Sermons on Con La Esperanza Puesta En Dios:

Lighten Up!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 5, 2001

A message encouraging Christians to live lives characterized by joy rather than grumpiness.

Lighten Up! Various Scriptures 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 pick? I’d pick the smiley guy ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 7:12

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Didn't Give A White Elephant Gift For Christmas

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 14, 2001

A message describing the wonder of the gift of God in Christ. Revised and updated December 2005.

God Didn’t Give a White Elephant Gift for Christmas Various Scriptures December 19, 1999 (Updated and revised December 10, 2005) Introduction Recently I received an invitation to a Christmas party where we were to bring a white elephant gift. You know what a white elephant gift is, don’t you? ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Word Became Flesh Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 19, 2001

A message bringing John 1:1-18 into a Christmas context.

Bethlehem and Beyond - # 2 The Word Became Flesh John 1:1-18 December 9, 2001 Introduction The Creator became a Child. This is the mystery of Christmas. The fact that the tiny baby of Bethlehem was born of a virgin was astounding enough. But to realize that this baby wasn’t just any baby, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:15-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

New Year, New Opportunities

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 19, 2001

A call to open our eyes to the possibilities of the New Year.

New Year, New Beginnings Various Scriptures Introduction Well, here we are, on the brink of a brand new year, and for you purists out there, a new millenium. As is traditional for this time, we take time to reflect on the last year, and to make promises to do better this year. This morning I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17, Mark 12:28-31

Denomination: Wesleyan

No 3-Strike Rule Here!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 19, 2001

A very short message about the forgiveness available to all who call on God through Christ.

“No 3-Strike Rule Here” 1 John 1:9 This morning I’m wearing my favorite tie. It is my Minnesota Twins tie. You may or may not be aware that baseball season is just about to start. In fact, they are in Spring Training right now, and the Twins have one of the best records of anybody right ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Wesleyan

Say The Name

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 19, 2001

A very short message given after an Easter Musical.

Say the Name Thank you for coming here tonight (today). We trust you have been blessed and encouraged by the message of the resurrected Christ. I would like to take just a few moments to visit with you about 3 things related to the Name of Jesus. First, His Name means something. In Bible ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Talk Is Cheap - Or Is It?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 19, 2001

A message concerning the speech of Christians.

Talk is Cheap…Or Is It? Holiness in our Speech James 3:1-12, various Scriptures I. Introduction This morning we take our third look at the importance of holiness in our lives. Holiness, you remember from our introductory message two weeks ago, is to be sought first and foremost because GOD is ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, Proverbs 16:28

Denomination: Wesleyan

Why Does God Allow Evil?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 19, 2001

An explanation of the existence of evil.

Why Does God Allow Evil? Various Scriptures I. Introduction Why does God allow evil? If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world? Why do we have war and murder, atrocity after atrocity, famine after famine? Why do innocent children die at the hands of cruel men? Why do the ravages ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

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

Emmanuel - God With Us!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 14, 2003

Christmas message based on Matthew 1:21-23.

Emmanuel ¡V God with Us! Matthew 1:21-23 John 1:1-3, 10-14 December 14, 2003 Introduction This morning we continue our look at the Christmas story as related in Matthew. Last week we read from Matthew 1:18-25, which in those eight verses gives us a quick synopsis of the miracle of Jesus¡¦ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21-23

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