AUDIO

in-that-day an audio message by Pastor Joel

RECENT SERMON SUMMARIES

o1-29.2012 It’s A New Creation!

Mark 1:21-28.  In chapter 1 of the Gospel of Mark, the author appears to present a reworking of the first 2 chapters of Genesis.  He presents a New Creation that involves a New Adam, a New Holy Place and more. Where Satan got the best of the old Adam, Jesus destroys Satan’s presence among the people.  Where the scribes (teachers of the law) taught with the authority of knowing what the scriptures said, Jesus – like God in Genesis – taught with the authority of his words that came to pass.  Jesus proclaims “Behold, I make all things new!” (Revelation 21:5)

01-15.2012 How Do You Know Me? (Pastor Joel)

John 1:43-51. In this enigmatic John reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28 – Jesus is Bethel – the House of God – and the gate of heaven.  Jesus is the blessing to all nations.  Jesus knows each of us intimately – better than we know ourselves.  I this :knowing” we can find our identity in Christ and experience a transformed life.  In this knowing we can proclaim with Nathaniel “You are the Son of God!”

01-08.2012 What’s Your Way? (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 2:1-12. We observe Epiphany with this traditional text – the visit of the Magi.  Herod, the self-absorbed, wealth amassing, power hungry, paranoid; the teachers of the law/chief priests find meaning in knowledge, the Law, debating theology, being right; the Magi are the spiritual seekers, mystics, magicians, new-agers of the 1st century.  Just like our culture today, they are all on a journey to find meaning in life. But their way is all wrong. In the end the Magi find “another way” – the way of Jesus the Christ.  They go that way.  So what’s your way?  Our identity in Christ can only be realized by recognizing our part in all the wrong ways and then going another way – worship Jesus, give your treasures to him, and find your identity in him.

01-01.2012 Christmas, The Sequel (Pastor Joel)

Luke 2:21-40. This text is the “sequel” to the Christmas Day texts and is just as dramatic and poetic.  We read the stories of Simeon and Anna as they proclaim Jesus worthy to be the Messiah of humanity.  They sing their songs of thanks and praise.  They, as representatives of the Old Covenant give way to Jesus the New Covenant. Do we fully grasp our identity in Jesus?  Do we sing our song of thanks and praise? Let’s make 2012 a New Year of gratitude and realizing our identity in Jesus Christ.

12-25-2011 Tower of the Flock (Pastor Joel)

Luke 2:1-20.  What is it about the sign given in verse 12 that caused the shepherds to know where to find the baby Jesus?  From Genesis 35 to Micah 4 and 8 we learn that Jesus was the fulfillment of Jewish tradition of the birthing of the sacrificial lambs at the Tower of the Flock – Migdal Eder.  No wonder that the shepherds were filled with awe and wonder at what was taking place.

12-18.2011 Nothing Is Impossible! (Pastor Joel)

Luke 1:26-38.  On this fourth and final Sunday of Advent we take a step back far enough to hear something beautiful and poetic about the birth of the promised One – the encounter between Mary and the angel Gabriel.  In this account we learn how the early Church perceived Mary and we learn from her the timeless truth that NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE with God!  Whatever age we as a community in Christ find ourselves in, whatever situation causes us to stop and ask “How can this be?” let us remember that NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE with God!

12-11.2011 Joy of Every Longing Heart (Pastor Joel)

Isaiah 61. On this third Sunday of Advent the lectionary readings turn from all the action of the previous two Sundays and “pause” to consider the subject of joy.  In Isaiah 61 joy, healing, restoration and transformation are major themes.  Social justice is a major lesson of this text.  For Isaiah, Israel’s captivity was the result of social injustice.  Do we have a vision for church where anyone and everyone is included, welcomed and accepted?  Another lesson from this text is that of joy.  Joy comes as a result of something else – salvation.  Salvation is freely given by God.  The picture is one of a joyful community where salvation is experienced and healing and restoration take place.  A right relationship with God – righteousness – is lived out in the community.  Are our church communities joyful communities of healing?

12-04.2011 John’s Christmas Message (Pastor Joel)

Mark 1:1-8. On this second Sunday of the Advent season we take a step backwards in time and in the Gospel of Mark to John the Baptizer.  Mark places John in the context of the beginning (genesis, birth) of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.  Mark sees all the promises of God wrapped up in the person of Jesus.  So why is John missing from our celebration of Christmas?  John calls us to the desert to reconnect with the more Powerful One who is coming – always coming into our lives.  Where is John’s voice today?  Have we silenced the Cry of the Holy Spirit calling people to repent?  Have we stopped preparing the way for the Lord?  Are we up to the challenge of John’s Christmas message?

11-20.2011 – The Reign of Christ the King (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 25:31-46. On this last Sunday of the Lectionary we focus on the reign of Christ.  As we look at the text we see many of Matthew’s themes repeated including that of the existence of good and evil – lambs and goats – together in the world until Christ the King does something about it in his time!  Who are we in the text?  Sheep and/or goats or “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine?”  The early church, under Roman oppression and religious persecution, would most likely have identified with the “least” with whom Christ the King identified.  This text would have been a source of encouragement to “hang in there” that Jesus as King over all peoples including unbelievers is in charge – He reigns as King over all!

11-13.2011 – Thessalonians (Ted Johnston)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. Ted Johnston stressed both the hope and reality of what we have in Jesus as a result of his death and resurrection. That’s what matters to Christians and side issues that lead us away from Christ into speculations about times and dates are a waste of time and do not encourages us. The great Christian triad of faith, hope and love is also stressed in this text over the concerns of this physical life.

 11-06-2011 – Awake or Asleep (Pastor Joel)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. In this apocalyptic sounding text Paul actually returns to one of his primary themes in this letter: trust that works, love that labors and hope that endures.  He firsts encourages the Thessalonians that those who have died have not missed out on the New Creation.  Because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead so those have died are included.  He then encourages them that none of the living will or have missed out on the New Creation – whether living or dead, awake or asleep, all are in Christ.  He then instructs them and through them us to quit fretting about things of the old age that have been taken care of.  Chapter 5:8 sums up what those who belong to the New Creation should be doing: trust that works, loves that labors and hope that endures.

10-30-2011 – Receive and Accept (Pastor Joel)

1 Thessalonians 2: 13-20.  Paul gives us two important actions that form the foundation to becoming a Believer and to growing spiritually: receive and accept.  Receive the Word of God (hear it with your ears) and accept the Word of God (welcome it into your heart). Along with these Paul amplifies the ideas of suffering, Satan’s opposition and rewards.  He reminds us that those who reject the Word of God have chosen the way of wrath and that they will receive it to the upmost.

10-23-2011 – Stewards, Mothers and Fathers (Pastor Joel)

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Using his ministry to the Thessalonians as an example Paul gives us three analogies to describe community that is part of the new age began in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  First is that of being faithful stewards of proclaiming the gospel (reaching).  Next is that of being good parents – mothers and father – to members of the community (teaching).  With this “reaching and teaching” we have a model, a type of what community should look like.  Our ultimate model is that of the triune God (1:1,5) and our union with Christ.

10-16.2011 – Faith, Love and Hope (Pastor Joel)

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. The new age initiated by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one where we move from putting our trust in idols to putting our trust in the resurrected Jesus.  The old age of idols is done and a new age has begun with resurrection.  The hallmarks of community in this new age are faith, hope and love. Such transformed community becomes a type and a message to the surrounding culture of the arrival of the new age.  The transformed believers are in God the Father and Jesus Christ and are empowered and give joy by the Holy Spirit.

10-09.2011 – Knowing Him (Pastor Joel)

Philippians 3:1-6. Our identity is in Christ.  We first share in the power of his resurrection so that we can become like him in his suffering and death.  This is the rhythm of the Christians life. We should embrace death in us through the power of resurrection. We minister to others from Christ in us not from some external anointing, touch or event. The prize and goal are the same: completely knowing Christ. For that we press onward!

10-02.2011 – Discipline of Proclaiming (Pastor Joel)

1 Corinthians 9:24-24, 15-23. It’s not uncommon for individuals and entire congregations to stall in their spiritual life or transformation.  The usual remedy is an increased participation in the practice of the spiritual disciplines both as individually and corporately.  There is one discipline that is rapidly becoming one of the more neglected practices because it is one of the more difficult things to do.  This is the discipline of proclaiming the gospel.  It might just be the ticket to a renewed spiritual life and experience of transformation that churches seek. From 1 Corinthians Pastor Joel shows how Paul disciplined himself to proclaim the gospel so he could both share the blessings of the gospel and experience these same blessings himself.  His model is one we need to seriously consider in today’s culture.

o9-25.2011 – Pray Hard! (Pastor Joel)

Revelation 8:1-5.  In the midst of action and drama this text of awe and worship appears misplaced.  It shows the power that the prayers of the saints have to bring about earth shattering change.  All the angels and all the creatures of heaven stand in silence so that God the Father can hear the prayers of his children on behalf of Jesus the Lamb slain.  Those prayers are mixed with the Holt Spirit – the fire of God – and hurled back to earth!  Makes you want to Pray Hard!

09-18.2011 – A Transformed Life (Pastor Joel)

Romans 12. Our congregation is partnering with GCI to do Transformational Church consulting.  Our vision is for transformed lives not numbers! But what is a transformed life?  What does transformation look like.  Using Romans 12 where Paul urges us to be transformed, Pastor Joel paints a picture of transformed life.  Principles such as surrender, love, hospitality, community and more are woven together to form the picture of transformation.

08-28.2011 – Conversion Pathways (Pastor Joel)

In this sermon we look at our denomination/congregation’s perspective of “church growth” – it’s about transformed lives NOT numbers.  We look at how we see conversion taking place.  We look at a vision for our denomination and congregation and at action points for our immediate future.  We look at what it means to participate with Jesus in his mission to the world instead of “doing mission FOR Jesus.”  This message was given to promote congregational unity with the denomination and to help clarify the role of denomination and congregation as they work together in participating with Jesus.

08-14.2011 – Nothingness of Great Faith (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 15:1-2, 10-28. The overall theme of this text is ritual purity – who is clean/unclean and what makes them that way.  Jesus teaches that it’s all about the heart – what comes out of a person that matters.  He then encounters a Canaanite woman who is the ultimate expression of unclean and proclaims that she has “great” faith.  This stands in contrast to Peter’s “little” faith from last week’s text.  The woman brings nothing to Jesus and in that nothingness her great faith exists.  She does reverence to Jesus and trusts him.  What person(s) might we see as unclean whom Jesus is already at work in?  What human barriers have we created that might prevent someone from coming to Jesus asking for help?  With the Canaanite woman Jesus crossed all ethnic, cultural, political, gender, and religious barriers!

08-07.2011 – Stay In The Boat! (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 14:22-33. With this familiar story of Jesus walking on water we have to ask ourselves if the traditional interpretation of its meaning might be lacking.   I don’t think the lesson of this story is if Peter had had enough faith and had not taken his eyes off Jesus he could have walked on water. The real lesson is that if Peter had had enough faith, he would have believed the word of Jesus that came to him in the boat as being the presence and reality of God and he would have STAYED IN THE BOAT and continued on his mission with Jesus. Faith is not being able to walk on the water – only God is supposed to do that – but daring to believe, in the face of all the evidence, that God is with us (Emmanuel) in the boat, made real in the community of faith, the church, as it makes its way on mission through the storm, buffeted by the waves.

07-31.2011 – Things New and Old (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 13:47-52.  As we finish up Matthew chapter 13 – Matthew’s compilation of Kingdom parables – we again see the themes of the Kingdom’s universalism, the Kingdom’s paradox, the Kingdom at work right here and now, and the Kingdom’s call for us to respond with forgiveness – let it be.  The Kingdom is a net being drug through all of creation where it gathers together everything in its path. Some of those things will decide against God’s forgiveness and will be tossed out – tossed into the furnace.  Remember, this is a description using the language of parables.  Teaching about the Kingdom contrast and compares “words” that are the same time old and new.  Old in that they have been hidden in the world since creation and new in that Christ is “making all things new” right now in our time. The implications for ministry are simple – join Jesus in what he is already doing!

07-24.2011 – More Seeds, Some Yeast, Treasures and Pearls (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. As we continue in Matthew chapter 13 we again see a description of what is and not a prescription for something we must do.  It’s a description of what the Kingdom looks like at work in the world and that remains for us a mystery and a paradox.  We learn about the wonderful discrepancy between the hiddennes of the Kingdom at its sowing (since the creation of the world) and the lush manifest abundance of it in its final totally successful revealing.  And no matter what we do or don’t do, like yeast the Kingdom will accomplish its purpose!  And it appears that the entire world is engaged in the Kingdom business of shopping for treasure!

07-17.2011 – The Weeds (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Jesus continues teaching about the mystery and paradox of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this parable God does not have a problem with the good seed and the bad seed growing together in the field of the world. He takes the position of doing nothing allowing seed to be seed – it sprouts, grows and produces fruit.  The parable ends with a call for justice – a justice that is lived as forgiveness (verse 30), “Forgiving both to grow together until the harvest.”

07-10.2011 – Who Is The Sower? (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 19:1-23.  In this watershed parable Jesus gives a description (not a prescription) of the Father’s mission to the world in Jesus.  The ultimate question the parable challenges us with is “Who is the sower?”  The sower is God the Father.  The seed is Jesus Christ.  All of the soils and circumstances are the world.  Jesus has been sowed into the lives of all kinds of people everywhere.  We are called respond – not a response of working for salvation but a response of bearing the fruit of salvation already in us!  The implication for the church is huge.  The church does not “take Jesus” to the heather.  The church tells the “good” news that Jesus is already present and then joins with Jesus in what he is already doing – expressing himself in the lives of all humans in all places at all times!

07-03.2011 – Share In Sufferings (Pastor Joel)

2 Timothy 2:1-7. In this personal letter from Paul to Timothy, Paul encourages and instructs Timothy on doing ministry in Ephesus.  He desired that Timothy visit him in prison in Rome as he believes his days are numbered.  In this text we are encouraged to allow the grace in Jesus Christ to strengthen and enable us to do ministry.  We are encouraged to suffer in the way that soldiers, athletes and farmers suffer in their callings.  We are given a charge for insuring the future of our congregations through the passing of the baton – the passing of the gospel message to those who can teach it and in turn pass it on to other reliable people.  We are left with these thee simple but powerful words words: “Remember Jesus Christ…”

06-12.2011 – Babel to Pentecost Reconciliation (Pastor Joel)

Acts 2; Genesis 11. Pentecost is often referred to as the reversal of the curse of Babel.  But what is the curse that is reversed?  If it’s languages then God through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit would have created a new inclusive mega-language or restored the one language of pre-Babel humanity!  The curse (if that’s what it can be called) was the communities’ inability to communicate and work together.  God created languages as a method of scattering people across the earth thus creating diverse cultures and nations which is what he wanted (see Genesis 9 and 10).  On Pentecost the work Holy Spirit created that diverse but unified community in Christ as the Body of Christ.  Reconciliation of man to God the Father and man to man in Christ by the Holy Spirit brings into existence new creation.  Diversity wasn’t ended but became unified in the confession of Christ as Lord.  Community can now communicate and cooperate!  Diversity enhances unity as unity enhances diversity!

06-05.2011 – Ascension Vision (Pastor Joel)

Luke 24:44-53. In this traditional Ascension text we are given a liturgical and theological glimpse into the vision, mission, role and power of the early Christian community.  The church saw itself as the continuation of God’s people on earth with the role of being God’s agents of transformation into the world with the message of the truth of who Jesus is.  Jesus is present with the church in her teaching, in the Eucharist, and in proclaiming.  It’s a grand vision that inspires and challenges us today to continue being what God in Christ by the dynamic Holy Spirit has commissioned us to be AND do!

05-29.2011 – Lifestyle Evangelism (Pastor Joel)

1 Peter 2:11-3:7. Peter now begins to instruct his readers on how to live out who they are – recipients of the new birth because of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ.  He urges them to abstain from sinful desires and to live good lives.  He then uses the common practice of a “household code” to instruct them on how to live as Christians but living in their current society.  His household code is both subversive and freeing.  Peter gives us the pattern for tracing our lives on – Jesus Christ’s life.

05-22.2011 – Living Stones (Pastor Joel)

1 Peter 2:4-10.  How do you define who you are as you walk this earth? Peter gives us a soaring and inspiring definition of what it means to be a Believer.  His definition is not for “individuals” but for the church and adds to the church members being aliens and stranger in the their own culture.  Because of the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ, Peter sees the church as the fulfillment of the Exodus event, the fulfillment of the promises made to the exiles in Babylon and the fulfillment of a prophecy in Hosea chapter 2.

05-15.2011 – Hearing His Voice (Hillary)

John 10:1-11. Who are we more like in this parable? Sheep? Still lost? Thieves and robbers? Do we echo the voice of Jesus to others or do we have a voice of a thief? Do we share the message of inclusion, freedom, and abundant life in Jesus Christ with other people? Or, do we place people under the burden and oppression of formulas, rules, lists, and requirements? Jesus the Great Shepherd leads his sheep out of the pen and through many dangers and obstacles to green pastures where they can enjoy abundant life.

05-08.2011 – Be What You Are! (Pastor Joel)

1 Peter 1:13-2:3. This text can be summed up in the statement “Be what you are!”  Peter reinterprets the Exodus event and the Holiness Code through the event of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  He weaves together ideas from Isaiah and Psalm 34 to form New Covenant application with four actions: set your hope fully on God’s grace, be holy as God is holy, love one another deeply, and crave pure spiritual milk.

05-01.2011 – Exiles! (Pastor Joel)

1 Peter 1:3-12.  When we look carefully at the ancient story of the nation of Israel recorded in the OT we should notice that the great patriarch Abraham wandered in the wilderness in faith and hope toward an inheritance which had been promised to him by God, the Hebrews sojourned in the desert after Passover on their way to their inheritance Canaan, the exiles held out hope in Babylon awaiting the day when they could return to their beloved inheritance Zion.  Each had their defining moment: Yahweh called Abraham.  The Hebrews in Egypt had their Passover.  The exiles in Babylon had Esther.  Each is presented as wanderers, exiles, and foreigners.  So the pattern continued.  The church had its defining moment – the Resurrection.  It’s been said that we in the 21^st century have “resurrection-phobia.” We don’t live up to our defining moment because we are afraid of the risks involved and of the potential consequences.  We are no longer wanderers, exiles, and foreigners in a world, a wilderness, not yet filled with the promised glory of God.

04-24.2011 – A Festival of Resurrection Lessons and Songs

A Festival of Resurrection Lessons and Songs takes us through the Bible with nine lessons that focus on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and the final resurrection of all people.  The songs are sung to help us reflect upon the lessons – not just the words but the emotions as if you were there.

04-17.2011 – Who Is This? (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 21:1-11. Palm Sunday.  The question of this text for all Christians of all times is “Who is this?”  Jesus did not come into this world to join with us in our work.  Jesus confronts our traditions and our systems calling us to join him in his work. Palm Sunday happens when the normal rhythm of our lives is stirred up and we are liberated from and emptied of our pride. This season of Lent has been of no use if we don’t feel our hearts in someway stirred up; if they aren’t stirred up then we probably haven’t met “Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

04-10.2011 – Setting Lazarus Free (Pastor Joel)

John 11:1-53. On this fifth Sunday of Lent we listen in as Jesus has another encounter.  The first encounter was with Nicodemus over being born again.  The next encounter was with the Samaritan woman at the well over marriage (and children).  This encounter is with Martha and Mary (and others) over death.  We have come full circle – birth, marriage, death. In this text four statements stand out: He [Jesus] tarries, Jesus wept, Jesus commanded “Come out!”, and Jesus commanded “Let him go!”.  In these four statements we can discern a movement of God: God works through our pain even as he seems to tarry; Jesus shares our pain as if his own: Jesus (the Father) commands life with no help from us; Jesus compels us to join him.

04-03.2011 – Dream Big (Hillary)

1 Samuel 16:1-13. Directed to the youth in the church. Invitation to invest in the future. Invitation to dream big and make it happen. Like Samuel, let’s completely leave our past and leave behind our disappointments, let’s devote ourselves to the vision that God is giving us. He says invest in our youth and pass on the Gospel and leadership of the Church to our young people. He says dream – let’s do it. Each one of us has a part to play. When even one of us do not participate in Christ’s ministry as we are called to, there is a hole. It will be incomplete. Let’s commit to discovering what our part is and do it with conviction. Let’s dare to dream big.

03-27.2011 – The Samaritan Woman (Pastor Joel)

John 4:1-43. In an event very much like an Old Testament “betrothal type-scene” Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well. In the dialogue that follows we learn that Jesus enters into a metaphoric marriage with this Samaritan-Gentile woman bringing Gentiles into the Messianic Kingdom! The woman begins by acting as a mediator between Jesus and the towns people, bringing them into the “wedding party.”  But then they move from needing a mediator to believing on their own.  As a congregation our ministry should be like that of the Samaritan woman – how many nonbelievers have we brought to Christ?

03-20.2011 – Like It Or Not! (Pastor Joel)

John 3:1-21. Many Christians are closer followers of Nicodemus than Jesus when it comes to understanding “born again!”  As a result they too often turn the famous verse 16 into a “snake on a pole!”  We must understand what Jesus said and we must turn to him as the way to salvation and not formulas, special prayers or any other “born again” experience.

03-13.2011 – Because You Are the Son of God (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 4:1-11.  First Sunday of Lent.  A look at the “temptation” of Jesus not from the perspective that he could have abandoned his mission and calling (as many teach) but that he was, in his humanity, undoing the failure of Adam and it was sure and intentional. We participate in Jesus so we are the recipients of that undoing.  May we, this Lenten season, become more intentionally and more fully participants in the humanity of Jesus.

03-06.2011 – Practicing Transfiguration (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 17:1-9.  The transfiguration of Jesus – what does it mean for us? Just as Jesus’ baptism was an object lesson, an acted out parable so is the Transfiguration.  Just as we are included and participate in Jesus’ baptism so we are included and participate in his Transfiguration.  This event validates that Jesus is better than Moses and better than Elijah!  He is the Father’s beloved son, the new creation, the new humanity!  He is God’s glory!  We are included in that new new creation and in God’s glory!  So then we should practice transfiguration by listening to Jesus – hearing him, understanding him and doing what he teaches.  In other words we should be “raised up with him” and live lives “without fear.”  We who live on this side of the Resurrection should be “talking about it!”

02-27.2011 – Black History Month Celebration (Hillary)

Ephesians 4:1-6. We are one in Christ – one with God and one with each other.  God has reconciled us in Christ on the cross.  The ground before the cross is level.  Our reconciliation allows us to celebrate one another’s culture and celebrate one another’s differences – age, gender, race, ethnicity.  We can also share the burdens of one another’s differences.  Let us be intentional about living out this reconciliation in our lives.

02-20.2011 – The Cross Shaped Church (Pastor Joel)

1 Corinthians 3:10-23. The church is God’s creation not ours.  The church’s foundation is Jesus Christ and only Jesus Christ.  The church is God’s new temple defined and shaped by the cross and filled with the Holy Spirit. The church is sacred.  The church belongs exclusively to God and because of that all things (eternity) belong to the church!  Do we through our actions build the church or tear it down? Do we grasp the effect our attitudes have on the church?

02-13.2011 – The Shape of Christian Ministry (Pastor Joel)

1 Corinthians 3:1-9. Paul challenges us to be spiritually mature and not worldly.  The measure of spiritual maturity – a high SQ – is understanding our oneness in Christ (no jealousy and arguing) and a right understanding of Christian ministry (not following a personality). Christian ministry is not personality cult.  It is intimate co-workers with God who are servant-oriented, Christ-centered, and God-rewarded. How do you measure up?  How’s your SQ?

02-06.2011 – But You Have The Mind Of Christ (Pastor Joel)

1 Corinthians 2:1-16. Paul continues his themes of wisdom and the message of the cross.  He tells us that his ministry is cross-shaped – to world it is foolish but to the church it is the mystery and power of God. So are we without hope when it comes to having knowledge about God or to understanding the mystery of God?  No!  Our hope is the Holy Spirit whom God has FREELY GIVEN to us. Paul ends this text with one of his most profound statements: “But you have the mind of Christ!”  We have the mind of Christ in us (by the Holy Spirit) so we should think the way Christ thinks and not the way the world thinks. How is that going for you? Our lives and our message, like Paul’s, should be cross-shaped.

01-30.2011 – I Do Not Know (Pastor Joel)

1 Corinthians 1:18-31. God encounters us in the work of the cross destroying all and any system we think we have for seeking God.  He brings down all of our Towers of Babel.  But just as he encounters us in the cross so he embarresses us in the cross.  The action of the cross appears to humanity to be foolishness because we are so full of our own knowledge and wisdom.  The cross also defines who we are: the called of God and “in Jesus Christ.”

01-23.2011 – Reflecting on the Ministry of Jesus (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 4:12-25. Jesus begins his public ministry in the text.  He moves to Capernaum. He defines his message. He calls four disciples – two sets of brothers. He instructs people on the way to live in his new community. He proclaims his message to crowds. He heals all kinds of diseases and problems. We are not meant to see this as individual steps to be taken as we foolishly try to imitate Jesus.  We are supposed to see this as holistic ministry as we participate with and in Jesus as he expands his glory to cover the entire earth!

01-16.2011 – God is Faithful (Pastor Joel)

1 Corinthians 1:1-9. Christians are Christians because they are “in Christ” not because they perform in a certain way.  And it’s the church that is “in Christ” not individuals.  That is our identity and it’s based upon God’s faithfulness to us.  We are not imitators of Christ.  We are instead enabled to be “in Christ” and to participate in the narrative of Christ.

01-09.2011 – The Baptism of Us In Jesus (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 3:13-17. The baptism of Jesus is not the same as the John’s baptism. Jesus’ baptism is God’s act in the church that makes the church God’s gift to the world!  In baptism we are not called to be like Jesus. We can never be like Jesus no matter how hard we try.  In baptism we are enabled to be in Jesus by the communion of the Holy Spirit and the call/voice of the Father.  This act points backwards to Genesis 1:1 and creation, and backwards to Noah and the flood, and backwards to the Exodus and the Red Sea. Jesus is the New Creation, the second Noah who delivers the world from sin and initiates a new covenant, and the new Moses who opens the way from bondage into the life of freedom of the church.

12-26.2010 – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Merry Christmas!

Prelude

Go Tell It On the Mountain

The Bidding Prayer (Welcome)

Lord’s Prayer (ALL)

First Lesson

Genesis 3:8-19

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Second Lesson

Genesis 22:15-18

Angels From The Realm Of Glory

Third Lesson

Isaiah 9:2-7

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

Fourth Lesson

Micah 5:2-5a

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Fifth Lesson

Luke 1:26-38

Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming (instrumental)

Sixth Lesson

Luke 2:1, 3-7

Medley: Away In A Manger / Silent Night / The First Noel

Seventh Lesson

Luke 2:8-20

Joy To The World

Eighth Lesson

Matthew 2:1-11We Three Kings Of Orient Are

Ninth Lesson

John 1:1-14

O Come All Ye Faithful

Communion

John 6:51

What Child Is This?

Closing

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Benediction

12-19.2010 – Emmanuel!  (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 1:18-25. “The Genesis of Jesus the Messiah was like this… .” Jesus is Emmanuel – one with us!  His miraculous conception creates something new – a community that has in common Jesus.  A community that is not defined by paternity or patriarchal authority.  A community that IS Emmanuel – “God in common with us people!” May you not miss this Messiah who is come into the world as we know it! Merry Christmas!

12-12.2010 – What Do You Hear and See?  (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 11:2-15. On this third Sunday of Advent we are with John the Baptizer in prison and Jesus (Messiah, Deliverer) hasn’t lived up to John’s expectations so he questions the identity of Jesus: “Are you the Coming One or may another be expected?”  Jesus responds by telling John to “hear and see.” Sometimes our expectations of Jesus are not in keeping with his reality and we need those expectations to be recast and recreated in the reality of what we hear and see.  Jesus said “I desire mercy not sacrifice.”

12-05.2010 – Can’t Carry His Sandals  (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 3:1-12.  On this second Sunday of Advent we look to John the Baptizer. This text hinges on John’s statement that the “kingdom of heaven is near.” In other words, the kingdom came in the past (with Jesus’ first coming), but we are still waiting for it to come in the future.  Its coming has profound effect on he present. From this, two related themes emerge – repentance and baptism.  Repentance – turn to Jesus in trust accepting and receiving the reign (kingdom) of God that has come into human history and is coming.  Baptism – be immersed into the life of Father, Son and Spirit allowing the Holy Breath of God to blow away and burn up all of your chaff. In the end I can’t carry (bear) even the dirty smelly sandals of Jesus but he bears (carries) all my unworthiness (chaff) on the cross.  I respond in repentance and baptism.

11-28.2010 – Watchfulness Is The Key  (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 24:36-44. Advent 1. We begin the Advent season at the end.  Advent is about the coming of Christ into the world and primarily deals with the “end of time.” The story of Christianity is only understood when read from the end backwards. From this text we learn that no one know when the end is.  We are not commanded by Jesus to try and figure it out but to be watchful – to be ready at all times for his coming so that we are not caught by surprise and taken away like the people in Noah’s time were swept away by the flood waters. It’s all about what matters to you in he present and in the here and now.  Do you live for the desires of the flesh (see Romans 13:11-14) or do you live in anticipation, eagerness and joy for the coming of the Lord?

11-21.2010 – God’s Worry Reduction Plan (Pastor Joel)

Philippians 4:4-7.  Many of the saints of the church developed a “rule of life” that was used as a interior guide for living the Christian faith in such a way that one grows in intimacy with God.  In this biblical text Paul gives us a rule of life that has glimpses into both Thanksgiving and Advent. This beautiful text can be presented as a chiasm – a poetic literary structure.  It’s a rule that guides the believer on a path of increasing Shalom and reducing worry.

11-14.2010 – Rejection Reflection (Pastor Joel)

Luke 21:5-19, 37-38. Israel missed her “season” of visitation and rejected “the sign” of God’s presence in their midst.  They saw Herod’s grand Temple as the sign of God’s presence and so rejected Jesus. The result was costly and painful. So we must also reflect upon where we stand before God.  Our world and culture downplays the seriousness of being accountable to God and responding to God’s call as if no judgment will ever occur.  The warning of this passage is that we not make the same mistake as Israel did.  As we respond and endure life will come – life for our congregation and for those who come to trust Jesus through the life we share with them.

10-31.2010 – Resurrection Grace (Pastor Joel)

John 6:37-40. Tomorrow is All Saints Day. Let us remember those who have gone before us. Let us imitate their faith ad love. And let us examine our own lives to ensure they will be worthy of honor and imitation.

10-24.2010 – Leaving a Legacy (Pastor Joel)

2 Timothy 4:6-22. This text is considered Paul’s farewell address.  He was in Rome in prison when he wrote 2 Timothy.  He expected to meet his death there and history agrees.  Paul was beheaded shortly after this letter was written.  In the text Paul makes it clear that all of his life has been a testimony to the death and life of Jesus.  Only Jesus stayed with him and only Jesus gave him the strength to carry on.  In his address he lays out his legacy: “The good fight I have fought. The course I have completed. The faith I have kept.”  Paul passes this baton to Timothy.  Even today we have this legacy of Paul’s that inspires and motivates us. What legacy are you leaving behind? What legacy is our congregation leaving for future generations? What baton are we passing on?

10-17.2010 – Increase Our Faith (Pastor Joel)

Luke 18:1-8. The followers of Jesus (the church) should be yearning (praying) for the advancing of the Kingdom (justice).  It’s not just sit and wait for Jesus to return.  It’s living out the Kingdom that is already in our midst. Do we look like the Kingdom of God or the world?  It’s easy to deceive ourselves by talking the talk but not walking the walk. We should not be satisfied with life but have a yearning for the Kingdom.

10-10.2010 – Encountering God (Pastor Joel)

Acts 4:23-36. In our contemporary culture many people encounter God in mountain top experiences or very subjective experiences. Things like nature, music, private prayer, meditation and retreats come to mind. Biblically the early church encountered God as they met together as church. How sad it is that for most today church is not the place to encounter God. But yet as believers gather together they are the body of Christ, the Incarnation on earth so encounters with God should be expected. The early church lived out those encounters (resurrection power) in a way that was relevant to the culture around them.  That was for them a drawing card to bring new people into the church.  They spoke the language of the time but were honest with the gospel. How about the church today? We appear to the world as out of touch and boring.  I don’t think we are speaking their language!

09-26.2010 – Increase Our Faith (Pastor Joel)

Luke 17:5-10. What does a mustard seed, a mulberry tree, a master and a slave have to do with the apostles’ request “increase our faith?” Like the mulberry tree and the slave, apostles/disciples are only doing what is expected of them.  They do not “earn” favor, credit or even a thanks from God for their efforts.  Faith cannot be increased as something earned or as God’s favor for actions done.  Faith is freely given as grace is freely given.

09-19.2010 – Sent Out Workers (Pastor Joel)

Luke 10:1-21.  Last week we learned that we are supposed to obey (put into practice) everything Jesus commanded.  In this week’s micro-picture of the church we are commanded to Go! Jesus sends us out as workers in the harvest – sent out workers.  We are both disciples and apostles. We are commanded to put into practice three things: eat, heal and tell. How are we putting this into practice?  Or are we disobeying one of Jesus’ commands?  May we become like little children as we trust and do what Jesus commanded!

09-12.2010 – Why Go to Church? (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 4:28:16-20. Why go to church? has become an American Mantra implying that church is unnecessary and inconvenient.  Going to church is participating in the life of the triune God.  We go to church to learn how to live that out.

09-05.2010 – In Him (Pastor Joel)

Ephesians 1:3-14. The triune God created all people to participate through the vicarious humanity of Jesus Christ in the love relationship enjoyed by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This is the awesome news of the gospel that Paul elaborates here in Ephesians.

08-22.2010 – Shock Treatment (Pastor Joel)

Luke 13:10-17. Jesus is in one of the local synagogues on some Sabbath doing what Jesus does best – teach.  Jesus used a real-life prop to get his point across.  The synagogue leader has a valid point – Jesus could have waited a few more hours until after the Sabbath to heal the crippled woman. So why did Jesus heal on the Sabbath?  Shock treatment!  The people were unable to distance themselves from the Law as the means to salvation, as the means to “standing up straight” before God.  They could not grasp that Jesus was their “standing up straight” before God.  In him we are set free from whatever cripples us.  Jesus shocked them out of their closely held expectations and into the reality of him.  Read verse 17.  Which are you?

08-15.2010 – Standing In the Fire (Pastor Joel)

Luke 12:49-56. Jesus’ fire and Jesus’ immersion (baptism) are one and the same – his immersion into our humanity taking upon himself our fallen flesh and hammering out in the fire of life our salvation, sanctification, and glorification. Are we able to discern the presence of Jesus on earth today and join with him in the Father’s ongoing mission to the world? Are we standing outside the fire or in the fire?

08-08.2010 – Abide in the True Vine (Pastor Joel)

John 15:1-11,26. Abiding in Jesus and Jesus in us is the only way to produce fruit.  In our culture we think we are simply “one among many” so we cut ourselves off from the vine (from participation in the true humanity of Jesus) and become dead twigs. Abiding is active not passive participation in Jesus’ real humanity, which he shares with us. Abiding is not the means to some ends; the method to achieve some goal.  Abiding is the ends and is the goal!

08-01.2010 – Eternal Life Here and Now (Pastor Joel)

The church is the actual form that eternal life takes in the here and now.  This stands in direct opposition to the American consumer mentality of the church. The church is not the means to some ends.  The church is the goal or the ends!  The church is not the means to salvation, to sanctification, to knowledge or to any other goal.  The church is the communal aspect of salvation.  Everyone – everyone! – is called to ministry!  No one is called to just sit and receive something that benefits the self.  The Incarnation is permanent and ongoing. (Luke 4:17-21; 1 Peter 4:8-11; Ephesians 4:11-13)

07-18.2010 – Stewardship Effectiveness (Pastor Joel)

Matthew 6:19-34 – Part 2 on stewardship.  Covered how to be an effective steward through four principles or implications.  They are contentment, generosity, awareness, and counsel.  Stewardship is a goal that all believers are working to move towards as we move away from our contemporary culture’s understanding that we are owners.  These four principles help move us in the right direction direction.

07-11.2010 – Stewards of Grace (Pastor Joel)

I Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31 – In relation to our material possessions culture sees us as Owners but the Bible sees us as Stewards.  What are the fundamental differences between the two?  Stewardship is all about who we are in that we belong to Christ not ourselves or any other person.  Stewardship is our response-ibility as believers.  Our lives are not our own. Our time is not our own. Our minds and hearts are not our own. Our relationships are not our own. Our skills and abilities are not our own. They all belong to Jesus Christ. We have the new covenant gift (and I do believe it’s a gift) of managing someone else’s property – God’s!  And yet we are still free and must decide how to use our lives, our time, relationships, skills and abilities.  How will you decide?  How do you see yourself – as an Owner or as a Steward?

07-04-2010 – A New Creation (Pastor Joel) Part 5 from Galatians

This is the concluding message from Galatians. Paul concludes his argument by declaring that we live by the “law of Christ” and not by the law of Moses!  The “law of Christ” means becoming like Jesus in carrying one another’s burdens as Christ carried ours on the cross.  We are not to be burdened by the law but burdened by freedom – by becoming slaves to one another in community not slaves to the law.  Paul’s authority for making this dramatic change in the pattern or rule of life from the Mosaic Law is the cross of Christ.  Paul declares three deaths occurred on the cross. Christ died – not just a mere man but the Messiah, the anointed one, Abraham’s promise. Second – the world died. The world is eternally bound to its Creator Jesus.  Jesus took upon himself our humanity. So what happens to Jesus happens to humanity – death, resurrection and ascension to a new humanity.  Third – Paul died.  He experienced his own death in Christ.  Thus he is part, as we all are, of the new creation.  This new creation is what matters not the law!  So we live according to that pattern or rule of life and it brings communal peace and mercy – Messianic Kingdom qualities.  Amen

06-27-2010 - Walking (Pastor Joel) Part 4 from Galatians

One of the primary accusations made against Paul was that his “gospel of freedom” resulted in a soft approach to sin.  Even today critics of Paul accuse him of “sanctifying the world’s sin.”  In fact the truth is just the opposite.  Paul describes salvation as an inheritance – something we inherit not something we earn.  Our inheritance is based upon God’s actions towards us.  We receive our inheritance – we clothe ourselves with Christ.  So now walk or live according to your inheritance.  Walk according to who you are based upon God’s actions upon your life.  Walk the way God, as Father, Son and Spirit walk in their eternal communion of love.

06-20-2010 - Identity Crisis (Pastor Joel) Part 3 from Galatians

One of the issues that the Galatians had with Paul’s gospel of freedom was that of an identity crisis.  They felt cheated out of an identity because Paul’s gospel freed them from keeping the Mosaic Law.  Paul argues that their identity is much older than Moses and the Law.  Their identity goes all the way back to Abraham and the fulfillment in Jesus of the promise made by God to Abraham.  So their identity is one of “clothing themselves with Christ” and not one of obeying the law.

06-13-2010 - Faith OF Christ (Pastor Joel) Part 2 from Galatians

Paul argues that we are not saved by our faith, by our actions, but by the “faith OF Christ” – by Christ’s faithful obedience.  That means that everyone is on equal footing when it comes to salvation and to membership in the church.  This truth creates unity in the church whereas the perverted gospel created classes of Christians and division in the church.

06-06-2010 – Deserting God (Pastor Joel) Part 1 from Galatians

Paul is quite angry because some “false brothers” have seduced the Galatians into believing a perverted gospel, which Paul says really isn’t a gospel at all.  These false teachers have accused Paul of cheating them out of the complete gospel and of being soft on sin.  Paul counters their accusations by arguing that they have changed the gospel by taking the focus off of God’s actions towards us – that is Christ crucified – and put the focus on our actions towards God – that is the Mosaic law, which has the effect of deserting God. It’s not that these false teachers are leading the Galatians into immorality but, as Paul argues, this perversion steels away our freedom as the children of God and makes us slaves again to religion.  I argue that we have the same problem today with many perverted gospels that seek to make us slaves and steal our freedom.