LRPC Sermon Archives

H O W  T O  N E I G H B O R.

We're launching a new series this week. What if we don't have to travel far to get close to people who are distant from God? A long time ago a faith leader asked Jesus a question and Jesus answered with a story. 

In this first segment we look at the hard reality of our own prejudices that keep us from having relationsihps with others, especially those that are different than us.

Looking at the familiar story from the Luke 10 of the Good Samaritan.  We realize that when asked by a faith leader "who is my neighbor" Jesus responds by telling us how to neighbor.  

Link to Deidox Story of LAPD Officer Deon working on Skid Row

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"Chase the Lion" is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life.

It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, we're using New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson newest book, Chase the Lion to guide a bold message to everyone with a big dream.

Quit playing it safe and start running towards the roar!

In the fifth and final installment of the series we look back over the stories of David's mighty men found in 2 Samuel 23:8-39.  We are reminded that all of the actions of David and his men was for the benefit of future generaions.

The big idea in this final installment is this: a vision of the future transforms what you do today.  To understand that three ideas are shared on how to leave a Godly legacy.  

 

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"Chase the Lion" is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life.

It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, we're using New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson newest book, Chase the Lion to guide a bold message to everyone with a big dream.

Quit playing it safe and start running towards the roar!

In the fourth installment of the series we look at the story from 2 Samuel 23:13-17. This reading points out the sacrifice that three of David's men risked to bring him water.  And although he didn't drink it, it serves as a backdrop for us to see that our response to God's invitation is to be obedient.  

The big idea this week is this from Chase the Lion pg. 99 - “In the grand scheme of God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will, eternal gain infinitely offsets earthly pain”. 

 

Click here for MESSAGE NOTES

"Chase the Lion" is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life.

It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, we're using New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson newest book, Chase the Lion to guide a bold message to everyone with a big dream.

Quit playing it safe and start running towards the roar!

In the fourth installment of the series we look at the story from 2 Samuel 23:13-17. This reading points out the sacrifice that three of David's men risked to bring him water.  And although he didn't drink it, it serves as a backdrop for us to see that our response to God's invitation is to be obedient.  

The big idea this week is this from Chase the Lion pg. 99 - “In the grand scheme of God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will, eternal gain infinitely offsets earthly pain”. 

 

Click here for MESSAGE NOTES

"Chase the Lion" is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life.

It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, we're using New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson newest book, Chase the Lion to guide a bold message to everyone with a big dream.

Quit playing it safe and start running towards the roar!

In the third week of the series we look at the story of Eleazar in 2 Samuel 23:9-10.  This story helps us to see that chasing our dreams is about a life process...it is the diligent work we do long term to get to the goal or dream.  Our big idea is: Eleazar didn’t win the victory the day of the battle, but in his preparation beforehand.  Together we will look at disiciplines that a follower of Jesus has to lean into if the want to realize big dreams.  

A helpful interview with Dallas Willard was part of the message...check it out here.

Click here for MESSAGE NOTES

"Chase the Lion" is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life.

It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, we're using New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson newest book, Chase the Lion to guide a bold message to everyone with a big dream.Quit playing it safe and start running towards the roar!

In the second week of the series our big idea is: “We don’t die when our hearts stop beating. We die when our hearts stop skipping a beat in pursuit of our passions, when our hearts stop breaking for the things that break the heart of God.”  Looking at three simple words found at the of verse 8 in 2 Samuel 23... in one encounter.

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Pastor Tom included a conversation with two guest musicians: Matt Wentz and Heather Zaika. 

Today we were honored to host the Overcome Worship Team. Overcome is a Mansfield, Ohio based independent contemporary worship team, comprised of worship leaders representing several area churches. Their vision is to break down walls and bring our communities together to lift up the name of Jesus through passionate worship and testimony.

 

Matt Wentz-Guitar/VocalsRaina Rengert-Guitar/VocalsDonya Sutter-VocalsGreg Owens-DrumsHeather Zaika-KeyboardsJeff Freytag-KeysDean Kastran-BassGeorge Metz-Sound

"Chase the Lion" is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life.

It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, we're using New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson newest book, Chase the Lion to guide a bold message to everyone with a big dream.

Quit playing it safe and start running towards the roar!

In the first week of the series we talk about the kind of courage that is necessary to chase lions.  Based on the biblical account of Beneniah from 2 Samuel 23:20-23 we upack this big idea: “The only way to tap your God-given potential, to fulfill your God-ordained destiny, is to chase five-hundred-pound lions.” 

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We need to be reminded to have courage as the new year begins.  

We need to be found to be firmly resolved and determined to be a people of faith. 

This week, our guest pastor, Matt Flinner unpacks some encouraging thougths from Psalm 23.

The Call of Christmas is more than just the story of Jesus’ arrival.

Through the stories of Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, we’re each given a call to prepare, a call to provide, a call to protect, and a call to praise.

On this CHRISTmas Eve we are reminded in our  celebration of the arrival of Jesus is a calling about interruption.  The Call of CHRISTmas is about changing our lives in ways that may be scary as we trust God to lead us.  But this calling is always accompanied by joy and tears and passion and a sense of living life with purpose.

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The Call of Christmas is more than just the story of Jesus’ arrival.

As we begin the 4th Sunday of Advent we look at the story of the Angels that appeared to the shepherds  in Luke 2. 

The story of the shepherds is a story for all.  It is significant that God uses the lowest class of that ancient society, the shepherds, in the public announcement of the coming of the Messiah.  God will not exclude any people from His good news.  It 

We get to be like the shepherds, telling the story of Jesus as we go about our day and our way of life whatever domain we happen to work and live within in society. And the shepherds did so as they praised the One whom they met in the manger.  That is the call of Christmas. It is a call to praise.

We also heard from one shepherd , Fred Horton, in a monologue that takes a fictional look at the story of a shepherd who was there when the angels proclaimed the birth of Christ, yet chose to stay behind rather than see the Savior.

This Christmas may we be the people, like the shepherds long ago, who carry the good news of Jesus into all the domains of society so all the people of the earth can hear this call of Christmas that leads to praising Jesus just like the heavenly host did that night and continue to do throughout eternity.

So as we prepare our homes, church, communities and workplaces for CHRISTmas, may we invest time preparing our hearts for the Advent of the King. Trimming the tree, stringing lights on the house, hanging the wreaths, lighting the candles, cooking the Christmas foods, singing the Christmas carols and enjoying the festivities of the season are preparations that are meant to be savored.