Sermons on Brian Mavis:

The Art Of Reconciliation

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 10, 2004

Sermon on the Mount - dealing with murder and reconciling relationships.

The Art of Reconciliation Matthew 5:21-26 October 12, 2004 Introduction We are knee-deep in the Sermon on the Mount as we work our way through the gospel according to Matthew. The section we look at today begins a number of individual teachings that Jesus gives regarding a number of different ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Making The Most Of The Holiday Opportunities

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 5, 2005

A message to encourage followers of Jesus to live beyond the glitter and live like "Christmas" all year long.

Making the Most of the Holiday Opportunities Ephesians 5:15-20 November 27, 2005 Introduction Well, here we are, now "officially" into the Christmas season. Although judging by what I’ve seen in the stores, I’d have guessed that the season actually began just after Labor Day. Pictures in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Communion As A Remembrance

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 5, 2005

Communion message based on "do this in remembrance of Me."

Communion as a Remembrance... Luke 22:14-20 November 20, 2005 Introduction At our board meeting last Tuesday, we spent a good deal of time talking about celebrating the Lord’s Supper, or communion. We were unanimous in our opinion that we don’t observe it nearly often enough and that we should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Communion As A Symbol

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 5, 2005

Communion message about how the symbols of the Lord’s supper point to Christ’s redemption.

Communion as a Symbol 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 December 4, 2005 Introduction I mentioned a couple weeks ago that the church board decided to begin having communion, or the Lord’s Supper, on the first Sunday of each month. I think it’s a great idea, and we’re going to do that today. Why do this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Samaritans Are People, Too!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Apr 29, 2002

A message encouraging us to reach out to the people outside our normal circles.

Samaritans Are People, Too! John 4:4-42 April 28, 2002 Introduction Last Tuesday, I went to listen to Dana Scott, sister of Rachel Scott, who was one of the students killed at Columbine High School. And one of the points of Miss Scott’s message was that we need to be more compassionate toward ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-42

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

The Fruit Of Repentance

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 12, 2004

Message discussing the meaning of repentance and how it should affect our lives.

The ¡§Fruit of Repentance¡¨ Matthew 3:1-12 January 11, 2004 Introduction What do you think of when you hear the word ¡§repent?¡¨ Two images come to my mind right away. The first is the street preacher with a Bible as big as your Aunt Martha¡¦s Buick, screaming at people to repent to escape the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Hope In Jesus

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 29, 2004

Brief message for a memorial service at a funeral home.

Hope in Jesus John 11:17-27 Introduction On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Why Does God Allow Tragedy?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 4, 2005

Discussion about the earthquake and tsunami in SE Asia and Africa.

Why Does God Allow Tragedy? Various Scriptures January 2, 2005 Introduction As you all know, a major tragedy struck southeast Asia last Sunday. An earthquake registering 9.0 on the Richter scale set off tidal waves that hit 12 countries including India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, where the death ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:4-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Real Christianity In The Real World

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 8, 2005

A message urging people to live authentically for Jesus.

Real Christianity in the Real World: Living Authentically for Jesus in the 21st Century. January 9, 2005 Introduction Do you know what "buzzwords" are? They’re those words or phrases that are used in popular culture and elsewhere that are easily recognizable and have durability. For ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Developing A Passion For Honoring God Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 17, 2005

First in a series of messages focusing on the five purposes of the church (a la’ Rick Warren!). This message deals with worship.

Developing a Passion for Honoring God Various Scriptures January 16, 2005 Introduction We are starting a series about developing a passion for the things of God. We will be spending the next several weeks discussing this, and then we will be looking at the passion of Jesus during the Lenten ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1

Denomination: Wesleyan

Developing A Passion For The Family Of God Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 25, 2005

Message regarding how to show love to the family of God.

Developing a Passion for the Family of God Various Scriptures January 23, 2005 Introduction Families are pretty neat, in my opinion. Some are better than others, there’s no question about that, but overall, I’m pretty glad families exist. And I hope you are, because you wouldn’t even exist if ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10

Denomination: Wesleyan