Sermons @ Shepherd

Isaiah petitions God to "open upon the heavens" in a show of power, to put the people of God back in power and control. But soon the prayer of Isaiah turns to the realization that we are all God's children; we are home when we submit to the potter's hands that molds us in God's love.

Grace isn't something we often want to receive. We feel we have to earn it. But the nature of grace changes us from the inside out. Matthew 20:29-34

In exile, the church must constantly be attentive to the call of God. It may be harder to hear for many of us, but God still calls. How we respond will determine how deep our faith becomes. BONUS: Kevin Mills cello with piano after sermon.

In this first sermon from the series "Deep and Wide: The Church in Exile", Pastor Jon Waterson begins with a dialogue between Ezra and Jonah and how they speak to the people returning from exile. What do you do when you lose your center? Be faithful to God, and stop worrying about being "right."

We do not pay attention to these powerful words of Jesus often enough. This is the great reversal of the kingdom of God - that to be great, one must be servant to all.

In the parable of the laborers, we see that all the workers are paid the same, regardless of how long they worked. Like God's grace, it doesn't seem fair, but it is certainly generous.

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus reminds us that we are forgiven for much more than we think. But if we really want to experience God’s grace, we should be willing to extend the same extravagant grace to others.

When we point to Jesus as Messiah, we are called to ask that very difficult question: "who do you say that I am?" Pastor karl explores what it means to point to Jesus in our sacrificial way of living.

In light of the policy of separating children from their families at the border, Pastor Jon gives some words of caution when we do or say things in the name of Jesus. Trusting in walls or fortresses to separate us is folly; we gain freedom when we accept that God's love will not leave us in ruins.

Though we bring different ideas, gifts, and experiences to our church community, we are reminded that "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)