Messages (Page 6)
Mary: The Faithful Presence
In this series: CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, we shift our focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus. We see from scripture that she is far from “meek and mild.” She is a keen thinker with a deeply passionate heart for God’s new order of things. We wrap up our look at Mary as we take in her simple statement of faith: “May it be to me as You have said,” and adapt it as our own.
Joseph: the Quiet Presence
In this series: CHRISTMAS PRESENCE we focus on an understated member of the Christmas story: Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. All the times we see him in the Christmas accounts in Matthew and Luke, we have no direct quotes from him. Yet, there is much we can see about a man whose quiet strength can be for us a powerful witness to genuine spirituality.
John the Baptist: The Urgent Presence
Our opening message in this series: CHRISTMAS PRESENCE focuses on the preaching of John the Baptist, who calls for people to repent, that is turn from their sins and accept God’s new order of things. John is the urgent presence calling us to an intentional and productive spirituality.
Daniel: A Life of Devotion
In our ongoing series on Daniel (October 23) we turn to Daniel 6 and to one of the most well-known stories in the Bible – Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Daniel is a righteous man lowered into a pit of death which is sealed by a stone. The forces of death (i.e., the lions’ mouths are closed) are stopped and the man emerges alive from the pit. I hope this plotline sounds familiar.
Daniel: A Life of Conviction
In our ongoing series on Daniel (October 16) we go to Daniel 5. A new king – Belshazzar. A different heart and outlook – Disaster for him and for the empire he rules. Mysterious writing appears on the wall of his banquet room – easily seen, but not easily understood, until Daniel is summoned to read and interpret the very words of God. Find out how this connects with you.
Daniel: A Life of Humility
In our ongoing series on Daniel, we turn to Daniel 4. The king has another dream. Daniel interprets it for him, but the news is not good. The king continues in his pride, and suffers the consequences. However, God is faithful, even in the life of a pagan king.
Daniel: A Life of Witness
In our ongoing series series on the prophet Daniel, we turn to chapter 3. The king makes a massive statue of himself and demands worship of his image. Three young Jewish men refuse to bow the knee on pain of death. They are thrown to the flames and heat of a smelting furnace as punishment. God comes through. The three young men come through.
Daniel: A Life of Confidence
In our ongoing series on the prophet Daniel, we turn to chapter 2. The king of Babylon has a disturbing dream, and he demands that his spiritual advisors tell him the actual dream before interpreting it. No one can possibly do this. Daniel and his three companions have an all night prayer session and God reveals to Daniel the king’s dream. God comes through.
Daniel: A Life of Integrity
This week in our series on the prophet Daniel, we turn to Chapter 1, where we are introduced to this remarkable young man, who with his three friends, has been departed from his native land under hostile circumstances and is now in a foreign, pagan nation. Since circumstances reveal character, we find that Daniel is quiet, tactful, and firm in his faith. God comes through
The Spiritually Focused Life
Now that summer is over and the fall schedule is starting up, it is time to refocus spiritually. This message is from 2 Timothy 4.6-8 where Paul assesses his life of faith, now that he knows that he will soon die. Paul has always had the end in mind – the Day he stands before Christ. Nothing gives us focus like that.