Our Lives – Giving It Up
Pastor Bob takes us through the story of Jesus and the raising of Lazarus in the 11th chapter of the Gospel according to John. In this amazing account, we are reminded of Jesus' mission to glorify God in life and in death. God alone knows the beginnings and ends of our lives and works through Jesus to redeem and restore his creation. When we come to Christ we are buried with him in baptism and raised to new life through the saving power of the cross and his own resurrection.
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- Mar 25, 2012Our Lives – Giving It Up
Our Lives – Giving It Up
Pastor Bob takes us through the story of Jesus and the raising of Lazarus in the 11th chapter of the Gospel according to John. In this amazing account, we are reminded of Jesus' mission to glorify God in life and in death. God alone knows the beginnings and ends of our lives and works through Jesus to redeem and restore his creation. When we come to Christ we are buried with him in baptism and raised to new life through the saving power of the cross and his own resurrection.
- Mar 18, 2012Enemies – Giving It Up
Enemies – Giving It UpPDF of Sermon: Enemies - Giving It Up Enemies - Giving It Up Giving up our enemies can be tougher than one might think - they mean so much to us. Enemies give us a target for our frustrations; they energize entire nations to unite in common cause; they can be dehumanized to justify our aggression. But the worldview of Jesus reveals a world without room for enemies. Where no person can justifiably dehumanize another. Where judgment and condemnation are God's province alone. Giving up our enemies may be tough. But it is freeing. And it is integral to the path that leads us to the peaceable Kingdom of Jesus.
- Mar 11, 2012Superiority – Giving It Up
Superiority – Giving It Up
PDF of Sermon Slides: "Superiority - Giving It Up"
SUPERIORITY - GIVING IT UP
John 4:1-42 Superiority isn't usually something we think of giving up for Lent. It's a good thing, isn't it, to be superior? But attitudes of superiority that lead to discrimination and division can inflict tremendous pain and damage on the people around us. This week's message deals with Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman at the ancient well of Jacob. This passage in John 4 reveals Jesus' startling lack of "attitude" in his relationships with even those who his society counted as "inferior outsiders." He rejects ideas of cultural and moral superiority. He reveals himself as the Messiah and true source of eternal life. He reminds us that human beings can never find true fulfillment through their limited resources but must seek strength and truth and purpose from their Creator. Isn't it time we crucified our pride and attitudes of superiority and labored with Jesus to break down the walls of hostility that separate human beings from God and from each other?
- Mar 4, 2012Expectations – Giving It Up!
Expectations – Giving It Up!PDF of Slides for the Sermon - "Expectations - Giving It Up" Through the season of Lent and Easter Sunday, we're exploring the good news that through Jesus Christ we can give up so much that holds us down. Many will be giving up chocolate for Lent - but what if we gave up some of the things that poison our souls? Our need to exert control over every situation. Expectations that are misaligned with God's expectations. The elevation of ourselves above others. The making and retention of enemies. Holding our lives too dear. The false idol of popularity. And finally - our crippling fear of death.... What if we gave up all of this for Lent?
- Feb 26, 2012Control – Give It Up
Control – Give It UpPDF of "Give It Up - Control" - Sermon The first in the seven-part sermon series: "Give It Up." From Genesis to Revelation, control is a central theme of the Bible. When we view the world around us, most of our human endeavors focus upon that same theme of control. We first controlled fire to warm us, protect us from "the wild things," destroy our enemies, and clear the forests to grow crops all extensions of our desire to control our environment and our fate. For the sake of control, we form political alliances, erect fences around our homes, and dominate conversations and decisions. The world encourages the pursuit of personal control. "Take control of your future." "Look out for No. 1." "Don't let anyone tell you what to do." How different is the message of Jesus! Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. Serve. Love. Trust in God. Are you ready to follow Jesus? Are you ready to give up control?
- Feb 19, 2012How Deep the Father’s Love
How Deep the Father’s LovePDF of Sermon Slides for "How Deep the Father's Love" Recording of "Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown" sung during both worship services on 2-19-12 by Joy Tinsley, accompanied by Bob Brydge. This hymn by Charles Wesley is referenced in Pastor Bob's sermon.This is the third and last in our sermon series "That's the Power of Love." In a world whose definitions of love are so skewed and shallow, how can we know what it truly means to love deeply? How do we begin to plumb the depths of God's love?The first reasonable place to look is in God's Holy Word. We then examine our own personal experiences of God's love. We listen to the voices of those who through the centuries have given us unique insights into that love. And finally, we open ourselves to the leading and comfort of God's Holy Spirit.If you have felt a distance from God's love... if you have wondered how God could love such a sinner... if you have despaired of ever feeling that love again... this Sunday's message is for you.
- Feb 12, 2012Conquer Through Love
Conquer Through LovePDF of Sermon Slides - Conquer Through Love" Moneyball Movie Clip (one-minute sermon illustration - save to your computer and play back). Pastor Bob uses this brief exchange in the movie Moneyball to build a metaphor for the Christian life.
What does it mean that we are "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37)? The entire chapter of Romans 8 builds and builds to the magnificent truth that through God's love in Christ Jesus we are "hyper-overcomers." The Apostle Paul calls us to live into this great truth and reflect the light of the Spirit of God within us. In Pastor Bob's reflections on this powerful passage, we are reminded that Jesus did not conquer death so that we might live in fear - he calls us to "run the bases of life" fully aware that Jesus has already "hit the ball out of the park." Through his love, we have already conquered everything life and death can throw at us.
- Feb 5, 2012Love Without Fear
Love Without FearOpen this PDF of this sermon's PowerPoint slides
This Sunday we begin a new sermon series "That's The Power of Love!" Our first topic, "Love Without Fear," examines the truth revealed in the fourth chapter of 1st John that "perfect love casts out all fear." What does it mean to be so secure in our love for God, for each other, for self that we cease to live out of our fears and insecurities - and to live into the perfect love of God revealed in Jesus Christ?
- Jan 29, 2012No Fear of Death
No Fear of DeathNote: This is the "full version" of slides that includes more Scriptures than were actually used in the audio sermon.
In the early 20th century, Americans often referred to Alaska as "The Last Frontier." The 1960's television show "Star Trek" referred to space as "The Final Frontier." For most of us, the ultimate frontier is neither the wilderness of Alaska or the wideness of space - it is the withering, daunting reality of death.Does the fear of death and dying drain your heart and spirit of an enthusiasm for life? Have you adapted to this fear by careful avoidance of the subject - or have you allowed God and his word to instruct and reassure you that death has indeed "lost its sting" through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the final in our four-part series: "No Fear." - Jan 22, 2012No Fear of Poverty