Sermons from 2019 (Page 3)
Do Missions Matter?
The gospel is the good news of what God has done in Christ. It is good news for us, and we receive it as true. Is it also good news and true for the world around us? We live in a multicultural, pluralistic age and location where diversity, acceptance and tolerance are promoted. How do we bear witness to the truth in such a world? God sent his Son into this world on a mission: to proclaim the good news, and to be the good news. Now we too are sent into the world around us on a mission: to be witnesses to the good news of Jesus.
Does Sabbath Matter?
Living in our Silicon Valley culture today we can find ourselves so easily driven, distracted and feeling depleted as a result. How do we sustain our life with God so that we can thrive and not just survive? The art and practice of learning how to catch our breath become invaluable and essential for us all.
Does Marriage Matter?
This Sunday we turn our attention to the topic of marriage. In a day and age where so much continues to change with regards to relationships and commitment, does marriage still matter? Seeing that the bookends of the Bible include the biblical picture of marriage it seems safe to assume that in God’s eyes, marriage most definitely matters. This Sunday we will re-ground ourselves in the love Jesus, our heavenly groom, has for us all, whether married or single, divorced or widowed. We will remind ourselves that his way of loving, selflessly and sacrificially, is the model we are to follow in all our relationships, not least of which is the marriage between a husband and wife.
Does Jesus Matter?
John 14:6
This Sunday we continue in our summer series, “Does IT Matter?” Only this week, the ‘it’ is a person. It’s Jesus. The one who claimed to be the Son of God.
The one who claimed to be “the way the truth and the life.” The one who claimed to be “the resurrection and the life.”
Anyone who makes such bold claims which results in countless people believing and following Him as a result… yes, Jesus certainly matters. Come this Sunday as we explore why Jesus matters in our world today, 2000 years after He lived, died, rose, and ascended.
Does Matter Matter?
Gen 1 and 2
Humanity is made in the image of God, meaning we are his reflection and his representation on this earth. It also means that we have been given a responsibility. In Genesis 1, God saw that his creation was “very good,” then passes the baton to humanity to steward it on his behalf. What does that really mean, and what are the implications for our life? That’s what we will explore this Sunday.
Does Being Human Matter?
Does Being Human Matter? Genesis 1:26-27
This week we begin our summer series called “Does it matter?” For the next eight weeks, we will explore eight topics that our culture sometimes influences us to regard as insignificant. However, we want to show that each of these topics matter tremendously to God, and therefore should matter tremendously to us.
So, does being human matter? In many ways, this topic is a foundation for everything else in life. And, what we find in Genesis is the radical truth that every single person is made in God’s image! It’s a radical concept, but what does it really mean, and what are the implications for our life? That’s what we will explore this Sunday.
Why is Coming Home So Difficult?
Acts 21:1-26
In our text this week, Paul makes his historic return to Jerusalem. Historic because he has representatives from all the churches he has planted traveling with him, along with a significant amount of money collected from each church for the poor in Jerusalem. The gifts are the first fruits of his ministry among the Gentiles and symbolize the unity of the church. Like a college graduate returning home, not just with a degree, but with money to pay his parent’s back for his or her education, one would think the homecoming would be one of unadulterated joy. But there are disturbing warnings in every port that serious trouble awaits him, but Paul refuses to be deterred. The text addresses some key questions: How do we discern God’s will when both parties believe the Spirit is guiding them? And why is “coming home” often so difficult?
Strengthening Shepherds for Sacrificial Service
Acts 20:17-38
After the riot in Ephesus and return visits to Macedonia and Corinth, Paul was eager to get back to Jerusalem with the offering he had collected from the Gentile churches before the day of Pentecost. On the way he summons the elders in Ephesus to meet him in Miletus, for his farewell speech, where he commissions them to follow his example in life and ministry as the new leaders of the Ephesus church. This text not only sets a high bar for church leaders, it also sets forth what all followers of Jesus should aspire to.
Why Do the Nations Rage?
Acts 19:21-41
Last week we observed how Paul’s tireless preaching unleashed the power of the Spirit bringing life and healing throughout the city of Ephesus and the wider community. The most striking example was public confession and renunciation of former magicians demonstrated by the public burning of their costly magic books worth 50,000 pieces of silver. In our text this week we learn what happens when the gospel begins to have a financial impact on a community and threatens the profits of the powerful. The enemy does not go down without a fight.
Not By Might, Nor By Power
Acts 19:8-20
In our previous study in Acts, we celebrated the gift of the Spirit poured out afresh on twelve disciples, as Paul began his ministry in Ephesus. This week we will witness the power of God’s Spirit as it is unleashed and confronts the magical, political and religious powers that made Ephesus the greatest commercial center west of the Taurus Mountains. This will be the climax of Paul’s public ministry and his most productive time, as he proclaims the gospel in Ephesus for almost three years. Looking back on those days, Luke says, “The word grew and was strong in accordance with the power of the Lord.”
On Christ the Solid Rock
This week we get the privilege of hearing from our good friend from Regent College, Bruce Hindmarsh. Bruce and Carolyn are dear friends of ours who have poured into the PBCC family over the past few years in different ways. Carolyn will also be the women’s retreat speaker next year. Bruce will be preaching this Sunday on Christ being the solid rock. Come near to him, as near as you can. He is the living stone, the precious stone, the cornerstone and capstone, and the scandalous, stumbling stone. Come near to him as the new people of God, as the new temple of God, living a life that in every possible way is centered on Jesus. And, we will appropriately finish our time this Sunday coming near to Jesus at the table.
One Spirit, One Baptism
Acts 18:18 – 19:7
This week as we resume our studies in the book of Acts, Luke gives us two incidents where deficient faith is addressed and corrected. The text addresses the questions—What truly defines a “Christian?” Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit a second blessing after conversion? What is the difference between being “baptized” by the Spirit and being “filled” with the Spirit? And more importantly, “how” do we correct others when their faith is deficient?