Sun, Jul 18, 2021
Duration: 47 mins 29 secs
We like stuff. We like money. We like to keep and store (and keep score) and call things "mine." There's a word for this: Greed. It's the basis of a consumer culture and one of the deadly sins. It also plagued the early church, as evident in Ephesus (see 1 Timothy). This sermon will illustrate what greed wants, says, and thinks. Then it will make a case for generosity as the way of Jesus. Get those grabby hands ready.
Sun, Feb 28, 2021
Duration: 50 mins 58 secs
Anxiety is epidemic. We worry about our bodies, income, and the fractured state of our nation. The consumer age does not help, offering us unlimited goods that cause buyers remorse or discontentment. Jesus empathizes with our worries. He assures us God cares about us and will take care of us. This message shines a light on modern anxiety research as well as timeless, biblical wisdom. Knowing God cares for us and surrounding ourselves with people who echo this claim will help us to worry less and seize the day.
Sun, Feb 09, 2020
Duration: 49 mins 15 secs
John receives his fourth letter; it's headed to Thyratira. This city boasted many trade guilds. Buying, selling, and trading goods may have been dependent upon one's willingness to join an idolatrous feast. Sometimes the price we pay to do business can be lethal. Jesus calls us to stay faithful. This no different today. In face, we live in a consumer society, where everything from marriage to church to God, gets turned into a commodity that helps meet personal needs and shape personal identity. Buyers today must beware lest they lose their souls.
Sun, Mar 25, 2018
Duration: 40 mins 41 secs
Life is like the game of Life. Money comes in; money goes out. But what God gives is always good enough. This is the secret Paul learned - satisfaction and contentment do not come from prosperity or security but knowing our strength and provision come from God.
Sun, Oct 08, 2017
Duration: 37 mins 27 secs
Greed affects all of us. It speaks from our heart, making four common claims. Jesus challenges greed in a memorable parable about a man who wants a bigger, newer, better barn. It doesn't end well for him. Fortunately, greed has an antidote: Generosity.
Sun, Jun 04, 2017
Duration: 40 mins 41 secs
Pleasure: the word speaks for itself. God created us as pleasure-seeking creatures. Unfortunately, we have not learned how to align discipleship with desire. We keep following Jesus as a matter of intellect and maintain low-grade guilt for enjoying much of the world. Pleasure for its own sake, says Q in Ecclesiastes, is an idol and dead end. Pleasure as a pointer to God, however, is a guiltless good. So desire God and enjoy life.
