Triumph Baptist Church

Today we worshiped at Triumph Baptist Church, 1293 Mt. Nebo Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412.63.8204, www.triumph1293.org, Rev. C.L. Giles, Pastor.

Scripture – John 4:46-54 NKJV

So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”

The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”

Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”

Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”

Bob’s thoughts:

This church has been on my list to visit since before it was built…for a long time I drove past a sign marking this spot as their future home. I remember reading of the spiritual warfare they faced to get the building built. I’m glad we were able to worship with them today.

I only tried one door handle and almost walked away when a woman came and pulled the other door open (more spiritual warfare?). We were warmly welcomed from that point forward.

I was delighted to see a large cross on one wall and colorful banners all around. I also noticed the modern arched ceiling with sprinkler protection, a real plus for a church since church fires usually get a good head start in an empty building.

I enjoyed the passion and harmony of the praise team, the pastor’s refreshing comments that this was Christ’s church, and the prayer for Jesus to have His way in this service.

The sermon was part of a “Living the Dream” series and was based on John 4:46-54 about the royal official whose son was deathly ill. He was healed by Jesus from where He was, which reminded me of the centurion who asked for healing for his servant. He didn’t insist Christ come: as a man in authority he knew that Christ, in His authority, could command the healing of the servant.

I have been called on numerous times to come and lay hands on someone needing healing and today Christ, through the pastor, was my assurance that I can call for Jesus’ healing touch without being in physical contact, some of the application of the Scripture.

God is all in all and above the laws of nature which He created. We try to limit God when we ask for less. The idea was advanced: “It’s not about joining the church, it’s about joining with God.”

I met a Marine who was there for the second service and who, after praying for us, introduced me to a second brother coming in. Talk about an unbreakable bond, Marine brothers in Christ.

Jan’s thoughts:

We drove past this church yesterday and decided to return today for the 8:30 worship service. We arrived early and as we reached the door we thought it was still locked. However a member arrived kindly opened the (unlocked) door for us.

We knew the building was brand new, and it’s quite lovely: spacious and charmingly decorated for the fall season. Signage was ample, though we did not get to tour the entire facility.

Nearly everyone we encountered stopped to introduce themselves and extend a warm welcome, some greeting us again after worship.

We understood fewer attended this earlier service, and we plan to attend the 10 a.m. service in the future.

Following the reading of Scripture the pastor thanked God “for having us eat of that” (Scripture). All I could think was that’s exactly what we should be doing, taking those words into our minds and our hearts and allowing them to literally become part of us.

The untitled message began with the observations that if we want to be blessed we must be a blessing and that faith is believing without seeing although most of us still say “show me.” He pointed out that God is seldom early but He’s never late and His delays test us in our progress toward becoming more like Christ.

He declared that God’s timing is often not ours, we must humbly believe and remember that God is not subject to the laws He created. He will move when the time is right in His eyes, and our job is to trust Him. He will use all sorts of trials and crises to bring us to Jesus, like the child’s sickness in the Scripture, but God’s power defies time and space.

We spoke with the pastor briefly but enjoyed much longer conversations with two Marines we met, one of whom generously took time to pray with and for us.

As anyone who knows us well might guess, this church is somewhat outside the box for us, but I am so glad we went. The people were warm and friendly and the preaching was right on target. After worship, when we spoke with the pastor and told him about the blog, he immediately burst out with, “Be honest.” And you know what? These days, with the unrest in this country, I was truly encouraged right to my soul that when believers join other believers to worship our Savior, differences disappear. In this church I saw people who love Jesus and worship Him, sing and praise His Name, and like me, struggle to hear what He is saying and see what He is doing in this world and in our individual lives. And like me, they want to do His will.

Today I am encouraged because I was blessed with a glimpse of what Heaven will be. Hallelujah!

Our prayer for this church:

Father, we pray this congregation is gifted with the faith to believe without seeing. We ask that You supply them with Your vision as they go in Your Name. Amen.

Centerpoint Community Church

Today we worshiped at Centerpoint Community Church, 118 Community College Drive, Monaca, PA 15061, 724.728.1125, www.centerpointcommunitychurch.org, Dr. Steve Vesolich, Senior Pastor.

Scripture – NIV

John 3:1-8 –

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their motherʼs womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 –

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Matthew 6:33 –

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Bob’s thoughts:

After reading some good press about this church’s expansion plans, we decided to come check it out.

We were welcomed warmly on our way in, before the service, and then greeted again by a number of people after the service.

The ceiling is low with a slight arch which, for me, accented the wooden cross.

It was a joy to watch a number of children come in and run to their grandparents.

I appreciated the lead female voice and the strong voice of the pastor, as well as the anthem by the male singers and watching a number of children dancing.

The message, “You Must Be Born Again,” was well supported by Scripture and I believe clarity was given to what it really means, something often misunderstood by believers. Some depth was provided into Nicodemus and his struggle with and acceptance of the necessity of his own rebirth.

He added a great analogy for this time of year: being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. Christ washes it off, opens the top, and scrapes out all the yucky stuff, carves a smile, and puts the light of Christ inside.

Communion was offered silently, but there was a good time allotted for confession beforehand. I was disappointed the pastor was not served.

In recognition of pastor appreciation month, both pastors and their wives were honored. I appreciated the opportunity to speak with the pastor after the service.

Jan’s thoughts:

We worshiped at this church a little more than three years ago when it went by another name. Now it is expanding, being literally in the process of building a new sanctuary next door to the existing building. We were greeted by probably 1/3 of the congregation before worship even began, and most of the rest greeted us during or afterward.

The sanctuary was 90% filled with a broad mix of ages, including many children.

Bob will probably also mention the cross in the front, but what I noticed was the red marks noting the locations of Christ’s hands and feet, creating a stark reminder that the actual Cross would have been neither clean nor pretty.

The music was excellent, with pleasant voices providing strong leadership. In reading our blog post from the last visit, it’s peculiar that during both visits we sang “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?” Not that I’m complaining…that song brings wonderful memories for me.

The current sermon series is called “Important Musts of the New Testament” and this week’s entry was “You Must Be Born Again.” The message centered on Nicodemus and his encounter with Christ in John 3 and I appreciated his point that Nicodemus understood the idea of a “new creation” since that was how Jews viewed Gentiles who converted to Judaism.

He stated that God is a God of transformation and regeneration, and asked how we can remain the same when God is in us. We too must be born again.

Of course we must be born again of the Spirit in order for godly sorrow to lead to sincere repentance. We can do nothing to bring this about ourselves, no matter how deeply we desire it. This change is only achieved by God through His Holy Spirit, and when He makes a change, it is obvious and permanent and the only appropriate response is an expression of sincere gratitude for the rest of our lives.

I was thankful for World Communion Sunday this morning, and that we were able to witness the outpouring of gratitude by the congregation for their pastor and his family.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we were excited to worship You at this church You are growing. We pray they continue to be born again in You. Amen.

NorthWay Christian Community

Today we worshiped at NorthWay Christian Community, 1414 Beaver Street, Sewickley, PA 15143, 724.935.6800, www.northway.org, Scott McCabe, Campus Pastor.

Scripture –

James 1:5-8 ESV –

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Proverbs 16:18 ESV –

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Genesis 3:6 MSG –

When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she’d know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.

John 15:1-11 ESV –

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Philippians 2:3-8 NIV –

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

1 Timothy 6:17-18 NIV –

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Bob’s thoughts:

We were greeted by a few people, including meeting two Marines near the door who didn’t know they were brothers beyond Christ.

Although they are not saddled with a church building, they meet in a school, so perhaps they are prohibited from displaying a cross.

It was easy to follow the music and message with the three large projection screens.

The sermon was the final message of a three-part series titled “What Was I Thinking?” with a focus on ‘pride or abide.’ Plenty of Scripture quotes and scholarly commentary supported the message and I liked the line: “Where Satan doesn’t go personally, he sends a critic.”

She talked about how vanity, deceit, and arrogance cause an alienation from God. My Marine pride was a stumbling block till I learned to submit that to Christ (Philippians 4:13).

The message included Scripture from John about the Vine and the branches. This reminded me of when we moved from a home where I had painted ivy on the wall and before we moved, felt directed to include the Scripture. I always hoped God found a way to use it.

It was great to see a healthy mix of ages at this service; lots of young people is indicative of a healthy church.

We enjoyed a pleasant conversation with some church leaders and the pastor after the service.

Jan’s thoughts:

We sensed God’s nudging us to visit NorthWay and opted to visit a campus we’ve not seen before.

This location meets at an elementary school, which means each week all the accoutrements are moved in and set up for worship and then moved back out afterward, obviously an incredible effort by an extremely dedicated team.

We arrived just as the service was starting and were greeted at the door by a gentleman who turned out to be a Marine who had been stationed in some of the same parts of Vietnam where Bob served. We committed to meeting after worship to discuss this connection further when two other Marines greeted Bob. I always enjoy witnessing these reunions of “brothers from different mothers.”

The music was robust so we found seats at the back, then watched with some surprise as our first Marine friend entered and sat with his wife immediately in front of us.

We learned during the announcements about some of the mission efforts of this church during October, one ambitious one aimed at making a difference in the Aliquippa area. Also today was Small Group Connect, where the various small groups were set up at tables and interested parties could talk to someone and/or sign up to join a specific small group.

The message was presented by a member of the staff, Shannon Libengood, who had spent a fair amount of time (8 years, I think she said) as a long-term overseas missionary. This week’s message was the final in a series entitled “What Was I Thinking?” The first week focused on doubts, the second on fear, and this week’s title was “The Culprit of Pride.”

I always know when the message was one I want to remember because I take lots of notes, and today I took more than that…so many that I don’t know where to begin. So I will blatantly copy the message notes so kindly provided as we entered worship because this says it all:

Pride defined:

“There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves… And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others… According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

~C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Pride defined in our relationship…

…with God, is an excessive belief in one’s own abilities that interferes with our recognition of the grace of God.

...with others, is dangerously corrupt selfishness, the putting of one’s own desires, urges, wants, and whims before the welfare of people.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

(Proverbs 16:18, ESV)

Pride expressed: Vanity, conceit, and arrogance

Fruit of pride: Conflict, gossip, and alienation from God

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take

advice. (Proverbs 13:10, NIV)

Again, the above is directly from today’s message notes and not written by me.

She ended with a powerful statement: “A war is being fought over our souls daily.” Indeed. And we see the fruits of that battle every time we look at the suffering in our world. Or in our hearts.

Satan is the enemy of our souls and he will stop at nothing in his attempt to snatch us away. Praise God that through His Son, once we are in His hand, He will never let us go (John 10:28).

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, it is encouraging to see the enthusiasm for mission through Your people at this church. We pray for Your continued guidance and encouragement upon them as they go. Amen.

Oak Hill Alliance Church

Today we worshiped at Oak Hill Alliance Church, 2782 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066, 724.776.4350, www.oakhillcma.org, Pastor Dan Aluise.

Scripture – NIV

Joshua 9:1-27 –

Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things—the kings in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far as Lebanon (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites)— they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.

However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.”

The Israelites said to the Hivites, “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?”

“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua.

But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”

They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, “We are your servants; make a treaty with us.” ’ This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.”

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.

The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.” They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way from you,’ while actually you live near us? You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”

So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose. And that is what they are to this day.

Psalm 27:1-2, 5-6 –

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the Lord.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 –

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 15:22 –

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 –

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Bob’s thoughts:

We were welcomed by many in the congregation and all were genuinely friendly, not perfunctory greetings.

I was pleased to see more than one cross; I also appreciated the prayer page. At times God speaks to me as I pray for people I probably don’t know (or haven’t met yet).

The songs were not listed so I was taken aback by “As the Deer.” After our son was killed, we found out it was one of his favorites and including it in the memorial service changed its effect on us. We were blessed by a young family sitting in front of us whose son reminded me so much of how hard it was to get Dan to sit still that I smiled in spite of the hymn.

The message, “The Art of Making Foolish Decisions,” was not the personal critique of my life that I thought it would be. In my walk with Christ it has been hard at times to seek God’s direction first but it has always been rewarding when I do. The sermon was well supported by Scripture, and a caution that stuck with me was, “Don’t be blinded by your desires.”

Jan’s thoughts:

A young man held the door for us as we entered the building, and numerous people greeted us and took the time to chat.

Just prior to the start of the service, as I was reading over the two-page prayer list, we noticed the pastor and several others forming a prayer circle at the front.

The music was led with vigor, and I enjoyed singing several songs I like but haven’t encountered recently. One of the songs was “As the Deer,” which brings bittersweet memories for us.

The message was intriguingly titled “The Art of Making Foolish Decisions” and centered on the consequences of Joshua’s choices in the above Scripture. The sermon notes included in the bulletin laid out how to make foolish decisions along with the application, instructions on making wise decisions.

Make foolish decisions by:

1 – failing to gather all the information;

2 – making big decisions quickly;

3 – not inquiring of the Lord.

Make wise decisions by:

1 – gathering as much true information as possible before deciding;

2 – waiting on the Lord;

3 – praying. Stop and ask God for direction.

It is important to make wise decisions because:

1 – there are lifelong consequences or blessings;

2 – people are looking to you as an example;

3 – you will want God’s best.

He added one final note: God can and does redeem our poor decisions by His grace and mercy. However, we must repent. He courageously used a personal story to illustrate this point, adding that the right decision is often not the easy one.

Our prayer for this church:

Father, we pray this church – and we – remember to seek Your answer first to all questions. Amen.