Sermons

ABIDING in Christ produces more than admirers. It bears fruitful followers. Admirers give respect and warm approval from a distance. They are personally detached. Followers are striving to be what they admire. They are vitally connected to Christ and His Church. Which are you? Are you a detached, looking-on-from-a-distance ‘admirer’ or a vitally connected, actively…

Our stated mission is to glorify God in everything we do. It’s our driving force, top goal, and the thing we sell out to every single time. But how do we achieve this in 2020? We don’t have to make something up or be paralyzed by a lack of knowledge because God tells us! He…

The Gospel has power to change everything for us in Jesus Christ, and to prepare us for the kingdom of God. As we begin a new year in 2020, I want to encourage us with this power we have - as described by Jesus, Peter and Paul; to show what this power is meant to…

What was your 2019 like? It’s that time of year when it is helpful to review the past year and recall all the ways God kept his promises so that as we look ahead into 2020, we are propelled to be faith-filled followers of our promise-keeping God. It’s time to put up some stone of…

Who your family is defines you in many ways. We try hard to ‘doctor’ the image of our family. We manipulate the image because we don’t want to show the true, messy picture. But Jesus’ messy family is not hidden, but shown for who they are. He offers a whole new identity defined by grace,…

1, 2, 3, 3A, 5, 6, 7… It’s such an off-limits topic, that my elevator doesn’t have a floor (3A???) that is pronounced like the word “death” in Chinese. But death can’t be ignored at Christmas. It was part of the Mess of Christmas…boys in Bethlehem died as part of the story and Rachel’s tears…

Do you know what the problem with Christmas is? Familiarity makes the shockingly wild story almost explainable. The familiar tale of the birth of a peasant’s child becomes a charming, but unimportant picture unless it is explained by God. But oh, when we hear His explanation does the beauty of Christmas bring great joy…Jesus will…

‘Expect the worst and you won’t be disappointed’ is a motto many live by because they’ve been disappointed so many times. Waiting in expectation, only to be let down and disappointed is messy and hard. It’s hard to the point of total discouragement. Is there anyone who will fulfill your expectations? Is it worth the…

Do you like to feel weak, helpless, and lacking? Of course not! We all would much rather be rich, strong, and respected. We want to achieve these things, and for most of us our value, worth, and identity are based on how much we do to achieve them. So it’s shocking how Jesus answers when…

Is it permissible to get a divorce? Is it possible/acceptable to find a way out of marriage? Jesus was asked this question as a test and answered by recovering God’s design and provision for marriage. He then gives His answer. It will surprise you.