Jul 3, 2022
The Stories of Jesus Part 8: The Wedding Feast (Luke 14:17-24, Matthew 25:1-13)

Are you ready for the kingdom of God? What is it that you are still holding onto? Is it your pride? Learn to humble yourself before others and your God. Is it your wealth and possessions? Learn to serve the poor and needy as unto the Lord. Is it your schedule? Are you not available for the ministry of our God? Then you must dedicate your life to him and prioritize your life around his kingdom. Is if your devotion? Make yourself ready for the kingdom by putting oil in your lamps, by not quenching the work of the spirit in your soul, and by living every single day as unto the Lord.

We must respond to God's wedding feast invitation with humility, generosity, availability, and readiness. Otherwise it will be just like eating a small portion of cake instead of eating like a king at the wedding feast our Lord has prepared for you! Many are called but few are chosen. Which one are you? We Shouldn't Settle For A Measly Piece Of Cake When The Lord Has Prepared For Us A Huge Wedding Feast!

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  • Jul 3, 2022The Stories of Jesus Part 8: The Wedding Feast (Luke 14:17-24, Matthew 25:1-13)
    Jul 3, 2022
    The Stories of Jesus Part 8: The Wedding Feast (Luke 14:17-24, Matthew 25:1-13)

    Are you ready for the kingdom of God? What is it that you are still holding onto? Is it your pride? Learn to humble yourself before others and your God. Is it your wealth and possessions? Learn to serve the poor and needy as unto the Lord. Is it your schedule? Are you not available for the ministry of our God? Then you must dedicate your life to him and prioritize your life around his kingdom. Is if your devotion? Make yourself ready for the kingdom by putting oil in your lamps, by not quenching the work of the spirit in your soul, and by living every single day as unto the Lord.

    We must respond to God's wedding feast invitation with humility, generosity, availability, and readiness. Otherwise it will be just like eating a small portion of cake instead of eating like a king at the wedding feast our Lord has prepared for you! Many are called but few are chosen. Which one are you? We Shouldn't Settle For A Measly Piece Of Cake When The Lord Has Prepared For Us A Huge Wedding Feast!

  • Jun 26, 2022The Stories of Jesus Part 7: Unworthy Servants (Matthew 18:21-35, 20:1-16, Luke 17:7-10)
    Jun 26, 2022
    The Stories of Jesus Part 7: Unworthy Servants (Matthew 18:21-35, 20:1-16, Luke 17:7-10)

    Let me ask you a question. What does it mean to be a servant of God? Perhaps when you hear the phrase, “servant,” you balk. Perhaps you feel that the word is too demeaning or patriarchal. I think many think the word “servant” is a word reserved for a more primitive time in our past. No one should be a servant in today's progressive world of freedom and civil rights.  And this is where we as believers must adopt a different philosophy than the popular opinion of the day. The Bible speaks about servitude a lot. All the way from the beginning to the end. Genesis to Revelation. Even in the perfect Garden of Eden, Adam was told to serve the planet and the animals, Eve was told to serve her husband; Adam, and as husband and wife, they were told to serve each other. After the fall, Noah was told to serve God by building a cruise liner for animals. Abraham was told to serve God by leaving his homeland in search for an unknown place. Abraham was later told to serve God by sacrificing his son Isaac on the altar. Moses was told to serve God by leading the Israelites out of Egypt. He was also told to serve the people for 40 years while they wandered in the wilderness. Joshua, the Judges, David, Solomon, they were all commanded to serve God and to serve others.  And of course there is Jesus, who being God in the flesh served the Father by humbling himself to become a man and die on the cross for our sins. There is no greater act of service than to die for others. And this is what Jesus has called us to do as we follow him.  When you think about it, there is no such thing as a Christian who doesn't serve. Our faith and religion is defined by who we serve and how we serve. To be a Christian is to be a servant. In a world filled with people longing to be served by others, we are called to serve others and God, sacrificially, without hesitation. It is through our service that we show the love of the God we serve. Though Servitude Can Seem Demeaning, And Though We Are Called To Serve God And Others, We Are Still Unworthy Of Such An Assignment

  • Jun 19, 2022The Stories of Jesus Part 6: Fathers & Sons (Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 21:28-32)
    Jun 19, 2022
    The Stories of Jesus Part 6: Fathers & Sons (Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 21:28-32)
    It's not easy to be a father, and it's not easy to be a son. It's a constant balancing act trying to be a dad. You want to be loved but you also have to train and discipline. And sons want to love their fathers and find favor in their eyes, but they also want to stretch their wings and the boundaries of their freedom at every turn. And because of this there is often great tension between Fathers and Sons.This sermon explores that tension and what Jesus says about things like obedience, rebellion, forgiveness, and grace as it pertains to the Father Son Relationship. When It's all said and done;  Praise God For Sons Who Come Home And Fathers Who Welcome Them With Open Arms.
  • Jun 5, 2022The Stories of Jesus Part 4: Lost & Found (Luke 15:1-10)
    Jun 5, 2022
    The Stories of Jesus Part 4: Lost & Found (Luke 15:1-10)

    The pursuit of sinners supersedes the need to disciple the church and fellowship with the saints. Yes we all love being together and worshipping together and sharing our lives together, the early church did the same. And yes, we need to be in small groups and D-groups so that we can grow in our maturity together as believers. We must never neglect intentional discipleship. But, when it comes to prioritizing the purposes of the Church, reaching the lost with the Gospel takes precedence.

  • May 22, 2022The Stories of Jesus Part 2: The Kingdom of Heaven is Like… (Matthew 13:24-52)
    May 22, 2022
    The Stories of Jesus Part 2: The Kingdom of Heaven is Like… (Matthew 13:24-52)

    We are in a series talking about the Stories of Jesus. Don't you just love stories? I like a good story just as much as the next person. Sometimes the plot is pretty straight forward, but sometimes they catch you off guard. Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that you thought was going in one direction and then at the end it goes a totally different way? We call that a plot twist.

    Think about the most famous plot twist you can think of. For me it is the fact that in Star Wars, Darth Vader is set up to be this notorious villain which Luke must face in order to destroy the evil Empire. It's a pretty straight forward plot. But plot twist (and spoiler alert for all of those who have yet to see Star Wars, I mean its only 50 years old now), Darth Vader turns out to actually be Luke's father. Crazy right?

    But even more crazy is the fact that the Jewish people thought that the story of the Messiah was also pretty straight forward. When he came, they thought that he would come with great power, overthrow the Roman occupation, and reestablish Israel as the world's greatest kingdom! But, plot twist! Jesus, the true Messiah, didn't come to establish his kingdom here on the earth, but rather in the hearts of his followers. And guess what; some people couldn't understand this; they couldn't grasp it. So to explain it to them, Jesus gave them parables.

    Last week Jesus explained the Kingdom of God like this; “a sower went out to sow seeds.” In that parable the Kingdom of God is revealed to be Jesus the sower and the Gospel His seed. Those seeds which fall on good soil; good and faithful hearts, will grow to be a part of His kingdom.

    This week we are going to look at the remainder of the kingdom parables in Matthew 13. A kingdom parable is a story used by Jesus to explain the differences between men's expectations of Christ's kingdom and it's actual spiritual realities. And as we look at them we will find that too often what we expect from Jesus and what we get from Him are quite different, but in the end it is exactly what we need. Though The Kingdom of Heaven May Be Different Than What We Had In Mind, It Is Still The Greatest Kingdom We Could Ever Hope For.

  • May 15, 2022The Stories of Jesus Part 1: Weeds & Seeds (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20)
    May 15, 2022
    The Stories of Jesus Part 1: Weeds & Seeds (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20)

    How many of you have a garden? How many of you have ever sown seeds in the ground before? Does every seed that you plant grow up? No. Some get eaten by the birds don't they? Some seeds sprout up and then immediately die. Some seeds sprout up but get entangled with weeds and don't ever mature. But some seeds do what they are supposed to do; grow up and provide food or shade or beauty.

    And what Jesus is trying to convey is this... we, humans are just like those seeds. When we hear the Gospel we are susceptible to the enemy coming and snatching away our faith, or the troubles of the world snuffing it out, or the riches of the world choking it out. So what we must have is a good soil for our faith.

    Which seed are you this morning? Which soil are you sown into? Remember this; In This Life, Though It May Be Filled With Weeds, God Always Provides Good Soil For The Gospel Seed To Grow.

  • May 8, 2022Come and See Part 10: The Second Coming (Matthew 24:27-50)
    May 8, 2022
    Come and See Part 10: The Second Coming (Matthew 24:27-50)
    Series: Come & See

    When Jesus comes back, the time to decide whether to follow him or not will be gone. The Master Is Soon Returning. Blessed Will Be Those Who Are Ready To Serve Him When He Arrives.

    One day, we don't know the day or the time, but one day Jesus is coming back to rapture his followers for the final time. At that he will judge the whole world for their sins. Only those who know Christ will be spared. There will be no more chances to follow him. Rather, you must be ready before he comes. The only way to be assured that you are awake and ready is to be saved today! So are you ready? Do you want to be today?

    As C.S. Lewis once said, “the doctrine of the Second Coming teaches us that we do not and cannot know when the world drama will end. The curtain may be run down at any moment; say, before you have finished [hearing] this paragraph.”

  • May 1, 2022Come and See Part 9: The End Times (Luke 21:5-37)
    May 1, 2022
    Come and See Part 9: The End Times (Luke 21:5-37)
    Series: Come & See

    We are in the end times and have been for the last 2000 years. But as we move closer to the end it is becoming all the more apparent that we are in the end of the end times. And so, the question isn't whether or not we are near the end, the question is, how does the end change the way the church ministers. The church must endure, and the church must evangelize! Now is not the time to close up shop, now is the time to get after it like we've never gotten after it before! In the shadow of Easter we don't need rest and relaxation. No, more than anything we need revival! We may be rejected by the world but we still hold the cure for the world. Now is the time we are needed most and so we must rise up, find our strength in the power of the Holy Spirit and charge the gates of hell. The End Is truly near, but so is a new beginning in Christ. From the ashes of this world a new world Is being born. Our prayer is this: as the world falls down around us, let it fall, as all things must, at the feet of Jesus Christ.

  • Apr 24, 2022Come and See Part 8: The Ascension & The Promise Of The Holy Spirit (Luke 24:48-53)
    Apr 24, 2022
    Come and See Part 8: The Ascension & The Promise Of The Holy Spirit (Luke 24:48-53)
    Series: Come & See

    Jesus continually encourage his disciples with the aspect that though he is leaving them, he will not be gone for long for he is coming in the form of the Holy Spirit to not live with them but to live in them.

    Perhaps you need that encouragement too? Perhaps the fact that you cannot be with Christ in the flesh is a source of frustration. Perhaps you, like many others, have thought of how much easier it would be to have a strong faith if you could only see him with your eyes and touch him with your hands. How quickly we forget the words from John 20:29; “blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” And we are blessed. We are blessed that we have the opportunity of faith in believing and not seeing. We cannot see, therefore our faith is all the more real. But we are also blessed in that we have a helper and comforter to give us even greater faith when our faith runs dry.

    This message is for those who long to see him, to see him with eyes of faith through the power of the promised Holy Spirit. The Ascension gives us a greater opportunity to see through the Spirit what we could never see with our eyes.

  • Apr 17, 2022Come and See Part 7: The Resurrection (Luke 24:1-49) – Easter
    Apr 17, 2022
    Come and See Part 7: The Resurrection (Luke 24:1-49) – Easter
    Series: Come & See

    The evidence for Jesus' resurrection is overwhelming. This is why the authorities had to engage in a major cover up. Look at our final portion of scripture this morning in Matthew 28:11-15. They paid the soldiers to say that the disciples had stolen his body. But even this lie did not work. After the resurrection, belief in Christ's resurrection skyrocketed. In just a few short days the Church would have over ten thousand followers.

    The point is clear; immediately after rising from the Grave Jesus showed himself to his followers who were in doubt. To the women at the tomb. To the men on the road to Emmaus. And finally to his disciples. And now he has revealed himself to us.

    Even though the resurrection may be the most scrutinized event of all time, the risen Christ has revealed himself to us through his Word, his Holy Spirit, those in the Church, and through academic means. Why? Because he reveals himself to those who seek him, those who walk with him, and even those who may have doubts about him.

  • Apr 10, 2022Come and See Part 5: The Triumphant Entry (Mark 11:1-11)
    Apr 10, 2022
    Come and See Part 5: The Triumphant Entry (Mark 11:1-11)
    Series: Come & See
    The city of Jerusalem explodes in adoration for Jesus. They accept him as the Messiah and Savior. They lift him up on the donkey of peace and they lay down their possessions at his feet. This is the most correct response ever to the most famous person who ever lived. But have we forgotten that he still lives. Have we lost sight of the fact that we no longer need to wait for him to arrive, he's here... in our hearts through His Holy Spirit. We can worship him anytime, and should worship him all of the time.  We must worship him as he deserves. So, how are you worshipping him? How are you carrying the king of peace with your life? How does your daily actions reveal that Jesus is the famous one? What might you need to change about how you live in order to be a better representation of Christ's fame? What are you laying down at the feet of the messiah? What possessions have you given him? Are you tithing and giving offerings in honor of him? What are you holding onto that you should lay down for his fame? How are you vocally declaring his fame? Are you so quiet that those around you have never heard you praise him? Would those who know you know that you think Jesus is the most famous person in your life? Have you ever praised Jesus in public? How can you do a better job of vocally lifting up your savior? Does your worship of Christ show others how famous He is? Jesus is the famous one and he is worthy of your praise!
  • Apr 3, 2022Come and See Part 4: The Trial of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:1-26, Luke 23:1-25)
    Apr 3, 2022
    Come and See Part 4: The Trial of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:1-26, Luke 23:1-25)
    Series: Come & See

    The betrayal and the arrest of Jesus were all a part of God's plan. And so it is when people betray us. When people betray you, when they come against you, Jesus knows about it, Jesus allows it, and Jesus has already figured out how to use it as part of his strategy to bring glory to God through the salvation of the lost. If this story shows us anything it is that even in one of his most vulnerable moment's Jesus was still in control. He is still in control. If you are in Christ, know this, he will never abandon you over to the ways of this world or to the will of satan... he has you in his hands and he's never letting go. Even though you may be betrayed, falsely accused, or unfairly judged by your peers, the fact that Jesus endured the same tells you that you are in good company.

  • Mar 27, 2022Come and See Part 3: The Prayer In Gethsemane (John 17, Luke 22:35-46)
    Mar 27, 2022
    Come and See Part 3: The Prayer In Gethsemane (John 17, Luke 22:35-46)
    Series: Come & See
    When we see Jesus praying in the garden in Luke 22:35-46 and John 17, we see five specific things we should take so seriously that we set aside time to pray for them daily; 1) The temptation of the flesh, 2) The Will of God, 3) The Glory of Christ, 4) The Purity of the Church, and 5) The Salvation of the Lost. Click the link below to hear the entire sermon.
  • Mar 20, 2022Come And See Part 2: The Last Supper (John 13:1-30, Matthew 26:17-35)
    Mar 20, 2022
    Come And See Part 2: The Last Supper (John 13:1-30, Matthew 26:17-35)
    Series: Come & See
    In order to celebrate this occasion, where God passed over the Israelites, the Hebrew people would have a huge celebration, a huge meal, and a public sacrifice of a passover lamb. Jesus wants to celebrate this special day with his disciples because he is about to be the final passover lamb. In one day he is going to give his life as the ultimate passover lamb, that whoever would believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. And so, around the passover table Jesus gives his disciples, and by extension us, four different ways we can respond to Him as the lamb of God who passes over those covered by His blood. We can respond in humility and serve others. Or we can respond in unbelief and betray him. We can respond in worship and remember him through communion. Or we can respond in fear and deny Him. The point is this; How we see Jesus determines how we respond to His sacrifice! 
  • Mar 13, 2022Come And See Part 1: The Gospel of Death (Luke 11:29-32)
    Mar 13, 2022
    Come And See Part 1: The Gospel of Death (Luke 11:29-32)
    Series: Come & See

    Look with me at the very first time Jesus reminds his disciples that He is going to die and rise again. Let's look at Luke 9:21-22, Mark 8:31-33, and Matthew 16:21-23. One thing of note here is that Peter, representing the disciples, rebukes Jesus, saying that this can't be. This of course is a knee jerk reaction because Peter loves Jesus and cannot bear the thought of losing Him. I think we may have reacted the same way. Jesus responds by saying, “get behind me Satan.” Peter is not thinking of this from a Godly perspective knowing that this is God's plan, but from a human mindset bent on his selfish desires.

    And, this is where we come in today. When we think of death, we often are not thinking of God's plan, but our own selfish desires. We obviously don't want to die, regardless if it is in God's timing. And, we will do anything we can to avoid it. But, in the midst of our selfish never ending pursuit to preserve our lives here, we are missing the fact that God has a greater purpose and plan for our deaths. Just as he had a plan for the death of Christ, he has a plan for our deaths. We never talk about death in a good way do we? But what is promised to those who die in Christ? Aren't we promised resurrection? Aren't we promised eternal life?

    Listen, we can't get to the resurrection of Christ without the cross, and we can't get to glorified life promised to all believers without dying first. Get this, God has a great plan for your death, for the death of a Christian always brings new life. A lack of fear from death born from a hope of rising again in Christ is a powerful testimony that the lost cannot ignore. That is why today, I invite you to come and see the good news of your dying in Christ, the Gospel of Death.