107 Coldren Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904, United States
Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
November Sermons 2024
11/24 - Seeds Sown
Psalms 107:1+2
2 Corinthians 9:10-12
December sermons 2024
12/1 “ The Impossible “ Isaiah 7:14 Luke 1: 26-38
12/8 “The Dream part 1” Proverbs 14:12 Matthew 1 18-25
12/15 “The Presence of Jesus” Psalm 62:1+2 Luke 1:39-55
12/22 “The For Runner” Malachi 4:5+6 Luke 1:57-63
12/24 “Good News” Psalm 103:17-22 Luke 2:1-14
12/29 “The Testimony” Psalm 19:7-10 Luke 2:15-20
January sermons 2025
1/ 5 “The Witness” Acts 1:8 Luke 2:21-38
1/12 “The Seekers” Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1-11
1/19 “The Dream part 2” Psalms 111:10 Matthew 2:12-18
1/26 “ Jesus of Nazareth” John 1:45+46 Matthew 2:19-23
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
SOME THOUGHTS ON OVERCOMING CHURCH HURT
Have you ever been hurt by the church? Me, too! While it's not been the "Big C" Church of Jesus Christ that has disappointed or hurt me, I have been hurt by the "little c" church. It’s one of the consequences of sharing life with other sinful human beings. In those moments, it’s important to remember the church is an imperfect collection of imperfect people striving to serve a perfect Savior. Yet, the church is God’s chosen instrument to bring healing and redemption into the world.
The Corinthian church was almost certainly the worst church the Apostle Paul started. In his second letter, he dares to write what he’s been hearing through the rumor mill about the Corinthian church:
“I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder” (2 Corinthians 12:20).
This laundry list of hurtful behavior implies they were guilty of many sins. In the next verse, Paul tells them some were slow to repent. And yet, they were a real church, sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His holy people. The truth is God uses the imperfect earthen vessel of our "little c" churches to accomplish His mission on planet earth.
The church in Corinth reminds us not to expect too much from our own church. The church isn’t a gathering of good people—but a community of believing sinners who often behave sinfully. We ought to be better than we were, but we’re never as good as we should be—and we'll often sin against each other.
If you’re ever hurt by someone in your church, make a list of what they did wrong—then do the opposite. If they've been unkind, be extra kind. If they've gossiped, speak all the good you know. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also (Luke 6:29). Their bad example can make you a better Christian, and you can make your church a better Christian community.
And remember this—forgive them, my friends. Unforgiveness on our part just might be the most devastating residue of church hurt—because the resentment it may cause can cripple our faith.
Pastor Jeff Greenway