Dec 30, 2018
Living by Faith in 2019
It is one thing to talk about faith. We can celebrate “heroes of faith.” But what does it really mean to live by faith? Does it mean to sell everything and go to Djibouti? Does it mean to quit one’s job and become a pastor? Maybe. But it can also mean to make simple changes in my lifestyle and learn to listen to God on a daily basis. Living by faith can be very practical.
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- Dec 30, 2018Living by Faith in 2019
Dec 30, 2018Living by Faith in 2019It is one thing to talk about faith. We can celebrate “heroes of faith.” But what does it really mean to live by faith? Does it mean to sell everything and go to Djibouti? Does it mean to quit one’s job and become a pastor? Maybe. But it can also mean to make simple changes in my lifestyle and learn to listen to God on a daily basis. Living by faith can be very practical.
- Dec 23, 2018Love That Lasts
Dec 23, 2018Love That LastsSeries: Advent 2018The word love is possibly the most overused and therefore watered down term in current use. We love everything from pizza, to puppies, to performers, and vacation spots. But love that lasts must be deeper than a preference or an emotional reaction. God tells us that love is bound up in sacrificially putting others first. Love that lasts is neither self-centered nor self-serving. We will consider love that lasts on this last Sunday of Advent.
- Dec 16, 2018Real Joy (Luke 2:8-11; John 15:9-13)
Dec 16, 2018Real Joy (Luke 2:8-11; John 15:9-13)Series: Advent 2018“Joy to the World” we sing. The angel said he was bringing, “good news that will cause great joy for all people.” What is joy? Is it just happiness over circumstances that are pleasant. Is it something like that but a bit more? Jesus said that our joy could be full, or complete in John 15:11. How can we get to that point? Today we consider the joy that comes from the promise and purpose of Jesus being born some 2000 years ago. Real joy is possible.
- Dec 9, 2018Peace on Earth
Dec 9, 2018Peace on EarthSeries: Advent 2018Peace is far more than the absence of conflict. Peace has to do with one’s well being. Peace is when there is harmony in relationship. Peace is not about circumstances but about the heart. Jesus came to bring peace, between God and humanity. Once we have peace with God, we find that we have peace with one another.
- Dec 2, 2018Hope for All – Isaiah 40
Dec 2, 2018Hope for All – Isaiah 40Series: Advent 2018Hope. It is a word we use a great deal. Last week children were hoping for a snow day. Parents were hoping for school. We hope our team wins. We have many things that we hope for. But the hope that comes from Jesus is far greater than a wish. Christlike hope is a confident expectation based on the reality of who God is. The birth of Jesus is hope fulfilled, as well as hope for the future.
- Nov 25, 2018More Than Just One Day A Year
Nov 25, 2018More Than Just One Day A YearSeries: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesBeing thankful is an important characteristic of one who follows Jesus. Thankfulness is to be part of our daily lives, part of the attitude with which we face the world. As we look at a survey of this mindset in the Bible, we will see it is more than an idealistic way of looking at the world. It is a mindset that will impact every relationship.
- Nov 18, 2018Remember Your Creator…today
Nov 18, 2018Remember Your Creator…todaySeries: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesLife is short. That is especially true as one gets older and looks back. The Teacher and the narrator draw similar conclusions after all has been considered. The most important thing is to know and focus on God our creator while we have breath. In fact, the younger the better. Only God gives meaning and purpose to what all to often seems meaningless. Remember your Creator.
- Nov 11, 2018Living in the Real World (surrounded by fools)
Nov 11, 2018Living in the Real World (surrounded by fools)Series: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesIn this life under the sun, reputations are fragile, people ill-equipped end up in leadership positions, and we all take risks. The Teacher looks at all of this with a bit of cynicism and seems to promote a “live and let live” view point. We will let all of scripture guide us as we seek to make sense of these observations.
- Nov 4, 2018Living on Borrowed Time – Eccl 9
Nov 4, 2018Living on Borrowed Time – Eccl 9Series: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesBelieve it or not we are in November. Time is really short. How does the fact that time is short, affect your daily decisions? Do you live in fear or in making the most of the time God has given you today? The fact that we all live on borrowed time should actually energize us to use our time wisely. What is the most important thing you can do for God today?
- Oct 28, 2018Take note of the signs on the journey of life
Oct 28, 2018Take note of the signs on the journey of lifeSeries: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesBecause each human being is created in the image of God, a person, like The Teacher, who looks at life “under the sun” can still make wise observations. In this passage we will draw some practical observations from The Teacher and apply them to twenty-first century living.
- Oct 21, 2018Living in Paradox – Eccl 7:1-14
Oct 21, 2018Living in Paradox – Eccl 7:1-14Series: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesConsider the following: “the first shall be last;” “to be great you need to be a servant;” “consider it all joy when you face various trials.” These are paradoxical statements that we can find in the Bible. A paradox should make us step back and think about the truth that is being presented. In our passage today we will see several paradoxes that may help us adjust our thinking.
- Oct 14, 2018Approach with Caution Eccl 5:1-7
Oct 14, 2018Approach with Caution Eccl 5:1-7Series: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesHow do you get ready to come to church? Oh yes we all choose our outfit. But what about our mindset? How do we prepare to join with others in turning our focus to God? Besides that, have you ever made a promise to God? Did you keep it? The Teacher reminds us each to take God seriously.
- Oct 7, 2018The Value of Community (Ecclesiastes 4:7-12)
Oct 7, 2018The Value of Community (Ecclesiastes 4:7-12)Series: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesOur digital age has provided opportunity for more and more people to be isolated. But God did not create us to live in isolation, but to live in community. The Teacher considers the importance of the most basic form of community, two people supporting one another. He leaves us with a mystery as we strive to understand the third strand. Today we will consider the value of community.
- Sep 30, 2018Stopping the Treadmill of Discontent (Ecclesiastes 4,5,6)
Sep 30, 2018Stopping the Treadmill of Discontent (Ecclesiastes 4,5,6)Series: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesIt seems that from the beginning of time as we know it, humanity has had an insatiable desire for some kind of personal prestige bound up in the false promises of wealth and power. We will take some time to look at these themes woven into Ecclesiastes chapters 4, 5, and 6. What we will find is that the way to get off the endless treadmill of these empty pursuits is the unlikely path of surrender.
- Sep 23, 2018Does anybody really know what time it is? (Ecclesiastes 3)
Sep 23, 2018Does anybody really know what time it is? (Ecclesiastes 3)Series: Chasing the Wind: EcclesiastesThe teacher writes a beautiful poem describing the order in the universe. And yet he regrets that we still cannot know God’s work. He is frustrated by injustice and by the reality of desiring to know the future but only being able to live in the moment. So we are left with two options: adopt fatalistic materialism or pursue faith in the eternal, creator God who knows far more than we do and has the end game in mind.