Guest Preachers (Page 5)
Radical Hospitality – 3 John
John’s third letter challenges us to practice radical hospitality. Radical hospitality is loving and supporting others as Christ loved and supported us. There is only one way we can do this. We must remember that, at great cost to himself, Christ first welcomed us. So the message of third John is that Christ gave us a new home, and now we are called to welcome others in, even when it costs us greatly.
Rejoice in the Truth – 2 John
The apostle John is often called “the apostle of love” because his writings are full of the love of God. However, John, like many of us has a less than ideal past. John was called the son of thunder until the love of Jesus Christ changed him forever. In 2 John, the beloved disciple reminds us to rejoice in the truth of the Gospel that Jesus came to save sinners. Having been transformed by this truth, John tells us three…
The Holiness of God – Isaiah 6:1-7
In Isaiah’s vision of the Lord on his throne, the angels cry “Holy, holy, holy”. What does it mean that God is holy? Have we lost a sense of the holiness of God? How do we respond to being in the presence of a holy God? How are we able to stand in his presence? The holiness of God causes us to worship him, humble ourselves, and realize our need for atonement, which comes to us in the cross of…
Don’t Miss the Point – 1 Peter 2
Following Christ is about something much bigger than just living a life that goes the way we want it to go with God’s help. Through Jesus God rescues his people from the greatest crisis we will ever face–eternal separation from God because of our sin–and he has given us a new identity and purpose to glorify him.
The Kingdom of Heaven, Part 2 – Matthew 13:44 – 50
The second part of our short series on the Kingdom of Heaven. This week we see the two reactions one can have to Jesus and his Kingdom. One can either understand him and find joy and satisfaction, or one can reject him and face destruction.
The Kingdom of Heaven, Part 1 – Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
The first of two sermons on the Kingdom of Heaven. In this parable Jesus speaks to an audience that is losing faith in him. Seeking to assure them he teaches them that the Kingdom of Heaven has arrived, that he is in control of it and that it will one deal with all the problems in the world.
Ready for Jesus’ Return – 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11
Much like Jesus taught his disciples, Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians includes a message of great hope and encouragement that Jesus will soon return to take his people to live with him forever. This truth should continually lead us to consider where we are investing our lives and seeking our treasure. Are we looking to this life for all our hopes and fulfillment, or do we ultimately look to Jesus for these things?
Shepherds & Shepherding – 1 Peter 5:1-11
In his words of exhortation to the leaders of the Church, Peter is writing to people who are suffering and who will be suffering more in the future .. it will be like a fiery ordeal. Therefore it is necessary for elders to be good shepherds, exercising humility; being sober-minded and watchful, resisting the devil at every turn.
Bondage Breaker – Mark 5:1-20
In considering the event of Jesus healing a demon possessed man, we are faced with a question .. who is this story intended to speak to? Is there a message here only for those who are demon possessed, or is there a broader application? If there is Gospel here, good news, who is it for? Is it only for extreme cases, as in the demon possessed man, or is every man represented here?