LifeSpring Sermon Blog: Recent Episodes
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Have you ever wondered about how you should listen to a sermon? Conscientious pastors will tell you that there is a partnership between speaker and listener that is to be desired, and this sermon is about that. Acts 2:37-41 is the text.
Jim Grasley delivers this sermon about the Samaritan woman at the well. The text comes from John 4.
This sermon is taken from Revelation 21 and 22 in which John describes the New Jerusalem coming to earth, where God will live as well. "His dwelling place is with mankind," we are told. This is in contrast to the Roman empire which stood in opposition to everything God is doing. A tale of two cities, indeed.
Exit and Entrance comes from Joshua 5:9-12 and is about Israel's exit from the wilderness wanderings after Egypt and the preparation for entrance into the land that God had promised to them.
This week's sermon comes from Acts 9:36-43. It tells the story of Dorcas who was known and loved for her compassion and generosity by the poor women she served.
Jim Grasley delivered this sermon from John 21. The sermon looks at the conversation between Jesus and Peter on the shore of Lake Galilee about Peter's ongoing vocation.
This sermon comes from Isaiah 49:1-7, and it takes a look at the desire of his people to be "a light to the nations." Isaiah's prophecy shows God's displeasure because they did not keep God's intention for them. And because of which, God sent his people in Babylonian captivity. The sermon also examines God's hope filled promise to his people.
Easter is the single most important day in the Christian calendar. Paul called his preaching about the Resurrection the thing of "first importance" among all the things he might say to his audiences. Today's Easter sermon asks the question of what comes next after Resurrection, after all the Easter commemorations, and attentions. This sermon takes its text from five passages and tracks the impact of the resurrection on the lives of first century disciples of Jesus. See Acts 2:41-47; 4:13-20; 5:26-34; 2 Corinthians 11:24-25.
Our sermon this week from 1 Peter 4:1-8. In this text, Peter begins, "Since Christ has suffered in the flesh," and then he maps out the implications of that. This is what our sermon explores.
Jim Grasley explores the anointing of Jesus at Bethany; his last event before entering Jerusalem for Holy Week. The text is from John 12:1-8.
This sermon comes from Exodus 12:1-13 and has to do with the role that a sacrificed lamb played in the salvation of Israel. This was a precursor to Jesus the Lamb of God that, likewise, saves us.
This sermon comes from Hebrews 12:1-3. The Hebrews writer challenges and exhorts his readers to avoid being weighed down by earthly concerns and affections.
This sermon comes from Acts 6:1-7 and it takes a deep dive into what churches that are true to the calling of Christian mission do.
Jim Grasley, our co-pastor, is the one delivering this message from Psalm 91. It is about a Psalm of confidence for people who need help.
1st Samuel 3:11-18 is the text being discussed in this sermon. It comes from the time of Samuel's youth, when God told him about what was going to happen to the household of the High Priest, Eli.
The text for this sermon comes from Luke 6:27-38 in which Jesus taught us to love our enemies.
This sermon comes from Jeremiah 17:5-10 and takes a look at who we trust as a source of truth.
This sermon comes from the great resurrection chapter of the New Testament, 1 Corinthians and is about Paul's assertion that this is central to the Good News.
This sermon comes from 1 Corinthians 13 in which Paul shows the Corinthian church that there is nothing that supersedes the importance of love.
The text for this sermon comes from Nehemiah 8:1-10 and concerns the decline of memory among the people of Judah. It explores the importance of memory and how we can lose ours if we become lazy and indolent.
This sermon explores the many ways that Jesus is revealed in the OT using the ideas of type and anti-type. It's text comes from Luke 24:17-25, Jesus conversation with Cleopas on the road to Emmaus.
Ever complained when someone got in line before you or was promoted first or got paroled after committing a violent felony? You can, then, identify with the workers in the vineyard that Jesus describes. Why did they complain? Everyone, from those who worked eight hours to those who worked two hours got the same wage. "Unfair," we want to say. This is the subject of this sermon from Matthew 20:1-16.
Matthew 21:33-46 is the text for this sermon. During Holy Week, Jesus confronted the rejection he received from the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The sermon asks the question about how we would respond to Jesus' teaching today.
This sermon examines Jesus statement that "whatever you ask in faith, you will receive." The text comes from Matthew 21:18-24. What did Jesus mean by this?
The mother of James and John asked Jesus to give them a seat at the head table. This sermon explores that request with the question that is inherent, "What do you want?" This sermon explores that question.
This sermon's text comes from Matthew 16:13-28, the famous text which records Jesus' conversation about who others thought Jesus was. The sermon asks if we, at times, could be just as confused as the people of Jesus' time were.
This sermon is taken from Matthew 15:29-16:12 and explored the idea of the way in which Jesus had an generous and creative mindset. We also look at the way in which disciples were guilty of brittle, status quo kinds of thinking.
The text for this sermon comes from Matthew 13:44-46. It is about the cost that people pay who recognize the value of the Kingdom of God. In the last third of the sermon a video was shown from The Chosen that was the conversation between Jesus and the Woman at the Well. You may find that video at this site: The Chosen Jesus and the Samaritan Woman At The Well - YouTube.
This sermon comes from Matthew 12:33-37 where Jesus doubles down on the impossibility of a bad tree or vine producing good fruit. It's a good place to think about Jesus' insistence of integrity and faithfulness among his followers as well as himself.
This week's sermon takes a look at Jesus' attitude about the Sabbath and keeping the Sabbath without regard for the needs of people around us. The text comes from Matthew 12:1-8.
This sermon comes from Matthew 9:1-13. I shows how Jesus' preferred audience were those people who recognized their need for his message. Unlike the religious leaders of the day who were self-righteous and self-assured, feeling no need for Jesus.
According to Jesus, worship or piety should not be done for the attention of other people. Those acts are meant for God's praise and audience. This sermon looks at how opposed Jesus is to such a practice of self-attention and how it defines who Jesus is. Matthew 5:1-13 is the text for the sermon.
This sermon takes its text from Matthew 5:17-20. In the text Jesus tells us that our righteousness must "exceed" that of the Pharisees. The sermon examines what that means.
This week's sermon comes from Matthew 5:1-11, and it is a look at Jesus' new way of looking at what constitutes the heart and soul of people of the Kingdom of God.
Jim Grasley presented this sermon during Bruce's absence for a family wedding. It continues the theme of Who Is Jesus. The sermon takes its text from Matthew 4:1-11, the account of Jesus wilderness temptation.
This is the second of a two-part sermon on the Kingdom of God and the way that this became the central message of Jesus' ministry. The text comes from Mark 1:14-15 and Romans 1:1-6.
This sermon is a review of OT history of the Kingdom and sets the stage for the next sermon which will look at Jesus' relationship to the Kingdom of God. The text comes from Matthew 3:1-6 and 4:17.
This sermon's text comes from Matthew 2:1-7, and it takes a look at the various fears that people such as Herod had concerning Jesus. The sermon asks the question, what possible fears do you deal with in your life?
In the continuation of our sermon series, this week we look at the genealogy of Jesus as written by Matthew in Matthew 1:1-17. Most people skip genealogies. Who is really interested in someone else's ancestors? Well, Matthew is, because Matthew knows what it reveals about the identity of Jesus. It's surprising!
This sermon takes its text from Luke 4:16-28 which is about Jesus' reading from Isaiah at the Nazareth synagogue. In that text Jesus lays out his intention to preach good news to the poor, the outcast, and the broken. It did not meet with approval in the synagogue. The sermon is about his mission.
Romans 7:21-25 is the text for this sermon which goes into the dilemma in which mankind finds itself. The purpose of Jesus' life was to permanently deal with sin and death.
This sermon is the first in a one-year series on Jesus, to conclude after Easter 2025. This sermon explores the fact that Jesus was God who took the form of a human and lived among us. This is the first and important fact needed to understand Jesus.
This sermon is the last in our Seven Capital Sins series, and it takes its text from 1 Corinthians 6:2-20. The sermon explores the way that sexual desire often dominants our lives and creates havoc. What does God say about this?
This is vice number 6 in our look at the seven deadly or capital sins. The text for this sermon comes from Philippians 3:17-21 and takes a look at the internal motivations for gluttony and how it might also pertain to things that are not food.
This sermon about Anger is taken from Ephesians 4:25-32. It distinguishes from constructive, godly anger, and anger that emerges from some selfish motive.
Avarice or Greed is the next of the Capital Vices that is considered in this sermon. The text is 1 Timothy 6:6-10 which I Paul's famous warning that the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of sin.
Often misunderstood, sloth is the sin of indifference in relationship to God and to the command to love. This sermon's text is taken from Proverbs 6:6-11.
This sermon is from Matthew 6:1-8; 23:27-28, and it is about the second of the Seven Capital Vices - Vainglory. People Magazine and the Red Carpet at the Oscars are good places to see vainglory in graphic demonstration. Vainglory is the opposite of humility as taught and practices by Jesus.
This is the first of the Seven Deadly or Capital Vices. The text from the sermon comes from James 3:14-16 and Romans 12:14-16. The sermon discusses what is different about Envy from Jealousy, and Covetousness.
This sermon is the introductory sermon for a series on the Seven Capital (or Deadly) Sins. It takes its text from 2 Peter 1:4-8 and is an overview of the nature of both virtue and vice and the origins of the concept of Seven Capital Sins. Seven sermons will follow, each about one of the sins.
This sermon takes 1 Timothy 4:1-10 as its text, and it concerns the need for alertness within churches because of the threats outside them.
In this Easter-Sunday sermon from Matthew 28:1-10 the tomb visits of the women are looked at in all four Gospels, and they are considered on the basis of the shock the empty tomb caused for the disciples. The sermon looks at how this untidiness actually aids in growing faith.
This sermon comes from Matthew 21:1-11, and it concerns the reaction of the crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem. It also looks at how far away the crowd was from understanding the mission of Jesus.
This sermon takes its text from Luke 17:20-32. A principle theme of the sermon is how the Kingdom is not, according to Jesus, over here or over there. Rather. the Kingdom of God "is in the midst of you."
This sermon comes from a conversation Jesus had with his disciples about identity. "What are you hearing? Who do people think I am?" The sermon from Luke 9:18-27 examines why Jesus might have been converned about this.
We're starting the Lenten season before it actually starts. tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. In New Orleans today, Fat Tuesday is being celebrated. Mardi Gras. This sermon is taken from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, and it looks at the contrast between the spirit of Fat Tuesday compared to that of Lent.
Paul talks about the "before and after" of a life governed by a life influenced by the Spirit of God. The text for the sermon comes from Romans 8:1-11.
This sermon takes its text from John 4:7-20 in which Jesus carries on a conversation with a Samaritan woman as she drew water from a well. The sermon explores skills that aid in having meaningful conversations with others.
This sermon takes its text from Philippians 2:14-15 and Proverbs 25:11-12. This is the last of a 4-lesson series on the subject of how Christians should talk with others.
This sermon uses two texts as its basis: Colossians 3:8-15 and Galatians 5:16-21. The main point of the lesson is stress the point that if one lives by the influence and power of God's spirit, then certain things will be true of their speech.
This is the first of a four lesson series on the subject of how we communicate with one another. James 3:1-12 is the main text for this lesson.
This sermon takes its text from the soaring description of God's plan for the end of time. Not in Armageddon, but in the coming down of the New Jerusalem to earth. Because God wants to dwell with us HERE.
This text comes from Romans 16:25-27. The sermon, using Romans 16, talks about the mystery of God that has been entrusted to us to share with others. It also talks about the dangers of trivializing the awesome work of God.
This sermon comes from Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11. In the Third book of Isaiah we are given a look at what God's big plan was/is on one hand and mankind's failures as God's partners in the plan.
John the Baptist used the Wilderness as his pulpit. This sermon looks at what John might have hoped to gain from this desolate place, and also at the way Wilderness functioned and functions in the lives of God's people. The text is Mark 1:1-8.
This sermon begins the Advent season and comes from Isaiah 64:1-9. It is so contemporary in appeal to God to come down and deliver God's people from trouble.
This sermon comes from Ephesians 1:15-23. A big theme in this sermon is that God the Father is responsible for the great plan to redeem God's creation from the captivity which the first humans caused.
Matthew 25:14-29 is the basis for this sermon which looks at the parable of the talents. When Jesus told this parable, what did he mean by "talents."
This sermon comes from Lamentations and talks about the function and form of Laments. Unlike complaint, laments are the way we lay our burdens before God and ask for help.
This is the last sermon in the three-lesson series, "Bruce's Last Three Sermons." It discusses the relationship between the pastor and the church.
This sermon takes its text from Ephesians 4:1-16. It is the second sermon in the "Bruce's Last Three Sermons" series and it talks about how the Christ's church was meant to involve the participation and giftedness of every person within her.
This is the first of a three-sermon series called "Bruce Last Three Sermons." These sermons were prepared in expectation of a new pastor coming to LifeSpring. Which didn't happen. But it did not negate the importance of these three sermons. Today, Come Over To Macedonia, is about the Mission of God.
This sermon finishes a short series on Hebrews. It's the Hebrews writer's final instructions to a church that was experiencing tremendous pressure and chaos. Hence the name of the sermon - Living in the Chaos. The text is Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16.
Bruce was away on a vacation trip, and Monika graciously supplied the sermon on June 26.
In this sermon, Bruce talks about how insipid the rejoinder, "I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers" is. It is too often just a way of keeping away the feeling of personal responsibility. It is also on the minds of the victims of shootings like Uvalde and Sandy Hook.
This text comes from Galatians 3:23-29. In this sermon Bruce talks about how it was God's intention for us to grow to the freedom he has in store for all of us.
Bev Logue talks about broken connections and how God restored connections with mankind through Jesus.
Romans 5:1-5. In this sermon, Bruce examines the way that God has manifested his love to us since the beginning of human istory.
In her table talk, Dee told the story of her kitchen fire, and how friends with meager resources cooked meals for Dee and Lou.
Amanda talked about the amazing welcome the little Catholic church in Broadway, UK had in their order of worship and how it applied to the Lord's Supper.
Bruce Logue talked about the biblical words for endurance and steadfastness and how these qualities produce maturity.
Using the idea of the dour man on the bike path, Bruce reminds us that the Cross gives us every reason to be joyful and hopeful.
This sermon comes from 1 Corinthians 13 and explores the idea of what God means when God calls us to love.
This sermon is taken from Jesus' parables of the Hidden Pearl, and the Hidden Treasure in Matthew 13.
The sermon this week comes from the story of Hannah, wife of Elkanah and mother of Samuel. The sermon looks at the four factors in her life that affected her.
In this Table Talk Bev quotes the famous Easter sermon that reminds us that "it's Friday but Sunday's coming."
This sermon is from Luke 24 and is taken from the being "in dazzling clothes" who asked the women why they reacted in fear at the empty tomb.
This sermon takes a look at the historical background of the Lord's Supper and how it serves as a weekly reminder to us of what Jesus did during his sojourn on earth.
In light of conversations with a couple who are interested in ministry at LifeSpring, Bruce presents four ideas to consider going forward into the future.
Rich talked about the preparations, under the Old Law, for sacrifices. He compared this to what Christ has done for us. Excellent thoughts about the Lord's Supper.
This text (Luke 9:51-62) begins Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and what scholars call the discipleship section of Luke. In the days left until Easter, we will explore what Jesus told his disciples about following him.
Every wonder what Jesus said to the woman at the well. Ericka explores that in this Table Talk.
Bruce Logue finishes the Critical Journey with Stage 6, The Life of Love. In this sermon Bruce talks about how love is the crowning objective that God has for his people.
This is the next to the last of the series in the stages of the Critical Journey. In this sermon we explore the turn toward Christ's new command that we Love one another.
The Wall arises during Stage 4 of the Critical Journey and is the beginning of a pivot toward outwardness and loving others.
This sermon begins the 4th Stage of the Critical Journey which is the Journey Inward. This is the stage when examination of one's progress in spiritual growth, the stresses and difficulties of life, and various crises begins. It is difficult and necessary.
In this sermon Bruce discusses what happens in Stage 3 of the Critical Journey when a disciple begins to understand his/her unique gifts and how to use them in the community of faith.
The text for this week's sermon is Ephesians 4:11-16. The sermon discusses the next stage of spiritual growth which is developing relationships with the faith community.
In this sermon, we take a look at the first stage in the Critical Journey. Important texts for this sermon include Hebrews 5:11-14 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, and 1 Peter 2:1-3.
Bruce introduced the beginning to a 10-week study of the Hagberg/Guelich book by the same name.
Nancy talked this morning about the role of prayer in our lives. Requiring that we also much be personally invested in our prayers in the way we live. (Recording started after Nancy had begun her comments.)
This sermon takes a look at Ephesians 1:3-14 and the ways that God has entered our lives.
Rich talked about the appropriate gifts of the Magi and Christ's appropriate gift of the Eucharist to us.
The sermon for the day after Christmas comes from Colossians 3:12-17 and it looks at what God hope to accomplish in the coming of Jesus. It wasn't just a cute baby story.
This week's sermon came from Hebrews 10:5-10 and took a look at how Christ's coming ended the annual sacrifices that Israel had to make, Jesus himself being the perfect, all-encompassing sacrifice which defeated evil and death and atoned perfectly for our sin.
In her Table Talk, Bev Logue talked to us about what Mary was thinking about as she gazed on her newborn child.
Isaiah 12:1-6 is a psalm of gratitude which God's people will sing because of God's deliverance.
In this Table Talk, Jenn talked about Advent and its meaning to her as well as being mindful of those for whom there is no memory or knowledge of Advent.
This week's sermon takes its text from Luke 1:67-79, the song of Zechariah. Bruce talks about how Zechariah realized and sang about his participation in God's big mission. As we do today.
Amanda takes her Table Talk from Matthew 11:28-30 and thinks about how Jesus' easier "burden" and lighter "yoke" is the basis of real Good News.
This sermon comes from Jeremiah 33:14-16, a prophecy given to Judah as Babylon was bearing down on her and would destroy her. The Messianic implications of this text are a good foundation for thinking about Advent on this first day of Advent.
In this Table Talk, Ericka talks about how we "ingest" Jesus which gives us the power to change and to be change in the world.