River's Edge Community Church Audio Sermons

This sermon is based on Judges 5:1-9. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: BLURB: Sometimes we make things too complicated. Suppose our goal is to follow Jesus. What do we do? Easy. We study theology. We analyze passages. We scrutinize sayings. We delve into the parables, and then we make a list of 72 things to work on before Saturday. And why do we do this to ourselves? It's complicated. But what if we started by asking the question: “What did Jesus' life looked like?” What if we asked about Jesus' daily routine and seek to duplicate that? Where would that take us? I think it would take us right where we want to go.  After all, it is Simply Irresistible!

This sermon is based on Romans 12:14-21. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: BLURB: Sometimes we make things too complicated. Suppose our goal is to follow Jesus. What do we do? Easy. We study theology. We analyze passages. We scrutinize sayings. We delve into the parables, and then we make a list of 72 things to work on before Saturday. And why do we do this to ourselves? It's complicated. But what if we started by asking the question: “What did Jesus' life looked like?” What if we asked about Jesus' daily routine and seek to duplicate that? Where would that take us? I think it would take us right where we want to go.  After all, it is Simply Irresistible!

This sermon begins our new series and is based on John 20:19-23. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: BLURB: Sometimes we make things too complicated. Suppose our goal is to follow Jesus. What do we do? Easy. We study theology. We analyze passages. We scrutinize sayings. We delve into the parables, and then we make a list of 72 things to work on before Saturday. And why do we do this to ourselves? It's complicated. But what if we started by asking the question: “What did Jesus' life looked like?” What if we asked about Jesus' daily routine and seek to duplicate that? Where would that take us? I think it would take us right where we want to go.  After all, it is Simply Irresistible!

This Resurrection Sunday sermon is based on Matthew 28:1-10. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A  

This Palm Sunday sermon is shared by our guest speaker, Rev. Steve Hartman, and is based on Matthew 21:1-11. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A  

This sermon is based on Romans 13:8-10. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on Matthew 22:34-40. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on Romans 12:1-2. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on Acts 2:42-47. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on Ephesians 2:8-10. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on Ephesians 2:1-5. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on John 1:1-18. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on Hebrews 1:1-4. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon begins our new series and is based on John 17:1-3. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: There are all sorts of theologies. There's systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and practical theology. There is Reformed theology, Lutheran theology, Wesleyan theology, Charismatic theology and Catholic theology. There is Continental theology, feminist theology, African theology, Liberation theology and Asian theology.  And we could go on, but that is not the point. So, let me ask you this: Is theology for the head, for the heart, for the feet, or for the mouth? In other words, is theology primarily for believing, for feeling, for doing or for talking? Now, if you answered all of the above, you might be on to something. See, for our theology to be any good for us and for others, it has to be a livable theology. It has to be something we think about, feel deeply about, do something about and talk about enthusiastically. In short, a livable theology is an embodied theology, and an embodied theology is a good theology. So, when you pick a theology, pick a good one. Pick A Livable Theology.

This sermon is based on James 2:8-11 . You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms' length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here's the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

This sermon is based on Isaiah 1:10-17. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms' length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here's the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

This sermon is based on 1 John 3:16-18. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms' length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here's the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

This sermon begins our new series, Making It Personal, and is based on James 1:22-27. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A Series Overview: Many people believe that the best way to read the Bible is to keep it at arms' length. After all, any distance between them and having to do what the Bible says has to be a good thing. See, they prefer knowing and being rather than actually doing. We are, as Kierkegaard said, “a bunch of scheming swindlers” preferring to look the part of a Christian instead of literally putting what Jesus says into practice. But there is another way. Here's the starting point: We need to take what Jesus says and make it personal.

This sermon is based on Hebrews 10:11-18 . You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A  

This sermon is based on Ephesians 5:15-16. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A  

This sermon is based on Luke 2:8-20. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don't particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn't for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It's for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don't measure up and can't measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

This sermon is based on Luke 2:25-38. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don't particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn't for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It's for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don't measure up and can't measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

This sermon is based on John 1:9-14. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don't particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn't for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It's for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don't measure up and can't measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

This sermon begins our Advent series and is based on Luke 1:46-55. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: I bet you know the song, “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know it, but I don't particularly like it. And yet, I do like the idea. We absolutely need a little Christmas. See, Christmas isn't for the big and important or the rich and powerful. It is for the little people. It's for ordinary people, people like us, people who know we don't measure up and can't measure up—people who know they need grace. See, Christmas is for us because no matter how you read it, there are no “big” people on that first Christmas, but there are great little people! And that is why we all need a “little” Christmas.

This sermon is based on Romans 13:8-10. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don't. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

This sermon is based on Galatians 6:1-2. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don't. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

This sermon is based on Ephesians 6:10-17. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don't. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

This sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 8:1-9. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don't. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

This sermon is based on Matthew 11:16-24. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don't. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

This sermon introduces our new series and is based on Matthew 9:9-13. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: Quiz time. There are two questions. Which one of the following axioms is worded correctly? Love the sin; hate the sinner. Love the sin; love the sinner. Hate the sin; hate the sinner. Tell everyone we hate the sin, but privately enjoy the sin. Hate the sin when others do it; love the sin when you do it. Condemn everyone for sinning, while feeling superior because you don't. Hate the sin; love the sinner. Which of those seven axioms are we best at doing? (Unfortunately, this is a “choose all that apply” question)? We desperately need help here. Maybe this series can provide some guidance: “Yes, . . . But Love”

This sermon is based on Eph. 4:1-6, 14-16. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: The old campground rule says it this way: “Please leave things better than you found them.” I like that. I even want to do that. Even if it is impossible and we can't leave things “better,” we can at least try really hard not to leave them any worse. But for better or worse, for richer or poorer, before you can make things better, you need to be sure what you are doing won't make them worse. And the only way you can do that is to know what its “best version” would look like. For instance, take the church. If we want to make our church better, we first need to know what a healthy church looks like. And then, with that as our target, we can strive to make that picture our reality. Aye, but there's the rub. What does a healthy church look like? That's what this series is all about; ascertaining the marks of a healthy church. It is step one to leave things better than we found them, even if we are not leaving anytime soon.

This sermon is based on Mark 10:41-45. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: The old campground rule says it this way: “Please leave things better than you found them.” I like that. I even want to do that. Even if it is impossible and we can't leave things “better,” we can at least try really hard not to leave them any worse. But for better or worse, for richer or poorer, before you can make things better, you need to be sure what you are doing won't make them worse. And the only way you can do that is to know what its “best version” would look like. For instance, take the church. If we want to make our church better, we first need to know what a healthy church looks like. And then, with that as our target, we can strive to make that picture our reality. Aye, but there's the rub. What does a healthy church look like? That's what this series is all about; ascertaining the marks of a healthy church. It is step one to leave things better than we found them, even if we are not leaving anytime soon.

This sermon is based on Philemon 1:8-16. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: The old campground rule says it this way: “Please leave things better than you found them.” I like that. I even want to do that. Even if it is impossible and we can't leave things “better,” we can at least try really hard not to leave them any worse. But for better or worse, for richer or poorer, before you can make things better, you need to be sure what you are doing won't make them worse. And the only way you can do that is to know what its “best version” would look like. For instance, take the church. If we want to make our church better, we first need to know what a healthy church looks like. And then, with that as our target, we can strive to make that picture our reality. Aye, but there's the rub. What does a healthy church look like? That's what this series is all about; ascertaining the marks of a healthy church. It is step one to leave things better than we found them, even if we are not leaving anytime soon.

This sermon is based on Acts 10:34-38. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: The old campground rule says it this way: “Please leave things better than you found them.” I like that. I even want to do that. Even if it is impossible and we can't leave things “better,” we can at least try really hard not to leave them any worse. But for better or worse, for richer or poorer, before you can make things better, you need to be sure what you are doing won't make them worse. And the only way you can do that is to know what its “best version” would look like. For instance, take the church. If we want to make our church better, we first need to know what a healthy church looks like. And then, with that as our target, we can strive to make that picture our reality. Aye, but there's the rub. What does a healthy church look like? That's what this series is all about; ascertaining the marks of a healthy church. It is step one to leave things better than we found them, even if we are not leaving anytime soon.

This sermon begins our new series and is based on Colossians 1:3-6. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: The old campground rule says it this way: “Please leave things better than you found them.” I like that. I even want to do that. Even if it is impossible and we can't leave things “better,” we can at least try really hard not to leave them any worse. But for better or worse, for richer or poorer, before you can make things better, you need to be sure what you are doing won't make them worse. And the only way you can do that is to know what its “best version” would look like. For instance, take the church. If we want to make our church better, we first need to know what a healthy church looks like. And then, with that as our target, we can strive to make that picture our reality. Aye, but there's the rub. What does a healthy church look like? That's what this series is all about; ascertaining the marks of a healthy church. It is step one to leave things better than we found them, even if we are not leaving anytime soon.

This sermon is based on James 1:26-27. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is based on Acts 2:42-47. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is based on 1 John 4:7-12. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is based on 1 Peter 1:3-5. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is based on John 14:25-27. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is based on Galatians 5:6. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is based on Matthew 6:28-34. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is based on Titus 3:4-7. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon begins our new series and is based on Titus 3:4-7. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: To have a favorite or not to have a favorite, that is the question. Okay, “Hamlet” is loaded with possible favorite quotes, and it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to, it would be when Polonius interrupts Hamlet in the library and asks, “What do you read, my lord?” And Hamlet replies, “Words, words, words.” Now, Polonius is an accomplice of the evil king and Hamlet is feigning insanity, so we can't take everything that is said here at face value. In fact, we all know that something is rotten in the library. Besides, if Hamlet didn't believe in the power of words, he would never have uttered a single soliloquy. No, methinks the lad doth protest too much here. See, words matter. They are not just ink on a page. Words have meaning and history and emotion and hopes and truth built into them. And that is especially true about many of the words in the New Testament. And that is why it is important to go back every once in a while and look at some of those words that we know are important, to make sure we have a good grasp of their full depth and significance and feeling. “What's the Good Word?” is not just another summer series. What's salvation? What's righteousness? What's faith? What's religion? That is the question!

This sermon is our annual consideration of the fact that our true citizenship is in Christ's Kingdom, even as we celebrate Independence Day as a country. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A  

This sermon is based on Ephesians 6:10-17. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: ____: If ___ ___ hear ____ ___ the ________, you're going to be  ___ ___ ___ ____ .  You ___ also ___ ___ feel ___ out. You ____ also ____ ____ aids.  I said: “Listen: If you only hear half of the conversation, you're going to be at a real disadvantage.  You are also going to feel left out. You might also need hearing aids.” But that is what happens whenever we read the letters in the New Testament. We are only hearing half the conversation! And that is not good because you can then misread (mishear?) what the author is trying to communicate. Bottom line: Without knowing the background, you are going to be at a real disadvantage. You may even need reading aids! For instance, take the book of Ephesians. Did you know that the central theme of the book is that Jesus is better than Artemis! What? Who? How? Now, if you knew the background, you would know! Join us, not for a dry study of one more of Paul's letters, but for an impassioned appeal to win the hearts of God's people in Ephesus. Trust me, it's Better than Art.

This sermon is based on Ephesians 6:18. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: ____: If ___ ___ hear ____ ___ the ________, you're going to be  ___ ___ ___ ____ .  You ___ also ___ ___ feel ___ out. You ____ also ____ ____ aids.  I said: “Listen: If you only hear half of the conversation, you're going to be at a real disadvantage.  You are also going to feel left out. You might also need hearing aids.” But that is what happens whenever we read the letters in the New Testament. We are only hearing half the conversation! And that is not good because you can then misread (mishear?) what the author is trying to communicate. Bottom line: Without knowing the background, you are going to be at a real disadvantage. You may even need reading aids! For instance, take the book of Ephesians. Did you know that the central theme of the book is that Jesus is better than Artemis! What? Who? How? Now, if you knew the background, you would know! Join us, not for a dry study of one more of Paul's letters, but for an impassioned appeal to win the hearts of God's people in Ephesus. Trust me, it's Better than Art.

This sermon is based on Ephesians 6:10-20. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: ____: If ___ ___ hear ____ ___ the ________, you're going to be  ___ ___ ___ ____ .  You ___ also ___ ___ feel ___ out. You ____ also ____ ____ aids.  I said: “Listen: If you only hear half of the conversation, you're going to be at a real disadvantage.  You are also going to feel left out. You might also need hearing aids.” But that is what happens whenever we read the letters in the New Testament. We are only hearing half the conversation! And that is not good because you can then misread (mishear?) what the author is trying to communicate. Bottom line: Without knowing the background, you are going to be at a real disadvantage. You may even need reading aids! For instance, take the book of Ephesians. Did you know that the central theme of the book is that Jesus is better than Artemis! What? Who? How? Now, if you knew the background, you would know! Join us, not for a dry study of one more of Paul's letters, but for an impassioned appeal to win the hearts of God's people in Ephesus. Trust me, it's Better than Art.

This sermon is based on Ephesians 6:5-9. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: ____: If ___ ___ hear ____ ___ the ________, you're going to be  ___ ___ ___ ____ .  You ___ also ___ ___ feel ___ out. You ____ also ____ ____ aids.  I said: “Listen: If you only hear half of the conversation, you're going to be at a real disadvantage.  You are also going to feel left out. You might also need hearing aids.” But that is what happens whenever we read the letters in the New Testament. We are only hearing half the conversation! And that is not good because you can then misread (mishear?) what the author is trying to communicate. Bottom line: Without knowing the background, you are going to be at a real disadvantage. You may even need reading aids! For instance, take the book of Ephesians. Did you know that the central theme of the book is that Jesus is better than Artemis! What? Who? How? Now, if you knew the background, you would know! Join us, not for a dry study of one more of Paul's letters, but for an impassioned appeal to win the hearts of God's people in Ephesus. Trust me, it's Better than Art.

This sermon is based on Ephesians 5:21-6:4. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: ____: If ___ ___ hear ____ ___ the ________, you're going to be  ___ ___ ___ ____ .  You ___ also ___ ___ feel ___ out. You ____ also ____ ____ aids.  I said: “Listen: If you only hear half of the conversation, you're going to be at a real disadvantage.  You are also going to feel left out. You might also need hearing aids.” But that is what happens whenever we read the letters in the New Testament. We are only hearing half the conversation! And that is not good because you can then misread (mishear?) what the author is trying to communicate. Bottom line: Without knowing the background, you are going to be at a real disadvantage. You may even need reading aids! For instance, take the book of Ephesians. Did you know that the central theme of the book is that Jesus is better than Artemis! What? Who? How? Now, if you knew the background, you would know! Join us, not for a dry study of one more of Paul's letters, but for an impassioned appeal to win the hearts of God's people in Ephesus. Trust me, it's Better than Art.

This sermon is based on Ephesians 5:21-33. You can also view each week's sermon/worship service on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ncsq_QNvCv61bIwKUpP5A SERIES OVERVIEW: ____: If ___ ___ hear ____ ___ the ________, you're going to be  ___ ___ ___ ____ .  You ___ also ___ ___ feel ___ out. You ____ also ____ ____ aids.  I said: “Listen: If you only hear half of the conversation, you're going to be at a real disadvantage.  You are also going to feel left out. You might also need hearing aids.” But that is what happens whenever we read the letters in the New Testament. We are only hearing half the conversation! And that is not good because you can then misread (mishear?) what the author is trying to communicate. Bottom line: Without knowing the background, you are going to be at a real disadvantage. You may even need reading aids! For instance, take the book of Ephesians. Did you know that the central theme of the book is that Jesus is better than Artemis! What? Who? How? Now, if you knew the background, you would know! Join us, not for a dry study of one more of Paul's letters, but for an impassioned appeal to win the hearts of God's people in Ephesus. Trust me, it's Better than Art.