in Anniversary Sunday, communion, community, discipleship, fellowship, generosity, giving, God's power, Jesus Christ, service, worship
I can smell the hands of fishermen
Over the past many centuries, the followers of Jesus have been through a lot of ups and downs. Over time we can lose (a) our sense of connection to those who have gone before, and...
in Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, peace
How does the peace of Christ rule in our hearts?
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Have you ever paused to really think through what that means? It sounds like a very, very good thing. But what specifically is “the peace...
in faith, fear, Jesus, spiritual warfare
Mesus, McJesus, and the rise of Fear
“Mesus” is a temptation for all of us; it’s self-projection. “McJesus” is consumerism gone bad, even with our faith–picking and choosing beliefs, even drawing from other religions. When these things happen, fear and anxiety can...
God meets you where you’re at
Johnny Cash was down and almost out in Nickajack cave when God came to him personally. Saul was headed to Damascus to persecute Christians when God came to him personally. This tells us something. In...
The Supremacy, Sufficiency and Security of Christ
The supremacy of Jesus sounds like a lofty idea. It might even sound like playground posturing: ‘My brother is bigger and stronger than your brother…’ But when Paul explains it to the Colossians it’s because...
in fellowship, maturity
What people on the narrow path need
They knew Jesus, but were swerving off course. That’s when a wiser, more mature Christian stepped in to help. This sermon is Part 1 in a new teaching series on the book of Colossians. They...
in faith, resurrection
Did the resurrection really happen? (Part 2) Explaining and defending our foundational belief
Our faith seems to be increasingly under attack by the society around us. It’s gone from gentle skepticism to more aggressive criticism. In this context, are you able to humbly yet confidently explain or defend...
in belief, resurrection
Did the resurrection really happen? Explaining and defending our foundational belief
The resurrection of Christ is paramount. Without it our faith is “futile,” says Paul. It is vindication and victory, triumph over tribulation, the defeat of sin, Satan, death and darkness, and help and hope for...
in assurance, belief, Bible, church, confidence, easter, faith, God's power, good news, hope, Jesus Christ, resurrection
“Is everything sad going to come untrue?”
At the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy Frodo asks, “Is everything sad going to come untrue?” Because of the resurrection of Christ, the answer is Yes! The resurrection was about one person,...
in Good Friday, hope, resurrection
The Perfect Blood of the Lamb
The imagery is kind of harsh. Blood? In fact, some people try to avoid talking about it. But Good Friday is not a time for closing our eyes to the reality of sin, suffering and...