Follow Jesus. Lead the church. Change the world.
John 11.1-44John 20.1-23 The story behind “He Lives”Did you notice the hymn we just sang, closes with a question and answer, “You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.” This was a real question, asked of the author and composer, Alfred Ackley, except not so positively phrased. Ackley was preaching … Read more
John 20.1-23 Why is this night different from all other nights? That’s what a young child asks at Passover during the Jewish Passover meal. And the answer is, This is the night that God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt. Why is this day different from all other days? This is the day God … Read more
Matthew 5.1-12 – Beatitudes We sometimes talk about the last hurrah! – squeezing in that last bit of something good. Like when Indian Summer comes in the fall, that last bit of warm weather before winter settles in on us – that is the last hurrah of summer. What we have come to know as Palm … Read more
Our closing hymn last week, Where He Leads Me, impacted me in an unexpected way. I shared a little bit about that during the benediction, saying that I can’t think of a more dangerous prayer, or statement of commitment: “Wherever he leads me, I will follow.” This idea leads us right into this week’s talk, … Read more
Matthew 5.1-12 – Beatitudes Commercial for Cholesterol Lowering MedicineA set of twins at the gym are walking down the hallway. They both look in good physical condition, but one walks right into the glass partition. Both look alike on the outside, but one has high cholesterol. The commercial points out that we cannot tell what … Read more
One of the vital habits of growing disciples involves the process of becoming immersed in God’s Word. I believe that if we’re going to be devoted followers of Jesus, we must be people of the book! And if we’re going to be a missional community after God’s own heart, we must be people of the … Read more
Acts 2.42-47 Words to describe the missional community Assembly/Congregation This was the word was commonly used to describe God’s people in the Old Testament. One of the great “doing life together” stories in the Old Testament is the story of Achan. When Joshua led the Israelites into Jericho, the people were instructed not to take … Read more
Matthew 5.1-12 – The BeatitudesMatthew 26.47-56 – Jesus’ Arrest Bill Cosby, “Kid’s Say”Cosby tries to explain to nine-year-old Peter what Jesus meant by “turning other cheek.” “If somebody hits you, you don’t hit him back,” Cosby begins. Confused, Peter replies “Jesus said be a wimp?” “No, not a wimp, a lover of peace.” … Read more
Our Lenten Journey The earliest followers of Jesus were often called “followers of the Way.” In Greek (the NT language), the word “way” also means “road.” This Lenten season, we’ve been looking at some of the roads Jesus walked during his life on earth. Tonight, we’ll take a look at “The Road to Jerusalem.” Jerusalem … Read more