The Connection Sermons

Join us as we walk through God's prevenient grace with our guest speaker Daniel Seifert

Good morning! Join us this Sunday morning as we celebrate in God's Word. All are welcome at The Connection Church!

Thanks for joining us this morning. While we have been working through the Articles of Faith, this week we take a break from that and welcome the District Superintendent, Dr. Virgil Askren. He will be bringing us the word and facilitating an important moment in life of the Church. Today we'll l be voting for Chris and Cherie to fill the role of pastor together. The title for such a relationship is Co-Pastor, a growing trend among couples who are both ordained elders in the Church of the Nazarene. I pray you are encouraged and blessed this morning as you worship and participate with us in the life of the church.

As we continue are series, working through the Articles of Faith Cherie will explore how we think about sin — that we all are contributors to the brokenness of humanity and are in need of a savior. But know this, sin, in our view does not get the last word. God not only calls us, but is at work to renew us, to make us whole, restoring us… or sanctifying us. I hope you'll spend some time with us this morning as we think about such an important topic.

Last week we began a new series exploring what we (Nazarenes) call the Articles of Faith. These are 16 declarations of belief, beginning with God; father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We tackled that last week. This week is the fourth Article, the Holy Scriptures. Join us this morning as we this about what it means for us to say, “we believe in the Holy Scriptures…” and how we believe those scriptures to function in our lives.

Today we find ourselves in what the church calendar calls Common Time, or Ordinary time. This is not a matter of mundane, but rather a restful response to the story we told, from Advent to Easter, Pentecost, and last week's Trinity Sunday. Explore with us as we think about what it means for us to indeed respond to the story of the Bible. From Genesis 1 and John 1, we'll see God revealing Himself to the world and inviting humanity into His work of redemption. I hope you'll join us this morning, and throughout the coming weeks as we lean into our called response to the story of God at work in the world.

Join us this morning as guest speaker Adam Deckard brings us the message. 

Today we will wrap up our series Surprise The World weaving into that conversation, Pentecost. Explore with us what it means to engage in practices that move us in wholeness by way of God's spirit at work in us for the same of the world - or, what it means to make the Kingdom of God, tangible.   

This morning we continue to think about what it would take for the church to surprise the world. Last week we explored the habit of “listening,” along with the Shema, “Hear oh Israel (people of God)…” Today is similar. If we are to listen with our whole being — heart, mind, soul, and strength; so too are we to learn with all of our people. Join us as we learn the habit of learning, or to know Christ as Paul declares in Philippians chapter 3.

Do you ever feel like the goings on of our world is just relentless — like things just wont let up? Kind of like the wind here in Colorado lately. Today, in the midst of the cultural wind, I want to invite you all to listen. We are in the sermons series we have developed from a little book called Surprise the World, and today we explore what it is to practice listening. Take moments this week to stop, listen and hear what God has to say. And as you practice listening to him, you just might find yourself listening all the better to others. May you indeed hear from the Lord this week.

As we continue in our "Surprise the World" series, today we lean into the second habit of highly missional people - eat! Join us as we continue in this discussion and learn more on how to be questionable and surprise the world!

We are called as followers of Christ to bless the world. Let's lean in on Family Sunday with Pastor Cherie as she preached from Acts 2 and the way the early church has provided an example of consistent blessing. 

This morning we begin a new sermon series we are calling Surprise the World from a little book with the same title from Michael Frost. Frost is a professor, pastor, author, and speaker of all things missional. Missional is about being a sent people, into the neighborhood for the sake of mending the world. Join us in this very important conversation as we look at Revelation 1:4-8 and Acts 5:27-32 whereby we are called to be “priests” and to “listen to God, not man…”

While we believe every Sunday is resurrection day - Today is Easter! He is Risen! During the Lenten season, we've followed the assigned epistle (letter) from the Lectionary, and today is no different. We will hear the resurrection story from the Gospel of John and then out of 1 Corinthians 15 whereby Paul makes his case for the resurrection. Think with us, if you will about what it means to believe in resurrection, as Paul sees it. It is good news! It is hope! And it means for all of us new life! Join us this morning as celebrate this Gospel message.

There is what Bible Project calls a design pattern that runs through scripture that goes like this; humanity SEES (or desires) what is good in their eyes and TAKES it, only to realize the brokenness of their actions. This pattern runs through the whole of scripture and it is in Jesus that this pattern is broken, or disrupted. Think with us this morning as we explore Philippians 2 what it means for us to live in the subversive way of Jesus, accepting the invitation to break such a cycle. May we live in the subversive ways of Jesus and his kingdom.

When Rocky Balboa wakes up at 4 am and cracks eggs in to a cup and drinks them raw for breakfast, it declares something. Rocky is on a mission. Rocky is training. I would suggest anytime we talk early risers we might think dedicated to something. We might think motivation, that they have a plan that they are working. This morning we are working out of Philippians chapter 3, and Paul declares his End Game. There is one thing that matters for Paul, and he has strong language for the things that don't. Explore with us this morning the message that Paul has, and what motivates him. I pray that we might be[come] a people who are captivated by this “end game” Paul is living into.

Join us this warm Sunday to review the message from Paul to the Church of Corinth, sharing the message of God's love and reconciliation for all of His people. All are welcome at The Connection Church!

Thank you for joining us this morning as we explore Paul's admonition to the Corinthian people to stay vigilant — to pay attention, lest you find yourself in idol worship as our ancestors did. Think with us as we explore a life that counters idol worship, and how rightly oriented community can shape us away from such ways of being the world.

Today we'll take a look at the epistle from the lectionary this second Sunday of Lent, and think about all the influences that flood our airways fighting for our attention. Paul invites his listeners to follow him, as he follows Christ… but, his language is more inclusive than just him. The Common English Bible catches the implication of the original language a little closer, he says “use us as models.” In other words look for those who are mature in faith and follow their example. Today, I invite you to the same — with prayer and fasting listen for those who are mature in their pursuit of Jesus. And… pursue Jesus with the same vigor.

Today we celebrate great movement in our church, welcoming a new staff person and exploring what that role will be - stay tuned. Today we are in Romans chapter 10 starting in verse 8, and Paul declares that a confessed life is an engaged life — that is we cannot claim something with out putting our feet to it. The church, being a living organism, made up of people, organic at its core… what does that look like? I hope you join us this morning as we explore what life together looks like — as a church, the Ecclesia, the called out ones of God…

Today we'll wrap up our “Table” series thinking about how it is that God, in Christ is moving us in glory. Jesus doesn't want to leave us where are. If we are in Christ, Paul says we are being moved from one degree of glory to the next — that is we are to be on the move. How is Jesus moving you? How is life at the table shaping you in deeper ways? Think with us this morning as we explore how Jesus moves in us.

Continue with us as we explore how life at the table moves us to hope. We have seen over the past weeks how the life of Jesus bring hope; to the wedding at Cana, to Woman at the Well, to Zacchaeus, and in the voice of the prophet Zachariah… Today I want to continue to think about those who have been invited to the table, starting with Mary Magdalene. I hope you'll join us today as we continue to think this way.

We continue to think about table fellowship and turn to the book of Zechariah. The people of Judah are called on the rebuild their temple after the proverbial rug has been pulled out from under them, and with great encouragement Zechariah reminds them, God is still at work for His good purposed, so keep on. I would invite you today to think with us about times in your life that the rug has been pulled out from under you and hear the words of Zechariah encourage you, that God is still at work. God has not left. God is still inviting people to the table, which is His Kingdom. How might you participate in God's movement?

Join us this family Sunday morning as we learn more about who we can interact with, who we can share a table with, and how Luke chapter 19 gives us that example! All are welcome at The Connection!

Today we lean into God's Word from John 4:1-42. We are still in the Seat at the Table series, and hope you have grown in your understanding of scripture and seen God's invitation to all of humanity to be in a relationship. We hope you have responded to the work God has invited you toward!

Please excuse the brief audio issues that we were experiencing this morning.  Today we continue to think about our "table life." All are welcome at the table of the Lord, and from last week's wedding. Think with us about THE wedding day found in the book of Revelation where the New Jerusalem comes out of heaven and God dwells with humanity... understanding that the prayer that Jesus through us to pray (Matt. 6) is coming to pass. What a joyous occasion that will be. 

This morning we find ourselves back in the gospel of John. Chapter 2 is a beautiful story of a wedding feast that runs out of wine. Jesus asks the attendance to fill some jars with water — which doesn't seem to be a good solution to the problem, water is not wine… but upon drinking from the filled jars the chief steward tasted not water but really good wine; and it revealed Jesus' glory. Explore with us today all that is going on in this incredibly rich story of grace, redemption and God's abundance.

We've been talking about having space at The Table. The table being that shared space with one another with Christ at the head. This morning as we think about Jesus baptism as told by Luke, I want us to think about how it is that Jesus is leading us to the table, or leading us home if you will. This thought is not about a physical place though, “home” or the seat at the table is a spiritual space—a relational space. I hope you'll go with me on the journey home this morning.

“In the beginning was the Word…” John begins his gospel story reflecting on the beginning — Genesis, when God spoke and his very “word,” voice, ruach invoked life into the the chaos of pre-creation. As John sees it, the person of Jesus is the very embodiment of this life giving word. Explore with us today as we think about what it means for Jesus to to BE the word of life having come. Jesus came that we might have life, and have it abundantly, or fully. Amen.

Christmas has come, and now is past (unless you're holding to the 12 days of Christmas). We've celebrated the coming of the Lord Jesus — Emanuel — God with us; now what? We prepared through advent, and now feasted… now what? What are we to do with this? Explore with us this morning out of Colossians 3:11-17 what it is to respond well to the story we've told: For in Him all things are made new.

Merry Christmas to all! I hope this evening will minister to you as we remember the arrival of Christ. Join us as we think about “epiphany.” This is a particular arrival — the light of the world has come. May we, in turn, pass on the light that we have experienced.

Join us this Fourth Sunday of Advent as Pastor Cherie brings us the message of God's salvation Love to His people and for eternal, selfless, unimaginable love for all of His creation!

Today is the third Sunday in Advent, themed JOY. Join us today as we explore the meaning behind this word, joy. Joy is not a state of disembodied utopia in which there is no tension or problem. Joy is however a deep abiding sense that there is hope coming. In today's text out of Luke chapter 3, John the Baptist answers the question, “what must we do?” with what appears to be the way to joy. For John, joy is found in giving. Joy is found in a posture that looks out from self, not inward — to live a life of service to the other is where we find joy. May this season of Christmas help us to orient ourselves around the person of Jesus, who gave all to humanity for the sake of salvation. And THAT brings joy.

There is tension in the land. There are earthly powers that are, “in power.” Luke 3:1-6 makes note of those powers and declares it is not from there that the voice of God breaks in, but rather in the wilderness. Think with us this morning about what that means for us, that it is not from earthy power and might that this story comes. This story come from the margins, from the outskirts of town, from a very unlikely source. I wonder if we ought to pay closer attention to those places?

Happy new year! It is often when the new year comes around we are set to determine resolutions - maybe “do-overs.” We are might find ourselves think anew about what is to come; hopeful. Today we get to baptize one of our children, what better way to declare newness of life!? Come, have a seat that the table and explore with us what it is to see life through the lens of hope in Jesus—that he is making all things new, even in the midst of life's tensions.

Today is the last Sunday of the church year! This is Christ the King Sunday… Explore with us today what it is to be a kingdom of Priests, as declared in Revelation 1:4b-8. We will reach back to the beginning as well, to what it is to participate in priestly ways and the original design of the created order that God set in motion—that the Word, Christ would be among us in such an endeavor.

Join us this morning as Cindy Lamb prepares a message of thanks, hope, and praise in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving season!

Join us this morning as Pastor Cherie continues to bring the message through the gospel of Mark, and we are in chapter 12. All are invited to The Connection Church!

The last couple weeks we've talked about what it is to listen, to hear the Lord in our lives — that He is speaking, He is at work for our goodness and righteousness, and we have been called to hear this activity; not only in our lives but in the lives of those around us as well. Today we find ourselves in Mark chapter 12, at the tail end of theological discussion including Jesus and some scribes and others. Jesus is asked what is the greatest commandment, and he says, Listen… Hear… “love the Lord your God with all of you. And love your neighbor as yourself.” If you would, think with us this morning about what that means for us. Perhaps this morning you might reflect on what it is you are listening too, or who you are listening too. And, in your doing of this life, are you loving God and neighbor?

Possibly the most important question to answer is a question from Jesus, in Mark he asks his disciples, “what do you want me to do for you?” and then a few sentences later he asks blind Bartimaeus the same question… One of them gets it right. I would invite you today to explore this question, and your answer. We continue to think about listening, so today as you do think through this text out of Mark 10, I pray that you will hear the Lord, AND… that you will know the Lord is listening to you. He hears you.

Today we'll continue to walk in the theme of “listening.” So think with us, as we explore how God responded to Job after Job's conversation with his “friends.” God declares… get up, get ready, “Gird up your loins like a man…” (NRSV). In other words, Job let's go, listen to me, not those guys. May we too listen to God, may we go for this walk with him through the created universe. **see Bible Project for more on this. https://bibleproject.com/explore/visual-commentaries

For the next couple weeks we'll continue in the theme Cherie opened up for us last week; listening for the Lord. The text for this week is Genesis 3:8-19, Adam and Eve had just took from the tree and they “‘heard' God in the cool of the evening…” and God asks, “where are you?” Think with us today as we answer, in our own hearts, where we are… explore the with us what it means to listen for the Lord's voice and perhaps hear him calling out us, calling out to you.

Today we will lean in to 1 Kings 18 and 19. Elijah, a prophet of God, whose name means, My God, Yahweh, is the main character in this passage. He is experiencing everything from miracles to deserts, hope to lament, and we will walk into that story today. Are you ready to Listen and Remember?

We left behind somewhat of a sermon series; What is the Church and Why Does it Exist?, as we studied through Ephesians… But to be honest, as we look through James the ethos lingers. Today we'll wrap up the book of James and realize that he too, as Paul was, helping the church to know what this movement looks like. The large part of the book of James are 12 teachings and today he declares, “above all else.” Think with me today about what James is declaring in his this statement.

This morning in the last part of James chapter 3 - beginning of chapter 4 we are faced with a really great question in which we ought to explore. Who among you is wise? James talks about two wisdoms… although one of them is not true wisdom. Think with us this morning about what true wisdom from above looks like. You might find it in 1 Corinthians 13 when Paul explores love. May the Lord help us this morning think well on wisdom.

As we crack open the book of James for the second week we explore his perspective on partiality. In world divided by so many partisan issues, James calls the church to a generosity and a hospitality that transcends such tension. His example is how we might treat the rich compared to the poor. But I don't think James is talking only about rich/poor binaries. So today lets think about the ways in which we ought to live in generous hospitality — living across social and economic boundaries.

The book of James continues in the nature of Paul, in that it is a letter to churches, but he also falls in the theme of wisdom literature tradition as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. It is important for us to realize though that a life lived in wisdom is more than a life lived in knowledge. Knowledge with out action is just that - a life lived knowing something with out doing the something. James, like Paul invites the reader into a journey that is not to be done alone. It is a journey that will take courage and grace; may we be a people who journey together. And may we a people who journey before the Lord Jesus.

We wrap up our series today in Ephesians; “what is the church a why does it exist?” Think with us this morning about where we've been, and what that means for us. In short, it means to suit up. It means to be ready… we ask ourselves today, am I ready? Have I prepared? Do I prepare? Are the habits/practices/disciplines of my life shaping me for his Kingdom come? Think with us today as we explore what it mean to put on the armor of God.

Today we wrap up this series that we have been on in Ephesians — weaving in, from a book by David Fitch the questions; What is the Church and Why Does it Exist? Think with us today about the how or the last couple of weeks. We explored the what of church being a people gathered around the person of Jesus, practicing his way of being in the world together. The why is in order to reveal the previous what to the world. And today we'll wrap up with the how. Explore with us out of Eph 5 and 6 the how of church.

It is an amazing thing when God palpable presence shows up among a people. Today we'll explore what it is to cultivate such presence. That is, not to coerce or to… manipulate, but to grow in awareness of God's always among presence. This is the mission of the church, not to live “in futility” (Eph 4:17), or meaninglessness but to live with purpose and mission, to cultivate God's presence among us. Think with us this morning what it means to participate in God at work in the world.

We continue to explore and weave together a little book by David Fitch; What Is The Church and Why Does It Matter? with the lectionary readings out of Ephesians - they have paired well, and here are couple of thoughts from the New Beacon Bible Commentary on Ephesians… “a colony of heaven… a community of peace… redeemed men and women, set apart [sanctified] from the world and gathered as a unified people of the Lord Jesus.” c'mon. So good, you guys. This week would be a good time to ponder how you participate in such a space.