Month: February 2016

Sermon:           “Do You Want to Be Healed?”

Theme:            We need to seek to be as God created us to be, and to live in the fullness of God’s purpose rather than to seek to be what others may want to expect.

Purpose:          The people will understand the importance of opening themselves to God’s direction as they seek healing for themselves and others.

Scriptures:       2 Corinthians 12:7b-10           Paul’s thorn in the flesh, when I am weak, then I am strong.

John 5:2-9a      Jesus heals the man by the pool of Bethesda.

Questions:

Are we open to being healed? Are there reasons that we hold onto the patterns and ways of living that keep us from growing or being transformed in our lives? What role that forgiveness, acceptance, and submission to the will of God play in the healing process? What does unforgiveness, bitterness, hostility, and stubbornness do to our minds, bodies, and spirits?  How do we learn to chose healing over our own sense of control or comfort? What role does the process of healing play in growth to becoming people who are able to serve God? In what ways do our scars become a source of wisdom and strength?

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Sermon:           “A Prayer To Be Made Whole!”

Theme:            Healing is to be given wholeness and balance that enables us to live in the fullness of what God intends.

Purpose:          The congregation will recognize that healing is about fulfillment and being made complete as God created us to be.

Scriptures:       James 5:13-16 The prayers of the elders heal the sick, confession is a part of healing.

Matthew 9:18-26        The woman touched his garment, and Jesus said: Your faith has made you whole.

Questions:

What does it mean to be “whole?” How does this correspond to “Holiness” as understood in the scriptures? How do we feel about ourselves? Do we have areas of our lives and relationships that are not right? Are there things that we would like to submit to God’s care and allow them to be changed? What is our level of faith for God to do a transforming work? What practices and changes do we need to consider in order to be open to healing? Are we healed because of our own capabilities in praying or is healing something that God gives us freely through faith?  How do we begin to open ourselves to experiencing healing?

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Sermon:           “By Scripture Alone”

Theme:            We are nurtured, instructed, and inspired by God’s Word, especially as we preserve the diversity of our fellowship and understanding of the text.

Purpose :          The congregation will understand that various understandings of scripture enable us to know God more fully together.

Scriptures:       2 Timothy 3:10-17       All Scripture is able to instruct and guide.

John 14:25-31  The advocate will instruct and will guide you.

Who is a part of the church?

Questions:

How do we affirm the authority of scripture in our lives? Do we tend to read the bible? What difference does it make to us when people quote scripture? How do we relate to a time when many have ceased to see scripture as having authority? How do we deal with differences of opinion about what scripture means? What can we do to create a strong and healthy understanding of scripture for us today? How do we affirm what unites us while maintaining our own unique perspectives and beliefs?

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Sermon:           The Priesthood of All Believers

Theme:            We are all called to share of what God has given us of the knowledge of God, and we are all called to serve God using our gifts and abilities.

Purpose:          The congregation will understand that we are all ministers in the service of Jesus Christ.

Scriptures:       1 Peter 2:1-10 You are a royal priesthood – built of the same stones and temple.

John 15:1-17    I am the true vine, you are the branches; you must love one another.

Questions:

What do we mean by a “Priesthood of all believers?” What difference does that make in terms of how we accomplish Christ’s ministry in the church? How do we fulfill our priesthood?  What role does maturity and growth in the knowledge of Christ play in our ability to fulfill our purpose as those who serve Christ? What does it mean for us when we take our membership vow to “Promise to give of ourselves in every way?” What happens our faith and ability be in healthy relationships if we cease to see ourselves as one among many doing Christ ministry? In what ways do we see ourselves as privileged with the ability to serve rather than obligated?

Click here to listen to the message: The Priesthood of All Believers