Orchard Community Church
Everything in this life that can be shaken will be shaken so we’re called to cling to what cannot be shaken, to Jesus our Rock, and to the things of God.
Ash Wednesday Service
Shaken
People derive security from a lot of different things in this life. Yet, from time to time things happen that shake us and reminds us of how unstable most of those things are. We know what it’s like to be shaken by a health scare, a financial struggle, a pandemic, or some other challenge. Sometimes our world is literally shaken by earthquakes and at times God even shakes us with what He’s doing or in order to get our attention. The truth is that can be shaken will be shaken at some point, and for that reason, scripture calls us to cling to what cannot be shaken, to Jesus our rock and foundation, and to God and things of God. So what can we do in this season of Lent to cling more tightly to Jesus and to build our foundation on Him?
Life can be pretty hard sometimes and no one is immune, not even pastors. And the truth is that sometimes things happen that really shake us hard.
Have you ever been really shaken by life?
I saw an article titled “2020 Has Shaken the World to its Core, How is Yours Holding Up?”
Lent is a time of preparation for Easter.
Lent is also about renewal. It’s a chance to get back on track with God if we need to, or simply to grow our faith as we get ready for Easter.
Our series for Lent this year is called “Shaken” and with it, we’re going to focusing on how we can, not just live, but thrive as people of faith in a shaky world!
When life shakes you, where do you turn?
Hebrews 12:28 NIV
The author refers to the prophet Haggai here who had said that one day in the future God was going to shake the earth again just like he had in the past, this is going to happen when Jesus returns.
The author says that at that time all of the shaky, unreliable things of this world will pass away and all that will be left are the unshakable things of God.
That passage in Hebrews says that “all that can be shaken will be shaken!” So there’s a call here and throughout scripture, for us to cling with joy to that which cannot be shaken, to God and his kingdom.
The first is that the word “troubled” here is a translation of the Greek word “tarasso.” It also means “to agitate, to stir up, to trouble a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro, to cause one inward commotion.”[1] It has a sense of shaking to it.
[1] https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/tarasso.html
And do you see what Jesus called them to do when they’re troubled when they’re shaken? He calls them to cling to what can’t be shaken! He says to trust God and to trust him.
In order to fully cling to God, we need to put our trust in him before the shaking starts. We need to trust that God’s way is the best way and to begin to live for him and build the foundation of our lives on our unshakeable God.
John 14:1 NIV
1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
But Samuel’s mother, this woman of faith, calls God our “Rock.” And by this, she’s describing God’s unshakeable and therefore totally reliable character, the truth that no matter what happens in this life God is solid and there for us, even when all else fails.
1 Peter 2:4-6 NIV
First, Peter is talking about Jesus here as he begins and he calls him a “living stone.” Like God, Jesus is a stone, a Rock! But notice that He is also calls Jesus a “chosen and precious cornerstone.” You see Jesus is special because in Jesus God touched our world and seeks to touch our lives.
He is to be the unshakeable foundation for our lives! And Peter reminds us that if we do all of this, if we trust in Jesus, we “will never be put to shame.”
So, a key question is…“Is that what we’re doing? Are we looking for security and building a foundation on Jesus, or is it really on something else, something shaky?
What needs to go, in order for you to be renewed and move forward in faith?
Life may shake up sometimes, but let’s be thankful that God and His kingdom cannot be shaken. Let us be thankful that God loved us enough to send Jesus to live and die and rise from the dead for us. Let’s be thankful that in Jesus we have grace and can become citizens of God’s unshakeable kingdom with lives built on Jesus our cornerstone and rock! –Amen.
Today's Music
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190
Worship Options
We are excited to be able to worship under the Tent together. If you are not wanting to be under the Tent, feel free to sit in the front row of parking spots of the Orchard Parking Lot your car and tune your radio to 100.1 FM to listen to the service.
1. Masks must be worn while on the Orchard Campus (both inside and out)
2. Please maintain the Social Distance
3. Sunday Morning Children's program. Children are always welcome in the service and we do not mind the noises that come with children. Children are a healthy sign of a healthy congregation.
Orchard Kids Sunday School (For preschool through 5th grade)
We encourage families to bring your own blanket and beach chairs and distance on the lawn as much as you like. Children will worship with their families and be dismissed following the kids’ message, escorted by our Orchard Kids’ Leaders to our beautiful outdoor classroom space in the children’s play yard. We will have our Bible story, activities, crafts, and games in a specially designed format following current health and safety guidelines. Parents, please come to the children’s area immediately following the worship service and find all of your children in one place. Each family will receive a “My Church Bag” to be brought each week with basic supplies already included plus items from home: water bottle and mask for each child and a blanket for all siblings. Our team is so excited to see your family! See you Sunday!
Nursery care for children birth to 3 years old is available by RSVP only to Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.
Interested in being a Volunteer? Middle school through adult, please contact Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.
While we understand that some may not feel comfortable coming back in person or having to wear masks while on the Orchard campus, we encourage you to stay home and join us online with our Live Stream.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursdays from 10 am to noon.
Masks and social distancing are required.
If you are unable to make it in during our office hours, please send an email to info@orchardventura.org and or leave a message at (805) 647-3757.