Sermons
Most everybody understands the importance of having a firm foundation under their house. And most would agree that we should build our lives on a firm foundation. But what is that foundation?
This morning we think about what it means to build our lives on a solid foundation—a foundation of stone, and not of sand, in Jesus’ words. Jesus says the firm foundation is not moralism or behaviorism, but knowing him. Which begs the question, how do we know Jesus?
Have you ever heard someone talk about trying to stay on the “straight and narrow?” The Cambridge Dictionary illustrates the phrase in this way: “The threat of a good beating should keep him on the straight and narrow.”
Often we think about staying on the “straight and narrow” as a way to avoid punishment. But Jesus presents the “straight and narrow” as a path to a rich, joyful life. How do we know if we’re on the straight and narrow, and if we’re not, how do we get on it?
It has been said that you should never discuss religion or politics in polite company. This morning we wade into both streams. During an election season, how does our faith affect our politics? How should we think about voting, and about civic life as Christians and as political citizens?
None of us wants to feel judged, but how often do we sense a critical spirit in ourselves? How often do we judge others?
Most of us would probably say we want to be less judgmental. But how is that possible, when the natural tendency of our lives is to jump to judgment instead of inclining to understanding?
Jesus teaches us three questions we can ask to diagnose our hearts, and it leads us to one central truth: God, the great judge of the universe, judged his own son so that we might be free from judgment.
Both Christians and non-Christians love to quote Jesus’ words from Matthew 7, “Judge not.” Nobody wants to be (or feel) judged. But as Jesus points out, we ourselves are quick to judge.
Jesus is not teaching only about an action, but about a heart-level attitude. And he cautions us against applying a higher standard to others than to ourselves. Are there situations in which judgment might be appropriate? And if so, by what standard do we judge ourselves?
As Jesus finishes his teaching about money and possessions he encourages us, “Do not worry.” To which many of us respond, “Yeah, right.”
Worry figures prominently in many of our lives. We can’t imagine a life without worry, and if we could, we wouldn’t know where to start.
What is worry, where are our worries rooted, and how can we overcome worry? Listen as Jesus teaches us how to find true security and significance.
It’s been said that any pastor who preaches as much about money as Jesus talked about money will be run out of the pulpit.
Jesus had plenty to say about how we earn, spend, save, and give our money. Why does he talk about money so much?
We get a hint in his famous saying, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
God doesn’t need your money; he wants your heart. And your heart and your checkbook (or credit card) are closely intertwined. What does it look like to truly treasure God?
In the new year we often evaluate the previous year and make plans (resolutions) for the coming year, so that our lives can more closely match our priorities.
In Matthew 6 Jesus gets to the heart of our priorities, forcing each of us to ask ourselves, “What do I truly treasure in life?”
How we spend our time reveals our priorities. How can we spend our time in a way that treasures Christ?
Several months ago we read as Jesus taught (paraphrasing), “When you fast, do not look gloomy, but wash your face!” Jesus makes a point about how we practice our righteousness (in secret), but he also alludes to the spiritual discipline of fasting.
Fasting is not a part of regular life for most people (even most Christians), yet Jesus assumes we will fast. This morning we look specifically at fasting: what is it, why is it still relevant to Christians, and how should we approach this unique discipline?
We all want to do what is right (and certainly nobody sets out to do what is wrong), but how do we know what is right?
Is it ok to do the right thing for the wrong reasons? And when God says he looks at our heart, what does he mean by that?
“Turn the other cheek.”
“Go the extra mile.”
Jesus coined these phrases during some of his most challenging teaching yet—within the context of loving our enemies. Was Jesus exaggerating to make a point, or is it really possible to love our enemies?
Have you ever heard someone say, “I swear to God”? What does it mean to swear to God? This morning Jesus teaches about when we make vows and oaths, and he challenges us to look at our heart-level motives in the process. Why do we feel the need to make vows, oaths, and promises, and what if there’s a better way?
The comic referenced can be found at https://xkcd.com/993.
In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus confronts us with an exceptionally high bar for morality. This morning he addresses his most challenging topic yet: divorce and remarriage. How do we view those subjects as Christians?
The answer will challenge us, but when we remember that marriage is meant to reflect God’s love for us, the pieces start to fall into place.
In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus begins to confront us with a shocking high bar for morality. This morning he makes this bold claim: “I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Is Jesus just being dramatic? A killjoy? What heart conditions does he have in mind, and how do we pursue the purity of heart to which Jesus calls us?
In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus begins to confront us with a shocking high bar for morality. He begins this morning by equating anger with murder.
Is Jesus just being dramatic when he says anger and murder carry the same consequences? Or is he unearthing deeper matters of the heart?
When Jesus’ disciples asked how they could “get ahead” in God’s kingdom, they didn’t expect him to respond, “Be like a child.”
This year during our annual Children’s Day celebration we reflect briefly on what childlike faith means. It is simple, dependent, and trusting.
Jesus loved to use everyday illustrations to illustrate profound truths. This morning we look at two famous statements: “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.”
What does it mean that we are salt and light? What does “salty” faith look like? And how can we be a light in a dark world?
We all want to be blessed in life, but what does it mean to be #blessed? Does it mean a great vacation, or a brand new car? Is being blessed the same as being successful?
Our desire to be blessed is natural – God himself planted that desire in us. In fact, Jesus tells us exactly what the blessed life looks like. It may not be quite what you expect.
We all want to be blessed in life, but what does it mean to be #blessed? Does it mean a great vacation, or a brand new car? Is being blessed the same as being successful?
Our desire to be blessed is natural – God himself planted that desire in us. In fact, Jesus tells us exactly what the blessed life looks like. It may not be quite what you expect.
