Emmaus Road Church | Fort Collins, Colorado

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-3

In this season of Epiphany between Christmas and Lent, it is customary to focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, because the revelation of God with us in Jesus is what we have been waiting for! In Matthew 2, the Magi demonstrate for us four elements critical to experiencing epiphany in our lives. Join us as we explore and worship together.

Sermon Scripture: Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10-62:3

The community of faith matters! Why else would Mary and Joseph in their poverty make the effort to bring Jesus for dedication? How else could Simeon and Anna have known the tune which they were listening for? How else could they have known what consolation to bring to others? How else could they have been so perfectly poised to lead the community in God’s new song of life?

What will be our song in the coming year?

Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11, Luke 4:16-30

When we take up the call and join in the work of giving to others a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. When we work to build up the ancient ruins; to raise up the former devastations; to repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations, joy and rejoicing will be our reward.

But we must fight for our joy lest we be overwhelmed by the size of the task at hand.

Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

And when God came in the Christ child born at Christmas, when God heard and answered our cries and dwelt among us, we were offered a gift which could never be taken from us. Was it surprising? Was it what we expected? Yes.

This second Sunday of Advent, we too are offered the gift of peace, but this is not a blissfully ignorant peace falsely assuming that everything in our world, in our nations, in our communities, or in our homes are just fine. Instead this gift of peace permeates all our being even as we long for justice in the world.

The peace of Christ be with you!

Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

The season of Advent is such a welcome annual reminder that we desperately need hope, love, peace, and joy in our world, because Advent is all about longing and anticipation. It is a time to identify with the longing our spiritual fathers and mothers experienced awaiting the coming of the messiah in the first Advent.

Sermon Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7a

On Christ the King Sunday we direct our attention into the BEING of our faith, because in God’s wisdom, through our church fathers and mothers, it is clear we need to exercise both our BEING and our DOING of faith. The invitation of Christ the King Sunday, of Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Easter, Pentecost is to enter into the story of Jesus through adoration, longing, receiving — it is to enter into worship.

Praise is due because we are God’s own people; praise is due because he all together loves us and desires relationship with us. Praise is due because God is our Maker and the redeemer of the world. The God who created all, breathes life into all, sustains all is alone worthy of our praise.

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 25:14–30

The book of Matthew packs a handful of stories about the return of Christ into chapters 24 and 25 and they all have variations on the same theme. Are we watching, are we waiting, are we ready, are we faithful, are we living the lives of devotional and action that we proclaim we are living?

We often view the parable of the talents (silver) as one of multiplication or return-on-investment of God in our life, and while there is nothing wrong with applying it that way, today I want us to see this as a story about the third servant.  This is primarily a story about the causes that may lead us to squandering that which we have been entrusted with, because we have been entrusted with a LOT!

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 25:1–13

Join us as we explore the Parable of the 10 Virgins.  As we recognize ourselves in the wise and in the foolish virgins, we will also discover ways in which God has entrusted us with the work of God's Kingdom.

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Throughout the book of Matthew these scribes and Pharisees have been on the wrong end of quite a few accusations; “They preach but do not practice!” “They lay unjust burdens upon the people.” “They do all their deeds to be seen by others.” But, with introspection, we all carry a piece of the hypocritical heart in each of us. There are many factors that feed this, but ultimately the antidote for hypocrisy is humility and grace.

When we set aside our preferences, our indulgences, our honor — and mop the floor, we not only recondition our spirits with simple satisfaction, but we might begin to feel the assurance and acceptance that we so desperately crave in the pleasure of serving others.

Sermon Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-9, Matthew 22:34-40, Deuteronomy 6:4-8, Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18

Just as Jesus commissioned Peter to, "Feed my sheep," so to have we been entrusted with the work of the Kingdom. When we see ourselves as needed, responsible, and contributing to the Kingdom, then amazing transformations can happen. The call to faithful service is not always easy to respond to, but all things are possible when we realize how much God loves us and trusts the church to care for the world.