Sunday Sermons

If giving were a tree, the roots would be the fact that God owns everything, that “every good and perfect gift comes down from above.” The trunk would be that giving is an act of worship and trust and an investment in His. The branches are tithes (a consistent pattern throughout scripture of a 10% minimum being God's share) and offerings (what we choose to give out of compassion, abundance, obedience, etc.).

Series: Authentic Faith: The Church

Speaker: John Pryor

Notes:

God owns everything and provides everything good. All real truth and true goodness can ultimately be traced back to Him and His original, perfect designs. He also remakes us through Christ. Genesis 1, Psalm 24:1, James 1:16-18

God gives us what we need, not what we deserve. He offers us salvation, wisdom, and “everything we need” so we can devote ourselves “to doing good.” John 3:16-17, Psalm 19:8, James 1:5, 2 Peter 1:3, Philippians 2:13, Titus 3:3-8

God deserves to be first and to get our best. The Old Testament minimums were the tithe and the first fruits. These were in place long before they were commanded, but the law was clear. Genesis 4:2-7, 14:14-20 & 28:20-22; 2 Chronicles 31, Ezra 1:1-6

Jesus took legal minimums to heart-level extremes. “You've heard it said…but I say to you…” revealed God's heart, the whys behind all the whats. The early church understood this. Malachi 3:8-10, Luke 11:37-42, Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-37, & 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 John 3:16-17

Giving is worship, trust, and an investment. Giving is the only sane response to God's generosity—and it enables us to have an exponential impact on the world. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Lord, I will…

If discipling were a tree, the roots would be the need to be like Jesus and His command to follow Him and make disciples. The trunk would be teaching disciples to obey everything He commanded—beginning with baptism. The branches would be actually doing those things—baptizing, teaching, obeying, mentoring, and making more disciples who make more disciples—and the fruit would be His presence and power with us, an ever-growing group of disciples, and true transformation.

Series: Authentic Faith: The Church

Speaker: John Pryor

Notes:

Christianity IS discipleship, and we all follow Jesus. Following Jesus and recruiting more followers are not “next level” options for mature Christians. This is who we are and what we do. We follow The Way together. Matthew 7:21-29 & 28:18-20, John 14:6

Choosing The Way means rejecting all other paths. Disciples leave everything else behind. They bet their lives and souls that Jesus is THE Christ. They commit and obey; they take action. Matthew 16:24-26, 2 Corinthians 4:4

Disciples relentlessly study God's Word. Prioritize it. Do whatever it takes to make it part of your daily life. Luke 6:39-40, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:21-25

Disciples communicate with God and with each other. As Jesus modeled for us: prayer syncs us with God, connects us with the Holy Spirit, and unites us with everyone else who does this. Matthew 6:5-15, Luke 6:12-15, Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:18

Disciples train each other and build each other up. Using God's discipline, instruction, and wisdom, we must lead each other as we follow Jesus and accomplish His will together. Ephesians 6:4, Hebrews 3:12-14, 5:11-14 & 10:23-25, 1 Corinthians 9:22-27, and Colossians 3:12-17

Lord, I will…

If worship were a tree, the roots would be the glory of God—how deserving He is of our praise and pledges of allegiance. The trunk of the tree would be anything He specifically says or requires about worship, plus a little wiggle room for our personal gifts, preferences, facilities, etc. The branches would then be what we actually DO, how we worship, and the fruit would be God experiencing joy and us experiencing deep fellowship with Him and with each other.

Series: Authentic Faith: The Church

Speaker: John Pryor

Notes:

Worship is the only sane response to the glory of God. A natural reaction to who God is and what He does, true worship begins with fear and awe more than anything else. Psalm 5:7, 29:2, & 111:10; Isaiah 6:1-8, Matthew 14 & 15, John 9, Romans 1:16-32

Worship must be "in spirit.” Complete surrender results in truly life-shaping experiences and art. Why is more important than when, where, and how. John 4:24, 1 Timothy 2:8

Worship must be "in truth.” It's not enough to be sincere and real; true worship celebrates and reflects God Himself and expresses total submission to His will. Amos 5:21-24, Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 11:28, 1 Peter 3:15

Music is a tangible, physical, effective way to express our respect and surrender—and God does like it! Throughout the scriptures, people are writing and singing songs. They sing, play instruments, shout, dance, and much more. Exodus 15, Judges 5, 1 Chronicles 16 & 20, The Psalms, Song of Songs, Isaiah 12, Habakkuk 3, Ezra 3:10-11
Nehemiah 12:27-43, Mark 14:26, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Revelation 5 & 7:9-12

If leadership were at tree, the roots AND the branches would be “taking someone from ___ to ___” or “taking someone out of ___ into ___.” Leadership is an action, not a position. The trunk of the tree is responsibility, and the fruit is results and more leaders. Elders primarily lead spiritually and deacons primarily serve, and both have specific qualifications. Still, ALL true leadership is rooted in responsibility and a desire to serve. We are all somehow called to be servant leaders.

Series: Authentic Faith: The Church

Speaker: John Pryor

Notes:

Leadership is always an action, not a position. Leaders take other people from…to… OR out of… into… Exodus 3:10,17; Matthew 15:12-14, Romans 6:16,22

Responsibility-based leadership is the only kind. Asserting authority for power, perks, or pawns is self-defeating, wrong, and not true leadership. It traps everyone involved. 3 John 1:9-11, Mark 10:45, Revelation 7:17

God provides leaders and leadership gifts. While the only perfect leader is Christ, God gifts specific people with the task and ability to lead others. Hebrews 2:10, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:1,12

All of us—including leaders—must submit and be lead. We submit to the Holy Spirit's leading, to each other, and to our leaders. 1 Corinthians 12:38, Ephesians 5:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Galatians 5:25, Hebrews 11-12 & 13:7,17

Elders and deacons lead and serve. Like a team of shepherds, they lead, care for, and protect. 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 4:14, 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9, James 5:14-15

Lord, I will…

If the church were a tree, the roots are koinonia—the complete fellowship of the Trinity in Whose image we are made. The trunk is ekklesia—gathering around a common purpose. The branches are what we do to expand and deepen our fellowship, and the fruit is all the results.

Series: Authentic Faith: The Church

Speaker: John Pryor

Notes:

Authentic Faith means:

1) Faith that is placed in something that is true and real

2) What you truly believe and live by

“Our lives are like trees.” - Danielle Strickland

Our deepest beliefs feed our values, which control our actions, which produce fruit. The early church is a great example of this. Acts 2:42-47

KOINONIA

Fellowship means sharing, community, intimacy, equality and teamwork—all rooted in complete unity of purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:9 & 10:18, 2 Corinthians 8:4 & 9:13, Philippians 1:5

EKKLESIA

Church means the Kingdom, a congregation, and what we do when we gather in His name. Matthew 16:18 & 18:17, Acts 5:11, 8:1-3 & 12:5, James 5:14

Not all gatherings are churches. A crowd is not a good thing, in and of itself. Acts 19:32, 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

We are the called-out ones. God calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Corinthians 6:17, 1 Peter 2:9-12, 1 John 1

Lord, I will…

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Do you want forgiveness, understanding, or gratitude?

Do not depend on your family's understanding. Treat the people you love the most, the best--but don't forget this includes discipline. Proverbs 3:5-7, 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, Ephesians 6:4

Pray.

Consistently sync your plans with God's. He guides and provides when we trust Him enough to listen, trust, and obey. Matthew 6:5-15, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 1:5-7

Tell The Story.

Our choices affect others for generations, so make the most of every oppor- tunity. Genesis 17:7, Exodus 34:7, Psalm 100:5, Ephesians 5:15-17

Live The Story.

Invite your friends and family into something far bigger, and discipline yourself and them to make it happen. Luke 6:40, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Hebrews 11-12

I will...

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

We are all protagonists, not authors.

We are all fully in charge of our actions, reactions, and responsibilities. Matthew 7:1-5 & 6:33; John 14:15

When God speaks, trust and obey.

We see this model in Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the Judges, and many others. Psalm 25:5, Romans 6:22 & 12:8

Remember to work as a team.

We are the body of Christ, and we must work together. Christ is the Head, and leaders are nerves, not brains. Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12-13

Great, godly leaders act, empower, and persist.

They plan, communicate, and lead by example. Leadership is an action, not a position. They respect the people they lead, train them, and ask for help. They never stop taking action, learning, and taking others with them on the journey. James 4;17 & 26, Ephesians 4:1-13, 2 Corinthians 4:1

Lord, I will...

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

...be honest, real, and open

God listens and responds when we approach Him honestly, openly confessing our questions, fears, doubts, anger, and frustrations. Don'twaste time trying to pretend. Psalm 73, Mark 9:24, Matthew 18:15-17

...pray, trust, and obey

Circumstances and obedience are separate issues. Jesus does understand our pain and care, but prayer, trust, and obedience are even more crucial and life-changing in our hardest moments. Hebrews 2:18 & 4:15

...watch out for others

Since we also understand, we must also extend grace and patience, letting our brothers and sisters be honest, real, and open with us (as well as with God). We must join them in prayer, trust, and obedience. Colossians 3:12-17

I will be honest, real, and open by...

I will pray, trust, and obey by...

I will watch out for others by...

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

...be trustworthy

Hypocrisy and “fake it till you make it” are cruel parodies of this powerful truth: trust is a choice we make and an action we take. Trustworthy people never gossip or slander. Psalm 37, 145, & 9:10; Matthew 18:15-17

...be gracious

Grace is not unconditional acceptance or approval, but choosing patience, offering many chances, and never giving up hope. Romans 5:15-16 & 6:1-23; 2 Peter 3:17-18

...be kind

Kindness is much more than being polite; it's a fruit of the Spirit. Ruth, 1 Samuel 24, 2 Samuel 9, Galatians 5:19-23

...be wise

Prayerfully ask if we can or if we should trust certain people—and why. Genesis 42, John 2:23-25, 2 Timothy 2:2

This week, I will...

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

All “honor” and “truth” must be measured against what God says is honorable and true. Ultimately, everything truly glorious comes from Him. Psalm 8, Proverbs 3:5-6 & 15:33, James 1:16-17, Psalm 119:105 & 18:28

Use your influence...

We ALL have influence. How each of us spends our time, money, and energy makes a real, important difference. Genesis 39:19-40:23

...and experience...

We learn by doing, and our gifts, abilities, and resources come with jobs.“With great power comes great responsibility.” More than anything, we must obey Jesus's commands and follow His example. Romans 12:3-8, John 13:1-17, Philippians 2:1-11

...to honor God and empower others

When we follow Jesus's example, God honors us. Sometimes people honor us, too. Both result in more responsibility—and the ability to multiply our efforts. Isaiah 49:5-6, Matthew 5:16

I will use my influence with ______ to...I will use my experience in ______ to...