Sumas A.C. Church
Sumas, Washington ~ 
Corner of Front and Cherry
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Pics '20
    • PhotoFun 2019
    • PhotoFun 2018
    • PhotoFun 2017
    • PhotoFun 2016
    • PhotoFun 2015
    • PhotoFun 2014
    • PhotoFun 2013
    • PhotoFun 2012
    • PhotoFun 2011
    • PhotoFun 2010
    • PhotoFun 2009
    • Long ago pics
  • Calendar

Romans 13:11-14; Wake Up, Salvation is Near; 2-23-14; Pastor Carl Crouse

2/23/2014

0 Comments

 
Many can relate to the writing by an unknown author: What Happened to Time?

When as a child I laughed and wept, time crept.
When as a youth I dreamed and talked, time walked.
When I became a full-grown man, time ran.
And later as I older grew, time flew.
Soon I shall find while traveling on, time gone.


“wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”  Time is running short.  A few years ago I used to work with a local funeral home officiating at funerals, and at the same time I worked for them, occasionally helping behind the scenes.  Half a dozen times I was needed to drive the hearse.  Only one time did I know the person that had died. I consider it one of the great honors of my life to transport the body in the casket from Bellingham, where all the preparation work is done, to the Lynden funeral home.  From there the funeral director took over.  I was honored for that task to drive Bill’s father, Dewey Kamphouse.  Seems like yesterday… it was 2008.  

Read More
0 Comments

Salvation is Near: Three Powerful Words; Rom. 13:8-10; Carl Crouse; 2-16-14

2/17/2014

0 Comments

 
There is only one debt that can never be repaid: the Debt of love.  Just a few words on debt… btw, I was always taught that one of the advantages of preaching through a book is that you speak on the topics as they come up, so nobody can accuse me of selecting a topic to put people on the spot… i.e. I am not trying to make anybody feel guilty…. A few words on Debt: One person said one of the most spiritual things we can do is get out of debt, because debt limits us… Debt means to owe.  

I used to work for the loan department at Fuller Theological Seminary.  My job was to receive and record the payments on the student loans. Most people were good in repaying their loans, but a few were problem people.  One woman, almost every month, sent in no payment or  a partial payment with a note.  Her note, almost every month, explained the problem: God’s will is for me to work with the poor in Hawaii, and I don’t have enough money to pay the full amount.  Working with the poor is a good thing, a noble thing, but in my understanding of the Bible and the principles of God, it is not God’s will to skip out on your debt.  She could have asked permission from Fuller Seminary, she could have worked out a different payment plan, but when you have a debt that is an obligation….  


Read More
0 Comments

Salvation is Near: Choose Your Battles with Care; Rom. 13:1-7; 2-9-14; Carl Crouse

2/10/2014

0 Comments

 
(Note: this is one of those scriptures that is a bit disturbing for many people because we don't know what to do with it.  The truth is that no preacher, including me, is likely to answer every question. Because the idea of submitting to authorities is hard to understand, it could be that, this side of eternity, we will always be a bit uneasy with the idea.  I think it was just as hard, if not harder, for the original recipients of this letter to hear the word "submit."  

A few things I wish I would have emphasized that half came up after the sermon:  
     #1: I believe submit does not mean stay in ongoing abusive relationships just because the Bible says so.  "Submit" does not mean allow yourself to be abused and smile about it.  
     #2: One of the heroes of faith is Dietrich Bonhoeffer (most famous book is "Cost of Discipleship" in which he talks about "cheap grace" among many other amazing topics).  Bonhoeffer is a modern day martyr that was hung for his Christian faith during WWII.  The crime?  Plotting to assassinate Hitler.  Whatever this scripture says, I personally cannot condemn Bonhoeffer for his decision.  Others may not be called to do what he did, but whatever this scripture means, it has to account for men like Bonhoeffer.  "Submit" does not mean "blind obedience." 

Enjoy the message, I hope it is challenging, and as one person said afterward, "It gives me a lot to chew on." ~ Pastor Carl) 
-----------------------------------------------------------
What is most important?  Everyday we make decisions about what is most important.  Today’s scripture, in context, is about priorities?  Here’s one man’s cute story of priorities:  “As she slid behind the wheel for her first driving lesson, my daughter couldn’t contain her excitement. "You need to make adjustments so the car is comfortable for you, the driver," I began. "Now, what’s the first thing you should do?" Without hesitating, my daughter replied, “Change the radio station.”  Ultimately this scripture is about priorities, focusing on the main thing, I will get to it…

We come to Rom. 13:1-7; the verses seem confusing: What does Paul mean, “Everyone must submit himself to the governmental authorities”?  …


Read More
0 Comments

Challenge Yourself to Change through Worship; John 4:19-24; Carl Crouse; 2-2-14

2/3/2014

0 Comments

 
I hope this joke is not just for Christian insiders… You need to know Jesus was born as a Jew ~ he lived and was raised among Jewish people.  As you grow in your faith you will be confronted with the truth that God chose to bring salvation to the world through the Jewish people.  I’m picking up on that last word in today’s scripture, Truth.  Whatever worship means, the best and only true worship is rooted in truth...  Here’s the silly joke: 

A Jewish businessman in Brooklyn decided to send his son to Israel to absorb some of the culture of the homeland. When the son returned, the father asked him to tell him about his trip. The son said, "Pop, I had a great time in Israel. By the way, I converted to Christianity." "Oh, my," said the father. What have I done?" He decided to go ask his friend Jacob what to do.
     Jake said, "Funny you should ask. I too sent my son to Israel, and he also came back a Christian. Perhaps we should go see the rabbi and ask him what we should do." So they went to see the rabbi.
     The rabbi said, "Funny you should ask. I too sent my son to Israel. He also came back a Christian. What is happening to our young people? Perhaps we should go talk to God and ask him what to do."
     The three of them prayed and explained what had happened to their sons and asked God what to do. Suddenly a voice came loud and clear from Heaven. The Voice said, "Funny you should ask. I, too, sent my Son to Israel ....

Read More
0 Comments
    Picture
    Picture

    Carl Crouse, Pastor

    At SACC we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.  Every Sunday the worship service includes a message from the Bible. My words are an attempt to understand and apply the Bible to our daily living.  I post weekly sermons and other biblical messages on this page. May you find meaning and hope as you read through each message and seek to hear God's voice. Leave a comment to ask questions or inspire others with your insights.

    In general, the previous Sunday's sermon will be posted by Tuesday afternoon.

    Categories

    All
    1 & 2 Kings
    1 Timothy
    2 Corinthians
    A Bruised Heart
    Acts
    A Front Row Seat
    Amos
    Christmas
    Daniel
    Easter
    Ecclesiastes
    Ephesians
    Esther
    Fruit Of The Spirit
    God Without Disguise
    Gospels
    Haggai ~ Shake Up Your Life
    Isaiah
    James
    Job
    John
    Judges
    Luke
    Mark
    Marriage
    Matthew
    Messy House
    My Messy House
    Nobodies Of The Gospels
    Proverbs
    Psalms
    Romans
    Seeds Of Hope
    The Church: Some Assembly
    When I Am Weak (Samson)
    When I Am Weak (Samson)

    Archives

    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly