• Home
• Worship Services
• Sermons
• Staff
• Ministry Groups
• Read the Bible in 365 Days
• Calendar & Newsletter
• Links
• About FCC
• Contact Us

Sermons

August 15, 2010

Sermon:      “The Fullness of Time”

Scripture:      Hebrews 12:1-13 

August 8, 2010

Sermon:      “Standing Before The Lord”

Scripture:      I Kings 19:9-14a 

August 1, 2010

Sermon:      “Acquisitive Accumulation”

Scripture:      Luke 12:13-21 

July 25, 2010

Sermon:      “Active Listening”

Scripture:      Luke 11:1-13 

July 18, 2010

Sermon:      “Without Distraction”

Scripture:      Luke 10:38-42 

July 11, 2010

Sermon:      “Awaken To...”

Scripture:      Matthew 25:31-45 

June 27, 2010

Sermon:      “Hand-Eye Coordination”

Scripture:      Luke 9:51-62 

June 20, 2010

Sermon:      “Through Death To Life”

Scripture:      Romans 6:1-11 

June 13, 2010

Sermon:      “Minding Your Business”

Scripture:      Philippians 3:7-16 

June 6, 2010

Sermon:      “The Christ Alternative”

Scripture:      Luke 7:11-17 

May 30, 2010

Sermon:      “When Enough Is Enough”

Scripture:   I Kings 17:8-16

May 23, 2010

Sermon:      “The Language of the Spirit”

Scripture:   Acts 2:1-21

May 16, 2010

Sermon:      “From A Gaze To A Vision”

Scripture:   Acts 1:1-11/span>

The Promise of the Holy Spirit 1In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ The Ascension of Jesus 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

KEY PARAGRAPH

Your gaze at the Christian life can change to a vision of faith for you. There is more than an amazing view of the remarkable when you accept being a follower of Christ. CHRISTIAN LIFE VISION ASCENDS BEYOND A FAITHLESS GAZE....The vision before us is far more than mutual affection with those we like to be around. The question comes to us as it did to Jesus' disciples, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?" Don't just stand there gazing! See clearly the power tha can be part of your commitment. Let your gaze at the Christian life become a vision of faith.

POINTS

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?" -- Acts 1:11a

May 9, 2010

Sermon:      “Homecoming”

Scripture:   John 14:23-29

²³Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

25 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. ²⁶But the Advocate,^* the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. ²⁸You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. ²⁹And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

KEY PARAGRAPH

Acceptance of the peace of Christ is a homecoming. Many have been attracted by Jesus or by the preaching of the gospel, who have not yet found it to be a place to live. WE HAVE COME HOME WHEN THE PEACE OF GOD IS WHO WE ARE...Into this world of road rage, hit-and-run irresponsibility, violence, torture, humiliation, anxiety, aggravation over schedule interference, hear the words Jesus shares with us this morning: "Those who love me will keep my word and my Father will come to him, and we will come to them and make our home with them." The key difference in experience of the Christian life is that of peace. Come home to the peace Christ gives to those who truly accept him.

POINTS

"Those who love me will keep my word and my Father will come to him, and we will come to them and make our home with them." --John 14:23

May 2, 2010

Sermon:      “What's Your Reputation?”

Scripture:   John 13:31-15 and Revelation 21:1-6

The New Commandment

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³²If God has been glorified in him,^* God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” ³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

36 Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.’

Revelation 21:1-6

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ²And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home^* of God is among mortals.
He will dwell^* with them;
they will be his peoples,^*
and God himself will be with them;^*
4he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’

5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ ⁶Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

KEY PARAGRAPH

Persons in Christ have a reputation acquired through love. Than represents an alternative to secular society. It is a love that will be either abandoned or lived. LOVE REQUIRED BY DISCIPLESHIP ESTABLISHES REPUTATION...That is different from disconnected piety. It is demonstration of how real we are. It was to a group who misunderstood, betrayed, denied, doubted--even as to those today who find it easy to be undependable, twist teachings and fail to witness, that Jesus said: "By THIS everyone will know you are my disciples; if you love one another." It is time, said Jesus, for more than self assertion. Become known by your love for others beyond yourself.

POINTS

"By this everyone will know you are my disciples; if you love one another." ----John 13:35

April 25, 2010

Sermon:      “Hearing Voices”

Scripture:   John 10:22-30

KEY PARAGRAPH

Christ's specific call to you is amidst hearing voices all around you. There are multiple voices constantly seeking attention. Yet we each have that which predominately leads our lives. Are you aware of what that voice is? YOUR LIFE IS IDENTIFIED BY CHRIST AS YOU HEAR HIS VOICE AS DOMINANT...Life's meaning is identified when that is a certainty. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me." This is more than an affiliation or trend for a segment of your life. Listen and respond to the call of Christ in your life.

POINTS

""My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me."

April 18, 2010

Sermon:      “What's For Breakfast?”

Scripture:   John 21:1-19

KEY PARAGRAPH

The risen presence of Christ is what's for breakfast on the new day of discipleship...If you know the risen Christ, he will not leave you alone. Whether we hide behind our fishing nets of schedule, worry, discouragement or doubt, Christ seeks to nourish us. THE RISEN CHRIST IS OUR LIFE-NOURISHMENT...We can be refreshed into strength beyond any weakness of whatever has happened to us. When we receive the risen Christ into our way and will, we can know it as certainly as we know the awakening of a substantial breakfast. We can know it as certainly as those disciples: "Now none...dared to ask him, 'Who are your?' because they knew it was the Lord." Times of uncertainty or empty nets become transformed. Let the risen Christ show-through whatever you do.

POINTS

"Now none...dated to ask him, 'Who are you?' because they knew it was the Lord.""

April 11, 2010

Sermon:      “Resurrection Scars”

Scripture:   Philippians 3:4b-14

KEY PARAGRAPH

Our lives are empowered by resurrection scars. It was the scars that transformed fear into faith. WHEN THE RISEN CHRIST IS AMIDST US, HIS SCARS ASSURE US OURLIVES CAN BE HEALED...Easter is God's decisive defeat of any kind of death or dread. To those who strive for an unblemished world, Christ would come as he did to his early disciples: "...he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord." Evidence of woulds were reminder of a new condition. Discover Christ's resurrection in faith-healed scars.

POINTS

"...he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord."

March 28, 2010

Sermon:      “The Arrival of Hope”

Scripture:   Luke 19:29-40

KEY PARAGRAPH

 Your life will be transformed by the arrival of hope Christ brings to you. Things will not be the same when you allow the entrance of clear hope...THE HOPE CHRIST BRINGS REARRANGES YOUR LIFE...Today's Gospel lesson applies a scalpel to our souls, forces us to examine our vision and see the confusion wherever there is absence of hope. Lose not the setting Jesus creates as he instructs: "Go into the village ahead of you and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden." Something enitirely new! This was description of a faith setting. Receive the hope Christ's arrival brings into your life.

POINTS

"Go into the village ahead of you and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden."

March 21, 2010

Sermon:      “What Do You Think of Jesus?”

Scripture:   Philippians 3:4b-14

KEY PARAGRAPH

 The level of your commitment determines what you think of Jesus. That is the plain the Christian is called to live his or her life upon. COMMITMENT TO JESUS CHRIST LIFTS YOUR LIFE TO A NEW LEVEL...Life takes on a whole new condition when Jesus Christ is our basic commitment. It is best described by the Apostle Paul..."I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Before there are specific acts, there is love-driven acceptance. Place Christ before all else in your life.

POINTS

"I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

March 14, 2010

Sermon:      “A New Perspective”

Scripture:   II Corinthians 5:16-21

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view;^* even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view,^* we know him no longer in that way. ¹⁷So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,^* not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. ²⁰So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

KEY PARAGRAPH

God's grace can be a new perspective for you.  It is a position we find difficult to accept.  God asks our RSVP...We generally ignore it.  GOD'S WAY OPENS OUR LIVES TO A NEW PERSPECTIVE.  It is a position that give us a new view of everything.  Paul said it like this:  "From now on...we regard not one from a human point of view."  What is really 'fair' in our relationships?  The judgment measure of fairness needs to be looked at with a God's-eye-view.  Allow God's newness to be the difference known through you.

POINTS

"From now on...we regard no one from a human point of view."

MARCH 7, 2010

Sermon:      “It’s That Time”

Scripture:   Luke 13:1-9

Repent or Perish

13At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ²He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? ³No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. ⁴Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. ⁷So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” ⁸He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. ⁹If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’

KEY PARAGRAPH

Be aware that it's 'that time' to be fruitful.  That experience during this Lenten season is the time adjustment to prepare us for the meaning of crucifixion and resurrection.  CHRIST-FIRST IN YOURLIFE IS THE CORRECT TIME...That time structures life clearly, giving us understanding as plain as the beginning of Jesus' parable:  "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came looking for fruit on it."  Expectation that fruit shall be born is consistent with God's design in our reality--our time.  God provides time for us to express that.  Let this time become the fruit-bearing time of your life.

POINTS

"A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came looking for fruit on it."

February 28, 2010

Sermon:      “What Shall We Do With Jesus?”

Scripture:   Luke 13:31-35

The Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ ³²He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me,^* “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” ³⁴Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! ³⁵See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when^* you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’

KEY PARAGRAPH

Your life's direction is determined by what you will do with Jesus.  The church community is the visible presence of Christ included and embraced...WE ARE IMPOWERED WHEN WE PLACE JESUS AT THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES...On this second leg of our Lenten journey, we are each called to the discipline of making Christ a part of us.  As a congregation we are called to be the community that is Christ in our lives and our world.  Jesus said, "You will not see me until the time comes when you will say, 'blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"  Jesus knew this was his mission.  He was ready!  Bring Jesus Christ into the midst of your life.

POINTS

February 21, 2010

Sermon:      “Receiving Begins With Giving”

Scripture:   Luke 4:1-13

The Temptation of Jesus

4Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ²where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. ³The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ ⁴Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’

5 Then the devil^* led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶And the devil^* said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. ⁷If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ ⁸Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.” ’

9 Then the devil^* took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you,
   to protect you”,
¹¹and
“On their hands they will bear you up,
   so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
¹²Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ ¹³When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

KEY PARAGRAPH

We can receive God's preparation only through the self-giving experience.  We cannot retain all Gods possibilities for us without a total self-giving posture.  AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE ARE EMPTIED TO BE FILLED...It is a revision of the meaning of God-given life to hear and accept Jesus' words..."One does not live by bread (...by receiving) alone."  That is a whole new focus on life.  Be ready to experience Jesus Christ through the receiving that begins with our giving.

POINTS

February 14, 2010

Sermon:      “The View From Here”

Scripture:   Luke 9:28-36

The Transfiguration

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus^* took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,^* they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,^* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen;^* listen to him!’ ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

KEY PARAGRAPH

Like the disciples Peter, James, & John on the Mount of Transfiguration, when we see Jesus only, the view from here is uniquely clear.  Rather than resting or preserving, following Christ is a continuing development.  CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP PROCEEDS FROM A CHRIST-ONLY LIFE SETTING...It is a Mount of Transfiguration experience.  When response to God's provision is evidenced through a clear, unobstructed view of Christ's demands, we are in process; never preservation.  That process prompts us to look to Jesus and say with Peter, "Master, it is good for us to be here."  It is a place where we cannot hide from God, where God's power affects everything.  See Jesus only any place you find yourself.

POINTS

Sermon:      “From Now On...”

Scripture:   Luke 5:-11 (NRSV)

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

5Once while Jesus^* was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, ²he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. ⁴When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ ⁵Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ ⁶When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. ⁷So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ ⁹For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; ¹⁰and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ ¹¹When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

KEY PARAGRAPH

The answered call of Christ put life in a from-now-on framework.  Looking at the prospects before us here, from where you stand, work, or listen, there is a conviction that can be grasped about the future.  FROM THIS POINT ON, THE POWER OF GOD IS ALL WE WILL EVER NEED...That is the lesson in our scripture passage today and the gospel for church life here.  Jesus said, "Do not be afraid, from now on..."  Invest whatever you have, your skills, your craft, your time, your resources.  Cast your nets, then allow Christ to be the point from which you live out your life.

POINTS

Sermon:      “From Conformed to Transformed”

Scripture:   Romans 12:1-13 (NRSV)

The New Life in Christ

12I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,^* by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual^* worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world,^* but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.^*

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, ⁵so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. ⁶We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. ¹¹Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.^{* 12}Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

KEY PARAGRAPH

With God at work in our lives, we are changed from conformed to transformed...We don't remain the same as we would be without that special Presence.  OUR LIVES NEED THE TRANSFORMATION ONLY JESUS CHRISST PROVIDES...Not that we have all been perfectly remolded by being in church.  But we can be exposed to something we would not otherwise be.  That is the potential.  We all need to be in the constant state of that happening.  Paul challenged the church at Rome:  "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed...so that you may discern what is the will of God."  The demons amidst us are not some sinister little creatures.  They are the disregard for God-at-work.  Move out of restraint into God's renewal.

POINTS

January 24, 2010

Sermon:      “The Right Word For The Right Place”

Scripture:   Luke 4:16-30 (NRSV)

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
¹⁸‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
   because he has anointed me
     to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
   and recovery of sight to the blind,
     to let the oppressed go free,
¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
²⁰And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ ²²All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ ²³He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ ²⁴And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. ²⁵But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; ²⁶yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. ²⁷There were also many lepers^* in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ ²⁸When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. ²⁹They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. ³⁰But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

KEY PARAGRAPH

Your life can produce the right word for the right place.  Not language or expectations, but belief determines life-style.  GOD'S WORD IS HEARD THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF WHAT WE BELIEVE...This season of Epiphany is about the church shining its light in the world.  It's a strange sort of light that radiates through its witness to the world's need.  It happens through those whose lives make clear Jesus' summary of the reading in the synagogue at Nazareth:  "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."  Claiming location any place other than where our conduct lies, creates confusion.  Pronounce with your life the word this place needs to make clear.

POINTS

January 17, 2010

Sermon:      “Right Where You Are”

Scripture:   John 2:1-11 (NRSV)

KEY PARAGRAPH

God's power can be at work right where you are.  Fear of running out of what life needs, living in human weakness, is addressed when Jesus confronts your life.  GOD IN CHRIST CAN TRANSFORM WHAT YOU ARE WHEREVER YOU ARE...The real miracle in our scripture is not water becoming wine; that's chemical manipulation.  The miracle is changing the despair of a setting into hope for redeeming it.  Conditions can CHANGE.  The better can yet be here and now--in your little place; for "Jesus did this...in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory."  This is a story about life as real as your own life.  Now!  Here!  Wherever you are!  Let God be at work through you.

POINTS

January 10, 2010

Sermon:      “The Gift of Another Way”

Scripture:   Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

The Visit of the Wise Men

2In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men^* from the East came to Jerusalem, ²asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,^* and have come to pay him homage.’ ³When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah^* was to be born. ⁵They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
⁶“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
   who is to shepherd^* my people Israel.” ’

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men^* and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ ⁹When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising,^* until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw that the star had stopped,^* they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

KEY PARAGRAPH

The season's greatest blessing is the gift of another way.  Each Christ-affected life is called by God to a specific journey.  GOD'S WAY OPENS NEW DIMENSIONS FOR YOUR LIFE'S JOURNEY...King Herod ordered the Magi to return through Jerusalem to report to him what they had found.  In a dream they were God-directed differently.  Our text states:  "They left for their own country by another road."  When a person finds Christ, the result is a change in life.  Accept the gift of a God-directed way for your life.

POINTS

January 3, 2010

Sermon:      “In The Beginning”

Scripture:   John 1:1-14 (NRSV)

The Gospel According to John

The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴in him was life,^* and the life was the light of all people. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^*

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. ¹¹He came to what was his own,^* and his own people did not accept him. ¹²But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,^* full of grace and truth.

KEY PARAGRAPH

When life in Christ sets the time, we In The Beginning of God's provision.  Anything that has gone before is unreal and canceled.  YOUR TIME IS BEGINNING ANEW WHEN YOUR LIFE FOCUS IS UPON CHRIST...Time as we have known it is a made-up ting.  If time exists at all, it is created and controlled by God, who is not bound by it.  "In the beginning was the Word" and "All things came into being through him."  Once there is a beginning with God in Christ, there is no end of that life...Is that the time you have?  Keep the time God has provided in Jesus Christ.

POINTS

December 27, 2010

Sermon:      “Our Christmas Clothes”

Scripture:   Galatians 3:23-4:7 (NRSV)

23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. ²⁴Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, ²⁶for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. ²⁷As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring,^* heirs according to the promise.

4My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; ²but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. ³So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits^* of the world. ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ⁶And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our^* hearts, crying, ‘Abba!^* Father!’ ⁷So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

KEY PARAGRAPH

Changes Christ makes in us become our Christmas clothes.  The meaning of this season of Christmastide is in what happens to people because Christ was born.  GOD-IN-CHRIST RECLOTHES US WITH WHAT WE CAN BECOME...Without a new birth in us, the birth in Bethlehem is removed as quickly and casually as the decorations around us.  Allow this verse from today's scripture to be our text:  "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."  More than one change was birthed in the Bethlehem manger.  Be redressed in the newness with which the gift of God clothes us.

POINTS

December 20, 2009

Sermon:      “Our Christmas Time and Place”

Scripture:   Luke 1:39-49 (NRSV)

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴²and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be^* a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

Mary’s Song of Praise

46 And Mary^* said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
⁴⁸for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.

KEY PARAGRAPH

Each moment of your life can be a Christmas time and place.  The meaning of Christ's birth is not a birth date account.  It is the coming of God into human affairs, not confined to pages of the Bible or calendars.  ANY TIME AND ALL PLACES ARE GOD'S TIME TO COME TO US IN CHRIST...The verse that is our text for this message says, "...blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment...by her God."  That is a powerful statement about time and place.  It instructs us to allow your life to become the Christmas setting.

POINTS