The Gospel According to Joseph
Joseph was sold and abandoned for silver. He faced temptation, was stripped of his robe, and then saved a nation. So much of this story parallels what happened to Jesus. We can learn from Joseph’s reactions to sexual and power temptation. After seeing where Joseph ends up, God’s quietness throughout this story cannot be confused for His absence. Every seemingly opposing situation in this story sets Joseph up to a position where he can save his family and all of Egypt.
The Gospel According to Abraham
Understanding the Old Testament from a messianic perspective shifts the focus of the Abraham and Isaac story from a traditional lesson on obedience to a radical message about Christ. Knowing that Jesus is the only perfect sacrifice, what does this story mean? Lean about the importance of the first-born, the law of primogeniture, and the significance of the ultimate lamb and rethink this story: the gospel according to Abraham.
Repenting of Resolutions
Repent of trivial resolutions. Resolve to know Christ, to serve, and to not set your eyes before anything worthless. See that your motivation is for the glory of God. Train yourself for godliness. Fight daily, not yearly. When you fail to live up to these resolutions, and you will fail, repent.
Advent 2009: Chaos
Long ago the prophets of God predicted the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, the blessed Savior. The people who heard these prophecies had many different reactions and interpretations. There was a general excitement about a coming king that would free the people of Israel from oppression. However, there was chaos and confusion about how this king would come and how he would free them! Today, we see this chaos in our own lives. We don’t understand why things happen the way they do or why things don’t turn out as we hoped. We look for peace in the things around us, in our possessions, in our relationships, and end up more much more confused. Than as we approach Jesus and His Gospel, we see this chaos even more as we see the sin and struggles in our own hearts. In the midst of such chaos, we must cling to the scriptural truth that Jesus is the king of peace.
Advent 2009: Longing
Since the beginning of the world, when Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, there has been a yearning for deliverance from the corruption of this world and the darkness in our hearts. We see this expressed all throughout history as evil has caused destruction, and the oppressed have cried out for help and relief. It is this cry coming from humanity and creation that we all have: the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under this curse of sin, and yet it is the cry of those who have a longing for deliverance, a burning desire for peace and unity, a hope of a deliverer and savior.
I AM: I AM
After engaging with the Pharisee about his relation to the Father, a group of Jews believed what Jesus and decided to follow them. Jesus however knew their hearts and continued to press them with statements revealing the true motives of their hearts. Finally, after pressing them and the Jews pressing back slandering his identity, Jesus claims to be the “I AM,” the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh; the self-sufficient, all powerful, eternal, ever-present God over all creation, revealing himself in flesh.
I AM: The Resurrection and the Life
The story begins with Jesus receiving word from Mary and Martha that their brother Lazarus was deathly ill. Despite the sisters’ urgent plea for help, Jesus purposely waits two days until Lazarus dies before deciding to head down to Bethany, where they lived. He tells the disciples that it was for their sake that he was not there before Lazarus died, so that they may believe. Upon arriving in Bethany, he is confronted by Martha who though frustrated at Lazarus’ death, still trusts that God will still do whatever Jesus’ asks of him. To which he responds telling her that he is the resurrection and the life. Mary then comes to Jesus, falling at his feet, weeping, knowing that Jesus’ could have saved their brother. The story ultimately culminates with Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, bringing faith to those who witnessed the event, and giving validity to his claim that for those who believe in Him, he gives both new life and hope that he will conquer death, once and for all.
I AM: The Door for the Sheep and the Good Shepherd
One of the most common metaphors used in scripture for the people of God is the metaphor of the sheep. Here Jesus identifies as the true and only door by which the sheep may enter to find safety. But Jesus is not only the door, but the Shepherd who calls his sheep, protects his sheep, and ultimately rescues them from danger when they go astray.
I AM: The Light of the World
Jesus Christ is the light of the world, bringing light to the true motives and intentions of our hearts. In this sermon, we take a look at Jesus exposing the reality of our hearts’ true desires and motives. Though the crowds “believed” Jesus, as he presses them with truth, the darkness of their ways is quickly exposed.