Sermons

This morning we come to a parable that is only one sentence, only 28 words in our English translations. But although the parable is tiny, it packs an enormous punch. Which is exactly what the parable is about. It's about how an invisible thing can change the world.

It's about whether or not the blessings we enjoy bring about the fruit that God seeks.

One of the ways we remember the gospel is in our prayers. We can appropriate the truths of the gospel as we cry out to the Lord for help and hope. Doing so helps us set our minds on what is true. It reshapes our emotions. And it draws us closer to the Lord as we respond in joy and Thanksgiving for all that he has done and will do.

The only way to live wisely in this life is to shrewdly use whatever we have now in light of the brevity of earthly life and the reality of eternity.

But if you put your faith in CHRIST… your faith won't be shaken. Because even if you die, or your loved one dies, that doesn't change the fact that Christ is Lord, it doesn't change the fact that he was resurrected from death, and it doesn't change the fact that he will raise you from death, and this entire world from death, when he comes.

And as Mark continues, it's as if he's saying to us, ok you think these people are slow to get who Jesus is, what about you? Do you get it yet? If YOU had been there, at the cross, would YOU have recognized who Jesus is, and what he's achieving there?

God does not want us to substitute outward actions for a heart-deep relationship with him.

Firstly, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Vv25-28) Secondly, who is my neighbor? (Vv29-37) And thirdly, where am I in this parable? (Who am I supposed to identify with, or imitate?)

You must not let money blind you to the reality that to be wise in this world you must be rich toward God.

Jesus gives us two warnings in this passage, and these will be our two main headings this morning: First: beware of saying without doing. And second: beware of building on the wrong foundation.

Those who are utterly convinced of the value of Christ and His Kingdom will give up everything to gain that kingdom.

This is a parable about how all of us are in danger of listening without really listening. Hearing without really hearing.

Following Jesus means letting his words, in the Scriptures, shape our lives as his disciples.

When Jesus calls us to follow him. He is calling us to live like him.

A disciple's devotion to Jesus comes from an experience of and appreciation for his grace.

Who are you following? Everyone is following someone or something.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

But where does “community” come from? I'm not talking about where good community or bad community comes from, I'm talking about the concept or idea of “community” itself. How did this idea of “community” come about? Did mankind just collectively think one day and say “Y'know, we should hang out and do stuff together?” Fortunately, it's a lot more profound than that!

The only way to fill all of life with the power of Christ is to fill all of life with gratitude to God.

God, who made us in his image as male and female, calls us to follow Christ, not just as human beings, but as men and women.

Your core identity is found in being an image bearer of God as a human and a beloved child of God as a Christian. God, who created us as male and female in his image, gave us the gift of marriage and sex in marriage as a bond of oneness. When we view sex or use sex in ways that are counter to God's purpose, we distort and diminish sex, dehumanize people, and distrust and disobey God.

When a woman is pregnant, God Himself is forming the child within her. That child is a human being known and loved by God; therefore, that life is sacred and worthy of love and protection.

In a sinful world that opposes Jesus Christ and the Gospel, we must expect and engage in conflict to make disciples in Christlike character.

We are Christians, Spirit indwelled Christians, we have a counter-cultural source of knowledge and truth and that is because we have received a countercultural revelation.

The countercultural authority we need for a fruitful life is the guidance we find in God's word.

It's important to accept deeply that faith will be tested in this pilgrimage. When it is God wants us to trust him.

Nothing can make us happy except the God who made us for himself; nothing can satisfy our thirst for happiness except the Christ who made satisfaction for our sins that we might belong to him.

Genesis 21 is the story of a promise fulfilled. It shows us that God keeps His promises with unfailing consistency.

In this story we see that when we stumble into the same stubborn sins, we must remind ourselves of both the severity of our sin and the sovereignty of God's grace.

In a culture without the fear of God, to live as God's pilgrim children must be our firm resolve.

God does what is right because that's who he is. Because God does what is right, the way he rules is right. Because God does what is right, his words are right.

We're going to look at Genesis 18 through the lens of where the story ends up in Genesis 21 and see this idea of the better laughter as a theme for what faith can look like in our lives.

It is God Almighty who gives us His promises and calls us to our pilgrimage.

The God who looks after us will do what he has told us he will do. Therefore, we can and should trust him to care for us his way.

One thing that makes the Bible so relevant to us all is that it speaks, what are sometimes surprising truths, to issues that are very much still at play today. How do you get right with God? What can most powerfully motivate you to live for God?

God's strengthens fearful believers with covenant promises. We can take our fears to him and trust in him.

As we live a life of faith, we can count on God to know and care for us.

In our text today, James corrects our view and understanding of God, who he is and what he does.

Our pilgrimage is perilous but the Lord is powerful. We must be willing to fight knowing that the Lord is the one who brings victory.

The that we're called to live as children of God requires two things: our faith and God the father's faithfulness.

Hebrews 11:13 tells us that Abraham lived, by faith, as a pilgrim on the earth. God uses his story to teach us how we grow beyond a faith that's theoretical to a faith that is trusting. The better we understand that the more equipped we are to experience life in a relationship with God, get through its difficulties, glorify God, and grow stronger spiritually.