Sermons from EMSCCHURCH: Recent Episodes
EMSCCHURCH
As we have launched our new app on October 27, 2019, we are also moving our podcast to a new location. Tune in to with Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, or Stitcher. For available video and a more complete experience, download our app at emscchurch.org/app.
In Genesis 11, a portion of creation encounters an usual feat. They created a structure to "reach the heavens." Are we relying on our own Babel, or Blessings from God?
Sin; the reason for sickness, suffering, and pain in this world? Join us this Sunday at EMSCC for a message on the 'Sin Pandemic'.
Join us for our livestream this Sunday morning here at East Main Street Christian Church!
You are here on purpose and you are here for a purpose. Dive into Genesis with East Main Street Christian Church!
As we go through the trials and tribulations of our lives, we must remember that we not only have a God who is, but a God who cares, and is willing to walk us through this life.
Let us never forget the reason for the season. We must acknowledge and accept the truth of facing sin, and turn to the one who can bring us salvation.
The light of Jesus reveals the truth about God and once truth is revealed it becomes our responsibility to respond to it. What will we choose to do with Jesus?
Light exposes the truth about who we are and what we do so people choose to live in the darkness. Jesus came to dispel sin’s darkness by shining the light of God’s love and grace in our world.
No matter how bad things may seem or how strong the influence of evil may become, just remember that our one true King, has one more move.
The Great Commission is still our marching orders until the end of time. We must keep going, keep teaching the truth of God's word, keep loving those who don’t love us, and not give up.
The first message of the Revelation Series. When the circumstances of life threaten to overwhelm us we need to remember that God is on the throne.
Continuing with the sermon series, The Book of James; We should humbly submit our lives to God, as God will lift us up. He will lift up our lives with His love and grace, and when we finally close our eyes in death, He will lift us up from the grave to eternal life in His kingdom.
Anger or bitterness is never the solution; we've all done it, though. Reacted to something without taking the time to first think before we speak. Our goal when we speak should always be to lift up, encourage, comfort, and express the love and grace of God to them.
Join us this Sunday for our morning worship service at 9:30a.m. Matthew will be giving us the message, before we head over to the park for our community worship service!
Temptation IS trouble with a capital T, and we face it every day of our lives. However, we never have to face it alone. We can choose to face it with Him; through prayer and scripture, or removing ourselves from the situation entirely. We can achieve victory over temptation through Christ our Lord.
It's not about the building we gather in; it's about the people who gather for worship, fellowship, and hearing God's word. That is what makes our church a family. No matter who you are, or what your background may be, you are apart of our family.
God's Grace truly is more than amazing. Whenever we need it the most it's supplied in abundance, but we truly least deserve it, he gives us His all. Whatever the circumstances may be, we all want and need God’s more than amazing grace.
Roger is back this week! Join this Sunday to hear a message on how we find our freedom in Christ.
Singing can be used to communicate messages, to forget, or just to be happy. Singing can also be used to strengthen our faith in Him, and help get us through any suffering. Join us this Sunday to hear Raphael speak.
This Sunday, we'll take a look at how Paul ran the race of the Christian life, in the hopes that it will encourage us to do the same. It's not always about how you start, but about the opportunities and having people around you who can help you along the way toward the finish line.
As Christians, we never know how far our witness will reach. It may reach the lives of hundreds or thousands over time. One single witness could be the change needed for many, and all it takes is a faithful believer in Christ to step up and tell others about Jesus.
Our culture is becoming increasingly resistant to the gospel but we know the truth. We can’t just sit back in our churches and hope that people will find their way; We have to go out there and boldly declare to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Join us this Sunday for a very Happy Mother's Day Service! Our vision is to enable people to grow higher in Christ through worship, deeper in faith through the study of God’s word, and wider in love through mission and service. That is the kind of church we are.
The gifts of the Spirit make it possible for us to produce the fruit of the Spirit. These gifts represent qualities or abilities that enable us to live a Christian life, and are the characteristics of a godly life.
This is the first week of the 'Acts of The Apostle' message series. Just as He rose from the tomb, He rose from earth and ascended back into Heaven.
Life will at times send us into the garden of hardship, heartache, despair and sorrow. How we choose to come out of the garden depends upon how resolutely we put our hope and trust in God.
We all long for the day when we can stand before God, without fear of judgment and condemnation because we have been saved by the blood of his Son Jesus Christ.
The world is full of hurting, needy people who feel alienated, disconnected and alone. But in their experience the church is more interested in upholding the right theological views and filling their pews than offering help and hope to hurting people. The churches in America today have to change that perception, and fulfill the Great Commission to go and make disciples for Christ.
David Mills will be speaking Sunday morning, on the Triumphant (Triumphal) Entry from Mark 11.
Hope will always prevail. Come join us in worship this Sunday morning with guest speaker, Rick Grace!
At his baptism God spoke directly to Jesus - but on the mountain, God was speaking to the three disciples, and through his word to us. Jesus was, is, and always will be the Son of God. Through Him, we will experience our own transfiguration from mortal life, through death, into eternal life.
Whatever stage of faith we find ourselves in; whether we are blind to the truth, had our first touch and beginning to see, or already had our second touch and able to see everything God has to offer so clearly. We must always prayer and profess our faith to Him.
Let's come together as Christians and understand this; being a Christian is not about following the rules of a religion, but choosing to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and living a life full of love and faith in Him.
As followers of Jesus he calls us to put our hope and trust in him. Whatever is happening in our lives today; believe in Him, trust in Him, and he will always provide more than enough.
No matter what situation you are facing. No matter how dire the circumstances of your life may be. No matter how helpless and hopeless you may feel to overcome the influence of sin in your life. Our hope is in Jesus.
Jesus taught His disciples in parables. One such parable is the Parable of the Sower. How do you sow your own seeds--do you have a short-lived faith, or a faith that grows?
WE are Christ's ambassadors. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” May we seek to join the Magnificent Twelve as devoted, dedicated disciples of Jesus.
Jesus was a man of action. Jesus’ actions are not just meant to inspire faith in us, they are meant to motivate us to act upon our faith. What are you willing to do to get someone to Jesus? Are you willing to do the hard thing just because it is the right thing to do?
The intimate, personal relationship that God shared with His Son He now shares with us. In order for us to know the fullness of what it means to be a follower of Jesus we have to make it personal.
Do you know the meaning of your first name? The name of Jesus tells us everything we need to know about him. His name not only tells us his identity, but his purpose in coming.
When the Grinch tried to steal Christmas, he was instead met with sounds of joy. On Christmas Day, a savior was born for each and every one of us. Christ will save everyone who will truly put their hope and trust in them.
Everybody makes a Christmas list around this time of the year; things they need and things they want, too. Jesus has one thing on His list, and that's your presence. Come worship, and don’t let your worship be limited to what we do here at church. There are many ways to give Jesus our presence on Christmas.
Whatever your situation may be this Christmas know this. Nothing can steal Christmas from you if Christ is in your heart; because wherever Christ is honored, Christmas may be truly celebrated.
The love and grace of Jesus changed Zacchaeus just like the joy of the Who’s on that Christmas morning after everything had been taken from them changed the Grinch. He was a child of God, and so are we!
The unfortunate matter in today’s society is this; the more material wealth we gain, the more we are deceived into thinking we don’t need God. We trust advisors, and other worldly counselors with our money each and every day. We should be willing to trust in God even more.
Looking like a Christian on the outside is the easy part. In our life of Christ, we need to not only look the part, but allow the Spirit of God to change our mindset so that we ACT like a believer in Christ.
We look back so we know what God has done, to reflect on, and know without a doubt what he can do for us. Join us this Sunday in hearing Pastor Roger speak, as well as celebrating the 169th Anniversary of the Church.
Who is Jesus? It sounds like such a simple question but for over 2,000 years people have debated, argued and even fought wars over the answer. Please join us for our livestream at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday to hear Roger tell us all about it.
Todd Haug recently went to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip. During his time their, his mission focus was renewed. Join us Sunday morning, and listen to him share everything he has to tell about his time there.
God is good all the time because it is his basic nature to be good all the time. And if we will put our hope and trust in him we will experience his goodness even in the most difficult times of our lives.
Each time you face a roadblock in life you have a choice to make. Turn around and go back the way you came, or find a way around it. Sometimes the harder choice to make can end up being the best decision you ever make.
With God’s help, we can help make the world a better place by coloring our speech with godly chatter. With the right words, may we rightly carry the torch throughout the world.
Perhaps there are things in your past that keep you from living the life God created for you. Those are the devil’s lies that Jesus came to expose, and He will forgive every sin and transform our lives, as he did the Samaritan woman, into a portrait of grace.
A basic truth that runs throughout the entire Bible is that knowledge and understanding brings with it responsibility. Let’s pray that we will all take to heart what we have learned from Sermon on the Mount and seek each day to live in obedience.
Every one of us stands at a fork in the road with regard to our relationship with Christ. We will choose to be the path of life, not only professing faith in Christ but seeking each day to live according to His will, or we will go with the flow of this world, and follow the path of destruction. We should all choose to serve the Lord.
How much better would our world be if everyone treated others the way they want to be treated? Everyone would be looking out for the best interest of everyone else. May each of us fully embrace the Golden Promise and strive to follow the Golden Rule.
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged..." How do you want God to judge you? May we learn to make appropriate acts of judgment without being judgmental.
Instead of wasting time and energy worrying about what we don’t have and what might happen, Jesus challenges us to trust God. How many times do we worry about tomorrow? If you must worry, focus only on today and trust God with the rest!
Whenever we pray, we need to pray with a purpose. Whether you are just learning how to pray or have been praying for years, remember to focus your prayers on Him; a prayer that honors Him, and He will honor.
Join us for the sixth week of our "Life with a Capital L" sermon series. Jesus tells us that whatever we do for God to help strengthen our faith in Him should be and stay between us and God.
Fifth week of the "Life with a Capital L" sermon series. Every single one of us has sinned, for we are not perfect. What's important is that our direction on life is moving toward Christ. When faced with a choice of the low or high road, we follow the example of Jesus.
In our fourth week of the "Life with a Capital L" sermon series, we'll learn of the salt and the light. Some people are sitting in a dark room, trying to make choices without the ability to see. It is our job as Christians to let the light in.
Our second week of Sermon on the Mount, and third week of the "Life with a Capital L" series. Jesus' promise is that God will bless and use a life that is poor in spirit, seeking to live in peace, and remains faithful through persecution.
God WANTS to bless us. This week and next, join us and hear the qualities of life we need in order to have that life that God can bless, and use it for His purpose.
The Sermon on the Mount is undoubtedly the most well known of Jesus’ teachings. All of these messages are meant to encourage and challenge us not just to live, but to live life with a capital “L”.
We know all about Memorial Day as a country, in remembering those who fought for our country. Join us, and hear all about remembering the acts of God, and what remembrance means in the Bible.
The church may be old, but an Acts 2 church established a pattern for being Christians together that is still just as vital and needed in the world today as it was then. May we strive to be an Acts 2 church in a 21st century world.
We can’t live each day focused on the walls that threaten to keep us from our Promised Land. Instead of letting the walls diminish our faith we must use our praise to diminish the walls by building up our faith. When the walls rise up, let your praise rise even higher.
Happy Mother's Day! It is important to understand that the way we live our lives is how we can choose to honor our parents. It is on this Mother's Day that we seek to honor God the way we appreciate our parents.
Those who put their trust and hope in Christ, will receive an eternity with Him in Heaven. The curse of sin will be forever broken as God fulfills his promise to judge the world with justice, as it always prevails.
Join us this Sunday and learn about giving your heart to Jesus. Receive his love and grace and know that because of Jesus “There is now no condemnation.”
Jesus has promised us many things. This Sunday we will hear about how He has promised us power. The power to change our lives both on this earth, and for all eternity after.
During dark times, whether physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually; we need to come to Jesus. When we seek his presence, it is inevitable that Joy will follow soon.
Traditional Service (11:00 a.m.) Join us for a beautiful Easter Sunday, continuing our Unshakeable Hope Series. Death has been swallowed up by victory, and because He died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can anticipate our own resurrection.
Contemporary Service (9:30 a.m.) Join us for a beautiful Easter Sunday, continuing our Unshakeable Hope Series. Death has been swallowed up by victory, and because He died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can anticipate our own resurrection.
Over the last few weeks of the Unshakeable Hope Series we have been learning about all of the strength and promises God has promised us. This week is no different. No matter what you may be going through, the good or the bad, the promise of God is that Jesus is praying for us.
Over the last few weeks of the Unshakeable Hope Series we have been learning about all of the strength and promises God has promised us. This week is no different. No matter what you may be going through, the good or the bad, the promise of God is that Jesus is praying for us.
Sometimes when life really gets to you, it's hard to keep yourself in it mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Luckily, Jesus was put on this earth to experience and understand our pain, so He can help get us through.
Humility is important, as God gives grace to those who are humble. In James 4:6 it says that 'God resists the proud'. When you choose to be humble, you acknowledge the truth about yourself, as God chooses to give grace to the humble - Always.
The book of James says that our prayers will be "powerful and effective." Although it is not important how we pray, it is important that we choose to pray at all, and let the Holy Spirit be the interpreter we need. This is because only through Christ, our prayers will be powerful and effective.
Sometimes we choose to settle for the deceit that happens so often in the world today, only to end up disappointed and right where we began. Instead, choose to understand you are a child of God, and receive the unimaginable inheritance he has to offer.
This week is week number two of our Unshakeable Hope Series! Join us, in learning how the Spirit of God that dwells in us can defeat Satan, and win the victory over evil.
This week begins our first week of the twelve week series, Unshakeable Hope! Join us, and learn what it means to be stamped in God's image.
In today's world, the truth can be difficult to see. God created us with good in mind, and the option to discover evil. As Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden, many of us today choose evil. It is through God in which we may choose to continue with good in mind.
God enables each and every one of us, day in and day out. Last week, Roger discussed how He enables us through scripture. This Sunday, we will hear about how God enables us to live a faithful life through prayer, by prioritizing our faith in Him.
We as a church are called upon to live out our faith everywhere we are. This Sunday, Pastor Roger will talk about how to do this through both scripture and prayer - the key components to "A Faithful Life."
This is a time for resolutions. Many take them. Many break them. Some resolve not to have one. But, we can be different this year. How can we work to be the new creations God calls us to be?
Happy New Year! Join us this Sunday, January 3rd for our first IN-Person, service of the year. We as Christians need to be one in our faith, and continue to push and encourage one-another, because we, are better together.
On December 26th, the world says that Christmas is over. As Christians, we look at the season before the 26th as a significant time of year: a time for sharing, remembering, worship, and honoring God's plan. But is Christmas really over? How do we keep Christmas?
Join us this Sunday, December 20th for a Livestream only service at 11:00am, found on both YouTube and Facebook for the Final Sunday of Advent.
Join us this Sunday, December 13th for a Livestream only service at 11:00am, found on both YouTube and Facebook for the Third Sunday of Advent.
Join us this Sunday, December 6th for a Livestream only service at 11:00am, found on both YouTube and Facebook for the Second Sunday of Advent.
Join us this Sunday, November 29th for a Livestream only service at 11:00am, found on both YouTube and Facebook for the First Sunday of Advent.
We are accustomed to speaking about God and Jesus in humans terms and often struggle to understand the Holy Spirit. However, when you choose to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit will be unleashed into your life.
Who can compare to Christ? Who can bless the hungry, give us a full life, and claim to be the great I AM besides Jesus? Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life aside from Him? He is incomparable for a reason. Praise Him!
Last week, we talked about absolute truth. This truth is based on our One True God. What makes Him so true? How do we stand on his nature?
How do you stand? Where is your core Christian belief system? I am a Christian, but what does that mean? Let's really get into the absolute truth of God's word.
V. Transforming My Experience. Let God flow in your work, let your work honor God, and you have to go through exile before you come back home.
We are continuing the message that was started last week. We talked about there being two versions of me--the me that I am, and the me God is calling me to be. To transform, we have to be focused. Just what do we focus on?
IV. Deepening My Relationships. Try going off the deep end with God, make life-giving relationships a top priority, be human, and find a few difficult people to help you grow.
We've finished our "Big Time Believers" series. We are in the middle of our "the me I want to be" Connect Group Bible Study. This message stems a little from that Bible Study. Like David, no matter what we think we are, the reality of who we are doesn't stop God from calling us to something far greater.
III. Redeeming My Time. Let your talking flow into praying, temptation: how not to get hooked, recognize your primary flow-blocker, and when you find yourself out of the flow, jump back in.
In looking at the pillars of our mission statement, we have discussed what it means to be Higher in Christ Through Worship. We've rediscovered what it means to go Deeper in Christ Through Study. Now we put that all into action by growing Wider in Love Through Missions and Service. Let's put our worship and study into action!
Growing deeper in faith through Study is the second pillar of our mission. Let's aim against having a shallow faith by getting involved with His word.
I. Discovering the Spirit. Learn why God made you, and confront the me you don't want to be. This is a live-stream of our in-person session. Feel free to join us either way.
II. Discovering the Spirit. Learn why God made you, and confront the me you don't want to be. This is a live-stream of our in-person session. Feel free to join us either way.
Week 2 of our Big Time Believers series. We look further into the mission statement of the church and what it means to the community and our individual lives. We aim to be higher in Christ through worship. Let's worship in this walk together.
How would you categorize your Christian life from a journey perspective? Would you be a tourist or a pilgrim? What are we supposed to be? Let's get deeper Sunday.
Daniel grew up in a foreign land with false gods and a corrupt government. However, he did not waver in his faithfulness to God. I don't think that there can be many unfaithful times such as his, but he has proven to be steadfastly faithful. What can we learn from this part of Daniel's life?
We've heard the sayings, "Count your Blessings," or "Too blessed to be stressed." But, how many of us really live a life, all the time, with the full knowledge of our blessings? We should remind each other and remind ourselves of the blessings on our lives that come from God.
Everyone needs compassion and forgiveness. How do we use those times in our lives where forgiveness is needed to expand our faith?
In the uphill climbs of our lives, we can reach those hilltops with our faith. However, when we face troubles in the valley, where do we find our help? Where do we look? Is our faith down in the valley with us? This message will help us consider what parts of the Bible say about our faith during valley troubles.
There are many obstacles in our lives that can tempt us to trade away eternity. With God's help, we can overcome those temptations. But what cost is there when we overstep that line like Esau did with Jacob--and for such a small reward as a bowl of stew? Join us as we dive into this "Stew Pot Faith."
We hear (and may use) the phrases, "Practice what you preach," and "walk the talk." However, when what we preach is not seasoned the right way, we may not be walking the right way either. What if we went back to what the walk was, is, and always will be? Our talk, then, could be seasoned the right way with love and grace.
It's always a pleasure to hear from Doug and Tammy. Now we get to see them! Join us as we welcome them back to Elwood.
When we look at how God fed the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, we can think of a couple of things. One-why aren't they ever satisfied. Two-how fortunate are they to have the Lord provide for them that way!? But, what we really should look at is our own response to God's provision--how is our faith affected?
We have a history of freedom in our country. But what is it, really? We have freedom in Christ. But what is it, really? We walk a dangerous line if we see either freedom as unconditional. However, there's good in those conditions. What am I talking about? Join us or listen in to Reframe your concept of Freedom.
God's timing is always perfect. But our perception of His timing isn't always met with praise. Biblical and personal examples highlight successfully fulfilling God's purpose after Divine delays, but it also shows where people did not accept them. How will God's delays play out in your own story?
What words do you think of when you see the cross? What are you reminded of? Pastor Roger walks us through three truths to include in our Cross Talk.
This pandemic has taken quite a toll on many aspects of our lives. Our time, our lifestyles, and our way of looking at the world are all affected. Some of these changes were not necessarily positive, but when we dive into God's word, we can find positive lessons to take away from the coronavirus.
Welcome home! As many of us return to in-person church, we're reminded of Nehemiah 8, when the king of Persia allowed Israel to return home. Are you passionate about getting deeper into God's word within the walls of our church home?
Pentecost Sunday falls on May 31st this year. It marks 50 days after Passover. As Christians, we recognize the power of God. We will dive deeper into what this power does and its purpose for our lives today.
This coming Monday is Memorial Day. While we may have different traditions surrounding the holiday, we must remember the original intent. The Bible has its displays of memorials. Joshua 4 shares not only the history for a particular memorial but also the reasons behind it.
This is the final message in our series "Anxious for Nothing" based on Philippians 4:4-8 where Paul gives us the prescription for peace. Now that we understand that, what do we do now with our thoughts?
Week 5 of our church-wide connect group. We often ruminate on the wrong things while here on this earth. However, we have learned earlier in this series that we worship a God who has overcome the world. What SHOULD we meditate on?
God's peace transcends all understanding. It is above all--even the massive "perfect storms" of the world. Today, we talk about God's peace, where we should focus our eyes, and the aim of praise in our prayers. Let's embrace this over the worldly imitation peace.
Week 4 of our church-wide connect group. There are many words for the idea of prayer. What are they and how can we apply them? How intentional are we in our prayers?
Don't worry about anything, pray about everything. Today, we talk about thanksgiving, the shortest prayer in the Bible, and specific prayer. Wherever you are in life, this is a valuable lesson for sure!
Week 3 of our church-wide connect group. There are many words for the idea of prayer. What are they and how can we apply them? How intentional are we in our prayers?
What does this have to do with anxiety? How can we focus on making our gentleness be evident to all (and at all times?) Let's add on to our study from Wednesday. Have you found your way to C.A.L.M.?
Week 2 of our church-wide connect group. Gentleness? What does this have to do with anxiety? How can we focus on making our gentleness be evident to all (and at all times?)
Welcome to the series "Anxious for Nothing" based on the book of the same name by Max Lucado. We started our churchwide connect group on Wednesday (also available on the app and our media platforms). Let's explore how to find calm in a chaotic world.
Anxiety is a big heap of "what ifs." However, God is not! What happens when we give it all to Him? Rejoice in the Lord Always!
The week started off fantastically! The triumphant entry into Jerusalem was a sight to be seen for sure. But, things seemed to descend into hopeless quickly. But...BUT! He is Risen! All Our Hope is in Him!
We have seen Andrew's recount of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem. We have witnessed his retelling of the night Jesus was arrested. Now we look at the day--the time when Jesus takes on the sins of the world. Don't stop here, though. Make sure you join us again on Sunday for the ultimate miracle!
Welcome to the second installment of our Holy Week Experience. We hope you continue looking at the events of the week through the eyes of the disciple Andrew.
This is it! The last week in the 8-week series where we embrace who God says we are. Join us on our live stream Sunday at 11 a.m.
We were 1. Created by God 2. Broken by Sin 3. Transformed by the Gospel
Then we looked at: 4. Who We Are in Christ 5. What We Have in Christ and how we go about 6. Living out Our Identity.
With that knowledge, we can see ourselves 7. Walking in the Spirit and finally, taking it all into action by 8. Walking on Mission.
Week 7 out of 8 proves to be one of the more encouraging messages of the series. As we are living out our identity, we come across the promises and hope of the Spirit. As we walk in the Spirit, we can celebrate our identity even more deeply.
As we continue on with the second half of the series entitled "Defined: Who God Says We Are," we learn more and more about how important our identity is in Him. We know how we're created, what transforms us (let alone why we needed to be transformed). We've discovered or rediscovered who we are in Christ and what we have in Him. Now, let's live out our identity in fresh new ways.
We have surpassed the halfway mark in this series. Do you have a little deeper foundation through the book of Ephesians about Who God Says we are? We have much in Christ!
We are created. We are broken by sin. We are transformed by the Gospel. But who are we in Christ?
How are we defined? Created by God, Broken by Sin, and, now, Transformed by the Gospel!
Week 2 of Defined Series. What does it mean to be broken by Sin? What does it mean to be a stranger to God? Well, there's good news. In Christ, we don't have to know that feeling any longer.
What does it mean to be God's handiwork? Paul tells us in Ephesians: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." That's one way God defines us.
We live our lives based on who we say we are, who others say we are, or who we want to be. However, God may have a different idea altogether. Identity is a big deal. It matters!
Throughout Scripture and our own lives, God connects people together. In these connections, a new purpose is realized--one that would not have been possible if God didn't allow for it to happen. What are these divine connections and what can we learn from them?
Sunday, January 19, 2020 is Sanctity of Life Sunday. For this reason, we want to celebrate life from the onset--and Psalm 139:13-16 is a great reminder of how masterful our creator is.
We talk a lot about missions, but this Sunday, we're really focusing on two perspectives on missions. Wally and Bill gave their testimonies and encourage our hearts--our hearts for God's outreach.
This is the Week Four, and the last week of Advent. We finish our Christmas Questions series with one final question. First, we explored the reason for Christmas. Then we answered the question, "Why a baby?" The following week, we pondered the necessity for a manger. Today, we look upwards and conclude with "Why a star?"
Week Three of Advent! The third question in our Christmas Questions series is this: Why a manger? This is built on the questions in the first two weeks: "Why Christmas?", and "Why a Baby?" Have you ever really thought about the manger? Let's revisit the idea and deepen our amazement of God's love for us. What did the shepherds do? They -Wondered -Wandered -Witnessed -Worshipped.
May we all live in this way.
Week two of Advent. Last week, we looked at the first Christmas Question: Why Christmas? Let's go even further and explore this: Why a baby?
We're not supposed to test God! We are to trust Him. But one place in the Bible gives us the green light--TELLS us to test Him. In this one area, we can trust God through testing. What did Malachi have to say about that?
We are blessed by our God! We are so blessed! But the blessings we have are not our own. They are borrowed. In fact, everything belongs to God-the world, the land, animals, people, time money, abilities all come from (and belong to) God. How are we to return our blessings to the source? Praise and worship.
Week 4 of the series! We have come full circle. We have learned to investigate the case for Christ. We have learned about the firm foundation of our church--the evidence of Christ. Then, last week, we talked about embracing the truth. We believe, we receive, and then we become. Now what? Be motivated, be available, be prepared, be prayerful, and be authentic. Let's be all these things as we share this good news so that more people have the opportunity to form a real, true, confirming Case for Christ.
Week 3 of the series! We're more than halfway done, but the journey may just be beginning for some of you. What does the next step look like? How can we encourage others to make that next step in their lives?
Simply put, it's this (from Luke 10): Love God with your mind, you heart, your strength, and your soul. How do we do this? Listen and see.
It's a great time for Connect Groups. We watched the movie and now we're in week two of a 4-week sermon series. If you're in a connect group that starts this week, we will be going over the material in this sermon. As you explore, ask three questions: Was Jesus alive? Did He die (on the cross)? Did He rise from the dead?
Let's dig in and Explore the Case for Christ.
It's a great time for Connect Groups. We watched the movie and now we're starting a 4-week sermon series. If you're in a connect group that starts this week, we will be going over the material in this sermon. Let's dig in and investigate the Case for Christ.
Many reasons that people don't investigate Christ are the same reasons that they should. They don't believe, they don't want to believe, they don't know what to believe, or when they do believe, they stop there. Let's see how Lee Strobel handeled his journey of discovery and investigation.
Paul asks three questions of the church in Rome: If God is for us, who can stand against us? Who can bring any charges against those who God has chosen? Who can separate us from the love of Christ? For these questions, there is only one answer. What do you think that answer is?
In such a polarized, political, hateful society, we can forget what it means to follow Jesus. It's not that we still don't seek him, but maybe we shy away from the humility and forgiveness that he displayed here on earth. How can we allow Paul's insight to bring us closer to Christ?
There's a scene in the movie "Moana" where the chief talks about not going beyond the reef. If we hold to that sentiment as Christians, we run the danger of fishing in waters where there aren't any fish. Jesus told His disciples that He would teach them to fish for people. How do we do that ourselves?
Jesus is known for many things. We call Him by many exalted names. But what about the other part of Jesus? Jesus was also fully human. How does this aspect of Him relate to us? One thing we know of for sure: one day every tongue will confess His precious name!
Have you ever been at a point in life where you think, "Enough is enough?" Most of us can say that we've been there (or that we are there now!). If you haven't gotten there yet, hold on--it's sure to come. However, Paul tells us that when the going gets tough, Jesus is more than enough. Believe that? We hope so. Let's reinforce that anyhow!
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2CO.1.8-10.NIV
Doug Anderson, a Grammy-nominated, multi Dove award-winning singer from Lapel, IN, took time out of his busy schedule to share his talent with us. He sang, he told stories, and he led worship in our traditional service time.
He tours all over the world to sold-out venues as a soloist and member of Cana's Voice. He also traveled and was a founding member of the quartet Ernie Haase & Signature Sound for 13 years, a group made popular through the Gaither Homecoming Series. His 13 Dove Awards include Country Album of the Year, Country song of the year, and Male Vocalist. He has also been a part of two videos and one CD project to attain Gold status in Billboard sells.
Upon meeting him, I can say that he's the real deal. It was amazing worshiping with his leading. His connection with God evident as it should be in all our lives.
Psalm 23 is a very popular passage. It's one of the many passages in the Bible that people inside and outside of the church can recognize. In only 6 verses, we learn about the peace of God by relating to him as a shepherd. What does this mean?
bible.com/bible/111/psa.23.NIV emscchurch.org facebook.com/emscchurch twitter.com/emscchurch You can also follow along in the scripture on the Weekly Word section of our app. emscchurch.org/app
Since this sermon involved a lot of pictures, you may experience it better if you went to our Faithlife Sermons page to view it (link below)
Roger and Sue went to Alaska after a couple of delays. While they were there, Roger couldn't help but be reminded of God's Word. How can the reflections of Alaska lead to his reflections on Alaska?
sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/...itional-8-25-19 bible.com/bible/111/psa.8.NIV emscchurch.org facebook.com/emscchurch twitter.com/emscchurch You can also follow along in the scripture on the Weekly Word section of our app. emscchurch.org/app
Before we were even formed, God knew us. He still loves us--despite all the garbage! God is so good!
bible.com/bible/111/jer.1.5.NIV emscchurch.org facebook.com/emscchurch twitter.com/emscchurch You can also follow along in the scripture on the Weekly Word section of our app. emscchurch.org/app