Mosaic with Adam Barton

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This sermon draws from the biblical narrative of Aiken's sin in the Book of Joshua, looking at the dangers of disobedience to God and the consequences that not only affect the individual but also the community. We are challenged to consider areas in own own lives where we might be resisting God's guidance. Let's have a heartfelt examination & a commitment to full obedience, aligning our actions with God's will even when we don't understand.

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This sermon by Pastor Chris focuses on a letter written to the church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation. Chris shares his testimony, detailing his struggles with mental health and relationship challenges. He uses his story to illustrate the dangers of "blind spots" in our self-awareness and the importance of accountability and repentance. The message concludes by encouraging us to self-examine, repent, and receive the transformative power of Jesus Christ so that we can overcome personal failings and look more like Jesus.

In the sermon titled "Sound Mind," the Adam explores the concept of mental toughness through the lens of personal narratives and their profound impact on our mental health. There is power in the stories we tell ourselves about our past, present, and future and these narratives shape our identity and resilience more than our circumstances. The sermon is filled with truths that encourage us to adopt God's perspective of ourselves, viewing themselves as chosen, loved, and designed by God with a purposeful destiny. By aligning our internal stories with God's truth, we can foster mental toughness and live out our divine purpose.

In week 4 of our Sound Mind series, we dive into depression. Adam using the biblical story of Elijah discussing his experience of profound despair despite his faith and accomplishments, highlighting that one can be a faithful servant and still struggle with mental health issues. We are encouraged to engage with God's presence, pursue our God-given purpose, and connect with others as essential strategies for overcoming depressive episodes.

Let's talk about the hot topic of ANXIETY. Make sure you listen to this sermon this week. "What if we stopped thinking of peace as the absence of anxiety. Stopped thinking of peace as only occupying the parts of your life where there isn't anxiety producing things. Stopped thinking of peace as something that flees before your anxiety....The peace that JESUS offers is active & explosive. It is not just anxiety's equal opposite. In this story, the calm, the peace is actually more powerful than the anxiety...It actually dissipates the anxiety." - Pastor Adam

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The sermon introduces a series called "Sound Mind," emphasizing the importance of mental health, especially noting the significant rise in mental health issues over the recent years. Adam focuses on two ways to overcome mental health challenges. 1. Someone must envision a positive outcome and 2. They must truly believe in the possibility of achieving it. Adam uses biblical references, particularly 2 Timothy 1:7 and Isaiah 26:3, to underline that a sound mind, power, love, and perfect peace are attainable through trust and focus on God. The sermon encourages listeners to adopt a proactive approach to their mental health by aligning their thoughts with God's promises.

Week 3 of Cliche dives into the problematic nature of the cliche "Just Look on the Bright Side." This sermon argues that such cliches can minimize real suffering and pain especially when applied to serious life challenges. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul emphasize a balance between acknowledging real pain and maintaining hope in eternal glory. The challenge is for people to make a choice to focus their eyes on the spiritual which goes beyond simplistic optimism and embraces a deeper hope in God's eternal plan.

In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Adam challenges the common cliche "Don't put all your eggs in one basket," highlighting its potential to undermine the value of commitment. He argues that while diversification may protect against risk, it can also prevent deep commitment, which is essential for accessing profound truths and achieving true freedom. Pastor Adam illustrates how commitment can lead to a deeper understanding and a more fulfilling life. He emphasizes Jesus' teachings in John 8:31-32, where true freedom comes from knowing the truth, which is accessed through commitment. The sermon concludes with a call to action for deeper commitment in various aspects of life, including faith, relationships, and personal passions.

The cliche addressed in this sermon is "Just be yourself." The sermon explores the potential harms of this advice, suggesting that while it promotes authenticity and freedom from societal expectations, it can also lead to complacency, excuse poor behavior, and ignore the need for personal growth and transformation. Pastor Adam advocates for a life guided by transformation through Christ, as outlined in Romans 12:2, which encourages believers not to conform to the world but to be transformed by renewing their minds, thereby understanding God's will more clearly. The sermon concludes with a call to action for individuals to examine areas of their lives that have not been surrendered to God, encouraging a full commitment to spiritual growth and transformation to become the person God intends them to be.

Week 5 of the sermon series "The Table," Pastor Adam explores the significance of the table in Jesus' ministry and its symbolic importance in building relationships and fostering community. This message dives into the biblical story of Jesus at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), where he performs his first miracle by turning water into wine. This act prevents a social disaster and underscores several key themes: Jesus' responsiveness to human needs, the importance of faith and obedience, and the transformative power of Jesus' miracles. The sermon concludes by encouraging us to bring even their smallest troubles to Jesus, trust in his provisions, and recognize the deeper spiritual implications of Jesus' actions.

In week four of The Table, Pastor Adam stresses that often there is a gap between who we think we are and who we really are, which can lead to dissatisfaction and pain. Drawing from the biblical story of Mary and Martha, the sermon explores how our actions are deeply influenced by our perceived identities. Martha, distracted and stressed over her duties, contrasts with Mary, who is commended for choosing to listen to Jesus, representing the peace that comes from knowing one's true identity in Christ. The sermon concludes by encouraging the congregation to embrace their identity as defined by God, not by societal standards or personal achievements, highlighting the freedom and stability that comes from this understanding.

In week three of The Table, Pastor Adam delves into the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19 to illustrate the profound human need for acceptance and belonging, emphasizing the role of Christians in fulfilling this need for others. The sermon highlights how Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised by his community, demonstrates unconditional love and acceptance. By inviting himself to Zacchaeus' home, Jesus not only acknowledges him but also prompts a transformative change in Zacchaeus, who commits his life to Jesus and to rectifying his wrongs. Adam challenges the congregation to emulate Jesus' example by engaging with those who are different or marginalized, stressing that acceptance often precedes belief and that Christians should lead with love without conditions.

This sermon explores the transformative power of forgiveness and its impact on love, gratitude, and judgment. Pastor Adam uses the biblical story from Luke 7:36-50, where a sinful woman anoints Jesus's feet at a Pharisee's house. The sermon highlights the contrast between the Pharisee's lack of hospitality and the woman's extravagant display of repentance and love. The key message is that understanding and accepting forgiveness can increase our capacity for love, enhance our gratitude, and decrease our judgmental attitudes. Adam emphasizes that often, the issue isn't the absence of love or gratitude, but a lack of awareness of the forgiveness we have received. The sermon concludes by encouraging the congregation to reflect on their own experiences of forgiveness and to embody this understanding in their interactions with others.

In his sermon, "Transparency at the Table," Pastor Adam uses the symbolic power of the dining table. He draws parallels to biblical stories, highlighting the honesty of sinners before Jesus. He discusses the concept of sin and the need for genuine confession without comparison or excuses. Highlighting the consequences of hiding sins, Pastor Adam stresses the importance of honesty for relational health and personal growth. He encourages the congregation to confess sins, emphasizing Jesus' understanding and sacrifice for forgiveness. The sermon closes with a call to prayer for confession and healing, promoting openness with God to go back to the table.

Pastor Chris Dewar's sermon highlights how Jesus defies expectations by reaching out to those society shuns, like the Samaritan woman at the well. He contrasts judgmental attitudes with the ministry of Fireproof Ministries, showing love to those in the adult entertainment industry. The message emphasizes emulating Jesus by stepping into messy situations to show love and acceptance, just as Jesus did. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend the same love and grace we have received to others, regardless of their circumstances.

Pastor Chris's sermon explores the significance of expectations in our lives, drawing parallels between stories and reality. He uses examples from popular culture and the biblical story of the Good Samaritan to illustrate how our expectations can sometimes be challenged. The sermon highlights the unexpected nature of Jesus' teachings and urges both believers and non-believers to demonstrate love and compassion towards others. In conclusion, Pastor Chris emphasizes the importance of aligning our expectations with God's perspective and showing unconditional love and compassion to those in need.

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Pastor Adam Barton's sermon "A Responsibility" discusses the importance of following the natural instinct to increase, as shown by the migration of monarch butterflies and the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. He emphasizes the need to overcome fear and make the most of the talents, resources, and opportunities that God has given us. The sermon also calls on the church, specifically Mosaic, to recognize its unique blessings and actively participate in fulfilling its mission to reach and save the lost. Ultimately, embracing responsibility and using our gifts faithfully not only fulfills a duty but also brings joy to God and positively impacts others.

In his sermon "A Mentality," Pastor Adam Barton urges a mindset shift for Christians towards their role in the church. Using the analogy of animal groups, he challenges the congregation to redefine how they view a group of Christians. Drawing from Matthew 16:13-18, Pastor Adam highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as the foundation of the church and emphasizes the need for Christians to unite in a fearless mission to bring light to the world.

Alyssa Shafer's sermon "Are You Listening?" explores the importance of actively listening to God. Through the biblical story of Eli, and Samuel, she underscores the history of humans struggling to listen well. The sermon culminates in the "four P's of listening": posture, proximity, people, and purpose, with a call to action for the congregation to actively listen to God and respond accordingly.

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Alyssa Shafer's sermon "He Speaks" discusses how God communicates in unexpected ways, emphasizing the importance of being open to the unforeseen. Alyssa encourages individuals to listen for God's voice, pointing out that he speaks personally through the Holy Spirit, urging listeners to discern divine messages in alignment with the Scriptures. The sermon concludes by presenting a choice: resist the unexpected or embrace it, highlighting the importance of recognizing God's voice and being part of a community that holds true to the belief that God communicates with His people.

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The sermon "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Pastor Adam Barton emphasizes loving others more than they deserve. He discusses Jesus' teaching in Luke 6 to love enemies and emphasizes the need for humility in treating others kindly. The sermon concludes by encouraging Christians to remember the love and forgiveness they have received from God and extend that love to others, even those considered as enemies.

This sermon discusses the importance of church in spiritual growth and community. Pastor Adam emphasizes that in order to be who God created us to be, we cannot do that alone. The church is a place for growth to happen and it should function as a place to get poured into and a place to pour out. The sermon lands by focusing on the collective mission of the church and how the church needs YOU.

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