Sermons on Brian Mavis:

I Wonder If It Was A Friday?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 1, 2006

Message about the feedings of the 5,000 & 4,000. Focused mainly on the provision of God in our lives.

I Wonder If It was a Friday? Matthew 14:13-21; 15:29-39 October 30, 2006 Introduction How many of you are from large families, either natural or extended? And as we approach the holidays, do you find yourself hoping that they don’t decide to come to your place because you don’t know how you’re ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Life-Changing Resolution

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 22, 2006

Message about committing to taking practical steps to love God more and serve him better.

A Life-Changing Resolution Mark 12:28-34 January 1, 2006 Introduction How many of you here have made some resolutions for this year? It’s okay, you can be honest! Here are a few less-serious resolutions: "I have resolved not to do drugs anymore, because I get the same effect just standing up ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Wesleyan

Open Your Eyes!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 22, 2006

Message "based" on John 4:35 - using the concept of the harvest. Warning!! This is not how I would normally use this passage! It is used in relation to a celebration coming to our city this year.

Open Your Eyes! John 4:35 January 8, 2006 Introduction This is not going to be your typical Sunday message from me. Rather than the type of message where I take a passage of Scripture and walk us through it to find principles to apply, I want this to be a kind of "where do we go from here" ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35

Denomination: Wesleyan

Lessons From The First Missionaries

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 22, 2006

From Jesus’ words to the apostles in Matthew 10.

Lessons from the First Missionaries Matthew 10:1-10 January 15, 2006 Introduction Well, after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, we’re finally getting back to our walk through the gospel of Matthew. We’ve gotten through 9 chapters, and have covered a lot of ground, including the Sermon on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Shrewd As Snakes And Innocent As Doves?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 22, 2006

Discussion of Jesus’ words about taking the message to those who may or may not accept it.

Shrewd as Snakes & Innocent as Doves? Matthew 10:11-16 January 22, 2006 Introduction How many people here are "snake" people? I mean, you like snakes, you can hold them, and you’re not freaked out by them? My dad’s great with snakes - even rattlesnakes. When I was about Noble’s age, my dad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:11-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Be Amazed At Jesus!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 13, 2006

A message trying to encourage our gang to live in awe of Christ.

Be AMAZED at Jesus! Various Scriptures February 12, 2006 Introduction Did any of you watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday night? I love the Olympics, because history is often made. And we come away from some of the events simply amazed at what Olympic competition brings out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:22

Denomination: Wesleyan

Guidelines For Effective Prayer (3) Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jun 1, 2005

Last in mini-series on prayer, taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and dealing with the necessity of forgiving others.

Guidelines for Effective Prayer (Part 3) Matthew 6:14-15 May 29, 2005 Introduction We’ve spent the last few weeks looking at what Jesus had to say about prayer, as we’ve looked at his words in Matthew 6. And from these words, we’ve found 8 principles or guidelines for effective prayer. In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:14-15

Denomination: Wesleyan

Treasures In Heaven

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jun 14, 2005

Focusing on eternity rather than earthly priorities.

Treasures in Heaven Matthew 6:19-24 June 12, 2005 Introduction It’s been said that Jesus speaks more about money than he spoke about heaven and hell. I haven’t done an exhaustive count, and so I can’t say for sure. But one thing is unmistakably clear: Jesus addresses money and he makes no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus And John The Baptist

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 13, 2006

Discussion of how Jesus viewed and talked about John the Baptist.

Jesus and John the Baptist Matthew 11:1-19 March 5, 2006 Introduction I was reading a special supplement to the Aberdeen newspaper yesterday about the 125th anniversary celebration for the city coming up this summer. In there was an article about a guy who does a lot of researching about his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-19

Denomination: Wesleyan

Recognizing And Acting On The Works Of Christ

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 13, 2006

Discussion of Jesus’ words about those cities who had heard his message and seen his miracles yet rejected him.

Recognizing and Acting on the Works of Christ. Matthew 11:20-24 March 12, 2006 Introduction Why Is Missouri Called the "Show-Me" State? (Adapted from the official site of the Missouri Secretary of State) There are a number of stories and legends behind Missouri’s unofficial slogan,the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:20-24

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