Sun, Nov 13, 2022
In Zechariah's second and third visions, God shows the prophet the future of Jerusalem. The old days of displacement will be replaced with a new day of worship. God will open the city's gates, widen its borders, and welcome worshippers from all directions. More importantly, God will remove Israel's enemies, her guilt, and dwell in her midst. This is the way God works: old losses are fertile grounds for new beginnings.
Sun, Oct 30, 2022
Duration: 39 mins 52 secs
Zephaniah looks forward. Way forward. He describes God's coming kingdom on some far-off day. It will be a fearless future: no more lies, pride, shame, or false worship. It will be a festive future: God's joyful presence will be palpable. The imagery is inviting and inspired. It should give us hope for our fearless and festive future.
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, Jul 24, 2022
Duration: 39 mins 38 secs
Work can be grueling, laborious, and vain. We feed the machine. We follow routine. Day after day, we complete our tasks, only to do them again the next day. Work, though, is not worthless. God gives it to us for sustenance and significance. We work for him. Day after day, we undertake our tasks with the hope of the resurrection undergirding us.
Sun, Dec 19, 2021
Duration: 38 mins 54 secs
Before the Christ was a person, it was a position loaded with anticipation. In Jesus's day, people expected the Christ to be a strong king in the line of David, a holy priest, a prophet; some envisioned two Christs. Regardless, Jesus defied all the expectations becoming a Christ who would suffer for the people to set them free. This secured an eternal relationship with Jesus, whereby we are "in Christ" and he is in us. Indeed, Christ is more than position; he is a person who loves us.
Sun, Oct 03, 2021
Duration: 45 mins 45 secs
Exile dramatically shaped Jewish history. It was their low point, rock bottom. In exile, they began to reinterpret the past, pour out their laments, and grasp for hope. Some Jews in exile grew rigid. Others became fragile. Those that comprised the faithful remnant remained flexible: seeking the peace of the foreign city while staying faithful to God's commands. Esther 2:5-20 provides an historical glimpse into this period of exile and how two Jews--Mordecai and Esther--sought to live faithfully, albeit imperfectly, in the age of exile.
Sun, Aug 01, 2021
Duration: 46 mins 33 secs
Want to know why sorrow is the least know "deadly sin"? It was struck from the original list. However, when sorrow takes control of our minds, it has a deadly effect: pulling us from the present and stealing our joy. This message will consider variations of sorrow, the reality of depression, and importance of wisdom--sorrow's counter-virtue--in managing our emotions, eliminating our excuses, and expanding our life narrative.
Sun, May 24, 2020
Duration: 41 mins 39 secs
Our love for others -- church members, family, neighbor, and coworkers -- will never be perfect. We will be deficient in our care. Fortunately, if we are consistent in our care, it covers a multitude of failures and missteps. The apostle Paul closes out his lovely exhortation about love, speaking of its consistent nature: bearing, trusting, hoping, and enduring all things, always. As the message will illustrate, this is easier said than done.
Sun, Apr 12, 2020
Duration: 36 mins 44 secs
Everywhere you go these days you hear the phrases, "Stay healthy" or "Be safe." I started tacking on the exhortation, "Stay hopeful." Then I realized, hope is not an afterthought but the core to Christian living in critical times. This sermon traces the theme of hope -- a fixed past, promised future, and God's faithfulness amid present fears -- through the book of Romans. It encourages us to refocus.
Sun, Aug 25, 2019
Duration: 47 mins 29 secs
This sermon addresses the need for hope when you've lost your "bounce" in life. Sometimes it feels like you're jumping on a concrete trampoline. Suffering is real. Pain often lingers. Fortunately, the presence and power of God is real. He is trustworthy. In the midst of our hardships we can look to him.
.jpeg?64188940)
