Author: Kim Braatz

Sermon: “Because He Is Risen…”
Theme: By Christ’s rising from the dead we are freed from our bondage to the past and our fears of the future.
Purpose: The congregation will celebrate and rejoice in the gift of the resurrection.
Scriptures: Isaiah 25:6-9 On this day we receive a feast of gladness because death no longer has power over us.
John 20:1-18 Christ is raised and witnessed by Mary.
Questions:
What is different in our lives because of the gift of Christ’s resurrection from the dead? What is the difference between “resurrection” and “resuscitation?” How is our perspective on life changed by the knowledge that death has been defeated? What becomes our purpose in life as people who have the message of hope over death to share? What can we do to truly celebrate the resurrection?

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Sermon: “Humbly, Riding on a Donkey”
Theme: Christ comes to us in humility, and we know Christ when we take on the same lowliness and servanthood.
Purpose: The congregation will seek to know Christ through setting pride aside and seeking to live faithfully.
Scriptures: Mark 11:1-11 The Palm Sunday Procession into Jerusalem.
Philippians 2:5-11 Have this same mind that was in Christ Jesus.

Questions:
Why did Jesus choose to ride a donkey into Jerusalem at that time? Did he know that he was fulfilling a prophecy or did it just happen that way? Why did everyone get so excited about Jesus coming to Jerusalem that day? In what ways did Jesus contrast with other leaders of the same time? What difference does it make to us if we seek to be humble and willing to serve God? Is servanthood still something worth practicing?

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Sermon: Too Broken to Pray
Theme: Prayer is a relationship with God that at times transcends words, and at times is challenged by not conforming to our will. “Thy will be done.”
Purpose: The congregation will recognize that we pray to a God that does not conform to our will yet loves and walks with us at all times.
Scriptures: Romans 8:26-30 We don’t know how to pray, but God has determined that we will be conformed to the image of the son.
Mark 14:26-42 Jesus prays that the cup pass, disciples cannot stay awake to pray.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Jesus has been tested in all ways that we have been, grace in time of need.

Questions:
How do we handle the times when we are too upset or angry to pray? Does God become angry with us when our prayers are selfish or angry? What if we accidently pray something that is not good for us? Will God punish us if we tell God off or pray in a disrespectful manner? Why do some feel the need to pay in very formal ways? What does it mean when we say in the Lord’s prayer: “Thy will be done?” Do we really want God’s will or are we at times just being polite?

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Daylight Savings Time
Sermon: “Unanswered Prayer?”
Theme: As Christians we are at times challenged by prayers that are unanswered, or events that cause us fear and doubt.
Purpose: The congregation will understand prayer as a living relationship with a sovereign God that at times is difficult.
Scriptures: Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the unjust judge
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 Pray without ceasing, do the work of God.

Questions:
Why do some of our prayers go unanswered? Did we do something wrong or is there another reason why prayers that seem so right do not result in what we believe should take place? How do we “Pray without ceasing?” Is God really like an unjust judge that doesn’t care or was Jesus trying to make some other point? What does persistence accomplish with prayer? Does persistence actually wear God down to our point of view or does it change things for us somehow?

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Sermon: “And When You Pray”
Theme: Prayer is a practice that we work on individually as we grow in our relationship with God.
Purpose: Recognizing the value of prayer, the congregation will seek to develop their prayer practices.
Scriptures: Matthew 6:5-8 Pray in silence, and God knows what you need before you ask.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Paul describes the height and depth of spiritual experiences.

Questions:
What do we need to do in order to be good at praying? Are there particular tricks or techniques that make prayer work? What does it mean to have a strong and healthy prayer life? In what ways is prayer about experiences? What should we feel when we pray? If we don’t really feel differently, does it mean we are not praying correctly? Why should we pray since God already knows what we want before we ask?

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Sermon: “Those Who Pray”
Theme: The people who live by prayer will practice discernment and seek wisdom from God.
Purpose: To recognize that Christians are serious about prayer, because it is our sole source of strength and wisdom.
Scriptures: Matthew 7:12-20 Beware the easy way, you will know them by their fruits.
Isaiah 6:7-10 We live in a generation that is slow to listen and hesitant to open themselves to what God is saying.

Questions:
Do we take prayer seriously? Is prayer for us a source of strength and direction or tradition? Do we actually listen for God to speak to us? Are we prepared to be changed by prayer? Are we willing to see ourselves differently and make changes in our lives as a result of a powerful prayer life? Are our doubts and questions about prayer because we don’t know how to use prayer effectively in our own lives?

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