Sermons from March 2019
Bringing our All and Even More
Exodus 35:1 – 36:7
Jesus was invited to dinner in the home of a Pharisee who neglected to show him true hospitality. But a woman poured out her alabaster flask of ointment and anointed Jesus. Jesus said of her, “Her many sins have been forgiven — as her great love has shown” (Luke 7:47). After God had forgiven Israel for worshiping the golden calf, it was those whose hearts moved them that were to contribute materials for the tabernacle. The key to giving oneself and one’s resources is gratitude and love.
Transforming Presence
Exodus 34:29-35
Moses spent forty days and nights in God’s presence on the top of Mt. Sinai. When he came down his face shone. God’s presence was a transforming presence. God knows us and loves us as we are, but he also wants to transform us so that we become who we are meant to be. But how are we transformed? How do people change?
Passionate Presence
Exodus 34:10-28
Passionate Presence. God loves his people with a passionate love. The Biblical word for this passion is “jealousy.” To us this seems a negative trait, describing inappropriate longings. But jealousy is appropriate within a covenant relationship. The two parties have pledged their troth to each other; they are bound to loyalty. One of the Lord’s names is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). He has won our affections and bound our soul fast. He wants us to be able to say of him: my love he owns, I have no longings for another, I’m satisfied in him alone.
Remembering God’s Faithfulness
Joshua recap
We have completed our time in the book of Joshua. I hope the Lord has met you and has opened the eyes of your heart to His ever-faithful presence with you. This Sunday we will recap where we’ve been with Joshua this year, followed by a time of body life. The two questions I’d like you to ponder and possibly briefly share with the body: As a result of focusing on God’s faithfulness to Joshua and His people, how have you been reminded of God’s faithfulness to be with you in your life? Secondly, we have learned that remembering God’s faithfulness is critical in following Him, so how have you gone about remembering God’s faithfulness in your past, or, how will you do so moving forward?
The Choice is Yours
Josh 24
As Joshua approaches his final days, he gathers all the tribes of Israel together one last time. Joshua presents the people with a simple choice: either serve the Lord, or figure out which other god you will serve. Joshua famously declares, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The people rush to agree, but Joshua surprises them (and us!), warning them that they’re not capable of doing so. Is Joshua simply being a grumpy, old man, or does he know something that we might tend to forget?