What If?

Audio Version Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 What if we follow Jesus, leave our families as He told others, and follow Him. What if we let the dead bury the dead?  There are so many “what ifs” that Jesus presents us.  Today’s reading in Matthew is no different.  What if we recognize the flute being … [Read more…]

Acceptance of God, Self and Others

Audio Link   Matthew 10:40-42 In today’s reading, the NRSV translation you heard today, chose to use the word “welcome” in verse 40. “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. [1]After doing some digging into the Greek and looking at several other English translations, I just don’t … [Read more…]

Old Self – New Self, Response in Baptism

Audio Link Jeremiah 20:7-13 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew 10:24-39 So, you have been baptized into Christ Jesus, do you feel different?  Different than what, would be a good question.  Do you feel different than before you were baptized?  For those that were baptized as an infant, that would be something to hear wouldn’t?  Baptism is a … [Read more…]

Marriage and Homosexuality

I know this post may cause a stir and that is not why I am posting. I respect others beliefs and would always like to be in conversation about our differences but would not try to force a change in ones beliefs. one must be true to their own beliefs, no matter how different from … [Read more…]

Disciples, Chosen through Love, Not Merit

Audio Link to Sermon Video Link to Sermon Isaiah 9:1-4 Matthew 4:12-23 Each of you and myself merit nothing from God. We are sinners through and through. We too are like the people described in Isaiah today, we are in darkness and we turn away from God each and every time we sin. Sure, we … [Read more…]

The Purpose of Christmas: Time for Salvation

Based upon the Book, The Purpose of Christmas, by Rick Warren Video Link Audio Link  1John 1:8-10 Romans 7:14-20 When I say the word salvation, what comes to mind?  Some of you might say, going to heaven, NOT going to hell, saved from sins, or a variety of other things that take you from something … [Read more…]

Truth Leads to Life

Reformation Sunday Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 46:1-11 Romans 3:19-28 John 8:31-36 Audio Version Video Version Last week pastor spoke about wrestling with faith.  We heard the story of Jacob being renamed after wrestling all night with a man who in the end gives another name to Jacob, which is Israel.  As we heard, Israel means, one … [Read more…]

Share the Wealth

Amos 8:4–7 Psalm 113:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1–7 Luke 16:1–13 Audio Version with Childrens Sermon Link to Video of Sermon At first glance, it would seem that the scripture today from Luke, does not have much in common with that of Amos or 1 Timothy.  You might be asking the same question I was when I … [Read more…]

Why do we do what we do and how?

Proverbs 25:6-7 Psalm 112:1-10 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14 Audio Link When I was a police office, I told myself initially, that I wanted to do this job because I wanted to “Help Others”. On the surface, this was very much true, I liked doing, and there is nothing wrong with doing for others. … [Read more…]