Sermons

Lessons in Sowing: Part 2

July 23, 2017  | 

Series:

Download:MP3 | 

This is the second sermon in a series of parables on seeds and sowing.  In this parable Jesus teaches that it would be peril to weed the wheat field.  The roots get tangled together and pulling weeds may pull out the wheat too.  It is time for the Christian community to take seriously this admonition for Christians to sow good seed and steer away from judgment and weeding.  Harvesting is God's work.  Planting love is the task that God has given God's people.

Lessons in Sowing

July 16, 2017  | 

Series:

Download:MP3 | 

The church is worried that it will die.  It is concerned about the future.  Young people are just not interested in the church.  The parable of the sower reminds us that our job is to faithfully sow the seed.  The harvest is up to God.  We don't have to persuade.  We have to love.  How about we leave the church's future in God's hands and be busy with sowing as much love as we can.

Gifts that Help us Let Go

July 9, 2017  | 

Series:

Download:MP3 | 

There is a lot of anxiety in our world today.  All of us are in need of a place to rest and recharge.  Jesus issues the invitation: "Come to me...Find rest!"  Sabbath practice, worship in other words, is a way to come into the presence of Jesus and, if we are willing to let go of our fears, anxieties, and troubles; trust in God's sovereign mercy, grace, and love we will leave our Sabbath practice with rest and new life.

Letting Go and Holding On

July 2, 2017  | 

Series:

Download:MP3 | 

The sacrifice of Isaac is a difficult story that traditionally is interpreted as typological of a person of faith.  But this story is multi-layered and has important things to say about the power of letting go in order for God to hold on to us with such love we would never know if we hold the reigns of our life to tightly.  It is also a meaningful way to understand the nature of sacrifice, both sacrifice we choose and sacrifice that is willed on us by life.  Both are incapable of saving us because we don't have the faith and trust necessary to meet these challenges.  God however, is a faithful partner in our lives and God does have the capacity to redeem.