Welcome to the Message by Series page where messages are grouped by topical series, not by date. For a systematic update of messages by date, click here. To browse messages from guest speakers, click here. To listen to messages as a Podcast, visit the Home Page and follow instructions to cut and past links or subscribe to iTunes.
The Beatitudes
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will…
Drawing Near to God
We embark on a journey of Drawing Near to God by exploring some Spiritual Disciplines. All of the classic spiritual disciplines can be found in some form in scripture. Several years ago I had a bit of a ‘bad attitude’ toward these spiritual practices. Then I signed up for a two year experience called Deeper…
Nehemiah
We begin a message series on Ezra and Nehemiah – this is challenging stuff! I have been deep into some background study of this time in the history of God’s people of Ancient Israel. We will primarily be focusing on the book of Nehemiah and look to Ezra from time to time to fill in…
Biblical World View
A worldview is a lens through which we view and interpret our life in this world. Everyone has a worldview: What is yours? Here, we explore the Biblical worldview for 5 weeks together. Did God create everything out of nothing? What is sin and how did it come into the world? Was God caught off guard by…
The Book of Ruth
This story takes place during the time of the ‘judges’ where everyone ‘did as they saw fit’. It was also a time of famine in the land. Famine would be a good way to describe the state of these women’s hearts as well. Naomi decides to go back to her homeland of Judah where she…
Advent 2016: A Bloodline of Grace
During Advent, we will explore the women of the genealogy of Jesus. By mentioning these particular women, his Jewish audience is ‘hearing’ something powerful. Jesus bloodline is a bloodline of grace. God carries out his plan of salvation for the world through ordinary, yet extraordinary, sinful people. In spite of the unfaithfulness of God’s people,…
The Kingdom Community
How do we deal with failure? If we are honest, failure is universal. This three-part message series will focus on Kingdom of God community through Grace, Truth, and Love. Henry and Richard Blackaby in their Experiencing God devotional put it this way, “Jesus does not need your resolutions, your recommitments, or your promises to try harder. If…
The Book of Matthew
We are continuing in our journey through the Book of Matthew. From January 2018 to Easter, we will be walking through Chapters 18-28. This is where Jesus focuses his ministry more intently on his core disciples. His teachings also reflect his focus on going to Jerusalem for a final visit with the anticipation of his…
The Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit: Let it sink in… Presence. (Pause) Power. (Pause) Purpose. (Pause) These three words encapsulate the heart of the Holy Spirit. We will spend a few weeks focused solely on the gift and work of the Holy Spirit. Presence: Every moment of every day, in every situation and circumstance, God is constantly with us…
This Is Living!
This is Living! The Book of Philippians dives deep into the unconditional love of God through Jesus Christ and its power in living a life of love, filled with joy. This isn’t a ‘pie in the sky’ kind of joy or simply a ‘touchy feely’ way of love. The love and joy that Paul talks…
The Creeds: Why Do They Matter?
The Creeds and Confessions: Why do they Matter? Today, ‘credo’ which means ‘I believe’ is becoming increasingly important in a world says these things don’t really matter. But they do. In this series we explore some significant Creeds and Confessions of the early and reformational church of the 16th Century. Over time, the church has…
Jonah
The Book of Jonah – a Hebrew literary masterpiece! But its more than just a story about a man named Jonah and a huge fish. This story is packed with messages for God’s people. Ever since the calling of Abraham up to the Great Commission of Jesus, God has called people to himself, ‘Blessed to…
Genesis
Two years ago in the fall of 2016, we engaged in a four week worldview series on Genesis 1-3. I want to revisit this and dive deeper into where the ‘rubber hits the road’ by zeroing in on four specifics that Genesis 1-3 informs: Boundaries, Creation Stewardship, Human Relationships, and ‘What Went Wrong and What…
Advent 2018: A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Its here – Advent 2018! As we begin our Advent journey be aware of the use of your time and the strength of your commitments. Be intentional with the spirit of the season by avoiding the rush of activities, the hustle and bustle of our commercial culture, and the over scheduling of events. Carve out…
The Lord’s Supper
2019! We are kicking off the year together with a series on Communion: The Lord’s Supper. We will be looking at the Lord’s Supper from several different angles: Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life!” (John 6:25-51) Discerning the Body – Potential Abuses of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34) Bread or Wine or…
The Law of Life in Ten Commands
This Sunday we begin a 10 week series on the 10 commandments: The Law of Life in 10 Commands. Growing up in the church it was a regular weekly practice to read the 10 commandments. Hearing them with this regularity can tend to lead you to recite them without thinking and give you the impression that…
The Fruit of the Spirit
How are we to cultivate virtues like peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, joy and love? It begins with knowing God. He is the source of all virtue. Not only is God all these things, these are the things he does. In the midst of the push of our culture for self-sufficiency,…
Summer Psalms
The Book of Psalms is a masterpiece collection of songs/poems that describe the full spectrum of the human experience in relationship to the Living God. This series of messages explores 7 select Psalms with a variety of emphasis: Psalm 1 (WISDOM), Psalm 13 (LAMENT), Psalm 23 (COMFORT), Psalm 27 (STRENGTH), Psalm 32 (CONFESSION), Psalm 46…
REVELATION
YES! Its September! You can feel the coolness of the evening as the sun sets. You can sense the leaves beginning to curl and become crispy as the winds begin to change. Even the rivers and streams are beginning to thin, some to a trickle, as snow melt lessens and the mountains embrace for fresh snow…
Advent 2019
Our Advent worship season begins Sunday December 1st with a focus on returning to nativity. Several years ago a cookbook came out called Less is More… that’s the idea of Advent. A return to nativity sounds like a refreshing way to reflect on Advent. In order to anticipate the coming of Jesus well, (remembering his 1st coming and…
Baptism
Baptism is one of two sacraments of grace in the Christian church. Baptism is a celebration that is a sign and a seal of God’s grace. We will explore our understanding of the beautiful practice of Baptism through the stories of Noah and the Flood, the Exodus event of the Red Sea, the New Testament practices of John…
The Seven Paths/Choices
Seven Paths/Choices Leading to Darkness and Seven Paths/Choices Leading to Light. That sounds ominous, even scary! Before you decide to skip out on church for the next 8 weeks, consider how much of the Bible references just this series of topics. Traditionally, these ‘paths’ have been described by the following realities: Pride, Lust, Greed,…
The Good Samaritan
We will be looking at the story of the Good Samaritan as told by Jesus, found in Luke 10:25-37. This particular story brings some challenge to our life together in today’s context. As necessary barriers to the face and social distancing practices affect every area of life, even in the midst of ‘reopening’ practices, we are…
Live Wide Awake
We begin our summer series journey touching on themes and practices from the book by Laura DeGroot entitled, Live Wide Awake with the theme of Known and Loved. In prep for Sunday’s message, read Psalm 139 in the Bible, or from The Message by Eugene Peterson. Looking forward to meeting you, even though in a virtual…
The Book of James: Faith Does
The NIV Study Bible says ‘The Book of James is intensely practical.” James at ever turn encourages followers of Jesus to do what the word says, to show your faith through deeds. Whether responding well to trials, praying fervently, controlling your tongue, cultivating wisdom and actions of peace, or using material resources to honor God, James…
Advent 2020: Promise & Fulfillment
Advent 2020: Promise and Fulfillment As we begin Advent this coming Sunday, may it be a season of continued longing for God’s kingdom come and of his light shining in the darkness. The supreme gift of Jesus is THE GIFT of hope for the world. And it is a gift that keeps giving. So lean into…