Sermons - Faith Community Church

We have all heard the statement: "Hindsight is 20/20." The insight gained through hindsight frequently resources us to live with foresight. That is why we are going to spend the Fall looking at the Gospel of Mark in reverse. Why is the message about Him called "the Gospel" (from Old English meaning 'good news') and what is the message that is proclaimed? 

This week we introduce our series and begin to discover what the Gospel is.

On our Messages page we provide message notes, additional resources to the morning message, and some general info about our community.

We are all trained to make decisions based on what we see... But the choices we make that will be life-changing and life-giving will be based on what we don't see! We were blessed to have Glenn Burris, President of the Foursquare Church as our morning speaker.

We invite you to give a special offering in Glenn's name to Project Nourish. 2000 people die each day in Eastern Africa. Project Nourish is a Foursquare relief ministry combatting this famine. Click here to make a gift. On the form select the down arrow to the right of "hurricane relief" and select Project Nourish.

On our Messages page we provide message notes, additional resources to the morning message, and some general info about our community.

Click here to give to the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

This morning we kick off "Council Month". We will celebrate the life and ministry of Faith Community over the next 4 weeks with 4 brief video presentations. Here at Faith we want to be a church that follows well, loves well, and serves well. This morning we take a look at what the Bible says about the Church. The Bible sets a high bar because people are worth it.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURES

1 Timothy 3.15
But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. 

Acts 2.36-47
Acts 2.36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified.

Acts 2.37   Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2.43   Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. 

SERMON NOTES

Click here to view/download this morning's sermon notes/slides.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

One of the challenges in recommending books on the Church is that there is so few titles in print. The best and most frequently published titles come from the Catholic Church because of their high regard for the Church. Most non-Catholic titles about the church deal with crowds, cash, criticism, curriculum, and leadership. But very little reflection on who and what the Church is that we are doing all this planning for. Here are 3 titles:

The Church by Hans Kung is quite simply the finest book about the Church in print. Don't let the $55 price scare you off... it can be purchased quite inexpensively through some of the other sites listed on this Amazon page or check out Abe Books. This book will require your effort but Mark thinks that if you put in the time and effort you will grow in your love for Jesus, His Church, and your calling.

The Church: A Theological and Historical Account looks at the four classic marks of the church--its oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity--and illustrates how each of these marks has been understood by different Christian traditions

Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church introduces you to the Churches Fathers - the leaders who succeeded the Apostles. While the church today looks quite different than it did two thousand years ago, Christians share the same faith with the church fathers. Although separated by time and culture, we have much to learn from their lives and teaching.

Check out these studies of religious attitudes and identification from Pew Research and Public Religion Research Institute. Here are 7 startling facts on church attendance in America. 

ONLINE GIVING:

If you would like to join us in worshiping the Lord through financial giving to the ministries of Faith Community please click here.

The Psalms (songs) of the Bible have 2 starting points. The starting point for some expresses how our thoughts about God connect with our feelings about life. The other starting point is our feelings about life expressed with transparent emotions before God. This morning we conclude our summer series, Songs of Summer, with a Family Sunday that reflects the simple truth: life is lived from the inside out.

On our Messages page we provide message notes, additional resources to the morning message, and some general info about our community.

There are moments where we survey the world around us and see that things are the opposite of what we believe they should be.  The wicked are prospering while the faithful are struggling. How do we make sense of this? And how do we not fall into the trap of being overcome by bitterness in the face of this madness?

On our Messages page we provide message notes, additional resources to the morning message, and some general info about our community.

God has made us for something very large. He has made us with a global purpose in mind. Many things are important in life but this is the largest cause of all. Every follower of Jesus of Jesus is part of a diverse movement, marked by solidarity and welcome, to express and present God to the nations-- that every one might know that they are called and cherished.

There’s something powerful about having an enduring song of joy on your lips as your are overcome by the presence of the Lord.  It is through this song that a powerful invitation is sent out for others to join us in our understanding and celebration of God’s unfailing love.

Two thirds of the Bible's songbook -- the Psalms-- express lament, depression, discouragement, anguish, grief, dismay, and anger to God. These are the "abandonment songs" and they encourage us because here we discover, in God's book, that we are not the first generation to question God, have doubts, and be discouraged and cast down by His actions and inaction.

Unity is a regular theme in the psalms... Psalm 133 is 3 short verses that Jews and Christians alike treasure for its celebration and value of unity. Whoever thought that unity might be both counter-cultural and essential?

On our Messages page we provide message notes, additional resources to the morning message, and some general info about our community.

This past week 2 of our global partners share about their work in Ukraine and the Middle East. The recording this week begins without introductions so that we can preserve the identity of our Middle East partners. The first speaker, Michael, lives in Jerusalem with his wife. He along with his wife, works to see the promise of Isaiah 19.23-25 become reality: "On that day Israel shall be a third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, 25 when the LORD of hosts gives this blessing: “Blessed be my people Egypt, and the work of my hands Assyria, and my heritage, Israel.”

Our second partner is Roma, from Kiev Ukraine. 20 years ago, Roma started the Father's House ministry to orphans. Over the past 20 years they have cared for over 3400 children and have given birth to a movement called, Ukraine Without Orphans which in turn has created a global network: World Without Orphans.

On our Messages page we provide message notes, additional resources to the morning message, and some general info about our community.