Fishing is a popular past time for many Americans. Some enjoy the challenges that strategic fishing can bring. Others enjoy the leisure and friendships that are formed while sitting in a boat discussing life. Some enjoy the quiet isolated alone time that can be had out at the lake. Simply put recreational fishing is fun. However, this definition of fishing is not exactly what Jesus had in mind when He called His disciples to become fishers of men. Today we look at and examine the call of Jesus, not just to His first disciples, but to all disciples, you and all who are the church, to become fishers of men.

When we have exalted Jesus as the Christ and have exalted Him in our lives as the Son of the Living God we become the church. As followers of Jesus that means you and I are the Church! The church is a living organism constantly growing and reshaping itself. An important element to growth is teaching and building up one another. That summed up in one word is edification. Today we examine our role as the church of edifying one another in our organic growth.

When we have exalted Jesus as the Christ and have exalted Him in our lives as the Son of the Living God we become the church. As followers of Jesus that means you and I are the Church! The church is a living organism constantly growing and reshaping itself. An important element to growth is teaching and building up one another. That summed up in one word is edification. Today we examine our role as the church of edifying one another in our organic growth.

Jesus has spent over two years with His disciples. They have had both brilliant and dreadful moments. Jesus is now alone with them away from the threats of the Pharisees and He is ready to test their knowledge of who He is. How will they respond? Who will respond? Will they be right? Today we examine their response and experience truth as they exalt Jesus to His rightful place! One question remains: have you shared in their correct response?

Jesus has spent over two years with His disciples. They have had both brilliant and dreadful moments. Jesus is now alone with them away from the threats of the Pharisees and He is ready to test their knowledge of who He is. How will they respond? Who will respond? Will they be right? Today we examine their response and experience truth as they exalt Jesus to His rightful place! One question remains: have you shared in their correct response?

With all our running to and fro another year has come and gone. Twenty thirteen is behind us and now we face the challenge of a new year. Facing the future can be challenging and a bit apprehensive, yet at the same time it can be filled with great excitement. Best thing is God wants us to be successful in that which we seek to accomplish in this new year. Today I want to give your three things upon which to focus. Call them resolutions is you wish, but if we make these focuses a priority, we will have a successful and blessed year. Happy New Year!

We have been dealing with the theme “An Unexpected Christmas” this month. While for those we have looked at during this sermon series, Christmas may have been unexpected, unscripted, unfamiliar, and unfulfilled. For us this is not the case. We are expecting it in just two days. Neither is it unscripted or unfamiliar for we are all aware of the Christmas story. However for some, for those outside of Christ the season remains unfulfilled. Today as with the characters of our story, for the Christian, Christmas moves from unfulfilled to fulfilled.

We have been dealing with the theme “An Unexpected Christmas” this month. While for those we have looked at during this sermon series, Christmas may have been unexpected, unscripted, unfamiliar, and unfulfilled. For us this is not the case. We are expecting it in just two days. Neither is it unscripted or unfamiliar for we are all aware of the Christmas story. However for some, for those outside of Christ the season remains unfulfilled. Today as with the characters of our story, for the Christian, Christmas moves from unfulfilled to fulfilled.

Mary’s young life quickly turned to the unexpected. The announcement of Gabriel was certainly and interruption to her plans. With her plans now thrown out the window, Mary began to walk an unscripted path that was based on trust and worship of God. As with other parts of Mary’s story we find the birth of her son, God’s Son, in an unfamiliar setting: an overcrowded town far away from home, surrounded by strangers, no place but a manger for a crib, and simple shepherds as the first visitor’s. Overwhelmed with all that had happened Mary treasured and pondered these things in her heart.

Mary’s young life quickly turned to the unexpected. The announcement of Gabriel was certainly and interruption to her plans. With her plans now thrown out the window, Mary began to walk an unscripted path that was based on trust and worship of God. As with other parts of Mary’s story we find the birth of her son, God’s Son, in an unfamiliar setting: an overcrowded town far away from home, surrounded by strangers, no place but a manger for a crib, and simple shepherds as the first visitor’s. Overwhelmed with all that had happened Mary treasured and pondered these things in her heart.