Who Turned Off the Lights
The journey of a disciple of Jesus may take many directions. As one of the first men called to discipleship by the Lord, Peter found that his world was turned around and changed forever. And yet, in following the Lord, he found a peace that passed all understanding. In the final words of his second epistle, he wrote to his Christian flock, “Therefore, beloved . . . be . . . at peace” (2 Peter 3:14). The people of God are peaceable people through whom the Spirit works, fashioning them as peacemakers and peace-bringers to a world in need of the peace that is in Christ alone.
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- Jan 22, 2017Who Turned Off the LightsWho Turned Off the LightsThe journey of a disciple of Jesus may take many directions. As one of the first men called to discipleship by the Lord, Peter found that his world was turned around and changed forever. And yet, in following the Lord, he found a peace that passed all understanding. In the final words of his second epistle, he wrote to his Christian flock, “Therefore, beloved . . . be . . . at peace” (2 Peter 3:14). The people of God are peaceable people through whom the Spirit works, fashioning them as peacemakers and peace-bringers to a world in need of the peace that is in Christ alone.
- Jan 15, 2017The Word: God’s WordThe Word: God’s WordJesus give us words in His teaching and He is the Word made flesh. Thus, it's vital that we hear and practice His words. In today’s message we talk about the nature and character of Jesus’ words - how they are perfect - and how they call us both to faith and to action.
- Jan 8, 2017The Story – God’s Big StoryThe Story – God’s Big Story
The story of the Bible moves from God’s Creation to our Fall to Christ’s Redemption to the Final Restoration. In the introduction to our new message series, we look at how Christ undoes the curse of our Fall into sin by becoming cursed on a cross for us. - Jan 1, 2017Faith vs. FearFaith vs. Fear
…let us put aside our self-centered fears and paranoia and embrace the fear of the Lord. We face the reality of a new year, an unknown future with faith, accompanied by our Lord, Savior and brother. He does not abandon us. The shadows of life are illuminated by the Light—Immanuel, God with us! - Dec 25, 2016What Was Seen at BethlehemWhat Was Seen at Bethlehem
Jesus is God, Creator, Lord of the universe, and yet also man. What a mystery, and what a testimony! Imagine being there in Bethlehem, and seeing the infant Jesus with your own eyes. What would you have seen? And how would you testify to others about what you had seen? The Apostle Luke says that the angels testified that the Savior had been born (Luke 2:11). The Apostle John testifies that the Christ was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). We receive the testimony, and by the Holy Spirit we are able to believe it. May our lives be transformed by this Truth – the Son of God has come to us! - Dec 24, 2016God’s Christmas Gift to You
- Dec 18, 2016The Ghost of Christmas Future – TransformationThe Ghost of Christmas Future – Transformation
The Ghost of Christmas Future was sent to terrify Ebenezer Scrooge (from Charles Dicken’sA Christmas Carol) with a vision of his future - one of loneliness, gloom, and death - if he did not change his ways. During our worship today, may we experience a renewed wonder that our God was incarnate and sent to this world at Christmas to give us a vision of our future: one of joy, peace, and glory! - Dec 11, 2016The Ghost of Christmas Present – RepentanceThe Ghost of Christmas Present – RepentanceIn Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Present was sent to haunt Ebenezer Scrooge with visions of his miserable condition. In the same way, our God sends the Holy Spirit to us through His Word to bring us to repentance about the sin that causes the misery in our lives. May we open our hearts to the visitation of the Holy Spirit in our worship as we await Christmas.
- Dec 4, 2016The Ghost of Christmas Past – SorrowThe Ghost of Christmas Past – SorrowThe weeks of Advent which lead up to the celebration of Christmas can be times of sorrow for many people, for many reasons. It may feel that we bear spiritual chains, just as the ghost of Marley did at the beginning of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. May it be that we are freed from any and all sorrow by the visitation of the Holy Spirit, during worship today.
- Nov 27, 2016Developing Patience and PrayerDeveloping Patience and Prayer
A lot of your life is spent waiting. You need patience in every area of your life. The book of James teaches us about patience. In chapter 5, St. James uses the word "patience" or "perseverance" six times, giving us three different illustrations to teach us when to be patient, why to be patient, and how to be patient. But what shall we do while we wait? James concludes his epistle with clear instructions to pray in our challenges and to pray in our waiting. Prayer allows us to wait with hope. As we begin this season of Advent, that is just what we do ... wait with hope! - Nov 20, 2016Being Wise with Your Wealth
- Nov 14, 2016God at Work in Faithful WarriorsGod at Work in Faithful Warriors
Even in battle, God goes with and before his people. He gives audacious courage to a young shepherd boy facing a war-hardened giant. He gives unequaled faith to a humble centurion. And God guides America's greatest generation to victory in an epic struggle between good and evil. - Nov 6, 2016Facing Your FutureFacing Your FutureWouldn't you like to be able to predict the future? People try. Some use tea leaves, fortune cookies, astrology, palm reading and more - all in an effort to get a grasp on the future. We read books, subscribe to services that provide forecasts and economic predictions. We attend conferences and seminars on planning and goal setting, and on and on. But what is the Christian viewpoint toward the future? How are we to prepare for and react to the unknowns in our future? St. James has something to say about that - including some mistakes to avoid.
- Oct 30, 2016Not Trying to Play GodNot Trying to Play GodWe tend to judge others. We don't like to admit it, but we make judgments about other people. We don't always speak those judgments out-loud, but we make them in our heart. We do this with people we are close to, as well as people we've only observed briefly. The truth is that what we judge in others is in fact often the very thing we dislike in ourselves. Psychologists have known this for a long time - we tend to react to what we perceive as our own weaknesses. This makes sense, because we are all guilty of breaking the same Law - God's Law. The challenge for us, James points out, is that there is only one Lawgiver - and therefore only one Judge. God.
- Oct 23, 2016Avoiding ArgumentsAvoiding Arguments
James doesn't beat around the bush. He gets right to the point. He doesn't waste any time. Long before modern psychology came along he had some profound insights on the cause of conflict: "What causes fights and quarrels among you. Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" (4:1) James says that the cause of arguments is conflicting desires. When my wants conflict with your wants we have conflict. The question we discuss today, is how does the Christian respond when that happens?
