Author: Kim Braatz

Sermon:           “The Water of Life”

Theme:            We receive the love of Christ praying for us and over us as we walk through the challenges and trials that we face together and as the Body of Christ.

Purpose:          The congregation will be refreshed and encouraged by the knowledge of Christ’s Jesus’ love and prayers for them.

Scriptures:       Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21     Jesus promises the healing of the Tree of Life and the water of life to refresh them.

John 17:20-26 Jesus prays for the unity and strength of the disciples and all who come after them.

Questions:

What does it mean to us that Jesus is praying for us? How do we experience that love of Jesus in everyday life? Do we think of Jesus as caring for us and advocating for us? What does the “Water of life” mean? What do we think of as being invited to come, and to respond to God’s love with gratitude? Are we aware of all that Jesus has done on our behalf to heal us and quench our thirst? What do we need to do in order to feel the love and comfort that God is seeking to offer us through Jesus?

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Sermon:           “God’s Desire to Care for Us”

Theme:            The intention of God’s relationship with us is to free us from sorrow and fear, and to establish our hearts in healthy relationships.

Purpose:          The congregation will take on an appreciation of God’s intention for us that we be in a loving, healthy relationship.

Scriptures:       Revelation 21:22-22:5 The gift of God’s fellowship will be the light and peace of God’s people.

John 14:23-29 The Advocate will teach and bring to remembrance what is needed.

Questions:

What does Jesus mean when he promises the “Advocate” will make known to us what we need to know? How far does that promise extend to us? What do we have to do in order to experience that type of knowledge and wisdom? What is Revelation telling us about the relationship between ourselves and God? What does it mean that God will be our light? In what ways can God be our light today? What does it mean to discern direction from God? Does God function like some sort of “Ouija board” or is God’s direction for us something different? How does our free will and God’s direction work together?

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The Good Shepherd will wipe away every tear and bring peace to the sheep.

Sermon:           “The Good Shepherd”

Theme:            We listen to the voice of Jesus and make following faithfully our focus so that we may fully enjoy the love of God.

Purpose:          To encourage us to sacrifice ego and trust God’s guidance.

  Scriptures:       Psalm 23          The Lord is my shepherd.

John 10:22-30 Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice and they follow.”

Questions:

What does it mean that Jesus is “The Good Shepherd?” In what ways are we called to be like sheep? What is comforting about knowing that Jesus will guide us? Are we prepared to submit ourselves and follow? Or are we wanting God to be our servant and to do our will?  What does it mean to “hear” the shepherd’s voice? Are we doing what we need to do in order to listen to Christ? Are we willing to let Jesus guide us through the valley of darkness? Or are we basing our faith on getting our own way?

Followed by Congregational Meeting to meet with Rev. Bill Blank of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center

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Through the risen Christ the veil of our personal egos, our fears, and our sins are all stripped away. Through the risen Christ we are no longer blind. Christ sheds light on the truth of our lives and the source of our salvation.

Sermon:           Jesus Asks: “Do You Love Me?”

Theme:            As we allow our ego and control to be stripped away we are able to be fully part of the compassion and love of Christ.

Purpose:           The congregation will focus on releasing their sense of power and control in order to be a part of the flow of Christ’s love.

Scriptures:       Revelation 5:11-14      The worship of “The Lamb that was Slaughtered” in heaven.

John 21:1-19   Jesus commissions Peter and the disciples to “care for the lambs” of God.

Questions:

When we claim to love Jesus, what is expected of us? How is the love for God related to love for the people around us? If we love God, what is our behavior towards the people created in God’s image going to be? How is Jesus’ love demonstrated towards Peter and the rest of the disciples after they had failed and been unfaithful? Can we truly worship God and be judgmental towards other Christians? What does it mean to submit our attitudes and beliefs to Christ?

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