September 20, 2014 - Church at Worship

Sermon: This Side of Paradise - Miguel Mendez

Pastoral Welcome: Dustin Aho

Child Dedication: Bradley Ross Bonar - Timothy Gillespie

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:1-6, TNIV

Note: Child Dedications and Baptisms are on the extras section of the dvd.

Sermon Notes:

I recently read an article that ranked Loma Linda as one of the healthiest and happiest cities in America. My heart began to swell with joy at the realization of how blessed we are to live on this beautiful hill. A few days later, I read another article describing the poverty and hunger epidemic afflicting San Bernardino county. I began to wonder what our lives must look like when viewed from the prism of the “other side of paradise,” and if as a faith community, we have a responsibility to bridge this existential chasm.

This morning, we will look at how Jesus bridges the gap between the “oughtness” of his kingdom and the “isness” of our reality. I suggest that if we are to partner with Christ in this bridge-building enterprise, our first step must be to view the world from the “other side of paradise.” German theologian Dietrich Bonheoffer captured this concept in his book Life Together:

“Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end his disciples deserted him. On the cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes.”

May God move us.

Miguel Mendez
Associate Pastor for Study and Evangelism