Post Category: Sermon Series

All of us have defining moments in life a poor decision; a miracle; the right answer at the right time; a moment of failure; a tragedy; an amazing event. As we look at Jesus before Pilate, it is easy to see how one decision can make or break a reputation and can change the trajectory of your life or someone else's. May our hearts and minds be so resolute that no matter th...

Each Sunday we gather as a family of faith for worship. We consciously or subconsciously do so because Jesus has made a way for us to have a relationship with God. We gather in His name because He gave His life for you and me people who were God's enemy because of our sin. Today as we worship together, we remember His sacrifice and His command to eat and drink in remembran...

Comedian Steven Wright once said, "If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of payments." All of us want someone to notice us (not the bill collector), but sometimes it's the non-descript things we do that matter most in God's Kingdom. The poor widow who gave less than a penny demonstrated her faithfulness when no one gave her a second look. However, Jesus...

Quite often on Sunday or Monday evening, someone in our family realizes that we have forgotten to buy something at the grocery store that we "desperately" need for the week ahead. Invariably, a discussion ensues over the real need of the item (bread, milk or ice cream, usually) and then one of us heads up to the store to buy it. Jesus recognizes every person's real need. S...

With so many responsibilities and distractions vying for our attention, too many of us have built unhealthy cycles of rest. As a result, we burn ourselves out, striving and straining against God's intent for our lives. We can only sustain a life of purpose if we really learn to rest. Taking steps toward understanding Sabbath in the way that God intends can dynamically affe...

Have you ever gone to church by yourself? Well, when I was an elementary student, I did that a lot. My parents divorced when I was young. When I would go visit my dad on the first and third weekends of the month, often, I would walk alone across the street to Sunday school and church. My dad's neighbors were members of the church and they would sit with me in worship. It w...

Have you ever had your belief in someone or something destroyed? I remember as a young baseball player how good our little league team was. I thought we would "win it all!" But, in the championship game, we lost in the last inning, 10-9. We were devastated. My hopes dashed. In ministry, I have put my trust in other pastors and lay leaders - many times they go above and bey...

This past Christmas, my mom pulled out some family treasures from her keepsake collection. It was fun to look back at memories in photos, even hearing recordings of my Uncle David preaching when he was in his early 20's. We were blown away with the heritage of our family. Then, she pulled out some photos of her and my dad when they were young marrieds and my jaw dropped. I...

There are numerous opinions and thoughts about the Bible today. Some think of it as just another book, a great example of ancient literature, while others view it as God's special revelation to usHis very words. Can we trust that we have the words of God? Is it more than just a book? If we trust we have God's word, affirming it has authority over our lives, and it is livin...

Seeing is believing. We all have the desire to "see" the truth. We all want proof; we want to know the real story, the full story. Perhaps that is why unsolved mysteries and crime dramas intrigue our culture so much. The disciples were no different than you and me. They wanted to know God and they wanted Jesus to show them who God was! Little did they know, he was standing...