I just love getting Christmas cards! It’s my once-a-year update from my family and friends. To many people Jesus is just like one of many Christmas cards. Throw him on the pile with the rest. Is he a nice guy? There are some people (like us) who actually worship him as God.
A late Christmas gift can be perfect. With so many families there are only twenty-four hours in the day. Many families have to divide time between family and friends. I remember growing up, that late Christmas gift was something to look forward too! Simeon saw Jesus, a late Christmas gift, and praised God for it.
What does uncomfortable attention look like? This afternoon we will find out and offer a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
As Christmas creeps closer, don’t fall for the lies of an empty “holiday celebration”. Your God was sacrificed that you my be redeemed. David’s sin would be paid for. Your sin is paid for. There is rest for David. There is rest for you in Jesus.
Depression is usually more than just an emotional problem. It affects you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Depression can feel like you are trapped in your body and imprisoned in your mind. God has good news for you in your captivity. Today, on this 3rd Sunday in Advent we will hear that the Lord proclaims freedom.
“Take a load off,” is what I just told you. What does that phrase mean to you? Maybe, at least, sit down or take off your shoes. There is a load that so many people carry around all the time. It’s not a backpack full of books. The heavy load is anxiety or depression. Another heavy load can be a guilty conscience. It’s important to not confuse or associate those two things. People who struggle with anxiety and depression aren’t sinning. The comfort that our God offers in the first few verses of Isaiah 40 are powerful medicine.
A common misconception is that Christians don’t get depressed … or at least they shouldn’t get depressed. Saying depressions shouldn’t happen only serves to make God’s people – who already feel guilty and weak – even more guilty and weak. Christians do suffer from depression. The Lord has a message for you in your depression. The Lord removes your guilt. This Sunday marks the start of the Advent season, a time of preparation before our Christmas celebration.
Christ the King is the one who is in charge of everything. This can be difficult to see at times because his kingdom is not of this world. Even though this is true, it doesn’t mean that he has no control. Jesus controls all things for the good of his church. One day he will end this world and, finally, every knee will bow before the King of Kings.
“Jerusalem the Golden – with milk and honey blessed!” Feeling weary and oppressed? Can we ever comprehend what joys await us beyond the pearly gates? This Sunday – Saints Triumphant Sunday – we take time to ponder all that is heaven. In our message we’ll find that death means you’re only asleep in Jesus.
“Lord, keep us steadfast in your word!” The Reformation of the Christian church has been rated in the top five events in the history of the world because of the impact it has had on society. The spiritual reformation was even more profound. Christians could once more hear the truth that Jesus’ forgiveness was free for all.
This Sunday we’ll see that nothing in the vineyard of our Lord truly belongs to us. Our God is letting us use the gifts he’s given us for his glory. At any time he can ask for those gifts back. One of those gifts is money. There are a few places that our money must go – the government and our God are two of those places that Jesus will address this Sunday. We close out our series In the Vineyard this Sunday as we talk about financial stewardship.
What does good fruit look like? I think by the time a person can drive they have a clue about picking produce from the store, but what does good fruit look like in the life of a Christian. We’re going to jump back into the vineyard with our Lord this week and see what he has to say on the topic.
This Sunday we are In The Vineyard with Jesus. We’ll look at the stewardship of what our God has given us. Last Sunday we looked at our time – it’s a valuable commodity. This Sunday we’ll look at our work. What do you do? Is one job more important than another? Does our God have anything to say about it?
This month we continue our set of sermon series using the Gospel of Matthew. We will be In The Vineyard with Jesus. We’ll look at the stewardship of what our God has given us. In this first week, we’ll consider our use of time. It’s a valuable commodity in our fast-paced society. How can we make time for our God and what he thinks is important?
“One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses, With ev’ry grace endued…” What does it look like to forgive someone? That might be an easy question, until the hurt hits close to home. This Sunday we’ll consider Jesus command to forgive. We have the perfect example in Jesus. More importantly we have the perfect motivation when we look at how he forgave us.
“Though with a scornful wonder The world sees her oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed…” We continue our sermon series under the theme One Foundation. We’ll see that our God protects the church from enemies inside and out! There are plenty of problems in the church. How can we work through those? We’ll look and see God’s plan for taking care of trouble on the inside this Sunday.
“The church shall never perish, her dear Lord to defend…” The struggle is real. That isn’t the cry from a clueless middle schooler; it’s the groan of the Christian church. Jesus defends us from struggles everyday. From an outsiders perspective the church doesn’t look unified at all. But the Holy Christian Church is safe behind the almighty power of our Lord. We have all that we need in the word of God.
“The Church shall never perish. Her dear Lord, to defend, To guide, sustain, and cherish, Is with her to the end.” We continue our series One Foundation on Sunday under the theme: The Church Will Stand Forever. It might not look that way, but this is the promise from our God. He can’t break his promise to the church or to you personally. Join us as we see how great God’s love is for his people.
Can you imagine what was going through Peter’s head as a wave is about to swamp him… as he’s walking on the water?! This is a disaster waiting to happen. In spite of all that, Jesus doesn’t let him down. This morning we close out our series – The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of a Christian.