How do I love my neighbor whose lifestyle and identity are different than mine?
We live in a time in which many believe that we all must accept everyone’s gender identity without reservation or we completely reject them. But that is not the message of Jesus. Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). His example is one of receiving each person first as one created in the image of God. It was on the basis of love and acceptance for who they were as people first that Jesus then spoke truth into their lives. Today we explore how we can be people who hold to the clear teaching of the Bible and still love our neighbor whose identity and life are vastly different than ours.WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Oct 30, 2016How do I love my neighbor whose lifestyle and identity are different than mine?
How do I love my neighbor whose lifestyle and identity are different than mine?We live in a time in which many believe that we all must accept everyone’s gender identity without reservation or we completely reject them. But that is not the message of Jesus. Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). His example is one of receiving each person first as one created in the image of God. It was on the basis of love and acceptance for who they were as people first that Jesus then spoke truth into their lives. Today we explore how we can be people who hold to the clear teaching of the Bible and still love our neighbor whose identity and life are vastly different than ours.
- Oct 23, 2016“Don’t All Lives Matter to God?”
“Don’t All Lives Matter to God?”
Over the past year or so we have been witness to some of the worst that we can be as Americans. Between controversy and protests over police shootings; rhetoric on the campaign trail, and a year in which Chicago has seen over 500 homicides, this has been a hard year. How should we as Christ followers respond? How can we live our lives in a practical way that sends a message that we truly love our neighbor as ourselves? Where does change begin? - Oct 16, 2016“God, how come life seems so unfair?” (Psalm 73)
“God, how come life seems so unfair?” (Psalm 73)
Maybe it is just me. But it seems that the people who are truly the “good guys” rarely win. It seems that the wealthiest, most successful, and beautiful people could care less about God, or the Bible, or any of the things that we are supposed to care about. Sometimes it is tempting to just live the way the rest of the world lives and see if it is better. Centuries ago a man by the name of Asaph was tempted to think this way and in Psalm 73 we find what he discovered - Oct 9, 2016Where is God when I grieve over a loss? (Lamentations 3)
Where is God when I grieve over a loss? (Lamentations 3)
Loss is part of life. We say goodbye to our beloved Kindergarten teacher as we move on to first grade and it is an early lesson on loss. All around us we see loss. Not just the loss of a loved one in death. But loss of possessions, loss of relationships, loss of employment, loss of reputation. Loss leads to grief. We learn from God’s Word that our God understands loss and gives us reminders that he is there and his constant presence and care is something we cannot lose. - Oct 2, 2016Why Doesn’t God Always Heal Us? (2 Corinthians 12:6-10)
Why Doesn’t God Always Heal Us? (2 Corinthians 12:6-10)
It is really a mystery. A friend or loved one becomes ill and their church family prays. It seems like no time and they are whole and healthy again. But not always. Sometimes, it seems they just get worse. Sometimes the illness drags on. Sometimes they die. Why doesn’t God just heal them? Why does it seem so random? Some are healed some are not. We can find direction in God's Word. - Sep 25, 2016How can a church respond to mental illness?
How can a church respond to mental illness?
We don’t like what we can’t fully understand. Sometimes we feel like David in Psalm 142, alone and in a cave with no one to help us. When families face mental illness of any kind, life can feel that way. In this interview we will learn from from the experiences of others that the faith community should be the place of safety, acceptance, and healing. From their experiences courageously shared Pastor Scott draws six practical principles. (This interview has been edited out of respect for the families courageous enough to share their story with us.) - Sep 18, 2016Does God Care That I Was Hurt?
Does God Care That I Was Hurt?
Sometimes we are hurt by another inadvertently. But unfortunately in a fallen world some are hurt by another on purpose. Abuse in any form is the ultimate betrayal and can lead to the deepest hurt. Today we will explore this most difficult topic and learn that God cares, God knows, and God can help victims become victors. As the church we can be God’s agents of compassion and healing. - Sep 11, 2016Seeing God in Natural Disasters
Seeing God in Natural Disasters
Hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, have all been on the news in the past 9 months. Where is God during these tragedies? Why doesn’t he stop them? We will explore natural disasters and the ways we do see God through these most difficult times today. We will learn some very important lessons about our hopes, our confidence, and our priorities. - Sep 4, 2016Refocusing on God
Refocusing on God
A.W. Tozer wrote in Knowledge of the Holy, "We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God" (Tozer, 7). The question then becomes where that mental image originates. Pastor Scott reminds us that we must let the Bible help us think rightly about God. - Aug 28, 2016Rethinking Church as Community
Rethinking Church as Community
When you see or hear the word “church” what comes to mind? For many of us the first thing we think about is a building or a place where we gather to worship God. But interestingly enough, that idea is no where to be found in the New Testament. It is important that we work to rethink church so that our idea of church is in line with God’s concept of church. - Aug 21, 2016Making It Personal
Making It Personal
After almost 8 months and 29 sermons we come to the end of this journey through the Pastoral Epistles. In the final words of 2 Timothy we find the Apostle Paul expressing himself in very personal terms. We see loneliness and despair, mixed with hope and an awareness of God's presence. It seems that we can each relate to that emotional tension. Like Paul it is best to cling to God when nothing else makes sense. - Aug 14, 2016Final Words (2 Tim. 4:1-8)
Final Words (2 Tim. 4:1-8)
In the final chapter of 2 Timothy, there is a sense of both urgency and confidence in Paul’s words . It is the stuff of a commanding officer to his soldiers before a decisive battle. It is the power of a coach rallying his team at half time. It is a father expressing his confidence and love as his son strikes out on his own. In these final words of Paul to Timothy there are some important lessons for each of us. - Aug 7, 2016Go with what you know (2 Tim 3:10-17)
Go with what you know (2 Tim 3:10-17)
Sometimes new is not always better. Sometimes, it is important to remember the lessons we have learned and stick with them as we go through life. In this passage the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy to remember what he has observed, continue in what he already knows, and stay true to the knowledge from Scripture he already has. In this he will be useful, successful, and equipped to serve where God places him. - Jul 31, 2016Navigating Cultural Whitewater (2 Tim 3:1-9)
Navigating Cultural Whitewater (2 Tim 3:1-9)
At what point in the history of our world after Genesis 3 have things been perfect? We live in a fallen world that is increasingly moving away from the cross both in time and in attitude. It should not surprise us. We look at a depressing list in the Bible today and our first response should be to look in the mirror of our own soul and make sure we are following Jesus and not the drift of the world in which we live. - Jul 24, 2016Majoring on the Majors (2 Tim 2:14-26)
Majoring on the Majors (2 Tim 2:14-26)
Sometimes we have a tendency to emphasize issues that are not really emphasized in God’s Word. Sometimes we think if we just have the right data and the best delivery that we can argue a person into believing in Jesus. Today we learn that God wants us to pay attention to basic truth, live a life that reflects him and be respectful and gentle with everyone. Quite frankly, that is a very relieving prospect.