Anaheim First Christian Church

John 6: 63

genes — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:26:10 +0000

Interpreting scripture happens on more than one level. True, every text is composed of letters that form words and ideas which will provide a basic translation. I run into people all the time who read a text and just don’t understand how it could be meaningful to a person’s life. Their understanding is based purely on a worldly, grammatical perspective. However, there is an essential ingredient necessary for true understanding of God’s word – the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit brought the word into existence so too does it work in the life of the spirit-filled man or woman to bring understanding. It is just one of the Spirit’s gifts to an open heart. Consequently, Jesus’ words, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, do not only tell about life … they bring life. Join me in praying today for loved ones who’s hearts have been closed to the Holy Spirit. Whether He uses me, someone else or some event, may the Spirit penetrate my friend’s heart today.

Daily Bible Reading February 6, 2012

susanm — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:36 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 6:63

New International Version (NIV)

63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you-they are full of the Spirit and life.

Optional reading page 62 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Sermon, February 5, 2012, Gene Shepherd

techteam — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:08:08 +0000

Posted in Sermons

Click the “Play” button below to hear the sermon in your browser. Right-click on the “Audio MP3″ button, and click “Save As…” to download the MP3 audio to your computer.

Daily Bible Reading February 5, 2012

susanm — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:00:51 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 10:17-18 New International Version (NIV)

17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Optional reading pages 60 & 61 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Daily Bible Reading February 4, 2012

susanm — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:00:51 +0000

Posted in Daily Bookmark

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is: Luke 2:49 New International Version (NIV) 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Optional reading page 59 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scot

John 15: 9-10

genes — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:01:15 +0000

Would you like to make Jesus happy? Not only does that seem like a worthy goal, it is one that is straightforward and direct. Love one another as I have loved you. While Jesus does make this an obligation for those who would be His followers, He also makes it clear that followers who are faithful in the keeping of directive will enjoy the intimate friendship of Christ Himself. Instead of thinking about how difficult it is to love unlovely people … keep before yourself today the pleasure that Christ will have because of your loving attitude.

Daily Bible Reading February 3, 2012

susanm — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:25 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 15:9-10New International Version (NIV)

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Optional reading page 58 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

John 14:7

genes — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:01:58 +0000

If you are reading Jesus’ message each day, you have probably noticed that we are in a grouping of scriptures where He repeatedly makes the same point: You know me, you know my father. Know my father, you know me. While that may be obvious to us … it has not been obvious to many people from Jesus’ time until now. Consequently, He makes the point over and over. That is the funny thing about important points – they need to be said, demonstrated and repeated until every one does get THE point.

Daily Bible Reading February 2, 2012

susanm — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 14:07 New International Version (NIV)

7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Optional reading page 57 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

John 10: 37 & 38

genes — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:01:00 +0000

These two verses were uttered at a rather tense moment. To set the stage, verse 31 tells us that the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Their reaction was based on the fact that, increasingly, Jesus had been linking Himself to God the Father and the Jews viewed that as blasphemy. In the midst of this charged atmosphere Jesus went even further suggesting that His many good works underscored a direct connection to the will of the Father. While the angry crowd did not mind the “good works” that Jesus did, they couldn’t see the connection between the two. With our passage Jesus makes it plain that His works and His oneness with God were a package. He did mighty works because He was one with the Father – each reality giving testimony to the other. Jesus’ ultimate point was that any rational, open minded person looking at His life and ministry could not explain His works without believing that His power came directly from His unity with God. Even with such verbal testimony, not to forget recent miracles like that in John 9, the crowd continued their efforts to stone Him … but He escaped, for the time being.

How often have you heard people say that Jesus was a good man who did good things in a loving and kind way but he wasn’t God? That is precisely what Jesus’ detractors said about Him nearly 2,000 years ago. It is still vitally important that people connect the power of His actions to His unity with God. He showed His power so that we might believe.

Daily Bible Reading for February 1, 2012

susanm — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:00:56 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 10:37-38

New International Version (NIV)

³⁷ Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. ³⁸ But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Optional reading page 56 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

John 5: 22-23; 26-27

genes — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:02:28 +0000

Posted in Pastor's Blog

This passage stresses the unity of the Father and the Son. It illustrates that old phrase: Like Father, like son. God the Father has such confidence in His son that He can delegate the most of important of tasks to Him – atonement and judgement. This is important news, particularly to those who feel they [...]

Daily Bible Reading for January 31, 2012

susanm — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:17 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 5:22-23;26-27 New International Version (NIV)

22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him….

26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

Optional reading page 55 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Matthew 6:8-13

genes — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:01:35 +0000

Every line of this model prayer is important and I would never wish to suggest otherwise. Even so, if picking verses upon which we need to concentrate – work on – it probably would not be verses 11, 12 or 13. It’s not that they aren’t important because we need food, forgiveness and spiritual help. In truth, most of us are usually pretty good about communicating to God all the things we feel we need to survive. We don’t need a tutorial on that. The part of the prayer that seems to be the easiest to overlook is that first part – the part where we ask that the Father’s will be the overriding concern in everything that happens in this life. It is a prayer that is, first and foremost, a desire for God’s agenda take center stage. Food takes on meaning as it provides us with the physical strength to serve God. Forgiving others becomes an imperative because that is what God’s plan of reconcilation is all about. This prayer is a purpose statement underscoring the fact that we exist to serve our heavenly Father and trust in Him to supply us with what need to do so.

Daily Bible Reading for January 30, 2012

susanm — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:48 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Matthew 6:8-13 New International Version (NIV)

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

Optional reading page 54 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Sermon, January 29, 2012, Matt Summerfield

techteam — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:02:11 +0000

Posted in Sermons

Click the “Play” button below to hear the sermon in your browser. Right-click on the “Audio MP3″ button, and click “Save As…” to download the MP3 audio to your computer.

Daily Bible Reading for January 29, 2012

susanm — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:00:24 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Matthew 24:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

Optional reading pages 52 &53 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

John 16:33

genes — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:01:32 +0000

Peace is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in our world. Everyone from UN Delegates to military moms wants peace. Yet, even if world peace were to arrive on this planet, that would be no garuntee for the sort of peace Jesus was talking about in this passage. He used the word to describe a special gift that He could give His followers – wholeness brought on by reconciliation with God. With such a relationship, Jesus could even talk about peace just hours before His death and it is the very peace He offers us.

Daily Bible Readinng for January 28, 2012

susanm — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Posted in Daily Bookmark

John 16:33 New International Version (NIV) 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Optional reading page 51 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Daily Bible Reading for January 27, 2012

susanm — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:20:56 +0000

Posted in Daily Bookmark

Mark 10:45 New International Version (NIV) 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Optional reading page 50 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Mark 10:45

genes — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:01:51 +0000

Blessed to be a blessing. Though not stated in those exact words, blessed to be a blessing is a reoccurring theme throughout the Bible. God blesses us so we can bless others. It was even true with His only begotten Son. Jesus’ ministry on earth was not about what people could do for Him – it was about what He could do for people. If we want to be like Him, then we must become a servant who serves, or blesses, all we meet.

Daily Bible Reading for January 26, 2012

susanm — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:04 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Matthew 9:12-13 New International Version (NIV)

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Optional reading pages 48 & 49 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Matthew 9:12 & 13

genes — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:02 +0000

It is mercy that finds favor with God – not sacrifices by those who feel themselves to be morally superior to everyone else. Jesus’ comments in today’s passage really should not have surprised any observant Jew due to the fact that the prophet Hosea had described God’s desire for His people with the same basic idea many years before: For I desire mercy, not sacrifice and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) Jesus ate with tax collectors and other notable sinners because, in doing so, it provided them with an opportunity to learn of God’s grace. It is amazing that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day could write off whole groups of people, thinking them not worthy of fellowship with God. Yet, they did. It is a sobering thought, as well as a thought provoking account. Is there anyone that you feel morally superior to? Perhaps, you should invite them to dinner.

Daily Bible Reading for January 25, 2012

susanm — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:58:53 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 7:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

Optional reading page 47 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

John 7: 16-18

genes — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:01:02 +0000

This is one of those passages that sets the record straight on a couple of issues. Jeses makes no bones about the fact that He is a messenger from the God of the universe, a fact that is patently clear to devotees of God’s message. When a follower of God hears God’s message in another speaker, he will know that the new speaker draws his power and message from God because they are unified. To this end Jesus would labor during his entire ministry, setting a faithful example of faithful servant we can follow.

Luke 15: 4-10

genes — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:01:29 +0000

We live in a world that is consumed by averages. While I am the first to agree that a 99% success rate is better than a 94% success rate, when it comes to people, even a 1% loss is too much. That thought is reminescent of a conversation I had with a lady in the first church I ever served. Although she was happy about some growth the church was experiencing, the influx of new people also alarmed her, causing this remark: I think the perfect size for a church is 200 – A church should never grow bigger than 200. What do you think? My response was simple: 200 is a perfect size for a community of 200. Being safe in the fold is always a really great feeling as long as you are one of those safe in the fold. If you are the one person lost, it is a sure recipe for eternal disaster. Just as the faithful shepherd made the effort to seek out the lost, so too must we.

Daily Bible Reading for January 24, 2012

susanm — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:13 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Luke 15:4-10

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins^[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Optional reading page 44 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Daily Bible Reading for January 23, 2012

susanm — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:04:55 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 13:34

New International Version (NIV)

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Optional reading page 45 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Sermon, January 22, 2012, Gene Shepherd

techteam — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:21:50 +0000

Posted in Sermons

Click the “Play” button below to hear the sermon in your browser. Right-click on the “Audio MP3″ button, and click “Save As…” to download the MP3 audio to your computer.

Daily Bible Reading for January 22, 2012

susanm — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:00:37 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Luke 6:46-49

New International Version (NIV)

The Wise and Foolish Builders

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Optional reading page 43 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Daily Bible Reading for January 21, 2012

susanm — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:05:02 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Matthew 7:21-23

New International Version (NIV)

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Optional reading page 43 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Daily Bible Ready for January 20, 2012

susanm — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:51:28 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

John 8:31-32

New International Version (NIV)

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Optional reading page 42 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

John 8:31-32

genes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:01:41 +0000

In this passage, Jesus is talking to people who had made an outward commitment to Him that did not go very deep. They probably thought everything He said was true – just not prepared to sell out to Jesus 100%. The test of real commitment is that it produces real disciples. I like the older translations on this passage: If you abide in my word, then you are truly a disciple. The liberating truth that is promised to disciples is not some sort of secret information but a truth or realization that is bound up in the person and work of Jesus. To combine old words and new slang I would make a paraphrase that went like this: If you abide in my word, the you are truly a disciple, one who ultimately “gets” what life is all about – redemption through Christ. That is truly liberating a liberating position.

Luke 22: 67-70

genes — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:01:37 +0000

I suppose, for some people, truth just gets in the way of their personal agenda. That is certainly the case in today’s text. While the religious leaders go through the motions of questioning Jesus as to being the Messiah, their minds are really made up before He even gets to speak. Even though Jesus knows they really aren’t interested in truth, He does, eventually, admit, in a way that is cool calm and collected, to being the Son of God, which only fuels their efforts to get Him killed. Then, if things could get worse … they do. As is the case at many other times in Jesus life, it is a strange oxymoron to see the keepers and custodians of the Jewish Law purposely rejecting the promised one sent by God to fulfill the Jewish Law. They never seem to be interested in truth, just expediency. Still, even though it would not change anything, it is right and proper for the truth to go on record in the midst of such darkness. No one can ever say that these leaders weren’t given every opportunity to redirect their devotion and follow Christ. Just a few verses later, Jesus will also admit to Pilate that He is the King of the Jews. Again, the Romans will not ever be able to say that the Romans weren’t warned as to the identity of Jesus because He went on the record!

Increasingly, it seems, we live in a world that really isn’t very interested in truth. Many people have a bias against Jesus and His followers that colors their perception and they aren’t remotely interested in contemplating any other options. When I encounter such animosity to Christ, my gut reaction is to just clam up and ignore them … or maybe get in an argument with them! Jesus example in this passage really provides us with a better example of how to behave – actually, a loving example. He does not argue. He does not ignore. Jesus gives them one last chance by going on the record. Yes, I am the King of the Jews. His responsibility was to tell the truth in a loving, winsome way. The listeners’ responsibility is to accept the truth. While we can never make people believe, we should never ignore an opportunity to go on the record.

January 19, 2012

susanm — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:12 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Luke 22:67-70

New International Version (NIV)

⁶⁷ “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.”

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, ⁶⁸ and if I asked you, you would not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

⁷⁰ They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”

He replied, “You say that I am.”

January 18, 2012

susanm — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:38:40 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Matthew 23:8-12

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Matthew 23: 8-12

genes — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:12:10 +0000

I suppose we all like to be noticed for our efforts. That is just human nature. I can even think of a few times when Jesus singled out noteworthy individuals for some well deserved praise. (The widow [Mark 12:41ff.] who gave her two mites and the Centurion [MT 8:5-10] who asked Jesus to heal his servant, to name just two.) Today’s passage, however, addresses the other side of the praise coin – religious people making a show of their devotion to God in order to be seen and honored. It is service designed to bring glory to themselves, not to the God who called them into service in the first place. Jesus actually describes that whole situation as a trap to be avoided. Don’t even accept titles of honor that might let you get a big head. The people I notice are not they ones that grab the headlines – I notice the ones that take a back seat and simply put others ahead of themselves. It’s all about being a servant of Christ and His heavenly Father. The faithful servants are the ones who make all their decisions by what will bring honor and glory to their master.

January 17, 2012

susanm — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:00:37 +0000

Today’s special message from Jesus Christ is:

Matthew 16:13-17 New International Version (NIV)

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

Optional reading page 37 from the book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K. Scott.

Matthew 16:13-17

genes — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:02:44 +0000

It all comes down to this: Who do you say that Jesus is? Just as He asked His disciples for a response, as recorded in Matthew 16, so too does He want to know our response. Of course, He is never interested in stock answers or answers that might be “technically” correct. Jesus, then and now, wants to hear both lips & heart in a unified answer. Peter came through with an answer that did just that. It is a little hard to capture, with just one language, what Peter said, but I will try. You are the Christ/Messiah/long promised Anointed One! Today, lots of people refer to Jesus as the Christ. I hear His name (Jesus Christ) invoked frequently when in the community, at the movies or at home watching TV. However, in that context, His name is used as an exclamatory statement, not a point of faith because the speaker believes in his or her heart & mind that Jesus really is the Christ/Messiah/long promised Anointed One. Even though it might be technically correct, that usage is, at best, an ignorant slur. It would be just as incorrect to call Jesus the Christ in a respectful manner at church, then live in such a way as to deny His sovereignty as the Anointed One of God. It is that whole lips & heart in a unified answer thing. Speaking the truth and then living the truth so that all might know we serve Jesus, the Christ, God’s Messiah and Anointed One.

John 6: 37-40

genes — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:01:54 +0000

Do you ever get irritated when people describe God as being full of wrath, hate, judgement and a general indifference to our welfare? I’ll admit it – I get irritated with that constant, inaccurate, complaint. Yes, I do realize that there is a lot of drama in the Bible. However, the drama usually happens when someone, some group or some nation is trying to derail the reconcilatory plan of God. It’s true, when His plain is in jeopardy, He goes into action like a mother bear protecting her cubs. He reacts that way because there is a lot at stake – eternal salvation and eternal resurrection for those who believe in Him. After all, that is His agenda for the world. As it happens, Jesus would also describe God’s agenda that way. So, next time you hear someone railing against a hateful God, remember the will of the one who sent Jesus to die on the cross so that all of the faithful can be raised on the last day.