When our Christian life becomes boring … Jesus rescues. When the goals of our life are those we can do without God, or we think we can do them without God, our Christian life will stagnate. But Jesus has given every follower of His a goal none of us can do without him – making disciples. We have been given the ministry (calling) of being ambassadors of Christ, ministers of reconciliation. When we live for that goal, life will never be boring.
Grace Hunts Us Down, Grace series #6
God’s grace shows clearly when we see it given to those who no one else would choose to love or invite into relationship. No one would have expected God to choose a pagan woman to be great-grandmother to Israel’s greatest king, nor that king be a murderer and adulterer and still called a man after God’s own heart. Both Ruth and David had the quality of humility and so accepted God’s invitation to relationship. We see in these two individuals that God’s love looks to hunt us down so we will see and invite Him to be the hero of our story too.
Grace in the Midst of Chaos, Grace Series #5
Will God continue to love me even when I have sinned against Him? Most of us ask this question in some way. The history of Israel, particularly in the era of Joshua and the Judges shows God’s overwhelming response to this question. Yes! From Rahab who ran a house of prostitutes, to a nation who continually rejected the God of Abraham for the gods of Canaan, to the judges who were largely morally flawed individuals… God kept loving and inviting His people and all people into personal relationship… all because of His amazing grace.
Grace Goes Camping, Grace series #4
God’s grace continues through the Old Testament in the book of Exodus. From who God uses to bring rescue to Israel, to even rescuing Israel, God’s one way love shines. But what happens when God’s grace to Israel shown in His powerful deliverance and provision is rejected by Israel almost immediately? God goes camping with His people … all because of His incredible one way love (grace).
Kerry Langman Memorial Service
Abraham, Trophy of Grace, Grace Series #3
What made God choose Abraham? The reality is there was nothing about who Abraham was or what he did that qualified him for God’s grace. God simply chose Abraham by His grace. Then after giving Abraham some amazing promises, God did something that would have shocked Abraham and confirmed in the clearest possible way how strong God’s one way love for Abraham was. In this we need to remember “As we have been loved by God, so we are to love others.”
Grace From the Start, Grace Series #2
While we often turn to Genesis 1 & 2 for other questions, the main character of the chapters is God and His grace is fully on display. But the greatest display of God’s one way love is not found in creation nor in the role God gave humanity to fulfill in creation. God’s full commitment to love humanity, independent of our response, is shown in the difference in how He reveals Himself in chapters 1 & 2.
Transformation
How does a “Son of Thunder” become a disciple Jesus loved? What changes John? We are not yet perfect, but we press on in eager expectation of perfection (1 Jn 3:1-3). We are characterized by God’s love in us, our love for God, and love for others (Jn 17:1-3, 20-26).
Hearing God 5 by 5, Hearing God #4
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.