Christ Church Evangelical Covenant: Recent Episodes
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We often find ourselves in the tension between what is already ours in Christ and what we long for in his promised return. It's no coincidence, then, that Jesus invites us to join him in his death and resurrection through the tangible reminder of baptism, and to remember his promises at the table.
A famous song once retold the story of millions traversing to a music festival to try to get themselves "back to the garden." And, as we explore this morning, the idea of getting back to the place where everything is good and perfect is actually a normal human longing. But, the idea that we have to get ourselves there doesn't line up with the core beliefs of our Christian Faith. While we live in tension between "the already and the not yet", how do our deepest yearnings align with the work that Jesus alone can do (and is already doing, and has already done?)
What if the hardest seasons you want to skip past are shaping you for an eternal story? As we explore 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, we are invited to glimpse a surprising balance: outward decay and inward renewal, seen and unseen, temporary and eternal. There is hope to be found in even the hardest moments, because we are assured that our light and momentary afflictions pale in comparison to the weight of glory we will experience in eternity.
As people who believe in the resurretion of Jesus, what are we to do when the hope of what is to come meets the reality of life today? Today, we're invited to look deeper than easy "do" and "don't" lists that shape our lives, and instead consider the transforming power of God's grace. Through Colossians 3:1-11, we consider how resurrection reshapes our character, relationships, and daily choices — especially when life gets challenging.
Today, we are invited to explore grief, hope, and the coming King through 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 as we wrestle with how the resurrection reframes our losses—big and small—and how honest longing meets the promise ahead. How do we grieve with honesty while staying grounded in what’s ahead? How does our community carry us forward as we await the King? Let's find out.
Turning to Romans 8, we are invited into the “in-between”—the space between what is and what is coming. From the groanings of creation and our own ache toward a hopeful sound, we – along with every good thing around us – find ourselves anticipating all that God has promised. When God's promises feel distant, we are reminded that our God has invited us to press into faithfulness and live with courage.
Today, we take a fresh look at 1 Corinthians 15. What does it mean that the dead will be raised, and that our bodies will be transformed? Paul invites us to unpack familiar images—seeds, earthly versus heavenly, and life after life after death—as we imagine the bodies we will inhabit in a renewed creation. As we consider this passage, we are invited to rethink what physical and spiritual mean together. How does Jesus’ resurrected body model what is to come, and how should that shape our living today?
Today, we begin a new series with a sobering, yet hopeful conversation about life, death, and what lies beyond. As we explore 1 Corinthians 15 together, we get a glimpse of how exactly our faith can meet our fear, grief, and longing with care, truth, and a future hope.
When it comes to church, it's not really about showing up for a worship service. The church is a family - a holy nation, a royal priesthood! As we wrap up our Siblingship series, Pastor Cheryl invites a few leaders to share about how Christ Church is trying to live this out as a community where discipleship, compassion, and hospitality intersect in real spaces, here in East Greenwich and beyond.
In the third week of our Siblingship series, we look closer at the ways that God builds a united body from diverse generations. The church is a Spirit-formed body in which every part is placed by God and every member matters. How, then, do we move from spectatorship to participation to reorient our church to be the kind of family God calls us to be?
Pentecost invites us into a living, renovating family. This week, as we continue our Siblingship series, we are exploring Romans 12:9-18 as a blueprint for practicing family life across generations—loving without masks, honoring one another, sharing with those in need, practicing hospitality, and grieving and celebrating together. In a moment when church culture can feel pulled between old rhythms and new, how does the church community become a home that fits everyone? What does it mean to bridge differences when style, tradition, and tempo pull us in different directions?
Join us as we start a new sermon series focusing on what it really means to be the family of God! As God's people, the idea of kinship extends across all sorts of divisions, allowing the church to embody reconciliation - inside and out. The question for us, then, is: how do we organize our lives around being part of this new family?
As we wrap up our series, Pastor Cheryl invites us to the explore what things could look like when the Spirit awakens us and leads us into bold, outward living. (Hint: a Spirit-filled community responds with courage!) How can our own wells of faith be tended this week?
"The purpose of God for you is change." Today, we are invited to consider a deeper kind of change—not a quick fix, but a life-long metamorphosis sparked by the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8 and Galatians 4, we explores what it means to live as children and heirs of God, and how God’s Spirit actually forms us from the inside out. The Spirit is not a distant force, but is instead a personal presence — helper, counselor, advocate — who walks with us, prays with us, and leads us in daily steps.
As we continue our series on Discovering the Power of the Holy Spirit, we look at three powerful signs that appear through scripture revealing the presence and activity of God — wind, fire, and language. God’s Spirit breathes new life, burns with purpose, and invites a multilingual witness. As we consider it means that we are the temple of the Spirit—how can our lives, speech, and love become indicators of God's presence?
We often expect the Holy Spirit to show up in miraculous, supernatural ways. But today, we are invited to notice the Holy Spirit’s presence in the gaps—the waiting, the ordinary moments, the nudges that remind us we’re not alone. We’ll trace the Spirit’s work from the promise in John 14 to Pentecost in Acts, and onward through Ezekiel’s renewal and Paul’s teaching, discovering that the Spirit is not distant but near, shaping us for love, courage, and mission.
Today, we are invited to slow down on the Emmaus road in Luke 24, where Jesus walks beside two weary travelers. As broken hearts and shattered expectations surface, the risen Christ opens the scriptures to reveal how the story points to himself. Through these travelers, we glimpse what it means to interpret the Bible through Christ, moving from “we had hoped” to recognizing the living presence of Jesus, and to a heart awakened by the moment of shared faith at the table.
This week, Pastor Cheryl helps us understand that the resurrection is an invitation to see the moment that God’s kingdom breaks in. Through Jesus’ empty tomb and the two parables in, we glimpse a treasure of unimaginable value that can reshape everything! What would you do if you found such a treasure?
Join us as we kick off Holy Week with a Palm Sunday message, following Jesus from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem. The donkey, the crowds, the cries of Hosanna—these moments point to a king whose true kingdom, power, and glory unfold in a surprising way. Foretold in Zechariah 9:9 and echoed in Psalm 118, this scene invites us to hear how Jesus quiets the hype yet moves toward the cross. What does it mean for us to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done” when our hopes lean toward comfort or control? Are we ready to follow him, even when the path looks different than we expect?
Today, we're focusing on the final part of the Lord's Prayer as it's written in Matthew: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."When we consider temptation, we often picture someone struggling between choosing what is right and wanting to do what is wrong. While this may be part of what Jesus meant, his original audience likely understood this prayer a bit differently. As we explore Jesus' own experiences with temptation—in the wilderness and in the garden—may we gain new insights into what we're truly asking God to help us with.
In today’s sermon, we are invited to lean into Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness — “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Borrowing from the prodigal son, he explores how God’s forgiveness is enacted, how we move from recognition to release, and how letting go can free us to invest in the Kingdom here and now.
Pastor Cheryl invites us into the idea of daily bread as more than a meal request. In part three of Becoming the Kind of People who Live the Prayer, she helps us ask: how does provision shape who we become? Drawing on Matthew 6:11 and Exodus 16:4–5, the message explores trusting God for today’s needs, how fear can creep in, and how a communal posture can redefine generosity for neighbor near and far.
Pastor Emeritus Lyle Mook shares as we continue our series on the Lord's Prayer, guiding us through the lines that long for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done. Grounded in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4, with haiku-inspired reflections, we are reminded that prayer is more than words—it's a necessary breath, a pattern for formation, and a shared vocation. How might our prayers become a doorway to transformed living?
Today, we begin a Lent-inspired journey through Matthew 6:5-13, the Lord’s Prayer. This message invites us into a rhythm of prayer that forms our identities as beloved children, kingdom apprentices, and a forgiven people—far more than a performance to impress. We’ll wrestle with the line, “Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name,” and hear how this single phrase could become a doorway to everyday faith. How might the reality of God’s holiness redraw the way you pray this week? Let’s listen for God’s voice and respond.
Two gates, two trees, two houses—yet one King, one invitation. In the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Steven Byler (introduced by Pastor Cheryl Lavornia) invites us to pause and listen for what Jesus asks of those who say they follow him. Through Matthew 7:13-27, the passage contrasts paths, tests of true fruit, and foundations that endure and those that crumble. How does belief differ from discipleship, and what does it look like to follow Jesus in daily life? This message invites us to consider how we’re forming our lives and our church around his call, and to explore practical steps toward intentional formation this week.
Pastor Cheryl Lavornia invites us into the heart of Jesus' teachings on judgment, discernment, and love in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:1-12, she teases apart what it means to “not judge” while still discerning wisely, warning against condemnation and the beam-in-the-eye mindset. She explores Jesus' pearls-to-pigs image, the rhythm of asking, seeking, knocking, and the invitation to live out the golden rule from the inside out. How might Jesus’ wisdom reshape the way we relate—in our homes, our church, and our community—as we become more like him?
Ryan Lospaluto leads us through Matthew 6:19-34., where Jesus creates a contrast for the listener between two paths, two masters, two ways the world tries to secure us. As we consider the ways that we think about our hearts, our possessions, and our daily lives, we are invited to pause, reorient, and consider what truly governs our next steps.
In the next sermon from our Sermon on the Mount series, Pastor Emeritus Lyle Mook challenges us to consider the root of violence in our world, and the ways that it is always opposite the way of Jesus. Following the thread through the Jesus teachings about anger, retaliation, and loving your enemy, we are reminded that the peacemakers (as opposed to the peacekeepers) that will be called the children of God.
When Jesus teaches on sex in the gospels, He is not just teaching about physical attraction or creating a set of rigorous demands. Instead, Jesus invites us to consider sexual habits as a reflection a person's beliefs about the value of others. When our desires remain disordered, the ultimate result can often be acts of evil toward them. Jesus offers an alternative to this pain, though, offering hope instead of condemnation, and a path toward restoration through His gentle, faithful, and true love.Note: this sermon addresses topics related to adultery, divorce, and sex.
We're kicking off a new year with a new sermon series focusing on the Sermon on the Mount, the teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. These teachings reflect a fulfillment of God's long plan to rescue his people, and provide a framework for living faithfully as part of God's kingdom. In this kingdom, we are not measured by what we do, but instead by what we become, allowing God to transform our motives and our relationships. Pastor Cheryl invites us to "show up" where God's people and God's presence are found.
Inviting us to remember much of our Old Testament focus from the fall, Ken Bell invites us to consider the portions of the Bible that would lose their truest meaning were it not for Jesus. In the same vein, we are invited to consider what it means for us to live in the midst of God's ongoing work - and to be active participants in his mission.
As we celebrate Christmas, Pastor Cheryl encourages us to see the contrast in the reward-bases systems of culture and the gracious gift that Jesus Christ offers - himself. In exploring the nativity through the lens of what it redefines for us, we find the way to embody mercy, justice, and sacrificial love in our daily lives.
In modern times, we often have a hard time waiting for the next episode of a show to premiere, or in traffic that's delaying us from getting where we want to go. But, for Israel, as they waited for the messiah, this period of waiting lasted for generations! The people who had heard the promises of God spoken directly from the prophets had long passed away. And yet, the wise men arrived to worship Jesus at his birth having anticipated that God would still deliver on his promises. In this morning's sermon, part of our Advent series, Ryan Lospaluto shares about a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, inviting us to consider the ways that God remains with us in our waiting.
This morning, Pastor Emeritus Lyle Mook invites us to consider the implications of the Incarnation - a word that describes the way that Jesus was a living, breathing person just as much as He is fully and completely God. In Jesus, the ultimate saving power that belongs to God alone comes to us as a gift. It is because of the incredible generosity and grace of God that we are able to become children of God by faith! But it is equally profound that the God show us this grace by understanding and experiencing firsthand the vulnerability and suffering that we experience.
In our year-long look at the whole story of scripture, we're wrapping up the first half of story today, as Pastor Cheryl co-preaches with Steven Byler. As we prepare for the turn into the New Testament, we are reminded all that we've talked about in the Old Testament.
This week also marks the first week of Advent, where we remember the coming of Christ, and his promised return! The 400-years of silence provided opportunity after opportunity for the people to forget about the God who loved them (and his promises), but somehow in the waiting, God was still setting the scene for the arrival of the one who would change everything.
We're continuing our year-long look at the whole story of scripture as we arrive at our focus on the Temple in the Old Testament. Leaders like Ezra, Nehemiah and Zechariah were around during the time where the temple was rebuilt (remember: it had been destroyed when Israel was exiled), and scripture recounts the shared work of restoring what had been destroyed. But, as Pastor Cheryl highlights for us today, there may have been some hopes in the restoration that weren't exactly rooted in the promises that God had made to his people. What, then, can we learn from this rebuilding about how to understand God's hopes and plans? (Hint ... Jesus tried to help us when he started talking about the kingdom of God.)
As we continue our year-long look at the whole story of scripture, Pastor Cheryl helps us focus on the Exile - the period where God's presence had left the temple that Solomon has constructed, and the nation of Israel was scattered. During this period, it looked as though the promises of God had come to their end. But, we must remember that this isn't the end of the story! in the same way that Ezekiel saw the Valley of Dry Bones - through eyes of faith - Pastor Cheryl invites us to see how God continues to do the restorative, resurrecting work through the Spirit in our lives today that mirrors the miracle of the bones in the valley.
As we continue our year-long look at the whole story of scripture, Lyle Mook helps us understand the role and nature of prophets in the Old Testament -- individuals like Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. For Israel, their job was to speak God's heart on God's behalf. But, they all pointed to something (or someone!) greater that was to come!
As we continue our year-long look at the whole story of scripture, we come to the era where Israel was divided into 2 kingdoms - the Northern Kingdom (representing ten of the tribes of Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (representing the remaining two, which God declared would be the "remnant" he would keep for himself in order to remain faithful to his promises). As scripture recalls how the people fared under each king, we read about how the people more-often-than-not did evil in the eyes of the Lord. In today's sermon, Pastor Cheryl helps us understand what was at the root of their disobedience, and invites us to consider how we might be falling for the same trap today.
With this sermon, we launch into the next part of our year-long look at the whole story of scripture, as our focus shifts away from the law that was given to God’s people at Sinai. When the people of Israel demand a king (like all of the nations around them), God chooses to allows it, recognizing something about their motives. And so, through the stories of Saul, David, and Solomon, we see what happens as Israel places their hope of salvation from their enemies into the hands of an earthly king. (And, we see a bit about how these stories ultimately point us to a very different King …)
This morning, as we continue our year-long look at the whole story of scripture, Lyle Mook invites us to be "People of the Word" who recognize and understand the importance of allowing the scriptures to form us. With that encouragement, though, comes an important reminder about the role of the law: it cannot in itself make us good. And so, we must instead allow the scripture to point us to the One who is truly good.
If God were trying to get your attention, what would it take for you to notice? For Moses, God got his attention through a mysterious burning bush. And once God had his attention, what did God show to Moses? Even before he called Moses to the miraculous work of deliverance that would lead God's people through the Red Sea, God wanted Moses to know who he was: the God if his father and forefathers. As Pastor Cheryl continues our year-long series about the whole story of scripture, she invites us to look at the things in our lives that may be drawing our attention away from what God wants to show us.
Time and time again, God shows that he is faithful. And because He is faithful, we are able to believe in the promises that He makes. But, it is important to remember that God's promises are always part of His covenant -- that He will be their God.In our story today from Genesis 22, God asks for Abraham's trust by commanding Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac. And as the story plays out, we come to learn that God was testing Abraham's loyalty to him (and, we come to learn that God is the one who provides for what he requires).In today's message, Pastor Cheryl encourages us to identify our own loyalties to try to understand where we may be placing our trust in something other than God.
As we continue our year-long focus on the whole story of scripture, Pastor Cheryl helps us shift our focus from the creation to Abraham. Genesis recounts the call that God gave to Abraham, and highlights the blessings attached to it - God would establish Abraham's family as people who would be "set apart" to bring God's blessing to the whole world. Pastor Cheryl helps us see the promises that gave to Abraham, and invites us to consider what a life of faith would look like today. Will we respond to God with the same faith that Abraham did?
Last week, Pastor Cheryl looked at the very beginnings of the story of scripture to try to begin to see how the whole story points us to Jesus. Today, Lyle Mook draws our focus into the tension between the identity we have as bearers of God's image (imago Dei) and the brokenness we come to realize in ourselves when we allow our "disordered loves" (a reference to Augustine's writings) to shape us. And so, the question is: how do we reconcile the two within ourselves? Or, perhaps more appropriately, how do we allow God to do the work of reconciliation within us?
Today, we kick off our year-long walk through the entire story of scripture! Pastor Cheryl starts us at the very beginning of the Bible, where we find the familiar stories of Creation, Eden, Babel, Noah, and the generations in between. As Pastor Cheryl highlights vignettes from within the first eleven chapters of Genesis, she calls us to consider what they reveal to us about God's plans and purposes, and our understanding of the part we play within them.
In today’s sermon, Pastor Cheryl invites us to reimagine our approach to the ways we do through church through “The Moonshot Rule,” a term coined after John F. Kennedy urged people to aim to accomplish things that seem “out of the real of possibility.” The church in Acts started to reach for these kinds of things as they met together, shared what they had, and gave to those who had need. What could it look like for Christ Church, today, to embrace the big dreams of our even-bigger God for our church and our community? It might take some re-imagining!
God is always at work in us, helping us to become more like him, and helping us to more fully reflect his character through our lives. That sounds exciting! But, once we realize that "becoming more like him" requires us to forgive like he forgives, it can be challenging to find the ways to live up to the invitation. In the closing sermon from our Hook Line & Sinker series, Pastor Cheryl helps us understand the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and what God calls us to for each.
In week 5 of our Hook, Line, and Sinker sermon series, Pastor Cheryl invites us to consider our response when we fall for the bait of offense. When we are wronged, we all-too-easily understand the desire to take matters into our own hands. But, God has a different plan for us in Romans 12, that we might "conquer evil by doing good."
Being "offensive" in basketball is a good thing, but "being offensive" to others in real life is a whole different story. It places the one who is offended in a diffult place as they figure out how to respond. However, as Pastor Cheryl shares, there are times where Jesus himself actually offended entire groups of people! The pharisees, his family, and his disciples all quickly come to mind. And, the more that we reflect on these examples, the easier it is to find ourselves upset about what Jesus says and does, because for us to listen to him will ofen require something from us that we might not want to change.
In the third sermon of our Hook, Line, and Sinker series, Pastor Cheryl focuses on Elijah. God had sent him to Israel as a prophet, but he soon discovered that being faithful to God's call would cause people to be upset with him - and even threaten him. As he ran from one particular situation, Elijah was confronted with something hidden in his own heart that was keeping him from being able to do what God was calling Him to do. If we are to avoid finding ourselves in the same position - running from the places and work that God calls us to do - we must begin to identify the parts of our hearts that are in the same condition.
"How could this happen to me?!"Isn't that often our first response when something difficult happens in our lives?Whether by someone's intentional actions that hurt us, or because of our own internal voice that convinces us, we can all recognize the sense of injustice we feel that leads us to feel offended. And it is just that sense of offense that Satan often uses to separate us from God and from each other.So, when we find ourselves offended, where do we look? What do we need to remember about God? What do we need to remember about what He sees in us? Do we believe what He says?
When was the last time you found yourself offended by what another person said or did to you? If it's not fresh in your mind, you can surely remember how upset you were. And when it comes to church, many of us carry past hurts from fellow churchgoers. Pastor Cheryl begins our summer series, "Hook Line and Sinker," unpacking why this can be such an effective tool to divide us and offers insight how we can begin to move past offense.
In this sermon from our Spiritual Disciplines series, Pastor Cheryl invites us to consider how we can practice rest in themidst of a world that never ceases to demand busy-ness. Jesus invites us in John 15 to abide in Him. When we choose this, we will discover the fruit of the kingdom of God growing in our own lives.Discussion Questions:- What makes you and/or your family feel too busy or tired because of all you do?- What brings you the most joy?- If you were to start the practice of Rest, how would you plan some play and rest for you and/or your family this week?
Where do we find our identity?As we consider this, we realize it is a multi-faceted question. We have the family contexts that we grew up in, we have the cultures that have shaped us, and the places where we have lived. We have the schools we have attended, the friendships and hobbies we've enjoyed, and so much more. But as we consider the Christian faith in this question. we come to realize that we all find our identity somewhere along a four-part story arc: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation. And the more that we live into the identity of those who have been created anew in Christ. the more we understand our true purposes in life. Pastor Cheryl shares from 1 Thessalonians.Note: BibleProject is the author and owner of a video used during this sermon. To find more BibleProject resources, visit bibleproject.com.
The gospel of Jesus Christ transformed the world in the first three centuries after the resurrection, spreading from town to town and nation to nation with great speed. The book of Acts documents the start of that amazing process. Reflecting on the effectiveness of the early church, Pastor Cheryl highlights both the urgency they felt and the grounding of their faith.
In Acts chapter 10, after a vivid and unsettling dream about eating food that was forbidden by Jewish Law, Peter goes to meet a Roman centurion, who had already been instructed by God to look for Peter. The result of this encounter was salvation for the first non-Israelite who believed that Jesus was the messiah. Through this story, Pastor Cheryl invites us to explore the themes of consistent prayer and endless wonder as we consider our approach to God.
As we celebrate Pentecost today, we remember the story of Philip, who was led by the Holy Spirit to come alongside the eunuch from Ethiopia. As the eunuch studied the scriptures, Philip helped him see how they were fulfilled in Jesus, and this led to the eunuch being baptized. Philip took the opportunity to share what he new with the eunuch, and it is believed that the eunuch took the good news of Jesus to Africa, and the church was established there as a result. What could be possible in our community if we were to respond to the opportunities that God gives us through the prompting of his Holy Spirit? Pastor Cheryl shares from Acts in this sermon from our Model and Multiply series.
Luke highlights two exchanges that involve between Jesus on the subject of generosity. On the surface, they seem to be about money, but Jesus is trying to get to something deeper. Ryan Lospaluto, a member of our Leadership Team, shares about the contrast between these two stories and helps us understand what Jesus was getting at in each of the conversations.
As we continue to look at the ways that the Holy Spirit works in us today, Pastor Cheryl highlights the example of the early church in the ways that they shared the labor! As we consider this, we must recognize that God sees all of the work that the Spirit does through as vital! While it can be hard to remember sometimes, caring for one another is just as much the work of the Holy Spirit as teaching and prayer.
What was it like in the earliest days of the church? The beginning of Acts documents for us the exciting growth and the challenges that came with it. As we look at the ways that Jesus's disciples became apostles, we notice that the people turned to them in amazement whenever God moved, and the apostles revealed the heart of God to them with boldness.
As we launch our Model & Multiply series, Pastor Cheryl focuses us on the book of Acts when the church started to grow. As the church gathered and the apostles proclaimed Jesus as Lord and messiah, the church expanded, with thousands being added to their number! And this was only the beginning ...
As part of our monthly series on Spiritual Practices, Pastor Cheryl shares a number of tools about how to share our faith.
Lyle Mook, former Senior Pastor at Christ Church, invites us to focus on the first part of Hebrews 12, which the writer of the book of Hebrews offers as an application of the stories found in the list of "heroes of the faith" in the previous chapter. As we learn what it means to cultivate 'audacious joy,' despite our circumstances, he invites us to learn from Jesus, lean into gladness, leverage our joy for the work of God, and serve God and his church generously.
For our Easter sermon this year, Pastor Cheryl narrates the story of Mary, imagining her eyewitness account of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. As Mary reflects on the miracles that Jesus performed and her own doubts, she shares about what it meant to her to follow Jesus, and invites us to consider what it means for Jesus to be our Messiah, King, Christ, and risen Lord.
🌿 What does true Biblical justice look like? In this powerful Palm Sunday message, Pastor Cheryl reveals how Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem wasn't just a celebration—it was a peaceful protest that challenged an entire empire.
This timely message challenges us to rethink how we engage with justice in our modern world, following Jesus's example of peaceful, transformative change.
As part of our Spiritual Disciplines series, Pastor Cheryl helps us understand the connections between the imagery of water in scripture, the significance of Christ's Baptism, and our own experience in baptism.
How often do we come to the conclusion that it's just easier to do things on our own? While that might lead to the most immediate satisfaction, there's something about the way that God works to build His Kingdom that requires us to work together. Paul, throughout his letters, addresses the people that he partners with across the various cities he visits. and we, too, can join together for an even greater impact.
As recipients of God's incredible grace and forgiveness, how are we to respond when we are confronted with the reality that brokenness still pervades our relationships? Whether a result of another person's actions against us, or our own actions toward others, the invitation to forgiveness is very real. However, it is almost never easy. Pastor Cheryl shares about the call to forgiveness, and its practical application, especially in hard situations.
When we read a scriptural text that talks about hosueholds, it’s easy for us to overlay our 21st century understandings into the text. But, when Jesus talks about the idea of households and families, he’s referring to a 1st-century idea called “oikos” in the Greek. As Pastor Cheryl helps us reframe our understanding of the oikos that Jesus invites us to participate in, it will re-shape our understandings of community, family, and the church.
As we turn our focus toward what it means to be a people shaped by our Christian faith, Pastor Cheryl Lavornia speaks about being "Mission Minded." Our call as followers of Jesus isn't to simply receive his grace. Instead, God asks for us to reorient our lives around the values of his kingdom.
We often think of our spiritual lives as having that intangible "spiritual" dimension, something we hope guides us but sometimes feels out of reach. Pastor Cheryl revisits Isaiah 58, inviting us to dive into the tangible, practical parts of our lives. Fasting becomes more than just a ritual; it's a way to bring together our mind, body, and spirit, opening up new ways to connect with God and find healing in a truly holistic way.
As a Covenant church, we approach scripture through five lenses: faithfully, communally, rigorously, charitably, and holistically. Pastor Cheryl invites us to re-consider our understanding of scripture in light of these five approaches in this week's sermon.
Is there more to prayer than asking God to answer the lists of requests we have for him? In this week's sermon, Pastor Cheryl invites us to consider prayer in a deeper way. When we practice God's presence, our hearts are aligned with His heart. And when our hearts are aligned with His heart, our lives become a living witness to His character and His kingdom.
Ever wonder why a simple meal of bread and juice holds so much meaning for Christians? In this eye-opening message, discover how communion isn't just about remembering Jesus - it's a pattern that can transform how we live every day. What would change in your life if you started living out the love and grace you receive at the communion table?
When storms hit - whether in nature or in life - they reveal what lies beneath the surface. In Pastor Chery's message, we explore how God uses seasons of upheaval not to harm us, but to bring needed ventilation, revival, and transformation to His church. Through Mark's account of Jesus calming the storm, we discover what it means to stay close to Christ even when the waters are rough.
Greg Johnson, Executive Director of Revive New England, an organization dedicated to helping New England churches prepare for spiritual renewal, was our guest preacher.
Pastor Vann shares this morning about the 8 names of God in scripture that begin with Yahweh. As we learn to trust in the character of God as he has revealed it through these names, Pastor Vann encourages us to specifically focus on one of them: Yahweh-Rohi (the LORD, my shepherd), and invites us to consider what it means for God to truly be our Shepherd and King.
Ken Bell, one of our Deacons, shares from God's word this morning about the grace and truth found in the reality of Christ's coming. John 1 highlights the fulfillment of God's Old Testament promises, marking the grace of God's faithfulness. But, the truth of the gospel is that God's faithfulness makes things possible that would otherwise be impossible. God is working in and through the people of Christ Church. What could he be leading us to be and do in the new year?
During this Christmas Eve sermon, Pastor Cheryl encourages us to consider how "inattention blindness" can impact our relationship with God. Ultimately, this a lead us to remain disconnected from the God who loves us. Instead, she encourages us to truly behold Jesus with intentional sight, where we choose to focus on God's goodness, faithfulness, and love for us.
Dogs. Football. Spaghetti. All of them are very lovable things. But we inherently understand that when we say that God loves us (or that we love him), the love that we have for these other things falls substantially short. As Pastor Vann invites us to explore the Magnificat in Luke 1, we discover that God's love is both comforting and unsettling. It is a transformative force that challenges our pride and priorities while bringing us into the fullness of life He intended
During the Advent season, and particularly on this third Sunday of Advent, we remember the joy that is promised to us in Christ. In the joy that the wise men experienced when they saw the star to the joy of God's deliverance, we see that it is appropriate for us to respond to the good that God works in the world. However, what could it mean for us to be a people marked by God's joy, especially in the more difficult moments and situations? Pastor Vann shares about a joy that goes beyond our circumstances in today's message.
Around Christmas, we often hear the list of names in Isaiah 9 that will be given to the promised savior: Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and, as Pastor Cheryl invites us to reflect on today: Prince of Peace. As she shares about the full picture of peace, or shalom, we consider what it means for Jesus to be the one who brings that kind of peace both to us and through us today.
As we begin our Advent series, Stars of Wonder, Pastor Vann reminds us that God has placed the stars in the sky to help us understand our world. They separate day from night, they mark the seasons, and they give light to the Earth. In our spiritual lives, God has given us another gift to help us understand the world: hope. Where we place our hope tells a lot about what we believe to be possible; so, what could be possible when we place our hope in Almighty God?
Over these past few weeks, we've focused on God's message to Moses in Exodus 6. It wasn't just that He promised to rescue the people of Israel from the oppression of Egypt. Better than that, he would bless them as His very own people! What does this mean for us today? When God rescues us (and He promises to rescue us!), how do we respond, and how do we live in His blessing?
How often do we find ourselves stuck? It may be a financial situation, a difficult moment in a relationship, a dry season with God, or something else. As we hear the words of God for his people from Exodus 6 and think of the story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, we're reminded that our God is a God who draws his people out of the places they are stuck and promises them freedom, healing, and protection. We can see the story of redemption in Exodus, but what is it that God is inviting us to experience about his redemption today?
3500 years ago, God's people were slaves in Egypt, seeming to be without a hope. As we think upon the story of the Exodus, we can certainly see the miraculous intervention of God to free his people from oppression, but we also realize that God didn't just free them from slavery. He gave them a new identity. God may not need to free us from enslavement today, but he does want to help us see ourselves as He sees us.
We're all too familiar with bad situations where we feel stuck or helpless. In Exodus, God's people were definitely stuck under the oppressive role of Pharaoh. God promises Moses that He would rescue the people of Israel. But have you ever wondered why? What does God lead His people into when he delivers them? And what does God invite us to experience today?
If there's one powerful narrative that resonates through the history of God's people, it's that God is always present for them. Just as He promised Moses that He would stand by them, He reassures us of His presence in every facet of our lives. But how can we truly sense His presence with us? How do we actually come to know him? For Moses, God revealed His name. And for us? Well, let's find out ...
Rev. Dr. Howard Burgoyne, Superintendent of the East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church shares with us this morning about the impact and grace that comes when God says yes or no.
As we look through the whole of scripture, we see themes and threads of God's call for his people. Pastor Cheryl explores the connections between Matthew 5, Matthew 25, and Hebrews 13, where God's compassionate heart invites us to care for our brothers and sisters as well as those we don't know. As we consider the ways that God is inviting us to hear from him, his call for us will always be to care for people in one or both of these directions.
Revisiting our summer series, "The Good Life," Pastor Cheryl delves into the transformative healing stories in Luke 8, featuring Jairus, a prominent synagogue leader, and a socially marginalized woman suffering from 12 years of bleeding. Despite facing different societal pressures—Jairus with the urgency of his dying daughter and the woman with her prolonged social isolation—both seek Jesus's healing with unwavering faith. Pastor Cheryl challenges us to reflect on the societal pressures that shape our lives and encourages us to actively seek Jesus with faith. She offers practical steps to nurture and grow our faith, empowering us to overcome the challenges we face.
Rev. Dr. Barbara Ettinger, Executive Associate Superintendent of the East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant, shares a powerful message that reminds us that we know what love is because God loves us first (Deuteronomy 6 and 1 John 4). Through stories of three women from scripture - Lydia, Hannah, and the woman with the alabaster jar - Rev. Dr. Ettinger helps us understand what it means to love God in response.
How often do you feel like you are wandering in your faith, trying to find out where God is (or even if he is real!)? God's word reminds us that He is present, and even more so that He is with us, but what do we do when our experience doesn't match that promise? Pastor Vann shares from Acts 17.
How do we, as followers of Jesus, experience God’s power and presence? Pastor Vann shares about the importance of gathering together to support and encourage one another! We lean on the people around us to help us grow in our faith, but we also discover the ways that God wants us to use the gifts that he has given us in the context of community.
What could a story about a war-battle in ancient Israel teach us about worship? Pastor Vann shares a story about what happened when the people of God chose to worship him first, even in the face of near-certain defeat. And he invites us today to consider what might happen in our own lives if we choose to take on the same posture.
As Pastor Vann launches us into our new series called Remember, this first message challenges us to consider the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus invites us to “do the same” as the Samaritan, and many of us aim to be compassionate - but, does our picture of compassion measure up with what Jesus’s audience would have understood?
As we close out our series focusing on "The Good Life," Pastor Cheryl shares about what Jesus meant when he talked about the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." She also shares a number of stories of how God has been at work in the day-to-day lives of our own congregation this summer.
As we read the Beatitudes, we get the sense that Jesus believed that “The Good Life” is something worth pursuing, but how do we live the so-called good life? Pastor Cheryl shares about how this is a life of imitation, and invites us to consider how we might follow Jesus example even in the midst of the difficulties that may arise.
Pastor Cheryl delves into the last triad of the beatitudes with a call from Jesus to be “peacemakers.” This peace isn’t just about silent complacency or avoiding confrontation. Instead, we are invited to do the work that will bring about true peace. And as followers of Jesus, we look to him as our example.
Here's the blessing that Jesus lays out for us this week: he says that the pure in heart will see God. But what does "pure in heart" even mean? What was Jesus trying to get at? Are we just supposed to avoid wrongdoing, or could there be a deeper invitation that Jesus has for us here?
Jesus came as the ultimate demonstration of mercy, but how is Jesus' idea of mercy (heed) different from our contemporary cultural understanding? (Does our understanding come from the Christmas classic "The Christmas Story"?) What sort of invitation does Jesus have for us in this call to show and be shown mercy?
As we navigate the Good Life, what does today's passage from Matthew 5 have to say about righteousness? Surely righteousness talks about God and what he hopes for his people, but is there something more that we may be missing? Wht does this righteousness (or right-ness) have to do with living a full life? Let's find out.
Pastor Cheryl reflects on grief and loss as part of the life that allows us to receive the fullness of God's kingdom. Sometimes, this is our own grief, and sometimes it is the grief of those around us. As we experience grief, we experience God's blessing. Find out more as part of our summer series on "The Good Life!"
This week, Pastor Cheryl invites us to consider what Jesus meant when he talked about the "poor in spirit." What kind of poverty was he talking about: a lack of money and resources? A lack of influence? A lack of willpower? As we'll find out, there is a lot that Jesus' audience would have heard - and a new way of life that Jesus was inviting his followers to experience.
What did Jesus mean when he talked about the talked about the people who were "blessed" in Matthew 5? Pastor Cheryl helps us explore a deeper meaning within the Beatitudes as we kick our Summer Series, "The Good Life."
Pastor Vann stresses the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus. So often, Jesus surpasses our expectations in unexpected ways. How, then, do we keep our hearts and minds focused on the ways that god speaks to us? Each one of us needs a genuine, personal connection with Him, and ultimately, that has nothign to do with mere rituals or obligation.
Pastor Vann's sermon "First Things First" emphasizes how worry and anxiety have plagued humanity since ancient times, despite our desire for carefree living. Drawing from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, he highlights the futility of worrying about material needs and stresses the importance of prioritizing a relationship with God. In today's fast-paced world, the anxieties we face can make it feel challenging to seek God's kingdom, but when we receive the righteousness of Christ and trusting in God's provision, we will find that our worries are met with divine care and love.
Pastor Vann delves into the unexpected challenges we face in life and how God empowers believers to overcome darkness. By examining the passage in Matthew 16:13-19, the sermon highlights Jesus' declaration that believers have the authority to bind and loose against the forces of hell. Emphasizing the personal nature of this spiritual battle, Pastor Vann Trapp urges the congregation to actively engage in God's counter-revolution and stand firm in their faith. The sermon concludes with a call to come together as the people of God to participate in this ongoing battle with confidence in God's ultimate victory.
Members of our leadership team share from Nehemiah 3, where there is an account of members of the nation of Israel coming together to repair the walls of Jerusalem that had been destroyed during the period of the Babylonian exile. Ordinary individuals, like you and me, came together to work toward the restoration of the city. We, too, have the opportunity to come together as God's people to use our resources and talents to participate in what God is doing today!
Pastor Vann's sermon on Pentecost emphasizes the Holy Spirit's empowering impact on the early Church, enabling them to spread the Gospel. He dispels misconceptions of God as angry, stressing His desire for a personal relationship with each individual. Vann draws parallels between creation and Pentecost, urging listeners to deepen their connection with God through prayer and thoughtful practices. The sermon ends with a call for the congregation to actively engage in God's work of love and compassion, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
"The Fullness" sermon discusses spiritual gifts as expressions of the Holy Spirit and God's grace within individuals, urging the congregation to discover and use their gifts in the church community for the fullness of Jesus. Pastor Vann emphasizes the importance of ongoing growth and refinement of these gifts, highlighting that they reflect the character of Jesus. The sermon concludes with the reminder that the church is called to be the fullness of Jesus who fills all things, quoting Ephesians 1:22-23.
Pastor Vann's sermon "Shorting Ourselves" explores spiritual gifts in the body of Christ, drawing parallels to DNA diversity. Using 1 Corinthians 12:14-25, he emphasizes the value of all members and their unique roles. He stresses the importance of recognizing and utilizing one's gifts for the unity of believers. By discussing spiritual gifts through a metaphor of the Old Testament tabernacle, he urges listeners to embrace their gifts and actively engage in the community for God's glory.
The sermon "In the Beginning" by Pastor Vann highlights God's invitation from creation to a new life. It mentions biblical references to "in the beginning" in Genesis, John, and 1 John. Pastor Vann discusses God's love, our choice to stray, and God's invitation back into His fullness. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making God the center of our lives for true connection and fulfillment.
The greatest and best influence on humankind over the course of our history has been, without a doubt, Jesus Christ. The way He rebuked injustice. The way He modeled kindness. The way He invited us into relationship with Him. What would be better than to see that influence continue to impact our lives and the structures of our world? That is the primary goal of the Holy Spirit; continue the work of Jesus… through us. So, if we want to understand the purpose of the gifts that the Spirit has given, we simply need to look at the purpose of the life of Jesus.
What does it mean to be gifted by the Spirit of God? Does it change situation by situation? Or is it always the effect in the same way? Are we limited to one or two expressions of grace and the Spirit working in and through us? And can we grow in our how effective we are in using the gift God has given us? All good questions. All things we need to understand as we learn to walk with the Spirit in the transforming power of Jesus that He works through us. But that is the most important thing we need to remember: these gifts are not about us; they’re about Jesus.
We can think of God’s gifts to us in many ways. He gave us this world of beauty to live in and enjoy. He gave us our abilities and personalities when He formed us in our mother’s womb. He gave us Jesus to pay a debt we couldn’t pay and reconcile us to Himself. He gave us His Holy Spirit to empower us to live a holy life. But the Bible also tells us that God has gifted each of us with a unique expression of His grace in this world. People call them ministries or spiritual gifts, but the Bible calls them “charismata,” bits of grace. And when we come together as God’s people and gather all these bits of grace together in one place, people can begin to see the full picture of who God is. They begin to see Jesus in us together. That’s the multifaceted grace of God.
Pastor Vann's sermon "Hope Revealed" focuses on the transformative power of encountering the resurrection of Jesus, comparing it to blowing our minds with new discoveries that challenge our worldview. The disciples' struggle to comprehend Jesus' resurrection highlights the profound impact of this event in reshaping their lives. Jesus' resurrection sets him apart and proves the validity of his teachings, offering hope in the face of life's hardships. The sermon concludes with a call to celebrate new life in Christ through baptism and encourages believers to support one another in embracing the truth of Jesus' resurrection.
Sometimes, we just need a distraction. Our situation is overwhelming, or the challenges are relentless, and we just need a break. But in taking our eyes off the circumstances, are we also missing the work that God is doing in the midst of our struggle? Because He is there. And He is good. The story of Palm Sunday is not just about how to put on a good parade. It is a reminder to keep our eyes on our God at all times, good and bad, because He is where our hope is found.
The sermon "What's in Your Name?" by Pastor Cheryl discusses the importance of names in shaping our identities. She uses the story of Abram and Sarai's name changes to demonstrate how God transforms and revitalizes individuals. Pastor Cheryl connects biblical instances of name changes to emphasize the impact of embracing new identities given by Jesus. The congregation is encouraged to release old labels, embrace new names, and live authentically in their identities with God's transformative power.
Let's face it, we want it quick. We want a faith that's quick and easy. We want a God who is also quick to respond and makes it super easy for us to know His will and His ways. Somehow, God both allows for this tendency AND transforms this tendency as we grow in our faith. Faith is something that takes time. It takes both jumping in and sitting back. It takes running fast and crawling forward in obedience. This is the tension of God's call on our lives. What if God allows this tension for a reason?
Sometimes when God’s Spirit is nudging us to get involved in a project, or when we bring Him a request in prayer, we immediately begin to think about how we might accomplish the thing He or we want done. The problem is that God usually has a solution to our problem or a path to get something done that we can’t even think of. And most often, our plan won’t work would only make a mess of what God is trying to do. God doesn’t ask us to “help Him out.” He asks us to trust Him. Let’s talk about it this Sunday.
There are times when we sense God calling us… maybe into a location for ministry, or with a group of people that He has made us aware of. But it feels uncomfortable, even unsafe. So, we move to a different place, or into a different group with which we are more comfortable, and ask God to use us there instead. The problem is that going where God has not called can often cause as many problems as not going at all. Learning to live a life of faith is learning that the best place to be is where God is and where He calls us, not the place that looks the easiest for us.
There are times when we sense God calling us. It may be into an area of ministry or to meet a need that He has made us aware of. But when that happens, how often do we feel inadequate? So, we gather people around us who we think can help us. But God hasn’t always called them to do the work to which He has called us. And sometimes, by pulling them in, we set them up for a really tough time. Part of growing into a life of faith is letting God break the fear of failure and inadequacy in us so that we are content and confident to work with as little or as much as God gives us.
We love personalized plans. We also love that God is so personal in how He loves and pursues us. But we are mistaken in those times that we think God’s personal love means He will always adapt His plan to our personal preferences. And we all do this at times. The issue is that God knows; He knows what we need even better than we do. So, He doesn’t adapt His plan to our current whims. His One Plan is that we would not be saved simply as individuals to do our own thing, but rather as one body, one church, one ekklesia who learn to live in the love and unity that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have shared for eternity. That is God’s one and only plan: the Church.
“Important task.” That doesn’t sound so spiritual. Doing miracles. Spiritual warfare. Teaching the truths of God’s Word. Sharing the gospel. Those sound spiritual. But often, getting to the spiritual work requires supporting that work with the necessary “important tasks.” That’s what the early church discovered when some of those who needed food the most weren’t getting the attention they needed. Ends up that things like setting up rooms, cleaning up messes, setting calendars, planning events, serving on teams, giving time, giving money, and even waiting on tables may not sound or feel all that spiritual, but they are the important tasks that provide essential support to the work of the kingdom. So, what are some of the important tasks to which God is calling us? Let’s talk about it this Sunday.
So, again, what is the church? It is the group of people who have been called together as God’s people by God’s Spirit to do the work of God’s kingdom. So, what is the work of the kingdom? What are the things that are so important that God feels that He needs to call His people together so that they will get done? Well, engaging God’s Word so that it can change us. Caring for each other. Honoring Jesus in worship. Praying together. And, of course, going out into the world to show and tell others about Jesus. He says that when we do these five things, we shake the heavens and change the world. So, let’s not just talk about it. Let’s do the work!
So, if the church is more than a building, a program, or even a group of people who believe the same things, what makes us a church? We are a church when we gather to do the business of God’s kingdom. But we are only able to do His business when His Spirit leads us and empowers us to do things that are way beyond our own abilities and understanding. The church is the gathering of those reborn in the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and following the Spirit as He trains us to be partners with God in transforming the world.
Last week, we asked, “What is the Church?” This week, we are asking, “Who is the Church?” How do I become a citizen of God’s realm? And once I do, what is my part in doing the business of His kingdom in this world? Because, as the Church, we are called, reborn, transformed, equipped, and empowered to do the work of heaven.
God’s Church. It’s more than just a building or a place. It’s more than just a bunch of people who believe the same things. It’s more than just coffee and a sermon on Sunday. The Church is the group of people that God calls together in various places and various arrangements to figure out and do the business of the kingdom of heaven together. He has called us, equipped us, and brought us together for that purpose. So, what does it look like for us to be the Church?
How might the story of the Magi help us understand God's grace and our response? The gifts they present to Jesus symbolize his kingship, as well as our worship and the mission that God has asked us to fulfill. How are we, as Christ Church, a part of that mission?
Love. Sometimes, it doesn’t look so big and strong. But sometimes, it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. When God talks about His kingdom breaking in, He talks about mustard seeds, hidden yeast, and little children. And when He demonstrates it, He comes as a newborn baby. But that baby was God’s greatest victory. It would just take some time for us to see it. But that’s usually how God works.
Do you ever feel disconnected from the "joy" that is supposed to be part of the Christmas season? Where does that disconnect come from? Pastor Cheryl shares what it takes to find that sense of joy again.
Peace. We look for it. We hope for it. We pray for it. No one wants to live in a war zone, whether that war is outside your home. or within it. But it ends up that peace doesn’t just happen in a broken, fearful, selfish world. You have to work for it, build it, and even fight for it at times. But that sounds like a contradiction: fight for peace. That depends on how and who you’re fighting. But make no mistake, peace is the evidence of victory in a hard-fought battle to gain it. God fought that battle for us. Jesus is His victory. Peace is now ours in Him. And we go into this world to continue that same mission of peace.
Hope. It’s an essential part of our lives because hope is all about the promise of something better than what we see. And who doesn’t long for something better than what we see? But hope is also about the ability of the one who promises it to pull off what has been promised. At Christmas, God brought His promised victory into this world. Some missed it because of the wrapping God’s victory gift came in. (How can a baby save the world?) But those who know the rest of the story understand that Jesus was God’s greatest sign of victory… and promise of an even greater future hope.
What is the true meaning of Advent? Does it have anything to do with my life today? Let's delve into the mystery of Jesus' second coming and explore how it can help us radically shift our perspective, understand the importance of using our spiritual gifts in community, and lead us toward the joyous and fulfilling life that God has for us.
So, where is this battle fought? On our knees. In prayer. In praise and worship. Prayer is where we enter the fray and speak with confidence about our victory. This is where we bind the evil one. This is where we claim God’s victory for those bound in chains of deceit, fear, and shame. Prayer is the power that God has given us. We suit up, and we pray.
God has commissioned us to do His business in this world in Jesus’ name. But what is the sign that we have the authority to do that? What is the proof of that commission? The word of God. But not just the act of quoting verses from the Bible. Instead, when we speak God’s Word straight from scripture or out of the wisdom of His Spirit for the circumstance, He backs it up. Those words become divinely powerful for tearing down spiritual strongholds, breaking through spiritual darkness, and defeating enemies far stronger and more numerous than we. By the power of the Spirit, the words we speak in Jesus’ name into and over people’s lives become effective. And He wants us to use those words to speak into all kinds of situations.
A helmet on a battlefield always gives away which side you’re on. The team helmet of God’s army is salvation: the events and evidence that we have been - and are - being saved from the defeat and destruction of this world and the enemy. It can be seen in our inner transformation, in outer signs and wonders, in healings, in miracles, and in wisdom that is beyond us. If we choose to take up the helmet of the fullness of God’s salvation, we will no longer blend in on the battlefield of this spiritual war. He will make His victory known to all the world and even the powers and authorities in the heavenly places through us!
Faith in the Bible is not just talking about our belief in something. Faith is primarily talking about the faithfulness of the one we believe in. When we give ourselves to God’s truth, pursuing just and right living with His people, and the confidence of who He says we are, we are protected, not by how hard we believe, but the God who rises up and fights for His own! Psalm 91 tells us that He surrounds us as a shield and a bulwark.
God is always trying to get us to lean in. Even when we don’t experience Him, He is still there. Walking with Him through our battles is a way for us to grow in Him.
Greg Johnson (guest preacher, and Executive Director of Revive New England - revivenewengland.org) reminds us of the big picture in the midst of our deep dive into spiritual warfare. He reminds us that there are four things we need to do in order to engage well in spiritual warfare and Paul tells us all four in 10 short verses.
One of the reasons that the enemy wants us to doubt our good standing with God (peace) that is ours because of Jesus, is that when we doubt, we are unsteady, unsure, and unconfident. We will not push forward if we have lost our footing of who we truly are. But when we do have our confidence in Jesus, we are unstoppable in Him.
What does it require of us to do right by God and others? Is it just some arbitrary list of dos and don’ts? Or is there more to righteousness than initially meets the eye? What does God have to say about what it means to be good and to be in good company?
How many times have we heard it said, or maybe even said it ourselves, "That's your truth, not mine." And it is true, we all see truth differently at times. But does that mean that every approach to truth is equal? Jesus seemed to imply that there was only one truth framework that truly led to freedom, one true path that led to life, and only one true God who could rescue us from all the deception and wrong thinking that can really get us into trouble at times. That's why Ephesians tells us to buckle up with the belt of truth - God's truth.
We live in two worlds simultaneously: one physical, the other spiritual. The one is filled with physical beings and objects that we understand well and navigate with our five senses and “common sense.” The other is filled with spiritual beings and realities and has a war raging every moment of every day. But often, we haven’t taken the time to train our spiritual senses or godly wisdom to the same degree that we have our physical senses. So, we are blindsided spiritually. We need to be aware of this spiritual world and our place in it in Christ.
Pastor Vann shares about vision for the upcoming year and provides an update on the process of developing values over the past year.
What does it take to be a healthy Jesus community? When we look to the beginning of the Church, we find four things. So, what does it mean to be devoted to the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer? What does it mean to be devoted to God’s design?
The Body of Christ is the community of God's people. When we figure out the roles and the parts that we are supposed to play in God’s community, we learn more about how He has gifted and called us. Ephesians talks about five unique pieces that make up the whole of the church, and that drive us to rely on him and each other while we pursue the mission he has set before us. What are those pieces? Let’s talk about it.
From the beginning of the Creation account and throughout the Bible God talks of Himself as “Us”? At first, it sounds strange. But when we look around this universe in which we live, we see that it makes perfect sense. Relationship, connection, collaboration, and synergy are all around us. And that should give us a clue about what it means for us to live in a way that reflects “the image of God.” Being part of an “us” is an essential part of being alive. And being a part of His “Us” is an essential part of living life as He intended. There’s a We in the Weave of the Fabric of the Universe.
Jesus said twice in Luke 15 that all of heaven celebrates when just one person turns back to God. Do we share in this joy that reflects God’s own joy over His wondering children when they return home? If we don't, are we the one who is truly home, or have we wandered away from the Father even though we stayed in His house?
Even the everyday details of our lives should remind us of the grace God has shown us. For the prodigal son, every time he looked down and saw the shoes on his feet, he remembered what his father had done; every time he had a meal (whether it was a party or not), he remembered what his father had done; every time he did business in his father’s name, he remembered what his father had done. The reality is that those things in our lives that do not have “God stories” and “grace stories" attached to them tend to become idols that draw us away from God rather than toward Him.
God’s grace doesn’t always make sense to us; especially when we have to apply it in our own circumstances. One of the places we see this most clearly is when it comes to forgiveness. Sure the father forgave the prodigal son. But how are we supposed to keep forgiving people without just simply being taken advantage of? How can we keep forgiving people for the same thing without simply becoming enablers of their bad behavior… which is only going to hurt them over the long run? What does it even mean to forgive someone seven times, let alone seventy times seven times? And how does this help move forward what God is trying to do in this world and in our lives?
God’s grace is always over the top. It starts before we even turn to Him. The love He shows while we are still at odds with Him is what gets our attention, and His abundant kindness leads us to turn our hearts back to Him. But then, it just keeps coming. Once we do come home, when we have nothing to offer Him, He gives us the best robe, the ring of His authority, shoes of freedom, the name as His child, and the prized calf to celebrate with. God’s grace is over the top. It’s hard to believe sometimes. But it is where we live now.
When we come to our senses, we know we need a plan. But when we come to the Father, we realize that His plan is so much better. What is it about our God, His person, His character, that shatters our fears, our doubts, even our best plans?
The Prodigal Son parable of Luke chapter 15 could more fully be titled, “The Compassionate Father and His Two Lost Sons.” I have had the joy over the years of pointing people of all ages — disciples, seekers, and skeptics to Jesus in this parable, often with the aid of Rembrandt's last painting. Sunday, we will listen deeply to Jesus — as He shows us God’s heart and poses questions that can bring us closer to “home” and to the heart of the Father.
Gravity. As far as the history books go, it was “discovered” around 1665. But I’m pretty sure everyone knew about it before then. Gravity is what makes apples fall to the ground, what keeps planets orbiting our sun, and what holds our galaxy together. But there are other kinds of gravity in our lives as well. There is the gravity that pulls us to be with people we love. There is the gravity that pulls us toward activities we enjoy. And there is a gravity that pulls us toward God… even when we are trying hard to get free of Him. What is that gravity?
Have you ever experienced the warmth and love in a family home or felt the serene atmosphere in a particular house? God's house is meant to leave a lasting impression too. What is God's heart for his house, for his church, for his people?
What is the one thing you’d never leave at home when you go out? Or what is the one thing that you would absolutely turn around to go back and get if you realized you had left it somewhere? These things speak to what we value! In the two stories at the beginning of Luke 15, Jesus talks about how God seeks after what He loves (us!). But how does God respond when we’re the ones who choose to become ‘lost’?
The story of the prodigal son, at first glance, is a story of a wayward son who returns home to the loving graces of a good Father. On second look, though, we see that there's much more to this story. Beyond the younger son's share of the inheritance, what did it cost the family for the son to leave? And what did it cost for him to return?
What does it mean to have faith? God says that without faith, it is impossible to please Him. But, how do we keep ourselves focused on what is important to Him? As we choose to align ourselves to Jesus, what might he be calling us to leave behind?
The first Pentecost was an amazing day. Sights of flames settling over people’s heads. Sounds like a windstorm filling the room. People telling others about God in languages they had never learned. And 3000 people deciding to follow Jesus. We love to hear amazing stories like that. And we would love to see God do things like that in our day, in our church, in our lives. But do we recognize the preparation that God always puts into making that kind of thing happen?
Gary and Pauline Carlson, our long-time Covenant missionaries to Japan share an update on their time in ministry and speak from Mark 4:35-41.
How often do we evaluate God’s ability to accomplish His word and fulfill His promises based on how difficult we perceive the challenges to be? And how often do we then either give up or try to face those challenges on our own? And how often does God step in and remind us that our weakness does not define Him? He is able. He is even able to accomplish what is impossible for us.
Have you ever wondered what is behind living a truly successful life? Physical strength, financial power, intelligence? According to God, the most important things in our lives will only be achieved through His Spirit. But is that who I rely on? And how exactly does that work?
Do I see me like God sees me? Not just through a lens of love that is blind to all the flaws. Not just through a lens of grace that sees only potential. I mean the God who sees the completed new creation that we have become in Jesus! Do I see that? How does the reality of who I am in Christ change how I face every challenge inside and out in my life?
There are two ways to look at a measuring stick; it’s either there to let you know how far you come up short, or it’s there to make sure that you don’t. Which do you think God is most concerned about? When He pulls out His measuring stick or His plumb line, is it about letting us know how far we’ve failed, or so He can get us to where we need to be? Which is the thing that makes His heart glad?
We love the idea that we belong to Jesus. We love those times when we feel that He is close, and we are favored. But He is not content that just a few of us experience that peace or the joy of His new life in us. He is constantly pursuing and inviting into His grace any who will respond. And that means that our “family” is constantly growing and changing. And there are times we’re not sure what to think about all those changes. But are we considering what God is thinking about all this? Do we rejoice with Him and all of heaven because one more makes it into freedom and life?
On the day that Jesus walked into Jerusalem, there was a huge crowd. Some were there because it was Passover, the time when the Jewish people always gathered every year. Some were there because they followed Jesus wherever He went. Some were there because they had heard about the miracles He had done and were hoping He would do something for them or even kick the Romans out and re-establish their kingdom. A huge crowd with all kinds of reasons for being there… like the crowds that gather in churches every Sunday around the globe. And all Jesus wanted was to cut through all their false expectations so that He could bring them into the amazing miracle that God had for them, that none of them had imagined.
We’ve talked about abiding; making room for God to make His home in us. We’ve talked about releasing; letting Him remodel our lives once He moves in. But this week, we need to talk about the result of all this – being empowered to have the impact Jesus did through His life! What does it mean to live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit?
There is another word we have in the English language that sounds exactly like “pairing” but has almost the complete opposite meaning – “paring.” Pairing adds something. Paring takes something away. And in our relationship with God, He does both. John says that our heavenly Father is a gardener who wants to make sure that we are rightly paired with Jesus (who is like a vine to our branch), but also rightly pared of all our distractions and deceptions that keep us from the purposeful, fruitful life He created us for. But while pairing is an exciting process, paring can be a challenging time in our lives. So, is God clipping away at some area of your life right now? What is the purpose? Why can’t He just leave well enough alone and stick to pairing?
Abide. Sounds easy. Just stay where you are. Don’t move. Remain. A branch on a grapevine doesn’t have to worry about just falling off one day. So, why does Jesus sound so insistent when He says, “Abide in Me?” What does abiding in Jesus actually require of us? And what kind of “fruit” comes as a result? What is so great about a life abiding in Jesus?
There are moments when we don't feel very secure about our decisions or our circumstances. Our trust is shaken every day through the news, by people, and by things we never saw coming. We struggle with change and with uncertainty. But what if there is a way to strengthen our trust "muscles" and learn practices that help us learn how to trust in God and trust His ways? Come join us this Sunday, ready to learn some new spiritual exercises that will help you along your spiritual journey with Jesus.
Every year, thousands of people go looking for ways to find things they've lost. It could be their sense of identity or how to handle a great tragedy or loss. But what is remarkable is that we all have this sense that we get lost at times... no matter how hard we try, we feel that maybe we've lost God or that He's lost us. This week we will be discovering that it's ok to get lost at times... because it helps us rediscover our actual location in perspective to God.
Prayer is the power of God and resources of heaven made available to us through a relationship with Jesus! Some of you already know that. Some of you are hoping this is true and that it is available to you. This Sunday, we will dig into these words of Jesus to find how we can avoid taking something so pure and simple (like He promised in the verses above) and make it overly complex. God loves us. And it ends up, He loves to answer our prayers.
Worry. There seems to always be something to worry about; those we love, our own lives, the state of the world. But what did worry ever do for anyone except create an ulcer, send into a depression, or distract them from the important people and projects right in front of them? What is God’s recommendation for a worry-free life? (Doesn’t that sound wonderful!)
How often do we find ourselves trying to establish how great we are by comparing ourselves to the shortcomings of others? And how often is that practice just a cover for the fact that we don’t feel all that great about ourselves? Jesus would love for us to become the powerful, Spirit-filled healers and comforters in this world that we are meant to be. But we first have to deal with the way we judge, belittle, and condemn others. What place do right judgment and discernment have in our lives?
Clarity or confusion? Light or darkness? Jesus says that these are determined in our lives by how we see certain things… how we “behold” them. And there is one specific thing that He highlights that will either bring clarity or confusion, light or darkness to our lives. Do you know what that one thing is? Because it is a big part of every one of our lives!
I (Lyle) am glad to be with you to preach on a topic that will tie in with the current series on the Sermon on the Mount. The focus will be on a Word — a Practice — that is indispensable, and desperately needed in every age and among all ages. It’s a Discipline that is a starting point for the transformation God’s Spirit works in us through the Scriptures and seeing of God “in the ordinary.” It’s a practice modeled by Christian disciples living in every distracting age. It’s central to prayer, wisdom, caring for others and fruitful action of all kinds. Oh ya — the word is, “PONDER!" Is that too much hype? Maybe it’s because this is where God is at work in my personal and work life over the last few years. I’m eager to share it. Let’s pray for attentive hearts and faithful feet that walk in the way of Jesus!
Sometimes, with a puzzle, one piece will cause a whole section to make sense. And somehow, with the commandments of the Old Testament and the writings of the Prophets, Jesus said that this one “golden rule” was the key to better understanding them, as well as beginning to see the depth of God’s heart for us.
What does it mean to be God’s message of hope to the people of today’s world? What does it take to be God’s influence of peace in our current culture? How can we look, speak, and act more like Jesus in this world and have the same kind of transformational impact on the lives around us? That’s what the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is all about. And this is what we are called to.
To build a good house, you need solid footings. Otherwise, it will come crashing down. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But you can be sure it will come down. And likely at the worst possible moment. Same with building a good life. You will need a solid foundation. But what is a good foundation for a meaningful life? Jesus had something to say about that.
In the garden of Eden, there was a tree called the tree of life. After disobeying God, Adam and Eve were cut off from that tree and us with them. However, in God’s new kingdom, we find that same tree, available again to us all. It brings life and healing and provision for every season. So, what is this tree? And how did it become available to us again? And what does any of this have to do with Christmas?
Christmas is a time of joy... but even for Creation? How good are times when even the mountains, hills, and trees start cheering? So what is Isaiah talking about? Where are we “going out” from? Where are we being “led forth” to? What is all creation so excited about?
We all know that if you’re clumsy, you don’t become a neurosurgeon. If you’re tone-deaf, you don’t join a choir. And if you have bad eyesight, you can’t become a jet pilot. We also know that these decisions aren’t about personal preferences. They’re about necessary qualifications. So, what would ever qualify us to become part of God’s people, let alone a part of His family? Branches from a wild tree can’t expect to become part of a cultured tree. And yet, here we are! Grafted into God’s family because of what Jesus has done!
Promises are like seeds. They don’t always look like much. But as we learn from the acorn, there can be a lot packed into a seed. Same with promises. God made a promise once. In Genesis, the promise talked about a seed. In Isaiah the same promise talked about a child. Both were small things and didn’t look like much. But as we learn from Christmas, sometimes really big things come in really small looking packages. Do you know what this Christmas promise was all about?
Throughout history, people have thought that God love them and maybe people just like them. But then, in Jesus, God showed His true heart. He loved all kinds of people and wanted to save all of us into one, new community. So, what does it take to be God’s people, living His life together?
“Rich” can mean different things in different settings. Living a “rich” life, can mean that you have many meaningful relationships and experiences. Enjoying “rich” food might mean you’re eating a moist cake with a delicious frosting. Or rich might just mean that you have a bunch of holdings and money in the bank. But what does it mean to be “rich” with the God who supplies all these kinds of riches? Jesus had a lot to say about that topic as did His first followers. And what they had to say might surprise us.
What does it mean to "require" wholeness for the city you live in today? Who is responsible for this wholeness? What is wholeness in the first place? As we continue on with our Rooted series, this Sunday, we will be focused on your part of the story. God is doing a Re-Make on an old theme... with each and every follower of Jesus. Same story... different medium, look, and feel but this "re-make" has to do with each of us in unique and exciting ways.
I think we would all agree that Jesus lived a meaningful life. It was meaningful to history, to eternity, and to each one of us. That is a life of purpose! So, how can we live a life like that? Pursuing greatness? Fame? Wealth? God says it comes through a life of service to others. But what exactly does that mean?
Blame. From the beginning of human history, we have looked for others to take the fall for our failures. And to be honest, there usually are other powers at play in the lapses of our lives. Sure, we believe some lie and act irresponsibly because of it, but what about the one who told that lie? And sure, we treated another person terribly, but what about the one who convinced us that they didn’t deserve to be treated well? There will always be liars and bad actors in our lives all the way up to Satan himself. But even if they never change, God wants to change us and change the world through us. So He says, take off the old; put on the new.
God is speaking all around us. Through Creation. Through history. Through other people and our interactions with them. And of course, through His revelation to us in the Bible, through the voice of His Spirit in us, and through His Son, Jesus. But do we hear what He is saying? Are we listening? Do we know what we are listening for? How can we hear more clearly what God is saying?
God is speaking all around us. Through Creation. Through history. Through other people and our interactions with them. And of course, through His revelation to us in the Bible, through the voice of His Spirit in us, and through His Son, Jesus. But do we hear what He is saying? Are we listening? Do we know what we are listening for? How can we hear more clearly what God is saying?
Who is God? We have a lot of theories. Maybe as many ideas as there are people on the earth. Over the centuries, some ideas have taken root in our thinking through religion and philosophy. But who is right? Some say He is kind. Others say He is cruel. Some say He can be found in everything around us. Others say He is a figment of our imagination. But does God have anything to say about who He is? Has He spoken? Who does He say He is?
Who is God? We have a lot of theories. Maybe as many ideas as there are people on the earth. Over the centuries, some ideas have taken root in our thinking through religion and philosophy. But who is right? Some say He is kind. Others say He is cruel. Some say He can be found in everything around us. Others say He is a figment of our imagination. But does God have anything to say about who He is? Has He spoken? Who does He say He is?
Strong trees require good roots and good soil. For us, Jesus is the soil we draw life from and the roots are those thoughts, habits, and actions that tie us into Him. So, how strong are our roots? Are our strongest life roots tying us to Jesus, or do we have roots going off in every direction drawing from less nourishing sources in this world? And how can we develop stronger roots to Jesus alone for a purposeful and meaningful life?
Strong trees require good roots and good soil. For us, Jesus is the soil we draw life from and the roots are those thoughts, habits, and actions that tie us into Him. So, how strong are our roots? Are our strongest life roots tying us to Jesus, or do we have roots going off in every direction drawing from less nourishing sources in this world? And how can we develop stronger roots to Jesus alone for a purposeful and meaningful life?
Unity. What does it take? People have been trying throughout all of human history to unify under all kinds of banners, causes, agreements, charters. But what does it take to be united as the community of God’s people? It’s about words, presence, and work. What does that mean? Come and see.
Unity. What does it take? People have been trying throughout all of human history to unify under all kinds of banners, causes, agreements, charters. But what does it take to be united as the community of God’s people? It’s about words, presence, and work. What does that mean? Come and see.
Who are those people God has connected you with? Sent you to? Prepared you for? Because all of us have two types of people God has said that we should be looking for in our lives: those for whom He has prepared us to pour into their lives so that they will know more about Jesus, and those who He has prepared to pour into ours so that we will. That’s discipleship. And we are all called to be in on it. That’s how God’s people grow up and grow together. So, who are your people?
What does it mean to see like Jesus? Not just look like Jesus in the way we live our lives, but see what Jesus sees when we look at our world. When Jesus saw a crowd of stressed out people gathered; He didn’t see a nuisance; He didn’t see a waste of His time. He saw it instead as a boon for God’s kingdom. So, is that what we see? And do we respond the way He instructed us to?
God is in the midst of creating life out of the destruction and chaos that comes from the brokenness of this world. He promises there will be a day when all is redeemed, restored, and made new! Everything will work the way it is supposed to, God will be with us, and peace will reign on the earth. Until that is complete, we get glimpses of that new creation. Jesus’ resurrection was a big glimpse. Our baptism is another. In baptism, we are joined with Jesus in His separation from this world through death and sealed into the promise of new life through His resurrection. We become the glimpses of God’s new creation!
Hope. It’s what keeps us moving forward when everything ahead of us is unclear. When we can’t see the shore because it is too far or covered in fog, hope is what reminds us it is still there. And when life is challenging, overwhelming, or just plain confusing, hope is what helps us “see” a place of rest and resolution when we can’t see any of that around us. So, what does that final destination look like? Where is that place of ultimate refuge and rest and rejoicing in which our hope lies?
How do we know if God is with us and for us? That’s an important question when we wade into new challenges and deep waters. If God is for us, we know all things are possible and victory is certain. If we are alone, we know that we are in for the fight of our lives and we’re probably out of our depth. So, how can we know? Sometimes you just have to ask.
Poetic justice. For the most part, we love the concept of it. Whether it is the person caught by the police as they drive down the shoulder to avoid the stopped traffic, or the bully who picks on the wrong person and gets “what’s coming to them.” There is an equation of justice in our heads that we think is what keeps the universe in balance. That’s what Jonah thought about Nineveh. He believed if God could just know how unsettled he was about the “imbalance” of God’s mercy, God would come around and set the equation right again. So, he sat on the outskirts of the city to watch as God gave them what was coming to them, like we sometimes do. But is poetic justice really God’s equation, or just an example of our bad math?
When we look at others, for various reasons we can assume that they are far from God. We may think that they don’t know enough about God, that they are too interested in the evil that they love to do to ever love Him, or that they are just too bad for God to ever love. But only God really knows how close or how far people are from Him; whether that person lives across an ocean from us or if that person is us. And sometimes, it is the very people that we consider to be the farthest away from God who turn to Him so quickly it should make us think about how close we truly are to Him. Maybe we’ve drifted further than we thought and hadn’t even noticed.
We are leaving Jonah for just a week and looking at another man standing beside a river waiting for a rescue. Rescue is a big theme in the Bible. We find people running from big, scary pharaohs and rulers; crowds and mobs, famine and natural circumstances, even running from God. But being rescued is not how we want to spend a night... no one wants to become famous for needing to be rescued. But what if rescue is a way in which God’s works out His purposes? This week's sermon is called: Being a Rescued Hero and we will be asking the question: What if rescue is a way for us to experience God in a more meaningful and important way?
The place of transformation is a tough place to get to and a tough place to get through. It feels like you’re dying. And it is like a dying. Everything is stripped away that used to define you and used to motivate you. All that is left is the purpose that God gave you and the God who gave that purpose. It’s not that transformation is a bad place to be, it’s just hard. So, how might God be transforming you? Where are the places you feel like you’re underwater, but only because God is about to raise you anew from the deep waters of your transformation?
How many of us want to be used by God in a big way in the lives of others? But then, when the opportunity comes, we choke and we run. Our assumption is that this must be work for other, more godly people, not me. But that’s not the message of Jonah. God even wants to use those of us who run when He calls. It just takes a little more time. Thankfully, He’s more persistent and committed to this process of making us more like Jesus than we are sometimes.
How do we respond when God invites us to deeper waters? Join us this Sunday as we look at a story from the book of Ezekiel and consider what it looks like to be people of faith who say “yes” to those invitations.
We often say “between a rock and a hard place,” but what about “between a hostile army and an ocean.” That’s a pretty tough spot, too. When we find ourselves in those places we usually ask God why He brought us there to begin with. Now, we get into plenty of messes on our own. But I mean those times that we really are trying to follow Jesus and we still end up “between a rock and a hard place.” Why does God lead us into places like that? So, He can show everyone just what He is capable of and how much He loves us. That’s what this story is there to tell us. Do we believe that?
So, where is God in the midst of chaos? When nothing seems to make sense or fit anywhere. Because we all have times like that in our lives. And during those times, that’s when anxiety and unsettledness set in… or worse. So, where is God? What is He up to during those times? The story of the sea has a lot to teach about God and chaos.
We are the sent people of a going God. He wasn’t satisfied to sit and wait for us to try to work our way to Him. He came to us; to rescue us, redeem us, and restore us. And now, He sends us, with His heart, His drive, and His authority to continue the work He started. The day Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 28:18-20 was the day we were commissioned. But Pentecost was the day we were empowered to carry out that commission. So, what does that mean for our everyday lives?
Brother Philip, a guest missions speaker, shares about the characteristics of people that God uses.
What does it take to bring comfort to someone in a tough time? Being present? Having the right words? A big hug? Yes to all of these. But there is more. And there is so much more in how God brings us comfort in our hard times. It is His kind of comfort that He desires to work through us in the lives of those struggling around us. How can we learn to comfort like that?
We know that we are to love our neighbor and care for each other. But what does this verse mean to “bear each other’s burdens?” Any one of us would say that we have enough burdens of our own. Why would we ever take on someone else’s? Does God really expect us to do that? That seems like a pretty big ask. Is that really what He means? Or might there be more to this short verse than first meets the eye?
How can it be that taking up a yoke will bring rest? A yoke means work. A yoke means serving someone else’s plan. We work our whole lives to get to that day when we can finally take off the yoke of others. We call that rest… or retirement. But Jesus says that there is a yoke that actually brings us the rest we are looking for. How can that be?
What are you afraid of? Everyone's afraid of something and those fears usually stop us from experiencing all that life has to offer. We actually spend a huge amount of energy and resources trying to outrun our fears... we try to outrun our suffering, our fears, and our death. This is always on our shoulders... it's the Weight of the World. As we enter into our next sermon series called: The Weight of the World: Living Intercession, we are going to be exploring the deeper meaning behind suffering. Jesus' suffering means more than pain and discomfort... somehow, it is our invitation into a deeper life with Him.
Easter Sunday. The most amazing day in history. It was amazing enough that God had come to earth, took on a human body, lived among us and showed us His persistent love for us in real time. It was amazing enough that He didn’t strike back when we did our worst when we falsely accused, tortured, and killed Him on the cross. It was amazing enough that His only words towards us from the cross were, “Father, forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing.” But the to see that He rose from the dead, conquering death itself and inviting us into His forgiveness and that new life? Completely over the top, unimaginable, amazing grace and love. But one of the most amazing parts of Easter is that God didn’t go rent a bunch of billboards to tell what He had done. He didn’t emblazon it across the sky with thousands of angels. Instead, He entrusted the most amazing event in the history of the world to us, and told us to tell His story. What a privilege. What a responsibility.
There are so many things we try to manage in our lives. We manage our careers, our health, our finances, our time. But when we look a bit closer, there are many things that we have no control over whatsoever! And that can be a bit unnerving. But in those moments where we seek control because we seem to have lost control, isn’t it comforting to know that God is always in control? Comforting? Well… sometimes.
Where does confidence come from? We are confident in our abilities, our connections, our bank account, our military. But all those run out. Where does true confidence come from? Only in knowing that God has your back. That never runs out. If God is for us, who can be against us? If God has given us life, not even death can take that away. Only the presence of the Spirit of God in our lives brings true confidence no matter what we face. And He is ours when we put our trust in Jesus.
At the heart of any relationship is communication - two way communication. No relationship can thrive or even survive without it. However, when it comes to God, so often our relationship with him can feel like a one way street, unless we learn and cultivate the practice of listening to God’s voice. Elijah needed to hear God’s voice in 1 Kings 19 when he was burnt out and at the end of his rope…and we need to hear God today. But how do we do that? That’s what we will be exploring. Could it be that we could be people who regularly hear God’s voice? Could it be that God often doesn’t speak in dramatic fashion through neon signs in the sky but through a gentle whisper? Could it be that God wants to speak to us now, and we must simply pay attention?
If you were to think of the greatest gift God could give in this life, what would it be? (Something in this life, not just the life to come.) Would it be some amazing healing? Or a miraculous provision to pay off some huge bill you have? Maybe an opportunity in your career or to travel or in a relationship you are pursuing? But how would all those compare to simply having an overflowing joy in your life? Or peace in your mind and heart? What about patience and self-control? Isn’t it interesting that God tells us that the way we know that He is alive in us through His Holy Spirit is that we will see these “simple” fruit in our lives. Not all the big, flashy “gifts” we might think of first. But aren’t these fruits of the Spirit the things we are truly seeking in our lives?
Sometimes life is just too loud. Not just literal sound in the world, but everything that is coming at us in life and everything that is going on in the background. Family responsibilities. Work responsibilities. Global unrest. The needs of others. Our health needs. Our mental health needs. Our spiritual needs. Too much to think about. Too much to process. Too loud. And yet, somehow, God says that His Spirit will speak through all that and bring peace, confidence, joy. So, what are the things that get in the way of hearing His voice? What are the things we can turn down so that we can hear the Spirit speak?
Have you ever been to the end of your rope, the end of the line, out of steam, out of options, game over? We don’t like it there, but that is exactly where the Spirit of God waits for us. While we are still able to figure things out on our own, that’s what we tend to do. So, God waits in those places that are beyond our ability to figure out… and then He shows us what He can do. That is where He brings life from death, joy from sorrow, healing from brokenness. And He doesn’t make a big show of it. Instead He speaks with that gentle power of His Spirit, that quiet rumbling of His presence, that invisible movement of His hand. Out of a dead stump, a new shoot springs up and brings unexpected life. That is His promise because that is our God.
This is part 2 of Covenant & Kingdom series: Stumbling into the Kingdom. The themes of Covenant & Kingdom are like DNA running throughout the story of God and His people. Covenant is about God’s invitation into relationship AND Kingdom is about God’s rule and our responsibility under His reign. What is our part in the Kingdom? What should we be paying attention to as a church? As families? As individuals?
What do the new Ghostbusters, Economics, and Abraham have in common? Join us for this first message in we a 2-part series on discovering your birthright (what you have inherited) and how to spend that inheritance!
When we started this series, we set out to discover again what it means to live as a Compassionate Christian Community. We didn’t want to just think about the theory of it. We wanted to look at what it would require of us in real time. And Community is where it all comes together. So, what can we learn from Jesus’ first followers about living as community? Let’s find out together ...
When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” after His resurrection, Peter had a hard time answering Him. The hesitation was partly because he knew that he had denied even knowing Jesus when Jesus had been arrested and put on trial. So, guilt. But part of the problem was that Peter didn’t seem to know what Jesus was asking. Peter thought he knew what loving Jesus meant, but when Jesus asked the question three tmes, it made Peter wonder if he really understood love. I think we have those same questions. According to God, love is not simply a feeling or a sense of good will towards someone. So, what is it to love? And what is it to love Jesus? Let’s find out ...
So many people believe something about Jesus. But is that all it takes to be Christian? Or is there more? When we say that we are called to be Compassionate Christian Community, what are we saying? Last week, we saw that being Christian has to do with reflecting a person, Jesus Christ, in our lives. This week, we will see that it also has to do with relying on the God Story of which Jesus is the central part. So, what does it mean to believe in God’s story? Let’s find out together…
Have you ever wondered how we define the ‘Christian’ in Compassionate Christian Community? This week, we are going to see how Jesus defined His own mission and ministry and how that in turn, helps us define what that means for Christ Church. Join us this week as we explore how this definition impacts our daily lives- individually and as a community.
What does Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3) have in common with Jesus' parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10)? They both teach us to "turn aside and see." It's an essential practice for experiencing God in the 'ordinary' - and overflowing with Jesus' compassionate love to others in need. Join us as we reflect more deeply on God 's direction for us in this current cultural moment.
Compassionate Christian Community – what a deep, rich, gracious, hopeful phrase. We believe that is what God has called us to be. But what does it take? First, what does compassion demand of us? We don’t simply want to be those who approve of compassion, or recognize compassion nine out of ten times. We want to live it and see the world changed through it. So, what is this most precious and beautiful of the gifts of God to us as His children? What is compassion? And how do we live it? Let’s find out together…
Merry Christmas! We pray the true joy of the season fills your home as we celebrate the birth of our savior! We invite you to join us for Sunday worship as we celebrate the role our savior has for Christ Church entering the New Year!
God is faithful. Although it's sometimes hard to see and feel this faithfulness, who God is...is always faithful. He is faithful to His Love, His mercy, and His forgiveness. But many times we find this challenging because we know who we are and what we are about. In this season of Advent, this week's candle is called Love. It's one more word God has given to us to express who He is and what He's about. So come and be filled with His presence and His Love as we gather this Sunday to continue to press into when God's story became flesh.
What if I were to write down all the amazing things that God has done for others over the centuries? The list would be impressive. But would it bring us joy? Not really.
Because while we can experience a certain amount of happiness for someone else’s success or when they receive an unexpected gift, joy is personal. Joy is when I receive some gift that I never expected, and more than would I ever think to ask for. That’s joy.
So, what makes the angel’s announcement “good news of great joy?” Was it because Mary would have the joy of having her child. Or because the shepherds would experience the joy of God’s angel talking to them? No. It was a message of joy because
Advent is God’s Story about how He saved you and me, not just them! It’s personal.
This third week of Advent we will consider the Joy of this Christmas story as we consider the catalogue of things that God has done, is doing, and has promised to do for us, because of Jesus. Come and see…
Dialogue serves a good story in several important ways:
- Brings the story line into real time encounters
- Reveals information needed to understand the story that can be revealed in no other way
- Reveals the character of those speaking
Advent is about story… the Story… the Story Who became flesh and lived among us to invite us into His Story and into a dialogue with Him. This second week of Advent we will consider the increase of Peace that we find as we enter a conversation, a dialogue, with Jesus; a dialogue He started when His Story entered our world at Christmas. Come be a part…
A good prologue performs one of many functions in a story: * Foreshadowing events to come. * Providing background information or backstory on the central conflict or * Establishing a point of view (either the main character's, or that of another character who is privy to the tale).
The Advent season is all about the coming of the story... the story that invited each of us to be part of the story God has been writing since the beginning. Come begin your Christmas season with this first week of Advent ... a reminder of the Hope we have in Jesus Christ.
What to do, what to do? So many things we could be doing with our lives. What are the things that matter? Faith with no works is dead, but faith with worthless works isn’t any better. In the verse above, God clearly gives us two things that matter to Him. One has to do with others. The other has to do with us. Let’s talk about it…
Let’s face it – our words can get us in trouble. We speak without thinking. We speak without understanding. We speak without even knowing sometimes what makes us want to speak. And it can get us crossways with each other. James said earlier to be slow to speak and over the course of his letter, he spends quite a bit of time unpacking what he meant by this. So, how can we learn to bridle our tongues so that we put our words to use for good instead of letting them run free to do so much damage? Let’s talk about it…
We all know this, but we still need to be reminded; agreeing with what someone says makes no difference if we don’t act according to what we have heard. That is especially true when we hear from God. I know a lot of what God has said. I agree with most of it. (So, yes, there are things I still wrestle with…) But if I’m honest, I act on far less than I know or agree with. James says that doesn’t make sense. Doing is what makes the difference in this world, not just knowing… or even agreeing. Let’s talk about it…
How often do we speak before we think? Or definitely speak before we listen. Because listening is not just about hearing the sounds that come out of another person’s mouth, but rather, actually understanding what they are trying to communicate. God knows that if we would take the time to listen, we could avoid a lot of anger, misunderstandings and strains in our relationships. But James is not just talking about listening to each other. And he is not just talking about putting a slow fuse on our own anger. There is something even more important that he is communicating here. Will we take the time to truly hear what he is saying? Let’s talk about it…
You won’t hit a target if you have double vision. You won’t make a decision if your affections are torn between two options. And you won’t find yourself in God’s blessing if you are trying to follow Jesus and the enticing options of this world at the same time. You have to focus on one image, choose one option, serve one master. We call that clarity. James and even Jesus call that purity of heart. So, how can we live our lives free of a cluttered heart; distracted, divided, diluted? How do we develop a single focus? Let’s talk about it…
It is rare that any first draft doesn’t need revising. We will work and rework everything from school papers to car designs to architectural plans. Generally, our lives need revision and reworking as well. For that reason, we will often second guess God about His plans and ideas, even His intentions, assuming that they need reworking as well. But God says that His intentions never change. His character never changes. His love for us never changes. He never changes. What does that mean for our lives? Let’s talk about it…
Most of us will recognize that we are part of our culture and our culture is part of us. We may not like it but it’s true and no matter how much we fight against it, it still there. But, as we continue to walk through James, he says that while trials of our faith produce perseverance, these trials also lead to temptation. But if God is the one testing our faith, is He the one leading us into temptation? What is temptation? Is temptation sin? What is sin? Well, we’ve got a good deal to unpack this week! So come join us and be encouraged because God still promises us life in the end!
How much do we value success in this world? How well do we understand our standing in the world to come? Do we ever lose sight of what is truest about us because of what is happening on the surface of our lives in the present moment? The Bible tells us that our position in Jesus never changes; God’s love for us as His children never changes; our future hope never changes. Is that what we are keeping in view as we make our decisions in this world? Let’s talk about it…
Wisdom. We could all use some. Life can be complicated, complex, and messy and there are times we need answers, directions, or just someone to tell us which way is up. All of that is wisdom. But where does it come from? How do we find it? How do we develop it? And how can we know when we really have it? Let’s talk about it…
Lots of times, we set out on a journey or face a challenge with a plan. We even have an idea of how to reach that destination or overcome an obstacle. This plan takes us forward...bringing us to our destination, goal, or to a prize. But when the plan doesn't work out, we tend to "double back" or regroup. We want to go back to what makes us comfortable and safe or we ask "why is this happening to me?" But in God's Kingdom, oftentimes, our best plans are not the way forward. Join us this week to hear about Pastor Cheryl's journey on the Camino and what James has to say to us all... as we walk forward in this life.
How often do we ever look at hard times as a welcome guest to be honored and celebrated? Why would we ever do that? James says that it is because hard times are what prove our faith, show it to be more enduring than those fleeting trials. We often run from hard times or groan about hard times. But maybe it’s time to take a second look. Let’s talk about it…
For some reason, even though He is quite capable, all knowing, and needs nothing from us or anyone else, Jesus invites us to join Him in the work He is doing in this world. He calls us to see the world in a different way and see our lives and purpose through a different lens. So, when Jesus comes walking along into your life and calls you to follow and learn, what will your response be? What will our response be this year together as Jesus invites us as a community to follow Him? Will it be All In?
God has designed us as His new creations in Jesus Christ for connection with others. This is called the Body, the church. Others have gifts and insights that we need and we each have gifts and insights that they need as well. That’s how God designed it. To skip out on being with the Body is to miss out on things that are not just beneficial; they’re essential!
Everyone loves a good story. Recent studies have shown that humans are actually wired for stories. Our understanding of the whole world revolves around them. But it is one thing to hear a story; it is another to understand the point. Jesus said that all stories in this world have a point, but only a few take the time to discover it. This was true of the parables He told about God’s kingdom and it is true about the story God is telling through each of our lives. Will we take the time to find out the point?
Sometimes life gets disrupted. Sometimes life needs to get disrupted. And sometimes God is the One who steps in and does the disrupting. When our perspectives and priorities, habits and “have to”s get out of line or out of control and begin to cause real damage, God will step in to disrupt these things that would otherwise ruin us. He does it to give us space to reorient our priorities, reconcile our relationships, and reclaim the life and peace He intended us to know. Has God ever brought a necessary disruption into your life?
Have you ever had the experience where the results of all your hard work ended up completely underwhelming? Despite all your best planning and efforts, that business deal still went south, that home project still fell flat, those vacation plans never came together? Sometimes hard work isn’t enough. In fact, sometimes Jesus wants us to take our eyes off all our abilities so we can see clearly what He is calling us to invest our efforts into. He wants us to know success but more importantly, He wants us to know what is worth being successful at. Let’s talk about it…
This Sunday we will be looking at how Jesus addresses a particular storm in the lives of his disciples and it’s implications to our life storms. We will look at how He restores us even in our times of “little faith.”
All of us are in a pursuit. We are chasing after a life that has a richness and fullness to it that is so obvious, others see it plainly. We want it in our careers. We want it in our friendships. We want it in our marriages. But how many times do we settle only for what looks like a meaningful life? We have the appearance. We have the stunning posts and engaging stories. We have the likes and the comments that show that others are impressed. But then Jesus challenges us to take it a step further, because He takes our pursuit of life even more seriously than we do. But will we take His challenge? Let’s talk about it…
Have you ever thought about what it takes to change? I mean, the actual journey that it takes to change any number of things like: -our minds, -our bodies, -our situations, -our souls... They are the journeys that turn everyday people into something extraordinary ... because they are everyday stories with Jesus. Have you been on a journey that has required change? When it’s with Jesus, He not only walks with us, but transforms us along the way.
Sometimes the greatest acts of faith come from the least expected sources. And sometimes the ones who have been around God the longest that have the hardest time believing He will do what He says He will. And the key is all about expectation. This was the one thing that the Bible tells us amazed Jesus. What are our expectations when we come to God? Let’s talk about it…
It’s human nature to adapt. And this past year and a half has forced us to do just that! As we re-engage with a world around us where so much has changed, we’ve also been given an opportunity to re-shape our spiritual lives. What if the disruptions that we face are actually opportunities where God wants to work in and through us? How do we know, and what do we do when we figure it out?
In our series, Everyday Stories from the life of Jesus, this week we are talking about what Jesus considers next level living. Just like students graduate and enter that next level of adult living, Jesus encourages us to graduate to that next level of life as God intended where we move from serving only ourselves to serving others. But what’s so great about that? Let’s talk about it…
Think about the last time you received an invitation: maybe to a wedding, a birthday party, or a dinner party. Invitations are everyday, normal parts of our lives. This week, we look at the story of Jesus and the Wedding at Cana. What happens when we invite Jesus into the everyday, normal parts of our life? How does God show up when we choose to extend an invitation to Him?
Often, old can mean “out of date,” “out of touch,” or just “irrelevant.” But God’s living Word, even though it is old, has remained vital and meaningful over several millennia. And the clearest picture of the life and power that is found in God’s Word was seen when “the Word became flesh” in the person of Jesus Christ and lived among us. Even the everyday stories from Jesus’ life are full of power, grace, compassion, all that God is. And that same life is what He desires to live out through us. No, God’s Word is not just some dusty old scroll. Let’s talk about it…
What do we do after a hard season in our lives? Where do we turn? How do we return to normal when so much has changed? The same God who is there in the midst of the storm is also there after it is over. Let’s see what it means to turn to Him. Let’s talk about it…
When our kids were little, we would constantly find their toys in the furthest corners under the furniture. And what is more frustrating than a toy just out of reach? “If my arms were just an inch or two longer…” But outside of reaching fallen toys, arm length is usually not a huge frustration maker. Rather it is things like not having enough money, or power, or the right connections that keep success out of our reach. God tells us that now, for the things that are most important, He has given us His resources, His power, His connections through His Holy Spirit, to help us be successful in the life He calls us to. Being a witness of Jesus is about more than just telling others about His story. Let’s talk about it…
Ever have one of those days where you feel incredibly ordinary? Some of us might say, “Like every day?” So, how is it possible that God takes the incredibly ordinary, like us, and makes it like Him? Because, He is anything but ordinary! That’s one of the true mysteries of God. But He does it with bread and wine. He does it with the waters of baptism. And He does it with us. The ordinary made extraordinary through the presence and power of His Spirit.
Fire. It warms and it consumes; comforts and terrifies. It’s not either/or, but both/and. It is one of those dangerous things we find necessary for our lives even in our modern world of control and minimized risk. We can’t get away from the open flame of our pilot lights and intense burners in our furnaces. The Holy Spirit, too, can be both comforting and uncomfortable at the same time. When He shows up, we are calmed by the presence of God but then challenged by the changes He begins to work in us. The fire of God burns away the things that are harmful to us, but… some of those were things we treasured. So, will we let this firestorm of God light us up as witnesses of a kingdom beyond this world? Because that might cost us something.
Left in the dust. Bite the dust. Gather dust. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Whenever we are talking about dust, unless it is the literal dust bunnies under the furniture, we are talking about insignificance, weakness, even death. And how many times do we look at our lives against the accomplishments of others, or the scale of this universe and think, “dust.” But God has made us to be of more significance than that. He has made us to go beyond the limits of our own power, our own potential, even our own mortality, through the power of His Holy Spirit. Through His presence, we too, are raised up “out of the dust” and made to be a new creation, ambassadors of His heavenly kingdom, the sons and daughters of God
Air. It has no real weight. We don’t think of it as a substance. You don’t fill a jar with it or bring it to the beach in the summer for when you get breathless. But air is essential. And it is powerful. When God created humans, He breathed into their lungs to give them life. When He talked to Ezekiel about reviving the army of dry bones, He said that, again, it was a matter of the Breath, the Spirit of God. And when He makes us alive with new life in Jesus, He does this, too, with His Spirit. He breathes new life into His new creation. You may not be able to see the Spirit or fill a jar with Him and take Him to the beach. But the reality is, He is even more essential than the air that we depend on for our lives. And He is even more powerful than any wind of this world. He can take what has been destroyed, decimated, even dried out in our lives and make it alive again. Let’s talk about it…
Water is something we need. 60% of our bodies are made of it. 75% of our planet is covered in it. Human beings can survive months without food, but only days without water. So, we can’t be too far from it. But when too much water comes too close too fast, water can also be devastating. Because it’s powerful. Water can scour rocks into canyons over time. And it is relentless. God says His Holy Spirit is like water; essential, powerful, unstoppable. So, how do we make sure in our lives that we aren’t trying to stand against the relentless flow of God’s Holy Spirit? How do we align with His purpose and movement to see all that power harnessed for His good in and through our lives? Let’s talk about it…
Often, our lives look and feel like chaos. There appears to be no meaning, order, or purpose for what happens. And it goes deep; as deep as we care to look. And because of that we often live in the darkness of despair or the fantasy of denying that despair. But hope still shines in that darkness. Because over our chaos, God’s Spirit hovers and with a word, shapes that chaos into creation, that confusion into clarity, that emptiness into the fullness of relationship and purpose. Many of us are looking for that kind of transformation in our lives. And that is what the Spirit of God does. That is what He has done since the dawn of Creation. Let’s talk about it…
We do not have a God who remains at a distance from us. Not a distance of silence or space, altitude or attitude. Instead, He is a God who constantly pursues us and seeks to draw near. He is not satisfied with any gap that stands between us. So, He speaks into it, He pours out His Spirit into it, He sends His people into it with His power and His blessing, He even took on human flesh and stepped into the Gap Himself. But still He was not satisfied… because the Gap still remained. So, on Easter, in Jesus, He closed it, so that now, in Christ, there is nothing that has to separate us from the love of God. He has died for us, but now, He is Risen, and the Gap is no more!
On Sunday, we will be celebrating what church tradition calls: Palm Sunday. It comes from the part in scripture when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people throw down their coats and palm branches. It is also referred to as His Triumphal Entry. But there was a gap of understanding between the crowd and Jesus on that day. It seems like nothing has changed... we all have gaps in our understanding of what God is like or what He's doing in our lives. We have a God who invites us into our own gaps in order to have Him close them!
We started this journey thinking about how God is not a God who keeps His distance. He comes near to us when circumstances make us feel furthest from Him. And He is always seeking to shape us to be more like Him and to learn how to come alongside others when they are at their best… and their worst. So, there are times when He comes alongside on His own, and times when He comes alongside someone through us, but always He is never the God in the distance, but rather God in the Gap.
Do you remember the first time you looked at something through a microscope… or a telescope? What you thought was so evident to your naked eye now became incredibly intricate and detailed. It was a whole world you would have completely passed over and thought nothing about if you hadn’t looked closer. God tells us over and over in His Word that He, too, can be found in unexpected and amazing ways in the details. So, let’s take this week to dig deeper, look closer, and together discover God in the details…
When we look to the past, what do we find? A God who is aloof and uninvolved? Or a God who persists at coming near at our best, at our worst, always? But that’s the past. Has He changed? Or is His consistent presence in our lives something we can always depend on in the best or even in the toughest times? Let’s find out together…
If there is an issue that has recently burst its way into the spotlight, it’s justice. And if there is an issue whose conversations are often filled with tension, it’s justice. But if there is an issue that God makes clear is close to His heart, it’s justice. And it is the tension of those conversations that can make us more like Jesus. So, let’s talk about justice …
We’ve heard it since we were kids, “It’s nice to share.” But that doesn’t make it any easier. In our “zero sum” thinking about life, if I give anything away, I lose. And we don’t like to lose. But God says there is a different equation that frames the universe and brings good to our lives - the generosity equation. Sharing is not just nice, it is essential for life. Let’s talk about it …
Grace. When Luther considered the essentials of Christianity, he saw Grace as one of the five pillars of the faith expressed in the Protestant Reformation. The song, Amazing Grace, is one of the most well known songs of faith both inside and outside of the Church. We all love the truth that God has offered us a gift that goes beyond simply what we deserve. So, how is it even possible for Grace to bring tension into our lives?
Sometimes our lives feel like we are on a tightrope, balancing between two options, two opinions, two choices, two camps. But God tells us in this verse from James that His wisdom does not waver like that. It is steady – not a tightrope. And how is that possible? Because wisdom is never a rope strung between only two points. Its stability is found in the many viewpoints, voices, options and camps that it draws on for understanding. But there is tension in that place of wisdom. These voices don’t always agree. That is the Soul Intension of those who follow Jesus.
When God pours into and through our lives, His presence coming through us impacts the lives around us with His power and His love. This is the Splash Zone. So, what is your splash zone? Who has God placed close enough to your own life to be influenced and transformed by the way God works in it?
In the world of art, the most underappreciated and maligned member has to be… the frame. When does anyone ever joyfully exclaim, “I’ve been framed!” Never. And yet the frame is what helps us to focus our attention on what is essential in the picture within in. It provides a clear boundary between what is being portrayed and everything else. An essential part of our development as God’s people is letting Him frame us as well. Through His Word, His Spirit and His people, He clarifies what is important in our lives as individuals and as a community, and what needs to be let go. Have you been framed? Have we let God frame Christ Church? Let’s talk about it…
When you think about who some of the necessary people are in our community, who do you think of? Doctors and lawyers? Plumbers and electricians? Mayors and police officers? Teachers and social workers? What about when you think of who is a necessary part of God’s community, the Church? God says that when it comes to the Church, everyone He calls is an essential part. It’s like a Body. There are no extra parts. There are no et ceteras.
With the arrival of Jesus, God started a new thing as well, and He has continued it up to our day. But each new season, we get to participate in a new part of God’s plan to make all things new. So, what is this season? What is our part? Let’s find out together…
We are all happy to wave goodbye to 2020. The year was filled with turmoil, heartache and sadness. Our routines were upended and our lives forced to abruptly change. We worry about facing more of the same in the New Year. Times Square will be empty when the ball drops. So how do we find optimism and hope in an uncertain future? Why not try a little kindness.
The best stories always have a surprise ending. Some twist or turn that there was no way to expect… except when you look back at the story again. And then you realize that this ending was intended by the author from the beginning. Everything went into setting it up. And because of that, the ending is all the more amazing and glorious as it is revealed, and the author is praised for the mastery with which they told the story. Such is the story of God’s rescue of the people He loved; you and me. Let’s take a closer look at this surprise ending together this week.
It's probably safe to say that most of us are struggling... It's not us, it really is 2020. But in the midst of the struggle, it's how we make decisions, how we treat one another, and how we respond that really impacts our lives. What if there was a way to continue your journey, even with the various detours and disruptions, that would help you stay connected to God's purposes and plan?
Join us this week as we walk through the narrative of scripture, examining the detours of others in order to find our own way.
You know the situation, you’re on your way somewhere important and you get interrupted, waylaid, detoured. What a hassle! What a waste of time! But what if God is working something, not just in the project, but even in the pause? Could God be speaking and forming you right now… even in the pause? Let’s talk about it…
Mary and Joseph receive the announcement about Jesus. What an exciting time! God’s Messiah, forgiveness of sins, they are the parents. But immediately, they begin to understand some of the harder implications. But how could they ever understand the depth and length of the disruption to their lives?
Effective prayer is not about having the right words, or speaking in a “sanctified” voice to God. It is not about tears or emotional shouting. Effective prayer is about simple words that flow from a heart that is seeking God. The life that flows from such a heart is seen as righteous. So, it makes sense that the prayer of a person who is living right before God would be effective. So, how can we be those kind of people who pray those kind of prayers; prayers that change the world? Let’s talk about it…
Humility is always the first step to an answered prayer. When we are humble, we quit pushing to get our way and finally ask God what His way might be. It is only when we join God in His purposes that we find that He brings in all the resources of heaven to accomplish even the seemingly impossible. Let's talk about it ...
It has been said that if we could comprehend everything about God, He wouldn’t really be God. And, while that is true, that doesn’t mean we can’t know or understand Him at all. In fact, He has gone to great lengths to make Himself known to us. We know that He’s our Father. We know that He doesn’t change. We know that His compassion for us is never ending. And He says that the things we do know are the things that are important to keep in mind when we pray. We may not know everything. But because of what we do know, we can be certain that He hears our prayers and is at work in our lives to answer those prayer and make all things new!
Thanksgiving. Usually, we think of it as the holiday that comes at the end of the month of November. But more than a holiday, thanksgiving is a lifestyle; a perspective and approach we can take towards every situation that arises in our lives.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
And if that thanks comes from promises we are certain of rather than things we are only wishing for, thanksgiving can be the source of great joy and even health in our lives. Do you think this might be why God wants us to be thankful?
In our lives, spiritual or otherwise, there are two kinds of work we do: either work that attempts to gain approval and/or support, or work we do that comes as a result of the approval and support we already have. Isn’t it liberating to know that in Christ we do not have to work to earn God’s approval?
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Spiritual freedom is found when we understand that we already have His love and can work out of the security of that relationship. Let’s talk about this "New Work."
One of the central truths we affirmation as God’s people is that the transformation in our lives does not result from our wisdom, or strength, or talent, or insight. It is from God’s Holy Spirit. He is the One who teaches us, leads us, transforms us, and empowers us to do God’s work. But many of us don’t know much about this Holy Spirit. Who is He? How should I relate to Him? How can I cooperate better with the work He is doing in and through my life? Let’s talk about it this Sunday, as we discuss A New Fire!
But we, who have had the veil removed that kept us from seeing clearly, are seeing, like it was in a mirror the glory of the Lord, and ourselves being transformed into that same image from one glory to a glory from the Lord, by the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:18
Have you ever found yourself wondering if God is really there? Is He really listening? If so, why isn't he fixing your problems? You've tried different practices, in fact, you've been tracking with this sermon series so far, doing the different things each week but it seems like God is silent. Crickets.
What if you are actually missing God's voice? What if instead of adding more, you need to allow God to subtract some things? This week we are going to explore the process of elimination... Embracing the Struggle ...untangling the stuff in our lives that keeps us from Jesus. It's going to be great! Maybe this will be the first time you hear Jesus speak to you or 2nd, 3rd or 100th... either way, it's going to be exciting!
Jesus. He is the complete provision of God for us all. He is our forgiveness, our acceptance, our healing, our life. In Him alone we find the resolution to the crushing guilt and shame we carry when we discover how far we fall short of God’s love and purpose in our lives.
It is not enough to merely confess our sins. We must also learn to confess Jesus… in everything. I have failed, Jesus is my forgiveness. I am weak, Jesus is my strength. I don’t know what to choose, Jesus is my wisdom. I am stuck, Jesus is my salvation. God didn’t send us Jesus and… He sent us Jesus alone. He is enough. He is the full grace of God. Let’s find out what it means to confess Jesus…
What does it mean to give ourselves to God? Is it simply an emotional reaction to a moment or is there something more? In fact, devotion is a much weightier decision, a way of life, not just a momentary reaction. Let’s dig into this word and this way of living. Ends up, it is the only appropriate response to a God who has given all He is for us!
We don’t do well alone… really alone. We weren’t created to be alone. God even said that it “wasn’t good” when Adam was alone without Eve. We don’t even do well when we think we’re alone. But are we ever really alone? That’s not what God says. He tells us that He is always with us. So, how can we experience Him more, even in our loneliest times? Let’s find out together…
Moses is one of the most important figures in the whole Bible and in all history. But when we look at his story, we only find account from a small part of it. What was God up to the rest of the time in the “silent years?” And what about those silent years in our own lives? Let’s find out together…
Most of our choices in life are not between the good and the bad, but between the good and the best. Do we know what God’s best is? Do we know the best thing we can seek after in our lives? Let’s find out together…
Often, the way we think about how to succeed in life is completely backwards from how God has designed it. Do we gain more from receiving or giving? God says giving. Generosity is one of the clearest ways we can show others God’s heart. So what exactly is generosity? Let’s find out together…
So, if a strong life is not built by taking shortcuts, what is the secret? Ends up, it’s the same as building a strong house; do the work to lay the right foundation and build with the right materials. A relationship with Jesus is the right foundation, but what are the right materials? Let’s find out together. Let’s build strong lives in God’s Spirit…
Are you getting tired of all the polarization and ways in which people are talking to each other, about each other, and around each other? I know I am and it's hard to resist the pull of it... at work, at home, between neighbors, and family members. It feels a little like piracy. The type of shortcut that gains you or them fame and glory and pirates off another's opinion, success, or treasured moment. But, God actually speaks to this 21st century phenomenon and offers a solution. It's not a shortcut. Instead, it's a way that develops our Christ-like character. Come find out how!
Money is another one of our most precious commodities. We often think that our money is something God wants. But, in fact, God doesn’t want our money or our stuff. When He asks us to give it away, He is aiming at building something far more important in our lives than a bank account. It’s called generosity. Let’s talk about it…
Time is one of our most precious commodities. We will gladly pay others to take care of certain things in our lives if it will get us some of our time back. Ends up that our time is important to God, too. How we use it and how we learn not to cling too tightly to it are some of the most important lessons we can ever learn. Let’s talk about it…
Shortcuts. When you find a good one, they’re fantastic. When you don’t, it’s just a lot of extra running around. So, are there shortcuts when it comes to finding the fullness of the life God gives us in Jesus? Let’s find out together…