How can we learn to know what God is saying to us in the decisions we are looking to make? What can help us hear and be confident we are hearing clearly from God? Scripture, the Spirit and situations around us all can play a part to know the whole will of God for us. God wants us to hear Him clearly, so we can know His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Made for Conversation, Hearing God, #1
Every person has been made for conversational relationship with God. Unfortunately, many people, including followers of Jesus, struggle with hearing from God. In this first of four sermons in the series, we will see how personal conversational relationship is not only necessary to fully follow Jesus, but it is also what we’ve been made for.
Baptism, Ordinances of Faith #2
Baptism has been practiced by the church from its very origin. Baptism is also something that some denominations argue over its meaning and practice. Today we look at Paul’s words to the church in Rome about the meaning of baptism. Baptism, Paul said, should remind them of an essential gospel truth. They are united with Christ, so when he died to sin… they died. When Jesus was raised… they too were raised to new life. Baptism is an outward ritual symbolizing an inward spiritual reality that has already taken place by grace through faith in Jesus. Baptism is a public testimony of a commitment to follow Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
Communion, Ordinances of Faith #1
Communion is a ritual Jesus gave to His church to call us to unity in His work and commission. Unfortunately, at times it is something that divides Christians because of our different understandings or theologies surrounding Communion. This sermon looks at Paul’s instructions to the church in Corinth about their awful practice of Communion which was literally dividing the church. Through these instructions perhaps we can hear the Spirit speak to us about how Communion calls us to live in unity in Christ together as brothers and sisters.
Sacrifice, Philippians Series #4
Paul sacrificed for the sake of following Jesus. His career path, way of thinking, safety, and comfort, just to mention some. Paul was willing to do this because of the example of Jesus’ sacrifice for Paul and all of humanity, because of God’s great love for us. That love from God motivated Paul to sacrifice for the sake of the message of Jesus in his own life. How can God’s great love and sacrifice motivate you?
Be The Church
In this message, former Faith EMC pastor John Stanley calls for followers of Jesus to not settle to ‘do’ church, but to ‘be’ the church. “God has called us to the greatest thing ever… to be his representatives to a hurting world.” Being the church is not an easy road to take however. There will be disappointments, obstacles and failures. Despite this, God’s view of us never changes. We need to hold onto God’s view, so we can allow Him to do His job through us.
Work Out, Philippians Series #3
In Christ, Philippians Series #2
Another of Paul’s themes in Philippians is found in almost all of his letters because it is the foundation of Paul’s worldview, and more importantly, to the gospel of Jesus. All who follow Jesus are viewed by God as holy, no matter their past, whether good or bad. Because our position with God is not based upon our performance or perception of ourselves, but God’s perception of us based upon the performance of Jesus. No wonder Paul could write about joy even from a prison cell!
Joy In, Philippians Series #1
Of all the people in the world, Christians have the most reason to be joyful. Yet, Christians often do not have a reputation of joy. Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi was written from a prison, yet is dripping with joy. What can we learn?
Peter, Easter #4
Peter, despite his passion for the ministry and mission of Jesus, was actively resisting that very ministry and mission. The problem was Peter’s agenda for the Messiah and Jesus’ agenda were not the same. And when our agenda is different than God’s we face the decision of resisting God or submitting to Him.