Sun, Apr 16, 2023
Duration: 46 mins 41 secs
To make peace with others we have to take peace from Jesus. He offered his prevailing peace to disciples. When Christ is central, the troubles of this world become less threatening. They lose their ability to unravel us. We can face our anxious age with confidence. This sermon will consider three ways polarization causes peace to fail in our age, and four ways we can keep Jesus central.
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, Dec 12, 2021
Duration: 38 mins 57 secs
What we save shows what we value. We save coupons, Christmas ornaments, plastic grocery bags, and a thousand other things. Each item signifies security, flexibility, utility, or identity. Jesus saved people, all types of people. His salvation is comprehensive, beautiful, and necessary. His title "Savior" is central to the Christmas story.
Sun, Nov 14, 2021
Duration: 44 mins 12 secs
Esther's second feast has begun. King Xerxes has run out of patience. Haman is covered in shame. When the king asks Queen Esther for her petition and requests, she offers a brilliant, calibrated response, which exposes her Jewish identity and accuses Haman of attempted genocide. Things go from bad to worse for Haman, when the king catches Haman draped over his wife. Now he has a reason to impale Haman, who ends up dead on the very pole he crafted for Mordecai's execution. Reversals continue in this dramatic book: here it begins when Esther comes out of hiding.
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, 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.
Sun, Oct 18, 2020
Duration: 50 mins 18 secs
Sometimes we can buy knock off brands and generic products. They're close enough to the real thing that we'll gladly accept them. But no one likes a cheap imitation. RC Cola can't rival Coke. Rose Art can't copy Crayola. In Ephesians, the apostle Paul calls us to imitate Jesus. He's the real thing. We can imitate him by living a life of purity, mission, and wisdom. Without these attributes or the aid of His Spirit, our lives are a cheap imitation.
Sun, Feb 24, 2019
Duration: 43 mins 51 secs
We seek and receive identities from every sphere of life. We are known by our family role, work title, recreational habits, ethnic background, academic achievements, and personal quirks. Doctor. Dad. Delinquent. Sister. Snob. Southerner. God gives us our truest identity: adopted sons and daughters. Jesus secured this new identity for us, sending his Spirit to imbibe us. It is our task to embrace this new ID.
Sun, Jun 10, 2018
Duration: 46 mins 18 secs
The churches in Revelation dealt with timeless problems. The church of Sardis struggled with an identity crisis. God sees through their religious act; He knows their spirits need renewal. As do ours. This message encourages us to find our true name in God.
