Sun, Jun 27, 2021
Duration: 49 mins 51 secs
Miracles are hard to believe in our secular age. We are trained to be skeptics, to view the world as a closed and often cold system. If God ever existed, he left us long ago, thinks the skeptic. But Jesus gives us a glimpse of "God with us" and engaged in powerful acts of healing, restoring, and welcome. He has authority over nature, demons, sin, and death. These are evidences he is Messiah, Son of God. And we should let the evidence address our inner skeptic, so we see the world buzzing with divine life.
Sun, Jun 20, 2021
Duration: 1 hr 10 mins 12 secs
When we walk and talk with God, he often reveals truths that direct us. In this message, Matt shares about his Bike Ride Epiphanies. God called out his fear, called him to humility and brokenness. Only in this place do we truly experience the peace of Jesus, who is our peace.
Sun, Jun 13, 2021
I love America, but out political discourse has become deplorable. Negative polarization has pushed us to extremes. Rather than listen to others and seek for common ground, we villainize those on the opposite aisle. This is sad. Worse yet, in many ways the church has traded her public witness for political power. This sermon looks at the politics of Jesus and the apostle Paul, a history of evangelical missteps, and ways we can recover our public witness as God's people.
Sun, Jun 13, 2021
Following Jesus's powerful words from Sermon the Mount, he performed powerful works. He healed a ritually unclean person, an ethnic outsider, and someone from another gender. His compassionate healing is awe-inspiring. Then he provided two harsh words to would-be disciples. Following him should not be flippant. In fact, those who follow Jesus may have to forget their comforts to take up his calling.
Sun, May 23, 2021
Duration: 53 mins 29 secs
Do not be deceived: Civil rights gains did not erase racial tensions. They have been simmering for decades, and the spotlight on police shootings has amplified tensions. Nearly one year from the anniversary of George Floyd's death, cries for equality and the end of racism persist. Meanwhile, a swell of "fragile" and "privileged" white people have begun to wonder if they are bigots or victims of reverse bigotry. In other words, our world is a mess. Fortunately, the Bible teaches that we share a common ancestry and our God loves the nations impartially. The gospel is public news for all peoples, and racial reconciliation is one evidence of the gospel at work. Indeed, we have work -- tough, messy, emotional, just work -- to do.
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, May 09, 2021
Duration: 55 mins 54 secs
The topic of gender identity has taken our world by storm. It especially affects the younger generation, who has seen a meteoric rise in trans-labels. State laws and recent executive moves have helped cement transgender identity into everyday life. So how should Christians respond? Well, simply put, with compassion and conviction. This sermon defines terms, outlines social implications, and looks at Genesis and Jesus to reaffirm the good, orderly, essential creation of male and female. It also accounts for gender identities that don't fit. Four biblical insights and Christians postures conclude the message.
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Duration: 44 mins 52 secs
The blessing is not just our pursuit (e.g., Jacob) or purpose (e.g., Abram). The blessing is our practice. God wants us to speak good words, prayers of peace and prosperity, over others. As high priest of Israel, Aaron did this in Numbers 6:24-26. The responsibility is extended to believers today; we serve as a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:9). Blessing is a word of hope or permission, free of condemnation, and signified with a physical touch. Today we will bless be blessed.
Sun, Mar 28, 2021
Duration: 43 mins 53 secs
Several Psalms point toward the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Psalm 118 plays a pivotal role in Jesus's Passion Week. The crowd sings it when he enters Jerusalem. He quotes when he tells a story. The disciples sing it after the Passover meal. This Psalm provides three dominant metaphors for God's people. We are exiles, pilgrims, and rejects. This describes the experience of many Christians in our secular age. Fortunately, these images do not get the last word. We are also redeemed by the rejected Savior. In this we rejoice.
Sun, Mar 21, 2021
Duration: 34 mins 11 secs
Pastor Tim talks with Monica and Jesse about their relationship to Jesus. We often speak about it being "personal," well, this was an opportunity for different persons to discuss what that looks like. They have great things to say.