Ebenezer Church Sermon Archive

Michelle Paquette, Ebenezer Director of Student Ministries and guest speaker, reminds us that we not only have to have a solid foundation on Christ's teachings, but even more we must build our lives on that foundation. The crowds we're amazing at Christ's teachings. Jesus doesn't want us to stop there. He actually calls us to live it out each and every day.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus spent much time preparing his disciples, followers, and listeners for the Kingdom of God that is at hand— calling them repent, to reorient their lives to focus on God, and give them a glimpse of what is ahead. Preparation is not about predicting the future; it is about presence-ing yourself as it unfolds. We are always in a season of preparation, though the focus/topic will change. In Matthew 26, there is much preparation going on. How is God preparing us, today, for whatever lies ahead? Preparation enables us to live more consciously and aware to the work of God in our midst and in our lives.

Jesus, in Matthew 22, offers a parable saying the Kingdom of God is like a wedding banquet. This parable is not simply about a wedding, but about putting on the wedding garment, that is Christ Jesus. To be clothed in Christ, and be forever changed. The invitation to this wedding banquet is not to a select group of people, but to all. Will you accept the invitation? Will you show up? Will you put on Christ and be forever changed?

The quadrants of Focus 2023 (Worship, Discipleship, Community, & Service), could not function without Giving and Serving. 1 Timothy 6, challenges us on our priorities and perspectives about Giving. Rather than being identified by our money, wealth, and “stuff”, Paul challenges us to pursue the things in this life that really matter like— righteousness, faith, love endurance, gentleness. Our call from Paul, is to be generous with all that God has given to us, and use it for the building of the Kingdom of God.