Month: November 2015

Sermon:           “Reaching Out in Love”

Theme:            The body of Christ has meaning and purpose by reaching out in love (and does not exist for any other purpose.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to live and function as the Body of Christ, and measure success of our work together by being those who reach out in love to the world.

Scriptures:       James 1:22-27 Do not be hearers only but be doers of the word.

Luke 9:23-27   If anyone to be followers, let them take up their cross, what does it profit if they gain the world but lose their purpose?

Questions:

In what ways is the “body of Christ” doing the work of Christ today? Do non-church people see Christians as generous and compassion or as judgmental and self-righteous? What do we need to do so that God’s love flows more fully through our actions? Does our religion reflect James description:  “²⁷Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world?”  Do we worry more about our needs and rights than about living faithfully the love of Christ in daily actions? What are some specific changes we could make to better show the love and grace of Jesus?

Click HERE to listen to the message.

Sermon:           “Humbly Walking the Walk”

Theme:            Christ calls us to show our knowledge of God through our humility and faithfulness.

Purpose:          The congregation will understand the value of “Growing Humbly in faith.”

Scriptures:       Romans 5:1-8  Our sufferings and pain serve to mature us into enduring, humble Christians.

Matthew 10:5-15        Jesus sends the disciples out to preach and heal, and to wipe the dust off their feet where they are not received.

Questions:

What does it mean to us to share the gospel? Is there a way to spread the good news without being pushy and rude? How should we understand our role to share Christ? Is it possible that we can enter into relationships with others and share God’s love as our work of evangelism? Is it possible that we have a particular character as the Body of Christ which will flow naturally from our hearts? How can we tap into this natural manner of sharing Christ’s love?

Click HERE to listen to the message.

Sermon: “Christians (Having Received the Word)

Theme: We have heard the word and now seek to live it faithfully as the Body of Christ in fellowship with one another.

Purpose: The congregation will commit itself to living as Christ calls us to live.

Scriptures:
Acts 11:19-30 The name “Christian” is first given to people who followed the example of the Anointed one.
John 13:33-35 By your love, everyone will know that you are followers of Christ.

Questions:
What does it mean to be Christ-like? Do we raise to the measure of being people who are seen for our love for one another and for all of the world? Do we show that we have received God’s word by our love? What do people think of when they hear about Christians? Why are some who claim to be Christian so prone to be resentful, hostile, and negative? How do we reclaim the meaning of the word Christian from those who have caused it to be associated with judgmentalism and hypocrisy?

Click HERE to listen to the message.

Sermon:           “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love”

Theme:            The measure of the health and nature of the Body of Christ is love above all else.

Purpose:          The congregation will affirm the need to practice our love of Christ.

Scriptures:       1 Corinthians 13          Love is patient, love is kind, love does not seek its own way.

Matthew 25:34-40      Then the king will say, “When I was hungry you fed me…”

Questions:

As the Body of Christ, in what ways are we demonstrating that we are Christians? How do we stand against the definition of love given in 1 Corinthians 13? Are we arrogant, boastful, and rude? Or are we patient, kind, loving, and willing to accept each other? Is our love in practice so that we will stand the test of Matthew 25 (feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, visiting the stranger, the prisoner, and those who are alone)?  Do we take the command to love as our first and most important assignment as the body of Christ?

11/8/2015       Ears that Listen

Sermon:           “Christians (Having Received the Word)

Theme:            We have heard the word and now seek to live it faithfully as the Body of Christ in fellowship with one another.

Purpose           The congregation will commit itself to living as Christ calls us to live.

Scriptures:

Acts 11:19-30  The name “Christian” is first given to people who followed the example of the Anointed one.

John 13:33-35  By your love, everyone will know that you are followers of Christ.

Click HERE to listen to the message.