Sunday, November 30, 2008

Preparing for the Promise - November 30, 2008

Preparing for the Promise

Texts: Psalm 80:1-3, 17-19; Isaiah 64:1-9; I Corinthians 1:3-9; Luke 1:5-25

This Advent season, Pastor Jon takes us on a journey of preparation through Luke chapter 1. This week, we look at the foretelling of the forerunner, John the Baptist. Zechariah is prepared to go to worship, but isn't prepared for a life-changing encounter with God. This Advent, let us create intentional space in our lives that we might deepen our walk with God, and that we might be a people prepared for His coming.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Worshipping the Golden Calf - November 23, 2008

Worshipping the Golden Calf

Texts: Psalm 106:1-2, 19-23, 47-48; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14; Exodus 32:1-24; Psalm 24:3-6

We near the conclusion of our journey through Genesis and Exodus, with the people of God waiting near the base of the mountain as Moses travels back and forth to negotiate the terms of the covenant with God. As Moses spends 40 days at the top of the mountain, the people get tired of waiting and ask Aaron to create a god who would lead them. Pastor Jon talks about how we sometimes turn to pacifiers when the going gets tough, instead of turning to the God who created us.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

There's No Such Thing as the Ten Commandments - November 16, 2008

There's No Such Thing as the Ten Commandments

Texts: Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Exodus 19:3-8, 19:18, 20:1-20; 24:3-7, 31:18; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Jeremiah 33:31-34

Pastor Jon offers the surprising fact that the phrase "the Ten Commandments" wasn't in the Bible until the 1590 Geneva Bible. He explores what it means for us to consider that these verses should more appropriately be called "the Ten Words," or "Ten Ideas," or "the Decalogue." He also explores the numbering of the Decalogue, the reason for two tablets, and why they were hidden away in a box. In considering the context surrounding the Decalogue and the Old Covenant, we gain greater understanding of the New Covenant sealed in Jesus' blood.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Living Water - November 9, 2008

Our Living Water

Texts: Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Matthew 21:23-32; Philippians 2:1-13; Exodus 17:1-7; Ecclesiastes 3:10-11; Isaiah 55:8-9; Numbers 20:6-13

Pastor Jon considers the lessons that we can learn from the "Water from the Rock" stories in Exodus 17 and Numbers 20. Sometimes we miss God's hand at work because we lack an eternal perspective. Sometimes we miss seeing God work because we are focused on the negative things in our lives. And sometimes we miss seeing Him work because we are not prepared for Him to do a new thing, but keep expecting Him to do what He did once before.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Our Daily Bread - November 2, 2008

Our Daily Bread

Texts: Psalm 105:1-2, 37-45; Matthew 20:1-16; Philippians 1:21-30; Exodus 16:1-30

In looking at the story of the manna in the wilderness, Pastor Jon encourages us to trust in God for our daily needs. By looking at pictures from "The Hungry Planet," Pastor Jon expands our perspective to understand what it might mean to rely on God for daily bread.