I invite you, this morning, to open your bibles to Matthew Chapter 6. Matthew is in the New Testament, the first book. Matthew 6. Last week we began a series on the Lord’s Prayer. Pastor Stephen led us through the first three petitions of the prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11) Whenever I hear these words of the Lord's Prayer I cannot help but be brought back to the wilderness in Israel and the 23rd psalm. In June of 2014, Stephen and I had the privilege of going to Israel on a walking tour. We learned so... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Praying in the Way of Jesus
Think for a moment: What was the first prayer that you learned by heart? Some of us entered the Christian faith by being born into the covenant community and others of us entered later in life, but what was the first prayer you learned by heart? (The Lord’s Prayer) I’m guessing that for most of... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Matthew 6:9-10
“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9a) For many Christians, the Lord’s Prayer is the first prayer we learned by heart. We may pray it every week in worship or every day at meals. This prayer has worn deep paths in our souls. However, our familiarity with the prayer Jesus taught... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Boasting in the Cross
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to Galatians, chapter 6. Galatians 6, beginning in verse 11. Galatians is in the New Testament - Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians. Galatians 6:11-18. This morning we are ending our study of the book of Galatians. We have been taken on an expansive and thrilling journey to... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Galatians 6:11-18
“The only reason they want to do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:12b) The circumcision faction was afraid. This group of Christian believers were actively trying to force Gentile converts to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses. They claimed it was essential for salvation and obedience... Continue Reading →
Sermon: How Now Shall We Live?
As God’s forgiven people, how now shall we live? Less than five minutes ago, I spoke those words. We had just heard God’s word call us to confess our sins. We had confessed together to the Lord and then I spoke on behalf of God, rooted in God’s Word, that if you trust in Christ... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Galatians 6:1-10
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Let each one test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:3-5) It is an interesting twist of providence for me to try... Continue Reading →
Sermon: What is Freedom?
I invite you to open your bibles with me to Galatians 5:1-15. Galatians in the New Testament — after Romans and the Corinthians, and before Ephesians and Philippians. Galatians 5:1-15. If you haven’t been with us recently, we’ve been hearing God’s word to the Galatians through the Apostle Paul throughout the summer. Paul has been... Continue Reading →
First Glance: Galatians 5
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.... Continue Reading →
Etz Pri 