Our previous sermons...
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Christmas is not another birthday celebration. Christmas is not a time to pretend you are Mary or Joseph, surprised to see Jesus. Christmas is more than a time when the world grows quiet and troubles are ignored. How is Jesus the "reason for the season?"
Hebrews 2:14-18 explains the significance of Christmas. Discover why Jesus Becomes Your Brother. |
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Do you wish God would give you a sign that he is with you? It may be one of the more popular wishes among believers. But, does God ever give you that sign?
In Isaiah 7:10-14 see the sign God gives to drive out self-reliance and to instill trust. |
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Jesus has power as God, but sometimes that power does not appear to help you in your troubles. Jesus has words of authority-- just as God does-- but those words may sound empty when you hurt. Is Jesus really the One who can silence doubts and still fears?
James 5:7-11 urges us to Patiently Wait for the Lord's Coming! Jesus will come again because he is able to. Strengthen your heart on this truth. See the outcome God works in you through trials and adversity. |
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Certain events in life strike you with a momentous truth: Life is going to change. At that moment you recognize what you once had is never going to return. So, where do you discover comfort, security, and clarity when life changes?
Search in Isaiah 11:1-10. In the most unlikely of places you Behold a Branch Growing, so that you may rally around Him! |
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Do you think Jesus will ever come to (advent means coming to) our world again? Maybe... but do you think he will come during your lifetime? Sometimes it feels that his return is so distant that we begin to grow careless watching what we believe.
Isaiah 2:1-5 rouses us awake from any spiritual apathy. These are the Last Days! Use them to stream to the LORD's mountain and walk in his light! |
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No one would say that Thanksgiving lasts only one day. In fact, many want Thanksgiving to be every day. It makes sense; it sounds good. But do you give thanks every day?
Luke 17:11-19 reveals the only motivation for heart to Come, Give Thanks. |
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People want kings to protect. People want kings to provide personal wealth. People want kings who establish extravagant kingdoms. So, why don't you see these qualities in Christ the King?
In Luke 23:35-43 see Christ for the King he is. He does not come to provide health and wealth; he comes to satisfy a far deeper need. It's what makes Christ a King for You! |
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People want to know the future because they want to know for sure that everything will be alright. So, where do they look for this assurance? ...to the government? ... to the news? ... to a savings account? ... to themselves? Where do you find it?
In Isaiah 65:17-25, you get to see the future and you unlock the reason to Be Glad and Rejoice! |
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No greater fear exists than that of being caught for not doing what was expected of you. Christ the King reigns in heaven-- and he expects you to be doing something with his Word.
In Luke 19:11-27 discover why Jesus praises those who Put Their Mina (his Word) to Work! |
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Which are you? A son in a household or a slave? A son inherits and participates in the family estate. A slave has no freedom. When it comes to your relationship with God, do you treat yourself as a son or slave?
In John 8:31-36, live the freedom Jesus has given you! You are Free Indeed! |
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Focus and concentration. Many agree those are the keys to victory. So, are you focused on reaching heaven? Is something distracting you from finishing life's race? Is your life spent running to get the crown?
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, life is compared to a race. Just like athletes have once chance to compete, you have one chance to complete the race. You have one change to Run to Get the Crown! |
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You cannot remain in what you learned if you listen to something you did not learn. To hear and apply new teachings to life means that you have shifted into something entirely new. In some matters of life, this is expected. In the matters of faith, God does not expect this.
In 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 God urges you to Continue in What You Have Learned! See why and where this teaching leads! |
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Why does God address Christian stewardship (the use of money and possessions) over 2,000 times? (To put this into perspective, it discusses prayer 500 times). Is it because God, who owns everything already, wants more? Or does it take 2,000 times to understand the reason for managing possessions?
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 reveals faithful stewardship. Learn how you, a cheerful giver Reflects the Cheerful Giver! |
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Believers can expect suffering. The apostle Paul says that much. Suffering is not enjoyable. Suffering produces tension. The easiest way to end suffering is to remove yourself from the source of suffering. Yet, how can you remove yourself from the suffering that comes because of the gospel?
In 2 Timothy 1:8-14, the Paul pleads with you to know what you have, know where it leads, and Guard the Good Deposit! |
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What one thing will bring you lasting contentment? You may work for one object-- a larger TV, bigger home, newer clothes, more money.Does having those things give you lasting satisfaction?
In 1 Timothy 6:6-12, God tells you where you can find true satisfaction. Discover Lasting Contentment! |
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Do you know what the complete picture of life is supposed to look like? We may gather family, jobs, homes, cars, income, joys, and retirement. All these pieces seem to go together. Do they completely satisfy?
In 1 Timothy 2:1-6, God holds up a crystal clear picture of what life is all about. Then he shows how you receive ownership of this complete picture. |
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If you discover the news about an upcoming once-in-a-lifetime sale, what do you do with the news? You probably get ready for it yourself-- and tell your friends about it. If you know and treasure the praiseworthy things God has done for you, what do you do with the news?
In Psalm 78:1-7, understand and grow in the reason to Tell the Next Generation the praiseworthy things of God! |
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Children are back in school-- and school is meant to build on their knowledge. They will answer more difficult math problems, boost their reading and writing skills, and unravel their world with social studies and science. These textbooks increase their knowledge about life. Can the Bible do that?
If you want to Unlock True Wisdom, then look no further than Proverbs 9:8-12. |
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Is arrogance a bad thing? If so, then why? (Here's a hint: It is not because it makes you look bad in the eyes of others. It is not because it hurts other people. --Yes, arrogance hurts, but it causes greater harm.)
In Proverbs 25:6-7, learn the devastation arrogance really causes and discover how The King Exalts You! |
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When will Jesus return? If only you knew the answer, then you would have a specific time to get ready for his arrival... Since no one knows the specific time, are you making every effort to ensure that complacency does not rob you of your golden, heavenly crown?
In Luke 13:22-30, hear both Jesus' warning and encouragement for your life right now as you Strive to Enter Heaven's Narrow Door! |
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Do you know how to tell a lie from a truth? Do you know when you are hearing someone's thoughts and feelings (instead of hearing a fact)? Do you know when you are really hearing God's Word?
In Jeremiah 23:23-29 God cuts through our uncertain feelings in order to give us certain direction. You Have the Word; Use It Faithfully! |
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A 2014 Washington Post poll revealed that 76 percent of Americans do not think the future will be better for their children. The money people make and technology in their life and the leaders of their nation cannot guarantee that life will be better. Can you even be certain that life is and will remain "good?"
In Luke 12:32-40 you get to look through Jesus' eyes and see the reason to Fear Not, Little Flock! |
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"You can't take it with you," right? This timeless phrase reveals an obvious truth: When you die, your money, possessions, and stuff remains on earth. Still, that does not stop people from finding life's true purpose (and goal) in gathering the things of this world. Do you?
In Luke 12:13-21 discover a treasure which never passes away, a treasure which unlocks eternal riches. Be Rich in God! |
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How is your prayer life? God constantly invites you to pour out your sorrows and joys, your fears and apprehensions to him. In fact, nowhere in the Bible will you hear him say: "Do not pray." He says just the opposite: "Pray continually." So, how is your prayer life?
If you feel scared, unsure, or uncertain of what to pray for, look at Abraham's life in Genesis 18:20-32 and see the reason you have to Approach Your Father in Prayer! |
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Does God keep his promises? Maybe his words sound good, but you feel that God lacks the power to bring them into being. Maybe his words are well-meaning, but it feels like God speaks just to build you up. Maybe his promises seem laughable.
In Genesis 18:1-14, meet someone who actually laughed at God's promises. Learn what moved God to ask: Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord? |
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Are you a "good" Samaritan? Do you love your neighbor as yourself? Do you demonstrate care for the needs of others-- regardless of cultures and customs? Are you "good" enough?
In Luke 10:25-37, discover Which of the Three Are You? |
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Are you one of those disciples to share Jesus' word of peace? Does it seem that you have too few opportunities? Do you feel that you just "don't have the right words?" Does it appear that someone else is better suited to share the Word?
In Luke 10:1-12, 16-20, see how Jesus makes You Ready to Enter the Harvest Field! |
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Does God really care how we live? Is sin just simply a "mistake?" Can we just blame someone else for the poor choices we make? Will God really be angry at us if we choose to disobey his Commandments?
In 2 Samuel 11 & 12, see how God deals with sin. Discover the confidence you have because The LORD Has Taken Away Your Sin! |
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Two men, both claiming to be "God-approved" preachers, both wanting to be heard, both calling for trust, both proclaiming different messages. Who Do You Listen To?
Galatians 1:11-24 reveals the life-saving answer. |
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Do you have "great faith?" A faith which never worries? A faith which never fears the future? A faith which clings white-knuckled to the sure promises of Jesus?
Perhaps we would not call our faith "great," but want to call it "great." How does faith become "great?" In Luke 7:1-10, discover what makes faith truly "great." Better yet, learn What Great Faith is! |
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In the Bible, God reveals himself as three persons, but one God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each distinct, but still are one God. Maybe more puzzling than understanding this mystery is the question: "What does my Triune God do for me?"
In Romans 5:1-5 discover the reasons to Boast in Your Triune God! |
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What is the most important thing a parent can do for their child? Parents teach, instruct, and discipline, right? So, what do children learn about Jesus from you?
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 24-25 discover how parents Impress these Words in your Heart! |
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Ever wonder where you rank in Jesus' heart? He reigns over all things in heaven and on earth, but does he really care about you?
In John 17:20-26 Jesus Prays for You! Out of all the things he knows you need in this life, Jesus prays for the most important of them all-- that you remain (continually) one in him. Read on to discover why and how this looks! |
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Is there such a thing as "true peace?" Where worries about the future never scare you? Where anxieties in your personal life never haunt you? Where you can wake up day in and day out knowing that everything is truly alright?
The answer is found in the question: Where Do You Find Peace? John 14:23-29 reveals an eternally life-changing peace for you! |
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"Love one another!" The command comes straight from Jesus. He expects you to keep it every day, all the time, with all people. How can you possibly keep this command?
In John 13:31-35 find the only way you can keep this command. "Love One Another!"-- Can You Do It? |
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Jesus calls himself a Shepherd who guides his sheep. He gives you the Bible so that you have comfort and guidance in life. Yet, why follow him?
In John 10:22-30, Jesus gives you reason after reason why you can trust him. He invites you to Follow the Shepherd who is Good! |
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Is God's Word spectacular? Does it excite? Does it need our help to make it more effective or entertaining? Better yet, what what does God say about his Word and its effect on our hearts?
In Acts 9:1-19, discover how The Spectacular Word Works Spectacular Results. |
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Easter is past us; do you have peace? Christians may feel ashamed for their connection to Jesus. Sometimes fear moves them to hide their relationship with him.
In John 20:19-31 Jesus comes to remove guilt, pick you up from despair, and equip you with words to share. The Risen Lord Gives You Peace. |
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(Easter Festival service)
How do you know if Jesus rose from the dead? You were not there? You have not seen an empty tomb? How do you know he is not dead? In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, hear Paul recount the first Easter morning and then tell you how Easter Makes Christians Certain! |
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(Easter Sunrise service)
What do you think was going through Mary's mind as she raced to the tomb? Fear? Guilt? Despair? While we may never know her exact thoughts, she did know one thing: Death Separates. In John 20:17-18 see Easter Restores Relationships! |
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(from our Good Friday service)
People boast about their careers, the success of their children, or personal achievements. But the cross? Do you boast about the cross? Why would you ever do that? In Galatians 6:14, discover the reason to Proudly Boast in the Cross! |
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(from our Maundy Thursday service)
On the night he is betrayed, Jesus unites in an upper room with his disciples. Soon he will go off to make God at peace with us. Soon he will be forever united to us by his body and blood. In 1 Corinthians 11:26 Proclaim the Unity God makes to you and you make to others. |
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On Palm Sunday, flocks of Jews cheered Jesus into Jerusalem. Here was their long-awaited king!... except he really did not fit the mold of the king they wanted. That is because Jesus is a King who meets a far greater need, who comes to give you personal peace.
In Zechariah 9:9-10 Rejoice and Shout! because your King comes to you and he comes to proclaim peace! |
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(from our midweek Lenten services)
Is "surrender" always a negative term? Are freedoms lost? Does life become miserable? Does someone else dictate life for the worse? In our final midweek Lenten service, hear how one surrender to the cross has changed your life forever. Luke 23:42 tells of The Surrender to the Cross. |
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Do you grow tired of remaining in God's Word? Becoming over-confident in what you know? Allowing sin to remain and fester? Your Christian life is compared to a footrace-- and like any race, it is easy to give up running and lose the prize.
In Philippians 3:8-14, listen to God's encouragement: "Press On toward the Goal!" |
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(from our midweek Lenten services)
Christians may be mocked for their faith. Sometimes suffering such abuse for the sake of Jesus does not feel worth it. In Luke 23:35, hear the Word which does not hurt. Jesus Is God’s Chosen One! |
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Does God actually give you eternal life without asking you to contribute in some way? Does Jesus remove all guilt and fear? Or is all this too good to be true?
In Isaiah 12:1-6 hear the truly good song of Isaiah: God's Anger Has Turned Away! |
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(from our midweek Lenten services)
Life changes. Some changes are expected; others are not. Some changes bring joy; others leave a feeling of abandonment. How do you respond when life forces change on you? In John 19:25-27 see Life-Changing Love Embrace You. |
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Do you make sure to do all you can to protect your spiritual life— to ensure no sin spreads its hellish cancer across your very heart? Sometimes it appears like you have so much more time to care about eternity later.
In Luke 13:1-9, Jesus shakes you to attention. The Time is Now! to repent and produce fruit. |
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(from our midweek Lenten services)
How do you even begin to feel the need to forgive someone who hurt you in the most painful, most calloused of ways? In Luke 23:32-34, see The Great Pain to Forgive start at the cross and then flow through you. |
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"Watch out for everything going on around you!" Good advice for defensive drivers. Good warning for those in a congregation. Christians can easily grow lax in centering their thoughts and hearts in God's Word.
In Philippians 3:17-4:1, Keep Watching Out! for minds set on earthly things and for your arriving heavenly inheritance. |
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(from our midweek Lenten services)
Would you characterize Christian life as "fun?" Sometimes it appears that life spent following Jesus brings more pain than it does fun. With one simple sentence Jesus tells you about the eternal pain he delivers you from. In Luke 23:27-31 Jesus tells you the purpose of the cross. Why Weep at the Cross? |
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Why remember what the Lord has done for us? Is there any reason or value to remember that our God has rescued us?
In Deuteronomy 26:5-10, Remember the LORD Your God! and see from what he has rescued us and what our response is. |
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(from our midweek Lenten services)
During Lent, we see Jesus go to the cross. He suffers and dies for wrongs he did not do. He is forsaken by his Father for sins he does not commit. Because Jesus removes sin by the cross, the Christian's life changes altogether. In Mark 8:31-38, see A Decision Made at the Cross. |
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Light and darkness are two powerful opposites. One reveals knowledge; the other wanders around in uncertainty. One brings confidence; the other brings doubt. Do you know the God you serve?
In 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 you see a distinction between light and dark, between certainty and uncertainty, between confidence and doubt. Light Shines in Our Hearts! |
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Jesus preaches. People hate his message. Do you expect Jesus to experience insults, ridicule, or a door slammed in his face? What does he do wrong?
Luke 4:20-32 tells us that, regardless of reception, Scripture Stands Fulfilled! |
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Good news is difficult to come by. World news tends to announce tensions. News in personal life may be lined with frustration. Does good news-- that is, news bringing any failure or disappointment-- truly exist?
In Luke 4:14-21 Jesus Proclaims the Lord's Favor. |
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What is the point behind Jesus' miracles? They are not magic tricks. They do not showcase superiority or dominance. They are done for an entirely different reason.
In John 2:11 Jesus Reveals His Glory for you to see his power and for you to place your trust in him. |
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Does your baptism still hold any significance? Is it a one-time milestone in your Christian life? Or is it something you are committing to God?
In Titus 3:4-7 the apostle Paul connects your baptism to your present Christian life. Remember Your Baptism! |
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Is it easy to trust God's promises? Promises are unseen guarantees-- something that may or may not happen.
In Genesis 17:1-7 God reminds you of his complete power over things seen and things unseen. Christmas Is God's Promise Kept! |
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