Sermons from 2022
Joseph’s Dreams
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-25, New International VersionItalicized names/words are added from the Tree of Life Version JOSEPHS: 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: MARYS: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit, the Ruach ha-Kodesh. JOSEPHS: 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he…
Love & Thunder
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 3:1-12, The Message 1-2 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called “the Baptizer,” was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”3 John and his message were authorized by Isaiah’s prophecy: Thunder in the desert!Prepare for God’s arrival!Make the road smooth and straight! 4-6 John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He…
Rooted in Hope
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 11:1-10, Good News Translation The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David’s descendants.2 The spirit of the Lord will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the Lord’s will, and honor [the Most High], 3 and find pleasure in obeying [the Maker].He will not judge by…
Do You See Me?
SCRIPTURE: John 5:1-17, New Revised Standard Version 5 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this…
An Unexpected Feast
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3:1-14, The Voice Translation Note: [ ] indicates change for gender inclusionItalics are used by The Voice Translation. “Adonai” and “hineni” are used in the Tree of Life Version. Narrator: 1 Now Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. One day he led the flock to the farthest end of the wilderness, coming to Horeb, where the mountain of God stood. 2 There, the Special Messenger of the Eternal appeared to Moses…
Make Your Choice
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 3:14-22 (The Message to Laodicea), NRSV 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation: 15 “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.17 For you say, ‘I am…
When the Way Opens – Or Closes
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 3:7-13, The Message The Message to Philadelphia7 Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True – David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open – speaks: 8 “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to…
Wake Up!
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 3:1-6 (Message to Sardis), Good News Translation 3 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: “This is the message from the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know what you are doing; I know that you have the reputation of being alive, even though you are dead! 2 So wake up, and strengthen what you still have before it dies completely. For I find that what you have done…
Misogyny, Violence and Lust, Oh, My!
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 2:18-29 (Message to Thyatira), NIV These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual…
Shine
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 2:12-17 (Church of Pergamum) NIV 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few…