The Torture and Humiliation of the King

This sermon looks at the torture and mocking of Jesus. Although it was meant to belittle him we find that it in fact further confirmed his true identity.

Jesus, Barabbas, and Pilate

In this fourth sermon in Lent we encounter Jesus and Barabbas in front of Pilate. We take some time to discern who each of these persons are and come to realize that only by the grace of God are any of us pardoned by the act of Jesus taking our place.

Condemned by the Righteous

In this fourth sermon in the Lenten series we follow Jesus through his trial by the Pharisees and rulers of the law.
Ultimately we find Jesus is proclaimed guilty because of his clear claim to be the God the Messiah.
Do we act like the Pharisees when we act in ways that condemn Jesus?

The Garden of Gethsemane

This sermon is the second in the series that follows Jesus through the last 24 hours of his life on earth.
Today we follow Jesus from the upper room where he celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples to the Garden where he prayed asking his Father to take this cup from him. (the cross)

The Last Supper

This week we begin the season of Lent. During these five weeks we will follow Jesus through the last 24 hours of his life. Today we begin by looking at that Last Supper / Passover meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples. You will learn more details about the traditional Seder meal, and learn the significance of what it meant when Jesus said "This is my body... this is my blood"

Marathon Marriage

This is the final sermon in our Marriage series. In it we talk about what it takes to maintain a long-term marriage; to see it through the good and the bad times.
Jody and I were in Jerusalem during this week, but we were able to present this sermon via a prerecorded sermon. The discussion format makes it a fun way to address some of the most challenging issues of Love and long-term sacrifice.
We hope that this series blesses you and your marriage.

Marriage Vows

Ok, I am playing catch up with getting these audio sermons online. I have had many people comment about how much they appreciated this series, and several have asked why the last couple are not online yet. So here you go.

I might mention that this 4th sermon in the Marriage series focuses on the covenant of the marriage vows. In it we look at the famous Love chapter I Corinthians 13. Those who have been married for a few years can look back and see how things are different than what they were when they stood before the altar and made their vows. What does it mean to keep those vows even when you simply don't feel like it. How do we define Love?

Engagement

In this third series on marriage we will be looking at the challenges of Engagement. I will again compare our relationship with Jesus to our earthly relationships.
In the scripture we find Nicodemus pursuing a relationship with Jesus. But he realizes he does not fully understand what is required to build a relationship. Furthermore he is fearful of what his Pharisee friends will think.
The engagement process is much the same. It takes work to build a relationship, and determine if this one relationship is worth all the changes and challenges it will present.

TheProposal

This second sermon in the Marriage series takes a serious look at our expectations for our spouse. When we ask them to marry us who do we expect them to be, and what do we expect them to do for us? Is our understanding of marriage based upon how they will fulfill us or on our honest desire to love and serve them?

I hope this will challenge you to look at your marriage relationship with a little more scrutiny to find more ways to love and serve your spouse.

Blind Date

This sermon is the first in a fun and serious look at the covenant of Marriage.
This week we look at our expectations. What is it when we first date someone that attract us to them? Do we focus on whether or not that person makes us happy, or the fact that we are happy serving them?
Of course the whole sermon is centralized around how Jesus (our Bridegroom) demonstrates his love for us.

The Prodigal

Guest Speaker Johnathan Wright shares with us words of insight and wisdom surrounding the parable of the Prodigal son.
What would it be like to offend the father so much and yet be received back with overflowing grace?

Resolute!

Have you ever thought about how the car that you drive reflects your personality?
This is an interesting passage for the week after Christmas. In it we find Jesus telling his disciples that he has to go to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise again on the third day. Jesus clearly tells them what he intends to do. But Peter tries to deter Jesus.
Jesus, however, knew his life giving purpose was to be fulfilled in the cross. If only we knew and committed to our purpose with that kind of determination.

The Lamb of God

In this last sermon in the Advent series "Eye-Witness news" our reporter in the field gets an interview with the shepherds. He does his best to explain why Jesus was born in Bethlehem and why his birth was announced to the shepherds. This sermon is down to earth, easy to understand, and presented in the context of an evening news broadcast.

I pray God blesses your Christmas season.

Bed of Hay

This Christmas sermon takes a look at this traditional passage in a unique way. The sermon is written in a T.V. Eye witness news formate. It delves into the contextual reality of what the city of Bethlehem and giving birth in a stable might have been like in the first century as an unwed pregnant teen.
It is not to be missed however that the reporter on location recognizes that something hugely significant is taking place and he believes that the long awaited messiah has arrived and been placed in a manger full of hay.

God's Correspondent

This sermon kicks off the Advent Season with hope and a challenge. Today we encounter Mary in a new way. We begin to see her through the judgmental and accusing eyes of her own community.
Can you imagine what it meant to say yes to something that would mean everyone would treat you like an outcast? Mary did. She had her whole life in front of her and she gave it up to serve God. Can we have the courage of a 14 year old girl?

Spirit Gifts

Everyone has gifts. But not all gifts are the same. This sermon is a look at the giftedness of God's people. It forces us to realize that not every person is gifted to do ministry the same way. In fact, it is our diversity that makes us able to do so much ministry in so many ways. Instead of criticizing the gifts of others and the way they use them, we should celebrate those differences and empower people to use their gifts fully.

L/Earned Gifts

This sermon is without a doubt a very hard to hear and direct sermon on stewardship. It says it as it is and I am sure could be offensive to many. It is preached with a clear understanding that stealing is a sin, and so is stealing the Tithe from God.
I begin the message with a disclaimer, so if you if you find yourself uncomfortable talking about money, or the fact that we are called to tithe, you might as well find another sermon that will make you feel good.
For those of you who do take time to listen, I hope it will challenge you and bless you. I hope that God will open the windows of heaven with an abundance of blessing for you.

Emergency Brake

This is the final sermon in the Hitchhiker series. Today we encounter an arrogant, stubborn, and dense Prophet. Jonah determined that the city of Nineveh should be destroyed and he was confounded when God decided to grant them mercy. Actually he was angry that God didn't give them what they deserved.

Jonah needed to learn an important lesson about God's forgiveness. Jonah needed to be reminded that God was in charge.

We need to learn the same thing. That even though someone really hurt us and we want to see God bring the wrath down on them, that we are not called to judge, but to forgive, just as He has forgiven us!

If there is someone who you still hold animosity against, make today your day to forgive them.

Switching Drivers

This is the third week in the Hitchhiker series and in it we encounter the evil city of Nineveh for the first time. By their behavior they were running away from God just like Jonah. But, when God told them to repent, they did.

This message acknowledges that every person is sinful, and begs the question, will we respond like Jonah who ran and hid, or will we immediately repent and turn to God for forgiveness.

In the same venue as the other hitchhiker sermons, the analogy is related to driving a car the wrong direction. Today it is realizing that sometimes our lives are spinning out of control. This message closes with a song by Carrie Underwood - Jesus take the Wheel.

The closing challenge is to surrender control of those areas in our life that are spinning out of control.

Lost

This sermon is #2 in the Hitchhiker Series. This week we look at chapter two of Jonah when the prophet prays from the depths of "Sheol".

In this message we learn that God never abandons us. God is there to hold us fast in the most difficult of situations. Not only that, but we also learn that God "controls", or "designates" such seasons in our life as times for us to grow, and for us to learn to trust in God.