| By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on April 21st,2011 This weekend marks the commemoration of Christ’s death and resurrection for the Christian church across the world. The question is whether the crucified and risen Lord causes our hearts to burn within us (Luke 24:13-35)? Some 2,000 years ago,two men were traveling to a town called Emmaus. They were conversing about the events that had happened in Jerusalem concerning Jesus;a prophet well known for his power and mighty acts. They were sorrowing in their hearts as they remembered Jesus. They had pinned their hopes on Him as the redeemer of Israel (Luke 24:21). As …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on February 2nd,2011 Radar maps yesterday showed a huge storm tracking its way across the United States. As I witnessed the snow whipping and the wind whistling around the eaves from the warmth and safety of our home,I was reminded of God’s great power. As I was shoveling this morning,seeing the 15 inches of snow,I was reminded of God’s great power. As I witness the shutting down of entire cities and regions of the country I am reminded of God’s great power. The storm was unstoppable. Man in all his ingenuity and invention is powerless to prevent a …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on January 6th,2011 At the beginning of the New Year we are faced with making resolutions that we are determined to keep. Needless to say,we fail at many of these resolutions before the calendar flips to February. Why do we fail at our resolutions? Is it perhaps because the focus is on us and not on Christ? The Apostle Paul models for us what our New Years’ resolutions should be in 1 Corinthians 2:2,“For I determined not to know anything among you,save Jesus Christ,and him crucified.” This was his resolution when he came to the church at …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on December 21st,2010 In Luke 2:8-14,we have a wonderful account of the Savior’s birth. The shepherds of Bethlehem were watching their flocks. These were rough-hewn men,on the lowest rung of society. They were viewed as pickpockets and miscreants. Their witness was not accepted in the court of law. But the message of salvation comes to them through the angel. The greatest message comes to the lowest of the low. Is that not grace? Is that not how the gospel comes to sinners today? The first words that the shepherds hear are these two words,“Fear not.” The …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on December 1st,2010 One of the darkest events in human history is the fall of Adam and Eve into sin. This is something that has affected each one of us. The sin that Adam and Eve committed is ours to this day. Adam and Eve walked in perfect harmony with God before the Fall. Satan entered the picture and began to inject uncertainty and doubt into that relationship,“Has God not said…?” Eve made the choice to eat of the forbidden fruit. Adam made the same choice. Separation from God entered into the world. Death entered into the world. Sorrow,sickness, …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on August 25th,2010 In 2 Corinthians 5,the apostle Paul defends his ministry by laying out a theology of ministry in God’s ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation means that two opposing parties are brought together and relations are re-established after those relations have been broken. In His ministry of reconciliation,God has established a unilateral or one-sided peace treaty with man through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-19). It is in this peace treaty that all ministers and all Christians ought to root their lives and ministries. This peace treaty is authored by God and accomplished by Jesus Christ. God has reconciled His …Read More | |
