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"

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.

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?

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.

Silent Stranger

This sermon series takes a look at the life of Jonah, the run-away prophet. Are we trying to run the opposite direction that God wants us to go in life? Are we living in fear of some of the obstacles in front of us? How can we learn to face those situations with faith rather than fear.

Harry Emerson Fosdick said it very well, "Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable - and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God."

Extravagant Generosity

This is the last of the Bearing Fruit Series. Extravagant Generosity is one of the key components of healthy and vital congregations. Generosity is a form of giving of one's self to others for a cause. Part of our responsibility is to be able to give ourselves; (prayers, presence, gifts, service, witness) in effort to fulfill the mission statement of the church.
As a church our mission statement can be summarized as "Geneseo is committed to reach out, receive, relate, nurture, and send out faithful disciples."
The real question of this sermon is, "Are we committed to this mission statement? And how is God calling us to be a more committed Christian?"

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.

What to do?

In this message we encounter Jesus as he reassures the disciples that he is risen. They were wondering what they were supposed to do now that Jesus had been crucified. I believe Jesus gave them the answer and that it is the same answer he would give us today. "Be a Witness."

Even the Shirt off His Back

This sermon is the fourth in the Lenten Banner series as we dig into the events that surround the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Today we look at the contrast between the soldiers casting lots and playing games what was happening behind their backs on the cross.
Have you ever asked yourself the question: "Am I playing games with my life while Jesus is trying to work redemption in my heart?"

This is the real underlying question that we attempt to answer in this message. I look forward to your thoughts.

I Know Him Not

In this second sermon of the Lenten Banner Series we take a look at Peter's denial.
There is something universally true about fact that we have all denied Christ and walked away from his love. (Isa 53:6) And we probably all face the fear that we have sinned too horribly to be forgiven.
Guilt has a sticky quality. It is like super glue and almost impossible to get it off of you. On occasion we even convince ourselves that God cannot forgive us.
But that is not true. When we look at the rooster it reminds us of our sin, our guilt like Peter's. But if we remember, Christ was headed to the cross at the same time as Peter was Denying him. His guilt was removed at the same time that that Peter created it.
The same is true for us. Christ has washed our sin and guilt away no matter what you have done.
Today if you still have some guilt or a barrier in a relationship, it is time to forgive just as Christ forgave you.

Jesus' Investment Strategy

In this final sermon in the series, "America in Crisis," we look at the difficult economic situation and the horrifying reality of trying to invest in somethings to unstable. I use this as a backboard upon which to discuss how God invested in humanity through his son Jesus Christ. In all honesty with our history of failure and spiritual bankruptcy, humanity is a very poor investment choice. However God did just that and secured our eternal future for us.
The real challenge in this message is for us to accept his buy out offer, and then share the only legal "insider trading info there is... the word of God with a friend so they can make the best investment of their life. This sermon will make you think and challenge to to reallocate your life.

The Economy of Grace

In this third sermon in the series, "America in Crisis" we look at the difference between the worlds economy and God's economy. While the difficulties of the world and our economy barrage us, we are reminded that God's grace provides a different kind of economy for Christians to live in. It is an economy that gives us hope and stability in a tumultuous time.
As such we believe that God has provided a stimulus package for us that is life changing. It is called grace.