Sermons

Jesus commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind. He says that this is the great and foremost commandment. If this is the case than should we not put all our attention and effort toward this one thing? As we close 2007 and look to 2008 we want to fall in love with Jesus more and more. It would be a great goal for 2008 to simply love Jesus more.

As we continue through this season of advent we will luke at the last part of Luke 1. Today through Luke's progression of writing we will see how mercy leads to peace. The mercy of God has been poured out in unexplainable ways and now we see the peace that comes from God's great mercy.

Do you have hope that God can do the impossible? That God can change your circumstances. Some do not have hope this time of year. There is hope. Hope has a name, His name is Jesus. And today we see the grounds of our hope in an amazing, mysterious and glorious story! May you have much hope this Advent season and share that hope as a gift with others who so desperately need to hear it.

Advent begins today as we look at joy! God has invited us to live the unexplainable life which produces unexplainable joy. Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth were two that did just that. In spite of their dissapointment due to Elizabeth being barren they worshiped God. But God broke through and did the unexplainable by providing them a son, but not just any son. They are to be the parents of John the Baptist, the forefunner of the Messiah. We are encouraged today to live in the unexplainable realm and experience unexplainable joy.

Be the church, Impact the city. This week we see the revived Jews responding in confession and prayer. As they pray they recite the history of Israel giving praise to God. They close with action to state their changed lives. During our gathering on this day we showed a video of a couple in our church. This young couple has been overwhelmed by the grace of God in their lives. They wanted to share with you the life-change they have experienced.

We continue to look at the unexplainable this week through our advent series. There is much joy in the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth for Mary, who is bearing the Messiah in her womb has come to visit. This is a special visit as both Elizabeth and Mary give praise to God for His action on their behalf. It is His great mercy that is at the center of this joy. We do not deserve the mercy of God, but He freely bestows it upon us. That is what the celebration of advent is all about.

Be the church, Impact the city. As we have seen and will continue to see this week, the structure and organization is important, but it is pointless if no life exists on the inside. This is the case most definitely in the church, but really in any organization. Today we are going to see the life of the city and those whom live in it truly revived (have life breathed back into them) through the proclaimation of God's Word and the response of His people.

Be the church, Impact the city. In Nehemiah 7 we see the people were well defended and governed, but not only that we begin to sniff out something of a sweet aroma (the aroma of Christ) as the church is being formed, as men stand as faithful heads of their families and generations to come leading them back to the city to be about this great redemptive work of rebuilding and reviving Jerusalem for the glory of God, as prayer and worship is the true defense of the city, and as the people faithfully fill the storehouses.

Be the church, Impact the city. Nehemiah can see the finish line! The ribbon is ready to be cut. At the same time his enemies are putting on the pressure to create fear in Nehemiah. They are making their final attempts to thwart the plans of Nehemiah in finishing the wall and restoring Jerusalem. Nehemiah models to us the great calling we have to stand under pressure. That we are call to endure and to keep our confidence all the way to the end.

Be the church, Impact the city. Nehemiah models for us four principles to live by as one who is counter culture. Worship is prominent in his life. He resists the empire's consumerism and chooses compassion over consumption. He re-distributes His wealth helping the poor. He also gives himself away relationally. These four points are part of an international movement entitled, The Advent Conspiracy. Join us this season as we choose compassion over consumption.