Pastor Matt’s Thoughts… Jan. 2013

R. A. Torrey’s

Prescription for Revival

Prescription: Directions or instructions; a formula, as in preparing a medicine.

I can give you a prescription that will bring revival to any church or community or any city on earth. The prescription is as follows:

First, let a few Christians( they need not be many) get thoroughly right with God themselves. This is prime essential! If this is not done, the rest of what I am to say will come to nothing.

Second,let them unite themselves together to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens and comes down.

Third,let them put themselves at the disposal of God for Him to use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ. That is all!

This is sure to bring a revival to any church or community. I have given this prescription around the world. It has been taken by many churches and many communities, and in no instance has it ever failed; and it cannot fail!

I recently came across this prescription for revival by R.A.Torry and thought why wouldn’t it work here at Calvary especially in light of the events going on in the world and in the church. 2012 is now behind us and 2013 is just getting started so what better time to start praying and expecting a revival to break out at Calvary, in us and in Connellsville!

Happy New Year, Pastor Matt

Blessed are the saints of the second fiddle.

Pastor Matt’s Thoughts

October, 2012

Blessed are the saints of the second fiddle.

1 Samuel 12:2

“And now, behold, the king walked before you; and I am old and gray headed.” Samuel was a better man than Saul, but he knew how to take a back seat graciously. Which is why I say… blessed are those who want the spotlight to be on them and them only. Saul was one of those who had no tolerance for second place. When he heard the women singing, “Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten of thousands, he was very angry and the saying displeased him.” (1 Sam. 18:7&8)

Sadly, there are even some preachers and believers who have been known to react the same way as Saul when supersede by someone more successful. In the Word of Gods we find that eh best person is not always those who want the spotlight. Here some examples; (Eccl. 10:7) “I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” (3 John 9 ). “…..but Diotrephes, who loved to be first, will have nothing to do with us.” (Romans 12:10) “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

John the Baptist was the foremost prophet and preacher of his time when he said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Our prayer should be in no matter what talent we possess or what we are asked to do, God grant us the beatitude of being in the background, that only Christ may be seen.

Samuel took what I call the back seat for someone lesser, John the Baptist for someone greater, the question is can we play second fiddle, whether for a lesson or for the Greatest of all?

Pastor Matt’s Thoughts Sept. 2012

Matthew 25:36- I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Jesus said this when He was explaining what it would be like for the righteous as they receive their inheritance in glory. Jesus is asking, “Did you recognize my need, in the need of the one right in front of you?” And if we did, the question is did we stop to feed the hungry, did we give drink to the thirsty, and clothe the naked?

I believe that those of us who live in the western world, often have a western mentality that can lead us to overlook who the least really is. I once thought that the least of these was a homeless person living on the streets somewhere addicted to drugs. Later I thought the Least of these to be a starving child or abused child in Africa or elsewhere.

In fact, both of these (homeless person/starving child) clearly have needs and could be considered the  “least of these”. But I want to suggest that “the least of these” has a different meaning to everyone. I believe that when Jesus is talking about “the least” of these, He’s talking about the one’s who are least worthy of love and compassion.

The different ones that are not just in physical need but the ones who are more difficult to love. Who are they? Maybe it’s the person who is quiet and overlooked. Maybe it’s the person who has a anger problem who will never let anyone get close. Maybe it’s the one who always wants your attention all the time.

I believe God is challenging all of us at Calvary to search our hearts and be the light of Christ even to those who are difficult to love. They may not know they are starving, thirsty, or naked but they are.  If we can redefine our definition of these who are truly in need, our eyes will start to see people with a new vision in a new way.

Of course it will be difficult and challenging to go above and beyond to love and care for those and beyond to love and care for those who are difficult to love. As the days grow closer to the end. God is asking all of us to give it all for the sake of love Calvary! Jesus said that the world will know we are His by our love (not by any other means) for one another. John 13:35-By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

Pastor Matt

 

Get Back to Work

Get Back to Work

Sermon Series

 

In the previous weeks Pastor Matt has preached on the downfall of “Excuses” and how it affects one’s salvation and the work of God. He followed that up with the message Calvary’s Greatest Hour is Still Ahead” No matter what the excuses or the time we live in, God wants to pour out His blessing on all who believe and His Church.

This week, Pastor Matt starts a 3 week sermon series “Get Back to Work”. With summer almost behind us and fall quickly approaching it’s time to “Get Back to Work” Not just any work but God’s work. Pastor Matt is praying that this God ordained sermon series, concerning the prophet Elijah and how relevant his experience was, to ours.

Pastor Matt’s sermons are now available on both CD (due to the generosity of a family in the church) and on Cassette tape. The cost is $5.00 for CD’s and $2.00 for cassette tapes. If interested see Ray Eutsey or the church office.

Pastor Matt’s can be a great witnessing tool or gifts for shut in’s. There’s a lot of work to be done for Jesus… no excuses and it gets easier if we all work together.

Why Should I Go to Church?

Pastor Matt’s Thoughts… August 2012

Why Should I Go to Church?

Have you ever noticed how many people love to ask the question …. Why? (Including believers).It seems to be a part of our DNA. One of the questions people have often asked me is why should I go to church? As if to say what’s the point? What’s the benefit? Recently I came across an article detailing the religious practices of our early American founders. Jamestown Virginia was the first permanent settlement in the New World, and some of their religious practices were rather different than today to say the least. For example, everyday they had a two-hour church service (everyday!), and on Sunday for five hours (and you thought our services was long). Everybody was expected to attend and to miss a service was considered a sin and was dealt with severely. The penalty for missing a service was the loss of food for a whole day. A second absence resulted in a public whipping. Now that’s harsh! Of course nobody (including me) is saying we should go back to that kind of legalistic abuse. And no one is going to punish you if you miss a service. But the truth is you are important to God, and to Calvary, when you’re not here. Still not convinced attending church is important to your spiritual well being and growth? Let me give you two scripturally sound reasons.

1.)    Our Lord Commands It

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

·         If for no other reason because God said so.

2.)    Our Spiritual Life Demands It

We are living in a world that is hostile to our faith. When we gather together, we are able to encourage and help each other keeping on for Jesus. That service you attend at Calvary just might be the service where God has something He wants to say to you, bless you with a miracle, or use you to encourage or bless someone else! If you are asking the question “Why should I go to church?” it might be a symptom of a deeper problem. “The lack of spiritual desire”, a broken relationship with God. You are important and have talents God wants to use, which is why the Devil works so hard to keep you out.

Pastor Matt

Do You Need an Infusion of God’s Strength?

It seems more and more people (including believers) are feeling overwhelmed by life’s daily cares. Leaving many feeling weak and lifeless. I believe many need an infusion of strength. Not just any strength but God’s strength. Listed below are a few of God’s promises to those who need His help for strength;

Psalm 29:11 “the Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”

Psalm 84:5, 7. “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them…they go from strength to strength.

Psalm 138:3, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

Whatever the need is God has the promise of strength to help us through. We only need to believe and grab hold of His promises daily.

Pastor Matt