It's Not What IT Seems (John 11: 1-4, ESV)

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How will we handle the troubles of life when we expect Jesus to move? If the trials we endure are able to be undone, what is their purpose? Maybe the Lord’s aim is  bigger and much deeper.

 This week’s message pulls on us to trust God as we face situations we’d hoped to avoid and maintain a stance of  trust in God as God works to grow our faith. Let the first week of our new series  comfort and challenge you. Let’s grow to the place that wherever God leads, we’ll be willing to “Just Go With It!”

Scripture: Luke 15:11-14

This sermon taken from a familiar parable focuses on the younger son (prodigal) who teaches us what actions and choices we might want to avoid so that we do not have "What Had Happened Was" stories/moments.  These stories/moments are filled with missteps and poor choices and the consequences.  The younger son also teaches us choices we can make to return home to a loving, forgiving, and welcoming God.

Scripture: John 7:53-8:11  

This sermon centers the woman threatened with stoning and Jesus’ intervention to stop male violence against women. It cautions the Christian to resist over spiritualizing which can lead to ignoring the sin of violence against vulnerable people, often women and children.

It concludes by affirming that God does not ordain violence against women.

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-2

The Audacity of Being Light

The focus of this message is to encourage every Believer that God is the divine source of light and no matter how dark the world is, God is with us. For this reason, we are able to arise (do the work God has for us) and shine (reflect God’s light in this world).

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-10

Thy Kingdom Come

The focus of this message is to encourage every Believer to be hopeful and experience renewed faith even though times are hard and the rich and powerful appear to be in control and prospering. Ultimately, God’s kingdom will prevail.

John 1:29-32

Joshua 14: 10-12 (NIV)

Isaiah 42:9

Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Mark 12:29-31 

As believers we are beneficiaries of the “hesed” of God; His mercy, steadfast love, loyal love. However, we wrestle with demonstrating “hesed” to other people. The spiritual imperative for Christians is to show the unconditional love of Christ to others especially when we disapprove of their decisions or behavior

1 Peter 2:11-17

A Christians life lived out speaks far louder than words spoken.  It is in our acts of kindness.  We see it in our expressions of love.  It is demonstrated when we extend forgiveness and show mercy.  We are the examples of Christ in the world.  So, we must think differently.  Act differently.  Speak differently.  We have been given a mission.  We have been given a charge.  Both require our hands and our feet.  We are just passing through because this is not our home.

Revelation 12:7-12

The whole world has been deceived and is being deceived by the devil.  He is leading as many people as he can astray and far from entering into any kind of relationship with God.  He will take every opportunity given to him to bring harm and destruction, regardless of who is in his path, for he is filled with wrath and knows that his time is short.  But if we look ahead in God's word, we will see that his end is already done.

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-5

This sermon is a lament. As Christians we must use the voices that God gave us to call out what is wrong! Although we don’t always agree on what is wrong, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict your conscience and speaking what the Holy Spirit gives you to say is a start. 

Scripture:  John 21:1-14, NIV

We can do the right thing, work hard and still come up short. But at the words of Jesus things change. When we are most at a loss, Jesus shows that we have not lost him, the Christ.