Advent Four Sermon, Christmas Eve, 2021

 The God Who Reigns In Righteousness

Sermon, Third Sunday in Advent, December 12, 2021

God is Merciful

Sin and death leave us at the bottom. But in Christ, God raises us up safe on the other side.

Second Sunday of Advent, December 5, 2021

God Draws Near

Sin and death are the great separators. But true disciples know that in Immanuel, God  comes closer than ever before. 

First Sunday of Advent Sermon, November 28, 2021

God Remembers

Christmas answers some basic questions about God's character. True disciples know that in Christ God never forgets.

Sermon for Sunday, November 21, 2021

 Running to Win

True disciples keep their eyes fixed on the finish line. They know that saving faith perseveres to the end.

Sermon for Sunday, November 14, 2021

"Let the Games Begin!"

True disciples approach the Christian life as an athlete. They look to Jesus--and get in the game.

Sermon for Sunday, November 7, 2021

 A Slave to All

True disciples serve the weakest person in the room. The same Lord is Lord of all.

Sermon for Sunday, October 31, 2021

Lance, Liberty, & the Rule of Love

True disciples don't get distracted by their rights. They focus on the Savior's servitude -- and rejoice in their union with him. 

Sermon for Sunday, October 24, 2021

Rights & Responsibilities

True disciples give away what they have a right to keep in order to serve a brother they can't afford to lose.

Sermon for Sunday, October 17, 2021

 Our Guest Speaker this morning is Dr. T. David Gordon:

The Good Shepherd

Sermon for Sunday, October 10, 2021

 The Priority of Love

Things can get complicated in the New Age. But true disciples strive for 'building up' not 'puffing up.'

Sermon for Sunday, October 3, 2021

 Supping with the Devil

-- and other kitchen conundrums. True disciples know that faithfulness is about more than what's on the menu.

September 26, 2021 -- 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

 As for Me and My House

God declares the children of believers to be holy in status.

True disciples nurture the to be holy in spirit.

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September 19, 2021

 Distracted Driving?

Paul urges believers to pursue wisdom, whatever their marital status. 

True disciples don't just choose well--they live well.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9, 17-35

link to sermon

September 12, 2021

 Celibacy & Mutuality in the New Age of the Gospel

Getting ready for Jesus' return may not mean a new calling.

But it always means faithfulness to the calling we've already got.

link to sermon

Sermon, Sunday, September 5, 2021

Tying the Knot -- or Not

 It takes wisdom to live faithfully in the latter days. True disciples find it in the scriptures, and they glorify God in their homes and sexuality.

Sermon, Sunday, August 29, 2021

"Glorify God in Your Body"

The Lord is for the body. True disciples respond accordingly by turning from immorality and by living for him in the body. 

Sermon, Sunday, August 22, 2021

"The Body is for the Lord"

Christian Freedom isn't absolute. True disciples know that they've been set free from sin and death -- and are free to serve Christ! 

Sermon, Sunday, August 1, 2021

Welcoming and Affirming

The LGTB movement challenges what it means to be the church. True disciples know the Bible points them to Christ -- for forgiveness, for change, for good.

July 25, 2021 -- 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

 LGBT & ME
God's norms for sexuality and marriage have been consistent.
True disciples face changing times with unchanging love.

link to sermon

July 18, 2021

 "And Such Were Some of You"
God has prepared a future of glory & purity. True disciples

 know that Jesus' righteousness qualifies them

 to inherit the blessings of salvation.

Link to video

Please note that the last few minutes of sermon were not recorded due to power issues. Apologies!

Sermon, Sunday, July 11, 2021

"Tell It Not in Gath --"

We live in a world of conflict. But true disciples know that the gospel calls for a new kind of reconciliation in the church -- Jesus' kind.

Sermon, Sunday, July 4, 2021

Discerning the Body

The Bread and Cup we share is a sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ -- and in each other.

Sermon, Sunday, June 27, 2021

Flesh & Spirit

Jesus stands at the turning of the ages. True disciples know that he calls us to newness of life, even as we leave the old behind. 

Sermon, Sunday, June 20, 2021

 Church Discipline (2)

Holiness is central to the life of the church. True disciples know it gets worked out in love -- for God, for each other, and for the church.

Sermon, Sunday, June 13, 2021

 Church Discipline (1)

True disciples know that Jesus Christ has authorized the church to oversee purity in matters of life and faith.

Sermon, Sunday, June 6, 2021

Christ Our Passover Is Sacrificed! 

The exodus story foreshadows Jesus' work on the cross. True disciples know that in him, this ancient story becomes our story.

Sermon, Sunday, May 30, 2021

 The Kingdom and the Power

It doesn't take 'dynamite' to live the Christian life, but it does take power -- the kind that's perfected in weakness.

Sermon, Sunday, May 23, 2021

 Living Like Kings Princes

Christ has secured all the blessings of heaven. But true disciples know that the fulness of their inheritance must wait for the future.

Sermon, Sunday, May 9, 2021

Making for the Summit 

The apostles aren't always easy to understand.

But true disciples know that they have much to say about our heavenly future -- and our earthly present.

Sermon, Sunday, May 2, 2021

The Piracy of Truth (2)

The apostolic word has divine authority to rebuke -- and to redeem. 

Sermon, Sunday April 25, 2021

The Piracy of Truth

The Apostle defends his authority. True disciples know that Paul's not being cantankerous.e's ensuring that God's truth will not be held hostage.

Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

 The Life-Giving Spirit

True disciples know that Jesus triumphed over sin on the cross.

Now he fills their 'emptiness' with his own resurrection-life!

link to sermon

Good Friday, April 2, 2021

 Christ Our Passover Is Sacrificed

The exodus story lies just behind Jesus' death on the cross.

True disciples know that the Lamb of God protects 

from judgement and sets them free forever.

Link to sermon

Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021

The Lord of Glory

On Palm Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem in royal splendor.

But true disciples know that his glory would shine brightest on the cross.

Link to sermon

March 21, 2021

What's so Special About the Apostles?

They seemed like ordinary disciples, but Jesus was preparing them
 for something extraordinary -- to lay a foundation of the church.

Link to sermon

 

March 14, 2021

The Apostolic Church
The apostles were more thana circle of close friends.
Jesus was preparing them to continue his ministry to the world.

Link to sermon

March 7, 2021

 A Good Dose of Reality

Sin tricks us into believing an upside-down version of reality. True

disciples know the Bible helps us “see” things as they really are.

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February 28, 2021

 Loving the Church
All who undermine Christian unity, beware!
All who are growing in Christian love, be glad!

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February 21, 2021

 Building and Getting Built
TALES OF GOD'S NEW TEMPLE
Paul urges the church to prove its quality
by growing up--before it's too late!

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February 14, 2021

 "You are God's Temple"
The church's foundation was laid by the apostles.
True disciples know that doesn't make them celebrities--
just servants, raised up by God as gifts of love.

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February 7, 2021

 Learning Curves (2)

'Spiritual people' are called to grow in the knowledge of God.
True disciples know that means cultivating habits 

of the heart --as well as the head.

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January 31, 2021

Learning Curves

All Christians are ‘spiritual,’ but they’re not all ‘mature.’

 True disciples know that God calls believers to 

keep  growing up in the things of God.

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January 24, 2021

 “The Mind of Christ”

There’s a world of difference between ‘natural’ and ‘spiritual’ people.

True disciples have everything they need to live for God today.

They have Word and Spirit — because Christ has them. 

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January 17, 2021

"Which Things We Also Speak”

The Holy Spirit reveals the depths of God.

True disciples know that “spiritual wisdom” has been preserved in the words of the apostles.

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January 10, 2021

Wisdom for a New Age

Jesus marks the beginning of a new age.

True disciples know that God’s new wisdom changes them for new living.

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Ron Hamilton, CCCC Conference Minister, "Looking Ahead"

New Year's address to local CCCC churches.

Link to Ron Hamilton's Message