Posts in Love
Take the Risk to Love

December 20, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent: John 13:12-17,34-35; 1 John 3:16-18; 4:7-21-- God took the risk to love us. He calls and sends us to take the risk to love others as Jesus loves. When we love as He loves we show God's love to the world. We continue the mission and ministry of Jesus to extend God's reign of love and justice through all the earth. We love others to show our love for God, and God's love to the world.

This sermon is also part of our series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All.

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Rejoice, Our Lord Reigns

December 13, 2020

Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 9:1-7 -- God's love and grace never fail. Jesus Christ brought, is bringing, and will bring the kingdom of God into the world, his reign of peace, justice, and righteousness that will never end. The zeal of the Lord Almighty accomplishes this. Therefore, no matter what the situation, we rejoice with unspeakable joy because our Lord reigns.

This sermon is also part of our series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All.

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Are You the One?

December 6, 2020

Second Sunday of Advent: Luke 7:18-35 — Are You the One? Is Jesus the One who has come and is coming back? In times like these it is easy to despair, doubt, give up, and even reject Jesus. But Jesus is the Lord God who has come to save the world and restore his kingdom. He rules and is at work. We just need to look, listen, pay attention, and we will see his work, miracles, salvation, healing, and rule in our lives and in the world. He is Lord. Jesus Christ is the One!

This sermon is also part of our series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All.

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We Are Peacemakers (Part 2)

November 29, 2020

James 3:13-18 — How can God’s Kingdom thrive in a post-Christian world? God’s Kingdom thrives when God’s people love God and others in action and practice. How should we live and love in a post-Christian society and in post-election times? We love by making peace. We are peacemakers. We are empowered and equipped to make peace by the wisdom that is from above, that is, kingdom wisdom, the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit.

This sermon is part of our series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All.

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We Are Peacemakers (Part 1)

November 22, 2020

James 3:13-18 — How can God’s Kingdom thrive in a post-Christian world? God’s Kingdom thrives when God’s people love God and others in action and practice. How should we live and love in a post-Christian society and in post-election times? We love by making peace. We are peacemakers. We are empowered and equipped to make peace by the wisdom that is from above, that is, kingdom wisdom, the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit.

This sermon is part of our series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All.

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We Are Wave-Walkers

October 11, 2020

Matthew 14:22-33 — In this storm, in this world, at this time, Jesus calls us to radical, extreme discipleship. He calls us to be wave-walkers. But we must get out of our boats to become wave-walkers and walk on the water with Jesus. Nothing is impossible. Wave-walkers take risks, expect problems, accept failure, and fear. However, wave-walkers overcome fear with faith. Faith focuses and remains focused on Jesus.

This is part of our sermon series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All. This sermon is also based on and made use of the following books: Cho, Eugene, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics, David C Cook; Sauls, Scott, Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; and Bauman, Stephan, Break Open the Sky: Saving Our Faith from a Culture of Fear, Multnomah. This sermon especially made use of the ideas from the book by John Ortberg, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat.

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Love Divine and Dusty

October 4, 2020

Philippians 2:1-15; Galatians 3:23-4:7 — Love divine and dusty. That is the love that never fails and conquers all. God put his divine love into action when he made himself nothing, dressed in human skin, and pitched his tent among us. Now He calls us to love as He loves, to get dusty like Jesus by engaging in the messy relationships and dust of the world. This love is possible because Jesus Christ created a new humanity, the children of God. Christ died for you, for me, for everyone. We are free to love with his love, love divine and dusty.

This is part of our sermon series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All. This sermon is also based on and made use of the following books: Cho, Eugene, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics, David C Cook; Sauls, Scott, Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; and Bauman, Stephan, Break Open the Sky: Saving Our Faith from a Culture of Fear, Multnomah.

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Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger

September 27, 2020

James 1:19-27; 3:1-12; 1 Peter 3:8-17 — We shall be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Active listening to understand and learn from others is an act of love. We can only make progress, learn, understand, have empathy, and love others when we listen. Jesus calls us to get into the difficult and messy relationships with people who are not like us, do not think like us. That’s is how we are the salt and the light of the world. We shall love by listening. That’s what our Lord did, for us and for the others.

This is part of our sermon series, Love Never Fails, Love Conquers All. The story used in the sermon was adapted from The Shadows of the Neanderthal: Illuminating the Beliefs That Limit Our Organizations by David Hutchens. This sermon is also based on and made use of the following books: Cho, Eugene, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics, David C Cook; Sauls, Scott, Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; and Bauman, Stephan, Break Open the Sky: Saving Our Faith from a Culture of Fear, Multnomah.

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