Most people are searching for meaning and purpose. Most people want to live a life that matters and one that makes a difference. However, too often we are too critical of ourselves and of one another. If we are honest with ourselves, we would confess that often we do what it is we need to do in order to get ahead which often causes failure and hurt. In this five-week sermon series, we will be looking at three chapters in the Bible – Luke 14-16 – which are great narratives and parables about the grace of God which has been revealed. Through this sermon series, we will journey from a life centered on self to being centered on God and living a full, abundant life that God desires for each of us to live. We will be invited to join the mission God has called us for sharing the Good News with the world – the Good News that is transformative and truly makes a difference. Thanks be to God!
July 21: Created for Significance: How to Invest Your One and Only Life ~ Luke 16:1-13
The parable in the first half of Luke 16 is often known as the parable of the shrewd manager. A manager is a steward who takes care of things. But, the manager described in this parable is one who was trying to whatever he could to gain for self. How often are we like that shrewd manager? We take care of things and we are always striving to get ahead, but at what expense? God has blessed you with blessing and with abundance. How are you taking care of the blessings that God has given you? How are you reaching out to others to proclaim the glory and grace of God? How are you making a difference? Our lives become filled with meaning and purpose as we pursue God and live a good, faithful life. Seek Christ, first and always.
July 28: Created for Significance: A Look at the Life to Come ~ Luke 16:19-31
In this Scripture passage, we encounter the rich man and Lazarus. How often are we like the rich man who was always looking out for self? How often are we trying to get ahead without taking notice of others who need help or who are struggling? Or, how often do you feel like Lazarus hoping and praying that someone will see you and help you? For many of us, we are like the rich man in so many ways, even though we may try to help others. At the end of his life, the rich man wanted to make amends and wanted to make changes in how he lived his life, even though the time was too late for him. Friends, we have a choice today. How will we seek God and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength? By doing so, we are then called to love one another. What must you put in place today in order to live a life that is full and abundant? What must you do today in order to live a life that is full of meaning and purpose? What must you do today in order to live the God that call you to live? What must you do today to live a life that matters and that makes a difference for you and for others?
Cadence Sermon Series: Aug.
When God created the world, God created it to have a certain cadence. As such, God created humans to live in a cadence. There are ebbs and flows in our living. We weren’t created to sprint a full marathon. Instead, we were created to live a life that is worthwhile. There will be times in our journey of life when we need to push ahead faster; there will be times when we need to take time to slow down and rest. This is all about the cadence. May we find the blessing of God and discern the proper cadence for our lives to live a life that is God-centered and meaningful.
August 4: A God’s Eye View ~ Psalm 8
We can see that when God created, there was a rhythm and cadence throughout all of creation. Through the creation story, we are able to see a pattern on how God created. As humans, we are called to follow in a similar cadence. Often times, it seems that life here on earth will be in a different rhythm and pattern than we anticipated. How are we preparing our hearts, souls, and minds when we are presented with a different, unexpected cadence? How are you cultivating a life that is centered on Jesus?
August 11: Personhood ~ Genesis 1:31 ~ Mark 1:35-39
As we view creation, we see the cadence that God ordered and intended. God created us to emulate a similar cadence. Reflect on your daily life. Do you see a pattern? What is the rhythm of your life? How is that working for you? What rhythms need to change to get back into sync with living a meaningful life focused on God?
August 18: Performance ~ Hebrews 12:1-3
The past couple weeks, we considered the rhythms in our life and trying to create a cadence that is holistic, meaningful, and worthwhile. However, if we are honest with ourselves, we will confess we have all experienced healthy and unhealthy rhythms in our lives, whether individually or in relationship with others. What is a life-giving dance to you? What must you do to keep centered and to experience the healthy cadence? This takes focus, discipline, intention, and perseverance. What must you do to run the race and to do well?
August 25: Passion ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-7
When beginning a marathon, or when beginning any project, you want to begin well and finish well. There are times when we want to stop; there are times when we continue the race and become utterly exhausted; there are times when we literally cannot move forward. But, we are called to fight the good fight and to finish the race well. How are you doing with cadence? How are you doing with fighting the good fight? What are you doing today to ensure you will finish the race well?
Nothing to Fear, Nothing to Prove Sermon Series: Sept.
Truth be told, we have nothing to fear because God is always with us and we have nothing to prove because the love and grace of Christ Jesus sets us free. In this three week sermon series, we will be looking at these truths from 1 John which will strengthen our faith as we proclaim the love of God in our lives. We will be encouraged to share this same love of God with others so that they, too, will have nothing to fear and nothing to prove.
September 1: A New Life ~ 1 John 3:1-7
As Christians, we are deeply loved by Christ. We love because He first loved us. God is always with us, so we don’t need to fear anything and we have nothing to prove. However, we have work to do in our lives. This isn’t a license to do whatever we want. We are called to live a good godly life. Who are you? Who is Jesus to you? Does it matter? If you are convinced that you have nothing to fear and nothing to lose for the sake of Christ, would you live your life any differently? May we live how God calls us to live.
September 8: Courageous Love ~ 1 John 3:16-24
John learned a lot from Jesus through conversations and through seeing how Jesus lived His life. Jesus was courageous; He laid down His life for us so that we could have life and have it abundantly. We are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. What must you lay down today in your life to live for Jesus? How are you loving God and loving others with the courageous love of Christ Jesus?
September 15: Love No Matter What ~ 1 John 4:7-21
We are called to love others no matter what because of the great love and grace of God that is ever present in our lives. Jesus modeled how to live a life of love. How are you loving others? Remember, through Christ we have nothing to fear and nothing to prove because of the love of God that has been poured into our lives. Still, this concept of loving others no matter what is difficult and challenging. May the Holy Spirit fill us and use to share the love of God with others.