Independence Day:God's Closeness in Uncertain Times
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Faithful to the Finish
Peter's final call to a young and growing church
Grace and Glory
A short series through the highlights of 1 Peter
Entrusted
Gifts, risk, and the return of the King
The change of regeneration is total and complete – at least is should be that way. Dr. Dale Sides calls it “re-gene-a-ration.” It like a whole a new DNA has been placed in every cell of your body. That’s how vast and powerful is the work ...read more
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:25-27
Tags: Regeneration, Dr Dale Sides
Denomination: Methodist
Ephesians 2:1-3 “2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves ...read more
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5
Tags: Born Again, Zombies, Spiritually Dead
This is the greatest need we have in the local congregation today – to be seen as a place where love for on another is present. What does that look like? A quote from St. Francis of Assisi: “Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and an ...read more
Scripture: John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 4:8
Tags: Love, St Francis Of Assisi
Imagine you were in a courtroom standing before a judge and you are being charged with a crime that carries the death penalty. Every person is born a sinner. The penalty of that sin is eternal death without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus’ blood. Back to the courtroom – the judge reads the verdict ...read more
Scripture: Revelation 20:11-12, Romans 3:23
Tags: Mercy, Blood, Guilty, Courtroom
Leaving the City of Regret by Larry Harp I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant, and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt ...read more
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16
Tags: Freedom, Regret
Consider the journey of a fictional Afro American artist named Maya, who grew up in a neighborhood plagued by inequity. Her early life was fraught with challenges—families losing homes, schools underfunded, and dreams foiled by systemic barriers. However, Maya found solace in art, a channel ...read more
Scripture: Joel 2:25
Tags: Hope, Faithfulness, Restoration
As the evening wore on and the fire crackled gently in the hearth, Old Thomas gathered his family close, the soft glow of the candle illuminating their faces. It was a time for connection, reflection, and the cherished rituals of Advent that had been passed down through generations. “Now, let’s ...read more
Scripture: Luke 3:1-6
Tags: Love, Hope
Sermon Illustration: "The Time Is Now!" Biblical Text: 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV) - "For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of ...read more
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2
Tags: Faith, Hope
In every war there are stories of courage, bravery, and acts of heroism that go beyond all human limitations. Do you know the name Desmond Doss? He was a soldier in WW2 that came from Lynchburg, Virginia. Because of his faith tradition that prevented him from carrying a weapon, he enlisted as a ...read more
Scripture: Acts 7:59-60
Tags: Bravery, Courage, Heroism, World War 2
In his book, “Being with God,” Pastor AJ Sherrill addresses how the practices of contemplative prayer help the Believer see what’s going on inside: we are so caught up in our inner dramas that we lack the clarity to know what to pray for. Surrendering to the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27) ...read more
Scripture: Romans 8:26-27, Luke 14:7-14
Tags: Love, Prayer, Humility
According to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau, 18.4 million children, 1 in 4, live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. That’s enough children to fill New York City twice or Los Angeles four times over. Research shows that a father's absence affects children in numerous ...read more
Scripture: Colossians 3:21
Tags: Reading, Dad, Fathers Day
I want to give you a shorthand way of remembering the difference between the hope in our Bibles and the hope out in the world. Hope ain’t hoping. Today, folks plan outside events and say, “I sure hope it doesn’t rain.” Every Sunday, some folks may show up here and say, “I sure hope PJ doesn’t ...read more
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5
Tags: Hope, Hoping, Faith
That’s right – heaven or hell is the final destination for every human being. I want to crystal clear about this! All humans have been born into a state of Sin (with a big S). We commit sin (with a little s) because we are Sinners – not vice versa. At the instant of salvation, our Sin nature is ...read more
Scripture: Psalm 103:12-19
Tags: Atonement, Hell, Heaven, Sin
Dr. Daniel B. Wallace has taught Greek and New Testament courses on a graduate school level since 1979. He wrote about this idea based on Matthew 4 “19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” 20 They left their nets immediately and followed him.” “It’s strange ...read more
Scripture: Matthew 4:19
Tags: Fishing, Evangelism, Hell
HOW I FOUND HOPE By Danielle Strickland — I stole my first car when I was twelve years old. In family court, when my fate seemed to be incarceration, a leader from my church insisted I was going through a hard patch, but I could be sentenced to community service at a camp. The judge jumped at the ...read more
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Tags: Hope, Jesus
I hate to be the bearer of bad news… but there is a deep divide in this sanctuary. No – it’s not what you think. It’s not political parties. It’s not hot-button social justice issues. Nope, it’s our view of “What is truth?” Here’s a way to view our divide from Os Guiness: “Three baseball ...read more
Scripture: Luke 11:24-36
Tags: Umpires, Absolute Truth, Baseball
There is NO COMPARISON between the power of satan and the power of the HOLY SPRIT IN YOU. The power of satan is like a little firecracker while the power of the Holy ...read more
Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 1:8
Tags: Holy Spirit, Power, Satan
Another basic concept – sin creates spiritual blindness. Let me illustrate with my favorite sin to talk about… GOSSIP. I’ll stop right here and make sure you know how I define gossip. Before you tell someone a story about another person (even disguised as a prayer request), it needs to pass all ...read more
Scripture: Luke 6:37-45
Tags: Sin, Gossip, Spiritual Blindness
A woman was pulling her offering out of her purse when a TV remote control fell out and hit the floor of the sanctuary. The usher picked it up and asked if she always carried it with her? "No," she replied. "My husband would not come to church ...read more
Scripture: Hebrews 10:25
Tags: Husband, Wife
I’m talking about love that is a real, tangible – like candy! Since you are watching on video (or reading this at home), you will have to imagine I have a big bag of Hershey Kisses right here. I have LOTS OF CANDY! So - I can claim to be full of candy. What if this candy is the love we have to ...read more
Scripture: Luke 6:27-36
Tags: Love, Enemies
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