Pastor Robert Maulella

Thanks for clicking on my page. I’m Robert J. Maulella. Most people call me Rob. I’m really just an ordinary guy. I was born in Queens, NY and attended Lutheran schools from the age of 12 on. A graduate of Concordia College, NY I enjoyed teaching science for 6 years in Lutheran elementary Schools in NY and CO.

When my wife, Linda and I lived in Denver I felt the Lord’s call to be a pastor. Four years later I graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO with a Masters of Divinity. My first church was in Miami, FL from 97-04. I have been at Prince of Peace since July, 2004.

God has made a profound impact on my life. I would not be alive today apart from the mighty hand of God. When I was 18 years old God revealed himself to me in such a dramatic, unmistakable way, that I committed my life to him. He has also done much healing in my life. I come from a very troubled family. Many times I despaired of living, but Christ has always been there to carry me through, to love me and to forgive me when I strayed from his path.

My passion is for Jesus, preaching and teaching God’s Word. I want all to know the love and grace of such a friend like Jesus Christ. My sermons are unconventional, with a dramatic flare, but most people tell me they remember them. My other passions in life are enjoying time with my family, mountain climbing, hiking, fishing, traveling, reading and gardening.

I pray I have the honor of meeting you someday. Please contact me if I can help in your relationship with Christ or in any other way. (Church Office: 770-942-4681)

His abundant peace,

Pastor Rob

Previous Sermons

12^th Sunday after Pentecost August 3, 2008

Matthew 14:13-21 There Was More Than Enough

Introduction: Did you hear about the deacon who was driving along when he was stopped by the local police. Seeing an empty bottle on the floor, the officer said, "Sir, have you been drinking?" "No officer, just water," replied the smiling deacon. "Then why do I smell alcohol on your breath?" asked the policeman. "Praise the Lord!" shouted the deacon. "He's done it again!" Christianity Today

What act immediately precedes the Feeding of the 25,000? John the Baptizer is dead. How? Natural causes? Murdered by King Herod. How are John and Jesus related? Cousins. How does Jesus respond to his cousin’s death? Withdrawal, isolation. There is nothing wrong with getting alone with God, especially when your heart is broken, when your emotions are wounded, or when you are simply looking for answers, i.e. “Why? When the storms came last week, whom/what did you run to? Jesus runs to the arms of his Father.

While Jesus is running to his Father, who is running after him? Sickness, disease, brokenness seeks the One who heals. What frame of mind is Jesus in? It is when we are broken that God uses us most effectively to touch others who are hurting. Every Christian must learn this: Blessed be … the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

How many times have I said, Lord, I’m in no position to do such and such. Lord, I’m in no mood to help any one else. God says: You don’t have to. If you would give me your limited resources I will multiply them. A lack of cognitive or emotional resources is no problem for God. Out of his compassion, Jesus heals the sick. Where does he get this compassion from? He got it from his Father when he was in need of compassion while in the secret place.

Now another problem arises. It is evening and they are far from the town. The disciples are on it. Send the crowds away to allow them to buy food. Matthew 14:15 Sounds practical, right?

It is said that the attention span for the sermon will only last as long as the rear end can endure. Jesus response: They need not go away. V. 16 Jesus does not ignore the physical, earthly need for food, though he knows Man does live on Bread alone…. What is his plan? You feed them. v16 When we minister to others we must be sensitive to meeting basic needs before we speak. Our mission statement says: Involved for Christ, Empowered by Christ, Loving through Christ. Sometimes meeting these needs is the BEST way to communicate the love of God. How have you met some someone’s basic needs this week?

The next problem is the physical resources are limited. 5 barley loaves and 2 fish will feed a family of 5-10, not one of 25,000. We have only …. How many times do we say to God, but I only have… this many hours in a day, this much money in my wallet…. This much time to spare? And God says, bring it to me.

Where are your resources limited? Emotional resources, financial resources, strategic resources? Have you tried giving them to God? How much of the 5 loaves and 2 fish did the Disciples give to God? ALL of it. What would have happened if the disciples had kept some for themselves? Remember what happened to the manna that was kept overnight? Are my resources rotting while I hoard them for myself? Exodus ….

What happens when the disciples gave their resources to Jesus? Jesus takes, breaks and gives. The result? A multitude is fed? Many years ago, a new Christian man, Albert McMakin, 24, loaded his pickup truck with friends and took them to an evangelistic campaign in his city. Each night he gave his old pickup to the Lord in hopes that he might save lives. One of his friends became an evangelist himself and since then has brought the Gospel all around the world. The friend is Billy Graham. (Turning Point Daily Devotional, 5-1-04) We never know when God will use our 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed a multitude.

Listen to the invitation of our God: Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and he who has no money, come buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why spend your money on what is not bread? And your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me and eat what is good. And delight yourselves in rich food. Isaiah 55:1-3

What resource is God asking you to surrender to him? To trust him with? So that he might multiply and use for his glory? But we fear: what about me? How many people ate? 25,000. Was it just enough? Some people say they do not like left-overs. How many basketfuls? I’ll take Jesus’ left-overs any day! Why 12 baskets full? One for each disciple. Compare the amount they started with and the amount they ended with.

What can we learn from this account?

1. Grief, suffering is unavoidable.

2. We have a God of Comfort.
3. God wants ALL our resources.

4. God multiplies our resources.

5. God’s left-overs are plenty.

Behold I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my steadfast love…

In Christ we have his promise of continued love even when we don’t trust him. In Christ we have his assurance of comfort as soon as we need it. Go and be comforted by the God of all comfort and let him use you to feed others as he feeds you. Amen

Scott Sharpes

More Than Enough

Blessed be … the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Send the crowds away to allow them to buy food. Matthew 14:15

They need not go away. V. 16

Man does live on Bread alone…. Luke 4

OUR MISSION:

Involved for Christ

Empowered by Christ

Loving through Christ

We have only …. Matthew 14:17

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and he who has no money, come buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why spend your money on what is not bread? And your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me and eat what is good. And delight yourselves in rich food. Isaiah 55:1-3

What can we learn from this account?

1. Grief, suffering is unavoidable.

2. We have a God of Comfort.
3. God wants ALL our resources.

4. God multiplies our resources.

5. God’s left-overs are plenty.

Behold I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my steadfast love… Isaiah 55:3