Sermon ArchiveLiving in a Pluralist Society - Pastor Bassam Madany 10-22-17 Living in a Pluralist Society Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (I Corinthians 8: 4 -6) What If Obedience to God Makes Life Harder? 10-8-17 What If Obedience to God Makes Life Harder? As we live our suburban Chicago lives, it’s easy to settle in for the comforts of homes, jobs, family nearby, church going, and the stable rhythm of the years. But what if God calls us to change something? Surely since it’s His Will, when we obey, things will go smoothly… right? But actually no. God’s Will stands in opposition to a sinful world and our own sinful hearts, so obedience will meet resistance. Do you have the courage to see God glorified? (Exodus 5 – 6:1) God's Big Moves Can Start Small 10-4-17 God's Big Moves Can Start Small This Sunday, we start a new sermon series in Exodus that will take us all the way into December. Exodus begins with God’s people, and then with them in a lot of trouble. They are subject to historical forces beyond them, a powerful king who doesn’t know God, and even they, too, seem to have forgotten their destiny. But the turn of the tide begins in God’s blessings, even a small one, because two women resist pharaoh. We, too, can learn to watch for the great moves of God beginning in the small. (Exodus 1) Saved, Just as They Are 9-24-17 Saved, Just as They Are In this third week of vision-renewal, we’ll hear from Acts 15, when the Jews pulled off a stunner and made things easy for the Gentiles. After 1500 years of separate-ness, God was grafting them into one community of Jesus-followers, and it was up to them to be intentional in forming new community and bending away from their own cultures and toward one another A Discomfitting Discipleship 9-17-17 A Discomfitting Discipleship On this second Sunday of vision renewal month, I’ll be addressing the topic of discipleship, that is, how we live in a way that obeys Jesus. To do so is more difficult than we can grasp when we first respond to Jesus’ call, but that never excuses us from continually being led and getting better at walking His way. What’s your next step? (Matthew 8:18-22) The Light to the Nations 9-10-17 The Light to the Nations It’s to review and renew the NHC vision, mission, and values. We’ll start with outreach, and remembering that we are not the Savior, but the saved. It was Jesus’ destiny to be the light to the nations; we are the nations who have received the light. That means outreach has to come from humility, not pride in “being right.” (Isaiah 49:1-7) To Love as God Loves If we really love a person, we often try to imitate their best qualities, even if those qualities don’t come naturally to us. And what of God? God is love, we read in the Bible, but that’s not a vague or general ideal. The Bible gets specific – God loves His creation, yes, and His people, yes, and sinners, yes, and also the most vulnerable. How are you doing with imitating the love of God? (Deuteronomy 10:12-22) The Holy Scapegoat Maybe you’ve heard the idea that Jesus acted as a substitute to receive the consequences of our sin, but how does that really work? Can we really “transfer” sins or shame to someone else? To figure this out, we have to go back to the Old Testament and a special Israelite day called the “day of atonement.” On that day, the Israelites could come near again to their holy God as they offered sacrifices to cleanse themselves. All sinners must do the same, but the good news is that God has made it possible. (Leviticus 16) Can Your Anger Serve Jesus? 8-20-17 - Can Your Anger Serve Jesus? Anger can be a useful emotion. It gets us to stand up for ourselves, can give us strength in dangerous situations, or protect others. But what happens when we let anger take control of us rather than us controlling it? And if we could control it, what should we do with it? What if anger could be used to serve God’s purposes? (Ephesians 4:17-32)
Rev. Bassam Michael Madany 8-13-17 - God's Wod Is Not Chained. Please welcome Rev. Bassam Michael Madany who will be our guest preacher while Pastor Dan is away. His sermon text is titled “God’s Word Is Not Chained” - II Timothy 2:9b. Scripture reading is II Timothy 2: 1- 13. Haters Gonna Hate… What Does God Want You To Do? - Psalms 140 8-6-17 - Haters Gonna Hate...What Does God Want You To Do? It seems, in this social media age, that everybody has nay-sayers, doubters, and “haters.” Sometimes we even like our anger and desire revenge, or at least the vindication of success. But it’s still hard not to absorb into ourselves the cruelties and words of such people, so we need to grow in strength, identity, and grace through our relationship with God. With school coming up and the younger kids upstairs this week, we’ll be focused on the haters known as “bullies.” Of course, none of these issues are really new. King David wrote songs about them, like Psalm 140. The Sabbath Was Made For You - Mark 2:23-3:6 7-23-17 - The Sabbath Was Made For You There are two wrong ways to handle God’s command to “give it a rest:” to get caught up in rules over people, or to get caught up in life over God. But Jesus’ way requires faith. When you rest, you let go of the illusion of your own control and ability to make life happen in favor of letting God take care of a few things. Ahhhh… (March 2:23-3-6) Change Your Mind, Change Your Life - 2 Chronicles 34:1-8 Pastor Jason Perry 7-16-17 - Change Your Mind, Change Your LIfe Many people live unfulfilled lives because they are stuck in unhealthy, non-productive lifestyles. In order to change your life you must first change your mind. In our text for today, we learn the story of such a revolutionary who was not willing to go with the flow. From his story we the steps that he took to change his own mind and how that lead to a dramatic shift in his world.. (2 Chronicles 34:1-8) How to Worry and Suffer Well. - Phil 4:4-9 7-9-17 - How to Worry and Suffer Well We’re moving into a mid-summer “grab-bag” of practical topics. This week’s is about how Christians can meet worry, circumstances, and suffering with rejoicing, prayer, and focus. But those virtues don’t happen because we choose to be “positive thinkers.” They are possible because God, who made us His own in Jesus, is the God of peace. (Phil 4:4-9) Is Grace Scary? - Acts 5:1-11 In Acts 5:1-11, and in a shocking moment for early church youth ministry, the young men are called in to bury a couple people trying to cheat the church and lie to God. The couple fails. Yikes. The story of Ananias and Sapphira seems to lack grace for sinners, but the grace that changes sinners is also the grace that requires changing. God settles for nothing less than our whole heart because otherwise we can’t be saved at all. Why Church (#3)? To Make Jesus Known - Act 4:1-22 6-25-17 - Why church (#3)? To Make Jesus Known To fulfill one of life’s great purposes and the church’s great purpose, Christians, as a group and called “the church,” have to be at work making Jesus known. This is never easy (but why would things that are worth doing be easy?), but takes authority, goodness, and conviction. Thus prepared, Jesus’ servants can face the system and the powers of sin and evil itself. (Acts 4:1-22) What is Church for? Blessing you - Acts 3:1-10 6-18-17 - What is church for? Blessing you. In this story of going from paralysis to praise, Peter and John’s
worship routine is interrupted… so that God can be glorified. They
respond by giving what they have, which is more than enough to heal this
man inside and out. Church is for blessing others in Jesus’ name! (Acts 3:1-10) 6-11-17 - Why Church? A Company for God. Whether we mean the building, the institution, the people, or worship, church can be difficult and / or ugly. But it can also be beautiful and exactly what we need if we take the Spirit’s cues for what it should be. Why church? To be a company for God. (Acts 2:42-47) You Chase the Storm, But Why Not Better Know the Wind? 6-4-17 - You Chase the Storm, But Why Not Better Know the Wind? The Spirit is still flying around this world, raining down grace on the just and the unjust. Maybe even on you. You may remember the floods of God’s love for years to come, but what if you could become attentive to what the Spirit was about to do? Would you share in the wonder of anticipation and the rush of change the Spirit brings? Then watch and learn the wind. (Acts 2:1-21) Are We There Yet? - Acts 1:1-11 So after His resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven. It makes sense that God the Son would want to be with God the Father, but we don’t get to join that party yet. Instead, we have a long journey here below, filled with dangers, toils, and snares along the way to obeying Jesus and being His witnesses. It’s a good thing we have God the Holy Spirit’s help. Still, are we there yet? (Acts 1:1-11) It's All God's - You're Just Borrowing It. - Malachi 3:6-18 5-21-17 - It's All God's - It's All God's - You're Just Borrowing It Another place half-hearted devotion to God can be exposed is in how we take care of His money. Do we use it recognizing it’s all His anyway? Can we safely expect anything from God when we give Him what is merely His own? What does it mean to “bring the whole tithe” in? (Malachi 3:6-18) I'll Be Back! ~ Jesus - Malachi 3:1-5 (Pastor Jason Perry) - Our guest Pastor Jason Perry will be preaching on how we live in a time when it seems like God has been pushed off the throne and deemed irrelevant. If God is still in control, why does the world feel so dark and desperate? Has God given up on us? If so, what difference does it make how we live? Jesus has promised His return and He expects us to live like we believe it. The message this week will point out how Christ expects us to live in light of His imminent return. (Malachi 3:1-5) Marriage Belongs to God - Malachi 2:10-16 5-7-17 Marriage Belongs to God The Jews of Malachi’s day were not just playing religion, they were playing with each other’s hearts. Men were divorcing the women and others married outside the faith. These decisions were worse than personal – they affected the community and broke faith with the God who knows that human love flourishes when it begins and stays rooted in His love. (Malachi 2:10-16) Playing Church? God Won't Be Played - Malachi 1 4-30-17 Playing Church? God Won't Be Played The ancient Israelites had become complacent, but they didn’t know it because they were still comfortably doing their religious favors for God. But God’s love for His people is never so half-baked, and because we’re still His, He calls for our best. (Malachi 1) How Does Your World Hold Together? - Colossians 1:15-20 4-23-17 How Does Your World Hold Together? Though Christ is risen from the dead, and His Kingdom is rolling out in hearts and places around the world, we are often far from perfection and paradise. The brokenness in our own lives drives us to seek Christ’s redemption. The brokenness in creation may make us wonder how this world is going to hold together under the burden of human sin and waste. That, too, needs Christ’s redemption, for He is supreme over all creation. (Colossians 1:15-20) Easter Sunday: HE IS RISEN - Colossians 2:8-15) Jesus’ triumph over the grave brings us not just the promise of eternal life, but a place with God, a victory over death, and confirmation of the forgiveness of sins. He is everything we need to become whole and healed. Jesus is alive! (Colossians 2:8-15) Palm Sunday: Will You Recognize the Time of God's Coming to You? 4-9-17 Will You Recognize the Time of God's Coming to You? The so-called “triumphal entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem the week before He was crucified is full of mixed emotions. There is joy, but the joy is for mistaken reasons. There is hate which will soon condemn Jesus to death. There is eagerness, anger, sadness, and rejoicing – and all those responses have eternal consequences. But it all hinges on who people think Jesus is. What about you? (Luke 19:28-44) The 3-D Gospel, Part 3: Fear & Power - Mark 3:20-30 4-2-17 The 3-D Gospel, Part 3: Fear & Power - Mark 3:20-30 Leading up to Palm Sunday and Easter, we’ll be tasting three different flavors of the feast of grace the gospel provides. Each flavor may appeal differently to people of different cultures, but they are all the proclamation of Christ. This week, we’ll explore spiritual warfare, and fear and power, in Jesus’ saying about “binding the strong man.” (Mark 3:20-30) The 3-D Gospel, Part 2: Shame & Honor - Luke 15:11-32 3-26-17 The 3-D Gospel, Part 2: Shame & Honor - Luke 15:11-32 Leading up to Palm Sunday and Easter, we’ll be tasting three different flavors of the feast of grace the gospel provides. Each flavor may appeal differently to people of different cultures, but they are all the proclamation of Christ. This week, we’ll explore shame and honor in the parable of the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32) The 3-D Gospel, Part 1: Guilt & Forgiveness - Romans 7:14-8:4 3-19-17 The 3-D Gospel, Part 1: Guilt & Forgiveness - Romans 7:14-8:4 Leading up to Palm Sunday and Easter, we’ll be tasting three different flavors of the feast of grace the gospel provides. Each flavor may appeal differently to people of different cultures, but they are all the proclamation of Christ. This week, we’ll start with a theme familiar to the majority of us: guilt and forgiveness. (Romans 7:14-8:4) Why Is Forgiveness So Difficult? - Matthew 18:21-35 3-12-17 - Why Is Forgivenss So Difficult? - Matthew 18:21-35 They did it again. Unbelievable. And this time, you’re not going to just stand there and take it. They’re going to get what’s coming to them. And what if what should come to them is forgiveness? In an inescapably challenging parable, Jesus makes himself clear. (Matthew 18:21-35) God's Brand New Day - Isaiah 60 3-5-17 - God's Brand New Day - Isaiah 60 It’s easy to lose our way in the world. Our own sin corrupts us, injustice confuses us, and evil clouds our hope. But God’s light is always shining, and if you would see it clearly, you are invited to follow the worship of the nations all the way to Him. (Isaiah 60) What Would It be Like To Be On A Mission From God? - Luke 10:1-20 2-26-17 - What Woud It Be Like To Be On A Mission From God? - Part 1 2-26-17 - What Woud It Be Like To Be On A Mission From God? - Part 2 Salvation is big and broad. From souls to structures, from quarks to quasars, God is saving the whole creation in Jesus. And He has a mission for you right where you are – your neighborhood, your workplace, your school, your family. Go and show the Kingdom in word and deed! (Luke 10:1-20). If God Exists, Why Does Evil Persist? - Habakkuk 1:1-4 2-19-17 - If God Exists, Why Does Evil Persist? The world is broken and seems bent toward evil. Is such a world worth living in if even the rescue Christians believe in seems far away? Pastor Dan will share his personal testimony after a reflection on Habakkuk 1. NOTE: Pastor Dan’s testimony will include some graphic descriptions of some of the Holocaust and his personal experience of depression. Parental caution is suggested for younger children. What Is Your Salvation For? - Luke 4:31-44 2-12-17 - What Is Your Salvation For? It’s easy to think of salvation in personal terms – me and my relationship with Jesus Christ. But that’s only the beginning. When you are saved, you are given a purpose to proclaim the victory of the Kingdom of God in all areas of life – private and public, individual and collective. God’s salvation is as big as creation! Getting Jesus Online - James 1:13-21 Sometimes we only think about whether we could do something, we don’t stop to think about whether we should. On the internet, choices good and bad come at us in a flurry, and moral discernment isn’t usually as fast as our hair-trigger click reflex. So it’s time to slow down and hear what God’s Word might have to say to an internet age. The Mirror and The Knife - James 1:22-25, Hebrews 4:12-14 1-29-17 - The Mirror and The Knife We’ve been looking hard into Scripture these past few weeks, but this week we will find our again that God’s Word looks even more deeply back at and into us. Its gaze is so sharp it can do surgery on our hearts, if only to save us from the disease of sin. So look well.
"A Bible-Reading Toolkit" - Psalms 1, and John 5:39 1-22-17 - A Bible-Reading Toolkit Some of the Bible makes sense on a first read, but every part of the story has a bigger context that we can miss. And the parts of the Bible that are hard to understand call for even more attentive work. On this Sunday, let Pastor Dan walk you through using some tools to understand the context, and therefore the message, of the Bible a little bit better.
"What Kind of Book is the Bible?" - 2 Peter 1:12-21 1-15-17 - What Kind of Book is the Bible? The Bible can be studied as if it were any other ancient or religious book, but we should note some unusual features. Lots of different people wrote it, and at different times, and yet later parts say and show they’re deeply dependent on the early parts. Plus, the way it was written matches up with the story it tells. All those clues should draw us toward seeing the Bible as a book trustworthy to tell us what it clearly means to tell us. "Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain" - Romans 1:17-20, 3:21-24 1-8-17 Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain Sometimes, God seems really difficult to know. But shouldn’t God want to be known? Then what’s the problem? Is it us? Or is it Him – why doesn’t He just split the sky and show up? Actually, He already has – we just need to have our eyes opened. We need a revelation.
"The Lord's Prayer" - Matthew 5:5-15 (New Year's Day) Guest Preacher: Dr. Joel Nederhood “The Lord’s Prayer”: The main element in this prayer is stressed in verse 13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
"When God Draws You Close" - John 1:1-14 (Christmas Sunday) 12-25-16 When God Draws You Close It is common and easy to think of God as far away. Heaven is who knows where, but not here. God is utterly different than we creatures. And we have such broken lives, we don’t even know how to figure out crossing the distance between us and any supreme being. But this one crossed that distance for us in the person of Jesus Christ.
"Who Overcomes the World of Religion?" - I John 5:1-9 (December 18) 12-18-16 Who Overcomes the World of Religion It’s easy to be critical of empty religious rituals – as if we could say enough prayers to get to heaven! But what of our religion of “being a good person”? What about our religion of mere rational belief in Jesus? Those religions save no one and nothing. How then can we be saved?
"A God-Centered Love"- 1John 4:7-21 (December 11) Loving people is difficult. As much as we try to tolerate flaws, figure out culture, and cope with differences, we human beings don’t have the strength to love God’s way. But God does, and He shares that strength of love with His people, who then join Him in His work toward the completion of all things. To God Be the Glory! "An Other-Centered Love"- 1John 3:7-20 (December 4)12-4-16 An Other-Centered Love Obedience to love is easy to talk about, yet very hard to do. Our emotions militate against it, our reason cries for “fairness”, and our culture is guided by self-interest. But this is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us. Family Resemblance - 1John 2:28-3:3 (November 27)Every next generation bears the imprint of the previous, the child of the parents. And the children of God bear the imprint of their Father. In Jesus, their brother, they can become more still. How will you grow, dear and loved children of God? *Thanksgiving Day - Special Service-Seasons (November 24)
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The Litmus Test For Truth - 1John 2:15-27 (November 20) Change is a constant. From new devices to new operating systems to new and improved. From stresses to upheaval to downsizing to drama. It’s so easy to think there’s no room for the truth, but that’s an anti-Christ thinking for you. What you need are the unchanging things of God, like the truth that Jesus is the Savior. How Do You know You're Real? - 1John 1:8-2:14 (November 13) 11-13-16-How Do you know You're Real? The current age is looking for “real-ness.” Within Christian hearts, there is often an anxiety to know if we’ve really lived as Jesus asks or if we can know we’re a “real” Christian. But what does it mean to be “real”? Or to be a “real” Christian? John writes some ways for Christians to live up to that name so that even when we fail, we still witness to Christ.
How Real is God, Really? - 1John 1:1-7 (November 6) Sometimes we think of spiritual things as abstract, distant, or concerning a different life than our everyday. But God is as real as listening to a friend talk or being hugged by someone who loves you. In fact, He is as real as the blood that runs in your veins and ran from His to save you. A Walk Through Worship - Psalms 150 (October 30) 10-30-16-A Walk Through Worship Every church service has its own rhythm. Week to week, the words and songs and Bible verses and prayers tend to line up in similar ways. It becomes easy to forget WHY we worship the way we do as it becomes just what we do. What about at New Hope? Why do we worship the way that we do? Mysteries explained on Sunday October 30! "Look Whos Coming to Dinner" - Acts 10 (October 23) 10-23-16-Look Whos Coming to Dinner Some things are Simply Not Done. You don’t talk about taboo subjects in polite company. Your U.S. pastor should not greet you with a “holy kiss,” even though that would have been culturally appropriate in the New Testament culture. And back then, Jews, if at all possible, simply did not associate with Gentiles (non-Jews), not only because of culture, but because of religion. But then the Holy Spirit messed with Simon Peter, and everything HAD to change We enjoyed hearing from our Guest Ministers during Mission Emphasis Sundays - (October 9th and 16th) *On October 16th -Pastor Eric Schering shared a sermon Dry Bones and Spirit Empowerment. The Scripture Passage-(Ezekial 37:1-14). Eric and his wife (Penny) also shared about their mission work in Papua New Guinea where they currently serve as missionaries. *On October 9th -Pastor John Hoffmaster visited and shared a sermon- One in Chirst The scripture passage (Ephesians 2:11-18). Pastor John leads a church Beacon Light Reformed Church in Gary, Indiana.
Stale Faith or Living Discipleship? - Hebrews 5:7-14 (October 2) Stale Faith or Living Discipleship-10-2-2016 To be a disciple means to be a student, which means that you are always learning the next thing, which means you get humbled enough to become a teacher, which in Christ means that you have become mature enough to know you’re never fully-grown in faith in this life, and so now you can be of service to Jesus in the lives of others. So what is the next thing you need to do for Jesus and learn from Jesus to become what you are? September series: A Chemical Brew of Faith and Politics We'll be tempted to listen to the talking heads and our ideological silos, but what does God's Word have to say?
Why Praise the Lord? Because Psalm 146 (September 25) Why We Praise the Lord?-Psalms 146 We become like that which we praise. That’s the end-goal of why we should praise the Lord. But what makes the Lord worthy of that praise in the first place? In this political season, we need to hear clearly what should be praised and what is God’s greatness.
Serving the Lord for He is our Savior - (September 18) Serving the Lord for He is our Savior-Joshua 24:17 and John 20:19-22 *On September 18th This sermon was preached by our Visiting Pastor, Rev. Siang Hup who shared about his ministry to the Burmese refugees. Christian Dialogue in a Trolling World (September 11) 9-11-16-In a Trolling World-Galations 5:16-26 We know it’s the “Age of Outrage.” It’s easier than ever to confirm our biases, blast someone on the internet, and, in our anxiety, to cling to how right we are. But it’s God who is righteous. If we are to live as He wants us to, we are to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, who produces in us the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness… A call for Justice in the court of public opinion (September 4) 9-4-16-How Do Lives Matter-Amos 5:7-17 As I walked out of the Lansing village chambers a couple weeks ago, I saw a woman wearing a “Police Lives Matter” shirt. Of course that is true, but I wondered if in her assertion of one truth, she had clearly heard the other, namely, that our justice system contains systematic racial prejudice and that some police officers and forces are undermining the trust of the nation in all police. And there is a deeper truth that these injustices are a rebellion against our Creator who made us for wholeness and love, and can only be changed by the righteousness that comes from God. Until You Acknowledge (August 28) 8-28-16-A King and a Kingdom-Daniel 4- Nebuchadnezzer, reigning potentate of Babylon, thought he was the cheese, that is, the source of prosperity and truth. He had another thing coming. What about our nation's two major political parties? BIG Questions? Can a loving God allow hell to exist? (August 21) Can a loving God allow hell to exist?-Matthew 25:31-46 - Hell seems so… hellish. How can a truly loving God send people to agony forever? Isn’t that cruel in some cases? But we can’t begin to understand hell if we don’t begin BY understanding who God is and what His love is like. He loves the lowly, the down and out, and the sinners, and that’s why He has to do justice on evil. What really happens after death? (August 14) What really happens after death-1Thessalonians 4:13-18The popular ideas are almost fun, but nowhere substantiated except in cheesy art. The usual Christian ideas are a start (like being with Jesus, the separation of soul from body, or even the rapture), but often fall short on what the Bible fully teaches. But praise the Lord, His actual promises are even bigger than our usual hopes! Is Jesus the only way to heaven? (August 7) Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven-Acts 4:1-22 In a world with so many religions and so many people that never even hear about Jesus, how can Christians claim that Jesus is the only way of salvation?
What Does the BIBLE Say About...Romantic Love? (June 5, 12, 19, 26) June 26 06-26-16 Sweet Marriage Genesis 2 Here's one way to make your or others' marriages better: leave and cleave! June 19 Aint Love the Sweetest Thing Song of Songs 7:10-8:7 Song of Songs seems not to fit as part of the Bible. What is steamy love poetry doing there? To make sure we know that steamy romantic love can be holy, too, because it’s one of God’s gifts. We need the wise ideals of Song of Songs to enjoy that gift the way it was meant to be enjoyed. June 12 06-12-2016 Christian Sexy 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Maybe a lot of us think we know what the Bible says we shouldn’t do when it comes to s–uality, but that’s not as important as knowing what we should do. “Therefore honor God with your body.” We will also be celebrating communion, which we be a great reminder of where purity comes from: Jesus’ death, which cleanses His own from sin. June 5, 2016 06-05-2016 True Love is Forever 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, 24-35 This week opens a June sermon series about romantic love. The Bible has plenty of unexpected things to say on the topic, but if Jesus is truly master of your life, He must be in charge of your love life, too. And, we must feel, know, and believe all over again that the highest and best love comes to us from God. May 29, 2016 Today’s special service will be to remind New Hope Church how to seek and obey Jesus. Since He is the King, and we are the servants, how can we make decisions a church that will match His Will? Pray first, then serve. "God Save the King!"; Psalm 20. May 22, 2016 05-22-2016 Time to Pick a Side If you’re thinking about becoming a Christian, you should know what that means and what it asks of you. First, it means God is already in charge of your life. Second, when you acknowledge that, God’s Spirit calls you to turn from a life of being a sinner set against God, to get publicly marked in baptism as now being for God and forgiven of sin, and to receive the gifts of King Jesus that will mean you can live for Him. It’s a matter of what side you’re going to be on in the war between good and evil. Pick a side. Climbing the Ladder That Matters Series (April 10,17,24, May 1 & 8) May 8, 2016 05-08-2016 Climbing the Ladder That Matters #5 In past weeks, we’ve seen how God has worked to bring about Kingdom success, which is very different than worldly success. But then what is success in God’s Kingdom? It is following someone who has greatness, but because they made himself less than great. “Whoever would be great among you must be the servant of all.” (Matthew 20:26) May 1, 2016 05-01-2016 Climbing the Career Ladder #4 Have you ever seen those college statistics in recruitment materials? “50% of our graduates work for fortune 500 companies!” “Employers value a degree from Whatsamatta U – so should U!” And so we think we study and achieve and buy our way to success. But there’s another, better, longer-lasting, more-dangerous way to shape our lives. One guy in the New Testament learned it the hard way. April 24, 2016 4-24-2016 Faith Family Future #3 Family is certainly as important life value, but every value system is bent by sin. That means that sometimes we idolize family, or let it influence us in ways that turn us away from God’s purpose for us. But our one top priority should always be God. In our passage today, Jacob, the third generation in God’s chosen family, has to realize this all over again. April 17, 2016 04-17-2016 Climbing with Competence or Christ Confidence #2 The American Educational System is set up to turn you into confident self-reliant workers destined for greatness in your chosen field. At least, that’s the story that we’re told in most college ads. But what if entrusting life to our own learned competence finally disappoints? And what if the System fails you? Where to then?
April 10, 2016 04-10-16Climbing the Ladder That Matters Out of Your Own Place #1 This Sunday, a new series begins, called “Climbing the Ladder that Matters.” One great rung on the ladder of upward mobility is getting The House. It has features you like, the location is good, the size makes you comfortable. It is the fulfillment of the American Dream, long seen as a sign of God’s blessing. But followers of Jesus have a bigger priority: does it make you serve God better? God’s blessing isn’t found is your comfort, but in His calling. April 3 - Guest Pastor Easter 03-27-16 To Be Continued Easter Mark 16:1-8 Mark’s gospel ends suddenly on a discordant note. Questions hang. That is on purpose because those questions are left to you. Did Jesus really not stay dead? Who raised Him from the dead? Why? If it was God, would God raise someone from the dead who claimed to also be God if it weren’t true? Good Friday 03-25-16 He Did It For You GF Isaiah 53:4-6 Our Good Friday service will be a service of prophecy and fulfillment. In the Old Testament, God revealed much about what would happen to His Chosen One. In the story of Jesus, it all came to pass. And why? Yes, God was faithful, but it was also because God is FOR YOU.
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