Sermon Topic: The Church
Freedom to be the Church
I have a confession to make. For at least half of my life, I really didn’t understand why we “went to church.” I had no vision for anything other than simply trying to please God. Consequently, church for me was … boring. Church struck me as a place where my family was obligated to act happier and holier than we actually were. Can you relate?
What I wish I had understood earlier in my life is that the Christian call to be part of a church community is actually an invitation into a powerfully meaningful life. We all know community is essential. But do we know why? The simple truth is that the Church is God’s plan "A" for bringing healing and restoration to our lives and to our world. So join us Sunday as we dive into what it means to be "Free to be the Church!"
Topics: Freedom, The Church, Unity
Hearts For Prayer
In the formation of the early church, there came a moment when the leaders realized that by trying to do it all themselves, they might actually end up neglecting the most important stuff. The solution is too simple: call forward those with the right gifts and give them authority to do the things they are good at doing. This is how the Kingdom is advanced. This week, we'll talk more about what the early Church can teach us about advancing the Kingdom without wearing folks out.
Topics: Calling, Prayer, The Church
Gathered People
Join us as we begin a new series of messages. As followers of Jesus we are a family that gathers around a holy table for a holy purpose — to learn how to love God and love each other. Beginning this Sunday, we'll explore what it means to be a gathered people around a common table. We will look in on first-century followers who often scattered but always found their way together again around The Table.
Topics: Common Life, Communion, The Church
The Audacious Claim of Generosity
There are signs of hope budding in the world. We've been holed up and thinking in survival terms for so long, but things are looking up. The vaccine is making its way into our lives. The angriest among us seem to have taken a break from national unrest. Our beautiful southern spring will be here soon. Meanwhile, bills have been paid, food has been on the table, most of us have kept our jobs. Even those of us who haven't can say with the writer of Acts that "God's grace has been powerfully at work among us." So how do we respond to that grace? Perhaps it is time to cultivate a generous spirit toward life again. This Sunday, we'll talk about that as we learn from the example of the first-century church how to flourish in the storm.
Topics: Generosity, The Church
Praying for Apostolic Grace
Mike Barr is our preacher and grace is our topic. Apostolic grace is an empowerment given to Christ’s church. Paul tells us in Ephesians 3 what apostolic grace is and its purpose for the church. Come join us as we discover why that same grace is just as essential today as it was 2000 years ago.3
Topics: Apostolic Grace, Grace, The Church
Let The Church Be The Church
So much of the national conversation has placed the Church and its pastors at the center of both the pandemic and our national unrest. In a world that is looking to the Church to lead it through this wilderness, what is our part? How do we respond so that our presence is prophetic, peace-bringing and Kingdom-centered? This Sunday as we gather together after three months apart, we'll take time to remember what it means to be the Church - both to each other and to a watching world.
Topics: Salt & Light, The Church
