Quotable Quotes

"It is almost a sadness to my soul that men should be astonished and surprised at an ordinary, tangible evidence of the power of God." - John G. Lake

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday night, 3/31/10, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will finish Matthew 13 with the Treasure and the Pearl, Good and Bad fish, and the Householder.

All of the Genesis series is posted to the website sermon player, and the Hope series is fully up to date. You'll see the first of the Parables series appear on Monday.

Sunday Morning Series - Hope That Does Not Waver - The Hope of Liberty

We've spoken about a couple of principles the last few weeks:

1. You cannot hope for something you already have. Hope is future tense.

2. Don't get your hope confession mixed up with your faith confession. Your faith confession is for what you have right now according to the Word of God.

There is a freedom coming in the future according to Romans 8:21. We don't have it yet, but will someday. However, we also walk in freedom now according to Galatians 2:4.

What do we have now?

1. Liberty (Luke 4:18)

2. He's not dealt with us according to our sins nor punished us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:10-12.

3. We're not under condemnation as believers. (John 3:17-18)

4. We have His mercy. (Hebrews 8:12)

We should walk as uncondemned people. (John 8:10-11, Isaiah 43:25, Psalm 32:1)

What do we hope for?

1. If we've ever gone a wrong way, turn back to God. He abundantly pardons. (Isaiah 55:7)

2. Eternal life! (John 5:24)

3. If I miss it, He will forgive me. (I John 1:9)

To hear the full message, check out the Sermon Player on our website. If you're in our area, our services are Sunday at 10:00 A.M. and Wednesday night at 7:30 P.M. Please note, the schedule for our Resurrection Sunday Service will be posted later this week.

Resurrection Sunday Service Schedule

On Sunday, April 4, 2010, we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

Sunrise Service: 7:00 A.M.

Breakfast: 8:00 A.M.

Morning Service: 9:30 A.M.

Bring a breakfast main dish with you for the 8:00 A.M. breakfast. We will start the regular morning service 30 minutes earlier, so everyone has time to travel or finish meal preparations for family gatherings.

Praise Report

I wanted to share this with everyone. We sometimes wonder if our daughter Sarah learns anything at church. 2 fridays ago we were at an academic fair for Faith Christian Academy where she goes to school. The teacher who teaches the fifth graders Bible class told me she was awed (her word) at the amount of knowledge of the Bible that Sarah is able to share with the class.
Sarah also told me that one of her teachers told her that the truths that she is learning now at age 11 he did not learn until his twenties.
Our Pastors, Connie and Steve Hecht, have always believed that teaching the Word of God is paramount, esp. to the young. The teachers at ZCF have taken this belief and made it happen. Zoe is the greatest church and we are blessed that the Lord led us here many years ago.
Our duaghter is starting her life with a hugh advantage I did not haveand it is ZCF that has made that possible!!

Quotable Quotes

"You do not have the spirit of a quitter living inside you; you have the spirit of the only man in history to conquer death. You have the spirit of a winner - the spirit of Jesus Christ!" - Rod Parsley (Romans 8:11)

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 3/24/10, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will continue teaching the Parables of Jesus. The Parable of the Tares and the Wheat in Matthew 13 will be covered.

The Ladies' Brunch is Saturday, 3/27/10, at 10:00 A.M. Please bring a breakfast item and your Bibles. Invite a friend! If you have any questions, see Phyllis or Connie.

Sign Language Team - Please be prepared to practice on Sunday, 3/28/10, after church. It's our last practice before Resurrection Sunday. Thank you.

Sunday Morning Series - Hope That Does Not Waver - All That Remains

Text: Genesis 12-18

God promised Abram He would make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and he would bless others. There was only one problem. Abram and his wife, Sarai, were childless and old. The promise did not immediately come to pass. Did Abram hold on to his faith without wavering? Scripture tells us of several incidents where he had his ups and downs.

He and the family are headed toward Canaan, but they stop in Haran. His father decides to stay there. After a time, Abram, Sarai, his nephew, Lot, and their company move on toward their destination. They arrive in a famine, so go down to Egypt. The thought crosses Abram's mind that if the king of Egypt sees his beautiful wife, Sarai, he'll kill Abram so he can take her for himself. He convinces Sarai to tell the man she's his sister. After all, she is his half-sister. So, Abram conjures up a hope of dying in Eygpt. He forgets about God's promise. He can't be a great nation if he's dead. God was well able to protect them.

God bolsters Abram with another promise. He tells him to look in every direction. That land will be given to him and to his seed forever by God. God tells Abram his seed will be like the sand.

When five kings raid Sodom and take his nephew, Lot, Abram takes his men (a small band in comparison to five kings and their armies) and defeats them. He returns the spoil stolen and gives an offering to Melchizedek. Way to go, Abram! He's trusting the Lord.

God again promises to make Abram a great nation. Scripture doesn't tell us too much other than Sarah convinces Abram to take her maid, Hagar, and have a child. Perhaps they thought the child would come through Abram but not Sarai. They replaced what God said with another hope. Hagar has a son, Ishmael, and Abram focuses on the boy as his future heir. He's no longer trusting God to give him a son through Sarai.

At the age of 99, Abram has some visitors, and makes them a feast. One inquires about his wife, Sarai. Abram tells him she's inside the tent. The visitor (who's no ordinary visitor) informs Abram that he would come again and visit her according to the time of life, and she would have a son, Isaac. The visitor also tells him all the males in the household must be circumcised to be included in the covenant. His mind is so on Ishmael, that he asks a blessing on him. The visitor reiterates Abram will have a son by Sarai, and challenges her for laughing at his proclamation. Their names are changed to Abraham and Sarah.

Abraham rises and obeys the visitor's words concerning circumcision. His obedience signals his belief in all the visitor had to say.

Holding fast to God's promises, whether general for all believers or specific to you, is difficult when circumstances and time make it seem impossible. Think about all God's promises in Scripture, and saturate yourself with them and songs containing Scripture. Rid yourself of contrary thoughts, fears, and reports.

Remember: God didn't give up on Abraham, and He won't give up on you.

Announcements

SIGN LANGUAGE TEAM - An extra practice has been scheduled for next Sunday, 3/21/10, after the service. We will also practice on Sunday, 3/28/10, which will be our last before Resurrection Sunday. These last two practices are crucial. Please mark your calendar.

HAITI - We're happy to report that $823.00 was sent to Compassion International for Haiti earthquake aid. Thank you for your generosity!

LADIES' BRUNCH - the next Ladies' Brunch is Saturday, 3/27/10, at 10:00 A.M., in the Children's Church. Please bring your Bible and a breakfast item. Invite your friends for a time of food, fun, and fellowship.

Quotable Quotes

"Your future is determined by whom you have chosen to honor." - Author Unknown

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 3/17/20, at 7:30 P.M. we'll begin a new topic. Only a handful of people have made suggestions. Some want to go over the Parables, while others are interested in the seven churches of Revelation. Leave a comment here, and tell us what book of the New Testament or what topic you'd like to see taught.

The next Men's Breakfast is Saturday, 3/20/10, at 8:00 A.M. Invite a friend! Please bring your Bibles and a breakfast item.

Sunday Morning Series - Hope That Does Not Waver - Ascending Hope

Text: I Samuel 30

How is hope destroyed? There are two main ways:

1. Fear - It acts like a wave against a barrier wall. It chips away at our hope until it destroys it.

2. Unexpected circumstances - They act like a wreaking ball. Sudden changes in our health, finances, jobs, relationships, etc. can bring our hope crashing down.

In I Samuel 30, we read about David forming an alliance with Achish, a Philistine king, and conducting raids into Israel's territory. The king didn't know David was attacking those Israel was supposed to displace. He made sure all of them were dead, so they couldn't report his actions to the king.

Achish figures David is loyal, so he asks him to take part in a raid against Israel. He goes with him. When he and his men return to Ziklag where they had their headquarters, they discover it's been burned down and their families and possessions taken for spoil.

Other times they returned without losing anyone and finding their loved ones waiting for them. What is different about this time?

1. This raid took longer than his previous ones.

2. Maybe some of the men were upset going against Israel.

David's men are so upset they want to stone him. David seeks God's direction. He wants to know whether he should pursue them and if they would overtake the raiders. God gives David the okay to pursue them and promises they will recover all.

On the way, David and the 400 men who went with him find a servant of the Amalekites. He hasn't had anything to eat or drink for three days. His master abandoned him when he got sick. Hearing that story, perhaps some of the men might have begun to lose hope for their loved ones. They press on and recover everything.

David may have made some mistakes along the way, but God turned the situation around. With all the spoils, David doesn't become greedy, but gives some of them to Judah. Later on, Judah became the first tribe to make David king.

How do we restore hope?

1. From Fear - renew ourselves on the promises of God. Go into the Word and see what promises you have as a child of God. Don't waver from what God said. Hold onto that word.

2. From Sudden Events - Get before God and find out if this is part of the plan. Am I supposed to be here? If not, what do we need to do next?

If you'd like to listen to the entire message, visit our website. You can listen to the Sermon Player, download it to your MP3, or podcast. If you're in the area and would like to visit, we're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), Warrington, PA. The church telephone number is (215) 343-7686.

Announcements

Haiti - We're still collecting money for Haiti. Whatever is given to missions will go to Compassion International for their work in Haiti.

Facebook - Check out the church's Fan page. We're listed under, "Zoe Christian Fellowship, Warrington, PA." A search for part or all of that will bring it up for you. Become a fan, enjoy the pictures, alerts to new posted sermons, and look for us to use the discussion forum soon.

Blog - You'll find sermon summaries, announcements, quotes, special events, and other features on the blog Monday through Friday.

Quotable Quote

"The Faith seed of the Word concerning your healing must be planted in you before you can successfully reap the healing harvest." - Gloria Copeland

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday, 3/10/10, at 7:30 P.M., we'll have All Church Prayer. Please let us know what New Testament book you'd like to see us study on Wednesday nights. You can comment here or on the church Facebook page.

Feedback Time

What New Testament book interests you to take up for study at our Midweek service? It has been a long while since we took up Ephesians or Galatians, as well as the other epistles.

Is there one you would like to go back over? Or perhaps you weren't here for a series. What interests you? It has also been a long time since we went through the gospels and covered the parables.

Leave a comment and share your thoughts on what you'd like to study next. You have until Tues., March 16th, to share your preferences.

Pastor Steve

Sunday Morning Series - Hope That Does Not Waver - Staying Hopeful

Text: Deuteronomy 1:21-32

In past sessions, we've talked about how hope is always referring to something in the future. Once we have the thing we hoped for, hope is no longer necessary.

There are three kinds of hope:

1. Arriving - what you hoped for is coming soon. Arrangements have been made, the table is set, dinner is cooked, and the guests will arrive any minute. In other words, it will happen soon. Deut. 1:21

2. Awaiting - This is where God or His Word says something will happen at some point in the future. God gave Joseph a dream that he would rule someday. Genesis 37.

3. With the new kingdom - this is a hope for something in the distant future. Hebrews 12:1-13.

Discouragement can come when hope is misplaced. If Joseph expected his dream to come true the next day, he could have fallen into discouragement. It was 13 years before the fulfillment came.

Three kinds of discouragement:

1. When what we thought had arrived now seems unattainable. In Deuteronomy 1:22-32, fear robbed the Israelites of hope.

2. When what we thought would eventually come probably isn't, it's easy to lose hope. The Israelites knew of the prophetic word that a deliverer would come to free them from Egypt. After awhile, this stopped being a hope for most of the people and became a beloved myth. They let go of what God said and believed their circumstances. They were led into a different hope than the one God promised.

3. When what we thought God had laid up for us may not be there.

Keep your hope in its proper timing. Is the promise for soon, someday, or still to come?

Guard against hope's enemies: Fear, anger, insufficiency, resentment. If you allow fear to enter, it's hard to maintain hope and faith. You'll become weary waiting for the fulfillment of the promise. Weary people do things they wouldn't normally do. They'll take shortcuts like Abraham and Sarah and produce an Ishmael. The enemy wants to change your patterns that keep you focused on God's promises. Don't allow hope's enemies to rob God's blessings and future fulfillment.

To listen to the entire message, please visit our website and click on the Sermon Player. If you're in the area, we invite you to worship with us on Sunday morning, at 10:00 A.M. We're located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), Warrington, PA 18976. For more information, check out the website or call (215) 343-7686.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

The next Sign Language Team practice will be on Sunday, March 14, 2010, after the morning service. Please go over the songs and signs. We have only TWO more practices before Resurrection Sunday.

The church blog has sermon summaries, upcoming events, news, quotes, and more. Check Monday - Friday for updates.

Are you interested in writing a short post for the blog - perhaps a testimony of answered prayer or have a topic for the blog? Contact Susan.

Facebook Page

Have you found the church's FACEBOOK page yet? We are listed under, "Zoe Christian Fellowship, Warrington, PA." A search for all or part of that title will bring it up for you.

Become a fan, enjoy the pictures, alerts to new posted sermons, and look for us to use the discussion format soon. Leave some comments or questions for future sermons in the comment section after any of the posted sermon updates.

Quotable Quotes

"Faith will work in your heart with a thought of doubt in your head." - Kenneth E. Hagin

This Week at Zoe

On Wednesday night, 3/3/10, at 7:30 P.M., Pastor Steve will teach on Genesis 11, which covers Nimrod, the tower of abel, and some other descendants of Shem through to Abraham.

Please note all the Wednesday night services through the second part on the flood are posted to the website sermon player, available for podcast download, or to just listen. This last one will be uploaded this week. All the Sunday services are ready.

Sunday Morning Series - Hope That Does Not Waver - Hope Proclaimed

Text: Genesis 37

God's promises don't always come with a warning of hardship. John the Baptist knew he must decrease, but didn't expect things to take such a sharp turn. God will often warn us of future difficulties, but He doesn't always warn us of every problem along the road. Kenneth E. Hagin once said, "Faith begins where the will of God is known." Trust begins with the unexpected.

Our text today deals with Joseph's story. God gave him a dream, which contained a hope for his future. Unfortunately, Joseph shared his dream with his enemies. Choose the people you share your dreams with carefully. Otherwise, they will work to destroy them.

Joseph probably thought his dreams would come true through the normal course of his life. Can you imagine the jolt when he got sold into slavery? The typical person's hopes would be dashed. Maybe he thought his Daddy would come rescue him, but eventually he faced the fact it wouldn't happen. Yet, Joseph used his leadership skills in every situation before he attained rulership. He gained valuable experience. His wait stretched from the age of 17 to 30 when Pharoah lifted him to a place of authority.

Joseph could have looked at the circumstances and given up on his dream. Instead, he used the talents God gave him and nurtured that hope. Pressing in is hard when things look hopeless. Joseph had to want his dreams and embrace them. He held onto his hope, and trusted God no matter what the situation looked like.

When it appears that any chance of your God-breathed dreams are dead, remember to hold onto hope and trust God. Resurrection Day is coming.

If you'd like to hear the full message, it's available on our website Sermon Player. At some point, it will also be available as an MP3 download and podcast.