Scripture references for this week are Romans 12:1-8 and Exodus 1:8-2:10

Welcome to worship.  Today's audio was pre-recorded on 8/09.

Today's sermon is based on Matthew 14:22-33

Scripture references:

Genesis 32:22-31

Matthew 14:13-21

Today's sermon is based on 1 John 4:1-12.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one   another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us,   and his love is perfected in us.

Today's sermon is based on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.  

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall   gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do   iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the   weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of   their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  -- Romans 8:1 NRSV

Today's scripture reference is Romans 4:1-5, 13-17.  What do you have faith in?  The important thing about faith and believing God is the relationship with Him!  There is no relationship with 'the law'.  If we are in a relationship with God, we know the right thing to do.

Based on  John 4:5-42 -- God gives us all living water, if only we will take it.  Like Jesus had to go through Samaria, we need to go through our own "Samaria" - a place where we don't want to be; a place where we're not wanted; a place where we don't like them and they don't like us. 

Today's scripture reference is Matthew 4:1-11.  The devil doesn't want us to trust God and often leads us out into the wilderness.  But, to be fully human, we must depend on God.  We are not complete until we fill the emptiness inside us with dependence on Him.  No matter what the devil tries to make us do, the good news is that if you trust God, you will get a new life in God's Kingdom!

Did you miss the Ash Wednesday service?  Pastor Jim talked about finding our way back.  Being lost isn't about where you're going, its about where you are.  God wants us to find our way home - back to him.  Lent is an opportunity for us to come to our senses and return.