Heart Check: The Revealing Questions of Jesus
Jesus v. Tradition
September 22, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
We’ve got one last sermon from our series on the heart-searching questions of Jesus. In this passage, Jesus confronts the religious leaders for honoring tradition above obedience to God. Throughout church history, there have been times and people who have called out the church when tradition usurps its proper role. Tradition can be wonderfully helpful and guiding, but it can also quickly turn to legalism. As a church, we have an incredible history and legacy, and we must be relentless that our message is absolutely unchanging, while methods and strategy must change and improve. Sometimes even the success of the past can become tradition that limits in the future. As we’ll see this Sunday, we must remain diligent to continually seek God to be the most effective for God’s mission here in this time and place. Read Matthew 15:1-20 for this sermon.
Do You Want To Be Healed?
September 8, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
This message, we’re looking at a question of Jesus which, at face value, makes no sense at all. Jesus approaches a sick man and asks him, “Do you want to be healed?" Why would Jesus ask this? This man was obviously struggling and in need of help. But Jesus asks him if he wants to be healed. As we unpack this question this message, we’ll see that there’s more to it than you might think. In a simple question, Jesus removes all barriers, motivations, and excuses, when he simply asks: "do you want to be made well?" We’ll see how this physical example demonstrates a spiritual truth that Jesus brings healing and wholeness. And the question for us is: do we really want Jesus to heal all of us and to go there? Read John 5:1-18 for this sermon.
Do You Really Love Your Neighbor
August 25, 2019 • Pastor Corey Rose
This message continues our series on the questions of Jesus. People were not afraid to ask Jesus a lot of different questions throughout the Gospels. And Jesus was not shy about asking questions right back. In this message we'll look at a familiar story in the Bible that is sparked when a lawyer asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus' surprising response to this expert in Old Testament law is nothing short of mind-stretching, heart-penetrating, life-changing truth. In fact, this seemingly simple, childlike story about a Good Samaritan changes the way we see, respond, and love the neighbors in everyday life.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
August 4, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
Did you know that Jesus talked about worry and anxiety? So many people, including Christians, battle with fear and anxiety. We're especially seeing young people affected by anxiety, which can accompanied by loneliness, isolation, as well as depression. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more relevant topic for today than anxiety. In this message we'll look at what Jesus said about worry and anxiety, and learn how to live as God's people in the midst of the fears we face today.
If the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
July 28, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
In this message, we'll look at a question Jesus posed in one of his most famous sermons, known as the Sermon on the Mount. It's a question that addresses those times in life when we as Christians drift from our purpose and lose touch with God's values. As we explore this question we will be able to re-center our priorities and ask God to shape our values to become more like his.
What shall a man give in return for his soul?
July 21, 2019 • Pastor Paul Herriott
Last week in our Heart Check series, Pastor Sandy Park taught on the question, Who do you say that I am? Just a few verses later, Jesus asked another revealing question: What good will it do to gain the whole world and lose your own soul? It's a question that goes against the grain of all our instincts and natural reactions. It is so much easier to see the things we are chasing and forget about the condition of our soul. In this message we'll take an honest look at the condition of our soul before God, and understand the incredible gain we can experience by choosing to give our life completely to following God.
Who do you say I am?
July 14, 2019 • Pastor Sandy Park
This question is so big, that Jesus first started with a warm-up question. He asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” After all, Jesus had quite a reputation in Israel, and the disciples gave all sorts of answers. Then Jesus followed that question with THE Question: Who do YOU say that I am? For the disciples and for us today, that question, who do we say that Jesus is absolutely defines everything.
Do you love me more than these?
July 7, 2019 • Pastor Dan Collins
After denying him multiple times, Peter is face to face with Jesus who asks him this question: "Peter, do you love me?" I can’t imagine how Peter must have felt in that moment. He had completely failed and let Jesus down. And here Jesus is asking, "Do you love me?" This question must have been a significant moment for Peter, and it’s applicable to each of us today. Do we truly love Jesus?
Why do you call my Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?
June 30, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
Jesus asked the crowds who were listening to him “Why do you call me Lord, but don’t do what I say?” It’s a question that isn’t just for those who were listening, but is also relevant for us today. Why do we hear the words of Jesus but choose not to obey?
What Do You Seek?
June 23, 2019 • Pastor Ben Cross
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he told his disciples that Jesus was even greater and some of them went to follow Jesus. In response, Jesus asks a surprising question that reveals their inner motives. It’s a question that is still relevant today and causes us to consider how we would respond to Jesus.