Sermon from December 27th

Go On to Maturity in 2010

Hebrews 5: 11 - 6: 12

1. Once we understand the elementary teachings of the faith, we move on into more mature doctrine.
2. The elementary teachings include:
a. repentance from sin
b. faith in God
c. instruction about baptism
d. laying on of hands
e. belief in heaven and hell
3. Salvation is "once for all", so move on to maturity. Hebrews 10: 10 - 14
4. Jesus died once, so you can only be saved once.
5. Maturity will include helping others, sticking to your beliefs and walking by faith.

This is a wonderful passage that shows that we are saved once and only once. The churches that teach you can lose your salvation all teach that you can repent and receive it again, but this passage clearly shows you would have to put Jesus back on the cross to be saved again. If you could lose your salvation, you could never get it back again. The writer of Hebrews goes on to show that you can't lose your salvation (Hebrews 10:14), because Jesus made us "perfect" - in other words, He paid for our sins and made us clean before God - at the point of our salvation. The writer is speaking to Jewish Christians who were used to a priest having to atone for sins over and over. With Jesus, there is a one-time atonement that makes us right with God for all time.

Sermon from December 20th

Advent 09 - Week Four: Peace

Ephesians 2: 11 - 22

1. The gift of Christmas is peace.
2. Jesus breaks down barriers and brings us together as one. He provides peace with each other.
3. Jesus also gave mankind the gift of peace with God. Romans 5:10
4. The result of these two gifts is peace with ourselves. We can live knowing our lives have purpose and that everything is going to work out okay. Romans 8:28
5. Our faith is built on the foundation of the Old Testament and the apostles. Jesus is the most important stone in the house.
6. The church is not a building, it is a body.

Sermon from December 13th

Advent 09 - Week Three: Joy

Luke 2: 1 - 20

1. Joy came to Mary after the pains of childbirth.
2. Often, the pain we feel today is preparing us for blessings tomorrow.
3. Joy came to Joseph after he showed tremendous faith.
4. It is impossible to receive God’s full blessings if we do not trust and obey Him.
5. Joy came to the shepherds after they were terribly afraid.
6. We are often frightened when God intervenes in our lives. But God was bringing good news of great joy.
7. Joy came to the town of Bethlehem only because the shepherds shared the good news.

Sermon from December 6th

Advent 09 - Week Two: Love

John 15: 9 - 17

1. As Christians, we live in an endless circle of love. God the Father loves Jesus, Jesus loves us, we love each other, and we love God.
2. May this circle never be broken. God loves us through each other.
3. Jesus said we remain in his love by obeying his commands.
4. His command is to love each other.
5. We know what love is by following Jesus' example.
6. True love is sacrificial.
7. True love brings complete joy.