Sermons: Recent Episodes
Haven Field Community Church
Grace is perhaps the most misunderstood doctrine of the Christian faith. If we truly grasped its truth, we'd be set free to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and to live out Christ's law of love with overwhelming joy. We'd be unstoppable!
Galatians 1:11-24. We live what we believe and the gospel transforms our living Grace is perhaps the most misunderstood doctrine of the Christian faith. If we truly grasped its truth, we'd be set free to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and to live out Christ's law of love with overwhelming joy. We'd be unstoppable! We will learn how to live "unstoppable" lives in our new teaching series walking though the Apostle Paul's letter, Galatians
If you heard that someone you cared about was heading down a dangerous path, wouldn't you find a way to help them? to redirect them? Well, this is what Paul is doing in the letter to the churches in Galatia. We start with a look at Paul living on mission to share good news to those in danger.
Johnny Barrett shares a wonderful message on loss, love, and trusting God along the way.
Live by believing in me, is a lifestyle of walking with Christ and trusting in Christ in all areas of life. As we follow in faith, we realize that suffering is part of the journey.
As we "live by believing in him" it is crucial that we learn to listen. Listen to the work of God's Spirit in our lives directing us and leading us but more importantly reminding us who God really is and who we are as God's children.
Living wisely means to walk in the path that God is leading for you. In Proverbs 16, we learn to commit what we do to the Lord and he will direct our path. Do we trust Christ enough to commit our ways to Him and do we really believe that God can direct our path?
Solomon continues to teach us how to live wisely through the writings in Proverbs. This week we are focusing on giving but not giving into idols especially the idol of wealth.
The fear of the lord is the foundation for wisdom. So, to have reverence for the greatness and goodness of God places us is a portion to receive and grow in wisdom.
Isaiah foretells the birth of the messiah and calls him the "Prince of Peace." Luke reiterates this in Chapter 2. Peace is initiated through Christ and it is experienced through submission.
On this third Sunday of advent we will light the candle of joy and remember that joy will eventually come —there is a light of joy coming in the darkness and yes joy will come in the morning.
Being thankful is an act of faith. Therefore, thankfulness is important to model for those observing you in the faith. Especially, having an attitude of thankfulness in the middle of difficulty.
To live out our faith, we must live courageously --Stepping out in faith, trusting in Gods guidance and provision takes courage. Living out our faith is a calling against the flow of culture and to do so one is marked with courage.
If we want to express our faith to those coming behind us, then we must persevere through struggles so they can see the reality of what we claim to believe. Living out our faith through hardship reveals the sincerity of our faith and allows others to see a faith which is dynamic.
How can confession, not only relieve us and restore us through the grace of Christ, but also demonstrate faith to others. Confession of our wrongs opening us up to vulnerability is where God's Spirit moves and where faith imprints are formed.
Jeremiah spoke harsh words to his people and the people of Judah did not listen to his warning and instruction leaving the people of Judah unprotected by God and delivered into hands of Babylon. Even though this is a bleak time in their history, God still provides a plan full of hope and a future for them.
Jeremiah continues to share God's word to the people of Judah. Jeremiah talks to them about finding rest as you walk in devotion to God. Yet, the people of Judah continue to disobey and neglect God. Therefor, they will not experience rest and peace
Jeremiah continues to share with the people of Judah about their need to turn back to God. We see that the people have forgotten God and even though they will be disciplined, God will never give up on them.
We will see in chapter one from the book of Jeremiah that Jeremiah is called to be faithful in the midst of opposition and he is faithful because of the faithful commitment and protection from God
God is so gracious that we don't have to prove ourselves or carry around the pressure of seeking value and worth outside of the grace God offers to each of us. We can find our value in a relationship in Christ.
There are so many distractions in our daily lives. The psalm this week will direct us to ask, "What do we really care about?" Psalm 63
In the midst of fear, pain, and uncertainty, we are challenged to find rest and peace in today's culture. This week the psalm will direct us to ask, "How much peace and rest do we experience?" Psalm 23
There are many times in our faith journey when we do not sense the presence of God. This week the psalm will direct us to ask, "Is fact stronger than feeling?" Psalm 80
Jesus demonstrates through the triumphal entry that His kingdom stands against the kingdom of Rome and the kingdom of man. As He sets His face to Jerusalem, we realize that this cheerfully eerie day calls us to move beyond being a fickle fan of Jesus to a faithful follower.
Mark 14:3-9 The story of the woman anointing Jesus in Bethany shows the true heart and response of a Christ follower… then and today.
Jesus knew of his impending death and told his disciples several times of his fate. He also alluded to his resurrection. However, the disciples did not listen to what Jesus was saying, nor did they hear him say he would rise after three days. As followers of Christ, we must take the time to listen so that we can faithfully follow as God leads us.
In many ways it is popular to follow Jesus where we live. However, the true calling of following Jesus comes with a great price. It costs us everything. It is not something we simply add onto our list of activities. Following Jesus changes everything about us and our lives.
We experience the peace of Christ in the everyday of life, but are also called to be people that bring peace into all circumstances.
Like John the Baptist, we are also called to “prepare the way” for Jesus; to live as the light of the world, so that people may experience the grace and mercy of God.
At Advent, we celebrate the enormity of God's love, to include those on the outside, Gentiles, into the people of God. Luke 1:76-79; 2:8-20, 32
Our time is a gift given by God, to be used for His kingdom. As followers of Christ, we find the balance between "doing" and "being".
At Advent, we celebrate the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises to the people of Israel, the insiders. God is fulfilling His covenant, and redemption has come. Luke 1:26-38; 69-75
Our hearts are right when they are satisfied in Christ. Neither money nor possession can bring contentment. We can have OPEN HANDS with our possessions when we are content in faith and when we trust that God will always take care of us.
Talents and abilities are gifts given by God, whether spiritual or secular. They are to be used for the sake of the Kingdom (God and others), rather than for self-gratification.
All relationships are a gift from God. We are not called to cure or control relationships. We are called to serve, uplift, forgive, and care for others. We are to have OPEN HANDS with those who God has placed in our lives
In Christ, we find our value as citizens of the Kingdom of God. We need not carry the burden of pride or artificiality, feeble attempts to give ourselves more value. Humility comes a healthy understanding of our place in the Kingdom. In understanding our own value, we can ascribe worth to others.
God is present always. We live in two realities, physical and spiritual realities. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become aware of the empowering presence of God with us, speaking and leading us in the midst of everyday life.
In pursuing God, we must remove any and all obstacles that distract us from Him. The most deep-seated of these is the self. We must do away with selfishness, and put on selflessness, modeled by Christ.
Everything is God’s, all of it. When we grasp this, we are freed from the “slavery of stuff” and can begin to live lives of generosity.
The Christian life is more than a once-over decision. Rather, the decision to follow Jesus is the starting point for a passionate pursuit of God. In pursuing God, we grow to love and follow the One who has pursued us.
We have not arrived. We keep dreaming. God is faithful and we must not forget it as we stay faithful to Kingdom work.
Community is essential. We are not called to carry the burden alone. We could not have traveled this path without others carrying the burden.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed and Yeast (Matt. 13:31-35) The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl (Matt. 13:44-46)
The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (Matt. 13:24-30) The Parable of the Net (Matt. 13:47-52)
The missional church understands the relationship between Gospel and Mission, holding both together.
A missional church understands the importance of prayer and practices prayer for the expansion of God’s mission here on Earth.
A missional church emphasizes the gospel of grace and realizes that it is not a ‘boring” doctrine for the insider. Yet, it is the means for a follower to grow in Christ-likeness.
As the Father sent the son, the Son sends His disciples. A missional church affirms that followers of Jesus are people on mission and that missions is a part of everything the community of faith does.
Jesus was sent to serve others. He did not come to be served. His life was not about what He could get from others. His life and ministry was about how He could serve others. This was no more evident than when He washed the disciples’ feet.
Jesus came to heal the hurting. In doing so, He was a light in the world - a light which reflected the work of the Father. When broken lives are healed, God’s work is displayed through that restored vessel. Jesus was sent to heal so that God could be glorified.
Jesus’ sole desire was to do the will of His father. His mission was to finish the work of the Father.
Palm Sunday is a day when we see the will of Jesus becoming the will of the Father. As Jesus descends into Jerusalem, He descends from his will to accept God’s will. We are called to live less for ourselves and more for God, as we are called to be sent to the outsider, the poor and the oppressed.
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus overcoming sin and death to reclaim creation for Himself. Jesus has come not to condemn but to save and restore. He calls us to live the resurrected life, not to condemn those around us but to save the world.
The people have been wayward and dishonoring in their relationship with God. They have exasperated the living God, yet there is a word of hope. God will never again uproot his people. They will be ROOTED in the love, grace and mercy of God. God will restore their land and their lives!
The vision of judgment comes to Amos as a summer gift basket. This symbolizes that the harvest is over. The time has come for judgment. God is tired of the way Israel treated others for their gain. They forgot that the gift basket was given to them and it was not theirs in the first place. We remember that all that we have been given, all that we experience, and all that we enjoy has been given by God and we must not abuse it.
In the midst of their disobedience, the Israelites continued to carry out their spiritual rituals. God was not accepting of their sacrifices. Their worship was heartless. It was meaningless and did not carry into the presence of God.
Amos was a prophet in a time when Israel was prospering. Israel began to hoard all its wealth, even to the detriment of those in need.
God is greatly displeased with how His people continued to treat one another, especially the impoverished and marginalized. This is the main offense of Israel, which brings judgment unto their nation.