Sermon Scripture: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-27, Matthew 21:33-44 Among Hebrew scholars, it is well accepted that most modern Biblical translations of the Ten Commandments have misrepresented the intent of Exodus 20. The words might work, but they don’t really fit the spirit of God’s work in the Exodus event. The “commandments” begin with an act
Sermon Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7 We all have a working model of reality that we try to fit the world we experience into. These are the rules, laws, and expectations not only for nature and science and biology, but also for society and relationships and experience. But when our model is shaken, we often look to
Sermon Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-4, 8:7-9, 8:12-15, 9:6-12 In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul is detailing some general principles for giving that still guide us today; generous giving should be done wisely and faithfully, giving should come from love and joy rather than obligation, and it is a privilege to give as partners in
Sermon Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 In a fallen world like ours, where corruption is so tempting to our hearts, money can certainly reveal the taint that is in all of our hearts. And of all the topics that we grapple with in our modern world, money is one that the scripture has LOTS to
Sermon Scripture: Romans 13:8-10, Philippians 2:1-8 According to Jesus, the whole point of the Old Testament law, and of all the commandments, was to teach Israel how to love God and to love their neighbor. (Matthew 22:36-40). Last week we spoke about the generosity of God as demonstrated by Jesus and we focused on the
Sermon Scripture: Luke 12:22-34 Creation is an expression of God’s generous love. He’s the host, and we are his guests in a world of opportunity and abundance. But God does not stop there. We’re then called to keep the party going and to spread his goodness. This is a beautiful picture, but it’s not the
Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12 Fasting is a way to bridge this gap, between “the haves” and “the have nots.” Going back at least as far as Isaiah 58, it has long been a vehicle for biblical justice, a way for those with too much food to share with those in need of food. This simple
Sermon Scripture: Acts 13:1-3, Jonah 3:3-10 Fasting and prayer go together. Like two wings of a bird, together they take flight. You can pray without fasting, and you can fast without praying, but when you combine the two, there’s a noticeable amplification of our prayer before God. This comes as no surprise, since fasting is
Sermon Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 12:1-2 When we fast, at least four things are happening in our body and soul; it’s weaning us off the pleasure principle, it’s revealing what’s in our heart, it’s re-ordering our desires, and it’s drawing on the power of God to overcome sin. Our fight is not against the body
Sermon Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Romans 12:1-2 When we fast FROM food or activities we also fast TO something. We fast TO Jesus. After all, hunger only results when you long for something more of what you do not have, and in Jesus, there is always more for us if we seek. The body is the
