Sermons

There is an idol from which all other idols come. This idol is responsible for bringing sin into the world. The idol of self has caused every problem in the world that we face today and yet we continually try to build up the self into the Savior it is can never be. Self-Esteem cannot help us to a better life. Self-esteem can only judge us on what we have done lately. A life built on self-esteem is empty, painful, fragile and restless. But Jesus offers us something different - he offers us a life that is not build on our accomplishments or failures, but on his righteousness and grace.

Jesus transforms greedy people into generous people. We are born with greedy hearts. Human nature is constantly moving to make good things the main things. When good things become the main things they become coveted things. Coveted things become idols and idols destroy us. They steal our time and money and ultimately our materialism will impede the flow of the Gospel. But Jesus has changed the heart of the believer from one that is overrun with idols to one that is rooting out and burning down idols.

There are many ways that humanity has tried to use to get right with God. Religion. Tradition. Morality. But it isn't until we have come to the end of our effort and ideas that we can see were it not for Gods grace there would be no way to get right with God. God has declared the a righteous person is the person who walks and lives by faith in Him. We have to come to the end of ourselves and become lost in God's live for us and be made righteous. There is no other avenue but faith in Jesus to get right with God.

Have you ever asked God to resolve a situation for you and He answered in such a way that you did not expect or even want? That is what happened to Habakkuk. He had asked God to change the ways of Judah and once he heard God's response he only had more questions. The wrath, love and action of God can often leave us wondering and confused. When this happens there are steps that we can take to understand God better, to walk in faith, and to worship God for who He is.

Habakkuk prayed with expectancy. He was honest with God and God responded. God still works the same way today. God listens to us and He responds to us. Many Christians do not pray with expectancy and live in a practical atheism. But if God really is who the Bible says He is than prayer is a powerful way to be intimate with the Creator of the Universe.

There are times in our lives when we decide it is time to get right with God. It might be a new year, a new job, a new trial or a new direction. But it is during those times when we realize our need to be right with God. If we want to get right with God we have to get real with God first. We have to get real about our struggles, our questions, our sin, our worship and our view of who God is if we are ever to get right with Him. Getting real with God means being honest with ourselves and with God and it is not an easy journey. Being honest about ourselves can be full of shame - but there is no shame when we are honest before the cross of Jesus. God was honest about how He feels about sin when He allowed His Son Jesus to die for our sins. God was honest so that we can be honest - so that we can be right with God.

Paul was a man who had experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He claimed that he had times of owning much and times of having nothing. Paul had been through the best and the worst of what life had to offer. When he wrote to the Philippians he was in prison which most sane people would consider a pretty big low point in a person's life. And yet Paul says that he is content.

It is a well established fact that Jesus of Nazareth was born around 2000 years ago. History attests to the fact that this little child would have a grand impact on the world. But Christmas has us asking another question. 700 years before Jesus was born, a little known prophet said, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given." It is not enough to believe that that Jesus was born. When we look into the manger we must ask if the words of the Isaiah were meant for us. Was Jesus born unto me? Was the Son given to me? These questions have eternal implications for each of us.

How do we live a peaceable life? Paul says that we must rejoice in the Lord in all things and at all times. But what is the basis of that joy? Paul says, "The Lord is at hand." The basis of our joy is that Jesus is on his way back to make all things new. In the meantime, we are to do all that we can to be living in peace with others by prayer and thanksgiving. We are to think on things that are godly and pure.

Paul was in a big mess. His life was on the line. His ministry was on the line. He had enemies. He had every reason to look back on his accomplishments and faithfulness and become angry with God as he sat in prison for no good reason. But he doesn't wallow in self-pity. Instead he writes life-changing words, "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ."