Emmaus Road Church | Fort Collins, Colorado

As Christians we are called to wait in patience for the things that are to be revealed. And we do so on the basis that Christ has risen - He is risen indeed! Resurrection of Christ was the down payment of new creation. And now we look for evidence and participate as new creation agents. As we look at the world, we see that resurrection is written into creation and written into our lives. 

For that reason, we are to be prisoners of hope. These are difficult days as we face racial tensions, economic struggle, public health crisis, and division. But thanks be to God, Jesus Christ is risen! God is at work in the midst of all things, working with us, to make all things new. So, we must continue to hope for the day when all the sad things will come untrue, the shadow will be lifted, and God’s new world will be revealed. 

Sermon Scriptures: Romans 8:18-25 (NRSV)

When suffering hits, it is natural to start asking questions. For most people, regardless of their faith affiliation or system of belief will ask questions about God when suffering. Where is God? What is God doing? Is God in the clouds watching my suffering and the suffering of humanity unfold with little care? Is God in the clouds, pulling the strings of our lives and causing our pain?

Join us as we seek and find God moving in beautiful ways.

Sermon Scriptures: Revelation 21:1-5; 21:22-22:2 (NRSV)

As a recap to our recent series entitled, HOLY, Pastor Daniel Pape guides us in ways in which we can apply the Holiness offered by God in practical ways in our lives.

May we be quick to confess and seek reconciliation when we fail, and courageously live in partnership with the Spirit a life of action and intentionality advancing God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Sermon Scripture: Romans 8:12-25 (NRSV)

The invitation of Revelation is to lay the healing leaves of the Tree of Life onto every wound we carry, whether physical or spiritual. What wounds do you carry that need healing? Perhaps wounded relationships; wounded families, the environment, our greed, our bodied from COVID. There are so many things we could name that need healing. The promise of Revelation is that healing is available to us.

Our tour of the heavenly city began with the One seated on the throne saying, “I am making all things new.” Did you notice? That statement is in the present active (am making), not anticipation (I will) or retrospect (I have). The vision unveils what is most true about the world - the One who sits on the throne is making all things new. To which I say, Amen.

May the God of Mercy bring healing to our souls from the sin that plagues us. May the God of Grace, bring healing to our bodies from COVID, cancer, and disease. May the God of creation bring about His new creation.

Sermon Scriptures: Revelation 21:1-5; 21:22-22:2 (NRSV)

Just as Jesus and the prophets taught, holiness in our lives is intended to go out into the world to share in the life-giving water of Christ.

“The sanctification of the disciples has a threefold purpose: to enable them to enter into and live in that relationship with God, which was intended from the beginning; to make them one with either in love, and to enable them to acts as agents of that reconciliation in the world.” --Kent Brower, Holiness in the Gospels, pg. 80

First, we are purified by God by placing our trust in Him. He does the work of transformation, our part is opening ourselves up to Him. Having placed our trust in God, we are made part of a community of people. In this community, we must learn to love well, for these are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Having learned how to love and live reconciled with one another, we are set loose in the world to proclaim the peace of Christ.

Christian holiness is a social phenomenon, not an individual one.

Sermon Scriptures: Ephesians 2:14-22 (NRSV), John 7:37-39 (NRSV)

Holy means set apart and unique. In the Bible; God, time, people, things, and places are all called holy. In this series, we’re exploring how we are invited to participate in God’s holiness.

At first, God’s holiness is seen as dangerous and incompatible with human impurities. Until Jesus comes.

When Jesus began announcing the arrival of God’s kingdom, he was drawn to people considered unclean and unfit to enter God’s presence in the temple. For Jesus, compassion for the marginalized and oppressed always trumped concerns about purity. He went to victims of injustice and proclaimed a new day when justice will roll down like a river, and all things will be made right.

“No longer is holiness to be conceived of essentially as separation. Rather holiness is contagious, outgoing, embracing, and joyous.” -Kent Brower, Holiness in the Gospels, pg. 59)

Sermon Scriptures: Luke 4:38-40 (NRSV), Luke 5:12-13 (NRSV), Luke 6:6-10 (NRSV), Luke 7:11-15 (NRSV)

Holy means set apart and unique.

In the Bible, God, time, people, things, and places are all called holy. God’s holiness doesn’t distance us from him. Rather, it invites us to participate in his own holiness.

But, in the biblical narrative, this is not where the story starts. The story starts with an understanding that the holiness of God is dangerous and is incompatible with any impurity. The driving assumption under this system was that our impurities put God’s holiness at risk.

Two Old Testament prophets have visions that change everything!

Sermon Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1-8 & Ezekiel 47:1-9

God’s holy love is inviting us to forgive, love our enemies, free the oppressed, see the value in every life and if we participate in this love then we are transformed by it.

Jesus Christ proclaims good news to the poor and bring freedom to the oppressed. May we be focused on this work as well. Any movement toward healing is the wind of the Spirit. Any awareness of our bias against another, is the discernment of the Spirit. Any momentum toward restorative justice is the Spirit’s leading. May we move with the Spirit of God toward healing, awareness, and justice.

Scripture Reference: Exodus 3:1-6 (NSRV)

This series is a journey through the biblical story of discovering how God’s people are invited to participate in His holiness. God’s holiness doesn’t distance us from God, but invites us to experience and share in the beauty, goodness, and life-giving force of God. Holiness IS NOT just an ethic. It is the radiant beauty of God and an invitation for us to participate in God’s character.

Scripture Reference: Exodus 3:1-6

Today is Pentecost Sunday. This is the day we celebrate and recognize the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament story of Israel, the presence of God was located in the temple. With the coming of Christ, the presence of God was now found in Him. Wherever he went, he brought the presence of God. With Pentecost, the Spirit of God indwells believers! May we experience his presence in us and among us as we worship today.

Scripture Reference: Acts 2:1-8 (NRSV)