“Galatians #5: The Fruit of the Spirit”Text: Galatians 5:13-25Pastor Jon takes a look at this familiar passage from Galatians, exploring what it means to live according to the Spirit instead of according to the law.  Paul teaches that the Spirit at work within us will bear fruit in keeping with the Spirit.  We are free…

“Galatians #4: One of These Things”Text: Galatians 3:26-4:7Paul challenges our natural inclination to sort and categorize people based on race, economic status, or gender.  Indeed, the ground is level at the foot of the cross, and all people are welcome into the family of God as dearly loved children, co-heirs of the Kingdom of God.

“Galatians #3: Hypocrisy and Integrity”Text: Galatians 2:11-21This is the third of six sermons on the book of Galatians. Pastor Jon suggests that one of the biggest criticisms facing the church is that of hypocrisy–a charge that goes back to the earliest days of the church. The antidote is integrity, living the same way everywhere we…

“Galatians #2: Anchored in Jesus” Text: Galatians 1:10-24 How do you face criticism and false accusations? Paul faced his accusers confidently, offering them evidence of his good fruits, references from other believers, and the story of his calling. Ultimately, he could face down the false accusations because he knew who he was in Jesus.

“Galatians #1: Christianity Plus”Text: Galatians 1:1-12Pastor Jon begins a 6 week series on the book of Galatians with an overview of the letter to the Gentile believers in Galatia. Paul challenges those who are teaching adherence to the law, and encourages the believers to place their faith in Christ alone. C. S. Lewis might refer…

“Are You Really Listening?” Pastor Jon combines several texts of scripture to illustrate the words of James 1:22 (Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself, do what it says.) From the Israelites in the wilderness to the disciples’ treatment of children, we explore the human propensity to look like we’re listening–without…

“To the Other Side of the Tracks” Text: Mark 6-8 Pastor Jon retells Mark 6-8 in broad sweeping strokes, paying particular attention to the geographical movement that Jesus makes. Based on some material by Ray Vanderlaan, this sermon explores the message that Jesus lived out–that the Highway of Holiness was to take the Gospel to…

“Made Clean from the Inside Out” Text: Mark 7:1-23 Pastor Jon looks at some of the traditions of the Pharisees to help us better understand Jesus’ call in Mark 7. As we seek being cleaned from the inside out, we also recognize that it’s not about changing people on the outside–but introducing them to the…

“Recognizing Jesus” Text: Mark 6:30-56 Our text from Mark 6 shows sequences of events where people either recognized, or failed to recognize, Jesus. We are reminded that Jesus is Jesus–both when things are going well and there’s plenty of food, and when the storms are raging. Our inability to recognize Jesus doesn’t change His ability…

“Buffet Christianity” Texts: Mark 6, Amos 7 Pastor Jon takes a look at the question of “Who is Jesus?” By looking at the stories of King Herod & John the Baptist, and Amaziah & Amos, we see the great dangers of elevating ourselves above the Word of God or the Prophet of God. These stories…