Thomas Curtis, Senior Pastor
Worship Style - Contemporary
This church has been well established in the town of Holden for many years and is affiliated with Holden Christian Academy, a fully accredited, non-denominational, elementary school, offering Pre-school -Grade 8. The church describes itself as a non-denominational, Christ-centered, family church.
Pastor Curtis began his sermon asking the congregation to think about one word to describe the work Jesus accomplished for us. The following words were thrown out: rescue, redemption, deliverance, miraculous, reconciliation, selfless, love, perfect.
Pastor Curtis acknowledged these words and suggested that the one he was thinking about was forgiveness. He credited his sermon to Pastor Patrick Cook from a small church in Cape Sable Island entitled, "My Chains Fell Off". The scripture for this lesson is from Matthew 18: 21-35. This is the story of Peter asking Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him. Jesus tells him 70 times 7. (NKJV) However, the tougher aspect of this story comes at the end. Verses 34-35, "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 'So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.' " Pastor Curtis then said, "Gentle Jesus, be more gentle". These are strong, convicting, and difficult words from Jesus. The sermon outlines two levels of forgiveness, the first from God to us (we like this one). The second, however, is more difficult - forgiveness from us to others. We were challenged by the thought that if we don't forgive, we will be imprisoned and tortured. (Look at the scripture above again.) Unforgiveness is self-inflicted torture. However, the Good News is that forgiveness is possible because of the Spirit that lives within each of us. We find life and are set free when we forgive. As Christians, we don't have a choice. A tough Word from Jesus.
Worship Style - Contemporary
This church has been well established in the town of Holden for many years and is affiliated with Holden Christian Academy, a fully accredited, non-denominational, elementary school, offering Pre-school -Grade 8. The church describes itself as a non-denominational, Christ-centered, family church.
Pastor Curtis began his sermon asking the congregation to think about one word to describe the work Jesus accomplished for us. The following words were thrown out: rescue, redemption, deliverance, miraculous, reconciliation, selfless, love, perfect.
Pastor Curtis acknowledged these words and suggested that the one he was thinking about was forgiveness. He credited his sermon to Pastor Patrick Cook from a small church in Cape Sable Island entitled, "My Chains Fell Off". The scripture for this lesson is from Matthew 18: 21-35. This is the story of Peter asking Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him. Jesus tells him 70 times 7. (NKJV) However, the tougher aspect of this story comes at the end. Verses 34-35, "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 'So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.' " Pastor Curtis then said, "Gentle Jesus, be more gentle". These are strong, convicting, and difficult words from Jesus. The sermon outlines two levels of forgiveness, the first from God to us (we like this one). The second, however, is more difficult - forgiveness from us to others. We were challenged by the thought that if we don't forgive, we will be imprisoned and tortured. (Look at the scripture above again.) Unforgiveness is self-inflicted torture. However, the Good News is that forgiveness is possible because of the Spirit that lives within each of us. We find life and are set free when we forgive. As Christians, we don't have a choice. A tough Word from Jesus.