Our identities are tied to the identity of Christ. Paul says, “For you died and your life is now hidden with God in Christ.” To grasp who we are now and who God intends us to be, we need to study the identity of our Lord. The gospel of John provides the deepest look into the mystery of His divine and human natures. This fall series of sermons and devotionals focuses on the “I Am” sayings of Jesus in this gospel. Each claim of our Lord about who He is has implications for who you and I are meant to be. May God speak to you as we learn and pray together.
Do you instinctively embrace authority? By personality some of us are natural followers some neutral resistors. All of us have had mixed experiences with authorities in our lives, like parents, bosses, coaches, or police.
This fall we’ll examine the commands that came from our spiritual Master, Jesus Christ. As we study them, remember that His authority is unique. He has ultimate power as our Creator and Judge, but only uses that divine authority in the way of love, shaping us to be people of truth and gladness. As He said “Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you (accept my authority), and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls—my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Understanding and following His commands is the narrow way that leads to an abundant life.
A willingness to encounter and befriend non-Christians means a willingness to understand and address their questions. Jesus never resisted questions and neither must we. But some questions are difficult, and in this series we examine the hardest challenges to Christian faith in our current culture. The devotions, sermons, and forums will be an invitation to discussion.
Each of us has an opportunity in partnership with God, to change the trajectory of someone's life, helping them discover the joy God intends them to know through faith. Each one can reach one. Through the dynamism of the Spirit, those we touch, bless and encourage will do the same for others. This sermon series is meant to help you in your outreach to others.
This August we begin a five week sermon series that examines the challenge of keeping our promises in marriage covenants. It is called Best. Marriage. Ever. We will learn from some of the scriptures most famous couples, including Adam and Eve, Abraham, and Sarah, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, Moses and Zipporah, and Joseph and Mary. The world's most famous single advisor on marriage, of course, is Jesus. He will figure prominently as well.
