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Sun, Oct 23, 2022
In the Information Age, we do not have to look far to see people failing. Politicians lie. Athletes cheat. Actors abuse. CEOs intimidate. And it's not just THOSE leaders in the world who are guilty. Abuse, scandal, and deception dwell within the church. Every month another spiritual leader falls from grace. We can wag our fingers, shake our heads, and join the chorus of critics. Or we can look inward at our own wayward hearts. We too walk a perilous path. We must check it for pitfalls.
Sun, Oct 16, 2022
God is not fond of our tendency toward idolatry, indifference, and independence. He wants people who worship in earnest, whose lives are surrendered to him. Sadly, throughout history his people have chosen their own way. This is the case in Zephaniah's day. The prophet gave the people a wake up call. The church may need one, as well. We are no less prone to idolatry, indifference, and independence. Today is an opportunity to come out of hiding.
Sun, Oct 09, 2022
Duration: 39 mins 44 secs
We can hope for a raise, traffic-free commute to work, or clear bill of health. These hopes are not based upon biblical promises but wishful thinking. According to Hebrews, hope is rooted in the promises of God and anchored in Jesus. God's faithfulness in the past guarantees his faithfulness in the future. He promises forgiveness, justice, His presence, and coming kingdom. Placing our hope in the wrong things leads to disappointment and despair. We must place our hope in Christ; he will not let us down.
Sun, Sep 25, 2022
Duration: 35 mins 45 secs
Church is a community. It's not a time. It's not a place. It's not a religious content delivery system. When the people of God gather, love for the Lord and one another should increase. The church is a love generator. We need the church to push us past our busyness, fear, or selfishness to love others. We need "super spurer" to model love for us.
Sun, Sep 18, 2022
Duration: 44 mins 58 secs
Echo chambers tell you what you want to hear (want to hear, want to hear). They reinforce your political leanings, personal convictions, and core beliefs without encouraging critical reflection. The church is not an echo chamber. It is a faith incubator. It gathers people to form them into Christlikeness. Jesus is our focus, model, and great high priest. The author of Hebrews expounds on this theme, calling his readers to a life of faith, love, and hope. Today we talk about faith formation.
Sun, Sep 04, 2022
Duration: 37 mins 18 secs
Paul was in prison. Alone. It wasn't his first time but was bound to be his last time. He had fought his fight and run his race. In his final correspondence with his beloved protege, Timothy, he requests his presence. In the meantime, the Lord stood by him and strengthened him. Even in our loneliest moments, the Lord stands by us. He gives us insight. He empowers us.
Sun, Aug 28, 2022
Passage: John 4:3-42
Duration: 36 mins 30 secs
The woman at the well is iconic. She comes alone in the heat of the day. She has bad blood and a questionable past. And yet, Jesus shows her warmth. He engages in a spiritual conversation that exposes her misplaced wants and misguided worship. He offers her living water. She takes the offer and tells her whole town about it. Her story starts a revival. Actually, Jesus started the revival by showing the kind of warmth he continues to show us today.
Sun, Aug 21, 2022
Duration: 42 mins 21 secs
We all have things about ourselves we hide. Ghosts from our pasts. Wound we want no one to know. Failures we fear define us and will leave us destitute if they come to light. A word that captures these feelings is shame. It's real, painful, and crippling. The bad news is we have a spiritual accuser (Satan), who bullies us with shame. The good news is that God can remove our shame. His grace and forgiveness is a beautiful replacement. Zechariah saw this acted out in a vision with the high priest Joshua.
Sun, Aug 14, 2022
Duration: 37 mins 55 secs
Pain is real and it warps our sense of reality. It can steal our joy, ruin our relationships, and upset our tidy theology. Pain can also push us toward God as we cry to him in desperation. This was Hannah's story, filled with heartache over her infertility. She wept, prayed, and made a vow to God. He showed up, answered her petition, and soothed her ailing soul. We, too, pine for his healing presence in our pain.
Sun, Aug 07, 2022
Duration: 44 mins 13 secs
Moses met God. He was going about his shepherding duties, when he encountered God in the far side of the desert. He drew close to a burning bush and God spoke. He shared with Moses his plan to rescue Israel and assured him he was the man for the job. Sadly, Moses deflected and deferred. Facing God forced him to face his false self. The same thing happens with us: divine encounters expose our self-deception.
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