Scripture: Luke 1; 39-45
Birthdays are usually happy occasions. But they do bring some pressure: parties, presents and more. Christmas is no different. Ironically, we often become distracted and distraught while planning to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. So why is this birthday often such a burden?
The theme of joy punctuates our lives in unique ways during the Advent season. It punctuates most everything we do and most of our Advent traditions. This is the joy we tend expect from each other around Christmas time.
But what happens when we or the people with whom we share those moments are not filled with joy? How do we handle the Advent season that comes in the middle of one of life’s crushing blows?
The Psalmist said it this way: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” We invite you this morning to grab hold of this truth. The darkest moments remind us that true joy is not found in the day to day circumstances of our lives, but is founded on the Creator of life.
Scripture: Philippians 1: 3-11
Our epistle reading today refers to us as projects on the way to completion. Will we ever be “complete”? Will we ever be perfect?
Symbols, Icons, and Emojis – November 28, 2021
Scripture: Jeremiah 33: 14-16 “The days are surely coming,” says the Lord through the prophet, “when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David” (vv. 14-15).
Emojis and emoticons are popular ways to express thoughts and feelings. They are so ubiquitous that they are beginning to be the targets of lawsuits. The practice of using emojis to convey thoughts recalls an image mentioned in Scripture. God uses an emoji, we could say, to share the good news that peace and justice are coming to the world.
The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us! – November 21, 2021
Scripture: Psalm 126 Yes, the Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed. (126:3)
Today we celebrate Christ the King Sunday, where we recognize the power of Christ in our lives, the things we have learned3 and done over the past year, the way we have been lifted out of the pandemic and into new life.
Scripture: Proverbs 11:24-25 ; Acts 20:35 (CEB) Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Prov. 11:25)
The title for this sermon comes from the popular TV show “ER,” which ended a fifteen year run in 2009. In this television series, Dr. Mark Green, one of the main characters, was about to die from a brain tumor. Before his death, he shared his final words of advice to his daughter, his “final prescription” so to speak. He said to her, “Be generous. Be generous with your time. Be generous with your love. Be generous with your life. Be generous.”
Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. (4: 11-12)
What brings true contentment? There is important research from an excellent book, The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. According to the author, social scientists have discovered that once a person’s basic needs have been met, additional money and possessions have virtually no impact on their contentment levels. So if money and things don’t lead to contentment, what does? Although numerous factors contribute to our overall happiness, none is more important than gratitude. How can we enhance gratitude in our lives?
Scripture: Proverbs 11: 1-9 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. (11: 3-4)
Six biblical financial principles help us follow God’s financial plan for our lives.
Earn Ethically (Hab. 2:6-9; Prov. 11:1).
Resist Greed (Eccl. 5:10; 1 Tim. 6:9-10).
Spend Modestly (1 Tim. 6:6-8; Heb. 13:5).
Avoid Debt (Prov. 22:7; Rom. 13:8).
Save Diligently (Prov. 21:20; Gen. 41:35-36).
Give Generously (Prov. 3:9; 1 Tim. 6:18).
Don’t Be a Financial Fool – October 24, 2021
Scripture: Luke 12:13-21 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”
This first sermon, based on Jesus’ parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21, warns listeners not to make the acquisition of money and things their ultimate priority. The classic movie, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, tells the story of a rich and powerful old man called “Big Daddy.” Tragically, in the end Big Daddy, like Jesus’ rich fool, was absolutely bankrupt in things that really matter. The bottom line: don’t let this happen to you.
Dr. Alex Shawn Preaching
Scripture: Genesis 45:1-8 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So, it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt (45:7–8).
Joseph, like most every other character we’ve encountered so far, starts off with some pretty serious flaws but still turns out to be a key figure in God’s plan. The book ends with the death of Jacob and then Joseph. With this, Israel’s infancy comes to an end and a difficult period of growth is about to begin. The transition from a people to a nation is not one that will come easily—it will end with Israel licking its wounds from Babylonian captivity. And as we have seen, that larger story is already in view throughout Genesis. Israel’s ancient story is one of struggle, with God and with others. It is also a story of Israel’s faith in God, that God will come through for them no matter what. Genesis is Israel’s story to show that God can be counted on, from the very beginning.
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