Archives: Sermons

Who is Responsible? (John 19:6-11)

There's a game about a cookie jar in which the participates constantly try to shift the blame away from themselves. Some try to play the same game when asking the question “Who is responsible for the death of Jesus?” “And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to…continue reading →

Having a Heavenly Mindset (Colossians 3:1-4)

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Get your head out of the clouds?” Some people are natural dreamers. Most of us stop to dream once in awhile, thinking about all the “what ifs” that could happen. I want us to think about what it means to set our minds on heavenly things, and how to do it. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that…continue reading →

We Got to Pray Just to Make it Today (John 18:1-12)

Prayer is perhaps the greatest source of strength that Christians do not take full advantage of. Of course, it's not prayer itself, but rather the dependance upon God through prayer. God changes us and guides us through prayer. No great revival has ever occurred apart from prayer. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas,…continue reading →

The Danger of Self-Made Religion (Colossians 2:18-23)

Most of us cannot simply decide to change. Even if we could, is that really what we need? We need to be changed. Our sinful nature needs to be dealt with. Why then do we place rules on ourselves? “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from…continue reading →

Turning Sorrow Into Joy (John 16:12-22)

The first time anything of any value was stolen from me was while I was in college. I led worship for BSU, and I often left my guitar in my car overnight because I would just put it back in my car the next day. That wasn't smart of me, but hey, I was in college. One night driving home from work, something seemed a little off. I reached into the backseat and my heart sunk. My guitar wasn't there. It wasn't at home either. People may easily steal all your possessions, but…continue reading →

Dying to Live with Jesus (Colossians 2:11-17)

“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal…continue reading →

The Joy of Christ in You (John 15:1-11)

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me…continue reading →

Put on Your Jesus Shoes (Colossians 2:4-10)

A good pair of shoes can make a huge difference. They protect our feet from the ground and weather. We often don't even think about our shoes. Many people don't even think about where their faith lies. Having Jesus as Lord is the only firm foundation. “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ…continue reading →

Following Jesus in Life and Death (John 13:36-14:10)

“Simon Peter said to him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.' Peter said to him, 'Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.' Jesus answered, 'Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. 'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are…continue reading →

The Mystery of the Gospel (Colossians 1:25-29)

“Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which…continue reading →