Author: Kim Braatz

Sermon: “Faith Tested by Fire”
Theme: At times our faith calls us to stand up to trials and conflicts that in the end will strengthen us and draw us closer to God.
Purpose: The congregation will understand that faith put into action becomes stronger and enables us to know Christ more fully.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:3-9 We rejoice even though we may suffer various trials.
Daniel 3:1-7, 13-30 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the fiery furnace.

Questions:
What does it mean for us to have our faith “tested by fire?” What role does standing firm in the face of adversity play in our coming to know Christ more fully? Is it possible to have a deep and meaningful faith without at times encountering opposition? How do we deal with opposition and challenges in ways that are respectful and filled with the love of Christ? In what ways is Christ especially revealed to us in the midst of the “fires” we face? What are some of the times when people of God have been tested throughout history, and in what ways have their faith shown out as a result?

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Sermon: “Are We on God’s Side?”
Theme: God is on the side of righteousness, justice, and peace rather than on the side of power or might.
Purpose: The congregation will recognize that power and authority bring responsibility.
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:4-11, 31-40, 45-47. David meets Goliath’s threats with faith in God and using his own capabilities.
Romans 12:3-8 Let each person use the faith and gifts that they have been given.

Questions:
What is the real message of the story of David defeating Goliath? How is it we always see ourselves as the “David” in these stories when most of us are the more powerful and influential people in the world? What warnings should we take from this story (as we recognize our own power and influence)? What is the story really about? What should we learn about David’s claim that faithfulness and trust in God are what will bring victory rather than might or power? Do we focus more on faithfulness? Or we more interested in “Might and Power?”

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Sermon: “The Cost of Arrogance”
Theme: Samson did not recognize that his strength flowed from his relationship with God, and this forced a journey of restoration.
Purpose: The congregation will understand that our power and strength needs to come from our relationship with God.
Scriptures:  Judges 16:4-22 Samson falls in love with Delilah and she betrays him.
Matthew 10:16-22, 34-39 Jesus warns the disciples of betrayal, and rejection, that those who will follow have to set relationship with God above all else.
Questions:
Why do we retell the story of Samson and Delilah, especially to children, when it is a story of such deceit and bloodshed? Was Samson just not very intelligent in his relationships or was God in some way using his lack of ability to restrain himself? What does it mean to be so personally devoted to God as a Nazerite? How is it that some people are so focused on personal devotion that they are not able to see what impact their decisions have on others? How can God use such a violent and unrestrained man as Samson? Was it a good thing that he killed so many Philistines? What is with the conflict between the Philistines and the Judean people? How has our view changed of how to bring peace?

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Sermon: “On the Way to Nineveh”
Theme: The sin of Jonah was to treasure his resentment more than God.
Purpose: We become aware of how we justify our hostility and resentment in place of faithfulness to God.
Scriptures: Jonah 1:1-6, 1:15-2:10 Jonah is swallowed up by the Whale and spewed out.
Matthew 7:21-23 Some will say they are faithful but will not act in the knowledge of God.

Questions:
What is the difference between having “strong convictions” and being stubborn? Jonah’s prejudice against the people of Nineveh got in the way of his relationship with God. Do we ever do that? Are there times when our unforgiveness, prejudice, or other grudges make want to defy God’s direction to us? Why did God use such extreme means to return Jonah to the path He had set for Jonah? Was that for the benefit of Jonah or for the Ninevites? Why did God choose Jonah even though God knew Jonah hated the people of Nineveh? Are there ever times God will call us to go or do things so that our attitudes will be changed?

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Sermon: The Lions You Will Face
Theme: Daniel’s decision as to how to live his life meant that he was in danger of losing it.
Purpose: To see in Daniel’s story that he had to choose what manner of life he was going to live, and to claim a life that is full rather than one that complied with other’s expectations.
Scriptures:  Daniel 6:1-28 Daniel thrown in the lion’s den.
Romans 8:31-39 What will separate us from the love of Christ?

Questions:
What is the cost of our being faithful to God and true to ourselves? When are we tested and tried, to prove what we believe and to hold fast to our values? What kind of person never has their values or beliefs tested? What is the difference between holding true to our beliefs or values, and being stubborn as we refuse to question or to grow? How do we learn to be people who know what to hold fast to, and where to compromise? What are the values that we will never compromise upon?

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