In Understanding Be Mature
June 9, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 14:20–40
Pastor Jim's sermon, "In Understanding Be Mature," based on 1 Corinthians 14:20-40, underscores the need for mature thinking in Christian life. He begins with a light-hearted look at children's joyful, but often chaotic, behavior, using it to contrast the thoughtful worship expected from adults. Addressing the misuse of spiritual gifts, especially tongues, he encourages believers to seek edifying and understandable worship. The sermon concludes with a call to maintain innocence in avoiding evil while fostering maturity in spiritual understanding and worship.
Five Is More Than Ten Thousand
June 2, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 14:1–19
Pastor Jim’s sermon, titled “Five Is More Than Ten Thousand,” explores 1 Corinthians 14:1-19, focusing on the gifts of prophecy and tongues. He shares a personal story of being rescued from a rushing river in Brazil, comparing it to overcoming misunderstandings in scripture. Highlighting that prophecy builds up the church through clear communication, he warns against the misuse of tongues. Pastor Jim urges the church to prioritize understanding and teaching God’s Word to benefit the entire congregation.
Perfection Ahead!
May 26, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 13:8–13
Pastor Jim's sermon "Perfection Ahead!" explores the concept of spiritual perfection as described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. He begins by contrasting our imperfect experiences with the perfect future state Paul envisions. Pastor Jim delves into the Greek term "teleios," meaning complete and lacking nothing, and discusses its application to the Bible and Christ's eventual return. He concludes by emphasizing the eternal significance of love over spiritual gifts, which are temporary and will ultimately be replaced by a more perfect existence.
God’s Helper Gifted to Each Christ Follower
May 19, 2024 • 1 Corinthians 12:1–11, Galatians 5:16–25, Romans 8:26–27, John 14:15–27, 1 Corinthians 2:10–12
In his sermon "God’s Helper Gifted to Each Christ Follower," guest speaker Pastor John Mulligan focuses on the profound influence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's journey. Through various scriptures, Mulligan illustrates how the Holy Spirit aids in comprehending God's will, supports believers in prayer, and distributes spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. He further explains the Spirit's role in developing a Christlike character. The sermon calls believers to acknowledge and rely on the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to those who trust in Him.
Mom, You Are Really Something!
May 12, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 13:1–8
Pastor Jim emphasizes the unyielding power of love in his Mother's Day sermon, drawing on 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a to showcase how love transcends all other virtues. He highlights the critical role mothers play in embodying this love, nurturing their children with a sacrificial, unconditional affection that never fails. The sermon encourages mothers to invest in their families through love, promising that such an investment yields the most significant returns. Through personal anecdotes and biblical principles, Pastor Jim underscores that a mother's strength lies in her loving patience and kindness toward her family.
O Death, Where Is Your Sting?
May 5, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 15:50–58
Pastor Jim addresses the certainty of death, referencing 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 to explore the Christian perspective on mortality and immortality. He emphasizes the victory believers have over death through Jesus Christ, drawing on Apostle Paul's teachings about resurrection and eternal life. The sermon reassures the congregation that death is not the end but a transition to a glorified state, free from the pain and limitations of earthly existence. Ultimately, Pastor Jim inspires hope by proclaiming that through faith, death's sting is overcome, offering a message of triumph and eternal promise.
The Two Adams
April 28, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 15:45–49
In his sermon "The Two Adams," Pastor Jim delves into the biblical comparison between Adam, the first man, and Jesus Christ, the last Adam, as described in 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. He explains how all humanity inherited spiritual death from the first Adam, but through Jesus, the last Adam, we have the opportunity to inherit eternal life and a restored relationship with God. Pastor Jim highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ, contrasting our natural condition with the spiritual renewal offered through Jesus.
The Ultimate Makeover
April 21, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 15:35–44
Pastor Jim's sermon "The Ultimate Makeover" addresses the transformation believers undergo, starting with a spiritual makeover through faith in Christ and culminating in a physical resurrection. He reassures his audience with scriptural evidence from 1 Corinthians 15 that despite death and decay, God’s power will grant believers glorified bodies. Through metaphors like seeds turning into plants, he explains the miraculous change from our current physical form to our future heavenly bodies.
What’s the Point?
April 7, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 15:29–34
In his sermon "What’s the Point?" Pastor Jim addresses the pervasive search for meaning in life, highlighting the alarming suicide rates as a reflection of societal disillusionment. He challenges the congregation with the question posed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:29-34, urging them to reflect on the significance of their faith practices in the face of existential despair. By discussing the controversy of baptism for the dead and the folly of living without hope in the resurrection, Pastor Jim emphasizes the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ as the foundation for a life filled with purpose and significance.
Christ Has Been Raised!
March 31, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 15:20–28
With a focus on the assurance and hope the resurrection brings, Pastor Jim's message in "Christ Has Been Raised!" explores the theme of resurrection as a historical event and as the cornerstone of Christian faith. He eloquently argues that Christ's victory over death is a promise of resurrection for all believers, offering a future where death is defeated and eternal life is granted. The sermon encourages believers to hold onto their faith, reassuring them of their place in God's eternal kingdom, and challenges them to live in the light of this transformative truth.
What if It’s Not True?
March 29, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 15:12–19
Pastor Jim explores the critical foundation of Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus—posing the provocative question, "What if it's not true?" He delves into the catastrophic implications of a world where Christ's resurrection is disproven, leading to a loss of hope and purpose, and challenges believers to consider the evidence and significance of the resurrection. By contrasting the despair of disbelief with the hope offered by Christ's victory over death, he emphasizes the importance of the resurrection for faith, hope, and eternal life. The sermon calls for reflection on the personal and collective faith in a risen Savior, urging listeners to understand the stakes of the truth of the resurrection.
The Gospel
March 24, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Pastor Jim's sermon on "The Gospel," based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, celebrates the cornerstone of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ's resurrection. He presents this event as the ultimate assurance of believers' resurrection and a testament to life beyond the physical realm. The sermon invites listeners to reflect on their personal acceptance of salvation, emphasizing that faith is a pivotal moment rather than a gradual process. Through the message, Pastor Jim explores the profound implications of receiving the gospel, likening it to a marriage commitment and stressing the foundational aspect of faith over deeds for eternal security.
A Question From the Cross
March 17, 2024 • Jim Taylor • Matthew 27:45–54
We are thrilled to have you with us for today's service, a celebration of our Lord Jesus and the divine plan of love He has for each of us. Today, we are especially honored to welcome Jim Taylor as our guest speaker with a sermon titled "A Question From the Cross."
The Best Gifts
March 10, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 12:28–31
Pastor Jim's sermon, "The Best Gifts," addresses the common issue of confusion in the church, drawing parallels between the early Corinthian church and today's congregations. He argues that most church problems stem from misunderstandings about our divine roles and misalignments with God's purposes. By dissecting the concept of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, Pastor Jim encourages believers to embrace their unique gifts for the edification of the church, underscoring that clarity and purpose come from God, not chaos.
How Does It Work?
March 3, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
In his sermon, Pastor Jim recounts the founding of their church and the miraculous support received, setting the stage to explore the theme of unity and diversity within the body of Christ, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. He stresses the importance of every individual's spiritual gifts and talents, urging the congregation to embrace their roles within the church with humility and dedication. By weaving together the church's history, biblical principles, and practical examples, Pastor Jim illustrates how every member's active participation is crucial to the church's mission and to glorifying God.
Better Together
February 25, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 12:1–11
In "Better Together," Pastor Jim explores the concept of spiritual gifts within the Christian faith, comparing the church's need for varied gifts to the military's reliance on different branches for national security. He highlights the importance of understanding and employing one's spiritual gifts, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, to contribute to the church's collective mission. Pastor Jim addresses the common misconception about the necessity of diversity within the church, arguing that it is through this diversity that the church can best serve its community and God. He calls on the congregation to embrace their individual gifts, as doing so not only benefits the church but also aligns with God's plan for unity through diversity.
A Living Faith
February 18, 2024 • Sean Pierce • 1 Samuel 21—27
We want to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Sean Pierce, our guest speaker this morning. For the last twenty years, he has served as the Director of Associational Development at the Hudson Baptist Association with whom we have partnered since the beginning of our church. He also serves as the Pastor of the River of Life Church in Guilderland, NY. Sean and Susan met in college in Maine and have now been married for 33 years. They are blessed to have eight children and one grandchild.
In Remembrance of Jesus
February 11, 2024 • Jim Guenther • 1 Corinthians 11:23–34
The sermon by Pastor Jim on the Lord's Supper offers a detailed examination of its biblical foundation and spiritual significance. He interprets it as a sacred time for believers to remember Christ's ultimate sacrifice and to reflect on the grace of salvation. By drawing parallels between the Passover and Jesus' last supper, he underscores the perpetual relevance of Communion in Christian worship. Pastor Jim encourages a heartfelt participation in the ritual, fostering a deeper connection with Jesus and a stronger communal bond among believers.