Sermons on Brian Mavis:

New Wine For New Wineskins

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 4, 2005

My attempt to deal with the issue of the "newness" of Jesus compared to the "oldness" of the Law. If you think I missed it, let me know (really!).

New Wine for New Wineskins Matthew 9:14-17 October 30, 2005 Introduction If there’s one thing that is inescapable when examining the life of Jesus, it’s that he was constantly challenging the status quo of the religious mindset of his day. He was pretty much fed up with it. He regularly had to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Seek God's Best For You

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 17, 2003

A brief message to Jr./Sr. High school students at a Christian school regarding how to make godly decisions

GoSeek God¡¦s Best for You Various Scriptures ACHS Chapel, November 17, 2003 Introduction One of the dangers of speaking right after lunch is that some of you may fall asleep. But to help with that, some of the chairs have been equipped with little shock devices. But only the chairs with blue ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

"Where Are The Other Nine?"

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 24, 2003

Thanksgiving message

Where Are the Other Nine? Luke 17:11-19 November 23, 2003 Introduction I really struggled with this message. My plan was to start our look at the Gospel of Matthew, and not do much with Thanksgiving, but I got to re-thinking that, and so we will begin Matthew next week, and it will be a great ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Wesleyan

Leaving A Positive Legacy Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 30, 2003

First message in Matthew - about not letting your heritage hold you back and leaving a positive heritage behind you!

Leaving a Positive Legacy Matthew 1:1-17 November 30, 2003 Introduction I have a question for you, and you need to be real honest here, okay? How many of you skip the genealogies when you read the Bible? It¡¦s okay, I¡¦m not going to embarrass you in front of everybody! You know, I tend to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Unlikely Characters Of Christmas

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 7, 2003

A message regarding the character of Joseph and Mary.

Unlikely Characters of Christmas Matthew 1:18-25 December 7, 2003 Introduction We continue our look at the gospel of Matthew this week, as we count down the days to Christmas. Today we¡¦re going to look at what we can learn about the lives of Mary and Joseph, and my hope is that you¡¦ll walk ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

He's Worth Searching For!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 21, 2003

Message about the Magi and what we can learn from them.

He¡¦s Worth Searching For! Matthew 2:1-12 December 21, 2003 Introduction In this last Sunday before Christmas, I wanted us to look at a part of the Christmas story that we are all familiar with, or at least in a sense. As we look at the story of the wise men, I want to ask you a trivia ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Will You Do With The Christmas Message?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 23, 2003

Short devotional message for a Christmas service.

What Will You Do with the Christmas Message? Christmas Candlelight Service Sunday, December 21, 2003 Introduction In the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2, we read about the reaction the shepherds had after being told of the arrival of the Savior. 1. They listened to the message. They took it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Does God Still Speak Through Dreams?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 29, 2003

Looking at the occurrences of dreams, particularly in Matthew 1-2

Does God Still Speak Through Dreams? Matthew 1:20; 2:12-13, 19, 22 December 28, 2003 Introduction Well, you¡¦ve probably guessed by looking at the title of the message and the outline in your bulletin that we¡¦re not going to have a New Year¡¦s message today. Instead, we¡¦re continuing our ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Danger Of Misconceptions

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 3, 2004

Message taken from the episode of Herod’s attempt to kill the baby Jesus.

The Danger of Misconceptions Matthew 2:13-18 January 4, 2004 Introduction This morning we take a look at one of the more gruesome episodes in the Bible. In the midst of the Christmas miracle, the visit of the magi, the shepherds, the manger, and all that, we come to this portion of Matthew that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Tale Of Two Crowds

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 25, 2002

Palm Sunday Sermon, but applicable to other times of year!

A Tale of Two Crowds Matthew 21:6-11, 27:15-26 March 24, 2002 Introduction Have you ever seen a mob on TV or movies? They are dangerous, and can become murderous in an instant. People in mobs are like cattle before a stampede. Ever see that? In the movie Red River, John Wayne and his men are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:6-11, Matthew 27:15-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Living In Victory Instead Of Defeat

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 29, 2002

Easter Sermon to encourage people (especially unbelievers) to live in the love and power of Christ.

Living in Victory Instead of Defeat 1 Corinthians 15:1-20 Easter Sunday – March 31, 2002 Introduction Before I get into the message, I want to share a story I came across while I was preparing for today. A Sunday School teacher asked her class to write one sentence each on "What Easter Means to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Asking The Tough Questions

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 5, 2003

A message inviting people to go ahead and be honest in their questions to God.

Asking the Tough Questions Psalm 13 August 3, 2003 Introduction I’m going to go out on a limb this morning and assume that all of us have had questions for God that we have been afraid to really ask God. We’re afraid that if we really voice our questions and even complaints, God will strike us ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6, Romans 8:26-28

Denomination: Wesleyan

Communicating The Reasonableness Of Our Faith

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 12, 2003

A plea to the church to get beyond rhetoric and into reason when discussing our faith, since it is a thinking person’s faith.

Communicating the Reasonableness of Our Faith Various Scriptures August 10, 2003 Introduction When I was putting together this message, I had a hard time coming up with a title. I suppose I could have found one that was a little more concise, but I think this one communicates what I hope to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:27, 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Living A Lifestyle Of Joy

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 23, 2003

A message calling Christians to live a life characterized by joy, not grumpiness. This is an expansion on part of the message, "Lighten Up!", also posted on this site.

Living a Lifestyle of Joy Various Scriptures August 24, 2003 Introduction We all like being around people who are generally upbeat, don’t we? I mean, if you had your choice of being with someone who had a smile or someone who looked like he was weaned on sour lemons, who would you most likely ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 28:7, Psalm 118:24

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Gift Of Heaven

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Aug 30, 2003

A basic gospel message based on Romans 6:23

The Gift of Heaven Romans 6:23 August 31, 2003 Introduction This morning, I am very cognizant of the fact that this is probably our last time together for quite a while, and let me tell you I have been blessed to no end by you. I also realize that I am at a church that believes in the Bible, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Denomination: Wesleyan