Sumas A.C. Church
Sumas, Washington ~ 
Corner of Front and Cherry
  • Home
  • News
  • Sermons
  • 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
  • Programs
  • About Us
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Missions
    • A.C. Missions
    • Child Evangelism Fellowship
    • Ron & Beth Moe (Int'l Bible Training)
    • Phil & Sarah Baer (Wycliffe)
    • Steve & Mayen Cadd (SWORD productions))
    • New Way Ministries
    • Phil DuFrene (Port of Hope)
    • Steve & Sandy F. (AIM)
    • Skookum KIds
    • More Missions

Luke 10:25-37 ~ The Shape of Love (Parable of the Good Samaritan) ~ Carl Crouse

11/24/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ah, young love.  A true story with a  made up name: Brenda had a guy friend in middle school. They decided to sorta kinda date even though it didn’t seem they belonged together.  Brenda figured that out before the guy.  After weeks of sorta dating, she told him it was over.  He was crushed.  He tried to change her mind.  She remained firm.  A few days later the guy called Brenda with one more plea to change her mind.  He ended the conversation with these words:  “There is a Brenda shaped hole in my heart.”   

What is the shape of love? In this scripture we are given a godly shape of love.  Love looks like the Good Samaritan who bandages the wounds of the helpless.  This story told by Jesus is perhaps the best known story of the Bible.  Many people don’t even know what a Samaritan is, but the phrase, “The Good Samaritan” has become iconic.  Hospitals, nursing homes, churches take on the name Good Samaritan, indicating the desire to bind up wounds, care for the weak, nurse the sick. 

I love the encouragement to love others, to give…  There’s a meaningful wrinkle to this story, however, most people miss.  The lesser application of helping others, is awesome.  But there is something more important.  


Read More
0 Comments

Luke 10:1-24 ~ What’s Most Important? ~ Carl Crouse

11/17/2015

0 Comments

 
When our son was about 5 years old I resigned as Pastor of the Nooksack Church.  Sally and I felt bad because every time we drove near the church Forest would say, “I miss our church.”  For months we heard the same thing.  It was understandable, the wonderful people, a church family, a place to belong.  After about 5-6 months we finally asked him what he missed.  Suddenly we didn’t feel so bad. He immediately answered, “Riding the plastic truck down the ramp into the basement.”  Priorities.  Perspective. 

This scripture is about what’s most important.  There are many choices in life, if you gain a healthy perspective on priorities then you are well on the road to simplifying your world.  Eight years ago our church went through an evaluation process in which we talked about what was most important.  The guiding principle that emerged which shape us to this day is, “We were at our best when we are involved in ministry.”  For example, Dena was not even here at the time, but when she wanted to spearhead a Turkey Dinner, that was an expression of the guiding principle.  It also fits the mission we outlined: Rooted in the Word, Focused on the Cross, Missioned to the World.  I hope everyone has a good time at the turkey dinner next Saturday, but the greater purpose is to hang out with folks from the community, share the love of Christ in a tangible way.  What are your priorities?  

Read More
0 Comments

Daniel 12 ~ Resurrection ~ Carl Crouse

11/9/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Daniel receives this final vision spanning chapters 10 - 12.  A few years earlier, Daniel, an old man in his 80s, was tossed into the Lion’s Den.  Incredibly, the King, the one who was tricked into making Daniel into Lion food, prayed to Daniels God believing he had the power to rescue Daniel.  The King hurries to the den and calls to see if Daniel made it through the night.  Daniel answers, READ Dan. 6:22a. The Lion’s Den served as affirmation of God’s protection when the world is overwhelming.  This final word of Daniel 12 puts into word form the same message as the Lion’s Den: the Lord will protect, the Lord will bring us through the storms. 
 
Daniel’s world is overwhelming.  He is living in a foreign land, enslaved and removed from his homeland as a teenager, his entire life remaining faithful to God in the courts of the most powerful kings on earth. Daniel has discovered life is not a fairy tale.  The new super-power has allowed Jews to go back to Israel, but Daniel never returns. Now, at this moment in time, Daniel is hearing rumors the homeland is desolate, the walls are destroyed, the people who returned are discouraged.  Life is supposed to be poetry.  More than one couple has looked forward to retirement years, traveling, togetherness, good health, and death/sickness cuts the dreams short.  Children make hard to understand decisions and you thought your days of worry were behind you.  We were supposed to have an election and get the right political leaders, the right judges appointed, and the downward spiral continues.  


Read More
0 Comments

Daniel 11 ~ Refined by God ~ Carl Crouse

11/3/2015

0 Comments

 
Ever feel like a doormat?  People taking advantage of you?  A few weeks ago I lifted the lid of the church garbage can.  Somebody had filled it half full with their own personal garbage.  Really?  Don’t they know it costs the church something?  People will take advantage of you.  You will help and be met with evil.  Suffering, unfair reactions, people taking advantage of you are part of the price of faithfulness to God.  But the reward is refinement, purity, spotlessness.         

I’ve circled Dan. 11:35 as the key verse of today’s scripture: READ.  Much of this chapter speaks of a future time for Daniel which for us is the past.  One person said over 100 prophecies have come to pass in Dan. 11:1-35.  I would not be surprised, but I can’t verify it… What is important is for those who believe this is a refining process. 

Are you prepared to be a Christian?  There will be challenges.  What will you do when the world turns against you?  Some will pay the ultimate price: READ Dan. 11:33.  This is an ongoing prophecy unfolding all over the world.  In the U.S. with exceptions such as Roseberg, the Christian faithful are demeaned, marginalized, trivialized, mocked…  This is a refining process: some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless.  God will build you up through a refinement process of fire….

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

    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