Jesus asks big things of his followers, but he also makes big promises. One of the great promises is to always be with us. We are not alone. Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide
Jesus enters into the flow of human history and everything begins to change. While something new starts with Jesus, it wasn't a new idea. God has a plan at work, and it was first revealed to a man named Abram thousands of years ago. But Jesus' final charge to his disciples gives everyone who is devoted to Jesus an active part in the plan today. Listen to just how active our role can be. Sermon Notes & Encounter Guides
Why do churches do baptism is so many different ways? And why does Jesus even care that Christians are baptized? What does the Bible say about baptism? Sermon Notes and Encounter Guide
The "things" of Christianity: hope, peace, joy, faith, security, purpose -
come through action verbs of doing what Jesus commands. The final words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Matthew are all about action.
To get the nouns everyone wants, we need to do the verbs. The first action verb to look at is MAKE. Listen to Jesus' call to get busy making. Sermon Notes & Encounter Guide
The tomb was empty - but how did it happen? What is a trick, a lie, or the truth. And even if Jesus was resurrected, is it enough to believe in that fact or does God desire more? Allow this message from Easter Sunday encourage your faith and guide your life. Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide
LISTEN ONLINE: Do You Believe? (and is that enough?) 3/27/16
A final time before he is arrested, Jesus says to this disciples that he will be killed. He starts by saying, "As you know..." For at least one of his followers this truth sunk in, and she responded with an extravagent sign of love and devotion. The aroma of this act wafts through history, and guides us to be a fragrant aroma of God in the world today. Sermon Notes
Jesus willingly walks into the jaws of death. The Father intentionally sends his Son into harms way. These are risky bold moves. God calls us to be humble, but he does not call us to timid. Being courageous risk takers is the call of God on those who seek to follow Jesus. Sermon Notes and Encounter Guide
I'm not always as patient of a father as I should be, but God always gets it right. In this message we consider how God's love is seen in his patience, and what this patient love looks like. Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide
Grief is a very real part of life. We all face it, but what does the Bible teach us about how to make it through? There were times when Jesus' disciples we filled with grief. At those moments Jesus doesn't offer quick fixes or easy answers. He offers you something more! Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide
Matthew 17:22-23 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.
This week we consider one of the strongest personal rebukes Jesus gives. But it is not given out of anger, but love. Sometimes the love of God is confusing, because God's love is focused on what we need, not what we want. If we realize where God's love is focused, it can make many things much clearer in our lives. Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide
Matthew 16:21-22 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN: The Cross of Christ - A confusing love - 2/21/16
As we begin the season of Lent - 40 days before Easter - we turn to consider the deep love of God. Jesus teaches about this love as he prepares his disciples for his coming death. We love because God first loved us, and this love is seen in the Cross of Christ. Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide
Matthew 16-13-21
Click Here to Listen: The Cross of Christ - Love of God - 2/14/16
In this message we consider the final time Jesus directly teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew. But rather than say, "it is like" he changes and says "it will be like." What does he think we should know about what His Kingdom will be like? Sermon Notes and Encounter Guide
"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom..." Matthew 25:1
There are hard teachings in the Bible. Jesus talks about a great welcome, but also the reality of judgment. Before listening to this message on the new Way of Jesus, take time to read Matthew 22:1-14.
Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide
"Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come...'"
If you have kids, you have heard the phrase, "That's not fair." Well, the Father of all has heard it more than we can imagine. Where do we come up with our ideas of fairness, and why are they sometimes different than God's? Sermon Notes & Encounter Guide Jesus tells a great story of some works who were sure things were not fair, and he uses the story to help understand The Upside Down, Unpredictable and Surprisingly Awesom Kingdom of Heaven.
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work..." Matthew 20:1
Some people don't make forgiving them easy. Unfortately this sermon was not successfully recorded (please forgive us), but take time to read and reflect on Jesus' message in Matthew 18:15-35. He deals with the two sides of people who are a challenge to deal with when it comes to forgiveness. On one side are those who don't see or won't admit their error, and on the other, those who see it, but keep making it time and time again. Notes & Encounter Guide
To fill in the blanks on the notes: Deal with it! Forgive like God forgives. A life marked by forgiveness is Freedom
God takes small things and does the unexpected in a very complex world. The Kingdom of Heaven is like... Sermon Notes for January 10
Jesus spent a great deal of time talking about a new kingdom which is happening in the world. Using stories and illustrations he helps us understand how the world truly works, our place in it, and what God is doing in the messy parts of life. One of those places which can become unexpectedly messy is church. Why don't things go smoothly within churches if they are God's idea in the first place? Some of Jesus teachings shed light on what people experience as they gather together to seek and serve Godl. (NOTES)
Matthew 13:1-3 Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.
What does the love of God look like and why does it matter? The motivation of God, the whole of God is love.
Jesus claims that one who is greater than the greatest thing we know on earth is here, it is Jesus himself. This new force based on Love and Mercy makes all the difference in the world. Hear about the love of God which brings the joy of Christmas as we are motivated by love not law.
Matthew 12 - I desire mercy not sacrifice. Sermon Notes
Doubt is part of belief. One of Jesus' trusted allies begins to wonder, "Is Jesus the One?" Well, is Jesus the One, and what does that give us in life?
Listen and hear a moment of doubt which can build your faith.
Matthew 1:1-11
What is going on? Jesus has a funny way of giving us just what we need - but often we don't recognize it. When we are in the middle of the hard times, the unclear future, and unexpected challenges it can feel like God has lost control, or that God doesn't love us very much. However, God is doing amazing things in the world and in your life - cling to God in faith and see where the journey ends.
The call of Jesus in Matthew 10, and the adventures of the Pilgrims of 1620 can help us prepare for any future which might come.