Sermon:  “The Power of Light Over Darkness”

Theme:  We participate in the light of Christ that overwhelms and transforms the world, a power that is greater than we can imagine.

Purpose: We learn to be part of the light rather than focus on what we can do ourselves.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, the Lord loves justice and shall bring righteousness upon the earth.

John 1:6-8, 19-28 John testified to the light, and his message was a message of hope and judgment.

Questions:

Do we welcome the gift of light in the midst of our darkness or are we preferring to keep our eyes closed and stay asleep? What do we need to release and put to an end in order to be healthy and joyful in this Advent season? What is Christ inviting us to rebuild or set aside? Have was come to appreciate the light of Christ or are we hoping to keep things pretty much as they were before? Have we accepted the authority of God’s instruction or are we hoping to keep God in the role of an advisor, making suggestions rather than instructions?  What is God inviting us to begin doing or changing in this Advent season?

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Sermon:           “On God’s Time”

Theme:            We are confident in God’s love and care and out of that are able to be present and to do God’s work in the midst of anxious times.

Purpose:          The congregation will seek to find confidence through practicing trust and prayer.

Scriptures:       2 Peter 3:8-15 Waiting – the Lord’s time is not our time.  Be found at peace and patient.

Mark 1:1-8      The appearance of John the Baptist.

Questions:

What difference does our time of preparation make for us? How wise are we in using our time to prepare our hearts and open our lives up to God’s healing? In what ways are we slow to let go of our unholy thinking and meaningless hostility? How are we failing to let go of past resentments, empty grudges, and hostility whose time has long past? Can we celebrate Christ’s coming by offering healing or forgiveness to one person in particular this Advent?

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Sermon:           “The King of Love”

Theme:            Those who are submitted to Christ will share God’s love with those who they meet (who are all God’s children.

Purpose:          To rededicate to serving Christ by serving the people around us.

Scriptures:       Ephesians 1:15-23       With the eyes of your hearts enlightened, we submit to the power and authority of God in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 25:31-46      The parable of the separating of the sheep from the goats.

Questions:

When are we welcoming Christ? What does it mean to us to recognize Christ in those who are hungry, naked, a stranger, and in prison? What is our call as Christians to learn how to put love into action? What does it mean to know the power of Jesus in his glory through serving those who are in need of peace? How do we put this real power to work? What do we need to do in order to be servants of Christ the King?

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Sermon:           Called to be Bold and Faithful

Theme:            We are called to be healthy in evil times by being bold and engaged, rather than being timid and anxious.

Purpose:          The congregation will draw strength from using their gifts faithfully.

Scriptures:       1 Thessalonians 5:1-11           Recognize the evil in the world by remaining awake and faithful to God.

Matthew 25:14-30      Parable of the talents – the wise and faithful slaves and the anxious slave.

Question:

In what ways do we need to put our faith into action in order to have a healthy knowledge of Christ? Is it possible to be loving without doing something? In what ways are each of us able to find God’s mission and purpose for our lives? What does it mean to us to be “children of the light” living in the present and serving God? In what ways are those who are serving and reaching out in Christ’s name better able to cope with the darkness of the world at this time? What happens when we fail to put our faith into action? What issues and conflicts emerge for those who are not prepared to live out their faith by showing Christ’s love?

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Sermon:           “Called to Learn”

Theme:            We are called to practice our faith so as to grow through loss, doubts, and uncertainties.

Purpose:          The congregation will reaffirm their need to be consistent in learning through daily practicing their faith.

Scriptures:       1 Thessalonians 4:13-18         We do not grieve as those who have no hope.

Matthew 25:1-13        The parable of the wise bridesmaids and the foolish bridesmaids.

Questions:

In what ways is learning an essential part of our life in Christ? How are grief, dealing with change, and adapting necessary parts of a healthy Christian life? What happens when we become stuck or fixated on the past? What happens when we cease to live faithfully, enjoying God’s presence?  In what ways are we seeing the problems among Christians around us a result of failing to practice a living, active faith in Christ?

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Sermon:           “Proclaim Christ, But Avoid Using Words”

Theme:            We seek to show God’s message of peace and justice through the way in which we live so that people will know Christ through us.

Purpose:          The congregation will reflect on the ways in which we practice peace and justice with one another.

Scriptures:       1 Thessalonians 2:9-13           Remember our work and our conduct as parents guiding our beloved children in the knowledge of God.

Matthew 23:1-12        You will not be hypocrites, but will practice your faith so that people will know God in your relationships together.

Questions:

Do our actions support our message of God’s love? In what ways do we proclaim God with our words but fail to show God’s love in our attitude or actions? How can we learn to serve joyfully and with gratitude? How does our strength flow through serving God, rather than through focusing on tasks or jobs? How do we grow as God’s servants, showing humility? In what ways is humility essential to minimize hypocrisy?

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Sermon:          “Called to Live By Love”

Theme:            Christians show love by their actions which are without malice or deception so that they may demonstrate Christ’s presence to the world.

Purpose:           The people will seek to be faithful and honest in their communications with one another and the world.

Scriptures:        1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 We do not manipulate or seek approval but share the gospel from our hearts.

Matthew 22:34-36      The greatest commandment and submission to God.

Questions:

If we are called to live by the one law of loving our neighbor as ourselves, then what is the source of all of the judgment and condemnation in the name of Christianity?  How can we be completely  honest and authentic in our witness of Christ’s love? In what ways are our own flaws, and weaknesses a part of the message of Christ’s love and acceptance? How do we learn to practice dependence on the love of Christ? What is different when our work and testimony is based solely on the love of Christ and trust in God?

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Sermon:           “Called to Live Generously”

Theme:            Real joy is found when we learn to live in the abundance of gratitude and generosity.”

Purpose:          The congregation will consider ways of practicing generosity.

Scriptures:       1 Thessalonians 1:1-10           You have been chosen by God to serve and to share Christ’s love.

Matthew 22:15-22      Give to God what is God’s and give to the emperor what is the emperor’s

Questions:

How do we learn to be less anxious and worried about our possessions? How does fear and feelings of scarcity affect us? What would happen if we were continually confident that our needs will be provided? What would change if we no longer worried or felt fearful about our property? In what ways are we called to learn and practice gratitude so that we may show the world what it means to be joyful and generous? In what ways does generosity change the world around us?

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Sermon:            “Just Come to the Banquet”

Theme:            Our way of being free is to be submitted to Christ’s invitation to enter into relationship which has real purpose and joy.

Purpose:          The congregation will understand and work to practice submission.

Scriptures:       Philippians 4:1-9         Rejoice in the Lord always, focus on the things that are pure and honorable.

Matthew 22:1-14        Parable of the wedding banquet.

Questions:

What does God really want us to be and to do? What does it mean to be welcomed by God in grace and acceptance? What should our response be to that gift of love? What happens when we practice gratitude and acceptance? What strength and peace can we find in letting go of our past hostility and battles? What really is the sacrifice of letting go of the past?  In what way are we rejecting God when we hold onto our identity of resentment and attempt to retain the ability to judge and condemn others?

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Sermon:           “Called to Put Our Faith into True Action”

Theme:            Christians will show their knowledge of Christ through forgiveness and working for God’s justice In the world.

Purpose:          The congregation will recognize our true call to serve and set our egos aside.

Scriptures:       Philippians 3:4b-14     Paul’s history of religious practice versus growing in the love and knowledge of God.

Matthew 21:33-46      Parable of the Landowner and the unfaithful tenants.

Questions:

What is the real meaning of faithfulness? What difference does it make to a person to faithfully practice their relationship with Christ? How does this affect a person’s view of themselves? How does this affect our view of our work and practice? Is the purpose of being Christ just to feel better about ourselves or does our joy and confidence flow out of an experience that comes out of being in Christ? What does this do to our attitude towards rewards and accolades?

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