Emmaus Road Church | Fort Collins, Colorado

Sermon Scripture: Mark 1:1-11

As we consider the crowds who met Jesus in praise and later condemned him to death for not suiting their needs, I hope we can humbly ask ourselves, “In what ways (big or small), do we push Jesus aside when his Kingdom does not align with ours?”

May we say NO to our preferential kingdoms, no to the kingdoms of the culture around us. Kingdoms of evil and domination, but even kingdoms masked as good or just when they do not align with the values of Christ. May we say YES to the Kingdom of peace, mercy, forgiveness, healing, and freedom that Jesus taught and which changes the world quietly-persistently-unstoppably.

Sermon Scripture: John 12:20-33

Here on this 5th week of Lent it is not jumping the gun, nor stealing the thunder from our upcoming Easter celebrations to talk about the cross. In some ways we talk about the cross all the time, but in others ways we don’t talk about the cross enough. It would be tragic to not call attention to the subversive nature of Jesus’s obedience to journey toward, and ultimately to endure the cross.

Sermon Scripture: John 3:16-21, Ephesians 2:1-10

The Spirit’s work in our hearts is an open invitation of naming our imperfects and leaving them with Christ on our altars. As the Lord renovates the space of our lives, we often see the dust begin to settle right back where it has been cleared away.

Today we hope to consider how to make the cleansing and purification of our hearts in Christ stick. How can we  live lightly and freely? How do we move from the dark into the light?

Sermon Scripture: John 2:13-22

Today as we return to our lenten passages we make a jump from the Gospel of Mark’s accounts over to the book of John. Today’s text focuses on the question “What does it mean to be the faithful church of Jesus?”

We are excited to have Dr. Floyd Cunningham join us to tell of the many wonderful things God is doing all around the world through Nazarene missions. The Pape family and Floyd were together in the Philippines for many years. 

FAITH PROMISE is used by many local churches to raise financial support for world missions. The Church of the Nazarene, of which Emmaus Road is a member, has one of the longest running, globally supported missions programs in the World.

Sermon Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

During the weeks of Lent we become especially mindful of all that alienates us from God, indeed, of the human evil that nailed Jesus to those rough beams. This we lament with sadness. At the same time, we understand that by his death Jesus secured for us forgiveness and eternal life.  We are like; prisoners whose release draws near, refugees on our way back home, patients for whom the treatment is working.

We are invited to identify with Christ in his journey from the beginning of his public ministry to the events of Holy Week leading to his victory over sin and death on the cross.  We start Lent by joining Jesus in a place of solitude.

Sermon Scripture: Mark 9:2-9

The season of Epiphany begins just after Christmas with the story of Jesus’s baptism in the Jordan river by John the Baptist. As Jesus emerges from the water, a cloud appears and a dove descends and the voice of God is heard to say, “You are my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”

And here, on this day of Transfiguration, Epiphany ends with another moment of divine revelation, “This is my beloved son, listen to him.” Once again and even more dramatically we see his glory revealed and hear the confirming voice of the Father. 

For the disciples who experience this amazing and powerful epiphany, it is a transformative moment. The same transformative work that God still enacts in our lives today.

Sermon Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

The Kingdom has come through Jesus for a specific purpose; to renew humanity and creation to its original design by overcoming the obstacles that prevent us from union with God and one another — but how are we doing at living this calling?

How are you caring for your physical, emotional, and mental health? We can endure surprisingly challenging seasons and situations, but without an effective care regimen, we will not last forever.

And secondly, what is your WHY? WHY are you doing the things you do? Without a strong WHY, you will be prone to hitting your breaking point much sooner than you otherwise would.

What is your current recipe for enduring life?

Sermon Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

The Kingdom of Heaven’s authority is undeniable and it is not segregated to certain locations and aspects of our lives. And unlike the authority demonstrated by other power hungry rulers, the stance that Jesus’s authority takes is all together unique. It is so compassionate and focused on the welfare of humanity — you might say it is humanist, for the Kingdom’s concern begins and ends with people; hearts, minds, souls.

In our passage today, Mark draws our attention to two major things Jesus is demonstrating; authority to inspire our minds and authority to bring healing and restoration to our bodies and spirits. Both lead to freedom, healing, and rescue.

Sermon Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

“The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

This simple, two sentence phrase holds the key to the entire human condition. It identifies what is broken and it offers the solution that God felt so strongly about that he came to dwell among us, just to show the way. Perhaps, the unfortunate part of this proclamation is that it has a couple of words that provide a challenge for us in hearing this invitation for what it is. 

Join us as we explore what it means to know and be known.