40 Days to Life
Lenten Sermon Series
The Stone
March 28, 2021 • Rev. Brian Sixbey
We consider stones to be permanent, immovable, and fixed. However, wind and water will erode and destroy the hardest of stones over time. Unfortunately, our hearts and spirits can be just as unyielding to God’s grace. Help us not to have hearts of stone, but yielding hearts, hearts that cry out with the joy of the Lord. We ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Power Within
March 21, 2021 • Rev. Brian Sixbey
Life gets lonely, tiring, and frustrating. We confess when these feelings come on us, we often neglect to reach out for help. Instead, we look for quick diversions, easy escapes, unsatisfying alternatives to deep relationships, or we lash out against others and isolate ourselves even more. Help us learn how to ask for help and how to seek solace in the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who can give us the peace that passes all understanding. Renew our minds, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Witness
March 14, 2021 • Rev. Brian Sixbey
We confess we don’t think often about the needs of other people, especially when we feel pain or fear. Yet, we witness Jesus on his final night, thinking, planning, teaching, and preparing his disciples from then to now, giving us words that have power to change our world. Help us, Lord, to live into your power, for we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Challenge
February 28, 2021 • Rev. Brian Sixbey
Holy moments, like when you were transfigured on the mountain, or when you healed people from Peter’s home, come and go. We want to bask in the glory, hang on to the moment, and build eternal memorials, but moments of glory help us move forward to your mission. Indeed, Jesus challenges us to keep moving as he did. Help us savor the moments of glory and move through the moments of grief, settled not on hanging onto the moment, but your purpose for our lives. Help us keep moving to your ultimate end, which will be our home, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Test
February 21, 2021 • Rev. Brian Sixbey
What we worship is what we consider worthy of our lives. When we worship self-interest, material wealth, power over others, fame, or things like that, we bow down to something we have created, something lower than us – an idol. The Accuser tells us to give up because we’ll never measure of to Jesus’ standard, just as the Accuser tried to get Jesus to give up. The Accuser is always half-right, which is entirely wrong. While we will not measure up, we are forgiven and invited to grow into the image of God, in whom we were created. When we are tempted to bow down to idols, help us to stand up in the Light of Christ, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
