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In addition to his thanksgiving on behalf of the Colossians, Paul also prays that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. It is only through a deep personal knowledge of God that one can truly grow up into maturity in Christ producing good fruit.
Introduction to our "Colossians" sermon series
Jesus’ provocative words to the religious elites are a striking reminder that it is much easier to build tombs and decorate monuments to dead prophets that it is to hear and receive the prophetic word in the present. Let us commit to being doers not merely hearers of the word.
When He Comes (Matthew 25:31-46) Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 are a striking reminder that the Holy Spirit is not our ticket out of here, but divine power to serve.
Our Mother Who Art In Heaven (Genesis 1:27) Humans, not just men but also women, were created in the image of God. Today we celebrate and honor every mother (biological, traditional, unusual, scandalous. . .) as a unique reflection of the divine image in our world.
Isaiah’s vision reminds us that the Holy transforms and commissions us. Let us seek God’s reality, let us pursue holiness!
In addition to true seeing ourselves, the majesty of God enables us to see another aspect of the Holy, that is wholeness. The glory of the Lord fills the whole earth. The Holy is everywhere!
Holy: Creature-Consciousness (Isaiah 6:1-8) The awesome and mysterious aspects of the Holy come together to produce a third aspect — a deep awareness of our creature-ness.
Holy Mystery (Isaiah 6:1-8): Isaiah’s vision invites us to consider the “and more” quality of God’s reality.
Holy Awesome (Isaiah 6:1-8): Isaiah’s vision reminds us that there is more to reality than the ordinary.
"What shall we do?" is still the only appropriate response when a person is woke to the reality that God's future has invaded our present, in and through Jesus Christ who is both Lord and Christ. Enjoy this special sermon from a regional unity service earlier this year.
This is the Day! (Psalm 118:22–25) Resurrection isn’t an event, it’s a reality. May our lives be a ‘yes’ to the question, ‘Has Jesus risen from the dead?’ And may we come to see – may we come to understand that we are the good news. Our lives are the gospel of resurrection!
The seven lampstands which John saw in his first vision are revealed to be seven churches to whom John will now write (see Revelation 1:20) on behalf of Jesus. These letters ground the revelation of Jesus firmly in the life of the church! This is not Jesus in the abstract, it is Jesus revealed in and through his work in and his words to his churches. No individual church is held up as the paradigm for believers everywhere. It is in the seven churches, the larger constellation of congregations, that Christ and his work is more fully revealed. In the letters we get a description of the churches through Jesus’ eyes. The things important to Jesus are revealed in these letters. So let’s read between to find out what it is that interests/concerns Jesus.
The opening vision the Book of Revelation reminds us that this book is not a road map of the end-times. We don’t need a schematic or timeline, we need a fresh vision of the Son of Man who is present and at work in the church!
The trajectory of God’s BIG story is one of unfolding creation! There will be plenty of subplots as this marvelous drama unfolds but the trajectory of unfolding creation must not be subordinated to any of the various subplots that develop later in the drama. The overall trajectory to which all actors must adhere is that of unfolding creation. Redemption is a piece (a very important and crucial piece no less) but the story didn’t begin with redemption, the story begins with creation (a purpose never rescinded)...
It’s not controversial to say that the Book Revelation has often been a controversial book. Speaking about the many ways that Revelation has been read over the last two-thousand years, New Testament scholar Warren Carter writes, that the book of Revelation, "has frequently been used as a weapon against opponents. It has been used to ‘scare the hell out of people and people out of hell.’” Today we begin our new study series in the hope of taking a fresh look at the final book in the New Testament. Join us for a glorious exploration of John's vision of Jesus Christ!
In our text today, the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that our decision to follow Jesus is something that we choose to do regardless of what others may believe or do. Don't get bogged down in arguments. Make your choice and carry on.
Human life is story-formed (that is to say it is shaped by some story). The question is this, according to which story will we live? Life decisions are shaped and ordered by our sense of how they fit within a larger story or tradition. I can only answer the question, “What am I to do?” if I first answer the question, “In what story do I find myself?” Join us for this exciting series exploring God's BIG story!
Today’s scriptural passage reminds us that while God’s presence has indeed come near to us, we need to live with anticipation if we are to enjoy the fulness of God’s blessing upon our lives. It’s time for us to take responsibility for the atmosphere of our own lives. Let’s decide today that we will live out this new year with a spirit of anticipation.
Discipleship is not an accidental vocation, it is intentional through and through. In today's teaching we explore three Rs (Refresh, Recalibrate, and Rebalance) as we seek to heed the apostle’s instructions in 2 Corinthians 13:5 and in Ephesians 5:15-17…
Today's sermon comes from our joint "Service of Thanksgiving" celebrated together with our friends at the First Congregational Church in downtown Oroville. Our gratitude is not just for that which has been, but is also a celebration of what is yet to come. The blessings of God that we now enjoy are just the appetizer for what God has in store for all of creation!
Here the Psalmist reminds us that God laughs at the hubris of humanity. We take refuge not in our own prowess, our own abilities, or our own strength, but in the Lord our God. Our confidence and hope is in the suffering servant of Isaiah who himself bore our transgressions and leads many to righteousness.
Paul identifies the renewal of the mind as key to the transformation of a Christian's inner person. In today's lesson we will finish the chapter and look at the role of suffering in character formation.
Paul identifies the renewal of the mind as key to the transformation of a Christian's inner person. In today's lesson we will continue from last week and look at the role of conscience in the life of the believer.
Paul identifies the renewal of the mind as key to the transformation of a Christian's inner person. In today's lesson we will explore two key metaphors in how Paul understands this process of renewal: (1) being daylight people and (2) dressing for the occasion.
A disciple of Jesus should not measure his or her worth by comparing it with the accomplishments and sacrifices of others, but should focus on serving from a heart of gratitude in response to God’s grace. Jesus affirms that God’s generosity is more abundant than anyone would expect.
Jesus identifies our real issue to be that of the heart. Diagnosing the condition however, is not the last word. Jesus also taught that his kingdom-project contains, at its core, a cure for this sickness of the heart. Jesus goal is that those who hear and accept his kingdom-announcement will have their hearts cleansed so that they might learn to live in the present as signs of the coming renewal of all creation.
If we are going to fulfill the great commission given by Jesus to His followers — the call to be disciples making disciples — then we must be people of prayer. As individuals, we need to pray more. As a church, we need to pray more. Not just more words, but more focus, more intensity, more passion, and more commitment. So for the next 30 days we will be uniting in focused prayer and fasting for our community, our families, and our church.
The the gospel accounts make it clear that it’s harvest-time. God’s kingdom is at hand. The harvest is not simply a matter of reward for our work, but it is a work of God in which we are called to participate as co-workers in God’s fields. Will we answer the call?
The Beatitudes are neither a set of rules, nor a call to some existentialist or romantic inward follow-your-heart orientation to life. They are a radical call to anticipate in the present, the genuine human existence which God has always intended for humanity—which he has begun to bring about in and through Jesus—that will come to fulness at the great day of the Lord.
Scripture reveals that God has always intended for humanity be a kingdom of priests! From Genesis and creation, to Exodus and liberation, to Jesus and the coming kingdom, to Revelation and the conclusion of all things, the repeated theme is this—humans are called to be a kingdom of priests, reigning and worshiping as the interface between God and his creation. As a kingdom of priests they are tasked with both bringing God’s wise and generous order to the world as well as giving articulate voice to creation’s glad and grateful praise to its maker.
Character is transformed by three things: (1) you have to aim at the right goal; (2) you have to figure out the steps you need to take to get to that goal; (3) those steps have to be habitual, a matter of second nature. In today's lesson we look at the New Testament's version of this three-fold model of character transformation.
Our scriptural passage today reminds us that discipleship is not a passive calling. When you meet Jesus, He will engage and challenge your assumptions, your ideas, and your perspective. How you respond will make all the difference! Don’t be timid, spiritual growth and maturity comes when we are willing to wrestle with the teachings/words of Jesus and their meaning for our lives.
Jesus didn’t call disciples to master a new set of rules or specific acts of behavior, he called them to a type of character. Being a Christian isn't about acting right, it is about being Christ-like
Tyrants and despots throughout the ages have delighted in putting their likeness and inscription on everything. These images and inscriptions were political propaganda—claims to power and legitimacy. Caesar may claim ownership of much in our world, his image and likeness appear on a myriad of things, but don’t be swayed by appearances! We have been called to bear the image and likenesses of another! Whose likeness and inscription does your life display today?
Welcome to our new Gracepoint Teaching series, “After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters.” In this series we will explore the Christian life in terms of virtue, a quality that was very important in the past but which is not talked about much today. Using N.T. Wright’s book “After You Believe” as our weekly launching pad, we will seek to better understand and live out the scriptural call for transformation of character. This series is for anyone who is hoping there is something more while we're here on Earth. There is. We are being called to join a revolution. Join us each week as we find new purpose and clarity though an eye-opening journey exploring key biblical passages that promise to radically alter the work of the church and the direction of our lives.
Jesus makes it clear that those who love Him will keep His commandments. While this may seem like an impossible task, we are not without hope. Through the indwelling power of His Spirit, Jesus Himself promises to not only be with us, but to empower, lead and guide us safely to the journey’s end. Through His Spirit, He is forever with us!
Throughout the Gospels, we read of Jesus speaking many times about God as our Father. Among other things we are reminded in scripture that our Father is: a Father who is good to all, a Father who is redeeming all of creation, a Father who props up those who fall, a Father whom all eyes can look towards in hope. Our scripture today also reminds us that being children of such a Father carries a very real challenge for how we live here on earth.
The Kingdom of Heaven isn't a random assemblage of moral maxims and rules. The Kingdom of Heaven is about setting the world to right — the reconciliation of Creator and all creation. Today our scriptural passage reminds us that if we want to fully enter into that reality, then we must be willing to be active participants in God’s ongoing work of righteousness.
Our scripture today reminds us that Jesus is present wherever two or three gather in his name. Our hope and strength do not rest in programs, buildings, crowds, music or charismatic speakers; we rest secure in the unshakeable promise that Jesus himself is present among us. Let us walk therefore in that confidence!
Today we conclude our journey through the Psalms of Ascent. In this adult Bible study series, we have explored the Songs of Ascents that were sung by pilgrims on their way up to worship in Jerusalem. In these songs (Psalms 120-134) we find encouragement for modern pilgrims as we learn to grow in worship, service, joy, work, happiness, humility, community and blessing.
What a relief to know that I am not the Christ! What a liberating revelation! This scriptural passage challenges us to take seriously our call to be friends of the bridegroom. May the Lord deliver us from messiah complexes and help us truly and honestly find joy in His increase.
"Lift your praising hands!" - Psalm 134 reminds the pilgrim that the way of discipleship that begins in an act of repentance concludes in a life of praise/blessing. Our destination is a blessed one.
Psalm 133 reminds us that whether we like it or not, from the moment we begin to walk on this pilgrim pathway, our lives are joined to that of other pilgrims. God never makes private, secret salvation deals with people. His relationships with us are personal, true; intimate, yes; but private, no. No Christian is an only child.
The story of Zacchaeus challenges us to see both ourselves and one another, first and foremost, as humans noticed and loved by God. Even when we are so very far from being the people who God created us to be, this story reminds us that God still sees us as sons and daughters of Abraham.
As disciples, we want a Christian faith that has stability but is not petrified, that has vision but is not hallucinatory. Psalm 132 is a psalm of David’s obedience. The psalm shows obedience as a lively, adventurous response of faith that is rooted in historical fact and reaches into a promised hope.
Today as we celebrate and honor our mothers, we are reminded by our scriptural passage from Luke’s gospel that Jesus is a true friend and help to mothers. In Jesus, we see the reflection of a God who is moved with compassion at the struggles and challenges faced by mothers.
Christian faith need continuous maintenance. It requires attending to. Psalm 131 is a maintenance psalm. It is functional to the person of faith as pruning is functional to the gardener: it gets ride of that which looks good to those who don’t know any better, and reduces the distance between our hearts and their roots in God. We are always, it seems, reeling from one side of the road to the other as we travel the way of faith. We are, alternately, rebellious runaways and whining babies. Psalm 131 calls us to another way, the plain way of quiet Christian humility. It calls us to rediscover the quietness of the weaned child, the tranquility of maturing trust.
The breath of life is the story of creation. God has always intended for humanity to be more than just dust. This scriptural passage reminds us that participating in God’s story always requires participation in God’s life.
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