Joel Gilbert: Recent Episodes
Joel Gilbert
The sermons of Poolesville Baptist Church. As a church, we seek to gather, grow, give, and go for the Kingdom of God. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding the content or if there is anything we can do for you or any specific way we can be praying for you.
Conversations over meals can be consequential in variety of ways. slow down and be together Share stories Get to know one another (Tell me something about you that will help me understand or truly know you better- Dobson) Teach and learn biblical truths Influence CG meals Family meals Wedding or funeral…
Charlie Kirk some would call him a man of God. some would call him a political activist some viewed him as a great example for society others viewed him as a part of the problem for the division Since his assassination a couple of weeks ago, some have asked me why I haven’t said much about Charlie. Frankly…
Humanity’s ability to predict the weather has improved over the centuries. Simple observations of general weather patterns and seasonal shifts have evolved into highly technological advancements that allow us to predict or provide some best guesses regarding pending weather events several days in advance.…
Are we there yet? land marks, milestones along the way long middle section of the book we’ve turned toward Jerusalem Jesus is ultimately preparing his disciples for his departure and preparing them and us to continue ministry in His absence. Even in the midst of the part of Luke in which we find ourselves,…
In 1988, Bobby McFerrin released a song entitled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It was inspired by the teachings of an Indian Guru who used to tell his followers “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” McFerrin’s song was quickly written and recorded. It was released as an Adult Contemporary song where it made it to #1 for…
Introduction There are things that all of us fear. What may cause me fear might not be what causes you fear and vice versa. Last night we were visiting with some folks and were reminiscing a bit about one of the fear inducing and adrenaline pumping experiences we had - bungee jumping. Fear, whether it’s…
It seems like nearly every month (maybe even more frequently if we look hard enough), we receive news about some Christian leader who fails morally, gets caught, and is removed from ministry. Whether it’s pastors, professors, performers, or politicians - failure happens. We see hypocrisy everywhere.…
It seems like nearly every week I run into people who have some sort of faith. They say that believe in Jesus or at least call themselves Christians, but don’t attend a church. Their faith is very personal, private, and even comfortable. They choose to follow Jesus on their terms, as long as He doesn’t…
Over the last couple of sections of Luke’s gospel, we’ve considered the importance of loving God with all that we are and loving others. We’ve also reflected on the value of sitting before Jesus in order to just be with Him and learn before we get in to the practice of serving. It seems like in these…
I have a problem - a problem with serving food. I always want the bigger portion - if I’m pouring drinks for Danielle and me - I’ll take the one that’s a bit more. If I’m plating food, I’ll put a bit more on my plate. Now, I know she eats less than I do - basically everyone in my house eats less - except…
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength…
Last week, we discussed a bit about how Jesus’ disciples missed a bit of what He was doing in and through them. They have some more to learn as Jesus makes his turn toward Jerusalem, toward the cross. Today, we’ll consider how He sends out seventy-two of His followers into the towns that He is planning…
In his book Mere Christianity, CS Lewis uses an illustration to note how different it is to learn something than it is to apply that thing. His illustration centered on the difference between a map and being out on the water. In two dimensions, a map can look quite straight forward. You can see various…
Sermon Series: “This is a Faithful Saying” (Show slide 1) Sermon Text: 2 Timothy 2:11-13 If you were writing one last and final letter or sending the last text message to your son or daughter or someone you dearly loved, what would you write? Think about it for a minute…. What would truly be the most…
I would guess that we are probably similar in that we get so many unwanted calls each day. Somehow, I’ve been getting calls for some group who says they can get me on Social Security Disability. Other times I’ve been on the list for VA loans - except I’m not a veteran. I’ve received calls for solar estimates…
Faith evangelism training a few days Learning an evangelism method Then sent in teams of three to specific doors My turn came to share the gospel - I was scared. I shouldn’t have been, but I was. I knocked on the door, introduced myself and the team, and then began by asking the question, “In your personal…
Sermon Series: “This Is A Faithful Saying.” (Show Slide 1) Sermon Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Story Illustration: Tom Brady’s Pursuit to Greatness (Show Slide 2) Tom Brady, played quarterback in the NFL for 23 seasons (20 years with the New England Patriots and the last 3 seasons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers).…
Solomon Northrup was born around 1808 in New York to a former slave. His father, who eventually married a woman of mixed ethnicities, had been emancipated in the will of his deceased owner. They had two sons who were born free. Solomon took after his father in learning how to work the land, but he also…
From 2001-2006, the reality-TV game show Fear Factor brought contestants and viewers alike face to face with fears that they did not know they had. From death-defying stunts, to eating gross concoctions and so much more, contestants faced their fears in order to win challenges in the hopes of winning…
Do you hear what I hear? Noel Regney was born in France in 1920. He studied music in conservatories in both Paris, France and Strasbourg, Germany. Though being French, he was drafted into the Nazi army during WWII. He did not like the what the party stood for and secretly worked as a part of the French…
There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by your parents…
John, while in prison, sent representatives to Jesus to ascertain whether or not he is the one - Jesus provided proof and then affirmed John’s ministry, sinners repented, Pharisees rejected/scoffed, Jesus confronted the finicky faith of the generation
It’s not uncommon for people to ask the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” Or to state it another way, “if God is good, why do bad things happen?” It can sometimes feel like the worst things in life happen to some of the best people. At times it can feel like God is out to get us. We…
Today is a day that has become known as Palm Sunday, celebrating the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Here, near the end of his earthly ministry, people had watched in wonder at 2-3 years of authoritative teaching, profound miracles, and even resurrections. They had become enamored with…
Sermon Passage: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 One’s calling matters (v. 1) One’s qualifications matter (v. 2-3) One’s character matters (v. 4-5) One’s spiritual maturity and approval matters (v. 6-7) Discussion Questions: What does the world look for in a leader? How is that different from what God says in the Bible?…
Mountain Top Experiences Throughout the Bible we find a motif or a theme of mountain experiences. Mountains in the ancient world were seen as places where the things of heaven and things of earth intersected. In Scripture we find mountains as a places where surrender happens, where communion with God…
Religious groups and churches have patterns or rhythms weekly worship monthly communion Liturgies Annual festivals or meals Muslims have the month of Ramadan where they fast during the day, give alms, and feast at night Hindus have Diwali and specific celebrations tied to their deities Jews have several…
Introduction: Is Jesus “woke”? In other words, is He someone who is sensitive to or aware of the injustices experienced by the marginalized? If Jesus were walking on earth today, gathering disciples, would He do so along DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) ethical standards? Would he try to choose people…
A few years ago, there was a series release on streaming services called “Stranger Things.” The series took place in a small town where strange events were happening - supernatural encounters, weird creatures, fissures into things that seemed like a mirror image of our world. It was truly filled with…
When you and I come to faith in Jesus Christ, we do so from a variety of different circumstances. Some are younger (I was 5). Some are older - I know a woman who was in her late 80s when she came to faith. Some have lived simple lives, others have lived rather rambunctiously. Some have come with some…
People make judgments about us all of the time. It’s not so much that they are judgmental, but that they get to meet us or get to know us based on certain associations. I know, by virtue of the fact that I’m a pastor, when I introduce myself to people, they make an immediate judgment. If they had a bad…
Before we dive into the message today, I’d like to give you a brief update on my trip. Nepal slides Teaching team - 3 from TN, 1 from MD, Translators and coordinators from India (Trevor) - 8 days of teaching (Joel/Isaac) - Old Testament and Bible Study Methods students from Nepal, India and Bhutan got…
In recent years, ancestry and genealogy has been a growing trend. One of the largest and most popular ancestry companies was sold 4 years ago for $4.7b. There is something in us that wants to understand more about where we are from and from whom we descend. Unfortunately, for many of us, the detailed…
There have been several times over the last few months that I have been reminded about the importance of even small parts on teams or in performances. back up quarterback who comes in for one play because his speed or gift could help move the ball down the field Ballerina who comes in for a single scene…
Today, as we continue our study in the book of Luke, we come to a rather peculiar passage that provides a rare glimpse into Jesus’ childhood. The other gospels vary in how much they share about Jesus before his public ministry begins. Matthew devotes about 48 verses to Jesus’ early years (some of which…
New Year new goals financial physical academic social medical Spiritual New Hopes changes in relationships friends and family members coming to faith baptisms greater connection with God One of the challenges that we face in entering into a new year with new goals and hopes, is that we can be tempted…
In 1991, Bonnie Rait released a song entitled “Somethin’ to Talk About.” It became her highest ranking song on the billboard lists - topping out at #5. This song also became instrumental in helping her win a grammy. The song addresses rumors that had been going around about two people being secret lovers.…
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled…
Do you believe in chance encounters? Two people meet on a bus ride and end up getting married, remaining so for over 70 years. A random introduction leads two men to become the best of friends and end up establishing Apple computers. A random encounter between a 9 year old girl and a Theology graduate…
Have you ever noticed that some studies seem to be contradictory? One study will note that coffee is good for you as it is made of up of mostly water while another will state that it dehydrates you because of the caffeine. One study states that eating eggs will give you high cholesterol while another…
Open your Bibles or the Pew Bible to Psalm 66 . As we have over the last couple of weeks, I’d love for you to be able to look at that while we are walking through these last several verses. Throughout this Psalm we have seen an example of worship and witness acting as a sort of call and response. This…
In the year 715 BC, Shalmanezer, the King of Assyria besieged the Northern Kingdom of Israel. For three years, his army starved the nation of Israel until finally they surrendered. In 712 BC, the northern Kingdom crumbled, Israelite citizens were marched off to a foreign land, and Assyria began to rule…
Introduction Last week, we began considering the relationship between praise and thanks and how we are called in this Psalm to verbalize or express our gratitude. That expression should include some discussion of God’s attributes and the affect that he has on us, on creation, and even on his enemies.…
Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah Over the next…
Paul Confronts Peter approx. AD 40 Peter was eating with a group of Gentile believers - maybe a church picnic. He had shared the gospel with Gentiles and had received confirmation from the Holy Spirit that salvation is for them too. Some guys from James came to the same picnic - these guys where part…
Introduction In his profound book on the importance of prayer in the life of a congregation, John Onwuchekwa shares this quote - which is attributed to several different people including Martin Luther: To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. Martin Luther…
In the run up to the 1988 Presidential Election, Vice President George H.W. Bush famously said “Read my lips: no new taxes.” He was running on a platform of consistency. He sought to take the policies and success of the Reagan years into a new term. He, in essence, swore an oath, made a promise to American…
On the night before Jesus was crucified, He told his disciples And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. Jesus went to the cross, leaving them hope beyond the cross, hinting at the resurrection and eternal life in the Kingdom…
Mistakes along the way? In February of 1995, nearly 30 years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a clear way that has impacted the course of my life - and yet it has not been without mistakes and missteps. He urged me to go to the church the Danielle grew up at and help out with the youth ministry. The…
One of my favorite bands is the group “Switchfoot.” While I like their sound (it is unique and often very easily identifiable), what I like most is their lyrics. Switchfoot is a band that is made up of Christians. Their lyrics and songs have made their way onto both Christian and secular charts and into…
There are decisions that all of us make on a daily basis. Some of those are minor and relatively inconsequential, others are major and potentially life altering. Some impact only us (or so we think), where others reap ramifications on our families, church, workplaces, school, community, and more. How…
Our tongues have a way of getting us into trouble. Jeff L Lamont S my children Before we dive into the main content of the message today, I want to point out something rather obvious - there are no notes in your bulletins. There is a sense in which this sermon is set up fairly similarly to others - a…
As we’ve been studying the book of James - we have observed how he calls us to have a “spiritual wholeness” - a faith that runs throughout all that we are. A faith that is revealed in our character, exhibited in conflicts, and heard in our conversations. He calls us to… persevere amidst trials, pursue…
Mean Girls and Bullies Are a common theme in the movies and entertainment in part because… It is a part of human nature - to be accepted and to be close to people who can help us get ahead. In school that might look like working your way into the crowd of cool kids - even if that means compromising values.…
critical situation, easy to take offense, respond defensively because adrenaline is pumping The second person always gets in trouble (football fights, police brutality) the refs or the cameras often only get part of the picture and can tend to make a hasty judgment based on that brief bit of information.…
in 2016, Rosario Butterfield was speaking at university. After her talk, she met a young woman who was struggling. To Rosario and this lady went to visit the campus Chaplin, who was also a counselor over the course of their conversation they found out that this young woman had been listening to a certain…
How do you respond when your rights as a citizen or resident of the United States collides with the life that God has called you to live as a follower of Christ? Can there be a conflict? This week, one of the the guys who came through for training was a man named Stephen. Story: malfunctioning washing…
Title: The Servant that brings Light to the world (Show Slide 1) Sermon Text: Isaiah 49:1-7 Introduction Story: The Obstacle course at Fuge Camp (Show Slide 2-4) A few weeks ago, we took a team to M-Fuge camp at Regent University and for me one of the highlights of camp was participating with all the…
Some people seem to make an indelible mark on history. Their impact brings enough of a splash on the sea of time that the ripple effects are felt for generations. Arguable, Jesus is probably the single most significant person. Our calendars are dated by his life. Our eternal state is wrapped up into…
The birth of a child filled with hope and optimism wonder Lately people have reverted to gender reveal parties and posts to celebrate the coming child baby shower we celebrate birthdays as a marker of age and celebration of another year of life. For Naomi and Ruth, the birth of a child meant the realization…
Title: The Servant who brings Justice Text: Isaiah 42:1-9 Date: Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 Intro: (Show Slide 1) I recently attended a preschool graduation at Sunita’s school. During the program the kids shared with everyone in attendance what they wanted to be. The answers were very encouraging and very…
Alwyn C. Cashe “Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe distinguished himself by acts of gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Platoon Sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq, on October 17th,…
A big month for anniversaries This month has been big for anniversaries around here - 9 couples have anniversaries in May! the Brills - 29th the Ringlings - 24th Mugos - 27th Pete and Jackie - 2nd James and Amy - 8th Zoerners will celebrate their 13th this week Bormans will celebrate their 19th this…
Love is.. the theme of countless songs and poems the mantra of numerous social agencies and movements. the motto of Hosanna Community Church - “where love ALWAYS comes first” the message of devotion between spouses - hopefully regularly and not only on the wedding day marks how parents care for and provide…
Escape room interesting and fun lots of math themes limited time i have done them a few times and even did one twice with groups of people. I didn’t escape either time. you keep doing problems and solving puzzles without knowing where the next clue will lead or how many more will be needed to escape.…
The illusion of control In Good News Club, we recently finished looking at the book of Esther with the students. During our club time, we often begin with a snack and a time of ice-breaker discussions. This is also a time when the kids can recite memory verses to Zoe and record doing the devotional material.…
How do you respond to a crisis? freak out panic calmly assess the situation? pray ask for help grin and bear it Different challenges or crises will require different responses, depending on the urgency of the situation. Last week we began our study in the book of Ruth. If you remember, Naomi, her husband…
Running on Empty In 1977, Jackson Browne, a German-born, American musician, released what may be his best known song - “Running on Empty.” The lyrics seem to auto-biographically talk about Browne and his frenzied journey toward adult-hood. Rather than being full of life and fuel for the future- he’s…
I’ve had the privilege of going to many different cemeteries and grave sites in the course of ministering to families in funeral and memorial services. I’ve even been to the graves of several of my own family members. On those occasions at cemeteries, I’ve taken some time to look at the markers and reflect…
It’s challenging to think through an easter series - the story is the same and while the message is just as impactful today as it was nearly 2000 years ago it’s easy for us to get lulled into a re-run. But when we look closely at some of the things that Jesus did and taught - it seems like there are…
The Freedom of Forgiveness Psalm 32 Introduction In Shakespeare’s famous play Macbeth, there is a part of a scene. Doctor: What is it she does now? Look how she rubs her hands. Gentlewoman: It is an accustom'd action with her, to seem thus washing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter…
Intro: There are seasons in life in which we find it easy to worship, easy and enjoyable to spend time with God - when circumstances are good, when we have friends aplenty, and resources abound. But how can we delight in God when life is hard? How do you enjoy Him when he seems to be allowing or even…
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (5645 Ironside’s Shoes in Heaven) When he was a boy, Dr. Harry Ironside, a Canadian Bible teacher, used to help his “widowed mother by working during vacations, Saturdays, and [after school] for a Scottish shoe-worker [or Cobbler] who was a Christian. [The Cobbler]…
Introduction Since the beginning of the year, we’ve been considering how we can have a “Disciplined Delight in the Trinity” through various spiritual disciplines or practices. We’ve discussed slowing down a bit in how we take in and meditate on scripture so that we can relish in God and His revelation.…
Sermon Passage: Philippians 4:1-23 How do we find joy in Christian Living? By standing firm in the Lord (v.1) By living in harmony in the Lord with believers (vv. 2-5) By praying instead of being anxious (vv. 6-7) By focusing our mind on godly virtues and living in obedience . (vv. 8-9) By being content…
Over the last several weeks, we’ve been discussing various ways that we can have a “Disciplined delight in the Trinity.” We’ve looked at taking in scripture through reading, hearing and studying it. We’ve discussed meditating on Scripture. We’ve considered how we can commune with God in prayer and respond…
Near the end of his narrative autobiography Seeking Allah Finding Jesus , Nabeel Qureshi shared a perspective and a testimony that I found to be quite interesting and yet also convicting. Nabeel had been a devout Muslim. He had faithfully followed the traditions and patterns of that religion. Beginning…
Abraham called his servant to himself charged him to go and get a wife for Isaac from among distant family members with 10 camels, clothing, and gifts in tow, he came near to the destination, prayed a specific prayer to God When God responded exactly as he had requested - the servant responded with worship.…
Jesus’ brief teaching on prayer tells us several things. Prayer is… Presumed (5, 6, 7, 9) In other words, it’s expected. Jesus expects that we will pray. Three times in this passage, Jesus says “when you pray” (5, 6, 7) and then even includes a command to pray stating “pray then like this….”(9). Prayer…
We need to take in scripture with our eyes, ears (faith comes by hearing…), and minds (studying/Ezra)
Our brains and even our bodies are being re-wired by technology. There are some great advances that technology makes, but there are also negative impacts. In a 2014 blog post on the physiological effects of technology on our bodies, the writers summarized their findings in this way: Technology has altered…
Today, since we have the Kids Connection kids with us, I thought we’d begin with a little game using alternative titles to familiar Christmas songs. Can you figure out the real titles of these Christmas songs? Quiz: Alternative Titles to Christmas Carols Listen, winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming…
The birth of any child should bring joy. The new life. The hope of what the future has in store for this little one. The fulfillment of desires. And yet for some the birth of a child brings pain. Maybe it’s the wrong time in life - too young, too old, not financially ready. Maybe it’s illness or differences…
The Language of Love Poets, musicians, authors, and script writers alike have all tried to capture in words the profound impact of love. Whether it’s selfless, unconditional love or the romantic love experienced between two people - love is the topic of countless songs, poems, movies, books, operas,…
Missions Month supporting two missions efforts Grace Harbor Church - West End Ministry Center - International Mission Board - known as the Lottie Moon Christmas offering - named for a woman in the last century who worked tirelessly to support missionaries by writing letters, praying, and advocating.…
It’s sometimes hard to say goodbye difficult to leave a place finaly comments scheduling the next meeting, cleaning up in some ways as we read through the epistles we run into the same things. The closing verses can feel like a big litany of topics, instructions, comments. Just as he did with the previous…
What to expect when you’re expecting One of the books that we found particularly helpful as we prepared for the birth of our kids - especially Zack, was the book What to expect when you’re expecting. As new parents, we found that this book was filled with excellent information about the development of…
To medicate or not to medicate, that is the question: This week, a friend of mine shared something that was quite insightful. He and his wife have been trying various medications to help their daughter. As he’s observed her adjustments to the meds and the psychedelic side effects that his daughter has…
How do we find joy in Christian Living? By following the example of godly individuals (v. 17) By not pursuing the things of this world (vv. 18-19) By being heavenly-minded (vv. 20-21) Who are you following in life? What things of the world you need to stop pursuing? Why is it important to have an eternal…
Introduction “How to train your dragon” big strapping famous father - Stoic small, weak son who thinks differently - Hiccup at a couple of different times in the movie, the father makes a gesture to the son - implying that he is insufficient for the task - he’s not worthy the son replies - you just gestured…
Climbing leaders will free climb with encouragement and help from below climbers - rope holders proving encouragement and guidance, help those waiting watch and learn. Some can get rambunctious- thankful for the circumstances, nuances of the rock, challenges of the climb a bit like the church some serving…
Theme: Encourage one another and live soberly in the hope of Jesus’ return. Conversation with a Pilot WWII - glider planes - silently land behind enemy lines with equipment, personnel. Approximately 75% of the gliders were scuttled - they landed and were never retrieved. The personnel on those flights…
What does it cost to follow Jesus? Jesus answered this question - though not directly asked of him by stating: Mark 8:34 (ESV) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Dietrich Bonhoeffer contrasted what some have called cheap grace with the cost of true…
connections some superficial some fake some temporary some separated but able to pick up when we meet again after years of being apart Conversation with Kim Military family - moved a lot learned to get to know people quickly - because she didn’t know how long they would be in a place built good relationships…
Leadership Lessons decisions have impacts - personal and on others Poolesville Day - I should have led differently - my hope was that our presence as a church would create opportunities for the gospel to be shared But there have to be people to share it with, to live it out in front of Thank you to those…
Persecution is not something we think about too often here in the States. We generally get to live in peace and get to enjoy the liberties of our free society. We may not always like the direction of our nation, but our existence is not threatened and our lives are not at stake. But that has not always…
Pre-quals Every story has a back story. We may not always gain insight into the back story, but there are things impact characters and cultures. When George Lucas wrote the original Star Wars series, he had in his mind some of the events leading up to the movie that many of us were first introduced to…
Introduction There are organizations for people with any number of interests. Often, membership in these societies comes with an expectation for some advocacy or education, financial support, or simply awareness. Many organizations come with privileges - like newsletters, access to certain properties,…
The Second Best Day of My Life December 31, 1994 After 5 years of on and off dating, nearly 2 years of engagement Danielle and I got married. We assembled at her home church with close to 300 guests, 10 attendants, a few musicians, many family members, a Bible teacher, and a pastor We got dressed up…
Possible Intro: The pandemic and our nation’s value of rugged individualism have wreaked havoc in our lives - more than we realize. I was listening to a podcast this week that contained a conversation between Russel Moore and Sam Alberry. Both are believers and apologists. Both attend church in the Nashville.…
Introduction Series on biblical community in preparation for the launching of community groups next month we will look at a variety of passages, but most of our time together will be in the book of Ephesians Background Diversity there were cultural, ethnic, and religious divisions in the city - not unlike…
Sermon Title: Finding Joy in the Lord—(Show Slide 1) Sermon Text: Philippians 3:1-16 I was visiting with Sunita’s relatives from Canada a couple of weeks ago and was watching America’s Got Talent on TV. (Show Slide 2 cue) I was impressed with the performance of two brothers who managed to do a head balancing…
Pastoral Prayer: Graduation sentiments In May and June, countless schools around the world participated in commencement ceremonies - marking the end of one chapter of life or schooling and movement into the next. Over the years, there have been some famous and memorable commencement speeches. Winston…
I’ve heard it said that art is something that requires contemplation. Whether it’s the visual arts or musical arts or even the literary/poetic arts, there are things that are quickly available on the surface, but, when given time for reflection, concentration, and contemplation - more depth, color, sounds,…
Introduction: There is a phrase that has come up in news reports and advocacy over the last few years - “the right side of history.” The phrase pre-supposes that the views that one side of an issue is advocating will be vindicated and proved to be correct when historians give their assessments. But,…
Sermon Title: Finding Joy in Serving Sacrificially Sermon Text: Philippians 2:17-30 Early this week I was listening to a song on the Christian radio WGTS and the name of the song was called “Nobody” performed by Casting Crowns and featuring Matthew West. ( Show slide 1-2 ) The lyrics go something like…
Sources of Hope new job or position financial standing Political changes Physical changes new school year…. There can be positive and even godly outcomes in all of those things, but there is ultimately only one source of hope that can provide lasting change and relief in the midst of dark and difficult…
How should we respond to suffering? None of us like suffering - but it’s a reality of life that we all have to deal with from time to time. Whether it’s death, disease, disordered circumstances, or any other environment in which we suffer - suffering seems to demand a response. One of the beautiful things…
God's just judgment for our wicked ways resulting in futility in the things that should bring flourishing and enjoyment, dangers of rugged individualism
I grew up in conservative churches. By that I mean that each of these places had a high view of scripture and taught me to revere the Word of God. These churches sought to live out the gospel faithfully and instilled in me a passion and vision for the lost around the world. They awakened in me a heart…
Philippians 1:20-30 : “Finding Joy in Living for Christ” (Show Slide 1) We live in a culture that promotes self-worth and self-reliance in many social platforms. Personal mottos, idioms and sayings have become tools to empower people and inspire them to be the best they can be. A motto is a short sentence…
Before we dive into God’s word, I want to share a song that our son shared with us when he was in basic training. He visited a church on mothers day and they did a remix of Casting Crowns’s song “Just Be Held” and called it “Just behave” https://subspla.sh/w4h3nxb Pray Micah’s third sermon Courtroom…
In the opening lines to their song “What if I stumble?”, the Christian hip hop group DC Talk quoted these words from Brennan Manning - an author and former Franciscan Priest: “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians Who acknowledge Jesus with their lips And walk out the…
Sermon Title: Finding Joy in Serving Christ (1:1-19) Today we will start a mini-series sermons that will spread out during the next few months into the summer as we look at one of Paul’s letters in the N.T, the Letter to the Philippians (Show slide 1) . As we begin today, I want to ask you a few questions?…
Thought Experiment: I want to begin with a little thought experiment. On your outline/sermon notes, I’d like you to answer these two questions: How do you define the American Dream? How different is the American Dream for a Christian? I bring that up because as Micah closes his second sermon in the book,…
Once and Future King Arthur and the knights of the round table here was a prophecy given about the future King Arthur calling him the once and future king. former King in England the same is future king Seems to be a desire for the peace, prosperity, and “good ‘ole days” - and yet there is a timelessness…
I like good stories. I like the stories that are complex and intricate. I like the stories that impact people in a variety of ways. I like the stories that allow you to dive deep into the detail and nuance of a character and their situation, and then zoom out to see the grand scheme. I think this is…
During the time of Martin Luther, people were caught in a situation where two entities were claiming to the the true church - the Roman Catholic church and the local churches we might call Protestant churches today Luther noted 7 qualities that would differentiate the true church from counterfeit ones.…
intro Dave Arrell - my transgression and repentance - after the service, some asked me if he ever forgave me. Indeed he did. We continued to have a good relationship through the rest of high school and even into college and beyond. He participated in our wedding, I got to coach baseball with him and…
I want to try something a bit different today. Who is a leader that you admire? This could be a political leader, a Sunday school teacher, an educator, an influencer, or even a family member. Write that person’s name on your outline. Write one thing that you admire about that person. I’d love for you…
Intro Guilt of a transgression (Mr. Arrell and bus; Danielle and potential pregnancy) feeling unworthy broken fellowship Last two weeks as we have been learning from Micah, he has been addressing Israel and Judah’s… Idolatry - Micah 1 - worshipping false gods, compromising Gods standards of worship Covetousness…
Is your wanter broken? Several years ago, I heard a preacher ask that question. What did he mean by that? He was talking about desires - the things we want. He commented to his children that their wanters were broken that they didn’t want enough - their desires, ambitions, etc. weren’t big enough. I…
Intro: After God brought the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He brought them to Mount Sinai and initiated a covenant with them. The commandments begin this way… Exodus 20:1-4 “And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the…
Last week when Morgan Proudfoot was with us, he said something that prompted and helpful discussion among the elders - not because it was controversial or unbiblical, but I think it promoted discussion because it was a true but often overlooked fact in our relationship with God. Morgan David that God’s…
"The wealthy are those who live by faith and repentance." The marginalized are not forgotten . (19-21) True and lasting justice will be served. (22-26) Only the Gospel creates equality before God. (27-31)
Open your bibles to Psalm 46. I do want to encourage you to have your bible out or use the pew bible. You’ll find this chapter on page 403. By the way, if you don’t have a Bible, feel fee to take that one or take one from the Book Nook after the service. Either of those would be our gift to you! Have…
Over the last several week, we have reflected on four Latin terms that grew out of the Reformation. Sola Scriptura - that Scripture alone is our inspired and inerrant authority - not tradition, or people - Scripture Solus Christus - Christ alone is our means of salvation. Sola Fide - we experience the…
What makes a good gift? Is it the fact that you got what you asked for? Is it the flexibility (i.e. a gift card or cash)? Is it the expense? Surely expensive gifts must be great gifts. As I’ve thought about this during the week, I came up with a few ideas of what makes a gift good or even great. Personal…
Counted as righteousness Abraham’s faith After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God , what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”…
Who is Jesus? Many have been trying to define exactly who Jesus is. Who is the Christ? Even when Jesus was on the earth, people questioned who he was. Stephen Wellum, in his book Christ Alone suggests several questions: “Who is he who is born the son of David, the son of Abraham ( Mt. 1:1 )”? “Who is…
The Christian life in the late 15th and early 16th centuries was a complicated one. There was one church, centered in Rome. Now there were multiple cathedrals and parishes, but everyone reported to Rome and more specifically to the Pope. Scripture was practically chained to the pulpit and it was only…
One of the birthday traditions we have in our house is to retell our kids about the events leading up to their birth. It’s a fun way for Danielle and me to relive those moments with the kids. After all, while they were each present, none of them remember - at least not like we do. We get to remember…
I think we all have those times where we simply need a break or to reset. Pressures of work, family needs, exciting times, and even failures all can seem to pile on the disciples weren’t much different today we come to the final chapter in John’s gospel. In the timeline of history and perceiving what…
Coronation next year we will witness the coronation of the new king of england as with all things royal, it will be a public affair. Leading up to this point there have been years of training education practice in what it means to be the head of England. On that day, the day of his coronation, the king…
S.W.O.T Have you ever heard of the acronym SWOT? I’ve run into this a few different times in various leadership books, seminars, and resources. It stands for: Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats When organizations and individuals go through a SWOT assessment, they look at what they are good at…
A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens opened his famous novel with these words: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,…
Teaching on prayer: Lord teach us to pray - Luke 11:1 - Jesus instructed with what we often call the “Lord’s prayer” - Our Father... It might be better termed - “The Apostle’s Prayer” or “The Model Prayer” Today, as we continue looking at the book of John, we come to a prayer that Jesus prayed on the…
David, resources for killing Goliath. He chose a sling and a few stones. He refused armour that didn’t fit And a sword that may have been too big. He used resources that were appropriate for him for the mission. A few weeks ago we started looking at Jesus’ Farewell Discourse - or his Last Will and Testament.…
As Jesus continues his farewell discourse (or last will and testament), he prepares his followers for the persecution that will come. The persecution is not on the grounds of who they are but who he is.
So, as we walk through the first 17 verses of John 15 , we’ll consider that Jesus is the true vine - and some of what that entails, what Life in the vine requires (pruning, connection) pruning connection or remaining the results of life in the vine (fruit, love, answered prayer) So, let’s begin where…
Jesus is in the midst of his farewell discourse - or his last will and testament. Last week, we saw that Jesus is preparing his disciples for what to expect in the near future - that he is leaving, what Jesus expects of them - to believe and to work what Jesus will give them - the Holy Spirit As Jesus…
Do you have a will? I hear that question almost weekly on several of the podcasts and radio programs that I listen to. You’d think the constant reminder would motivate me to get mine updated - but I seem to start the update and then get paused. Nobody really likes to talk about our end or our departure…
(start with a blank slide) Jesus gathered 12 disciples around him. Some of those guys we see a lot. Some we know very little about. It certainly seems like there were sort of concentric rings of followers. There is the outer circle - the guys that are merely mentioned. This might include Thaddeus, Judas…
One is the loneliest number In 1968, Harry Nilsson wrote the lyrics to his song “One” after getting a busy signal. You’ve probably heard the song on various TV shows or animated movies like Shrek. It seems to hint at a response to a breakup. There are times when it’s true, one can be a lonely number.…
Stop inviting your friends to church... Several years ago, I was listening to a leader of a large youth ministry. He made that statement to the Christian kids in his youth group. Of course, the students, and our, natural response is WHAT!?! “I thought that’s what we’ve been told to do for years? Isn’t…
INTRODUCTION: There are many times when the month of September starts a new ministry year. Students have promoted to the next grade. Graduates have moved on to their next phase in life. The “lull” of summer - which sometimes doesn’t feel like there was really a lull - gives way to a new season in the…
Lou Gehrig’s Farewell On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig gave a farewell address to his baseball fans: (quoted from: https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/lougehrigfarewelltobaseball.htm) Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest…
Surprised by Underwhelming Expectations I rarely introduce myself as Pastor. It’s not that I don’t want people to know the role I play, but I don’t want my title to become a barrier. Sure, it may open some conversations, but it may also hinder others as people might think I’m some holy man - because…
Priceless In the mid to late 2000s, the Master Card company ran a series of commercials where they would put prices on a variety of items - then the commentator would conclude that the collective sum of those things is “priceless.” Their whole point is that not everything is valued in money, but for…
Bible Passage- Matthew 6:19-24 The Sermon on the Mount is all about being different from the world Don’t be worldly but be loyal to your Lord (vv. 19-24) 3 different pictures for 1 choice: to whom will I be loyal? 2 different places to invest (vv. 19-21) 2 different ways to see (vv. 22-23) 2 different…
Jonah Part II Chapters 1 and 2 Introduction Outline for Two Series Sermon Recap of the Story outline. The story of Jonah unfolds in seven episodes: A: Jonah's commissioning and flight (1:1-3) B: Jonah and the pagan sailors (1:4-16) C: Jonah's grateful prayer (2:1-11) A': Jonah's recommissioning and compliance…
For centuries, Christians have used catechisms as a way of helping people understand our faith. One of those Catechisms is the Heidelberg catechism which was commissioned in 1563 “for the purpose of instructing the youth of the day and guiding pastors and teachers in their teaching duties.” Heidelburg…
Your walk talks , and your talk talks , but your walk talks louder than your talk talks . That phrase was instilled in me when I was in high school. My youth pastor at the time challenged us to recognize that what we say matters and what we do matters, but what we do often matters more. All of our life…
A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close…
theology of suffering and what role that can play in our lives. The man’s healing and the ensuing conflict over his supposed/new-found faith. Suffering well - Serving/proclaiming well - I was blind, now I see
Geeking Out Do you geek out? Spending time investigating/learning about stuff? Animals - types, bedding, care, and good hunting grounds Architecture Art Cars Cooking Crypto currency Financial news Knitting or sewing techniques/patterns News Events Musical skills Science Sports teams Technology Theology…
possibly start with Myers Briggs tests and over time adjusting closer to each other. adjusting behaviors after hanging out with people. new school want to fit in sambas pegged pants kswiss skateboards even learning to like soccer because I wanted to be with my friends. As we spend time with people we…
As the controversy around Jesus continues to escalate, He proclaims that he is the "light of the world" at the high point of the Feast of Tabernacles, prompting questions from some and belief from others.
Outline for Two Series Sermon The story of Jonah unfolds in seven episodes: A: Jonah's commissioning and flight (1:1-3) B: Jonah and the pagan sailors (1:4-16) C: Jonah's grateful prayer (2:1-11) A': Jonah's recommissioning and compliance (3:1-3a) B': Jonah and the pagan Ninevites (3:3b-10) C': Jonah's…
Introduction Karla Fay Tucker story (from NIVAC: John - Burge, p. 246-248) 1983 - went with her boyfriend to check out a home to rob high on drugs ran into the owners of the home and brutally killed them Both were caught, and tried and sentenced to death 3 months into her prison time, Karla watched a…
WHO IS JESUS? (Perception vs. Reality) John 7:1-53 REACTIONS TOWARD JESUS: Hatred (vv. 1, 7, 19, 20) Mockery (vv. 3-5) Division (vv. 12-13, 41-43) Confusion/Conflict (vv. 25-26, 31b) Fear (vv. 13, 44) Amazement (vv. 15, 46) Rejection/Unbelief (vv. 27, 30, 41) Belief (vv. 31, 41) JESUS TEACHING AT THE…
When I was in middle school, I was (and I guess still am) a bit of an omni-vert - I liked to be around people, but I also liked to be alone. In my neighborhood Aaron and Steve were my closest friends. We would play football at Steve’s house and I would skate with Aaron. Then, around our 8th grade year,…
you are what you eat Dietitians and medical profesionals have used that phrase for years to discuss the impact of certain foods on our physical health. the earliest version of the phrase was coined by a French lawyer named “Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote, in Physiologie du Gout, ou Meditations de Gastronomie…
Introduction How do you respond when tested? withdraw gut it up lash out reach out to others pray I wish I could say that I always responded well, but I don’t. Several years ago, we were moving from Rockville to Gaithersburg. I forget the exact circumstances, but Danielle was in Rockville and the car…
The Most Important Question in the World Someone asked Professor Joad - a former professor of Philosophy at the London University - “If you could meet any person of the past and ask just one question, whom would you meet at what would you ask?” Professor Joad - a non-Christian at the time - said “I would…
Jesus Defends His Deity (Part I) (Show Slide 1) Scripture Passage: John 5:19-29 Opening Prayer Let’s pray as we prepare our hearts to hear from God’s Word today. Lord Jesus, as we open the Scriptures today, please allow the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts and minds and teach us the truth found in your…
Trial of the Century It’s nothing new that reporters and news casters like to use hyperbole to get people’s attention. The phrase “Trial of the Century” has been used dozens of times in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries as a means of highlighting the significance of big, important trials. Trials for…
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we get a beautiful reminder about the nature and origin of Scripture. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.…
Introduction (from Gary Burge’s commentary): A young woman had become critically ill and her prognosis was grim; she would likely die within a year. Her family had a nominal "Easter and Christmas Eve" commitment to the church, so the discussions in the hospital between [a] young pastor and this family…
General theme - Our hatred, biases, prejudices, and bigotry cause us to miss divine opportunities. In Jesus day, Jews and Samaritans did not get along. Jesus travelled through a despised land, talked to a despised woman, of a despised race, and a despised reputation. All of these were despised - not because Jesus viewed them that way, but because His culture did. As a result of Jesus breaking through the social barriers, many people believed in Him. In the movie “Avatar,” the Na’vi have a phrase “I see you” - meaning - not only do they see you physically - but they see who you are. Jesus truly saw this woman who was socially outcast because of her lifestyle and showed her compassion. Jesus saw the people of this Samaritan village and willingly remained with them for two days, opening scripture to them. Do we see the people around us the way that God does? Is there latent prejudice that keeps us from engaging with people who are different than us?
The Wedding Party joy of performing weddings preparing couples for a life-long covenant ceremonies can be stressful So many moving parts and players Attendants (groomsmen and bridesmaids) - serve to honor and glorify the bride and groom Some attendants make it about them - not the bride or groom - leaving…
Nearly 20 years ago, Tony Campolo and Brian McLaren teamed up to write a book entitled “Adventures in Missing the Point.” Their book was a thought-provoking and challenging look at the way that the church in America (and generally the church in western culture) has developed. It’s been a while since…
There are a variety of times when things are just a bit better when shaken. James Bond likes his drinks shaken not stirred Taylor Swift would tell us to shake off people’s bad actions Balsamic vinegar dressing needs to be shaken and eaten quickly in order to get the full affect of the flavors together…
We all like to follow someone at various times in our lives. We may be motivated by curiosity, fear, ambition, knowledge, information. Sometimes our following is a simple and non-committed social media follow - we might just want to be in the know. Other times our following results in a certain college…
I’m not very good at social media, but you probably already know that if you’re on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I don’t post very often - except to give away bread. When I do, I don’t take very good pictures - in fact I sometimes re-do old pictures - especially of bread. I suppose in some ways, I’m…
What is a prologue? If we were to take that apart, it divides neatly into two words pro- meaning before logos - meaning word or saying So, in a very real sense, a prologue is a word that happens beforehand - a fore-word Composers, Filmmakers, and Authors alike have utilized preludes, prologues, overtures,…
Every faith system has a need for apologetics - or defense of the faith. Some would say that apologetics are geared more to reinforce the faith of those who already believe - rather than providing arguments to convince non-believers of the validity of the faith. Ultimately, as Christians, we believe…
01/02/2022 Sermon Outline Text: 1 Chronicles 28-29 Focus: A Legacy for the Next Generation Introduction One of the major questions that a careful modern reader of the historical books of the OT can ask is: why did the author of Chronicles repeat, omit, and add contents of 2 Samuel and Kings? Why did…
Introduction Miraculous events are not foreign to scripture. Throughout the Old Testament, God used miraculous and even supernatural events in order to work His will in the World. From His acts in creation, to the flood, to confusing languages, and the replacement of a ram as a substitute for Isaac -…
who he is - God incarnate
What he taught - Kingdom living
What he did - salvation
What he is doing - interceding
What he will do - come again and reign
Armal Porodini - our Associate Pastor Candidate - shared his testimony and a message of Peace.
When God had news for his people, whom would he tell first? Popular political leaders? Important religious leaders? The riches? scholars? Actually, no. God told shepherds. I assume everyone who reads about the message of the angel about the birth of Jesus to the shepherds is surprised that God chose…
Theme: Which of God's promises most comfort you through life's trials and triumphs? God's Word beckons His people to trust him because of what He has done, what he will do, because He has said it, and because he keeps His promises.. As the Lord pronounces his prophecies and fulfills them, He shows Himself eminently truthful and trustworthy. This familiar Advent passage reminds us of God's kindness in providing us ironclad reasons to trust Him, most principally through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin this Advent season, let us look and marvel and grow in trust toward God who fulfills prophecy and purchases promises where we can stake our eternal hope.
Scene: Screen writers need a new schtick - many of them seem to be foretelling catastrophe by having one of the characters say “I promise”. couch at home, watching a show like “The Flash” or “Agents of Shield” together. (Lemony Snickett - Brother promises to a friend his safety and return, but in the…
All Stressed Out Origin of stress pressures - work, home, holiday, family, friends worries outside of our control - political battles, medical diagnosis, why is this time of year so stressful Lack of time lack of money commercialization external expectations ( Christmas cards, gifts, generosity). How…
Have you ever played “H.O.R.S.E.”? That’s the basketball game that can be played with 2 or more people where one person shoots a basket, if they make it others have to follow. If someone misses, they get a letter. Once they get all the letters that spell horse, then they are out. It’s a fun game because…
When you travel to different parts of the country or different parts of the world, it may be good to understand what actions are acceptable and what actions are taboo. For example, in some parts of the world, to invite a person to come near you, you might have your palm up and move your fingers up and…
Run Forrest Run! In 1994, Tom Hanks starred in a block buster film that impacted a lot of people’s lives. The story is of a boy from the south who had special needs. The movie Forrest Gump chronicles Forrest’s life as a school-aged boy, a young adult who served in Vietnam, and even his life as a business…
You gotta have faith! If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, that statement might make you think of the song from George Michael. His song was actually a song of romance and hope that he’s holding out faith that he’ll find the right match in the next relationship. Sure doesn’t sound very FAITHFUL. Or, maybe,…
How many times have you refinanced your mortgage? I hear commercials all the time about refinancing. It seems like there is always a better time to get a better rate in order to save money, re-cast your amortization, or even to take a little money out. But let’s take a step back for a moment. What is…
This week as I’ve wrestled with how to consider this text today, I’ve been perplexed a bit. Not so much because of the message of the passage, but because of the fact that it discusses a subject that we are not very familiar with - the role of priests. It would be short sighted and incomplete to simply…
We did a little word association a few weeks ago. I’d like to try that again. I’m going to say the name of a company or organization and I want you to tell me who’s name comes to mind. This person may or may not be the founder, may or may not be living, may or may not still be active in the company,…
Martin Carter is an organizational consultant. In an article that he posted on LinkedIn a few years a go, he said: “In 1979 Air New Zealand flight 901 crashed into Mount Erebus in Antarctica killing all 279 people on board. The root cause was a 2-degree change in the flight coordinates which, over the…
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and…
Introduction Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. Praise…
Introduction What causes you to sing? Is it good things? Is it difficult things? Is it your children or your spouse? When Danielle and I were in college, I would break into song at the most random moments. We’d be at a meal in the dining commons - maybe it was just us - maybe it was with some friends…
Introduction As we begin today, I’d like to do a little word association. I’m going to say something and I’d love for you to respond aloud with a word that you might consider the opposite of this word. Large - small Up - down Fat - skinny Square - round Tall - short Black - white Female - male Heaven…
Introduction Whom do you trust? According to a Gallup poll, Nurses are the most trusted professionals - and have been for 19 years in a row. In the short list of professionals the top five included nurses, doctors, grade-school teachers, pharmacists, and police officers. The least trustworthy were: Members…
Matthew 14: 22-33 Introduction: 1. His A______ in the Storm. God uses storms for: _______ection & ______ection 2. His A______ in the Storm. He comes when there is D_________ He comes when there is D_________ He comes when there is D_________ 3. His A__________ during the Storm. A message of P_________…
A Tale of Two Christians. In this letter, John encourages one Christian for his good work in hospitality and notes the selfishness of another Christian.
In this letter, Paul helps Timothy to understand some of the challenges he is facing in the church at Ephesus and encourages him in the assignment that is before him as a young pastor.
Jesus opened access to God once for all time through his perfect sacrifice and He forever lives to plead the merit of His blood for His people before God the Father. Because of Jesus' work, we have boldness and access to God and we are being made more like Jesus by that same sacrifice which saved us.
What do you fear most? We all have various fears. For some it’s a fear of speaking in public. For others a fear of conflict. There is the fear of new situations, fear of certain critters, even the fear of peanut butter. Some fears are paralyzing and others are simply a nuisance. Generally, most fears…
the Triumphal Entry seemed to foreshadow the fullness of what Jesus is doing. The people wanted a King and got a servant. The Kingdom of God is not about conquering but of faithful, humble service - Jesus is the way to the father - he is also show the way to live as Kingdom people.
Mary anointed Jesus in preparation for his crucifixion and burial. Jesus seems to anoint his disciples in a different way - by washing their feet - in order to demonstrate sacrificial service. Jesus ultimately served all of humanity by laying down his life for us.
Paul responds to the generous gift of support from the Philippians by sharing this heartfelt and intimate letter of thanksgiving. This thank you note is also an opportunity to encourage them to joyfully continue in their faith with humility and perseverance.
Unlike many of the other epistles, here in the letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul does not seem to be addressing any specific concerns. In the first three chapters he teaches about how God united us with Him through Jesus Christ. In the last three chapters, Paul talks about how that vertical unity is lived out in the church, at home, and in the marketplace. He also points to the opposition we will face because of that unity.
SERMON OUTLINE HAPPY VALENTINE!!!! Topic: God’s Love Theme: Compelled to love one another ( 1 John 4:7-10 ) Introduction: In the 1980’s Tina Turner produced a song that says, “what’s love got to do with it” calling it a touch of a hand, the only thrill; a second-hand emotion, an old sweet fashioned notion…bra,…
In this second letter to the Corinthians, Paul submits an emotional and heart-felt plea to this church as they continue to be live by sight and not by faith.
As Paul addresses problems with a report that he hears and then responds to questions that he receives from the church at Corinth, we get to see some things that should mark the church.
In preparation for an expected trip to Rome, Paul wrote the book of Romans in order to both unite a church that was divided and to pave the way for future partnership in the ministry of the gospel.
In Hebrews 11, we get to see a great throng of faithful saints. We are called to be among them. We can't control our circumstances, but we can control our obedience to Jesus. Jesus gave us a beautiful example - enduring the cross, suffering shame
In the book of Luke, he recorded all that Jesus began to do. Here in the book of Acts, we get to see the expansion of Jesus ministry through His Church as it moves from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and then to the ends of the earth.
Generally, when someone writes something, they do so in order to convey information in hopes of influencing belief that the data is true or worthy of being believed. John explicitly wrote his gospel toward that end by his selection of signs and statements in order to garner belief that leads to life.
Overview Sermon of the Gospel of Luke. Rather than surveying the historical similarities between Luke and the other gospels, this message focuses more on the things that Luke accentuated - the importance of prayer, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and the value of all people.
This message will be an overview of the New Testament, considering in general the message, fulfillments from the OT and overall structure of the NT
Memorizing Ephesians 6:10-18 Let’s test our memory (put some blanks in) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,…
Scripture memory We’ve heard the passage as it was read to us. Now, let’s read it together. For this reading we have left out some words so that we can test our memories in key places. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able…
How are you doing on our memorization challenge. I’ve heard some wonderful stories of people working on it - printing out the scripture and placing it in various places around the house, in the car - keeping it available so that you’re ready at any time to work on it. Way to go! I know that standing…
Scripture Memory opportunity for live reciting Video demonstration Congregation recite together Eph. 6:10-12 (w/ motions?) 10 Finally, be strong( power arms) in the Lord (point up with both hands) and in the strength of his might (hit the fist of one hand into the palm of the other hand) . 11 Put on…
So, how have you been doing memorizing this passage, beginning with Ephesians 6:10 ? Would anyone like to stand and recite it? I’ll give you a hint - this will be the easiest one - because next week - it’s two verses, then three, then four.... (If we have a video - this would be a great place to include…
Our world and our society is filled with conflict, and yet the real struggles that we encounter are superficial in comparison to the theater of spiritual warfare that exists.
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures Or maybe we’d be better to say “Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures” It has been interesting over these last several months to pay attention to advertisers. When the governing officials finally made the decision to shutter the economy in order…
A Vague-Personal Religion “William Miller wrote that ‘One might say that President Eisenhower, like many Americans, is a very fervent believer in a very vague religion.” (Dever, p. 939) If we were to poll our society, I wonder if a majority of the American population might fit into this category of being…
Background As we saw briefly last week with Haggai, Zechariah is one of the three prophets who ministered in Judah after the exile. Ezra tells us that Haggai and Zechariah were prophets who challenged the people of Judah to rebuild the temple - though the book of Zechariah has less to do with the temple…
Getting ready for take-off If you’ve spent any time on an airplane, you may be well familiar with the routine - at least the pre-covid routine. Seats in their up-right position Tray tables locked and stowed away Seat belt fastened low and tight across your lap In the event of an emergency, note the location…
Colossians 3:21 says Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. but it doesn’t say “Children do not provoke your parents to anger” or “do not exasperate your parents.” And yet - as children - it seems like all of us at one time or another have done something to exasperate our…
Violence, Violence everywhere, and no relief in sight! We don’t have to look far to learn about violence in our nation. The response to George Floyd’s death sparked outrage among some, resulting in fires, looting, and destruction in several cities. Anger and hatred seem to run rampant in some cities,…
What brings you comfort? I guess the question that we would need to ask before that is “why do we need comfort?” At various times in our lives - whether individually, corporately as a church, community, or nation - we all experience things that cause us pain or discomfort. This pandemic has brought some…
As we continue our look at God’s Story in Scripture, we’re going to be considering the book of Micah today. Introducing Micah The book of Micah is the sixth of the minor prophets. Of course, these prophets are minor because of their size, not because of their importance or their value of their messages.…
Life on Mission Where would you go for the sake of the gospel? Would you go overseas - to Iran or China or North Korea or Russia? Would you go to the north or to the south? Would you go to Europe? Would you go next door? I alluded to this in the Dear Family message this week, but I thought I’d reiterate…
Imagine this scene. A southern, agricultural businessman makes his way to the north. He is out of his home, but in many ways it’s the same country among the same people. He has a southern accent. The man sees various atrocities as he is conducting his business and is inspired by God to say something.…
Remembering 9/11 Do you remember where you were on 9/11/01? I remember driving to work and hearing about it on the radio. I thought it was strange and a fluke accident - and then the next plane hit and then the next and the next. Do you remember the response? The schools went into a lock down mode for…
Crazy things people do for love People sometimes do crazy or even reckless things because of love. One man faked his death in a car accident in order to propose to the woman he loved. “The man hired a movie director, stuntmen, make-up artists and a script writer to make a convincing accident scene. “His…
In Time of Trouble In 1895, Andrew Murray was in England suffering from a terribly painful back, the result of an injury he had incurred years before. One morning while he was eating breakfast in his room, his hostess told him of a woman downstairs who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had…
What’s in a name? In Act II , Scene II of Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet , the star-crossed lovers have this encounter: Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet Romeo:…
Introduction Do you remember where you were when you first heard about the Coronavirus? I don’t remember the exact place, but I remember hearing some news reports in January about something that was happening in China. Over the next couple of weeks, the virus came up in a handful of news reports and…
Introduction Have you ever had one of those embarrassing moments in a store or in public? You know, that moment when you hear that child that is absolutely losing his mind, yelling, screaming, stomping his feet. You feel for the parent. You’re frustrated by the disturbance? Or, have you ever been the…
Introduction How do you know who to trust? The book of Proverbs encourages us to have a multitude of counselors, but how do you know who has pure motives and who is being deceptive? I’ve been working through a biography of the life of George Washington, the acclaimed general of the Revolutionary War…
What is the best love song ever? Popular love songs have a way of expressing the sentiments that we may or may not be able to express. If you could go back over all of the love songs that have been recorded in audio form or on paper, what songs would you rank as some of the best? If we were together,…
What does it take for you to believe something? What does it take for you to believe something? What does it take for you to believe something? Surrounding the COVID crisis there are all sorts of remedies, myths, and misinformation. There are predictions and projections and so much more that lead us…
(The sermon audio is taken from a service that was streamed over Facebook during the quarantines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The audio quality is not what it should be) After raising Lazarus from the dead, a great murmur began outside of Jerusalem in the town of Bethany. The Religious leaders were furious at the loss of power, the crowd was ecstatic at the presence of Jesus, the Greeks who were in attendance of the feast were curious.
Life According To Aladar We’ve had a few pets in our house over the years - a cat, bunny, some small fish, a newt, a couple of hamsters and one leopard gecko named Aladar. Most of these animals don’t have long life spans, but Aladar has outlasted them all. He is about 15 years old. He even outlasted…
Now that the nation has returned from exile, the Chronicler (assumed author of Chronicles) writes the history as a means of reminding the people of Judah where they came from, why the exile and sort of what now. He leaves the door open to the hope of a coming Messiah.
One of the halmarks of the church is the commission that we received from Jesus to "go into all the world." From the time of the Ascencion of Christ to today, we've seen the Gospel spread all over the world. We Gather - We Grow - We Give - and finally We Go!