The United Church of Canandaigua

This sermon explores Psalm 146:5-10 and the Advent theme of longing for God to make all things right in our broken world. The message contrasts temporary human solutions with God's eternal faithfulness and his work of caring for the vulnerable like the oppressed, hungry, and marginalized. The application calls listeners to place their hope in God rather than human leaders while actively joining his work of caring for those in need, requiring faith to trust God's timeline even when circumstances suggest delay.

This sermon examines Psalm 72's prayer for a ruler who embodies God's righteousness and wisdom, pointing beyond Solomon to Christ's eternal kingdom. The message challenges congregants to care for the afflicted and needy while anticipating Jesus' return as the King who will establish perfect peace and wholeness.

This sermon explores Psalm 122, a Song of Ascent that captures the joy of pilgrimage to Jerusalem and connects with our Advent longing for Christ's coming. The congregation will be challenged to find joy in worship, build unified community, pray for God's peace, and make personal commitments to work for the good of God's people during this season of anticipation.

In his final words before execution, Peter challenges believers to guard their spiritual inheritance against subtle deception and to actively grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This sermon concludes our 12-week journey through 2 Peter by bringing us full circle to the central question of what we do with everything God has given us. Pastor Wade will provide practical steps for both guarding against false teaching and growing deeper in relationship with Jesus, challenging the congregation to live like the spiritual millionaires they truly are.

Peter's final letter challenges believers to live with eternal perspective, recognizing that this world is temporary while God's new creation will last forever. The passage emphasizes that Christians can actively participate in hastening Christ's return through evangelism, holy living, prayer, and obedience rather than passively waiting. Practically, this means making decisions based on what honors God, using our resources for His kingdom, and preparing our hearts to be found spotless, blameless and at peace when Jesus returns.

This sermon explores 2 Peter 3:8-10, where Peter addresses complaints about the apparent delay in Jesus’ return. The message shows how God’s eternal perspective on time differs from our human impatience, and how His delay is actually motivated by patient love for people who need time to come to faith. The application challenges listeners to trust God’s timing in their own lives, show patience with difficult people as God shows patience with them, and live ready for Christ’s unexpected return.

In 2 Peter 3:1-7, Peter addresses scoffers who mock the delay of Christ's return by reminding believers that God has always kept His promises throughout history. Just as God judged the world through Noah's flood, He will return to judge again, this time by fire. Believers should live with urgency and readiness, trusting God's perfect timing rather than being swayed by skeptics who deliberately forget God's faithfulness.

In a world full of confusion and false promises, Peter warns against voices that seem refreshing but leave us empty. True freedom isn’t found in self-serving desires but in knowing Christ and living as his people. Rooted in Scripture and guided by the Spirit, we’re called to live holy, hope-filled lives that reflect the grace and truth of Jesus.

This sermon examines 2 Peter 2:10b-16, where Peter describes false teachers as blots and blemishes who are arrogant, greedy, and motivated by selfish gain. Using the example of Balaam, Peter shows how these teachers abandon the right path to pursue personal profit, becoming so spiritually blind that they have less discernment than Balaam’s talking donkey. The application challenges believers to recognize the warning signs of false teaching, guard their own hearts against pride and greed, and stay grounded in God’s Word.

Peter uses three powerful Old Testament examples of fallen angels, Noah's flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to demonstrate that God's perfect justice and perfect mercy work together throughout history. Through these stories of both judgment and rescue, we see that God has never failed to deal with rebellion while also protecting those who trust Him. We are challenged to stand faithfully for God's truth even when the world mocks it, while offering hope that God's mercy is still available to those who turn to Him in repentance and faith.