Thankful - Living a Life of Contentment

Our lives are transformed when we learn to give thanks to God in every circumstance.  Join us today in a sermon delivered by guest pastor Jeff Rogers, the chaplain at the Christian International School of Prague, to explore the difference between gratefulness and thankfulness, 

Luke 17:11-19  Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Colossians 3:14-16

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Face to Face - Jesus Encounters Our Deepest Pain

What is the greatest pain you’ve ever experienced? Be it emotional, physical, relational or abuse - Christ has stepped into that pain. The God of the Universe has experienced the full depth of the grief that we experience and can transform that into something that glorifies the Father.

From the death of Lazarus to Christ’s humiliation on the cross, our face-to-face encounter this week explores grief - and even Christ is overcome with emotion as he weeps for his friend and those mourning his death. Jesus wants you to give him your deepest, darkest scars so he can redeem them so they can bring glory to the Father. Let’s explore John 11:1-37, together to help us shift our perspective on death, life and the resurrection.

John 11 (NV)

The Death of Lazarus

11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Face to Face - How Good is Good Enough?

How good is good enough to be right with God? Can a baby climb the Zizkov TV tower? Join us this Sunday, our first Sunday back at Peroutkova, to examine Jesus’ face to face encounter with the rich young ruler. 

Mark 10:17-31

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Face to Face - Love Matters

This Sunday we will return to our Face to Face Series and we explore an encounter an expert in the law and discover that to Jesus "Love Matters", from Luke 10:25-37. This passage is known as the Parable of the Good Samaritan, but there is, even more, going on that what we see on the surface.

Jesus show us how to live in a world of confusing messages in such a way that our lives point others to Him. Join us Online this week for "Love Matters," an encounter with an Expert in the Law.

Face to Face - An Encounter with the Great I Am

This Sunday we will return to our Face to Face Series and we explore An Encounter With The Great I Am, from John 8:51-59. These words of Jesus hold to power to live free from our greatest fear and secure in the One who was, and is, and is to come - Jesus Christ.

Here is the key that we will explore: Jesus the Great I Am, knows your past, holds your present and alreaday inhabits your future. His promises to be with us, and that He is for us as we keep His Word. Live free with a bold faith and confident assurance that God will complete His good work.

The Divine Conspiracy

Join with special guest pastor - Ian Martin as he dives into 2 Timothy 2:23-26 to see how relevant this passage is in our world today:

23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Face to Face - Freedom

What comes into your mind when you hear the word, Freedom? For many people, it means political freedom for the people of their country from oppression. Many followers of Jesus both in the early church and throughout history were slaves or came to faith under oppressive regimes. But the freedom Jesus offers us in John 8 transcends political, cultural, and even personal experience. It is a deeper freedom.

John 8:31-32 (ESV) 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Join us this week online as we explore this powerful promise and discover how to 'live free" no matter what circumstances we face.

Face to Face - Woman at the Temple

In John 8 Jesus has an encounter with a woman and her accusers that when truly understood is like looking into a mirror at ourselves. Every one of us is represented in this story. Both the location and the timing of this encounter is very significant.

It is here that a woman caught in the act of adultery is brought to the Temple in Jerusalem to Jesus to see what He will do. His response is beautiful. Jesus turns the tables on the accusers, bends down, and writes in the earth, saying. "the one who is without sin, throw the first stone."

There is a great deal of speculation about what Jesus wrote. But the Old Testament in Jeremiah 17 actually shows us why Jesus wrote in the earth. And the reason is very sobering.

Join us this week as we see the heart of God's grace revealed in the encounter with the Woman at the Temple.

Face to Face - Refreshed by Living Water (part 2)

Last week we saw how Jesus is pursuing us through the face to face encounter with the Woman at the Well. This week we look at part two of the story and see how the woman responded and what we can learn from her. Her response is incredible and it demonstrates how each of us has an important role in God's work and kingdom.

But be warned, the woman who is transformed by the love of Jesus sets a high standard for all of us to follow. Join us online as we explore part 2 of the Living Water, a Face to Face Encounter with Jesus.

Each day God has more for us to learn during this unique season. Don't miss what He wants to do in you and through you, church family.

Face to Face - Refreshed by Living Water

One of the most incredible Face to Face encounters with Jesus is found in John 4. It is a familiar passage but often much of what is really happening goes unseen. In our modern world, we have little understanding of the Samaritans and what they were looking for in the Messiah. Join us to hear how Jesus meets the Samaritan' Woman at the Well right in the heart of her spiritual understanding. Jesus pursued her. And He is pursuing you as well. He desires to quench your deepest thirst with His Living Water! If you are in need of refreshment, turn to Jesus and allow His Word and peace to transform your life.

John 4:1-26

Face to Face - Amazed

When was the last time God amazed you?  Maybe this season of social isolation is one where God is teaching you new things about Himself.  If so please share that with us.  Make a brief video and email to Pastor Drew.  We would love to share some of what God is doing.

In our face to face encounters with Jesus this week, Simon Peter is amazed by Jesus.  What may be surprising is that the miracle we will look at in Luke 5, is not the first miracle Peter witnessed Jesus do.  Jesus had healed Peter's mother in law.

But it is the miracle of the fish that changes Peter.  It shows him how capable Jesus really is.  And it is a message that all of us need to hear.  Join us online this Sunday for "Amazed: a face to face encounter with Jesus. 

Luke 5:1-11

5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Face to Face - Carried to Jesus

Brothers and sisters, I look forward to us being together again soon.  In today’s lesson we will be covering a passage that is very special to me.  A passage that has affected my life in profound ways for the last 40 years.  

Mark 2:1-12 - Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

From Fear to Faith (Easter 2020)

From Fear to Faith - How the Resurrection of Jesus changes everything

In today’s message we look at the resurrection, talk about what it’s like to be sifted, and focus in on the person of Peter - who perhaps wasn’t a very good swordsman. 

We begin by stepping back in time to the night before Jesus was crucified, with Jesus and his disciples gathered together celebrating the Passover.  It was an incredible meal and a great time of teaching where Jesus shared his heart and some of the richest teachings in all of scripture.  In the midst of that meal there's a conversation between Jesus and Peter that is incredibly telling. Luke 22:31-34 

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” 

Palm Sunday

John 12:1–6

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 

So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 

He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

The Bible in 5 Acts

  • During this strange and uncertain time, how can we love one another, encourage one another, and check-up on one another to foster healthy community with Christ at the center?

  • How can we seek God ourselves so we can experience the peace, joy, love, and hope he has for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?

  • How can we study the word of God to see how he has walked together with his people throughout history and see our story as part of the whole?

  • How can we fulfil the great commission?

Second Online Sunday Service

Psalm 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Online Sunday Service

Genesis 22 New International Version (NIV)

Abraham Tested

22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

Love is greater than Fear

1 John 4:7-19 New International Version (NIV)

God’s Love and Ours

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.