August 11, 2024 • Ed Windhausen • John 3:1–15, Romans 7:18–24, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:5
In an inspiring journey of spiritual growth, we explore the biblical narratives of Nicodemus and the Apostle Paul to grasp the distinction between outward behavior and genuine inner transformation. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, receives profound insight from Jesus about the nature of being “born again,” a mysterious spiritual rebirth rather than a mere physical occurrence. Similarly, Paul’s humble admission of his sinful nature in Romans 7 highlights the universal struggle with sin and the realization of the limitations of self-effort.
Make Room for Mission
August 4, 2024 • Bruce Humphrey • John 10:10, Romans 12:2, Luke 14:25–33, 1 Peter 5:8
In a world where our schedules are filled to the brim, this message serves as a poignant reminder of the need to prioritize God's mission above all else. Drawing on the analogy of filling a jar with rocks, pebbles, and sand, it's illustrated that life's essential elements - our 'big rocks' such as family, health, and spirituality - must come first to ensure space for lesser tasks. The sermon delves into the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified a life lived with purpose and challenges us to follow in His footsteps by making room for mission. It's a call to action to reassess our priorities, contribute to our communities, and engage in meaningful service, all while reflecting on the sacrifices required to truly follow Christ and transform not just our lives, but the entire world.
Make Room for Rest
July 28, 2024 • Chris Stanley • John 10:10, Mark 6:30–32, Genesis 2:2–3, Exodus 20:8–11, Matthew 11:28
In the relentless rush of modern life, the sermon addresses the critical need for rest as a cornerstone of a fulfilling existence. It begins with the story of a jar filled with rocks, pebbles, and sand, illustrating the importance of prioritizing life's 'big rocks'—our health, family, and relationships—above all else. Drawing from Jesus' words in John 10:10, the message challenges the listener to seek a life that is truly full, enriched by joy and peace, rather than one burdened by an overflowing calendar. The sermon also explores the biblical instances where Jesus instructs his disciples to rest, demonstrating that even amidst significant ministry work, rest is vital. It further distinguishes between physical sleep and spiritual rest, the latter being a time to cease work, rejuvenate, and connect with God. The sermon concludes with practical steps to prioritize rest in our lives, encouraging listeners to intentionally set aside time for rest and to trust in God's provision during this time.
Make Room for Generosity
July 21, 2024 • Bruce Humphrey • Matthew 26:6–13, 2 Corinthians 5:21
In the 'Make Room' series, we're reminded about the idea of 'big rocks' and 'little rocks' representing life's priorities. The 'big rocks' stand for important things like family, health, and our relationship with Jesus, while the 'little rocks' are the daily tasks that can take over what's truly significant. This message focuses on generosity as a 'big rock,' using the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume to show its importance.
Bruce compares savers and spenders and encourages us to consider our attitudes toward money and giving. By making regular giving a priority, we're pushed to prioritize generosity and trust God with our finances. The message ends by urging us to think about our 'big rocks' and how we can make space for generosity in our daily lives, getting in line with God's will and living the fulfilling life promised by Jesus.
Make Room for People
July 14, 2024 • Bruce Humphrey • Philippians 2, 1 John 3:16, Luke 10:25–37, John 10:10
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships and connections over mere achievements. It draws from the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, illustrating how Jesus taught us to love and care for others, regardless of their background or our preconceived notions. The message encourages us to follow Jesus' example of compassion and mercy, challenging us to be good neighbors and to actively engage in helping those in need.
The sermon also highlights that people matter deeply to Jesus and thus should matter to us. It calls for reordering our priorities to align with Jesus' mission of loving God and loving people. By doing so, we can find fulfillment and purpose in our lives. The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging us to be present and available for others and to let God's love move us to make a tangible impact in our communities.
Make Room for God
July 7, 2024 • Bruce Humphrey • Luke 2:41–49, John 10:10
The fast-paced nature of modern life often leads to an automatic "I'm busy" response, making us believe that being busy equals being important. This sermon challenges us to rethink our priorities and put God first, just like putting the big rocks into the jar of our lives first. Taking a cue from Jesus, who prioritized His spiritual growth at the age of twelve, we are encouraged to make personal and public worship part of our daily routines. Personal devotion involves daily scripture reading and prayer, while public celebration emphasizes the importance of regular church attendance. By committing to these practices, we can align our lives with God's purpose and fully embrace the life promised by Jesus.
