December 6, 2015                                     2nd Sunday of Advent

The Light of Christmas

Sharing the Peace of God With Others

Luke 1:76-79

Synopsis: The Light of Christmas shines bright because the spark of HOPE has set the kindling of PEACE ablaze.  Soon we will see what the logs of JOY can do when all are fanned into flames by LOVE.  It is the season of Advent and we are celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

      People who live in the shadows need the spark of HOPE that comes from the light of God in Christ Jesus.  That spark would be short lived if not for the kindling of PEACE.  Together they start a fire burning that will light the way for others.  Today we celebrate the PEACE of God born in Christ Jesus.  The PEACE of God is not a place but rather a journey.  It is not defined by the absence of things by but rather the presence of Christ.  Yes, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, but we know He still lives and journeys with us throughout our lives.

Text (NLT): Luke 1:76-79; NIV

Scripture Reading: Psalm 60:1-3

November 29, 2015                                       1st Sunday of Advent

The Light of Christmas

Advent Series

Sharing the Hope of God With Others

Matthew 4:12-17

Synopsis: “Hope” is the spark that starts the fire for the Light of Christmas!  What is it that you are hoping for this Christmas?  I hope that our Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be the best ever.  Yes I hope we will have more people but I am especially hoping for a movement of the Spirit of Christ in the service that will bless all of us throughout the coming year.  Why?  Because The Light of Christmasis the “hope” of the world.  So I am not hoping for a certain present under the tree, but rather your presence to honor, remember, and celebrate the birth of savior Jesus Christ.

      Today marks the first Sunday in our preparations for Christmas.  Thanksgiving has prepared us well for our journey.  Even so people can get a little selfish at times and Christmas season is no exception.  And even though more gifts are given to charities at this time of the year than any other time some people still want to get all they can and sit on the can.  I’m hoping you are some of those people who have hope because of the Light of Christmas and that you want to share that hope with others.

      How do you share the Hope of God with others?  There are many ways.  One way I want to invite you to employ this Advent Season is to invite others to join you for worship, especially on Christmas Eve.  Keep in mind that “HOPE” is the spark that starts the fire for the light of Christmas.

Text (NLT): Matthew 4:12-17

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:1-3

November 15, 2015                                  Base Budget Ballot Vote

A Helping Hand

Jude 1:20-23

Synopsis: Believers are on the march to heaven following in the path Jesus has marked out for them, therefore believers are to help others they encounter find the way and help other believers on the way.  This is what Jesus did and commands us to do as we follow Him.

      Jude gives us a brief outline for action in regards to how believers are to assist other believers.  His first word is that we are to “build each other up”, and then he says we are to “show mercy”.  Paul picks up on this theme in Galatians.  He says we are to “restore that person gently”.  In Colossians Paul writes “Once you were alienated from God”.  That is a strong reason to help others find the way.  An even stronger reason is found in Jesus.  It is what Jesus did and what we must do if we are committed to following Him home.

Text (NLT): Hebrews 12:1-2, NRSV; Jude 1:17-25; Galatians 6:1-10, NIV; Colossians 1:21-23, NLT;

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-3

November 1, 2015

On the March

Hebrews 11:13-16

Synopsis: Today, November 1st in many traditions of the Christian Church is All Saints Day.  This year it fell on a Sunday (Orthodox churches always celebrate the Sunday of All Saints).  It is a day set aside to remember heroes of the faith.  “Halloween” actually means “All Hallows’ Eve.”  Thus, it is the evening before “All Saints Day.” 

The Christian life is often described by the use of metaphors.  Christians are identified as “pilgrims” on a “journey.”  Where does that journey lead?  Hebrews 11 has a list of “saints” found in the Old Testament.  All of them failed to achieve all they hoped for in life.  It also assures us that the end of their faith journey was not in this world.  God has prepared something far better that what this world can contain.  That is why the “saints” of Christianity are “on the march.

Text (NLT): Hebrews 11:1-2, NLT, NRSV, CEV; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, NRSV; 2 Corinthians 11:13-16, Hebrews 11:13-16, NRSV

November 11, 2015

Can You See Jesus?

John 14:6

Synopsis: Last week the focus of my sermon was “On the March.”  This week I want to call our attention to the one leading the march (John 14:6).  Early believers were identified as “people of the Way” (Acts 9:1-2).  Of course that was a reference to the way of Jesus.

      I have a few questions for you daily walk.  1. Can you see Jesus?  2. Are you looking for Jesus?  3. Are you looking in the right direction?

      A line can be constructed between any two points of reference.  Three points nail down the line.  That is important to remember because if, for example, you are on a hike and have only one point of reference other that your current location then there is no telling where you will wind up.  Believers can always count on Jesus moving to line you up from where every you are to bring you safely to His Heavenly Father.  In other words, Jesus is the reference point that establishes the way home no matter what caused you to stray off course.

Text (NLT): John 14:1-7;

Scripture Reading: Psalm 16:7-11

October 18, 2015                                                                                     

You Are …

1 Peter 2:4-10

Synopsis: Sometimes believers get so beat up in life that they forget who they are because of whose they are.  This world and all that is in it has no power to take away what it does not give; no power to give what is not of this world.

      In a recent conference (Center for Congregational Health) I was introduced to the African Bible Study.  Today I want to give a brief introduction of that study method and an invitation for people in the congregation to listen to the reading of Scripture with an open heart and a simple prayer.

September 27, 2015                                                                                       

In A Pinch

Matthew 7:13-14

Synopsis: We all know a pinch when we feel one.  Pinches, for whatever reason, hurt and therefore, get our attention.  What we do next reveals what lessons we learned from the experience.

      There are a lot of situations in life that pinch us.  Sometimes we use those situations as an adjective to describe the pinch.  Have you ever been in a “financial” pinch?  Did you learn anything from the experience?

      “Life” pinches cause us to make decisions if for no other reason than we just simply cannot go on.  Health issues, financial issues, spiritual issues are just a few is the situations in life that put the pinch on our lifestyle and call for a course correction. 

Scripture Text (NLT): Matthew 7:12-14; John 14:6; Numbers 22, NIV; Hebrew 12:1-11

Hospitality

Hospitality a Biblical Mandate

September 6, 2015                                                                                         

Hospitality in the Biblical Tradition

1 Peter 4:7-9

Synopsis: Today I start a short series on hospitality.  I start with Hospitality in the Biblical Tradition with references pulled from Genesis to Revelation.  Hospitality is a true characteristic of God’s people found in both Testaments.  It requires believers to “make room” for the stranger as well as fellow believers.  Indeed, hospitality is a matter of the heart before it is a matter of a place at the table.

Scripture Text (NLT): Hebrews 13:1-33 (References to Abraham in Genesis 18 & Lot in Genesis 19); Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Peter 4:7-9; Romans 12:13; 1 Kings 17:8-24; Acts 6:1 & 7; Matthew 7:12; Deuteronomy 10:14-22; Revelation 3:7-13.

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:1-3