Compartmentalization is a subconscious defense mechanism used to avoid mental discomfort and anxiety caused by living with conflicting values, beliefs and behaviors. Compartmentalization allowed the Pharisees to believe one thing and live another. In reality, we all (with one exception) compartmentalize. Jesus lived a perfectly integrated life and in this message, we discover how He did it. Centering on the Great Commandment, Jesus reveals what brought perfect alignment in His life and He shares God’s vision for all of us to also live pure and integrated lives.
Sermons by Dean Wertz (Page 23)
As fall approaches many things are changing in our world, nation, city, church and lives. To the first disciples in a season of change and to us, Jesus declares that He is our amazing all-powerful King who has a phenomenal purpose for us to carry out as well live in union with Him.
After decades of meditation on God’s Word, John Machen concluded, “The very center and core of the whole Bible is the doctrine of the grace of God.” The Bible’s opening sentence declares God’s generous creative grace. It’s closing sentence is a prayer for grace. Every page between shines forth God’s grace. What is grace? Why are some people so extravagant in grace? How can we grow in God’s grace? While this message answers these questions it’s primary aim is to invite all who have ears to hear to avail themselves more and more to the God of all grace that we may revel more and more in His grace until that day when we see Him and discover that His grace is even more amazing than we had ever hoped or dreamed.
Peace is the beautiful reality when things and people are in the right place at the right time doing the right things for the right reasons. We crave peace and yet it is so tough to obtain. Jesus brought peace and His approach was relational. As He lived in His Father’s love and presence, He honored relationships with those in authority and everyone around Him. In light of this, it makes sense why the God of peace calls the 1st century followers of Jesus in Thessalonica and us in Denver today to live with and love like our King, the Prince of Peace.
The death of those we love is confusing and severe. Where are they now? What will the future for them and us be like? Will we see them again? Today we learn what happens when a follower of Jesus dies and we discover that though clarity on what lies ahead does not remove the sorrow, it adds to our sorrow, divine hope.
In Godric, Frederick Buechner wrote, “Lust is the ape that gibbers in our loins. Tame him as we will by day, he rages all the wilder in our dreams by night.” Yet in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 our Infinitely Wise Creator calls us to “abstain from sexual immorality” and “the passion of lust.” In this message we learn why God issues such a counter cultural vision for our sexuality and we discover a way of life that He uses to help us more faithfully manage “the ape that gibbers in our loins.”
Birth, crying, rolling over, scooting, crawling, standing, wobbling, walking and ascending stairs. Life is typically a progression of developmental steps and so is life in a church. God created us to eschew the status quo by continually following the voice of Christ personally and collectively. Today we discover what this looks like for a group of 1st century disciples in Thessalonica and for us today.
Resistance is the heart of weight training and pruning is required in the vineyard. So, why is it that we who follow Jesus can get so frustrated with God and / or those who oppose us when we are afflicted for living the way of Jesus and speaking of Him in our city? In this second message designed to equip disciples to share the good news of God in action and word we are reminded that affliction is not to be unexpected. Rather, it is what we were, as Paul writes, “destined” for.
Religious pluralism is a reality in cities. For followers of Jesus in Denver, as in ancient Thessalonica, a natural question is: How should I live among those who don’t know and follow Jesus and what if anything should I say to them about our my Lord and Savior, Jesus? This message is designed to answer this question by looking to the example of the Apostle Paul. More importantly, you will discover a gospel reality that can set your heart on fire to live and speak as a loving and faithful ambassador for God in our city.
In 1897 Johnson Oatman wrote, “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” These opening words in the hymn Count Your Blessings align with God’s heart for us. In today’s message we count some of God’s greatest blessings because living blessed is key to living faithfully with Christ throughout our city and beyond.