread Paul’s first letter to this first-century Corinthian church. See if you can cultivate any of these “love-builders” into your family life.
 
8 Family Love-Builders
 
A Patient spirit (peacefulness, acting without murmur or complaining)
Simple Kindness (including thoughtfulness, consideration, forgiveness, mercy and sympathy. )
A spirit of Understanding (including wisdom, perspicacity, intelligence and sagacity)
An attitude of Justice (fairness, equanimity)
An attitude of Rejoicing (celebration, happiness including ability to triumph)
The ability to Endure & bear things (including a can-do carry-on spirit)
The ability to Trust (confidence, reliance, assurance)
The ability to Believe (covenant, faith, … the whole deal…)
Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Good Roots Produce Good Trees

Tuesday, July 03, 2012
By Pastor Robert Bernier
 
“For there is hope of a tree, if it be CUT down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant”.
 
Job 14:7-9 KJV
 
Last week we enjoyed a great church outing in our church picnic grove. A few years ago we had an arborist do some tree work around our church. In the picnic grove we had a dead tree. We wanted it taken down before it came down. In the spring (before the trees budded) when the work crews arrived, they cut down the wrong tree. They cut down a perfectly good oak tree, leaving the dead one to stand just a few feet from the new stump. They had to come back and take down the right tree. Last Sunday, during our picnic, I noticed that the stump had sprouted. The new sprouts surrounded the old stump and stood about 3 to 4 feet tall. Growth had occurred. It reminded me of the scriptures. Good roots have life in them. If cut down, they will spring up and sprout again. The new sprout is an offshoot of an older root. Jesus is referred to as the root (or descendant) of Jesse. If you have had any type of pruning or loss lately, simply place your trust in your good root system. When we have Jesus Christ in our heart, we can be confident that the very nature of Jesus Christ will continue to spring to new life in us as we believe and act in His name.
 
Read Isaiah 11:10 and Romans 15:12

Hospitality Is Important

Tuesday, July 03, 2012
By Pastor Robert Bernier
 
Great families and great churches are hospitable. The scriptures teach us that Abraham was a hospitable man. When the Lord appeared to him, Abraham insisted that He pause, rest and be refreshed. Abraham involved his family and staff to roast a calf, bake bread and feed his guests hand churned butter and fresh milk. This took quite a bit of time. Abraham made fellowship with the Lord an event, not just something to be endured. His hospitality became a source of blessing. He invited the Lord to linger. Hospitality does that. It fosters fellowship and a sense of comfort and peace. When you extend hospitality, you help people feel welcomed, loved and blessed. Why not ask the Lord to linger and be refreshed by your hospitality toward Him.
 
Read Genesis 18:1-8

Rejoice!

Sunday, April 08, 2012
Easter Sunday Pastor’s Letter
 
“7 “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:7-10)
 
Dear Friends:
 
It must have been an incredible feeling. As soon as Jesus revealed Himself, His followers responded with joy and worship. The mournful despair of the previous week was quickly taken away. In a moment, things changed. Nothing would be the same! Suddenly, a stone cold, stone tomb became a place of shining glory as the angel of the Lord descended to raise Jesus from death to life. Heaven came to earth. Death gave way to life. What had been a dark, dank, dreary place became filled with the glory and brilliance of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ!
 
That’s what happens to us. Our life changes the minute we meet Jesus. We are never the same. In a second – in the twinkling of an eye – darkness is turned to light. The Bible says, “So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 51:11). When darkness is chased away, joy fills the heart. Without Christ, my life was dark until someone told me about a risen Savior who loved me. Women, who were intending to minister to a dead body for burial, were suddenly and forever changed into rejoicing, worshipful evangelists. They were commissioned as messengers of good news. Peter, who once was so weak that he denied the Lord, would one day write to future believers: “…but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9). What this means is that; We are changed! May God truly light your darkness, transforming you and your heart with His Holy Spirit starting this very moment.
 
May the blessings of Christ be yours in abundance – to you and your loved ones, be blessed this Resurrection Sunday
 
Pastor Bob