- Nov 19, 2023Persevering Readiness: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
- Nov 12, 2023Persevering Hope: 1 Thes 4:13-18
Persevering Hope: 1 Thes 4:13-18Christ's return and the resurrection underscore our perseverance in hope. This blessed hope keeps us steadfast in our Christian walk.
- Nov 5, 2023Persevering Encouragement: 1 Thes 2:9-13
Persevering Encouragement: 1 Thes 2:9-13The diligent labor and unwavering faith of both Paul and the Thessalonians is an encouragement to us. We follow their example to persevere in our efforts and stand strong in our faith.
- Oct 29, 2023Persevere as a Family: 1 Thes 2:1-8
Persevere as a Family: 1 Thes 2:1-8Paul’s ministry was not without criticism and trial, but he uses the language of family to remind the Thessalonians to persevere together. In the face of difficulty we too lean on each other to persevere in our own faith journey.
- Oct 22, 2023Steadfast Perseverance: 1 Thes 1:1-10
Steadfast Perseverance: 1 Thes 1:1-10The Thessalonian believers' steadfastness amidst opposition as an inspiring example of Christian perseverance. Their faithfulness in the face of adversity serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
- Oct 15, 2023Persevere in Rejoicing: Philippians 4:1-8
Persevere in Rejoicing: Philippians 4:1-8There is enduring strength in prayer and virtuous thinking. These practices not only sustain our faith but also help us persevere, even rejoice, in times of trial.
- Oct 8, 2023Persevere in Joy: Philippians 3:4-14
Persevere in Joy: Philippians 3:4-14Joy and gratitude are sources of resilience in our faith. A joyful heart and a thankful spirit can help us endure hardships and cultivate a Christ-centered perspective.
- Oct 1, 2023Persevere in Humility: Philippians 2:1-13
Persevere in Humility: Philippians 2:1-13Humility is the cornerstone of Christian perseverance. Humility, as exemplified by Christ, empowers us to persevere through life's challenges and maintain unity with others.
- Sep 24, 2023Perserverance: Phil 1:21-30
Perserverance: Phil 1:21-30This week, we'll explore how unity among believers strengthens our faith journey. Just as Paul encouraged the Philippians to stand firm in one spirit, we'll delve into the enduring power of unity in our Christian walk.
- Sep 17, 2023Boundless Grace: Matthew 18:21-35
Boundless Grace: Matthew 18:21-35Through the lens of the parable in Matthew 18:21-35, we explore how God's compassion and mercy transcend human comprehension. By recognizing the immeasurable debt of our own sins forgiven by God, we are compelled to extend forgiveness to others. This theme invites us to reflect on the transformative power of God's forgiveness, inspiring us to respond in kind, fostering a community of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness rooted in our relationship with the Divine.
- Sep 10, 2023United in Faith: Matthew 18:15-20
United in Faith: Matthew 18:15-20Though we often treat this text from Matthew 18 in three separate units (conflict resolution, prayer, and assembling), it is in fact one unit that emphasizes the critical role God plays in empowering the Church. God’s presence enriches and sustains the Christian community, fostering unity, spiritual growth, and accountability.
- Sep 3, 2023Losing to Gain: Matthew 16:21-28
Losing to Gain: Matthew 16:21-28 Continuing and building on Peter’s confession last week, this service invites us to ask what it truly means to lose and find, to sacrifice and gain. Jesus invites us to empty ourselves so that we might be filled with him just as he emptied himself to be filled with humanity.
- Aug 27, 2023Confessing Christ: Matthew 16:13-20
Confessing Christ: Matthew 16:13-20 We are the body of Christ, built upon the rock that is Peter’s confession: Jesus is the Messiah. By recognizing Jesus’ identity we are enabled to embrace our role in this world as his Church, his body, and live out our faith with devotion and unity. As long as we fully understand who Jesus is, we will always know who we are.
- Aug 20, 2023Pure Hearts: Matthew 15:10-28
Pure Hearts: Matthew 15:10-28 The story of the Canaanite woman is, at best, unsettling. Yet, in connection with the parable before it, her story becomes the embodiment of Jesus’ message in the parable; it is not where she is from (what is on the outside) that defines her, rather, it is what comes from within that defines her as a worthy person of faith. This passage centers around the transformative power of faith and the inclusive nature of God's grace. It highlights the trouble of exclusion and initial rejection faced by the Canaanite woman, but also showcases the remarkable grace extended to her through her persistent faith. The theme emphasizes the importance of embracing faith, experiencing inner transformation, and recognizing the widening of God's grace to all who seek Him, transcending cultural boundaries and labels.
- Aug 13, 2023Fear and Faith: Matthew 14:22-33
Fear and Faith: Matthew 14:22-33Fear and faith go hand in hand in the story of Jesus walking on water. The disciples' struggle with faith but find the reassurance of God's presence. We all face the troubles of fear, doubt, and feeling isolated in our faith. But we too have God's grace, deliverance, and forgiveness. Within this supportive community, we seek God's voice, trust in His presence, and find comfort in the fellowship of believers.
- Aug 6, 2023Scarcity Transformed: Matthew 14:13-21
Scarcity Transformed: Matthew 14:13-21In Matthew 14:13-21, we witness Jesus' response to the disciples' trouble as they faced a desolate place with limited resources. The passage illustrates the concept of "trouble" - the challenges and limitations we encounter in life. However, through Jesus' miraculous feeding of the five thousand, we find the embodiment of "grace" - the abundant provision and sustenance that God offers in the midst of our troubles. This sermon will explore how God's grace transforms scarcity into abundance and provides us with hope, even in the most challenging circumstances.
- Jul 30, 2023Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5
Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5In the midst of a power outage--and thus a Zoom service, Keith Klemmer, one of our elders reminded us of God's Spirit in our midst.
- Jul 23, 2023Patient Farming: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Patient Farming: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43Amidst the coexistence of righteousness and evil, this service aims to instill hope and assurance in the congregation by exploring God's righteous judgment in the parable of the wheat and the weeds. It encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that God will bring justice. Through this message, the congregation is invited to find hope and comfort in the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness, even in the face of evil and challenges in the world.
- Jul 16, 2023Receptive Soil: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Receptive Soil: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23We are all at some point, or always, all of the different soils here in Matt 13. We are called to embrace the abundance of God's Word, recognizing the various conditions of the heart that can hinder receptivity, and to nurture the receptive soil within, allowing God's transformative power to take root and bear abundant fruit in our lives.
- Jul 9, 2023Restful Teachings: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Restful Teachings: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30Jesus offers us rest for our souls, rest that I’m sure we all desperately long for in our lives of business, infinite to-dos, and crowded schedules. And where should we find this rest? In the teachings of God. God's teachings provide rest by offering us guidance, wisdom, moral clarity, assurance, and transformation. They lead us into a deeper relationship with God, where we find true rest for our souls as we align ourselves with His truth and experience the abundant life He desires for us.
