Sun, Mar 19, 2023
Duration: 43 mins 25 secs
Loss is inevitable in this life. The longer we live the more we lose. Grief is the natural response to these losses. It is especially good to grieve when a loved one dies. However, grief must not last forever. Christians have hope in everlasting life, resurrection, and reunion with our loved ones in Christ. This sermon will encourage us to grieve well and hope better.
Sun, Mar 12, 2023
Duration: 48 mins 13 secs
If Simple Living sounds like a magazine title, it's because it is. If it sounds too easier said than done, it's because it is. Living simply is counter cultural. We live in a busy, noisy, greedy age. We want more and do more to get it. We do more and want more as a result. This is not good for Christian witness. Thus, Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians remains relevant: keep striving to live simply. We can do less, buy less, and speak less to excel more for Jesus.
Sun, Mar 05, 2023
Duration: 48 mins 13 secs
Sex is everywhere. Our world treats it like it's everything. Sadly, sexual brokenness abounds. Paul writes to the Thessalonians about their ongoing spiritual formation. Sexual integrity is one aspect. Though sexual immorality seems to affect a minority of the church, Paul addresses it, knowing the promiscuous port city may tempt them. Sexual integrity is about avoiding self-indulgence, respecting others, and embracing God's design. Finally, sex outside of marriage is not the unpardonable sin. God's grace runs deep.
Sun, Feb 26, 2023
Duration: 41 mins 11 secs
Prayer is a way of connecting with God. We share our heart for him. We express our love for others. This conversation should overflow in our lives. Paul prayed like this for the Thessalonians while apart from them. It is a model prayer.
Sun, Feb 05, 2023
Change is challenging. We like our routines. We get stuck in our ways. Predictable is comfortable. However, God invites us to change. The living and true God wants our full allegiance, which means rooting out idols and serving his purposes. This opening sermon in the new series will provide background to Thessalonians, Paul's gratitude for good work, good news, and good examples. And it will inspire a call to change that could turn the world upside down!
Sun, Jan 15, 2023
Duration: 47 mins 36 secs
"You be you. Express yourself. Find your inner shine." These are common exhortations in our age where the individual reigns supreme. They are also at odds with life "in Christ," where our real ID comes from our relationship to God. Jesus made a way for us to join God's family. To be "in Christ" is to be a beloved child of God. Our real ID is eternal; it will outlast any earthly status. We'll talk about it today and hear from a panel on the subject.
Sun, Jan 08, 2023
Duration: 43 mins 12 secs
Jesus left the earthly stage, but his show goes on. We serve in his absence. We serve by his Spirit. Everyone in Christ is a participant in his great redemption story. As great as this news sounds, we must constantly resist the contamination story we inherited from Adam. In this message, learn about the Tale of Two Adams, contamination scripts, and how spiritual disciplines help you overcome sin.
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, May 16, 2021
Duration: 52 mins 46 secs
Sexual identity has become a central aspect of cultural changes in the past few decades. Not only has society broadened its sexual ethic and expanded its definition of marriage and family, evangelical Christians have wrestled to understand and welcome openly gay believers like they understand and welcome those whose lives are colored by alcoholism, anxiety, greed, and pornography. In short, the balance of grace and truth is challenging. This sermon provides a brief history of the LGBTQ ascendance, key terms, a look at key texts about gay sexual practice, and four postures for responding like Jesus.
Sun, Nov 01, 2020
Evil exists in our world. If we're not careful, we'll feed it or fall into its trap. Fortunately, the apostle Paul describes a posture, perspective, and protection available to us as we battle spiritual powers. And, when in doubt, we can pray: it is the bottom line weapon in apprehending God's protection over us.