April 3, 2020
Bridge Family,
We have all been praying and hoping for things to get back to normal and unrestricted church attendance return. However, the "powers that be" have determined that a "stay at home order" is necessary for now to hinder the spread of the Covid19 virus Pandemic.
Unless something changes, we will not be able to meet, as we have always done, for the month of April. In addition to the "10 or less" restriction in the State of Colorado, Larimer County has placed a "stay at home" order that specifically limits houses of worship to limit a church gathering to the tech crew (working safely at the recommended distance of 6 feet) who are engaged in recording the service so it may be shared electronically through media. This is an even more strict order than the state has imposed.
In pains me greatly to comply with such an order. It seems to be an overreach and a discounting of religious life as not being "essential". However, I have discussed the matter with some other pastors and have decided, for now, to comply with this community effort in order to be a good neighbor and help Fort Collins avoid an outbreak. According to the experts this new virus is so very contagious, and particularly dangerous to those over 60, as to require these extreme measures.
I know some of you would come if I said it is OK for you to do so. I was hoping to have several disconnected areas of the building set up with audio/video feeds, have people sit well apart from each other, and have no contact other than their own chair and then back to their own car. I believe this practice would be completely safe. But... until our area pastors can persuade our city leaders to change the order, I will, for now, comply.
Our tech crew will be working to provide a video recording thru YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK, or both. Our church web site bridgecolorado.org will provide links to this media. We will try to find some innovative way to make Easter special this year. Pray for me and our tech crew as we work on this.
Meanwhile, stay safe, keep in touch by any means available, and pray for one another and for our country. This thing will pass and we will learn the lessons it will teach us. Church life will return to normal and we will appreciate our gathering even more than ever when the restrictions are lifted.
I have heard some good reports about how this crisis has drawn some to God and brought those who have left the church to return. We need God's grace more than ever to provide meaning, hope, and comfort during these times.
God Bless,
Pastor Marc
Marc Leverett Pastor - Bridge Church - Fort Collins CO
Heb. 13:8-9 Bridge 4/5/20
Things That Do Not Change
Heb. 13:8-9 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Intro. We are still in the midst of a national quarantine effort. We are dealing with many changes that are having an impact on our society and our individual lives. Social distancing has even had an impact on how we do church. With all the changes going on around us, it is important to remind ourselves of some things that do not change. These are the things that do not change. When it seems we are floating on a sea of confusion, it is good to stop and stand upon solid ground.
These truths are the constants that God has declared to be true for now and forever. His moral laws are not flexible. His commandments are not subject to revision by a fickle and self absorbed culture.
Even Thomas Jefferson said…– ‘In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
I. God Does Not Change -
A. His Person -
1. Essence – God is who he has always been. Mal. 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
2. His Attributes - Jas. 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
There are three logical reasons why God is immutable:
1. The very nature of an eternal divine being demands it. A changing God is a frightening thing. Such a god would be a monstrosity, a dangerous, fickle, unpredictable, and capricious demon!
2. His perfection demands immutability. If he is perfect, then he cannot change. Change is always either from bad to better or from better to worse. If he is perfect, then He cannot improve. If He is perfect, he cannot change without then becoming imperfect.
3. He is infinite. If God is eternal and not limited as we are to time and space, there was never a time when he was not all that He is. He did not evolve or grow into divinity. This concept is found within some Christian cults but is rejected by mainstream Christianity and for good reason. God did not evolve. He is the eternal “I AM”.
B. His Purpose – 2Tim. 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
C. His Promises – God, who IS love, always tells the truth.
1. Comforting Promises – Salvation, heaven, rewards, new body.
Heb. 6:17-19 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
2. Frightening Promises – Judgment, condemnation, punishment.
Isa. 13:11 “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
D. His Proclamations – The things God has said are wrong are still wrong. The things God said will bring his judgment will still bring his judgment. The things God said are contrary to his will are still contrary to his will. Matt. 5:17-20 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Everything God has told us in His revealed Word is eternal truth that is not subject to human revision. It is we who are imperfect and therefore in need of change. It is we who are finite and therefore in need of redeeming transformation.
II. Some things that must never change here at Bridge Church:
A. The Authority of God’s Word. The Bible is our rule of faith and practice. We will not revise, alter, or otherwise edit the Bible to suit our own ideas of to conform to the world’s views where they conflict.
2Ti m. 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
B. The gospel message of salvation through Jesus name. We must not add to or take away from the gospel. Jesus is the Savior, the ONLY Savior and there is none other.
Gal. 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
C. Right and Wrong. We must not water down the standard of righteousness to become more popular with this Christ-rejecting world. While we may not make God’s laws the leading edge of all we do ands say, we will not compromise on sin. Sin is still the hope destroying, life corrupting, innocence robbing, character deforming, future ruining, soul damning thing the Bible presents it to be. We must not join with those who redefine sin to be popular in this world.
Isa. 5:20-21 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
We must change the world with the power of the gospel, not change the gospel to please the world!
D. The Motivation of Love. Jn. 3:16 and…Rom. 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This must not change…God’s love to us, and our love to others!
E. Our Great Commission! Matt. 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We are to be salty salt and bright light. We are to be faithful in our message.
Our methods may change as needed, but our message must never change! We are to be all things to all men that we might by ALL MEANS save some”. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can save the souls of fallen men and women. We must never change our PURPOSE!
Conclusion: Yes, we are seeing many changes in our nation at this time. We are seeing changes in how we relate with others, how we conduct our day-to-day business and even how we do church. Most of what is going on now will be temporary. These present restrictions cannot and will not go on indefinitely. But for the present, we are being forced to find alternative ways of presenting the gospel. For instance, We are being forced to use the internet to connect with one another and to publish our message. Coincidentally, this is the #1 means by which the younger generation get their information! We have been praying for a revival particularly in this age group. Never before has sp much Bile truth been made available on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media. Let’s all pray that these troubling times serve to bring many people to God through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.