Passionate Worship

This is the second sermon in the "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations" series.
The challenge of encountering God in Passionate Worship is one of the most difficult concepts a congregation can face. We don't know what it would feel like to come face to face with the living God. (Maybe it would cause us all to come to worship with a different attitude)
So how do we change the way we approach worship?
Can we learn that it is not about what we get out of worship, but what we bring to worship that is really important? Can we come with an attitude of anticipation and excitement rather than a mindset of criticism?
Let's worship God.

The Rainbow

This sermon begins with the rainbow; the covenant that God made with Noah and all creation. From there we look briefly the way God extends his covenant to humanity throughout history.
In this message we come to understand that God is a covenant God and we are a covenant people.

But what does it mean to be in a covenant relationship with someone?
What kind of covenants have we already entered into? What are the benefits and expectations?
This sermon helps us to take an honest look at our relationship with God.

Armed and Dangerous

This sermon draws the lines of connection between the spiritual world and our our daily lives. Each of us face days when trials overwhelm us. Each of us encounter trouble in relationships or situations. What is it that is really coming against us, and how can we have the strength to overcome those difficult times? How well dressed are we for the Spiritual battle that we face in this world on a daily basis?

Loves that Lives

This second sermon in the series looks at the need for a newly planted seed to be watered. Water is what nurtures the seed to germinate, grow and produce fruit. Without water the seed would die.
The same is true for our spiritual lives. Not only are we called to grow and bear fruit, but we are also called to water the lives of those around us with the love of God so that they can grow up in the faith.
As we look as this sermon on Mothers day it is appropriate to compare the love of a mother and the way it helps a child grow and mature, with the love of God that we experience in those around us.
Let us go forth and share the living water of Christ with the world.

The Religious Bailout

In our current economic situation this message connects the dots to help us understand that we are in an even greater spiritual crisis. The good news is that God has paid a great price to provide a bailout package that will cover all the cost of sin.
The central message in this sermon is that we need to take advantage of God's offer in Jesus Christ.
Although this message is presented in a fun parody on recent government press conferences, it is very serious in the need of all people to claim their personal and spiritual bailout package from God. If you have never made Jesus your personal lord and savior, at the end of the message there is a short prayer that you can pray that will begin your personal faith journey in accepting the great measure of God's love and grace for yourself.