Woodbury Church of Christ Sermons

(Watch online) What Jesus would say in the age of COVID-19 might be challenging for disciples. But, then again, it's not the confusing parts of Scripture most of us have a problem with...it's the clear expectations of God that that are hard for us to live out. 

(Watch Online) We've all run into parts of the Bible that were strange - even to the point that they were disturbing. We should've been clued in when the whole thing started with a talking snake! However, the parts that we're tempted to avoid are incredibly valuable and, if we give them a chance, transformative. 

(Watch Online) Sometimes we're tempted to view the Old Testament as something outdated or disposable on our way to the New Testament. Rather Jesus himself taught that the entire point of the Hebrew Bible was to lead us to Jesus. Join as we explore Jesus on every page! 

The Bible doesn’t behave like we expect it to. It has rules but it’s not simply a list of rules. It contains stories but it’s not a clear narrative. It contains vast treasures of knowledge but it’s not an encyclopedia. It is filled with long, intense sections of (often very gloomy) poetry. It has in-depth and complex legal requirements. It is packed with strange, sensational and often bloody, history. 

When we think about prayer, it can make us feel guilty. Most of us know we don't pray like we should. Therein lies the problem..."should". Yes, prayerlessness is a problem. But the solution isn't to buckle down and dutifully pray. Prayer shouldn't be thought of as a burden but a gift. Through prayer, we have been given constant access to our heavenly Father!

Sometimes we presume we can't be honest with God about everything, including our doubts. But the writer of the 73 Psalm makes it clear that we can open up about anything and, often, honesty with God is the best path forward to easing our fears and doubts. 

Scripture confronts us with an uncomfortable truth - We have little control over the circumstances of our lives. We have all lived this when we waited to hear back after a job interview, when we experienced turbulence on a flight or when we had a sick child in the hospital. Those moments where, for a moment, the illusion of control was lifted, drove us to pray. What if, instead of being terrified by our lack of control, we leaned into it by constantly seeking God in prayer? 

Belief isn't simply that we THINK something MIGHT be true - Belief is when we have been wrestled to the ground by the truth. We often call this kind of belief, conviction. We may have beliefs but conviction have us. We are conquered by conviction. What convictions are so fundamental to who you are that they shape the very core of your identity and trajectory of your life? 

Worship can be one of those elements of discipleship that we know is important but we aren't 100% sure what it is. Worship defies easy explanation. We know we should do it but what exactly is the "it" we're doing? Worship can profoundly impact and give meaning to our lives if we're willing to explore just a little. 

Our devotion to Christ is observed in our obedience to Christ. We have a rocky history with obedience because we tend to think obedience is about a loss of personal freedom and agency. But that isn't the Biblical understanding of obedience at all. God doesn't expect our obedience because it benefits Him, He wants our obedience in order to bless us.