Illuminate Community Church

2/12/23 - Don’t Take Revenge - Matthew 5:38-42 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, "Revenge is a dish best served cold.” What I think this means is that if you wait to pay it back, the wound will be deeper.

The message this Sunday is for anyone who has ever held a grudge. It is for anyone who has wanted to get revenge on another person. It is for those who have been mistreated and wanted to settle the score. In other words, this message is for every one of us.

The message is also for anyone who has felt the pain of a broken and damaged relationship that is yet to be restored. You see, the thing that ultimately destroys every relationship is the inability to forgive. It actually isn’t the offense, it's the withholding of forgiveness that causes the long term damage in your life. 

Fact #1: In this life you will be wounded and wronged and you will do this to others. 

Fact #2: In the church we will not always get a long with each other. 

Jesus talked about these things…a lot. He said in this world you will have tribulation because the world is fallen and broken and filled with imperfect people. The US has more lawyers per capita than any other nation - over one million. Roughly one lawyer for every 300 people. That’s a lot of litigation from people who don’t trust each other.
In the Bible there are several examples of Christians having to be reconciled to one another. In fact there’s an entire letter, Philemon, that is meant to promote unity between two Christian brothers that are divided. Paul asks this question to Christians living in the city of Corinth 2000 years ago: "Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers?”

Forgiveness should be normal amongst God’s people.

Why is this important? Because it’s the way we deal with these offenses that determines the nature of our relationships. It’s true in your marriage, your friendships and in the church. When we withhold forgiveness, there grows a root of bitterness within us. Forgiveness has much to do with your own well-being. If you don’t forgive, then you will become angry and retaliate. This is human nature. Your heart will be filled with thoughts of revenge and this isn’t good for your soul. Jesus speaks directly to your hurt because he cares for you. He knows it well himself: forgiveness frees you to enjoy relationships and live with peace in your heart.

2/5/23 - Keep Your Word - Matthew 5:33-37 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This Sunday we arrive at a command from Jesus that applies to all of us because we all speak. We all make promises and commit ourselves to things, places, and times. As a result, people are counting on us to do what we say. In general, humanity is not very good at keeping its word. Isn’t this the reason we have legal contracts? Because we are prone to breaking our promises we must get the weight of law involved…or else!

Some people are very good at using language to get themselves out of a sticky situation. For example, I heard a Christian apologist talk about the instructions you’re given before the plane takes off the runway. If you recall, there are specific words used to describe what you cannot do to the smoke detector in the lavatory. 

“It is a federal offense to knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, render inoperable or otherwise improperly tamper with any smoke detector.”  

Why can’t they simply say, “Don’t touch the smoke detector.” Here’s why - because some crafty person has said, “I didn’t touch it, but I did damage it with this screwdriver.” Or, "I didn’t damage it, but I did disable it and you never told me I couldn’t do that!” The idea is simple - don’t do anything that would cause the detector to stop working properly. I learned they had to incorporate the words "render inoperable" because some smokers were taking wet paper towels and covering the lavatory detectors. However, they did not destroy or damage it. To do this is a federal offense and so is first degree murder! People find ways to get out of their promises and why legal contracts can be very lengthy. We have to make sure every loophole is closed so that things cannot be manipulated. A verbal agreement does not matter, we must have ink on paper with witnesses for an agreement that can be legally enforceable. Why? Because we humans can be very good at intentionally deceiving each other. 

But there’s more. When God’s people say one thing and do another, it brings great harm to their Christian witness. This is why Jesus speaks directly to it. Let’s remember that the words of Jesus bring life. So we would expect our lives to improve when we do what he commands. Our words shape who we are. The promises we make and break directly affect our reputations and therefore influence the strength or weakness of our relationships. So join us for more wisdom as we hear from Jesus as he preaches on the side of a hill just above the Sea of Galilee. 

1/29/23 - Porn and Your Soul - Matthew 5:27-30 - Pastor Jason Fritz

"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
-Matthew 5:27-28

We live in an age where you can see more naked bodies in five minutes than your ancestors could see in five lifetimes. Technology has promoted lust in ways that could never have been imagined. Today’s accessibility of seductive images is unparalleled in human history. You have porn in your pocket and you take it everywhere you go. As a result there is more temptation to lust than any previous generation. Everyone can recall an early time in his or her life when they were exposed to the seduction of the lens. This widespread saturation means that everyone has been affected - either from addiction after compulsively watching or the person who has been shaped by false body images and ideas of what sex should be. 

The simple fact is, there isn’t one longitudinal study that suggests watching porn makes your relationships better. There is an ever-growing body of research, and it can no longer be denied, that repeated porn exposure has a tangible effect on consumers and is connected to declining relationship satisfaction, not to mention all the various forms of exploitation. 

So if you’re going down the wrong path and you have become what you subject yourself to, then it’s going to take some drastic measures to get on the right path. This is why Jesus uses hyperbole to get the point across beginning in Matthew 5:29-30.

"If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away."

Jesus is not speaking literally because if you were to remove one eye, your other eye would be used to feed your brain damaging images. You can access the keyboard with just one hand. The point is this - We must be drastic with ourselves in how we remove and avoid the temptation. Most of us make very half-hearted efforts. The desire might be there, but the self-control and reliance on God’s Spirit is not present. There is something more fundamental lurking behind your lust.

You are not alone and there is freedom. We want to help you take thoughtful steps to remove what gives you guilt and takes your purity. Jesus gives words of life!

1/22/23 - Go and make peace - Matthew 5:20-26 - Pastor Jason Fritz

If you’ve ever had conflict in your life, then Sunday’s message is for you. We’ve all been in situations where our feelings have been hurt. We have been wronged or mistreated and this causes stress and anxiety. The hard truth of the matter is that we also have been on the other side of that equation. We have been the one hurting others. This might be a stranger, neighbor, classmate, coworker, probably a family member or spouse. It could be the person sitting next to you at church this week. The opportunities for strife come when we are in close proximity with one another. So go ahead and think of the person’s name...  

If the relationship is going to be made whole, then it will require something from you and it will not be easy. Some people run from conflict and avoid it entirely, others run toward it and make it worse. The words we read from Jesus today will help. They give clarity for what you should do next and how to do it. If it requires you to speak to the person, then you’ll know how to do that in a way that honors them and God at the same time.

When Jesus was here on earth He talked a lot about the Kingdom of God. In fact, that was His whole mission while among humanity. He said the Kingdom of God is at hand and blessed are the peacemakers. His Kingdom is one of peace and it begins with reconciliation between us and our creator God. If the kingdom of God is at hand that means it is here right now. If we are going to get a sample of God’s kingdom brought to earth, then we must live as Jesus did. What a blessing to give a taste of heaven to those around us!

1/15/23 - Be An Example - Matthew 5:13-16 - Pastor Jason Fritz

In John 10:10, Jesus said that he came to give people abundant life. I think people desire this now more than ever. There are many modern voices giving advice and yet so many are stuck and confused. Certainly Jesus is worth hearing. After all, he is themost influential man who has ever lived. Let me forewarn you by saying that Jesus is the master at disrupting people’s lives in the best possible way

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus paints a picture of what it looks like to be different in a world that is full of the same

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:13-16

Let me give you a bit of context…in the first 12 verses of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus explains two very different value systems. There exists an earthly kingdom and a heavenly kingdom. They are not the same. For example, the kingdom of heaven values gentleness over authoritarian power. It values humility over pride. God’s way values peacemaking over aggression and purity over self-indulgence. When one practices things like purity, humility, gentleness and peacemaking, there is real positive influence in this world. Additionally, you become an example for others to follow.

Next, Jesus gives a word picture and a helpful analogy. He uses two metaphors to describe the influence Christians have in this world: salt and light. And here’s what Jesus is going to say...Salt and light are not meant to be contained, they are used as agents for good. Jesus was the master at using metaphors to capture attention. Every household had both salt and light, so this was easy for people to envision. Themeaning here is deeper than what you might think because of the implications both salt and light had in the time of Jesus. Salt was used primarily as a preservative. In our time we use it mainly to enhance flavor, but back in the day there was no refrigeration as we know it today. Meat was kept from spoiling by rubbing salt on it. Salt delays the decay. 

This is the implication to the world...

The world is decaying because of sin and darkness. There’s a beautiful line in theChristmas classic, Oh Holy Night. It goes like this…”long lay the world in sin and error pining...” The word pining means to waste away. Since the fall, the world has been wasting away under the weight of human sin and error. “...til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” When Jesus arrived, the human soul knew its value because Jesus was willing to die for the sins and errors of all people. Not all would accept Jesus and instead they would stay in their sinful state. The pining continues. Theworld seems to get darker by the minute. What’s good is evil and what’s evil is good. But doesn’t the light shine brightest where it’s darkest? The world is decaying. Jesus sent us into the world to delay the decay by proclaiming the gospel!

1/8/23 - Don’t Follow The Crowd - Matthew 4:19 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Jim Rohn famously said that you are a composite of the five people you hang out with the most. “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Well that might have been true 50 years ago but the age of social media has completely changed this. Today, we are influenced by algorithms based on our preferences. Consequently, we imitate people we have never met. The breadth of influence upon us is enormous and yet we are influenced most by the company we keep.

For example, Christakis and Fowler conducted a survey and found that if you have friends who smoke, then you are 61 percent more likely to be a smoker yourself. If a friend of a friend smokes you are still 29 times more likely to smoke. This can be applied to most every metric including happiness and depression. Your friends really are your future and this is why the concept of friend auditing has become pervasive. The implication is that you need to examine your entire social network and its influence on your life. If not, you might become the person you don’t want to be.

What’s particularly devastating is when people follow the crowd for no other reason than to gain an identity. I heard a prominent philosopher say that in his opinion the biggest threat society faces is from the narcissistic virtue signaler. These are people who adopt opinions and postures solely to garner praise and sympathy or whose good deeds are tainted by their need for everyone to see just how selfless they are. If virtue signaling can be tied to victimhood it makes for a very powerful voice. This is what makes much of social media a firestorm. If only victimhood gives a person the right to comment then there’s tremendous motivation to be a victim if you want to be heard. This isn’t to say there aren't legitimate victims who have reasonable voices, but for many, the temptation is all too common.

So whose voice is most important to you? In other words, who are you following? Can I give you an alternative voice? It’s a far better calling and it comes from Jesus himself. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

When Jesus wanted to recruit world changers he chose people who were not highly qualified or influential in society. These guys are simple fishermen. It reminds me of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:26, "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth."

This should be encouraging to everyone. I have heard people say things like, “I am not qualified”, ”I do not have the skills to talk about Jesus”, ”I haven’t gone to Bible College”, ”I'm afraid I will make mistakes”, “I don’t have what it takes” and so on. It is not our qualification that makes us worthy to be a follower of Jesus, it is his calling. Jesus said this in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit.”

I love this  quote: "No one is destroyed by obeying Jesus and there is no one who has prospered by disobeying Him." Jesus is calling you right now to follow him. Will you do it?

1/1/23 - Change Your Life - Matthew 4:17 - Pastor Jason Fritz

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." -Matthew 4:17

For a good part of 2023, we will be looking at the words of Jesus. Specifically, the things he tells people they should or should not be doing. Now I realize this might not be popular because no one likes being told what to do. At the same time, people are desperately searching for meaning, hope, help and direction. Before Jesus speaks a word there is a surprise introduction. It comes in the form of his cousin John. You might know him as John the baptizer. He called people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. This was a new concept for the Jews. Only Gentiles were baptized as they converted to Judaism. But now John is calling everyone to be baptized in recognition that they have a sin problem. John’s ministry was preparation for Jesus and when Jesus arrives he continues the message of John. In fact, the first words recorded by Matthew are these...From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” -Matthew 4:17


Jesus mimics the words of John but he also adds the motivation - “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus often contrasted the heavenly kingdom with the earthly kingdom. The heavenly kingdom is spiritual, eternal and pure. The earthly kingdom is physical, temporary and corrupt. Jesus is inaugurating the heavenly kingdom and if you want to be identified with it, then it begins with repentance. This is the central message that we see all throughout the gospels. It is summarized here in one short, simple verse. Jesus came to preach and his first word recorded by Matthew is, “repent."


Repent literally means, "to change your thinking." Jesus is asking everyone to change their thinking about what is right and what is wrong and what is good and what is evil. Change your thinking about what will give you life and how you get to heaven. Change your thinking about who you are. Repentance begins in the mind but it doesn’t end there. Later, Jesus says this to the religious rulers, "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matthew 3:8.) In other words, he calls all people to turn from their hypocritical and self-righteous ways. This is the essence of Jesus’ message to you, me, and everyone on earth.

Turn away.

Turn from your sin, turn from yourself, turn from all your attempts to earn your way to God. Turn from your attempts to find fulfillment and turn in all ways from sin, self, and even your good deeds. Do this because the kingdom of God has been brought to earth by Jesus and he is the true king!

12/25/22 - Merry Christmas from Illuminate - Pastor Jason Fritz

12/24/22 - The Truth About Christmas - Matthew 6:14 - Pastor Jason Fritz

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” Matthew 6:14 It surprises people to know that the story of Jesus’ birth contains two opposite images: darkness and light. Both are essential to understanding the truth about Christmas. Timothy Keller captures it well... “Christmas, therefore, is the most unsentimental, realistic way of looking at life. It does not say, “Cheer up! If we all pull together we can make the world a better place.” The Bible never counsels indifference to the forces of darkness, only resistance, but it supports no illusions that we can defeat them ourselves. Christianity does not agree with the optimistic thinkers who say, “We can fix things if we try hard enough.” Nor does it agree with the pessimists who see only a dystopian future. The message of Christianity is, instead, “Things really are this bad, and we can’t heal or save ourselves. Things really are this dark—nevertheless, there is hope.” The Christmas message is that “on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Notice that it doesn’t say from the world a light has sprung, but upon the world a light has dawned. It has come from outside. There is light outside of this world, and Jesus has brought that light to save us; indeed, he is the Light.” Timothy J. Keller, Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ

12/18/22 - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Luke 2:1-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Joseph and Mary were required to travel to their ancestral homeland to be counted for the census. They were from the line of David so this meant a four or five day trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem (known as the city of David). Do you realize the prophet Micah foretold the birthplace of Jesus 500 years before Jesus was born? 

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” 
-Micah 5:2 

Think about this young couple. As God fearing Hebrews they know Micah's prophecy. Did they also know that the messiah would be born of a virgin? I think so.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” 
-Isaiah 7:14 

On the way to Bethlehem perhaps they were thinking, “Wow, we are two for two!!” It must have been truly amazing from their perspective to see these events unfold - especially for Mary the pregnant virgin. Moreso, Mary gets a visit from an angel with a very special message in advance.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God. 
-Luke 1:31-35

Mary knew she was giving birth to the Son of God. You would think things would be easy going from here; but no. When arriving in Bethlehem the anxiety builds.

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 
-Luke 2:6-7 

Max Lucado calls the birthplace of Jesus, "majesty in the midst of the mundane." A manger is a wooden structure from which animals are fed.  Why would God have his son born into the sights, sounds and smells of farm animals? Because God is revealing that Jesus is for everyone. Jesus was not born in an intimidating palace behind a massive gate that keeps people out. Instead, Jesus could be found in a lowly stable accessible to all; just as the angel proclaimed to common shepherds.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 
-Luke 2:10-11

Upon hearing the announcement of Jesus’ birth a chorus of angels begin to sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” -Luke 2:14

Let’s not forget the words surrounding the birth of Jesus - great joy, peace, do not fear, reign, never ending kingdom, Immanuel. It all began in that little town of Bethlehem.