Sun, Mar 05, 2017
Duration: 34 mins 28 secs
Jesus suffered and so will his followers. The apostle Peter circles around this theme several times. He implores them to face proper, expectant suffering at the hands of their religious opponents, not to create suffering by posturing or provoking others to anger. The gospel brings its own offense. Many stumbled over Jesus. When followers of Jesus experience similar suffering, like Christ they should face it with joy knowing God uses it to purify them and build character.
Sun, Feb 26, 2017
Duration: 40 mins 18 secs
"The End is Near." The line often sends chills up on the spine. However, when Peter says it, he does not intend his readers to cower. Rather, he implores his readers to go out with a glorious bang, shocking the world with their self-restraint, self-sacrifice, and solidarity.
Sun, Feb 19, 2017
Duration: 46 mins 48 secs
God uses our lives as a glorious witness. Peter encourages his readers to think this way as they face slander and other forms of suffering as Christian outsiders. "Speak hope with your lives," he implores them. The challenge is as relevant today as ever.
Sun, Feb 05, 2017
Duration: 43 mins 31 secs
What compelled me to move a row of the seats to the outer walls of our sanctuary? What compelled me to spy on members of our congregation this week? I wanted to immerse our congregation in Peter's reality of living as glorious strangers. We are being watched. We should give the world a life worthy of watching.
Sun, Jan 29, 2017
Duration: 40 mins 13 secs
We think of honor as something we earn, win, or achieve. In Peter's day, honor was one's inherited or ascribed worth, but symbolized by one's titles, dress, headpiece, and seat at the table. Strangers and foreigners had no honor, unless ascribed by a higher authority. Fortunately for Peter's audience (and the modern church), the Heavenly Father grants honor to His people. He granted them a new and marvelous identity in Christ: chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, God's possession.
Sun, Dec 11, 2016
Duration: 32 mins 45 secs
Christmas season comprises many wonders - lights, songs, family traditions, and commercial delights (e.g. Santa). It also boasts the most wonderful story: the birth of Jesus. The gospel of Luke captures this wonderful theme in its telling, but also implies there's something more than wonderful. There is worship. It is why God came: to defy the odds, break the norm, shatter strongholds, and make rebels into worshipers.
Sun, Nov 06, 2016
Duration: 40 mins 52 secs
One of ten lepers Jesus healed was exceptional. By his gratitude he stood out from the group. This Samaritan outcast returned to Jesus to express his thanks and set a precedent for all who want to experience the full, whole, healed life. Gratitude is essential to following Jesus.
Sun, Oct 16, 2016
When darkness covers the Psalmist (n 88), he cries out to God. There is nowhere else to go; neither is there any guarantee God will help him. His friends have deserted him. His health is has failed him. He laments. God invites us to cry out to him in times of personal crisis. We must learn to speak our griefs to the God who saves, even if our circumstances remain grim.
Sun, Oct 09, 2016
Duration: 36 mins 59 secs
We are blessed when we confess. David knew this, he rejoiced in God's forgiveness rather than hiding in his sinfulness. Psalm 32 explains the physical and emotional pain sin causes, as well as our tendency to cover it up by ignoring, minimizing, justifying, or overshadowing sin with good deeds. In the end, the best solution to sin is confession.
Sun, Jul 10, 2016
Duration: 38 mins 34 secs
The curb appeal for the church should not be bustling children's ministries, innovative outreach efforts, or exegetical preaching. Jesus said love should define believers. Unfortunately, bad press and bad behavior has given the church a bad reputation -- throwing punches, not giving hugs. This sermon calls for a return to love, the central ethic for followers of Jesus.
