Is there anyone with whom you have an unresolved conflict that seems impossible to repair? If so, you are not alone. In this 4th message from Paul’s letter to the Galatians we discover that God’s plan to increase our relational intelligence is just as unexpected and needed today as it was in the 1st century.
"love" Tagged Sermons (Page 3)
We continue our journey to the cross with Christ, as Jesus is warned that Herod may take his life. In the city that kills the prophets of God, Jesus is moved with compassion for the people and remains committed to his mission of redemption and salvation.
Since God loves all nations, He summons us to love our neighbors across the street and around the world.
God will be exalted among the nations, so He demonstrates His grace by transforming fearful Mediterranean sailors into worshipers. Beyond the storm, God used Jonah’s rebellion in an unexpected way, to bring glory to His name and mariners to Himself. Have you responded to the Lord’s revelation of Himself to you? If not, will you? And, join His worshipers around the globe in calling out to the Lord, to the praise of His glorious grace!
Why does Jesus seemingly complicate the simplicity of His invitation to abide by introducing His Father as the vinedresser who cuts some branches and prunes others? Apparently, maintaining a close, dependent and life-long attachment with Jesus also requires a wholistic view of life. Here is good news for followers of Jesus – when life doesn’t make sense and when we feel alone, this more comprehensive view of reality includes the presence of a sovereign and loving vinedresser.
We don’t suffer without reason. Because, when we suffer, people see our hope amidst it and are intrigued. When they ask about the reason for our hope, we have an opportunity to share our faith in Jesus. Are you prepared to share?
People matter to God and so, as followers of Jesus, people matter to us. Yet, sometimes the needs of people can be overwhelming. Jesus came to love people and at times people’s expectations were different than the Father’s plans for Jesus. As we begin this new year we look to Christ who perfectly discerned the Father’s relational priorities and seek wisdom from God to help us do the same.
In today’s ancient story we find Jacob succeeding and happy after taking advantage of his naïve brother and tricking his failing father. Isn’t this the way it goes? Dishonesty pays. A subtle manipulation gets the handshake, the promotion and the good life. Yet, what if the good life could be better? On this second Sunday of Advent we discover that satisfaction, happiness and power are for those who strive, but joy, peace and love are afforded to those defeated by and surrendered to an All-Prevailing God.
“All the church wants is my money!” Living in a post-Christian culture has unique challenges. Loving neighbors in a society that, in many ways, is a reaction against Christianity is even more difficult. In this message you will be equipped and encouraged to love your neighbors in a way that may be more in line with Jesus’ approach than he approaches some of His followers (including us) have used in the recent past.
Ancient wisdom affirms, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” (Proverbs 18:1, ESV) Yet, according to the General Social Survey reported in Time magazine, “the number of Americans who say they have no close friends has roughly tripled in recent decades. ‘Zero’ is the most common response when people are asked how many confidants they have.” (Time March 18, 2015). During His time on earth Jesus lived in loving community with a handful of friends. Before His departure He commanded His small group to love one another as He had loved them. In this message we consider a few of the many reason why followers of Jesus should unite with a few others as one way to obey Jesus’ command to “love one another.”