A Fresh Start with a New Purpose (Gen. 7:1-9:17)
With a freshly cleaned and dried world, came some old reminders, new privileges and responsibilities, and a visible promise. Noah and his family were expected to fulfill the original mandate, and be God’s new first family. Once again we are reminded of God’s judgment, mercy, provision, and protection. He is a God who can be trusted because He keeps his promises.WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Mar 12, 2017A Fresh Start with a New Purpose (Gen. 7:1-9:17)
A Fresh Start with a New Purpose (Gen. 7:1-9:17)With a freshly cleaned and dried world, came some old reminders, new privileges and responsibilities, and a visible promise. Noah and his family were expected to fulfill the original mandate, and be God’s new first family. Once again we are reminded of God’s judgment, mercy, provision, and protection. He is a God who can be trusted because He keeps his promises.
- Mar 5, 2017God Hits Reset (Genesis 6)
God Hits Reset (Genesis 6)
There comes a time when we hit the reset button. Our phone seems sluggish so we do a soft reset. We don’t like how the video game is going so we hit reset and begin again. As kids we did a “do-over” when we could not agree during a back yard football game. In Genesis 6, things in the world have gotten so bad that God hits, as it were, reset. How bad does it have to get to make God restart his creation? What can we learn about God and us in this passage? - Feb 26, 2017Stuff we can learn from a genealogy (Gen. 5)
Stuff we can learn from a genealogy (Gen. 5)
Why do we have these boring lists of one “begetting” another in the Bible? Who really cares? But if that were the only way to prove your citizenship, you would care. If that were the way to prove your inheritance, you would care. And the fact is most of us like to know who our ancestors were and from where we have come. Genealogies remind us that God works through real people, just like us to bring about his plan. We can learn stuff from genealogies. - Feb 19, 2017When Sin Matured (Genesis 4)
When Sin Matured (Genesis 4)
James reminds us that "...sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:15). We see that reality between Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. And yet God reveals his grace as his creation, infected by sin, still develops many tools of culture. The only real solution to this dilemma is to call upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 4:26b). - Feb 12, 2017When It All Came Crashing Down (2) Genesis 3:10-24
When It All Came Crashing Down (2) Genesis 3:10-24
God will not let sin go unpunished. The punishments meted out by God in Genesis 3 continue to plague our world and our lives. We wrestle against evil in so many forms. We find strife in relationships, pain in the natural processes of life and work is often more of a drudgery than a delight. And in the middle of it all we see glimmers of God’s grace. - Feb 5, 2017When it all came crashing down (Gen. 3:1-9)
When it all came crashing down (Gen. 3:1-9)
One solitary act of disobedience brought death in all of its forms to all. Every relationship was damaged. Relationship with God, relationship with fellow humans, and relationship with nature was marred. Today will not be a feel good sermon but it will be one from which we can learn. Satan’s tactics have not changed much over the years, only the voices. How can we be alert and ready? - Jan 29, 2017Created for Relationship (Gen. 2:17-25)
Created for Relationship (Gen. 2:17-25)
We were created for relationship. Relationship with God and relationship with one another. The foundational relationship in order to initially fulfill the command to be fruitful and increase is that of husband and wife. And yet in that fundamental relationship we learn much about who God has created us to be. We are dependent upon God and live interdependently with one another. - Jan 22, 2017Rest, Worship, and Obedience (Gen 2:1-17)
Rest, Worship, and Obedience (Gen 2:1-17)
The Creation Account gives us a sense of order for living. Part of that order for living is to rest, to cease work. Part of that order has to do with our relationship with God which includes worship and obedience. When we have a rhythm of work, rest, worship, and obedience we find a completeness and a satisfaction in our life and relationship with our Creator. - Jan 15, 2017Created to Reign Responsibly
Created to Reign Responsibly
As human beings created in the imaged and likeness of God we each have a divine responsibility. We are tasked with developing a civilization and harnessing all the raw materials in this world in such a way that God is glorified. This has not happened in a good way due to sin. There have been abuses throughout history, and yet we still have a God-given responsibility to be people who manage what God has given us. - Jan 8, 2017It’s All About God (Genesis 1)
It’s All About God (Genesis 1)
Ancestory.com has made millions from people who want to know their family tree. We want to know from where we have come. We long to know our source and family history. The most simplistic answer is also the most complex, we all come from God. He as the creator, originated the human race. Genesis is more than a book of beginnings, it is a book about God, our source and the foundation for our faith. - Jan 1, 2017Three Goals for 2017
Three Goals for 2017
Sometimes when we set goals for a new year we make them very elaborate and detailed. Today we will look at three goals for our church and our individual lives that are stated simply and yet will take all we have to live them out. In striving for these goals we will individually and collectively be living in obedience to our Lord. Simply stated the goals are Love God and others, Follow Jesus, Make. Disciples. - Dec 18, 2016The Gift of Love (1 John 4:9-12)
The Gift of Love (1 John 4:9-12)
Love may involve emotion but it is more than that. Love is a choice, a decision, made for the benefit of another, expecting nothing in return. God loves us so he made a decision. He chose to enter our world, to stoop to our level, to become human. We celebrate that act of love at this time of year. Jesus, the God man loved us and willingly laid down his life for us. The Holy Spirit loves us and willingly indwells and guides and teaches those of us who put our faith in Jesus. Love is a gift. If you have received that gift, then look for ways to pass it on. - Dec 11, 2016The Secret of Joy (Luke 2:8-11; John 15:9-11)
The Secret of Joy (Luke 2:8-11; John 15:9-11)
Good news of great joy. There was great joy a couple of months ago when the Cubs won the World Series. People talked about coming together and focusing on that which was positive etc. etc. Is that the great joy of the Bible? How can we have joy when we go through struggles (see James 1:2)? While joy encompasses happiness, maybe, just maybe it is just a bit deeper. On this third Sunday of Advent we explore the secret of joy. - Dec 4, 2016The Mystery of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27)
The Mystery of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27)
A brief look around our nation and we are fully aware of the elusive nature of peace. Wildfires ravage pristine forests. Protests and unrest over many issues. People attacked on college campuses and in urban neighborhoods. Is it possible that real peace is a myth. On this Sunday of Advent we look carefully at the one called the Prince of Peace. We will discover that real peace begins with relationship. - Nov 27, 2016Hope for Humanity: Isaiah 40
Hope for Humanity: Isaiah 40
There are many things for which we hope. We hope our children will turn out well. We hope we will do well on an exam. We hope our team will win. We hope we can get off work for a special event. But the hope offered by God and realized by the birth of Jesus Christ is more than a wish or a desire. It is an eager expectation of a reality based on the evidence that God is able to bring about his purposes. In Jesus we discover hope for humanity.