Jesus invites us to follow him throughout our lives. Hear this message from our guest pastor - Rev. Chuck Gieser.
There is plenty of news out there which might lead you to think that marriage is in big trouble. The reality is that the vast and overwhelming majority still want marriage, and want the type of marriage God desires. A good, healthy, mutually supporting bonding of two into one flesh. I pray that this message helps you, and helps you encourage others to find the joy in Christian marriage.
What's your relationship status? Our lasting relationships impact our lives in so many ways, and what is happening in our relationships has huge spiritual implications. In this message we explore relationships, with a specific focus on those who are not married.
Single, Divorced, Widowed - What's your relationship status?
1 Corinthians 7:1-40
What is the condition of your soul? We can measure our financial health and our physical health. We talk about mental health - but what about spiritual health? How is your soul? The Bible claims that God's way revive the soul. Does your soul need some reviving?
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
Now what? If you have listened to the recent sermons, there has been a call to let go of the false fronts and get real, and to press on toward the prize offered by God through Jesus. But what does that look like? In Philippians 3 Paul gives us a great help - look at the examples of others. We can learn from those who have gone before us and those who are following Christ around us. In this message, Elder Wes Van Ort encourages us to find joy as we respond to the invitation "Let's Go!"
Philippians 3:17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
We can have a storm within us, or we can let it go. Do you want to hold onto bitterness, anger, resentment or regret? Do you want to live in the negative, or take hold of the good that God has for you. That is why Jesus came - so why not take hold of it with all that you are? This message focuses on an important "letting go" we all must do if we want all that God offers.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12
Last year many Christian themed movies made it big in the theaters: Noah, Exodus, Son of God, God's Not Dead, Heaven is for Real. One that isn't on most lists that should be is the animated film Frozen. With powerful cinematic metaphors of the Christian faith, this blockbuster is a great entry point into key aspects of following Christ. Listen as Philippians 3 and Anna & Elsa come together in one sermon.
What do we have to "Let Go" in order to see what we can become in this world?
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7
Things never go as perfectly as we plan - but that is the way life goes. So how can we celebrate Christmas in ways that make it meaningful, memorable, and true to the spirit of the holiday? Start by watching this video: Simple Christmas Video
Then listen as Pastor Dirk shares about making Christmas meaningful.
Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
In thinking what Christmas is not (It is not your birthday), it is important to realize that Christmas is not magic - it is miraculous. What is the difference between Magic and Miracle?
This is a critically important distinction to make as we understand God. If God is like Santa Claus for grown-ups, you will not have a God which can see you through everything life throws at you. We need a bigger, wise, more miraculous power in our lives.
Are you ready to expect a miracle this Christmas?
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-7
What can all the craziness of Christmas add to your life?
Are you complete or do you need more?
After spending some great time giving thanks, how do we have the best Christmas possible? It is the perfect time of the year to take steps right now to make this the most wonderful time of the year.
Give Thanks - Seek Goodness - Choose Wisely
1 Corinthians 1:5-9 For in him you have been enriched in every way-- in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-- because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
God is working in the world through His children gathered together and working together - as local churches. Local churches are made up of individuals. While is not a solo affair, Christianity definitely has a very personal aspect to it. For a church to be healthy, for you to be part of something bigger than you, you need to make some important decisions for yourself and how you are going to live. Jesus extends the offer, "Follow Me." Who is this Jesus?
Colosians 1:19-22
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [his Son], and through him to reconcile to himself all things... by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
A highly dysfunctional church cannot serve God well - so what does a healthy church look like? It isn't so much about organizational structure, history, or even specific doctrine - it is about people. People bound together by Jesus, and fit together as God intends. We are called to actively engage in being the Body of Christ.
This is life, this is work - and it produces something wonderful: JOY!
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:10-13
In the right column of this page is our church mission statement. If a church is going to serve God, it must be what God uses to get things done. God is active in the world through local churches - congregations who are vital and healthy.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16
We know so much, but we are known so little. We keep up false fronts, try and fit in, and have few (if any) people who truly know us. This isn't good for us in the long run. We are designed to be known, it is a cry of our soul to be known. The good news is that God knows you, and even with this knowledge, God loves you.
It is actually a good thing, a freeing reality, it is life giving once you realize you can't hide from God. God sees everything - and that's okay.
Psalm 139 O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
Sermon from Rev. Dr. Gregg Mast, President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary on being those who truly love their neighbors.
1 Kings 17:7-16 & Luke 10:29-37
Is it better to be a servant or a master? In 1979 Bob Dylan released the song, "Gotta Serve Somebody." We are all going to end up serving somebody or something - and what we serve impacts our whole lives. But we can also be a master. When following Jesus, we are not supposed to be pushed around or driven by the things of this world, we need to take control and serve our Master well.
Matthew 25:14-46 “enter into the joy of your master” & “inherit the kingdom prepared for you”
Jesus boils it all down to: Love God, Love your Neighbor. Implied in this is a healthy, holy love for yourself. The command is to love your neighbor as yourself, so we need to know the right kind of love, one that moves away from selfishness, if we are going to follow the way of Jesus. It doesn't matter who you are, you can be lovable for one profound reason.
We are to be clothed in love - and that new clothing is part of a new identity with God. Where does this take us in life? Listen to this message to hear about the amazing life which comes with the new wardrobe. (If you didn't hear Pastor Dawn's message from last week, you may want to listen to that first)
How quickly do we size people up by the clothes they are wearing? The spiritual guidance given to us as we seek a better way is to "clothe ourselves in love." What does love look like and how do we get dressed properly? Listen as guest pastor Rev. Dawn Alpaugh shares on this central theme from Colossians 3.
Colossians 3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
If we want to head in a better way, in God's way, we have to get rid of those things which are incompatible with it. The better way God has for us is contrary to some of our natural desires. Often what we write off as "human nature" is in direct conflict with what God would have for us. In Colossians 3, we are told to deal with it in an extreme manner - put it to death. So how do we put to death that selfish part of human nature called greed?
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: ...greed, which is idolatry.