All the Sermons

Call to Worship based on                                         Psalm 133 How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity! It is like precious oil, sweet smelling and easing friction. The priests of Israel were anointed for ministry with oil in generous supply.  It was poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It’s abundance shows God’s generosity towards hearts in harmony. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. Plenty of good, clean, fresh water to provide a lush garden that brings joy to the heart. For where there is good fellowship, there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. When we go up together, God comes down with blessing. First section –  John 17:1-5 Jesus Prays to Be Glorified 17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

Luke 19:45-46 What is a house of prayer, really? Do we too easily assume that it is any place where people worship God? Can it be a house of prayer if there is no prayer in it? Can it be a house of prayer if there is just a little prayer in it? The Pharisees thought they were doing a pretty good job of worshipping God in the Jewish Temple, but Jesus said, no. “You have made it a den of robbers.” Is this place where we gather for worship a house of prayer? Do we assume too easily that it is so? Does it depend upon how much prayer happens here? Or should it be said that it is only a house of prayer if all we do in it is pray? God’s Word in Psalm 127 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” So is the Lord building this house that we call our congregation? And if He is building the house, isn’t He going to be intent on building a house of prayer? How much prayer does it take to make this place a house of prayer? Can it be called a house of prayer if m

Luke 24:1-12 You’ve heard the story. This is a big deal! Christ the Lord is risen today! The story is now more than 2,000 years old. Nothing new can be said about it. All we can do is make sure that the meaning of the story doesn’t get lost in culture or crusted over by traditions. For example, I saw this on Facebook the other day and I like to say it, “Silly Rabbit, Easter is for Jesus!”  It’s a love story. And love should never die. It can get comfortable like an old shoe. But it should also be new every morning like a bright new sunrise. As I wrestled in my heart about the best way to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection today, a way that would really touch our hearts and minister to our soul’s needs, I felt woefully inadequate to have any words that could pierce our spiritual blindness, or soften hearts hardened by suffering that makes us doubt true faith. Then I thought that the Scripture itself is sharper than any two edged sword. God himself has already said everything that can