Sermons

Christs ride into Jerusalem, knowing his purpose teaches us 3 things.

1st Committed Faith is not self-centered it is Christ-Centered

2nd Committed Faith is Relationship driven.

3rd Committed Faith is not swayed or blocked by our personal trials and crises.

Hebrews 11 sums up 700+ years of people of faith: King David, Samuel, Daniel, the three in the furnace, etc.. Each one---in their weakness God worked. In our weakness Christ works 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

Two Judges of Samson and Jephthah in the book of Judges, started out well, be ended up crashing. yet the author of Hebrews 11 calls them men of Faith. Friends, may we learn from these men and NOT look to our own "eyes" for what is right, but continually look to the Lord God.
- Faith must obey God implicitly.
- Faith must wait on God expectantly.
- Faith must trust in God completely

The Judges: We can learn a lot from the Jewish people as they swing between following and rejecting the Lord God. In their times of rejection, they suffered, in their following God, they were blessed.

Moses / Rahab
1.Stand still, let God work
2.Move forward in Faith, making tough – righteous decisions
† Nasar: journey or move forward (95 times in Exodus)
† Abar: cross over
3.Trust- Trust- Trust in Yahweh God
Joshua 2:9-11 (NIV), “for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Hebrews Hall of Fame, we usually skip to Moses and miss this one verse. Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Moses' parents faith saved him to do the work God had set before him. Parents, we need to pass on our faith and we need to be willing to step out in faith when God calls us to move.

Joseph lived 93 of his 110 years in Egypt, married to the daughter of a priest of the gods of Egypt, yet Joseph holds fast and even passes on the faith of his fathers to you children and grandchildren. Our #1 job in life is to bring our families and friends to the Savior. Life is a relay race, not a sprint or marathon.

God will ALWAYS provide for our needs.

Genesis 22:1-19 (NIV) Isaac spoke up asked, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

8 Abraham, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."

Abraham's life is on of Faith, going to a country he did not know, trusting that God would provide an heir....and in the midst he struggles and at times walked in fear. But his life teaches and models for us that life is a process, a journey and that this world is not our final home.

Hebrews 11: 6, takes us back to Genesis 6-11, Noah
Others deaf to God, Noah listened
Others laughed, Noah revered God
Others broke God’s Word, Noah acted
and the Ark was a symbol of the coming Messiah, Jesus, the Savior of the World.

Abel and Enoch lived lives of Faith, while Cain lived his life for self. Who ae you living for?

We are going to spend 12 week in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Fame for Old Testament saints. Faith....Forsaking All I Trust Him

Our Journey to the Manger
1. All are invited
2. Come as you are
3. Enter His Presence
4. Leave Changed
(Savior and LORD: stop willfully sinning

The Lord meets us where we are...as Magi, teachers, moms, dads, laborers, executives, students, etc..
1.They sought a King
2.They were obedient---they followed and listened to angel
a)Jewish Leaders “knew” Scriptures, yet were too “busy + own concept”
b)Are we too busy, or seeking Messiah in our image?
3.They gave generously
4.They worshipped
5.Magi leave a different way...we cannot meet the Lord and leave without being changed.

The Angels have two major jobs
1. Worship and Praise of the Lord God
2. Carry our His will

We have two main jobs in Life....Worship and Serve the Lord

Shepherds
1. Heard
2. Went
3. Saw
4. Shared with all others

--This is also our work in Life....goes with the Angels next week

Our final study on Spiritual gifts: deliverance, voluntary poverty, missionary, hospitality, prayer and leading worship.

This week we are studying Serving, Encouraging, Giving, Leadership and Mercy.

Four more Spiritual Gifts
- Apostleship
- Teaching
- Helps
- Administration

Spiritual gifts of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues. These are two gifts which have caused a "stir" in the church world wide.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NIV) Gifts of Spiritual Powers

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ...10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits,

Two more Spiritual Gifts: Faith and Healings

Short teaching on two of the Spiritual Gifts, which often go hand in hand, (each one through the Spirit).

Wisdom: To apply spiritual truth practically

.Knowledge: To divinely know Biblical facts, love to study and share the Bible in interesting ways

Wisdom---how to say spiritual truth in Love
Knowledge---what to say

What is a passion in your life?

How are you energized...with people or doing tasks?

How are you organized...liking organization or variety?

There are some questions we are looking at as we seek to Discover the Spiritual Gifts the Lord has given us.

Spiritual Gifts are Special Abilities

Distributed by the Holy Spirit

To Every Believer according to God’s Grace and

For the Building Up of the Body of Christ and

Worship of the Lord

Forgiveness is one of the hardest aspects of walking the Christian life. (and last weeks teaching on Self Control
rates right there with Forgiveness as being difficult)
Here are a few ideas from Proverbs and Jesus on
leaning into forgiveness.

1. Person who is “Teachable”
2. Person who is “Righteous”
3. Person who is “Humble”
(this teaching on)
4. Person is Self-controlled, not rash
a. Our Attitude
† Self-controlled
† Calm Spirit
† Long Fuse
b. Our Actions
† Thoughtful, not hasty
† Thinks b4 acts and speaking

Proverbs on Character building to be a Wise person
1. Person who is “Teachable”, Loves instruction
2. Person who is “Righteous”: Goes down right paths, loves goodness
3. Person who is “Humble”: Humus, fertile soil

1. Friends are to be VALUED
2. Friends are CONSTANT
3. Friends share words of WISDOM
4. Friends fulfill their COMMITMENTS.
5. Friends always work for PEACE
6. Friends know when to GO
7. Friends are TRUTHFUL
8. True Friend SHARES JESUS

1. Strengthening our Relationship with our Parents
A.   Respect is key
B. Listen to your parents
C. Bring them honor and joy

2. Strengthening our Relationship with our Spouse
A. Show Appreciation
B. Praise each other
C. Trust each other
D.   Be Faithful

3. Strengthening our Relationship with our Children
         A.    Love Them
B. Be Concerned for them
C. Teach them

Words have life, words have meaning. Words can uplift or tear down. Proverbs has some words to help us grow in our relationship with the Lord God.

Proverbs for Life part 1
Wanted: A seeking Heart for Wisdom and discipline.

Three major themes in Habakkuk
1. God is ALIVE and in His holy temple
2. The Just live by Faith
3. will rejoice...even in the midst of loss.

Habakkuk, and OT prophet who speaks God's Word to the people....people like us, going through many of the same political and lax of moral standings we have today.
We will spend two weeks looking at these great words.

We are called to be Rooted in the Lord, and grafted into the Vine...in order to bear fruit to the Father's Glory----not our glory.

What needs to be pruned in your life to be more focused on fruit bearing?

How are you presently bearing fruit?

Faithfulness in our lives and in God's word.
Gentleness, strength under control and
Self Control...do you know all 9 elements of the Fruit of the Spirit calls us to submit entirely to the Holy Spirit.

We continue studying the Fruit of the Spirit with: Patience,
Kindness and Goodness

Are you at living out the Fruit of the Spirit with Love, Joy and Peace?

To fully understand the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, we need to understand the opposite, the works of our flesh.
To walk in Legalism (works righteousness) or License (anything goes) is wrong.

We are called to Liberty in our Love of the Lord and others, as we LOVE to walk in the disciples the Scriptures call us too.

We're told in Ephesians 6 to put on the Armor of god and what that armor is. Paul ends with the words, Pray always for all and be on Alert for evil. Friends, our lives are to be lives of prayer for others and beacons of Jesus' light.

The Helmet of Salvation...and the Sword of the Spirit--the Word of God.

Friends, it's not my words, nor your words---but God's word that speaks into and changes our lives.

Putting on more of the Amor of God....boots, shield and helmet.

We are so blessed God provides us all we need to be in the battle with the Trinity.

Three items needed for the Roman warrior....
a. Belt of Truth
b. Breastplate of Righteousness
c. Sandals for readiness....the Gospel of Peace.,

Armor of God....we have safety clothes for many jobs. Motorcyclist wear helmets and leather gear to protect their bodies. We wear lift jackets while boating or tubing.

In like manor, the Apostle Paul tells us to Put on the Armor of God as we can STAND in the face of the demonic.

This video is the start of a 3 part---3 part series on
The Armor of God
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit and
The Gifts of the Holy Sprit

Short thoughts on Maundy Thursday

Short teaching on the Seder meal....

See more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gjf1v6Xmhs

God promised Abram and Sari children, but after 10 years they had none. So Sari took her handmaiden-- Hagar--and gave her to Abram. Well, Hagar became pregnant and chaos ensured. Friends---when we Run before God, when we think we know better than God or that God needs our help--- we create chaos. And yet in the chaos, God still: sees us, hears us and knows our needs.

Hannah so desired a child, she was teased by her sister wife and felt a "bitterness in her Soul". How often don't we also feel a bitterness...and yet, like Hannah, we can learn to pour our hearts out to the Lord and let HIM have our pain.

Come Lord Jesus---Maranatha
Where will you final address be?

The Apostle John gives us a snapshot of the scene of
Heaven....it's going to be GLORIOUS.

What do you think we will be doing with the Lord for Eternity?
Scripture gives us a clue....WORSHIP

Heaven: what to expect at the gate
1. the Book of Life
2. Relationships
3. Renewed / Glorious bodies
4. Residence

Heaven....our final frontier.
We plan for everything in life...but how much do we plan for our eternal home and how much do we know about Heaven. we are starting a series on "Heaven, Finally Home".

The world wants peace...but peace gets lost in the drive for more power, more material goods, etc.. But there is One who can bring lasting Peace, the Prince of Peace.

4th Sunday of Advent
Being a Father has been one of my greatest joys....but like my Father before me---I will one day die.

BUT my Savior, the infant child we worship is the Everlasting Father.. Amen to this

The Infant Child will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Might God....Isa 9: 6
Truly, we can mock and play games with God all we want, but God’s wisdom and power are so far beyond us. We are foolish to contend with the Almighty.

1st Sunday Of Advent
These four Sundays we will be studying Isaiah 9: 6-7 on the amazing words that the Child born will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. This short teaching is on Wonderful / Counselor.

1st Timothy 5-6, Paul has some great ideas of how to Love others, (not love money) and flee sin, pursue what is good in God’s Eyes, Fight the good fight and Take Hold of the Faith.

1st Tim 2 on Worship....prayers for ALL leaders, why---so we can live peaceful, Godly lives. We are take a look at Biblical elements of worship: Kneeling or Bowing Down, Lifted Hands
Dancing, Clapping Hands, Shouting, Singing and Silence.

The Apostle Paul doesn't mix words when it comes to False teachers.. In short a false teacher is self seeking....but we (I) am called to stay true to the Ancient Living Words of Scripture.

New Short Series on 1st Timothy
Last week we talked some of discipleship, the best models we have is of the Apostle Paul and Timothy.
this teaching is on 1: 1-2, which sets up the rest of the 6 chapters. These two verses of Chapter 1 are power packed: Hope, Grace, Mercy, Peace...all come from our relationship with the risen Lord.

Matt 28 is Christ's call to the Church---to us.
To make disciples, while we are on the way of life...to teach, baptize and mentor.
I wonder how well have we done in this area? Or are we simple good consumers?

Isaiah 66:13 (NIV)
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

God will comfort His people with all the
ɫ affection of a mother.
ɫ patience / forbearance of a mother.
ɫ forgiveness of a mother.
ɫ instruction / discipline of a mother.
ɫ constancy of a mother.

Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
1. Clay is Chosen John 6:44 (NIV)
2. Wedged/kneading: air out, push away: Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)
3. Chose a technic: throwing, coiling or pinch : Psalm 139:14
4. Making the Pottery: Potter gets Dirty: Matthew 18:12 (ASV)
5: Trimming and Decorating your Pottery: Gal. 5:22-24
6. 1st Fire once dry: Isaiah 43:1-2
7. Glazing your pottery: Eph. 6:10-12
8. 2nd Fire/ Finish: Phil. 1:6

Isa 40 calls us to Remember God's faithfulness, even in the midst of our loss. These are words I OFTEN lean into.

If we can trust Waze or Goggle Maps...how about we also trust in the original GPS, the Word of God

Do you know the Bible?
Isaiah 8: 16-17 says
1. Remember the testimony of the faithful
2. Teach scripture
3. Wait for the LORD,
4. Put your trust in Him.

The Jewish people during the time of Isaiah did the "motions" of worship, but their hearts were fare from God. How about you? Micah says (a contemporary of Isaiah) in 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Isa 6 is about
1. God's Holiness, our sinfulness
2. Forgiveness came for Isa by a hot coal, for us by Christ Jesus
3. We are then given a mission---work to be done for the Lord

Isaiah 53 speaks of the Coming Messiah, the Suffering Servant. 700 years before Christ is born, Isaiah has these amazing words.

We will spend 6-8 weeks studying Highlights from Isaiah.

VBS STELLA : The Deacon Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch meet and both men are changed
1. One acts on the direction of the Holy Spirit
2. One's life was COMPLETELY changed

VBS STELLA Zacchaeus, Luke 19, a changed man after meeting Jesus' light....does Christ's light change us?

Stellar VBS, Shine Jesus Light----Hope starts in our lives knowing Jesus is the Light of the World. Here's 5 ideas of the foundation of Hope

Many Christians start strong---but weakly finish. Psm 119: 105-112 gives us four steps in "finishing well".

Living Life without regrets.....the Psmist has some great teachings on this matter.

3 week study on Psm 119.
Do we want to be blessed? I know I do. But how are we blessed. Psm 119 tells us is plain language how to seek God's blessings.

Jonah: not just a story of a big fish and a running, scared prophet, but a prophet who knew about God's mercy and Jonah did not WANT God's mercy for the people of Nineveh. And yet, God desires that all women and men come to a repentance and relationship with Jesus..

Joshua 24:15
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.“

1. Get off the fence
2. Step up with influence
3. Decision for Jesus not made lightly
4. Willing to go public
5. Follow through, obedience

Joshua 7:20 Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel.

I saw ---careful little eyes
I coveted ---willful choice!
I took ---willful action
I hid them ---willful action

There is a Cost to our willful sin, saying we know better than God

Joshua 5-6
Making the Impossible---possible

Joshua 3-4: Crossing the Jordan
1.Sanctify yourself
2.Ark with the Priests / Faith leads
3.Cross over: ʿābar
4.Memorial for teaching

Joshua sends 2 spies to check out the land, esp Jericho
In Jericho, Rahab saves the spies and in the process is saved herself.
Read Joshua 2 as you watch this teaching

1. God saves those with a past.
2. God uses those with a past.
3. God redefines those with a past.

Joshua's Journeys
Joshua learned in Moses shadow for 40 years, and now he is called to lead the Hebrew people into the Promised land. God a special call in Joshua's life and our lives. "Be Strong and Courageous"

Lenten Series, Interruptions of Jesus on the way to the cross.
Three vary different interruptions
1. Rich young ruler---wanted to earn salvation
2. James and John---wanted the best seats in the new Kingdom
3. Bartimaeus---simply wanted to see.
Jesus says only Bartimaeus has "faith"....how about you and I?

Lenten short series, Jesus, set his face like "flint" to Jerusalem. He knew his purpose, to seek and to save the lost. Here we see parents bringing their children to be Blessed by Jesus and yet the disciples put up roadblocks. In the interruptions of life, Jesus finds ministry opportunities, can we?

Lenten short series, Jesus, set his face like "flint" to Jerusalem. He knew his purpose, to seek and to save the lost. Our question is do we know our purpose and do we play the long game----with the end goal and purpose in sight.

Organic Disciples with 7 Disciplines. Sharing ones faith may be the scariest thing we do, and yet we are called as sons and daughters of the King of kings to share our faith. Here are 4 simple ideas to take away your fear.

Organic Disciples, this weeks teaching is on Consistent Community. The Faith community is called to be a family. All families have celebrations and struggles…yet we stick together. The same is true of the Faith community.

Sorry I can’t put the verses in, no power at church or home for 3 days, so I can’t edit this video

Joyful Generosity

Jesus says it best----where we put our treasures is where are heart is?

This is a short teaching on Giving, tithing and love gifts....to be done joyfully

Organic Disciples:
Humble Service with Compassion in our hearts

Organic Disciples
Wholehearted Worship is:
Authentic and
Joy-filled Worshipers
who Reveal Jesus to others

Organic Disciples part 3---Passionate Prayer
Prayer for Jesus was as natural as breathing, here are some aids to enhance your prayer life.

Organic Disciples part 2 Bible Engagement
We may say we love the Lord Jesus---but a question is: do we spend time reading, studying His love letter to us?

Three ways that Jesus looked at the Scriptures' was with eyes of Love, a desire to Know the Word and heart to Follow All it taught. Here are some ideas to help you truly Engage with the Bible. .

Organic Discipleship part 1 ....growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ in order to disciple others.

The Great Commission Matt 28

Join us for an 8 week series on growing spiritually and naturally learning to Share your faith in Christ with others.

The Magi's story gives us 5 basic truths
about Worshiping Jesus.

The Magi brought 3 specific gifts
1. Gold to Honor Him as KING
2. Frankincense to Honor Him as GOD
3. Myrrh to Honor Him as SAVIOR

Question is: What you do give him?

Luke 2: 8-14 has a surprising statement.....Peace only comes to those who receive or accept God's Favor. In other words, Peace is given to those who accept the Christ Child as their Savior.

3rd Sunday Of Advent
Great Joy....comes from the birth of the Messiah.
Happiness happens
Joy is ABIDING in Christ, as the Object of our JOY

Hesed/ Steadfast Love

John 3:16 (NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love (hesed) for you will not be shaken.

Advent is a 4 week period when we prepare our hearts for the birth of the Messiah.

Here is s short teaching on HOPE
H: Spiritual Heritage
O; Optimism
P: Person of Christ
E: Endurance to run the marathon set before us.

Part 2
Parable of the Sower is about discipleship, your own and how we help disciple others. This parable is key to all the rest of the parables.

1.Indifferent Heart/ Hard - no growth nor fruit
2.Impulsive Heart / Shallow- Immediate but dies, no fruit
3.Impure Heart / Crowded - Immediate, choked out, no fruit
4.Humble (humus) Heart / Good – Significant, 30 ,60, 100-fold

The Parable of the Sower, Seeds, Soils and Spiritual Growth are pivotal in a Christian's life. We will ben having two teachings on this Parable from Mark 4 and Matt 13

#5 of Romans 12 series

Responding to evil and those who treat you wrongly Romans 12 14-21.

Everyone has been hurt by someone. The question is, what do you do with that hurt? For some people, faith calls them to a difficult road of...dare I say it, "offering mercy." But how is this done? Here are a few ideas from Romans 12

Romans 12 9 13 Authentic Community Loving the Body of Christ. We all wear masks, but to be truly a follower of Christ we are called to removed our masks and love each other. Here's the 4th teaching from Romans 12

Romans 12 3ff Who are we and what are we called to do 16 Oct 2022

Where do you find your: Identity, your Security and your Significance? I find mine in these verses. This is part 3 of a teaching on Romans 12

Romans 12 2 Transformation, Discipleship starts with total Surrender Romans 12: 1 and then moves into a Transformation of our hearts and minds to become like Christ.

5 part Series on Romans 12

R12 1 A Fully Committed Life I surrender all. Do you know what God wants from you? Do you know what God desires to give us? This is the 1st of 5 teachings on Romans 12, I know you will grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus through this study.

Part 2 on Friendship of the Heart
Here are 9 points the Apostle Paul makes to Philemon about caring for fellow Christians. Paul is very straight forward.

Philemon is a short New Testament book by Paul which gives us some great teachings on how to be a true, faith filled friend. This is a 2 part teaching (this week and next week)

Having a bad hair day

I ended up at Bronson Hospital with a torn retina...middle of Bible School....wow!!! I needed to totally trust in Jesus' care.