Oct 1, 2023
Persevere in Humility: Philippians 2:1-13
Humility is the cornerstone of Christian perseverance. Humility, as exemplified by Christ, empowers us to persevere through life's challenges and maintain unity with others.
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  • Oct 1, 2023Persevere in Humility: Philippians 2:1-13
    Oct 1, 2023
    Persevere in Humility: Philippians 2:1-13
    Humility 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
    Sep 24, 2023
    Perserverance: Phil 1:21-30
    This 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
    Sep 17, 2023
    Boundless Grace: ​Matthew 18:21-35
    Through 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
    Sep 10, 2023
    United in Faith​: Matthew 18:15-20
    Though 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 ​
    Sep 3, 2023
    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 ​​
    Aug 27, 2023
    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 ​
    Aug 20, 2023
    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​
    Aug 13, 2023
    Fear and Faith: Matthew 14:22-33​
    Fear 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​
    Aug 6, 2023
    Scarcity Transformed: Matthew 14:13-21​
    In 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
    Jul 30, 2023
    Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5
    In 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​
    Jul 23, 2023
    Patient Farming: ​Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43​
    Amidst 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
    Jul 16, 2023
    Receptive Soil: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
    We 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
    Jul 9, 2023
    Restful Teachings: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
    Jesus 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.
  • Jul 2, 2023Receptive Discernment: Matthew 10:40-42
    Jul 2, 2023
    Receptive Discernment: Matthew 10:40-42
    This sermon aims to encourage the congregation to cultivate receptive hearts and discerning spirits in their relationship with God. It emphasizes the rewards associated with welcoming God's messengers and the importance of discerning truth from falsehood. By nurturing openness and discernment, we can better receive God's message and respond faithfully to His call. Ultimately, this sermon calls for a balanced approach, combining receptivity with discernment, as we strive to embrace and embody God's truth in our lives. This sermon aims to encourage the congregation to cultivate receptive hearts and discerning spirits in their relationship with God. It emphasizes the rewards associated with welcoming God's messengers and the importance of discerning truth from falsehood. By nurturing openness and discernment, we can better receive God's message and respond faithfully to His call. Ultimately, this sermon calls for a balanced approach, combining receptivity with discernment, as we strive to embrace and embody God's truth in our lives.
  • Jun 25, 2023Costly Grace
    Jun 25, 2023
    Costly Grace
    Matt 10:24-39 This text can be problematic and disturbing, but nestled in verses 29-31 is the comforting reminder of God’s care for even the smallest creatures, assuring us of God’s watchful eye and provision. This demonstrates God’s faithfulness and highlights God’s role as a loving parent who looks after us children.
  • Jun 18, 2023Bridging the Gap
    Jun 18, 2023
    Bridging the Gap
    Matt 9:35-10:8 Who but Jesus could actually do what he is asking of the disciples and us? The work of God in the world often seems impossible for people to perform, yet we are entrusted with proclaiming the good news and working the harvest. We need to find “the faith to see that the gap between the real and the ideal can in fact be bridged. Jesus, at least, seems to think we can get the job done, even if it will not be easy” (Wimberly, FOW, 144).
  • Jun 11, 2023Limited to Liberated
    Jun 11, 2023
    Limited to Liberated
    Matt 9:9-13, 18-26 By extending his love and compassion to Matthew, the woman, and the girl, Jesus breaks societal barriers and demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. He offers them a new identity and a place in the kingdom of God, where their labels and conditions no longer define them. Jesus invites them into a realm where there is hope for change, acceptance, and a transformed life.
  • Jun 4, 2023Doubt
    Jun 4, 2023
    Doubt
    Matt 28:16-20 In this great commission, doubt is overcome by presence. As the disciples gathered to worship, some doubted, and Jesus counters their doubt with a promise of authority and lasting presence. Doubt plagues us all, running the risk of making fools of all people of faith. However, “the LORD is with us, and all authority has been given to Christ,” and we are not fools, but a people of faith.
  • May 28, 2023Drinking the Spirit
    May 28, 2023
    Drinking the Spirit
    Acts 2:1-21 Peter plays on the accusation of those who claim the apostles are drunk by countering with the pouring out of the Spirit. Rather than drinking alcohol, the apostles are drinking of the Holy Spirit. This pairs well with another metaphor, eating the word of God (Jer 15:16; Ezek 2:8-3:3; Rev 10:8-11). We are a people who are nourished by eating God’s word and washing it down with the Holy Spirit.
  • May 21, 2023Above All
    May 21, 2023
    Above All
    Series: Easter 2023
    Eph 1:15-23 Without recounting the story, Paul speaks to the significance of Jesus’ ascension. Not only is Christ seated above all others and his name elevated above all names, but his ascension also marks Christ’s placement as head of the Church, the fullness of Jesus. The ascension of Jesus marks the headship of the Church. Therefore, as the Church acknowledges the ascension of Jesus, it also acknowledges the authority of Christ.