The identifying symbol for Christ and His followers is the cross. A vertical and a horizontal beam. Engraved in marble, forged from gold, embossed in leather, carved from wood and suspended before worshipers. Like the silhouette of an electric chair, a hangman’s noose or a guillotine, the Roman cross is an emblem of suffering and shame. Who was responsible for the death of Jesus? Why did He die on a cross? What relevance does His crucifixion have for us today? Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. as we discover the answers to these questions from an inspired source provided 700 years in advance of the crucifixion of Jesus.
"forgiveness" Tagged Sermons
David was a hero. He defeated the villain and led the people to victory over the enemy. But David was human. And, like every human who has ever lived but one, David failed. He failed terribly. He sinned greatly. And his story reminds us that human heroes, even the best of them, fail. But one hero who is more than human never will.
Is it true that “everything happens for a reason”? It is true that God integrates both our good experiences and our bad experiences into his plans to bless us? It’s easy to believe that God uses our “highs” to bless us, but does he also use our “lows”? Joseph had extremely high “highs” and low “lows” and the ways God used them to bless him and those around him long ago help us understand how he blesses us today. Join us this Sunday, January 8 at 9am as we ask these important questions and seek the answers God has revealed through a fascinating narrative of betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness.
Have you ever been a bad friend? Have you ever shrunk back from a challenge because you were scared? Have you ever been unfaithful to someone who has only ever been faithful to you for years? A common feeling we have when we recognize we’ve done something like this, is shame. Peter must have felt shame after he denied knowing Jesus, 3 times. When Jesus forgives Peter joyfully, removes Peter’s shame completely, and invites Peter to follow him courageously, he empowers Peter to live like Jesus, resurrectedly.
Like King David. we all have times when we love, worship and rejoice in God AND we have seasons when we would rather live on our own seeking joy and pleasure apart from God and His ways. On this 5th Sunday of Lent we discover that Psalm 51 is so much more than a prayer for guilty sinners whose transgressions have been exposed. Psalm 51 is a prayer of intimacy and honesty with God who loves us, knows us and remains with us both when we worship and when we wander.
In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram. Propterea sicut per unum hominem in hunc mundum peccatum intravit et per peccatum mors et ita in omnes homines mors pertransiit in quo omnes peccaverunt. Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam.
Imagine the frustration of an eagle trying to swim or a dolphin longing to fly. Each and every creature of our God and King is designed for a unique purpose. Do you know why He created you? Have you received your calling? In the final encounter in John’s Gospel Jesus reminds and clarifies His calling for two men. In so doing, it’s as if He is saying to all, “Come and get clear on your unique purpose.”
Sin is the exchange of good things for the ultimate thing: love of God and love for people. Although it can be difficult to admit, we all have a living and relentless sinful nature that drives us to wander from God’s created purpose of delight in Him and service for others. On this 4th Sunday of Advent the good news comes from an angel to Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” In this message we celebrate how the arrival of Jesus provides salvation over the penalty, the power and eventually the presence of sin for those who believe in the One whose birth this angel announced.
People disagree. Conflict results. Anger builds. Fellowship breaks. And it’s often with the people we’re closest to. Yet God, in his infinite wisdom and power, is able to use our fractured relationships for his purposes. He intended us to live at peace with one another. Sometimes restoring peace happens quickly. Other times, it takes years. And even when it seems as though it will never happen, we know that relationships will be part of the restoration of all things.
We all drift from God at times. After 3 years with Jesus, the events leading up to Jesus’ death caused the disciples to drift away. Yet, when Jesus rose from the grave He came to His disciples in peace to restore them and empower them to rejoin Him in His mission to change the world. For all who have wandered from God, the good news for the disciples on that day is also great news for us on this day.