Month: March 2018

Sermon:           “The Covenant of Peace”

Theme:            Real peace is found through developing strength of humility and mercy that comes from the full knowledge of the love of God.

Purpose:          The congregation will embrace the love and compassion of Jesus so as to know the fullness of God’s presence.

Scriptures:       Philippians 2:5-11       Have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus that he humbled himself.

Mark 11:1-11  Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a colt.

Questions:

What does it mean to us to have the mind of Jesus Christ and his humility? How do we learn to practice humility when we are fearful of being abused or taken advantage of? What is the difference between humility and being weak? How do we use our own personal power and authority in gentleness and compassion? What practices enable us to think more highly of others? How do we put Christ first in our lives so that we are able to be raised by God rather than fighting for our own status or position?

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Theme:            God calls us to have the law of God written on our hearts through openness, love, and forgiveness.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to learn understanding and forgiveness.

Scriptures:       John 12:20-33 Unless a grain dies, it will not bear fruit, but out of suffering comes our gift of salvation for the world.

Jeremiah 31:31-34      The Law of God, written upon the people’s hearts.

Practice:          Learning to be less anxious and reduce defensive reactions.

Questions:

What does it mean to us to “Know the Lord?” How should the knowledge of God and love of Jesus Christ be reflected in our words and actions? In what ways is the covenant of practicing God’s love a challenge for our life every day? What can we choose as our current area to focus on practicing Jesus’ love in our relationships? What are some of the relationships in which that practice is most needed today?  What difference will this practice make in our lives?

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Sermon:           “The Gift of Covenant Law”

Theme:            God gave the gift of law that creates boundaries and instructs us in righteousness so that we may learn how to be gracious and loving with one another.

Purpose:          The congregation will reflect on their own commitment to do what is right to all people.

Scriptures:       John 2:13-22   Jesus drives out the moneychangers and proclaims call for faithfulness to God.

Exodus 20:1-17           God gives the law to the people at Mount Sanai.

Practice:          Commitment to our personal mission and purpose.

Questions:

What does it mean to us that the law that governs our life comes from God? In what ways does a lack of belief or trust in authority affect people’s lives? How does our attitude towards the laws of God give us the confidence to be healthy in our relationship with God and with the people around us? In what ways are we changed by our knowledge that God’s commandments will sustain us and be our source for wisdom and joy?  In what ways do we need to focus on our relationship with God in the law and less to legalism or self-justification?

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