The Younger Son Leaves Home

March 5, 2023

Luke 15:11-13a — Our home is where we can hear God’s voice saying to us, “You are my beloved, on you my favor rests.” Our home is the center of our beings where we hear his voice, our hearts. Yet, we leave our Father’s home over and over again when we follow the loud voices of self, others, and this world. We become addicted to the conditional loves and promises of the world which never satisfy. The only way home is through the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross that leads us back to the waiting outstretched arms of our Father’s boundless, unconditional, and everlasting love.

This is part of our Lent series for 2023 — Come Home! This series is based on and informed by the book of Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son, as well as Rembrandt’s painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son.

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LentSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Come Home!

February 26, 2023

Luke 15:1-3,11-32 — Lent is a time of homecoming. All of us leave our Father’s home during the year in one way or the other. To find our way home we must surrender control, die to self, and step into the Father’s waiting arms to receive his love and forgiveness. We are like the younger son and the elder son. Both are lost and need to come home. And coming home we must become then like the Father and look at others and the world through God’s eyes.

This is part of our Lent series for 2023 — Come Home! This series is based on and informed by the book of Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son, as well as Rembrandt’s painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son.

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LentSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Coming Home

February 19, 2023

The Lord’s Prayer & Luke 15:11-32 — When we pray the Lord’s Prayer we are coming home to our Father. We were home but we all left home and were lost. However, God’s self-giving love in Jesus Christ makes redemption and forgiveness possible. He makes it possible for us to come home and receive the Father’s forgiveness, protection, and daily provision. Having come home we can now enjoy the joyous feast of God’s glorious presence, now and forever.

This is part of our sermon series for the 40 Days of Prayer, 2023. Even though the 40 Days series is finished, we have extended our series with two more sermons. This sermon is also based on and informed by the book of Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son.

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Lord's Prayer, PrayerSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
"Amen."

February 12, 2023

The Lord’s Prayer & Is. 65:16; Rev. 3:14; John 4:24; 14:6 — Jesus is the Amen, the way and the truth and the life. His teachings and words are truth. When we end the Lord’s Prayer with Amen, we give a strong affirmation of the truths of this prayer. We agree and commit ourselves to these truths. With “Amen,” we worship in Spirit and in truth.

This is part of our sermon series for the 40 Days of Prayer, 2023. Even though the 40 Days series is finished, we have extended our series with two more sermons.

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Lord's Prayer, PrayerSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Prayer as an Expression of Hope

February 5, 2023

Matthew 6:13 — When we focus on the brokenness, hurt, and evil in this world, we may easily fall into frustration, doubts, and hopelessness. But our hope is true and confident because of God’s vision of his future, of his kingdom, power, and glory, that is our hope. Prayer is an expression of our hope, and prayer enables us to remain focused on God’s vision, our hope.

This is part of our sermon series for the 40 Days of Prayer, 2023. This year we focus on Prayer and follow the Lord’s Prayer in our sermon series. This is also based on the C&MA’s resources for the 40 Days of Prayer.

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Lord's Prayer, PrayerSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Prayer as Spiritual Warfare

January 29, 2023

Matthew 6:13 — Every day we are engaged in a spiritual war in this life and world as the evil one tempts us and wages war against God’s kingdom and people. However, we can find deliverance and victory daily because the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ vanquished the evil one. Prayer is our weapon in this battle. Daily we pray to withstand temptations and to overcome trials successfully with God’s strength. Daily we pray for the Lord’s protection.

This is part of our sermon series for the 40 Days of Prayer, 2023. This year we focus on Prayer and follow the Lord’s Prayer in our sermon series. This is also based on the C&MA’s resources for the 40 Days of Prayer.

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Lord's Prayer, PrayerSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Prayer as Confession

January 22, 2023

Matthew 6:12, 14-15 — Forgiveness is as indispensable to the life and health of our souls as bread is for the body. Prayer is also confession and repentance before God that leads to forgiveness because Jesus Christ paid the debt of our sins. God’s love and mercy toward us abound. Because we have experienced God’s love and forgiveness, we love and forgive others. Love leads us to extend mercy to and forgive others as we have been forgiven.

This is part of our sermon series for the 40 Days of Prayer, 2023. This year we focus on Prayer and follow the Lord’s Prayer in our sermon series. This is also based on the C&MA’s resources for the 40 Days of Prayer.

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Lord's Prayer, PrayerSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Prayer as Petition

January 15, 2023

Matthew 6:11, 25-34 — The Lord our God is our Heavenly Father who knows all our needs even before we ask Him. Therefore, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil.4:6). When we pray we petition God boldly, humbly, and with thanksgiving. God is faithful and loving. He hears our petitions. He is the all-powerful Lord able to fulfill our petitions according to his will and what is best for us.

This is part of our sermon series for the 40 Days of Prayer, 2023. This year we focus on Prayer and follow the Lord’s Prayer in our sermon series. This is also based on the C&MA’s resources for the 40 Days of Prayer.

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Lord's Prayer, PrayerSUCCTag 01, Tag 02