Melbourne Heights - Sermons

This week we mourn the loss of our Pastor as Adam goes off to continue his ministry with a new church in South Carolina. But with our mourning we also have cause to celebrate because of his willingness to follow God's Call and what that will mean for Melbourne Heights Baptist Church. Come find out why we should celebrate Adam leaving, and what it can look like if we follow God's call on our life as well.

This week we mourn the loss of our Pastor as Adam goes off to continue his ministry with a new church in South Carolina. But with our mourning we also have cause to celebrate because of his willingness to follow God's Call and what that will mean for Melbourne Heights Baptist Church. Come find out why we should celebrate Adam leaving, and what it can look like if we follow God's call on our life as well.

July 19th is our Pastor Adam's final Sunday at Melbourne Heights. With all of the leadership Adam has provided us during the 14 years he's been our pastor, it's easy to wonder what happens next.But even as this chapter in Adam's life and our church comes to an end, we'll be reminded that no matter how much things may change, God never does.

July 19th is our Pastor Adam's final Sunday at Melbourne Heights. With all of the leadership Adam has provided us during the 14 years he's been our pastor, it's easy to wonder what happens next.But even as this chapter in Adam's life and our church comes to an end, we'll be reminded that no matter how much things may change, God never does.

In the book of Deuteronomy, the people of Israel were on the verge of returning to the Promised Land...God even showed Moses what was in store for the people of Israel once they got there. But just because Moses saw what was waiting for the people of Israel in the Promised Land, that didn't guarantee they'd ever make it. The people of Israel had to choose to keep going. 

In the book of Deuteronomy, the people of Israel were on the verge of returning to the Promised Land...God even showed Moses what was in store for the people of Israel once they got there. But just because Moses saw what was waiting for the people of Israel in the Promised Land, that didn't guarantee they'd ever make it. The people of Israel had to choose to keep going. 

When the Constitutional Convention came to a close in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked, "Well, Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?" Franklin replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." In the life of the church, God has a calling for us...if we will follow it.

When the Constitutional Convention came to a close in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked, "Well, Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?" Franklin replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." In the life of the church, God has a calling for us...if we will follow it.

When things get tough, we have a tendency to look for someone who can lead us through them. We want someone who is bigger than us, stronger than us, or smarter than us to show us how we can overcome whatever we face. But in our rush to find someone to lead us, we forget who we should really turn to in tough times. When times get tough, we need to turn to God.

When things get tough, we have a tendency to look for someone who can lead us through them. We want someone who is bigger than us, stronger than us, or smarter than us to show us how we can overcome whatever we face. But in our rush to find someone to lead us, we forget who we should really turn to in tough times. When times get tough, we need to turn to God.

There are times when we look toward the future and we are filled with uncertainty and anxiety. But in those moments when we're unsure and anxious about the future, it helps to look back to the past. When we look back, we can see how God has been with us through tough times before. And if God was with us then, God is with us now...and in the future.

There are times when we look toward the future and we are filled with uncertainty and anxiety. But in those moments when we're unsure and anxious about the future, it helps to look back to the past. When we look back, we can see how God has been with us through tough times before. And if God was with us then, God is with us now...and in the future.

Although most of our faith is lived out on ordinary days, we'll all have face moments that require extraordinary faith. Moments like when Daniel faced the lion's den. But what prepares us for these moments? Are we only able to face these extraordinary moments if we already have extraordinary faith? Or is there something we can do today to help us in life's biggest moments?

Although most of our faith is lived out on ordinary days, we'll all have face moments that require extraordinary faith. Moments like when Daniel faced the lion's den. But what prepares us for these moments? Are we only able to face these extraordinary moments if we already have extraordinary faith? Or is there something we can do today to help us in life's biggest moments?

We spend a lot of time thinking about the big days — the holidays, the milestones, the moments we plan for months in advance. But most of life doesn't happen on those days. Most of life happens on ordinary days. So how do we live out our faith on an ordinary day? Because God doesn't just want us to follow him on Christmas or Easter, he wants us to follow him every single day.

We spend a lot of time thinking about the big days — the holidays, the milestones, the moments we plan for months in advance. But most of life doesn't happen on those days. Most of life happens on ordinary days. So how do we live out our faith on an ordinary day? Because God doesn't just want us to follow him on Christmas or Easter, he wants us to follow him every single day.

Have you ever felt like you're too ordinary to actually matter to God? We all have moments when it feels like we've blended into the background while God is focused on bigger, more important things. And it makes us wonder: does God even know I'm here? This week, we'll discover just how much all of us matter to God, and the lengths God will go to reach us exactly where we are.

Have you ever felt like you're too ordinary to actually matter to God? We all have moments when it feels like we've blended into the background while God is focused on bigger, more important things. And it makes us wonder: does God even know I'm here? This week, we'll discover just how much all of us matter to God, and the links God will go to reach us exactly where we are.

When most of us think of the people God uses, we picture people who get everything right, and live extraordinary lives of faith. But that's not the way most of us see ourselves. But does that mean that God can't use us because we're not perfect people with extraordinary faith? Or have we simply forgotten that throughout history God has always used imperfect people...just like us.

When most of us think of the people God uses, we picture people who get everything right, and live extraordinary lives of faith. But that's not the way most of us see ourselves. But does that mean that God can't use us because we're not perfect people with extraordinary faith? Or have we simply forgotten that throughout history God has always used imperfect people...just like us.

Most of us assume that following God requires something big from us. A dramatic life change. A heroic sacrifice. Some kind of extraordinary effort. But that assumption gets in the way of our relationship with God. God doesn't expect us to be or do something extraordinary to prove we're worthy of following him. God just wants us to follow him.

Most of us assume that following God requires something big from us. A dramatic life change. A heroic sacrifice. Some kind of extraordinary effort. But that assumption gets in the way of our relationship with God. God doesn't expect us to be or do something extraordinary to prove we're worthy of following him. God just wants us to follow him.

Every Sunday, we come together for a worship service. And the worship part makes sense...but what about the service? When most of us think about service, we think about eating at a restaurant or making a return at Walmart. So what does service have to do with church? Well, believe it or not, the service part is every bit as important to the church as the worship part.

Every Sunday, we come together for a worship service. And the worship part makes sense...but what about the service? When most of us think about service, we think about eating at a restaurant or making a return at Walmart. So what does service have to do with church? Well, believe it or not, the service part is every bit as important to the church as the worship part.

How many sermons have you sat through over the years? Dozens? Hundreds? And how many do you actually remember? If the answer feels a little embarrassing, you're not alone. But the problem might not be the sermons. Each sermon gives us the chance to hear a word from God. And if we have the chance to hear from God, the question we need to ask is: Are we ready to listen?

How many sermons have you sat through over the years? Dozens? Hundreds? And how many do you actually remember? If the answer feels a little embarrassing, you're not alone. But the problem might not be the sermons. Each sermon gives us the chance to hear a word from God. And if we have the chance to hear from God, the question we need to ask is: Are we ready to listen?

Some people love to sing...but plenty of us feel like we can't carry a tune in a bucket. So it's a little strange that we're all invited to sing at church every week.But singing in church isn't about putting on a performance or showing how talented you are. No, there's a much bigger reason why we sing in church that makes us all want to raise our voices, no matter how well we sing.

Some people love to sing...but plenty of us feel like we can't carry a tune in a bucket. So it's a little strange that we're all invited to sing at church every week.But singing in church isn't about putting on a performance or showing how talented you are. No, there's a much bigger reason why we sing in church that makes us all want to raise our voices no matter how well we sing.

There are times when going to church feels meaningful. And there are times when it just feels like something you do. So why do we keep showing up? Do we keep showing up just because it's a habit or because we have a job to do at church? Or, is there something deeper going on that we need to rediscover to help us understand why we worship?

There are times when going to church feels meaningful. And there are times when it just feels like something you do. So why do we keep showing up? Do we keep showing up just because it's a habit or because we have a job to do at church? Or, is there something deeper going on that we need to rediscover to help us understand why we worship?

Easter is supposed to be a time when we celebrate the good news of Jesus' resurrection...but that doesn't mean we actually feel like celebrating. There's a lot happening in our world right now, and there may be even more happening in your life. But the story of Easter tells us that, even when we don't feel like celebrating, Jesus meets us where we are. Because Jesus is alive and he's with you no matter what.

Easter is supposed to be a time when we celebrate the good news of Jesus' resurrection...but that doesn't mean we actually feel like celebrating. There's a lot happening in our world right now, and there may be even more happening in your life. But the story of Easter tells us that, even when we don't feel like celebrating, Jesus meets us where we are. Because Jesus is alive and he's with you no matter what.

Every one of us has come to a crossroads in our lives where we've made the wrong choice. Every one of us has gone the wrong direction and couldn't find our way back. And the bigger the mistake, the easier it is to believe it defines us forever. But our faith teaches us that God's love for us is greater than our biggest mistakes. So no matter what decisions you've made, your mistakes aren't the end of your journey with God.

Every one of us has come to a crossroads in our lives where we've made the wrong choice. Every one of us has gone the wrong direction and couldn't find our way back. And the bigger the mistake, the easier it is to believe it defines us forever. But our faith teaches us that God's love for us is greater than our biggest mistakes. So no matter what decisions you've made, your mistakes aren't the end of your journey with God.

We've all had times when it felt like God didn't show up when we needed him. We prayed. We trusted. And we still got hurt. So we built walls to make sure it wouldn't happen again. And those walls have worked.But what if the very walls we've built to protect ourselves are the things keeping us from God's greatest work in our lives?

We've all had times when it felt like God didn't show up when we needed him. We prayed. We trusted. And we still got hurt. So we built walls to make sure it wouldn't happen again. And those walls have worked.But what if the very walls we've built to protect ourselves are the things keeping us from God's greatest work in our lives?

Have you ever had a moment when we've cried out to God, but it felt like God wasn't listening? Like God had forgotten about you? Like God had given up on you? When that happens enough times, it's easy to give up on God. But even though God doesn't always show up when we want God to, that doesn't mean God's not at work in your life. Because God is always at work, even when we can't see it.

Have you ever had a moment when we've cried out to God, but it felt like God wasn't listening? Like God had forgotten about you? Like God had given up on you? When that happens enough times, it's easy to give up on God. But even though God doesn't always show up when we want God to, that doesn't mean God's not at work in your life. Because God is always at work, even when we can't see it.

When you've been hurt enough times, you learn to keep your guard up. It's how we protect ourselves. But the longer we keep our guard up, the more alone we feel. But what happens when keeping your guard up also keeps out the one person who sees you for who you really are and loves you anyway?

When you've been hurt enough times, you learn to keep your guard up. It's how we protect ourselves. But the longer we keep our guard up, the more alone we feel. But what happens when keeping your guard up also keeps out the one person who sees you for who you really are and loves you anyway?

A lot of us have spent years going to church, reading our Bibles, and learning about God. And when you've spent that much time in church, it's easy to feel like you have God figured out. But what happens when life doesn't go the way you expected, and God doesn't show up the way you thought he would? What if God is always bigger than anything we could ever figure out?

A lot of us have spent years going to church, reading our Bibles, and learning about God. And when you've spent that much time in church, it's easy to feel like you have God figured out. But what happens when life doesn't go the way you expected, and God doesn't show up the way you thought he would? What if God is always bigger than anything we could ever figure out?

Sometimes we all feel like we're doomed to repeat the past. We always seem to say or do the wrong things. And we keep making the same mistakes. But no matter how many times we've made the same mistake, we're not doomed to repeat the past. We can always choose a new direction.

Sometimes we all feel like we're doomed to repeat the past. We always seem to say or do the wrong things. And we keep making the same mistakes. But no matter how many times we've made the same mistake, we're not doomed to repeat the past. We can always choose a new direction.

It's easy to learn about what Jesus wants from us. We can study scripture, discuss theology, and understand what God values. We can even agree that God's kingdom has no outsiders and that we're called to move toward the margins. But knowing isn't the same as doing. Sometimes we'd rather stay comfortable in our sacred spaces than actually follow Jesus into the world. But we're not just called to know Jesus, we're called to follow him.

It's easy to learn about what Jesus wants from us. We can study scripture, discuss theology, and understand what God values. We can even agree that God's kingdom has no outsiders and that we're called to move toward the margins. But knowing isn't the same as doing. Sometimes we'd rather stay comfortable in our sacred spaces than actually follow Jesus into the world. But we're not just called to know Jesus, we're called to follow him.

Jesus tells his followers, "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world." But even though we know what salt and light are, that doesn't mean we completely understand what Jesus has to say. In the ancient world, salt preserved food from rotting and light protected people from danger. But salt only works when it gets mixed in, and light only works when you shine it. So are you willing to really be salt and light?

Jesus tells his followers, "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world." But even though we know what salt and light are, that doesn't mean we completely understand what Jesus has to say. In the ancient world, salt preserved food from rotting and light protected people from danger. But salt only works when it gets mixed in, and light only works when you shine it. So are you willing to really be salt and light?

What does God require from us as Christians? Most of us would say going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and giving. We think being a good Christian is primarily about religious activities. But Micah tells us God wants something different. God cares more about justice, mercy, and humility than religious performance. So what does it actually mean to do what God requires?

What does God require from us as Christians? Most of us would say going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and giving. We think being a good Christian is primarily about religious activities. But Micah tells us God wants something different. God cares more about justice, mercy, and humility than religious performance. So what does it actually mean to do what God requires?

When starting something important, you pick a place that already matters, usually somewhere big and prestigious. Everyone expected Jesus to begin his ministry in Jerusalem, the religious center of Israel, where God's presence dwelt. But Jesus went to Galilee instead—a place looked down on and dismissed. While we wait for God in Jerusalem, God's working in Galilee. Are we paying attention?