Lent (#4): "Thou Shalt Not Whine" – March 18, 2012

Lent (#4): “Thou Shalt Not Whine”Text: Psalm 107Throughout the Old Testament wilderness narrative, we discover a community which grumbles, complains, and whines about their situation.  In contrast, when we read the narrative of Jesus in the wilderness, we discover faithfulness and contentment.  In the New Covenant Community, we ought to find Christ-followers who continually adopt…

Lent (#3): Sweeter Than Honey – March 11, 2012

Lent (#3): “Sweeter Than Honey”Text: Psalm 19C. S. Lewis calls this psalm, “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.”  As we look at the Psalm, we consider that the primary reason God’s Word is “sweeter than honey” is because it reveals the nature and character of God. …

Lent (#2): Praising in the Desert – March 4, 2012

Lent (#2): “Praising in the Desert”Text: Psalm 22Possibly one of the most “schizophrenic” psalms in all of scripture, Psalm 22 reminds us that even in the midst of great suffering we are to praise God.  David.  Esther.  Jesus.  Each one an example of someone who might feel abandoned by God, and yet gives praise to…

Lent (#1): Where God Isn’t – February 26, 2012

Lent (#1): “Where God Isn’t”Text: Psalm 139If there are places on earth that seem particularly close to the heavens, then it is only reasonable to suggest that there may be places which seem particularly distant.  And yet, as the Psalmist is quick to point out, even if we make our bed in the depths… God…

On the Mountain – February 19, 2012

“On the Mountain”Text: Mark 2:2-9On this Transfiguration Sunday, we explore the idea of “thin places” on earth, where the realm of the Divine seems to intersect with the mundane in an extraordinary way.  Unlike Peter, we must ignore the temptation to package up the experience, controlling and marketing it to others… but that when we…

The Great Equalizer – February 12, 2012

“The Great Equalizer”Text: Mark 1:40-45Pastor Jon explores a couple of texts related to leprosy.  We are reminded that God has the power to cleanse lepers… and to forgive us of our sins.  The great equalizer is neither leprosy nor cancer, but the sin that so easy entangles us.

The Good News of Repentance – January 22, 2012

“The Good News of Repentance”Text: Mark 1:14-40Repent.  It’s an important word in Christianity… but it’s a word that carries an awful lot of baggage… both inside and outside the Church.  Pastor Jon attempts to get through the some of baggage, exploring how we might see the call to repentance as a call full of hope…

Seeking the God who Sees – January 15, 2012

“Seeking the God who Sees”Text: John 1:43-51Hagar.  Samuel.  Nathaniel.  We are reminded that we are seeking the God who sees–the God who sought us before we knew enough to seek after Him.  The God who saw Hagar by the spring in the desert is the same God who called out to Samuel in the middle…

New Years: What are you Waiting For? – January 1, 2012

“New Years: What are you Waiting For?”Text: Luke 2:22-38Pastor Jon concludes our Advent and Christmas series with a look at the accounts of Anna and Simeon. After considering their patient faithfulness, we are invited to consider the ways in which others have demonstrated those qualities to us, and the ways we can be a Simeon…

Advent (#4): The Promise Draws Near – December 18, 2011

“Advent (#4): The Promise Draws Near”Text: Luke 1:5-25, 57-79Imagine… if you could only speak one sentence, once a year!  Talk about choosing your words wisely!? How would you choose what to say, if you could only speak one sentence, once a year?  How would you economize your words?  What priorities would drive your communication?  What would…