Luke 14:15-24 ~ Tearing Down Walls

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Text: Luke 14:15-24

Title: Tearing Down Walls

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

We continue our series on the parables of Jesus this week. Often parables can be confusing because they come out of a culture radically different than our own: primarily agricultural, Jewish, 2,000 years ago, with a little mixture of Greek culture thrown in. On top of that, Jesus told parables in part to keep his mission and teaching a little obscured to those on the outside. As a result, we often read his parables and find ourselves puzzled, rather than enlightened. Over the next few weeks, we will come to these parables with fresh eyes as we seek to understand them through the eyes of a Middle Eastern Jew. This week, we consider Luke 14:15-24 and consider the walls we have put up around the gospel.

Luke 16:1-13

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Text: Luke 16:1-13

Title: Say What?: Don’t Wanna Waste your Life

Preacher: Mr. Ron Radcliffe

This week continue our sermon series on several of Jesus’ parables. Often parables can be confusing be cause they come out of a culture radically different from our own: primarily agricultural, Jewish, 2,000 years ago, with a little mixture of Greek culture thrown in. On top of that, Jesus told parables in part to keep his mission and teaching a little obscured to those on the outside. As a result, we often read his parables and find ourselves puzzled, rather than enlightened. This week as we look at Luke 16:1-13 consider the following: If you were asked to give an account of your life right now, what would it be? What are you wasting? What do you love the most?

Luke 12:13-21 ~ Say What?: A Rich Fool

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Text: Luke 12:13-21

Title: Say What?: A Rich Fool

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

This week, we start a new sermon series looking at several of Jesus’ parables. Often parables can be confusing be cause they come out of a culture radically different than our own: primarily agricultural, Jewish, 2,000 years ago, with a little mixture of Greek culture thrown in. On top of that, Jesus told parables in part to keep his mission and teaching a little obscured to those on the outside. As a result, we often read his parables and find ourselves puzzled, rather than enlightened. Over the next few weeks, we will come to these parables with fresh eyes as we seek to understand them through the eyes of a Middle Eastern Jew.

Mark 1:14-15 ~ I Need a Break Thru: Slinky Living

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Text: Mark 1:14-15

Title: I Need a Break Thru: Slinky Living

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Everyone gets off course once in a while in their life. We drift in a relationship. We fall behind on some bills. We gain a few extra pounds. We may coast in our spiritual lives. Last week, Pastor Rick urged us to consider what kind of spiritual soil we have cultivated in our lives for the Spirit to use to transform and develop us in Christ-likeness. This week, we consider one simple spiritual practice that can lead to lifelong learning and growth. Through the lens of Mark 1:14-15, we consider how to live like a Slinky and welcome the kingdom of God in our lives.

Matthew 13:1-23 ~ Spiritual Stuff: Are You Drawn In or Indifferent

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Text: Matthew 13:1-23

Title: Spiritual Stuff: Are You Drawn In or Indifferent

Preacher: Rev. Rick VanderWall

As the New Year begins, we usually have thoughts about how to make this year better than the last. This usually means starting something like a diet or exercise program. And like most good ideas, it isn’t long and somehow they just fade away and we fall back into the routine we like and are use to. But what about our walk with God and the spiritual things that come with that? Is it time to take a good look at where we are at in this journey? We are starting this year with a sermon series titled “I Need a Breakthrough.” And the subject we are starting with is about all that Spiritual Stuff. On this first day of a new year, let’s look at scripture to find out what we need to do to guide us in this endeavor. Are you drawn in or indifferent?

Matthew 1:18-25 ~ Like a Child: God is with U

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Text: Matthew 1:18-25

Title: Like a Child: God is with Us

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Whether we’re nostalgic or over scheduled, this Christmas season can find us longing for a simpler time…when the world seemed full of wonder, when joy was wholehearted and love was unrestrained. On Christmas Sunday, we remember what happened when God came to us, not simply like a child, but as a child. What might it mean for us this year that 2,000 years ago, God came to be with us in the person of a helpless baby called Jesus, Emmanuel?

Mark 9:14-27 ~ Like a Child: Our God is Able

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Text: Mark 9:14-27

Title: Like a Child: Our God is Able

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Luke 7:36-50 ~ Like a Child: God Forgives Us

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Text: Luke 7:36-50

Title: Like a Child: God Forgives Us

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Whether we’re nostalgic or over scheduled, this Christmas season can find us longing for a simpler time…when the world seemed full of wonder, when joy was wholehearted and love was unrestrained. During this second week of Advent, we follow Jesus as goes to a party and meets a woman of ill repute. He offers grace and forgiveness and his religious host struggles with the truth that God forgives us, even those other people. Let’s re-discover what it means to live and believe Like a Child.

Luke 19:1-10 ~ Like a Child: God is for Us

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Text: Luke 19:1-10

Title: Like a Child: God is for Us

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Whether we’re nostalgic or overscheduled, this season can find us longing for a simpler time…when the world seemed full of wonder, when joy was wholehearted and love was unrestrained. During this first week of Advent, we follow Jesus as he meets Zacchaeus and he discovers God isn not against us, but for us. Let’s re-discover what it means to live and believe Like a Child.

Ephesians 6:10-24 ~ Ready for Battle

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Text: Ephesians 6:10-24

Title: Ready for Battle

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

As we conclude our study of the book of Ephesians, Paul issues a rousing pep talk to his churches. They are in a great battle, not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers arrayed against them, so they have to get geared up in God’s armor, and get on their knees in prayer so the gospel can be preached, the good news heard, and lives transformed. Two thousand years have past, but we find ourselves in the same situation, facing the same spiritual battles, with the same victorious God on our side. It’s time to get fired up and ready to go!