Summer 2017
linkHOPE: Accessible
August 20, 2017 • Peter Mueller
King David in the Old Testament demonstrates the danger of autonomy and not being connected in friendship to others. Left to our own devices, we would not experience community with anyone to hold us accountable and to encourage us. David’s autonomy opened the door for significant suffering for him and his kingdom, but God longs for us to experience the power and blessing of being in community.
The Lord is with you!
July 30, 2017 • Peter Mueller
It’s easy to feel isolated and alone as we go through the challenges of life and fight for the kind of life we hope to have. Gideon didn’t think he had anything to offer God that would help his people experience freedom and relief from military abuse, but God assured Gideon that the LORD was with him. God wants to remind you of the same as you face the battles in your life - you are not isolated, but the LORD is with you!
Mountain-Moving Faith
July 23, 2017 • Peter Mueller
What are the mountain-sized challenges you are facing in your life right now? Jesus teaches that with faith in Him we can move those mountains. God's word also teaches that faith isn't just an internal feeling but an external action or way of living. Regardless of the challenges in your life, Jesus comes to bring faith and hope for you!
Fact Checking
July 16, 2017 • Peter Mueller
Our world is full of competing religious ideas. Jesus says that in addition to scripture, one of the ways to determine if someone is teaching God's truth is by the fruit it produces in their life. We are called to reflect on the fruit in our own life and repent of the rotten and trust God to prune our lives so that they bear the good fruit of His Spirit.
Good out of Evil
July 9, 2017 • Peter Mueller
Human suffering, our personal suffering is one of the things that does prompt us to wrestle with God. The question "why, God?" is one that often comes with agony and deep pain and many tears. Evil exists and suffering happens, even to seemingly good people. Today's message will look at this dynamic in the life of the Old Testament character Joseph and how he discovered that what others intend for evil, God can intend for good. God specializes in bringing beauty out of ashes and joy out of mourning.
Declaration of Dependence
July 2, 2017 • Peter Mueller
This weekend we give thanks for our country and the freedoms we enjoy, including the freedom to follow and worship Jesus. As a collection of sinful people who started our country with a revolution, there is more need for the revolutionary message of Jesus than ever before. God’s people have been entrusted with the great privilege and responsibility of being God’s salt and light among our fellow citizens and to lead the way from mere independence to taking the revolutionary risk of dependence on God.
Everyone is Welcome!
June 25, 2017 • Peter Mueller
Humans have a tendency to divide ourselves based on all kinds of identified differences, many of which are undeniable and real. Some are even seemingly unable to be reconciled. We separate over socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, language, political persuasion and much more. Jesus comes to create one people out of many and to unify those who would look to Him in faith as the Way to the Father. Jesus makes it possible for us to pursue unity in Him even with people we may not understand or relate to. He calls us to be people who build relational bridges in our daily lives.