Meadowbrook Church Sermons

The world is shrinking into a global neighborhood. Literally many of us have several languages and people groups represented in our cul de sacs, schools and offices. Pluralism and multi-culturalism are the new norm. How is God at work in such a dynamic day?

Though most things in our contemporary culture are changing in relatively quick fashion the truths and mission of the Gospel remain exactly the same. People are sinners who need a savior. God has entered our world as Savior, seeking out the lost in order to save them. The saved join God in His mission.

Truly following Jesus demands sacrifice. If Jesus asked, would you be willing to give up financial security, friendships or vocational success? If such thoughts scare you discover how Jesus transforms us into people of courage.

Following Christ is more than verbalizing, “I believe in Jesus”. Find out what it means to “trust Jesus” and how all-encompassing true trust is.

What does it mean to follow Christ? Some consider Jesus to be a means to an eternal insurance policy that delivers wealth, health, safety and security. Discover how Christ-following is different and more than “churchianity”.

Christmas Eve Communion Service

To receive a gift only to later lose it or have it taken away can be very distressing and even debilitating. God’s gifts to us can neither be lost nor stolen because He personally guards and preserves His gifts.

Do you remember receiving a gift that broke or ceased functioning within minutes or hours of receiving it? How disappointing or frustrating that can be. God’s gifts not only last a lifetime but for all eternity.

Many gift-givers take pride in procuring something at an under-market price. How do you feel when you have to pay full price or when the price seems to be beyond the worth of what you’re buying? Even though God is wealthy His gifts to us cost Him everything.

Have you received or given an extravagant gift? How did it make you feel? Extravagance often stirs feelings of excessiveness or even wasteful. What does it mean that God gives extravagant gifts and how should we feel about that?

Rivers have a current that causes its water and anything in the water to flow in a common direction. Culture likewise has a current that causes people to flow in a common direction unless people are extraordinarily empowered to flow against the current. Christ-followers are so empowered but drift with cultural current when there is spiritual lapse.

Everything is impacted or “shaped” by something. The environment, economy, and communities are all shaped by various factors. So it is with the human life. The question is, “What or who will be the primary factor that shapes your life?”

Is there anything that truly surprises you? Was there a gift, a job promotion or loss, or a relationship change that blindsided you so that you didn’t see it coming? Learn more about how God can and does surprise us with His grace, movement and activities.

To what extent would you go to save the life of a dying person? Would you give all your money? Would you liquidate all your assets? Would you give your own life? Jesus surrendered His life and died so that we may live.

The gift of salvation in Jesus calls for a response; believe and receive life or disbelieve and reject life. Who has heard the call? What is your response?

Jesus’ mission to atone for sin and conquer death is Good News which is announced by His followers to a needy world. However, there is an “enemy” to Christ’s mission with whom followers contend. The Spirit inserts Himself into the battle and prevails.

Jesus is God who is present to save and has the power to save. However, Jesus purposes to involve His followers (the saved) in His saving work. How does Jesus go about involving others in redemption and what does it look like?

The human condition is terminal. Because of our sin nature we are dead to God and condemned. “Fallen-ness” all around us conspires to keep us perishing. God alone has the power to overcome brokenness and the power to save.

Occasionally when someone is drowning they can be saved by tossing them a line or life ring. The situations that are most perilous demand that a rescuer dive into the water in order save the victim. Humanity’s sinful lostness is most perilous and the good news is that Jesus is present with us to save.

What kinds of risks have you taken? Relational? Vocational? Financial? What kind of spiritual risks have you attempted? Like an Author, God is writing THE story of the ages and He has written your character into the script. Question: Will you risk playing the part God has ordained?

There are things that we do because of external authorities such as a traffic officer telling us to stop even though the traffic light is green. There are other things that we do because of internal compulsion, a conviction that God places in our heart. Such conviction is fuel to our persevering in the will and work of God.

Taking a stand for a belief, a practice, a position or a decision is risky and requires courage. Our culture touts tolerance, unless one’s conviction is based upon the will and word of God. Suddenly the culture becomes intolerant and combative. For what are you standing today?

With what do we build a life? Talent? Achievement? Reputation? Money? Unless we learn to build life upon the Lord we will have a foundation that cannot withstand the storms of this world.

Remember when your parent told you to tell your sibling a specific message, and you didn’t? Was it forgetfulness, fear, apathy or just disobedience? What do you do with the messages that our Heavenly Father impresses upon you for others?

Whom should you marry? Where should you live? What kind of work should you do? How should you use discretionary money and time? What if God gave you specific answers and guidance to those questions; would you follow Him?

We may reach the point where all seems lost or broken, but God invites us to a place at his table where we can experience love, provision and restoration. We needn’t fear the invitation to friendship with God because it is based on his character rather than our merit..

Because you forgot what your teacher or boss required of you did that release you of responsibility and accountability? Many times throughout the years God has reminded us of His expectations. Our forgetfulness perpetuates our brokenness and hopelessness. Wholeness and healing is found in recommitting to God’s purposes.

God holds all power so that He can never be overcome, undone or defeated. Yet because of His love for people God has taken on Himself the brokenness of this world in order to deliver and restore people. God’s suffering is the “ground” that grows man’s hope.

When a man or woman follows God with a whole heart God in turn uses that consecrated life to carry out His purposes to seek and to save those who are lost. Such service requires the follower to understand and navigate well the cultural waters in which we live.

Sometimes created people can become at odds with Creator God so that there is a profound breaking of our lives and our connection with God. With mercy and grace God pursues us while we’re wayward with purposes to redeem and rebuild us.

Even in a child’s messiest moment a parent loves and works to “clean up” his child. Sometimes help comes in the forms of discipline, correction or even consequences to creating a mess. To not deal with a child in such ways is to not love the child.

God’s will is not only powerful, it is unstoppable. If God wills something it will come to pass. Is there anything that God has willed to which you are resistant or even opposing? If so then you’ll want to glean some wisdom from a reluctant prophet.

There is a time for everything. Do you know what time it is? Are you living according to time? When time is up will you have any regrets? Find the wisdom you need for the time you live.

The biblical book of Proverbs is also known as a wisdom book. It is a collection of pithy statements from wise men of old who were inspired by God. A steady diet of Proverbs will incline your heart to the wisdom that originates from the Lord.

Life is full of issues: health, economics, relationships, morality, decision making, evil, injustice and many more. God’s Word addresses life’s issues so that it is not only relevant but profound. Discover how the Bible is significantly more than a “rule book” but the revelation of God for living life to the full.

The pace of life and developments in technology necessitate adaptation and life change more quickly than ever. Understanding the times and having wisdom for navigating through culture are essential. Discover how the “fear of the Lord” results in living well in our day.

We frequently refer to believers and non-believers, but lots of people are in-between. Many of us believe in God but live like he doesn't exist, doesn't care or doesn't matter. This message is designed to re-define one's sense of purpose and focus as a Christian.

Life is hard. God is good. How can both statements be true at the same time? Biblical hope is having confidence in God’s goodness in the face of hard times. Discover how one experiences God so that we become “hope-full”.

To worship God is to live in such a way that God is acknowledged and experienced in the details of life. Such deference makes much of God and less of self. Discover how to contend with the human proclivity to make much of self and forget about God.

The year is 537 BC - Jerusalem lay in ruins and God’s temple had been burned to the ground nearly 50 years earlier. A remnant of God’s people return to the ashes and commit to restore the temple to its former glory, only to give up nearly as soon as they start. What happened to the faithful? Will God get the glory that He’s due? And what’s the temple in your life?

The powerful come and go. The wicked may prosper but then perish. The righteous may suffer and then be exalted. Life features seasons of light and darkness. Through it all God works His perfect plans in the midst of His people.

“Shepherd” is a profound biblical metaphor that helps us understand who God is and what God is like. Easter is the ultimate reminder of how the “Good Shepherd” lays down his life for the welfare of the sheep. Join us as we celebrate the powerful yet merciful and gracious God.

A powerful drive in us is to be in control of our lives and circumstances. The flip side of that drive is an aversion to someone or something else controlling us. People or institutions that have authority are often resisted because of our control issues. Discover why living under God’s authority is the only logical way to live.

Why do we do harmful things that we don’t want to do? Why do we fail to do the good things that we want to do? How can we break broken and destructive patterns that are deeply engrained in our lives?

God is holy; the world is fallen. God is love; the world is selfish. God is the ultimate treasure; the world thinks too highly of itself. What is the “world”, why is it at odds with God and what does it mean to live in it?

Whether it is working or playing together or just driving down the road, the presence of others demands that we agree on how we’ll interact with each other. Not to do so results in chaotic turmoil. So it is for us to live with God in this world. How does one prepare to live?

What have you learned about God from your past experiences and the testimony of others? What have you learned about yourself? As we do life’s journey God doesn’t waste any of our experiences, both good and bad, and He redeems it all so that it shapes us for His purposes.