"On the Mountain"
Text: Mark 2:2-9
On this Transfiguration Sunday, we explore the idea of "thin places" on earth, where the realm of the Divine seems to intersect with the mundane in an extraordinary way. Unlike Peter, we must ignore the temptation to package up the experience, controlling and marketing it to others... but that when we find Jesus, we find transformation.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Great Equalizer - February 12, 2012
"The Great Equalizer"
Text: Mark 1:40-45
Pastor Jon explores a couple of texts related to leprosy. We are reminded that God has the power to cleanse lepers... and to forgive us of our sins. The great equalizer is neither leprosy nor cancer, but the sin that so easy entangles us.
Text: Mark 1:40-45
Pastor Jon explores a couple of texts related to leprosy. We are reminded that God has the power to cleanse lepers... and to forgive us of our sins. The great equalizer is neither leprosy nor cancer, but the sin that so easy entangles us.
The Good News of Repentance - January 22, 2012
"The Good News of Repentance"
Text: Mark 1:14-40
Repent. It’s an important word in Christianity… but it’s a word that carries an awful lot of baggage… both inside and outside the Church. Pastor Jon attempts to get through the some of baggage, exploring how we might see the call to repentance as a call full of hope and optimism.
Text: Mark 1:14-40
Repent. It’s an important word in Christianity… but it’s a word that carries an awful lot of baggage… both inside and outside the Church. Pastor Jon attempts to get through the some of baggage, exploring how we might see the call to repentance as a call full of hope and optimism.
Seeking the God who Sees - January 15, 2012
"Seeking the God who Sees"
Text: John 1:43-51
Hagar. Samuel. Nathaniel. We are reminded that we are seeking the God who sees--the God who sought us before we knew enough to seek after Him. The God who saw Hagar by the spring in the desert is the same God who called out to Samuel in the middle of the night, and the same God who saw Nathaniel under the tree.
Text: John 1:43-51
Hagar. Samuel. Nathaniel. We are reminded that we are seeking the God who sees--the God who sought us before we knew enough to seek after Him. The God who saw Hagar by the spring in the desert is the same God who called out to Samuel in the middle of the night, and the same God who saw Nathaniel under the tree.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
New Years: What are you Waiting For? - January 1, 2012
"New Years: What are you Waiting For?"
Text: Luke 2:22-38
Pastor Jon concludes our Advent and Christmas series with a look at the accounts of Anna and Simeon. After considering their patient faithfulness, we are invited to consider the ways in which others have demonstrated those qualities to us, and the ways we can be a Simeon or an Anna to the children in our lives. What are you waiting for?
Text: Luke 2:22-38
Pastor Jon concludes our Advent and Christmas series with a look at the accounts of Anna and Simeon. After considering their patient faithfulness, we are invited to consider the ways in which others have demonstrated those qualities to us, and the ways we can be a Simeon or an Anna to the children in our lives. What are you waiting for?
Advent (#4): The Promise Draws Near - December 18, 2011
"Advent (#4): The Promise Draws Near"
Text: Luke 1:5-25, 57-79
Imagine… if you could only speak one sentence, once a year! Talk about choosing your words wisely!? How would you choose what to say, if you could only speak one sentence, once a year? How would you economize your words? What priorities would drive your communication? What would you say? And what would you choose to leave unsaid?
Text: Luke 1:5-25, 57-79
Imagine… if you could only speak one sentence, once a year! Talk about choosing your words wisely!? How would you choose what to say, if you could only speak one sentence, once a year? How would you economize your words? What priorities would drive your communication? What would you say? And what would you choose to leave unsaid?
Advent (#3): Fixing our Eyes - December 11, 2011
"Advent (#3): Fixing our Eyes - December 11, 2011"
Text: Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3
It seems that the great stories in the Bible are the ones where God intervenes—where new life is brought forth out of barrenness... where the blind see... the deaf hear... the mute shout... and the lame leap for joy. But what happens when the miracle doesn’t come? What happens when the blind remain blind? Or the deaf stay deaf... or the mute are forever unable to speak? What happens when you pray and wait… and wait and pray... and God doesn’t seem to answer your prayer?
Text: Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3
It seems that the great stories in the Bible are the ones where God intervenes—where new life is brought forth out of barrenness... where the blind see... the deaf hear... the mute shout... and the lame leap for joy. But what happens when the miracle doesn’t come? What happens when the blind remain blind? Or the deaf stay deaf... or the mute are forever unable to speak? What happens when you pray and wait… and wait and pray... and God doesn’t seem to answer your prayer?
Advent (#2): In the Meantime - December 4, 2011
"Advent (#2): In the Meantime - December 4, 2011"
Text: Genesis 29-30
As we look at the story of Jacob being tricked by his uncle, we learn about waiting. One of our Advent lessons today is that we wait like Jacob waited… we live out our lives—working for the Kingdom of God... because of our love for God. In our case, of course, we’re not trying to earn anything—instead, our labors for the Master are in response to what He has already and graciously done for us. And as we fill our waiting with our working, we find that it seems like only a few days because of our love for God.
Text: Genesis 29-30
As we look at the story of Jacob being tricked by his uncle, we learn about waiting. One of our Advent lessons today is that we wait like Jacob waited… we live out our lives—working for the Kingdom of God... because of our love for God. In our case, of course, we’re not trying to earn anything—instead, our labors for the Master are in response to what He has already and graciously done for us. And as we fill our waiting with our working, we find that it seems like only a few days because of our love for God.
Advent (#1): Waiting for the Promise - November 27, 2011
"Advent (#1): Waiting for the Promise"
Text: Genesis 11-21
This Advent season, Pastor Jon tells stories about people who had to wait. As we hear these stories, we identify with them, because each of us is waiting for God to break in upon our circumstances, to heal our brokenness, and to fully redeem our lives. We look forward to Him bringing light into our darkness, and life into our barrenness.
Text: Genesis 11-21
This Advent season, Pastor Jon tells stories about people who had to wait. As we hear these stories, we identify with them, because each of us is waiting for God to break in upon our circumstances, to heal our brokenness, and to fully redeem our lives. We look forward to Him bringing light into our darkness, and life into our barrenness.
Monday, April 09, 2012
Paul (#16): Finishing the Race - November 20, 2011
"Paul (#16): Finishing the Race"
Text: Acts 27-28
Pastor Jon concludes our 16-week study on Paul's life by looking at his final journey to Rome. Even though Luke doesn't give us the details of the end of Paul's life, we can infer that he finished well. Preaching and writing while in prison, Paul made the most of each moment.
Text: Acts 27-28
Pastor Jon concludes our 16-week study on Paul's life by looking at his final journey to Rome. Even though Luke doesn't give us the details of the end of Paul's life, we can infer that he finished well. Preaching and writing while in prison, Paul made the most of each moment.
Paul (#15): Appealing to a Higher Court - November 13, 2011
"Paul (#15): Appealing to a Higher Court"
Text: Acts 22:22-26:32
In broad strokes, Pastor Jon retells some of the stories related to Paul's arrests, trials, and imprisonments. Even as Paul continues to appeal to Caesar, we recognize that ultimately we appeal, not to the courts of men, but to an even Higher Authority.
Text: Acts 22:22-26:32
In broad strokes, Pastor Jon retells some of the stories related to Paul's arrests, trials, and imprisonments. Even as Paul continues to appeal to Caesar, we recognize that ultimately we appeal, not to the courts of men, but to an even Higher Authority.
Paul (#14): Thy Will Be Done - November 6, 2011
"Paul (#14): Thy Will Be Done - November 6, 2011"
Text: Acts 21-22
In looking at this chapter of Paul's life, Pastor Jon suggests that sin is when you put yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord, and Judge. Even as Paul set his direction toward Jerusalem, some Godly people were attempting to convince him otherwise. And yet, Paul's choices echo the words of Jesus' prayer: "Thy will be done."
Text: Acts 21-22
In looking at this chapter of Paul's life, Pastor Jon suggests that sin is when you put yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord, and Judge. Even as Paul set his direction toward Jerusalem, some Godly people were attempting to convince him otherwise. And yet, Paul's choices echo the words of Jesus' prayer: "Thy will be done."
Paul (#13): Famous Last Words - October 23, 2011
"Paul (#13): Famous Last Words" Text: Acts 20:13-38
In this farewell speech to the Ephesian elders, we recognize the same urgency that was driving Paul as he preached through the night in Troas. As we read the sermon, we get a glimpse into Paul’s heart, and discover the qualities of humility, integrity, and faithfulness.
In this farewell speech to the Ephesian elders, we recognize the same urgency that was driving Paul as he preached through the night in Troas. As we read the sermon, we get a glimpse into Paul’s heart, and discover the qualities of humility, integrity, and faithfulness.
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