LCC Sunday Messages

So what brings you joy? Are you more likely to experience “joy” when you’ve got money in the bank, when things are going well, when you’re able to do the things you want to do, or when others are treating you the way you want to be treated? But what if God has promised us a life of unquenchable joy no matter what our circumstance? This is the proclamation the angel made the night Jesus was born.

The Christmas season is now in full swing, with all the busyness that this time of year holds. With family gatherings, parties, shopping, and travel one can become an exhausted Grinch before Christmas Eve. It can leave us asking "is this really the most wonderful time of the year?" Today as we begin the dash and Christmas , may we be still and find real peace and joy in the person of Jesus Christ.

As we prepare to enter into the month leading up to Christmas, what is the best Christmas gift of 2016? Is it determined by how big it is, or how expensive it is, or is there something else that determines what is the very best gift?

As we prepare to wind up our current series for the Christmas season, we come to a brief passage in Matthew, where we are reminded by Jesus of the value of His word.  His word is truth.  His word is life.  In His word we find the greatest treasure of all. We truly have been blessed beyond measure.

On January 24, 1848, at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, James Marshall, a carpenter, saw something glistening in the American River.  Upon closer examination, Marshall found gold lying on the river bed, and the California gold rush began.  Thousands would make their way to California.  Most would find nothing, but a few would strike it rich.  Often miners would shout, upon finding gold, "Eureka!" which means " I have found/discovered it." 

Sometimes, things of great value are hidden in plain sight.  We see that with the parables we have been studying.  Today, as we examine the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, may we have our own "Eureka!" moment, as we come to the realization that the salvation and life that Jesus offers in His Kingdom is worth more than anything!

The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven describe God coming into the world to assert His authority, His power, and jurisdiction over all other powers and kingdoms and everyone and everything He has created. This morning, we will unpack a parable in which Jesus speaks about mustard seeds and yeast to give us the right understanding and perspective about the Kingdom of God.

From plants to people, healthy things grow to maturity in the natural world.  In the spiritual realm, things are no different.  Those who have experienced the new birth through Jesus Christ begin a lifelong journey where the growth never stops.  This week, as we continue our look at the parables of Jesus, let's take a look at what it means to grow!

Why does God allow evil people to exist? Why doesn’t He just get rid of all sin and evil and make the world a better place to live?  This morning we’ll find the answers as we head back to the farm and continue our series of The Parables of Jesus: Truth Hidden in Plain Sight.

The Church has been given an awesome mission.  One that is impossible apart from the power given to us by the Holy Spirit.  We have been commissioned by Jesus to share the Good News and to encourage one another in the faith.  Today we will continue our journey through Acts, and see how our spiritual ancestors rose to the challenge.  We are compelled to follow their example!

How's your heart?  About 750,000 people will have a heart attack this year according to the CDC.  1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. this year will be related to heart disease.  The truth is, if something is wrong with your heart, your life is in danger.

What about in our spiritual hearts?  Have we allowed our hearts to become hardened to the truth of the message of Jesus?  Today, we will look at the Parable of the Sower, or Parable of the Four Sowers, and see that how our hearts respond to the truth of Christ is everything.