The story of two brothers, Jesus goes to the cross and dies.
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One of the most provocative things Jesus ever did was the little parade on the day we remember as Palm Sunday. There are layers of meaning to this event that most of us are unaware of.
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God put Adam in a garden and the first thing He was concerned about was what Adam was going to eat. Hunger and thirst are at the very core of what it means to be human.
Apparently, Adam would have been hungry and thirsty before the fall. So He put him in a garden with a bunch of trees that produced food and a mighty river. This is a picture of the Gospel.
God says “Be holy.” And then we are holy. God says “Be perfect” and we’re perfect. It’s His Word that does it. Just like “let there be light” and there was light—”Be holy.”
God makes us holy. His holiness is a gift. It’s almost a physical thing. It’s like it’s... contagious.
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Too afraid or not afraid enough.
Most of us are somewhere in the middle. We recognize that a terrible thing is happening and we want to do what we can to not make it worse. But how are we supposed to do that?
What do you think happens when you tell people the promises of the Gospel? You’ve been given the same authority to go around saying, “Repent. Believe. Follow Jesus. Your sins are forgiven.”
I called this sermon “Trinity, Water & Light” which sounds like a utilities power company. Trinity, Water, Light & Power. I think that’s right, because that’s what I’m talking about, power.
How are Christians supposed to read the Scriptures? The NT is a divinely inspired commentary on the OT. It all point to Jesus—not us. What is the earliest reference to Jesus Christ in the Bible? You might need your mind blown pants for this one.
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Why bother praying when God’s gonna do what He’s gonna do anyway?
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Where we've been, where we're going, NewChurch Pub—and a lesson on how God's perfect timing is always at the last possible second. He really seems to have a flare for the dramatic.
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Our culture is very confused about what marriage is, when to get married, who can be married, and all kinds of things concerning that whole "one flesh" thing. How about if we take a serious look at what God has told us to find the answers.
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The kingdom of heaven is not supposed to be like a country club for members only, with mediocre music and boring TED talks. The kingdom of heaven is like a garden that God planted in the world to feed and delight His children, His Word—the Bible—is like seeds that grow in the hearts and lives of those who listen.
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The Bible is the lens that we must look through in order to understand the world around us—life, meaning, hope, and truth. But what lens can we use to understand the Bible? Let God be true but every man a liar.
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The Bible isn’t going to do us any good unless we open it. We have to put it in our head, in our heart, it has to be on our lips and guiding our steps if it’s going to make any difference.
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God uses the time we spend together to prepare us to do the work He’s calling us to do. It’s like the gym—we don’t go to the gym so we can be better at going to the gym. We want to be stronger and healthier for the rest of our life. It’s the same with church, we’re here to learn how to worship Him, to be able to love and serve our neighbor. Let’s make the most of our time together so we’ll be ready for whatever happens when we’re out there in the rest of our lives. He promises to go with us, wherever we go.
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You're never too young or too old to be faithful to God and do the most important thing you'll ever do. This is a message for the young, to encourage them in the calling Jesus has for them. It's also a message for the old, because it's important to finish strong.
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Why does Santa give presents at Christmas? Did you know that Santa once hit a heretic in the face defending Jesus' divine honor? Some people get Santa and God confused, so this sermon sets out to clear up any confusion. It's an important message—it's also a lot of fun.
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The way Americans celebrate Christmas is a pretty good picture of the Gospel in action. Because it's not enough to simply have faith, we also have to be faithful. We have to actually do something with it—it's not the thought that counts. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. We have to actually sing the song. Not just listen to it. Not just hear it. Not just learn it. The Gospel according to Buddy the Elf.
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What can we learn about the the Gospel from The Grinch? Quite a few important things actually. Christmas is about new life coming into the world and changing us from the outside in. We need to stop and gather heart to heart and hand in hand to celebrate what God has done for us in Christmas. In Christ.
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Even the secular, commercialized Christmas industrial beast points us to the Gospel of Jesus Christ—if we just look really close. For example, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer has quite a lot to say about Jesus. God has chosen you to do something that only you can do in this world. Never believe your part isn’t significant. The way we use our spiritual gifts to love each other, serve the world, do our vocation, has lasting eternal value. Even if you have a radioactive nose.
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Whatever we’re not thankful for, we’re at risk of losing. And when we’re not properly thankful for the things God gives us, we’re gonna grow discontent, and it’ll ruin what we have. Everything good flows from being thankful.
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