Treasures New and Old

(Text: 1 John 1:5--2:2) We often think of confession as "owning up to our wrongs," but this is only half true. When we confess, we reveal that to which our heart clings. With this in mind, 1 John encourages us to have a true confession; one that acknowledges our sin in the light of God's mercy.

(Text: 1 John 1:1-4) In discussing religion, politics, or even medicine, it's common in our culture to base our beliefs on some private inner feeling of what is true. According to 1 John, however, our faith is not some mysterious inner feeling of the heart, but comes through tangible, external things; things we can see and hear and touch.

(Text: John 15:1-17) In this Lenten reflection, Pastor John wrestles with some of the difficult passages of scripture. When evil befalls us, can we trust God to use it for our good? What about when our prayers aren't answered in the way we want? (Sermon preached on March 8, 2018)

(Text: Philippians 2:1-13) In this chapter of Philippians, Paul encourages the church in Philippi to work together towards their common goal in Christ. He offers Jesus as an example, who did not seek his own good, but poured himself out for our sake.

(Text: Philippians 1:1-18a) Though he is imprisoned, Paul writes a letter of gratitude and encouragement to the church at Philippi. In his deep expression of love for the Philippian church, and their expression of loving care for his needs in prison, we see how God provides for us through the church.

(Text: Acts 16:16-34) When Paul casts out a fortune-telling spirit from a slave-girl, he and Silas are imprisoned for taking away her masters' "hope of making money." Paul and Silas, however, have a better hope, one which sustains them in prison, bearing fruit for the gospel.

(Text: Acts 9:1-19a) Saul is on his way to Damascus to arrest any believers in Jesus he can find when suddenly his world is turned upside down by a revelation of Jesus. Grace often works in this apocalyptic fashion, breaking in where it is undeserved and unasked for, and leaving us changed.

(Text: John 20:19-31) Throughout John 20, everyone struggles to believe in Jesus' resurrection until Jesus himself shows up for them. Through the work of the Spirit and the Word of God, Jesus continues to show up for us, so that we who have not seen may yet believe.

(Text: John 20:1-18) Easter Sunday: Even as the evidence mounts, the disciples of Jesus struggle to believe he has been raised from the dead. Finally, Jesus reveals himself to Mary Magdalene and she believes.

(Text: John 18-19) Good Friday: Jesus is indeed a king, though his kingdom is not of this world. By his death on the cross, this King wins the victory over our sin and rejection. By his wounds we are healed.