Messages of the Orchard Church Doug Ellis

The common way that anyone views people is from their external appearance and status, and we treat them and relate to them based on this judgment. But, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, our approach to people is mercy rather than judgment. Judgment is free. Mercy is costly.

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Our religious activity can sometimes neglect doing core things that Jesus told us to do, sometimes substituting easier ideas, or watering down the intensity of something Jesus told us, or cherry-picking what we want to follow and ignore. This message contains a pivotal scripture that should cause you to wonder, "Am I following Jesus ... or something else?"

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The first chapter of James opens with trials - particularly trials of sin and temptation - that you and every Christian faces. God has wisdom to lead you through the trial, and he wants you to keep facing the trial, keep persevering, and keep adjusting until you discover and embrace His wisdom. This success is pure joy!

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When we raise children, we are doing our best to help them become a cooperative and productive member of society, and to interact with our society in such a way that they remain healthy. To raise a child requires more than instruction, for they also need sufficient experience and mentoring to help them live out those instructions.

When it comes to spiritual teachings, however, it seems that we may be satisfied with simply telling stories from the Bible of how God interacted with a people thousands of years ago. If God becomes only a story, then we'll forget him just like Israel did after the entered the Promised Land. So, we need to pursue engaging with God afresh in our current generation, so that we experience our own stories.


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When a person is going through a crisis or stressful situation, it can cause them to become isolated and face the situation alone. Recovery will always begin with looking to God for help, just like Psalm 121 suggests, but God uses a variety of people to help a person get from bad to better.

Will God use you? Even if you aren't naturally the kind of person who can be a comforter, an encourager, a guide, or a motivator, God can turn a weak person into an effective person. You may become the person your friend needs to get better.

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The topic of God and Suffering is vast, and I could never hope to address all the questions and the philosophical points that surround it. Countless are the books, sermons, and seminars.

This message is focused on stress in the midst of suffering, and in particular two words that highlight an attitude God desires His people to discover in these times: perseverance and hope. It isn't easy to turn our attention away from the pain and toward hope, but it is possible. And as you are able, eventually, you will find peace in the midst of the pain.


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