Sermons from 2023 (Page 3)
Bid My Anxious Fears Subside
Hebrews 3:7-19
God delivered his people from slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt. Their destination was Mt Sinai, to meet with the Lord, then the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey. But at every step of the way the people were afraid: of Pharaoh and his army, of hunger, of thirst, of giants in the Land, even of the Lord. They kept thinking they were going to die. God brought them to the edge of the Land, but they refused to enter. They wanted to go back to Egypt, redefining it as the land flowing with milk and honey. They never got there because they died in the wilderness under God’s judgment. The Christian life is a journey, as allegorized in Pilgrim’s Progress. We are easily beset with fears which test our faith. We don’t make this journey alone; we travel together, encouraging one another.
Upward I Look and See Him There
Hebrews 3:1-6 (NIV)
We return to the Book of Hebrews for seven weeks this summer. The author repeatedly presents Christ Before Us. He is to be the object of our attention: “take a good hard look at Jesus” (3:1 The Message). Where is he? He has gone before us into the very presence of God where he now ministers as our great High Priest on our behalf. Therefore we can boldly approach the eternal throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace.
Portrait of a Disciple Maker
Call to Worship: Psalms 92:1-2, John 13:34-35 (ESV) 92 1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 13 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) 18 And…
Worries, Wealth, and Wants
We live an exchanged life, Jesus’ life for ours. Kingdom living is a life of learning to think and act and love like Jesus. I look forward to being with you this Sunday as we follow Jesus’ model and methods for discipleship as well as anticipate barriers and thorns that could inhibit our growth.
When the Gospel Comes Home
Philemon
Homecomings are often cause for celebration – a reunion with a family member or friend who you haven’t seen in a long time. Other times the person who is returning may be the last person you were expecting or wanting to see, as was likely the case with the person delivering the letter Paul had written to Philemon. Sometimes it’s not just an unwanted person, but it’s the full impact of the gospel that’s knocking at the door.
The Church of Christ
Colossians 4:7-18
“Never before, in the history of humanity, had a more diverse group of people gathered and been welcomed, loved, and accepted than the early Christian church.” This quote comes from a recent episode of frequent Christianity Today contributor Russell Moore’s podcast. Who said it? The answer may surprise you! Join us this Sunday for our final sermon in our series on Colossians; find out who spoke these words about the early Christian church and how they can become true of the modern Christian church as well.
To Know and Trust God
Psalm 23
To live a life following Jesus, we have to know and trust Him. Join us this Sunday as we walk through Psalm 23, reminding ourselves of who our God is as our shepherd, how he walks with us through every season of life, and why we should put our trust in him.
The Mission of Christ, Part 2
Colossians 4:5-6
Before He ascended to the Right Hand of God, Christ promised His disciples: “In a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. […] You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:5, 8). This promise was fulfilled ten days later — the fiftieth after Easter — on the day we now call Pentecost. Join us this Sunday as we commemorate the outpouring of the Spirit — and consider how the Spirit is empowering us to be Christ’s witnesses, too!
The Mission of Christ, Part 1
Colossians 4:3-4 Beloved Christian author Henri Nouwen observed that “most Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead.” It is a commentary as accurate as it is unfortunate, one made even more tragic by its contrast with the leadership exercised by the Apostle Paul. Paul’s leadership was characterized by a relational vulnerability that invited those he led into his hopes, wants, and needs — but also into his ministry. Join us as we listen in on Paul’s conversation with the Colossian believers and consider how to support our own leaders. Eugene Kwon teaches, Hae-Rin Kwon hosts, and Ben and Lucinda King and Team lead us in worship.
The Awakened Christ
Colossians 4:2
What do you call a running sleepwalker? Fast asleep! Have you ever felt like you were running through your day spiritually fast asleep? Join us this Sunday as we hear the alarm bells ring in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
The Servants of Christ
Colossians 3:22-4:1
We have arrived at the final chapter of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Colossians — and to our final series of sermons on this letter! Having explained how Christ’s Rule and Return changes the way we view ourselves, participate in the believing community, and relate to those closest to us, Paul turned his attention toward out witness to the world outside the Church. Join us this Sunday as we consider how Christ’s Rule and Return changes the way we engage with the world beginning with our workplaces.
Knowing the Active Presence of God
Exodus 33:1-16
We were made for the active presence of God and to walk in the ways of God, that we might be distinct among all the peoples of the earth. It turns out that the presence of God is perhaps the central motif in all of scripture, and we cannot know the active presence of God in our lives if we are inattentive to the ways of God. The two go together. It is both the active presence and the ways of God that make us distinct from the world around us. So, we should be appropriately “desperate” to know God’s presence. Join us this Sunday as we hear from George Guthrie, professor of New Testament, Regent College (Vancouver, British Columbia).