Jesus, Lamb of God

We shared in an intimate time of fellowship and worship yesterday at Torch Community Church. Kris Cardosi proved to us once again that God will meet our every need and bless us beyond our expectations. In my conversations, everyone unanimously experienced worship that was genuinely Spirit-filled and connected with God on Sunday. Many, more powerfully than perhaps in their entire life. God is moving and He does have a plan. Great plans, I believe, for Torch. All we need to do is remain faithful and don't allow ourselves to get in His way!

Our challenge Sunday was merely to behold Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus' title as the "Lamb of God"

1. Describes Jesus' nature - The title “Lamb” combines in one descriptive term the concepts of innocence, voluntary sacrifice, substitutionary atonement, effective obedience, and redemptive power like that of the Passover lamb, and it should be for us the most beautiful of title’s for Jesus.

2.  Defines Jesus' Purpose - The title “Lamb of God” presented Jesus as the Lamb that God would provide as a substitute sacrifice for people’s sins.

3. Details Jesus' Provision for our lives - Both His Exceptional Provision and Eternal Purpose. So the question for us all is Do we truly trust Him. Are you trusting Him with your eternity? And if you are, then are you trusting Him with your today?


The question in the Old Testament is first asked by Isaac, ‘Where is the lamb?’ In the four Gospels, the emphasis is ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ Here He is! After you have trusted Him, you sing with the heavenly choir, “Worthy is the Lamb!’

Indeed, Torch Community Church, God is planning and doing big things. Are we trusting Him fully in this? If we are, then we should tell someone. That will be the emphasis this coming Sunday as we explore the Andrew Effect!

Pray for Torch, pray for me,

BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.

God of Grace

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

This Sunday was another success. Our time taking communion together for the first time as a church was a special and meaningful experience. And we learned about God's incredible grace in our lives. That though we deserve hell, He came in grace and truth, but that He has multiplied His grace upon grace! What a glorious thought, that His wrath was satisfied and through His grace, therefore we can have peace. And we can know that He will provide for us in our lives and as a church just as He has provided for our salvation. 

That's probably been the most incredible part of these past few weeks. Just sitting back and watching God meet our needs. Many times without ever having even asked! Pastoring Torch feels in many ways like raising a newborn baby in a sense that every week, indeed almost every day, something new happens or there is more wonderful news that pronounces not only God's approval but much more His provision. Every week, there is another "First." From quite randomly discovering PeeWee's Reception Hall, to having equipment donated such as an entire sound system, to having the right people enter into our fellowship at just the right time. Our newest grand news is that we have a new Worship Leader!! And unlike me whose leading worship is merely offering the opportunity for others to join into worship as I worship. Rather someone who has encountered God in a powerful way and has the passion to engage others into a moment of experiencing Him through music on Sunday mornings and through a life well lived throughout the week. Personally, this has been my most desperate prayer to God. And without even having any awareness in the incredible ways God was already at work to supply our needs, His glorious riches have proven themselves to be abundant and God's mysterious humor has proven satisfied. I just wonder as He sat on His throne hearing my request how large He smiled knowing that He was working out the answer to my prayer right under my nose, and I was completely oblivious! So PRAISE God, everyday, for His provision in our salvation and lives. And come praise Him on Sunday in a new and exciting way. I can guarantee this, our worship will be better than it has EVER been so far in the life of Torch Community Church!!

Also, another way He has provided for us is in opening the door at Anchor Baptist Church for us to hold a baptismal service on September 30th at 2:30 in the afternoon. Already, Jeff Moore and Tonya Arvin will be baptized at this service. And if you would also like to be baptized, or you have thought about it, but aren't sure if you should or need to be, then please talk to me and we'll have a great conversation to help you in taking the next step in your relationship with God!!

Pray for Torch, pray for me,

BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.

Grand Opening

Sometimes, things go so well, so smoothly, that you know you couldn't have orchestrated or planned it that well. You know in those times that the God of all creation has made an appearance. That was evident yesterday at our first Worship Experience at PeeWee Reception Hall!! 81 people showed up for a fantastic breakfast and powerful worship. 81!! Just a few weeks ago, a handful of about 30 people were still beating around the idea of planting a church. And already 81 people are showing up to be a part of what God is doing and how He is working in Torch Community Church! But the most exciting part of all was the decision at the end of service. Quite honestly, after doing Student Ministry for the past 12 years, I'm a rookie at the whole alter call moment. Yet in our first service, a wonderful woman came forward desiring to be baptized and wanting to commit to growing deeper in her relationship with Him. I know God loves us and cares and is more passionate for our success than I could ever be, but even still, He exceeds my expectations. Perhaps it is time I quit limiting what God has in store and begin preparing the crops for rain!

We began what will be a very exciting and adventurous journey through the Gospel of John. We examined the first 13 verses of chapter 1 together and learned the important truth that to know Jesus is to know God because in a most remarkable moment, God became flesh. Only through a relationship with Him can we truly have life because in Him was life. Though our sins have separated us from God, He entered into our world to take our penalty and punishment on the cross that we may be forgiven of our sins. Though we are dead in our sins, He resurrected from the grave that we may have life in Him. And that in doing so, to all who have received Him and believed in His name, He has given the right to become children of God. Have you received Him?

As God's children, we also discussed how our lives ought to be a testimony to His light and life. John testified about the light so that everyone might believe through him. Is your life a witness to the light? Do others believe in Christ through your testimony? Christ has come! The whole world needs to hear! Are you a Torch in dark places? Are we?

Every week, I pray that we become more and more the church that God intended. There is a peace and a welcoming energy and spirit about Torch. As any brightly burning torch would create, this past Sunday felt VERY warm and refreshing. I pray that continues. I pray God continues using Torch as a light in dark places for generations to come.

Pray for Torch, pray for me,

BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.

Keep moving forward

My favorite scene in one of my favorite movies, Rocky Balboa, is when Sylvester Stalone encourages his grown up son to encounter life, get back up, and keep moving forward. You can watch that scene on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp7psE585Ek

Or if you are too lazy for that, this what he says:
"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain't gonna have a life."

This week, Torch keeps moving forward...and so do I. There is no question that the past few months, even years, have been very hurtful and spiritually tramatic for me. Men I trusted because I was taught to trust and respect those in leadership turned and hit me really hard. I interviewed at a few other churches after I was layed off, and I was so wounded that great opportunities didn't interest me in the least. And I didn't want to get back up. But God had other plans. He rallied people around me who looked to me and said, "We want you to help us through this." Well truth is, I'm the one who needed help. But God began to work in our situation, and together, we rose up. It was hard, and painful. We still have a long way to go. And I know that not everyone has worked through the grief process. But we are moving forward, individually, together, and in the name of Christ. And we're creating a place where others have the freedom to do likewise.

Things were wonderful at Torch on Sunday. there were 56 people crowded in my house. People were sitting on the floor and everywhere. Thank goodness we move in to the reception hall next week! I cannot begin to express how excited I am about how I feel God is moving in creating Torch to be a place after His own heart. God is already bringing about such healing not just in my life but others as well. The worship was powerful Sunday. That many people crammed in a space that was too small made it a very moving experience. There was another lady who left in tears at how connected she felt with God and how refreshed she felt after our Sunday service. She is coming from a whole different church situation that has apparently wounded her and her family pretty deeply too. And God saw fit to bring her to Torch to catch her breath, spiritually. I still love the people in my previous church, but as far as I'm concerned at this point, God has moved on, and so will I.

I know this should be more focused on the exciting fact that we are moving into the Reception Hall adjacent to PeeWee's Restuarant this Sunday. And my excitement for that cannot be underestimated. But I just felt the need, at least tonight, to share my heart...and the healing thereof.

The schedule for this Sunday is:
Free Breakfast Buffet from 9:30-10:30
Worship Service from 11-12.

Hope to see you there. Pray for Torch, pray for me.
BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.