Sun, Aug 27, 2023
Duration: 40 mins 20 secs
People are messy. This applies to the church. God's people are not immune to sin. We think too highly of ourselves. We create stumbling blocks for ourselves and others. We wander. Hence, Jesus envisioned the church as a community of correction and exhortation. We confront others without accusing them. We insist on holiness. This is called church discipline. It has formative and corrective applications. It helps bring structure where messes abound. (NOTE: Around 34:40, the audio dropped out. Part of the sermon was lost. The quality of the last five minutes of the recording is not as good.)
Sun, Aug 20, 2023
The call to discipleship is costly. Jesus said this clearly. His first followers lived this reality. In the 2000 year history of the church, disciples have lost rights, comforts, and their very lives. Confessing Jesus as the Christ, Son of God, and Lord has consequences. But with this confession comes a spiritual community, mission, and eternal reward. Is it worth it? Absolutely. (NOTE: There is a deliberate break in the sermon. When it resumes, the lapel microphone has cut out, so the quality of the last 10 minutes is poor.)
Sun, Apr 02, 2023
Duration: 46 mins 47 secs
The letter to the Thessalonians ends with a recital of house rules. He fires off the instructions to conclude this friendly letter to ensure the church remains healthy. These words address leadership, community, perspective, and discernment. These principles are still relevant for healthy churches.
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 22, 2023
Duration: 36 mins 19 secs
All who are in Christ are incorporated in the church. To illustrate this, Paul loved using the body as an organic metaphor. The human body is fearfully and wonderfully made. It is comprised of many parts, working together to help us labor, play, grow, and live with others. The church should be a picture of unity in diversity. Different gifted people share a goal and an ethic in helping others know Jesus better and give Jesus their best.
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, Jul 03, 2022
When asked about the greatest command, Jesus didn't hesitate: "Love God with everything." The source of this teaching was the famous catechesis of ancient Israel, often called the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). The Shema joins a theological statement with a command. It confesses the uniqueness of God and calls for loving him. God is the single greatest reality. Love is our single greatest responsibility. Such faith is formed best in community.
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.
