“Back Side of the Cross: Atonement”Text: Acts 2:17-24As we begin a new series, Pastor Tim asks us to try looking at what Jesus did on the cross from a new perspective. We are used to looking at the cross and thinking what it means for “I, the sinner.” What does it mean to look at…
“Fully Embracing a Foolish Message”Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25We welcome Pastor Eric Larsen back to the pulpit as this week’s guest preacher. What are the messages that come from the cross of Jesus? For Rome, it was capital punishment; for the Jews, rejection. For those who are saved, it is the transformative power of God on…
“Living as God’s People: Proclamation of God’s People”Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16Paul continues the message of God’s wisdom that was introduced in last week’s passage. When we proclaim the Good News, we share this wisdom based on the cross – an act of self-sacrifice and love that meets us where we are – to a world…
“Living as God’s People: Unity of God’s People”Text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17We continue our look at 1 Corinthians with Paul encouraging the church to be united. This call to unity is one based in the gospel of Christ and God’s grace over all that might divide them.
Baptism of the Lord SundayText: Matthew 3:13-17In going to John the Baptist to be baptized, we recognize that Jesus is one of us. This sign of a life lived completely for God is a model for us; that our lives and our direction also should be lived in complete obedience and faithfulness to God.
“These Words Still Speak”Text: Matthew 2:13-15As Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt to save Jesus from Herod, Matthew’s Gospel quotes the book of Hosea; “Out of Egypt I called my son.” This reference to older scripture not only highlights parallels to the Exodus story, but also establishes that the life of…
Text: Matthew 11:2-11In response to the imprisoned John the Baptist’s question about who Jesus is, Jesus tells John’s followers about the things that are happening through Him. Like them, we are invited to see Jesus as the Messiah and the One who hears our cries, knows our prayers, shines light in the darkness, and remembers…
Text: Matthew 24:36-44As we begin the season of Advent, we recognize that sometimes we accept that the world is broken and just wait for Jesus to come again to fix things. However, the coming of Jesus and the expectation of His return isn’t an escape; it’s the fulfillment of a lifetime of preparation. We can…
Text: Luke 21:5-19The end of all things – even beautiful ones – is inevitable, as Jesus says about the Temple, but looking for signs of when this happens is not where our attention is supposed to be directed. Instead, we are called to endure through moments by living in the hope of God’s continued provision.…
Text: Luke 19:1-10The familiar story of Zacchaeus reminds us that God has always been looking for us to welcome Him into our lives and change the way in which we live among each other. Our past, titles, and labels do not need to define us because the Son of Man came to save us and…