First: apologies that the first 15 seconds or so of the sermon were cut off...the "question" referenced is "Are you wealthy?"

Second: Whether you're "wealthy" (whatever that means) or not, the rich young man realized what is true for all of us...we're missing something. He asked, "What must I do?" And Jesus gave him the [beautiful, straight, jarring] truth.

What does a church look like? What does it do? God gives us some answers through the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica.

On October 14th, Mission Counselor Mark Birkholz gave a wide-ranging presentation to Shepherd of the Lakes after worship. Here is audio of his talk on trends in Christianity, American churches, and the work churches seek to do: give people the life-saving message of free forgiveness because of Jesus’ sacrificial life and death!

Families, though a great gift, are often (or perhaps always?) messed up a little...or a lot. What's the solution? God gives the blueprint in Ephesians 5-6.

"If something causes you to stumble, no matter how essential you think it is, cut it off." So said Jesus to his disciples. How drastic did Jesus intend us to be? What did he really mean? And why would we ever give seemingly good things up? There's gotta be an answer.

Jesus wants you to be the greatest.

Jesus wants to teach you.

Jesus wants you to be ambitious.

Jesus wants you to be first.

Jesus wants you to be last.

True or False?

Agree or Disagree: Jesus said, "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything."

It marked a turning point in Jesus' ministry: he told his disciples what it meant that he was the Messiah, and he told them (and us) what it means to be his follower.

The people exclaimed with wonder and amazement, "He does everything well." But does he really? Does Jesus do everything well? Because deaf and mute people, problems the world over seem to say otherwise.

Jesus said, "Understand THIS: your hearts are dirty...AND that's not all." And the "and" is the good news, because grace doesn't just see the dirt. It sees the dirt on us AND still loves. Still acts. Still purifies. Still declares.

Imagine: someone has access to you. Full access, as in…everything. All your actions, your words, even your thoughts. Every last one. How does that make you feel?

Psalm 139 tells us God has that kind of access. Should you feel stressed out about that, or simply safe? It depends on what kind of God you have.