The Compass Church

Exodus 17:8-16

John 3:1-19 and Ezekiel 36:25-27

Have you ever been listening to the Christmas song from which the title of this sermon is taken and wondered: “what exactly do those words mean?”. If so, you aren’t the first! Jesus told these words to a deeply religious man to help him see his great spiritual need, and ours.

Psalm 137:1-4, Isaiah 61:1-4, Luke 4:14-30

One of the hymns we sing at Christmas talks about Israel “mourning in lonely exile until the Son of God appears”. Why does this song resonate with us so deeply? Could it be that we are awaiting Christ to bring us out of exile too?

Acts 28:17-31

Paul's life was characterized by unwavering perseverance, focused on Jesus as his source of strength and guidance. He not only embraced but embodied the teachings of Jesus, urging others to follow suit, emphasizing the transformative power of Jesus in navigating life's challenges and exemplifying devotion.

Acts 27:9-38, 44

“We seem to be meant to tell stories…” -Allistar McGrath. While biblical truths are not as “cut & dry” within the setting of biblical narrative, it does not mean they are not as present or as rich. The beauty of story-telling is that it depicts truth within a relative setting—it’s more than simply truth proclaimed. Luke’s account of Paul’s journey at sea has much to share about the very message he is seeking to bring into Rome and to Caesar. In the midst of a “tempest” sea, we see a Savior revealed.

Acts 23:1-11; 24:1-16, 22-23, 26; 25:1-12; 26:4-5, 12-19, 27-29

In the midst of cultural conflict, as things press against the very nature of the Gospel message and life of faith Jesus calls us to, how can we stand to make a defense for the faith—for Christianity? Paul, standing amidst 4 literal trials amongst Jewish and Roman leaders, provides a “blueprint” of cultural apologetics for us. A defense is not an argument layered with disdain or vitriol, but an invitation into the hope, peace, and change only the Gospel can bring.

Acts 21:17-30, Acts 22:17-22, Galatians 3:29 and 6:13-16, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

It isn’t enough to be a “person of faith”, our faith must be in the right thing. How can we tell the difference between an imperfect faith in the right thing and misplaced faith?

Acts 20:17-38

In recent years we’ve seen example after example of leadership failure. Politics, business, culture, and sadly even the church have been marred by men and women who said one thing but did another. The church deserves better. What kind of leaders does God intend for His church to have?

Acts 19:11-28

The message of Jesus challenges our idols and exposes our hearts. It has a way of showing what is really most important to us. But, if we receive Him He gives us more than we could have ever asked for.

Acts 18:1-11, 18-28

We can’t be the people God is making us into apart from others, and we can’t do the things God calls us to do apart from others.