Sunday Sermons

Prior to Jesus' sacrifice, the only way to God was through the Tabernacle. At first glance, it may seem contradictory to the overwhelming grace of the cross, but if you choose to look closer, you'll see that it truly was the plan all along.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

God's plan is to transform us and set us free to do His will on earth. Grace and love require 100% commitment. Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 2:10

The Tabernacle priests were consecrated at the Basin; then they had to wash their hands and feet there every time they approached the Holy Place. Once again, we see blood (atonement) and water (cleansing) playing integral parts in God's plan. There is no cheap grace.* Exodus 30:17-21, 40:11-16 & 30-32

The Tabernacle's Basin was made of melted mirrors; the Temple's Basin was called The Sea. God's perspective—no matter how incomprehensible it may be at times—is the only one that truly matters. Exodus 38:8, 1 Kings 7:23-40, Romans 6:5-11, 1 Peter 3:3-4

Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. We can approach God withconfidence. This required both blood and water. Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 6:1-4

We must build each other up, pray for each other, show each othermercy—even protect and rescue each other—and stay humble. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Jude 20-25

For a true Christ follower, true love includes helping each other to stay pure and connected to God and His will—and sin is never His will. Ephesians 5:25-26, 1 Corinthians 7

God loves hearts that are broken and repentant. He promises to give us new hearts and new spirits—then put His own Spirit in us to help us to live life His way. Psalm 51:17, Isaiah 66:2, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Acts 2:38

* Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Prior to Jesus' sacrifice, the only way to God was through the Tabernacle. At first glance, it may seem contradictory to the overwhelming grace of the cross, but if you choose to look closer, you'll see that it truly was the plan all along.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Jesus Christ made it possible to see things from God's Perspective.

Isaiah 9:6, John 10:10

The Tabernacle represented God's Presence (and much more), and the Sin Altar made it clear that we have to approach God on His terms. Exodus 25-32, John 14:6

Everyone had to approach God through the entrance, presenting theirtithes, offerings, and sacrifices at the Sin Altar. Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 10:20

Acacia Wood was strong, durable, and accessible—just like every- thing these items represented.

Gold represents God's royalty and holiness; silver represents redemption, and bronze represents atonement and cleansing. Both of are required before anyone can approach God. Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-21

Today, through Christ, we are the Tabernacles. Mark 15:37-39, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Corinthians 6:19

Yes, Lord, I will...

The ApMa Project exists to enable, educate, train, and equip the local people of the ApMa language. More specifically, they target individuals that through training, will eventually takeover their duties. In essence, they are trying to work themselves out of a job. By doing this, it will provide a sustainable project that the ApMa people can take ownership of and champion the cause themselves. This is done through various avenues: Education & Literacy; Discipleship & Church Growth; Community Development & Construction Projects; and a Scholarship Program.

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

For the Christmas season we will be diving into the names of Jesus and what that should mean to us.

Speaker: Denny Young, Guest Speaker

Notes:

Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 7:14

John 3:16

Isaiah 48:22

Romans 3:23-25

Romans 5:11

I John 5:11-13

Philippians 4:6-7

John 14:15-18

I Corinthians 6:19-20

John 14:27

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

For the Christmas season we will be diving into the names of Jesus and what that should mean to us.

Speaker: David Pryor, Disciplship Minister

Notes:

The “name” one is called refers to the character qualities of the kind of person one is.

Jesus will be called Everlasting Father? I thought God is!

There is a strongly established oneness in the Trinity. John 1:1-3

Immanuel means God with us. Isaiah 7:14

In Romans 8:9-11, what names are equated with the Holy Spirit?

In Hebrews 2:11-13, Jesus says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

How did the Israelites regard God as a Father?

He was more God than a father. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. Hosea 11:1-4,

Deuteronomy 32:6

How did Jesus change this?

He focused on God's desire to save us, and revealed God's love, mercy, and grace. He taught us to address God as our Father

Romans 8:14-17 says that the Spirit we received brought about our adoption to sonship.

Good and Bad Fathers

Our concept of God as a father is formed first by earthly fathers. Negative views of fathers is also influenced by the entertainment industry.

What kind of Father is God/Jesus? Hebrews 12:5-10

The Lord disciplines the one he loves. God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. Earthly fathers should follow Christ's example as a father. The more spiritually mature we become, the more childlike we become.

Our Father will be...

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

For the Christmas season we will be diving into the names of Jesus and what that should mean to us.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus can guide, advise, comfort, encourage, and advocate for us in genuinely miraculous and awe-inspiring ways.

The term Mighty God (El Gibbor) often refers to a military hero. IF we are on His side, we have access to His power – and He is prone to take action. 1 Peter 5:5-11, Jeremiah 29:10-14, Isaiah 33:21, Zephaniah 3:17

We must adjust our perspective and expectations to match God's. Psalm 24:2, Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 3:20

When we do this, we learn that:

We are NOT alone
We CAN get better
God can change what we cannot

Sometimes God heals physically, but we must always respond to our Mighty God with trust and humility. 2 Kings 5, John 5

The Lion of Judah / Lamb who was slain is worthy of the same glory, honor and praise that God gets – and He has the same power! Hosea 5:14, Revelation 4 & 5

Yes, Lord, I will...

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

For the Christmas season we will be diving into the names of Jesus and what that should mean to us.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Wonderful means miraculous, supernatural; something that genuinely inspires awe and wonder; something that is incomprehensible and impossible unless God shows up. Exodus 15:11, Psalm 89:5, Isaiah 28:29

Counselor means advisor, comforter, and advocate. Proverbs 11:14, John 14:15-17, Proverbs 8

Incarnation means a tangible representation of a concept or a deity. Zechariah 2:10, John 1:1-5, 1 John 1:1-4

We must serve as love incarnate until He returns. Colossians 3:16, John 13:35

Our miraculous mediator is always with us. Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 4:15-16, Romans 8:26

Imagine you are handed a screw and a painting and are tasked with hanging it on the wall. Would you rather use a regular screwdriver or an electric drill? Your answer should be obvious. Every year was take at least a month or two to talk about the Spiritual Disciplines, which are (in John Pryor's words), the spiritual equivilent of power tools.

"Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you want to get serious about your faith? These Spiritual Disciplines are here for you. Follow along with this series if you want to learn how you might better integrate them into your daily life.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Worship is primarily about surrender, allegiance, and obedience. Matthew 2:1-12 & 4:8-11; John 4:21-24; Romans 12:1-2

1 Timothy 2:8; 1 Peter 3:13-17; Judges 7:15; Luke 6:40, Isaiah 1:10-18

2 Quotes from Richard J. Foster:

“If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change.”

“Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind. The purpose of meditation is to enable us to hear God more clearly.”

Singing is a wonderful, biblical way to worship and to meditate!

Psalm 9:11, 13:6, 47:6, 96:1-4, and Psalm 100
Acts 16:25, Romans 15:9, 1 Corinthians 14:15,26, Colossians 3:16

3 Prayers we should all be praying:

“Break my heart for what breaks Yours.” (see Isaiah 1:10-18)

Paul's Prayer in Ephesians 3:18-21

“Yes, Lord, I will...”

Imagine you are handed a screw and a painting and are tasked with hanging it on the wall. Would you rather use a regular screwdriver or an electric drill? Your answer should be obvious. Every year was take at least a month or two to talk about the Spiritual Disciplines, which are (in John Pryor's words), the spiritual equivilent of power tools.

"Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you want to get serious about your faith? These Spiritual Disciplines are here for you. Follow along with this series if you want to learn how you might better integrate them into your daily life.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

We CAN accomplish God's goals with His help.

1 Corinthians 10:13

We become what we do, and because our Maker knows best, we study to learn His Way. Psalm 119, Ezra 7:9-10

Study focuses on God's Word. Be careful “studying” anything from an ungodly or anti-God perspective! Ecclesiastes 12:12, Ephesians 5:12

We study so we can learn, understand, apply and teachGod's truth, especially to our children!

2 Timothy 2:15, Joshua 1:8, Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Secrecy forces us to totally trust God, and it helps us crucify our pride and arrogance. Matthew 6

(Secret sins will also be revealed when our secret good deeds are rewarded, but that is a whole other subject...) Psalm 90:8, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Jeremiah 17:10, Mark 4:22, Romans 16:25, 1 Timothy 5:24-25

Lord, I will...

Imagine you are handed a screw and a painting and are tasked with hanging it on the wall. Would you rather use a regular screwdriver or an electric drill? Your answer should be obvious. Every year was take at least a month or two to talk about the Spiritual Disciplines, which are (in John Pryor's words), the spiritual equivilent of power tools.

"Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you want to get serious about your faith? These Spiritual Disciplines are here for you. Follow along with this series if you want to learn how you might better integrate them into your daily life.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Spiritual Disciplines work because they connect us with God's Truth, His Will, and His Power. Romans 12:1-2

FASTING reminds us that we need God more than anything else.

Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 13:1-3

FEASTING celebrates what is good, true, nourishing, and important.

Exodus 12, Matthew 8:11, Revelation 3:20

SILENCE teaches us to listen and pay attention.

Psalm 46, Ecclesiastes 5:1, Isaiah 42, John 10:27

SOLITUDE reconnects us with God and our own soul.

Matthew 26:36-46, John 17

Lord, I will...