Category Archive

July 4, 2021 // Harriet // Luke 10:25-28

‘Harriet’ is a 2019 biographical movie about the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The movie depicts Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. And her story points us to the gospel in so many ways.

July 11, 2021 // Frozen II // Deuteronomy 31:6; John 16:13; I Corinthians 12:11; Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 6:26-27, 33-34; II Corinthians 5:17-18

Frozen II, the sequel to Disney’s massive 2013 hit Frozen, sees sisters Queen Elsa and Princess Anna continue to grapple with Elsa’s growing magical powers. Set in the fictional mid-19th century Norwegian kingdom of Arendelle, the animated film solves the mystery of the source of Elsa’s powers and uncovers other family secrets as the sisters, Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and the magic snowman Olaf venture into the enchanted forest of Northuldra deep in the north. So, what does this movie have to do with the Gospel?

July 18, 2021 // Wonder Woman 1984 // John 8:32, 14:1, 14:6, 15:12-14; Luke 12:15; Exodus 20:3

Wonder Woman 1984 takes Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman, from World War I to 1984. In 1984, a power-obsessed con man gets his hands on a magical artifact from Ancient Rome that makes a person’s biggest wish come true. The wishes always come with a price, however. The con man’s use of this magical power threatens to destroy the world. Wonder Woman must find a way to stop him. However, she accidentally used the artifact to bring back her one true love. As a result, Wonder Woman’s super powers are getting weaker and weaker. So, Wonder Woman must choose between Steve and saving the world.

July 25, 2021 // A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood // Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 10:25-37

When Lloyd Vogel, an investigative journalist, receives an assignment to profile Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers), Vogel is skeptical. He finds it impossible to believe anyone could have such a good nature. But Rogers’ empathy, kindness and decency, guided by his understanding of Christian faith, chips away at Vogel. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is an inspiring story of redemption, and a reminder for all of us how being a true “neighbor” can make all the difference.

June 6, 2021 // Introduction: The Endless Cycle // Judges 1:27, 29-33, 2:1-3, 6-10

God spent forty years preparing the Israelites to go into the Promised Land. The problem for God was not getting the people out of Egypt, it was getting Egypt out of the people. When the time was right, God commanded his people to drive out the inhabitants in the land. Unfortunately, they did not obey this command and it eventually led to idolatry. Also, after the first generation of Israelites in the promised land died, the people became spiritually complacent. The disobedience and spiritual complacency led to an endless cycle of problems. Today we see the same cycle in our lives, churches and nation. So, what can we do to avoid this cycle.

June 13, 2021 // Judge Deborah // Judges 4 & 5

Because they didn’t fully trust God and so didn’t fully obey God, Israel was living in the land God had promised, but alongside people who practiced despicable acts in their worship of false gods. When the people of Israel begin to experience distress because of their disobedience, they cry out to God, and God once again raises up a heroic spiritual leader. Deborah, a judge, prophet and leader, delivers Israel from the grip of King Jabin, with the help of the military leader, Barak, and a clever woman, Jael. Vocal and wise leaders can help turn us back to God, if we are willing to listen.

June 20, 2021 // Samson // Judges 13:1-5, 14:1-6, 14; 15:1-3; 16:20-21, 28-30

The book of Hebrews tells us that Samson was a hero of the faith. His story has been taught for years in Sunday School. But the book of Judges shows him as a man driven by his sexual appetite, his vindictiveness and temper. Though exposed to the things of God, Samson’s life is defined by poor decisions, rash judgments and carnal desires. Yet through all of the compromise and moral failure God used him in a powerful way.

June 27, 2021 // Gideon // Judges 6:4-6, 11-18; 7:2, 13, 18; 8:22-24, 27; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12-13

Gideon was terrified by his circumstances and doubted God’s ability to deliver. Test after test ensued as Gideon tried to ensure that God was with him. Even in faithless duty God used Gideon and delivered the people of God from their oppression. However, at the pinnacle of his influence, Gideon finds himself initiating an egregious act of idolatry that becomes a snare to those he had so reluctantly delivered. So what can we learn from the story of Gideon for our own spiritual journeys?

May 16, 2021 // The Holy Spirit in Scripture // John 14:15-17

As Christians we believe in one God comprised of three persons – The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The trinity is a mystery that is really hard to explain. For many of us, we understand God the Father is the creator of all things. We understand the Son (Jesus) is God in human flesh who came to die for our sins and redeem us. But many followers of Christ do not really understand the third person of the trinity – The Holy Spirit. So, why is it important for us to understand the Holy Spirit?

May 23, 2021 // Fruit of the Spirit // Galatians 5:16, 22-23a

To grow in our spiritual life, the scriptures call us to “walk in the Spirit” or live by the rhythm of the Holy Spirit. Paul says the evidence of walking in the Spirit is the “fruit” characterized by “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23.) Our lives will witness to Christ, not so much through our words, but through our fruit, born through the Spirit’s inner transformation.

May 30, 2021 // Spiritual Gifts // Romans 12:6-8

Before Jesus ascends back to heaven, he tells his followers that they must be “His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” In other words, they need to be his witnesses everywhere they go. These instructions are meant for every generation of Jesus followers ever since. But we can’t possibly be His witnesses by our own strength. Well, Jesus had a solution to that.

April 11, 2021 // Amazing Grace // Ephesians 2:8-9

If you are in Christ, you are no longer what you once were. Join us in week 1 of our sermon series “The Faith We Sing” as we examine the lyrics and meaning behind the hymn Amazing Grace.

April 18, 2021 // It is Well With My Soul // Psalm 22

In the middle of your pain, God is still present. A tragedy prompted Horatio Spafford to pen the words to the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” All of us know that wonderful hymn, but is it really possible to be well in your soul in the midst of tragedy?

April 25, 2021 // O Love That Will Not Let Me Go // Romans 8:28-39

There are many precious promises in the scripture, but perhaps the greatest of all is that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Learn how the author penned these richly beautiful words to reflect this truth as he clung to the promise of God’s love through dark days.

May 2, 2021 // I’ll Fly Away // John 14:1-3

In Week 4 of “The Faith We Sing”, we will look at the importance of hope for eternity and urgency for today through the hymn I’ll Fly Away.

February 28, 2021 // Study – A Living Word // Psalm 119:103-105

During Lent, we are focusing on the five essential practices of the Christian life highlighted in Adam Hamilton’s book, The Walk: worship, study, serve, give and share. This week, we explored “study,” learning and growing from the way God is revealed in nature, art, and life, as well as in the Scripture. This is a practice of training ourselves to listen for God’s voice so we can better follow our Good Shepherd.

March 7, 2021 // Serve – Here I Am, Lord, Send Me // Matthew 14:13-32

If you have ever volunteered to do something for which you felt totally unqualified, then you already know what an experience like that can do for your faith. One of the primary ways God grows our faith is through serving others.

March 14, 2021 // Give – Where Your Treasure Is // Matthew 6:21, Luke 6:38

Are you mastering your money or being mastered by it? Maybe it’s time to adjust your approach. Instead of striving to have enough money to satisfy a me-first appetite, Jesus encouraged his listeners to have an others-first approach.

March 21, 2021 // Share – Going Fishing // Matthew 4:18-20

From the earliest days of the church until today, people become followers of Jesus in the exact same way: through an invitation. But many people today are uncomfortable sharing their faith for various reasons and they believe that their faith is private. So why does a fully devoted follower of Jesus need to share their faith?

March 28, 2021 // The Five Practices from the Cross // Luke 23:44-46

Over the last five weeks, we have studied five essential practices of the Christian life – worship, study, serving, giving, and sharing. And the goal of this series has been to close the gap between the Christians we are and the Christians God wants us to become by focusing on these spiritual practices. That all sounds good, but why are these practices so significant? Are they necessary?

January 24, 2021 // Do My Prayers Really Matter? // Matthew 21:21-22, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

For various reasons, people sometimes ask or think the question “Why should I pray?” God already knows what I need, I can’t change God’s mind, and God didn’t answer my prayers in time of crisis, so what’s the point. But what if there is something we don’t understand about the purpose of prayer?

January 31, 2021 // Why Does God Allow Evil if He is Really in Control? // Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 55:22, Romans 8:18

Many people are not followers of Christ because of the problem of suffering, the problem of evil and how you reconcile that with the scriptures that proclaim a God of love and mercy. I think we all wrestle with this question from time to time; even if you are a person of faith. So how do we reconcile an all-powerful God with the existence of evil and suffering. Is it even possible?

February 7, 2021 // Is Jesus the Only Way? // John 14:5-6

Is there more than one way to get to heaven? If we say “Jesus is the only way,” isn’t it going to sound very narrow minded, snobbish and exclusive. In a world filled with contradicting ideas, there can only be one truth. What’s the difference between Jesus being the “best” way, and him being the only way?

January 3, 2021 // Becoming Better Through Crisis // Proverbs 25:28

For many of us, there’s something we wish we’d been doing all along to prepare for what is happening now. Whatever lessons we’re learning, now is the time to start putting them into practice. What lessons relationally, financially and personally have you learned that can make you better than ever.

January 10, 2021 // Responding to a Crisis // Genesis 37:26–27, 39:1–9

While we don’t always choose our circumstances, we do have the ability to choose our responses. But the response that has the potential to reverse the natural course of things isn’t natural at all. Never underestimate the power of a measured response. We have no idea what hangs in the balance of our decision to respond rather than react to events we did not choose. Our responses can make us better than ever.

January 17, 2021 // Moving Forward // Genesis 50:18–20

There is more to your circumstances than meets the eye. Your current circumstances are a chapter. They are not the full story. You have the power to respond rather than react. Use it. You will be better than ever and the people around you will be, too.

November 1, 2020 // Comforting Those Who Mourn

When someone dies, the journey of mourning ahead can be a difficult one. When you have experienced the death of a friend or loved one, who and what comforted you at that time? Together, we can learn and grow to be a community of people who are truly helpful to those who are hurting, by responding with God’s presence and compassion.

November 8, 2020 // Christianity and Suicide // Psalm 31:9-16

Suicide is a major public health concern. Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States and based on recent nationwide surveys, suicide in some populations is on the rise. Suicide affects many families in our nation today. Join us this week as we look at a Spiritual Perspective on suicide and how to minister to families affected by this tragedy.

November 15, 2020 // Dealing with Addiction // Romans 7:15-19

Many people in our nation today struggle with various addictions – drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling etc. These addictions rob us of the life God intended and they hurt our relationships with God and others. So how can Jesus followers respond? Today we will talk with licensed professional counselor Gregory A. Krausz, MA, CACD, LPC regarding a Christian perspective on addiction.

October 18, 2020 // United We Stand // John 17:20-23

Your favorite candidate will win or lose based on how our country votes this November. However, the church will win or lose based on our behavior between now and then.. While we will not agree on every political talking point, we must not let politics divide us.

October 25, 2020 // Listen and Learn // 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Our political views are shaped by a number of variables: our backgrounds, education, and personal experiences to name a few. It’s easy to feel like our view is the right one, but the person beside you is more precious to God than your political view.

September 27, 2020 // A Lifestyle of Generosity // Psalm 24:1; Genesis 1:28, Genesis 28:20-22; Leviticus 25:23; I Timothy 6:17-18; Luke 6:38; Malachi 3:10

Rich people live in denial. They won’t admit they’re rich. No matter how much you have, there’s always someone who has more. Many people in our nation are considered rich by the world’s standards. And one of the dangers of being rich is discontentment. The more you have, the more you want. How do we avoid the pitfalls of wealth?

October 4, 2020 // All In // Mark 12:38-44

When all is said and done, the questions God will ask us about our giving will have little to do with dollars and cents, but, ‘Where were your priorities?’ ‘What did you think about the most?’ ‘Did you value the work of my kingdom first and foremost?’ and ‘Was your heart in your giving at all?’ The account of the “Widow’s Mite” teaches us what it means to be “all in” for the kingdom of God.

October 11, 2020 // Misplaced Faith // Luke 12:15-21

We’re all tempted to place our faith in money. We’re tempted to believe that if we make enough, we’ll be able to control our circumstances and create a better life for ourselves. The problem with that view is that the more we place our faith in money, the more it controls us. Scripture challenges us to look at our money differently because our lives are better when we place our trust in the One who richly provides. Viewing wealth through the lens of eternity loosens our grip on it and its grip on us.

September 13, 2020 // The Problem of Suffering? // Hebrews 4:14-16

Some people may say “Why would God allow the coronavirus to happen if he is a good and loving God.” That question is understandable during times like this, unfortunately there is not easy answer. The situation in our world may cause some people to lose faith, but what we need to understand is that Christians have never believed in a God who doesn’t allow bad things to happen to good people. Christians believe the worst possible thing happened to the best possible person. Join us in week one of the series as we look at why to remain faithful and what we can expect from God during a season like this.

September 20, 2020 // How to Persevere in Tough Times // James 1:1-5, 12

We avoid things we don’t like. But sometimes things come our way that we can’t avoid, like a global pandemic. When our circumstances deteriorate, what do we do when there’s nothing we can do?

August 2 // The Call of Simon the Fisherman // Luke 5:1-11

Peter had no idea what hung in the balance of his decision to go fishing with Jesus. When Peter’s simple act of faith intersected with Jesus’ faithfulness, everything changed. What is your next step in your faith journey with Jesus —coming back, confessing, reconciling, choosing purity, serving, giving? Whatever your next step is, take it. You don’t know what hangs in the balance.

August 9 // Walking with Jesus Through the Storm // Matthew 14:22-34

The disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee and they were terrified. Jesus walks on water in the midst of the storm and tells the disciples “Be encouraged, It’s me, don’t be afraid.” This story is about something that happened on the Sea of Galilee a long time ago, but it’s recorded in the Gospel because it’s something that happens in our lives all the time if we just realize it. What can we learn about Jesus and what it means to be a disciple from this passage?

August 16 // Bedrock or Stumbling Block // Matthew 16:13-23

Jesus asks the disciples a question that begs an answer from all of us – “who do you say that I am?” In this moment, Peter declares that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus declares that Peter is correct and that he will build his ‘church’ upon the rock (Peter) and nothing will destroy it. Jesus was giving Peter and through him, the church, the authority to do his work in the world.

Jesus makes it clear that if we want to be his disciple it will require self-denial, sacrifice (take up your cross), and following him. We all want a convenient faith, but following Jesus requires an inconvenient faith.

August 23 // I Will Not Deny You // Matthew 26:31-35

During the Last Supper, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would soon abandon him and that Peter would deny knowing him three times. Peter adamantly proclaimed that he would never desert or deny knowing Jesus. However, before the night was over, Peter not only deserted Jesus but he denied knowing him three times. It’s a night that Peter would talk about over and over again. If Peter’s story is our story, what can we learn from Peter’s failure?

August 30 // From Cowardice to Courage // John 21:4-18

Simon Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, but that was not the end of his story. When the disciples find the tomb was empty, they begin to understand that the grave could not hold their Lord. When the Resurrected Jesus calls on Peter, Jesus asks Peter to affirm his love, not once, but three times. What will it mean for Peter to repent and be forgiven? What could repentance and Jesus’s forgiveness mean for you? And how then might Jesus be calling you to demonstrate your love?

September 6 // The Rest of the Story // Acts 3:1-8

After the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Peter went on to minister for 34 more years. During this period of time, Peter became fearless in his faith, he continued to learn about God, and he left an amazing legacy. The same person who once denied knowing Jesus was crucified for being a follower of Jesus. What can we learn from Peter’s life after Jesus?

July 12 // Solid Food // Hebrews 5:11-13

Feeding ourselves spiritually isn’t intended to be another thing on our “to-do” lists. The reason we feed ourselves isn’t just because of what we find there, but who we find there. It’s a way we encounter more of Jesus. It’s a step we take to lead ourselves into a growing relationship with Jesus that’s marked by closeness.

July 19 // Let’s Get Fit // Philippians 2:12-16

Moving out of the shallow end starts with feeding ourselves spiritually. But if we stop at that first step, we’ll be left spiritually fat rather than spiritually fit. How do we prevent that from happening? The next step involves a spiritual workout that’s unique for each of us.

July 26 // With a Little Help from Our Friends // Hebrews 10:19-25

Many of us have viewed faith as something we do alone. We might have said that it’s private. But there’s a limit to our faith growth when we go it alone. There’s a deepening to our faith that we only experience together. When it comes to consistently growing our faith, “we” is greater than “me.” Who’s spurring on your faith and whose faith are you spurring on?

June 7 // The Jonah in Us // Jonah 1:1-3

What do you do when that still small voice of God calls you to do something you don’t want to do? Like Jonah, many of us run in the opposite direction. But just because you run, doesn’t mean God is through with you.

June 14 // Jonah’s Prayer // Jonah 2:1-10

Do you regularly communicate with God or does it take hitting rock bottom to reach out to God? This week we will examine Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the whale and see what it means for us.

June 21 // Jonah Obeys // Jonah 3:1-10

Have you ever felt like God has given up on you? Sometimes we are ashamed of our actions and think God will never use us again. But what we learn from the story of Jonah is that God is a God of second chances.

June 28 // Jonah’s Anger // Jonah 4:1-10

Like Jonah, sometimes we live in the great contradiction. Jonah knew God intimately, desired his forgiveness but withheld forgiveness from the Ninevites. Do you struggle with extending forgiveness to others?