Langdon Palmer

Do you have people in your life that no matter the topic of conversation, they are always able to turn it around to themselves, making themselves the center of attention ? Vainglory is an old fashioned word - but it means empty glory - the desperate seeking after attention. It is about life where image is everything, where "it's all about you." In a cultural moment filled with Selfies, we may be the most vulnerable generation yet to the insidious ways this sin shrinks and distorts our souls. And like all the other seven deadly sins, Vainglory is much easier to see in other people than to recognize in our ourselves. Today we take a funny but haunting look at this vice - how to see it and how to deal with it. Sermon notes and quotes are available.

If you want to make sure you have a miserable life, pursue one or more of the Seven deadly sins. Each promises us happiness as it drives us further and further away from real happiness. The first of these deadly habits of thought is ENVY. Have you ever looked at someone else and compared their situation to yours and secretly thought "I wish our situations were reversed..." In other words have you ever found yourself getting bitter when others get it better ? These are hints that Envy is crouching at your door. Today we look at two people Antonio Salieri from the movie Amadeus and Cain from the book of Genesis to help us see the root of Envy in our own lives. We conclude with practical steps you can take against the rule of Envy in your life. Sermon notes and quotes are available.

How should I live my life in this New Year ?

Can I actually make a difference in this world ?

What should I do when I am feeling tired and beaten down - and my perfect plans don't look so perfect any more ?

The biblical books of Ecclesiastes and Colossians both tell us "Whatever you hand finds to do - do it with all your might..." - but they give very different reasons for why we ought to live this way. One gives us realistic wisdom and the other supernatural revelation. Join us for this encouraging podcast as we explore how realistic wisdom and supernatural revelation can go together to give us hope and empowerment for the New Year!

In the past month there have been political decisions made about abortion, health care, and gay marriage. Meanwhile a white man just murdered nine black brothers and sisters in their church, raising again the issues of racism and gun rights. What stance should a Christian who is trying to follow Jesus take on all these issues ? This morning, we take a fresh look at foundational principles from scripture that can help us begin to think about these things. While it is important where we finally end up on all these issue, perhaps it is even more important how we got to the stance we have taken. What does it mean to make Jesus Lord of my politics ?

Do you worship the God who brings wine to the party ? What are we to make of this miracle of the wedding at Cana ? What can it tell us about the nature of God ? Plenty !

"Stairway to Heaven." Some of us recognize that as a song title, but it turns out that our wild scripture for today describes Jesus as the true Stairway to Heaven! It also calls us to "Come and see..." what he is all about.

In the calling of the first disciples we find both natural followers and dramatic conversions. And we are given a pattern for what it means to follow Jesus and to share our faith with others in a natural, winsome way.