Anderson Sermons

-Isms:
Legalism, asceticism, and mysticism (our efforts and experiences apart from the power of God's Spirit) can never transform us into the people God intends us to be, and the people we so long to become. So what can? Knowing, believing and living out our “newness” in Christ.

There is something appealing to us about making spiritual maturity measurable. If we can boil spirituality down to a list of rules and restrictions, specific behaviors and special experiences, we can more easily feel good about ourselves and stand in judgment over others. But all such forms of “legalism” drive us away from Christ rather than drawing us near. Watch out! False pathways to a deeper spiritual life are all around us. Instead, stick with the simplicity of intentional dependence on and devotion to Jesus Christ.

No one likes to be deceived. But the world in which we live is filled with misleading voices, promising us joy and peace and fulfilment. In Paul's letter to the Colossian believers, he reminds us that everything we most need and most long for is found in Christ. He is complete, and we are complete in Him. Don't believe the lies, but instead continue to walk by faith, trusting in the fullness found only in Jesus.

The message of Colossians is that we are complete in Christ. In fact, we are only complete in Christ. Nothing else and no one else can satisfy our greatest needs and the deepest longings of our heart. Or at least, that is what Jesus promises. But can we trust Him to deliver? Is He qualified? Is He worthy of first place in our lives? The Apostle Paul tells us through his letter to the Colossians that Jesus is worthy because He is our rescuer, He is our ruler and He is our reconciler.

Every day we are asking ourselves, What will make my life complete? What will make my life filled with joy and peace and meaning and fulfillment? The world in which we live offers many answers to this deep longing within us, but all of them will leave us empty in the end. The message of the gospel is this – You are complete in Jesus Christ. The best life is found ONLY in Jesus Christ. With Jesus, you have more than enough, but without Jesus, you really have nothing at all.

Follow Jesus, the humble, sacrificial Servant as you strive toward true greatness. Set aside the world's definition of a great life, along with its scheming and its pride. Trust Jesus. He will exalt you at the proper time.

When God's people, in the midst of crisis, trial or temptation, turn completely to Him, we discover that our God, and our God alone, will save us. In fact, there is safety and salvation in no other. The question constantly before us is, To whom will we turn when the pressures of life assail us? Will we give in to fear, or will we truly believe in “Immanuel,” our God who is with us?

The sin of Adam in the Garden
plunged all of creation into the destructive consequences of sin: guilt, shame, fear, strife, and death. That one sin also left a legacy of sin that affects every one of us every single day of our lives. But thanks be to our Creator who immediately promised mankind victory over our adversary and an end to the curse of sin! Let's celebrate that promise and the inauguration of its fulfillment in the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ.

The prophet Isaiah's vision of the throne room of God stands as a timeless paradigm for all who would serve the one true King. The overpowering holiness of God compels us to see everything in His light. His glory convicts us, cleanses us and calls us to into unreserved service of the high and exalted King of all creation.

Make disciples! We know Jesus commanded us to make disciples, and we know that it is the most eternally meaningful way we can invest our lives, but the first step is the hardest. Where do we begin? In this message we lay out a simple plan anyone can use to get started on the journey of multiplying disciples.