Sermon from March 30

Walking In the Light

1 John 1: 1 – 10

1. John, the apostle, emphasizes that he saw Jesus with his own eyes, heard him with is own ears, and touched him with his own hands.
2. Jesus was not just a spirit, he was flesh and blood, like us.
3. If we will believe John’s testimony, we too can experience eternal life in Christ.
4. The way we act proves whether or not we belong to Christ.
5. Light represents truth and goodness.
6. If we belong to God we will enjoy the fellowship of other Christians.
7. The only way to be forgiven is to admit we are sinners.

John had to keep Gnosticism from creeping into the church. The Gnostics believed that all flesh is corrupt, so Jesus had to have been only spirit. Because of their beliefs, they believed that it didn't matter how we acted in "the body". John shows that this is not true. Jesus was flesh and blood, yet without sin -- and it matters how we walk. We are sinners, but Christ offers forgiveness.

Easter Sermon From March 23

Paradise Regained
Easter 2008

Ephesians 2: 1 - 10

1. When we chose sin we lost paradise and became objects of God's wrath. The penalty for that wrath is death. Romans 6:23
2. Jesus' death satisfied God's wrath.
3. When we believe in Jesus and place our trust in him, we receive the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. In other words, we will be resurrected from the dead.
4. Death is separation from God and I will never again be separated from God.
5. This doesn't mean we won't have trials, but it means we live our lives knowing we are alive forever in paradise.
6. God has work for us to do. We are not puppets or pets, we are participants in his Kingdom.

Sermon from March 16

The Messiah and King
Palm Sunday 08

Matthew 21: 1 - 17

1. (review) God has provided a way to return to paradise for those who trust him. The price is going to be high, but God has provided a substitute sacrifice. Only those who have faith will enter.
2. Jesus entered Jerusalem as our King and Messiah. A King with the power to bring us into heaven, and a Messiah who paid the price with his own blood.
3. The way back to paradise is not through religion; it is through a relationship with God himself. (Jesus was angry toward the religious leaders of the day because they were pious, but their hearts were far from God...)
4. Being religious will never be enough to get us back to paradise.
5. The only way back is by being born again. John 3:3
6. Our church must always be called a house of prayer.

Sermon from March 9

Third Redemption
God Will Provide a Rest

Exodus 12: 31 - 42

1. One of the most important events in the History of Israel was when God set them free from Slavery.
2. This symbolizes that God will use supernatural means to set us free from slavery to sin. John 8: 34 - 36 (The Israelites were not enslaved because they were sinful, but Jesus says we are a slave to sin if we commit sin...)
3. The enemies of God will face his wrath.
4. There is another warning attached to this story: Almost every adult Israelite died in the desert because of his unbelief. Numbers 14:29
5. There is a desert of testing between when we are set free and when we arrive in paradise. Do not abandon your faith or harden your heart toward God. Hebrews 3: 12 - 15
6. Jesus died to set everyone free, but only those who put their trust in him will enter his rest. Hebrews 3: 16 - 19

One of the points I am making here is that we are not taken directly to heaven (paradise) when we accept Christ and become Christians. We have a life to live here on earth first. I believe true salvation is secure in Christ, but many prove that their trust in Christ is not authentic because they do not stick with it when it gets tough. The testing we go through as Christians is not to make us fail, but to show us and others that our faith is real.

Sermon from March 2

Second Redemption
God will Provide a Substitute Sacrifice

Genesis 22: 1 - 19

1. Our return to paradise is going to be costly.
2. The price must be paid in blood. Hebrews 9:22
Bloodshed means a life is given. Romans 6:23
3. This story shows that we must put God first in our lives, even above the gifts he has given us. Exodus 20:3
4. We must have faith to satisfy God, even if it doesn't make sense to us. Hebrews 11: 17 - 19.
5. The good news is that God has provided a worthy sacrifice who shed his blood so that we return to paradise. Hebrews 10:14
6. Our part of the covenant is to believe and obey.