Events
** All Redemption Seekers Bible Studies will be at the Philosopher’s House going forward.
Fun from the Fair
This past weekend Pastor Alex and Elder Curtis boothed at the 100th Appalachian Fair for our church and it’s ministries.
Sermon
Tonight we begin with a story. Did you know that prior to 2018 I was an atheist-agnostic? I despised the Bible. Why? Because I saw the evil ways it was being used. People who claimed to follow Jesus were treating others horribly. How could this be of God? If so, I wanted no part of it. Some told me that I can’t let people be how I see God. I don’t disagree. That was the place I eventually came to. But we can’t use that logic and not hold the people who DO claim to represent the Lord of the Bible accountable. Many are turned away due to hate, cruelty, and pain of the very people who claim to believe the Scripture. What about Exodus 22:21? “You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” “…You shall not abuse any widow or orphan (Exodus 22:22.” “…you shall not exact interest…(Exodus 22:25).” “You shall no spread a false report (Exodus 23:1).” “…you shall not side with the majority so as to pervert justice (Exodus 23:2).” Or what Jesus (Yeshua) himself said, “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye (Matthew 7:13)?” Or The Greatest Commandment?
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22: 36-40
Who is our neighbor?
How do you love someone as yourself?
As I began my journey back to The Way, as a follower of Yeshua Hamashiach, these questions challenged me. They still do to this very day. How do I follow God’s instructions, some translations say commandments, fully? And now as a pastor, how do I shepherd a community that is so different across views, beliefs, opinions, and so much more? And yet, the Lord always makes a way.
Brother John sent Elder Chris a Scripture verse this past Monday. Chris forwarded it to me. I didn’t know how it fit into this sermon. But God showed the way after I prayed and meditated.
“Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” –Matthew 21:22
This verse does NOT means that if you pray for riches that God will make you wealthy. This is about faith, trusting in Yahweh’s promises. Believing in God’s path. God will provide in faith what will direct you down said path that He has anointed for you. The Lord wants us to show Him our faith. But how does one do that?
‘ Moses said to the LORD, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people.” He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.” ‘ –Exodus 33:12-16
Moses begs God to show him the way. Moses is asking Yahweh who will help lead the people to the Promise Land. Moses needed God to show him. Needed Yahweh to go before them. He couldn’t do this alone. Just like he couldn’t govern alone, as we learned last week. He can’t journey to the Promise Land alone. He also was leading a nation of people. So, who he led with mattered. What did Yahweh tell Moses?
‘He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” ‘ – Exodus 33:14
Yahweh goes on to tell Moses that He will show him His glory. This way Moses and all the people will know they are a nation chosen and set apart.
“Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” –Matthew 21:22
When I became a believer again I prayed for God to show me He was real. To make it known through any means. I first found Him with researching texts from historians around the time of Christ. Then gradually as I read the Scriptures cover to cover. Then, through a much more spiritual experience. But, I wouldn’t have had this path if God hadn’t set different people along it to lead me to this very moment. People who have come and gone in my life. Some who have been a constant. And others who have left and come back. But they all mattered. Because they progressed my path. Little by little. They caused movement. They helped to move mountains. They showed me true rest in the Most High. The sort of rest that our denomination as Progressive Sabbatarians hang our hats on.
‘The LORD said to Moses, “You yourself are to speak to the Israelites, ‘You shall surely keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, given in order that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you; everyone who profanes it shall be put to death; whoever does any work on it shall be cut off from among the people. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore the Israelites shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign forever between me and the Israelites that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’ ” ‘ – Exodus 31:12-17
Sabbaths, a day of rest from work and dedicated to God, were given to sanctify us. They are a day to remind us every week what Yahweh has done for us. As believers in Jesus, Sabbaths are a reminder that he is the Lord over them and over us. They are reminders of His promises. His covenants. His anointings. His holy paths that set each of us a part. No matter where they lead.
8 years ago I could never have imagined…fathomed that I would be pastoring a church. 10 years ago I couldn’t believe I would be called a Christian. But God will do things for His glory. He will work in us, with us, and through us little by little. Seasons may come with joy, sorrow, or change. But they are constantly leading us down the paths meant for us. Even if we can’t see them in the moment. You aren’t on the journey alone. Ask and you shall receive.
Amen.
Next Bible Readings
Week 7 (08/31/2026–09/06/2026): Leviticus 1–27 (Sacred cycles, Purity, and the Holiness Code)
** Update: Pastor Alex does not have any personal social media. You may connect with him via this ministry and its related media spaces.