Ancient Faith For The Modern World

"JOB"

Job 1: 1, 2: 2-10

This sermon will tell the story of Job and wrestle with the question of "Why bad things happen to good people."

Puzzling Messages

"Jesus Gets Mad at a Tree"

Matthew 21: 18-19

One day Jesus was on his way to Bethany, in a state of hunger. He saw a fig tree that was in leaf but had no fruit and said to the tree "May you never bear fruit again!" then the tree immediately withered. This is the reading we will share Sunday morning but in the book of Mark it talks about Jesus and his disciples when Jesus was i a a state of hunger, he saw a fig tree far off in a distance that was in leaf and when he got to it, he saw it had no fruit because it was not in season. In this reading Jesus says, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again". This looks like Jesus, the son of God, was having a tantrum and cursed a tree because it id not have out-of-season fruit for him. That a confusing and yet interesting story.

Ancient Faith For The Modern World

"SOLOMON"

1 Kings 2: 10-12, 3: 3-14

This sermon will focus on Solomon and how God granted him a "wish". It will attempt to counter and compare "wishing" to "praying".

"The Christian Future"

Philippians 1: 6

Ancient Faith For The Modern World

"ESTHER"

Esther 7: 1-10

This sermon will focus on Esther, telling Esther's story and emphasizing an important truth about the story of Esther, "No matter what happens, God is still in control."

"We Know Just as We are Known"

1 Peter 3: 8

Just Be...

"Being Faithful"

1 Corinthians 4: 14-21

The word faithful is well understood as being loyal and steadfast. Yet this week I want us to focus on the part of it meaning devoted. In our scripture reading for this Sunday Paul is writing a warning but encourages the apostles to imitate him and to help he sends Timothy whom he loves and knows is faithful. He is sent to remind them of the way of his life in Christ Jesus. What I want us all to see is that Paul made the point that is what he taught everywhere and in every church. How are we faithful to Christ? Do we live it out or is it just words? Are we devoted to building the kingdom or are we in our arrogance coming to see what we can get out of God.

Just Be...

"Being Courageous"

Joshua 1: 6-7

When I think of the word courage my mind goes in many directions: 1. To the Wizard of Oz movie and the Lion. I love the older movies with such great plots. 2. Childhood and riding my bike with no training wheels for the first time. 3.The moment I realized that I needed God more than he did me. 

This week we will look at a reading of only 2 verses from Joshua. These are verses 6-7 which tell us “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land, I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” This is important as We have already looked at how we are to be obedient to God and how we need to be available to God. We will also come upon times when we will need courage for the road ahead.

We all know though that true courage was found in the act of Jesus, fully God, but also fully man, taking our sins upon himself as he took our place on the cross.

"Power Within Prayer"

Luke 11:1-13

Just Be...

"Available"

Isaiah 6: 1-8

How many times have we heard the question: do I have a volunteer? From grade school to adult life, we seem to not be able to escape this question. Did you know that this is an age-old question ask by God also? In our scripture this week we find Isaiah speaking about a vision he had of God where he was asked a similar question, "Whom Shall I Send? And who will go for us?" As we come together this Sunday I want us all to look at this vision and see where we are in our life and what we would do if that very question is asked of us today. For each day this should ring true in our lives.