Emmaus Road Church | Fort Collins, Colorado

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 23:1-15

If we are to resist the rage that is so common in our culture, we must recognize how gently and patiently God deals with us. Following right after that, though, we are called to extend that same gentleness and patience to others. Key to the Christian witness in the world today is to resist rage and not add to the collective sense of angst and anger.

Jesus deals gently with people, but there is one exception. Jesus was pretty harsh toward the scribes and the pharisees (see Mt. 23:1-15).

Their role was to study the scriptures and determine the heart of God. However, instead of allowing themselves to be formed and shaped by their study, they presumed themselves to be superior to others based on their knowledge. They used the scriptural text to hold power over people in order to elevate themselves.

If we are to resist rage and allow ourselves to be a shelter from the storm, we must allow the Spirit of God to remove any pharisee tendencies in us.

Sermon Scripture: John 1:43-51

Consider for a moment the story of Philip and Nathanael in John 1. Philip had become a follower of Jesus believed that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. This meant a change in Philip’s worldview, political convictions, and social interactions.

Philip goes to Nathanael and says, "I've found the Messiah!" But Nathanael cynically responds, "Nothing good can come out of Nazareth.”

Philip offered Nathanael an invitation to "come and see." Despite seeming like they are worlds apart, these two go on a path of discovery together. Already we can learn something from this invitation; don’t be afraid of new information! Explore. Read the article. Find out for yourself.

Sermon Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

The truest form of strength is displayed through things like humility, vulnerability, forgiveness, generosity, selflessness. For when we take on the qualities, it creates space in our hearts and lives for God to be at work in us and through us.

In a culture that is focused on strength, may we come to know that true strength comes from the "weakness" of humility, vulnerability, forgiveness, and love. For these are the very things displayed in the life of Christ, our LORD.

Sermon Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

We are invited to live generous lives in response to the generosity that has been shown to us by God.

Generosity can come in all kinds of forms. It can come in how we give our money. It can come in how we give our time.

You are invited into a process of discernment on one step you can make toward greater generosity. As we become more generous, our lives reflect the generosity of God.

Sermon Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2-13

Mature, authentic Christianity is to see that life is not a bit of this, then a bit of that; it is often both at the very same time. Can we, as Christians, learn to grieve and celebrate at the same time. Can we learn to share in the pain of the world while also sharing in its joy? Can we learn to share in the tears and laughter of God? If we can learn these things, then we will live full lives. 

Sermon Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

At the time of death, Paul understands that the veil between heaven and earth is removed and we experience the full presence of God as we await the joining of heaven and earth and the redemption of our bodies. In this way, death is not a friend that releases us from the burden of physicality, death is an enemy that has been defeated through resurrection!

God’s infinite love and forgiveness IS NOT moral indifference. God does not tolerate evil and it will not be allowed in God's new creation! Judgment is the process of cleansing our sin and sorting those that choose to remain in bondage to sin. Discipleship is not gathering more information, it is learning to live according to the truth of who we are in Christ.

Sermon Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Behind all of life, complete with the ups and downs, is the resurrection hope of Jesus. New creation has broken in. Death has been overcome. Therefore, we do not lose heart. With belief of the faithfullness of God (Psalm 116) in the background and the resurrection of Jesus in the forefront of his mind, the testimony of Paul the Apostle is that our eyes should be fixed on what is unseen rather than what is seen.

Sermon Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

As children of God, we are brought back into our vocation as sons and daughters of God, this time with the Spirit of God to lead, guide, and empower us! We are invitedto live as God's image-bearers in the world who carry out the rule of God.

What does the rule of God look like? 

Look at the true Son of God, Jesus. Through his ministry, Jesus shows what it looks like when God’s will is done on earth as in heaven.

Sermon Scripture: Ezekiel 37: 1-147 (NLT)

Ezekiel Passage (Ez. 37:1-14, NLT): Israel (and humanity) has a heart problem that leads to violence, power-broking, and ignoring the vulnerable. The valley of dry bones is picture of their spiritual state. They are skeletons in need of the breath of God to revive them. Main point: The power of God extends into the realm of death to bring about new creation.

Pentecost Passage (Acts 2): The disciples have followed Jesus and learned from him. He is resurrected, but no longer with them. How will they carry this message? How will they keep from falling in to old ways of thinking/acting? God sends God's Spirit and is now available to all people to transform their hearts. Their hearts of stone will become hearts of flesh.

Today: The Church, throughout history, has been tempted by old systems of power. How will the Church be brought back on course? How will the Church shine with radiance? Through the wind of heaven, continually shaping us as citizens of new creation.

Sermon Scripture: John 15:9-17 (NRSV)

Sometimes evil is tangible, like destructive actions. Often times, however, evil sneaks into our lives in more subtle ways. One of those subtle ways is when we want the end to justify the means. 

In the kingdom of God, the means are the end! Every time Jesus is offered the short or the easy way or offered an end through incongruent means, he rejects it as evil. 

The kingdom of God is fundamentally different and distinct from the kingdom of the world. And when Jesus prays for his disciples (and any who will believe their message), he prays that they will be protected from walking in the ways of the world.