All Sermons > Sermons tagged "death"

God’s Hand in Our Luck

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Text:  Ruth 2:1-13

Sermon:  God’s Hand in Our Luck

Date:  January 13, 2013

Listen to audio: January 13, 2012 AM Sermon

We often blame God for our troubles and ignore God when we experience success.  In the first two chapters of Ruth, we get a glimpse of God’s hand working through trying circumstances, to restore peace in the lives of His people.

On Sunday, January 13, we will consider the story of Ruth, and how she “happened” to stumble into a situation where she and her mother-in-law were able to receive all they needed, and more.  Was she just lucky?

God’s Hand in our Suffering

reflections on Christ - crucifixion

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Text:  Ruth 1

Sermon: God’s Hand in Our Suffering

Date:  January 6, 2013

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In the book of Ruth, the Bible tells the story of a young woman who was lifted to prominence in Israel, even though she and her mother-in-law endured terrible trials.  On January 6, we begin a series of sermons on this book.

When we experience suffering, we are inclined to wonder why, and ask questions about God’s intentions for our struggles.  Naomi suffered multiple tragedies, which prompted her to let other know that she was bitter about her situation.

Suffering often leads to bitterness, and although the book of Ruth does not answer the questions we might have about why we are suffering, it does help us see how God responds to our trials.

The Church at Its Best

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Date:  December 30, 2012

 Text: Acts 2:29-47

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On Sunday, December 30, Rev. Rich Blauw led our morning worship service.

Christmas: Word Became Flesh

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Text:  John 1:14-18

Sermon:  Word Became Flesh

Date:  December 25, 2012

Listen to audio:Christmas Day 2012

On December 25, we will gather for a Christmas morning worship service at 9:30 am.  Our message will focus on the truth of God being present in our midst as we conclude our Advent series on John 1.

Advent 4: Word of Hope

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Text:  John 1:12-13

Sermon:  Word of Hope

Date:  December 23, 2012

 Listen to audio: December 23, 2012 AM Sermon

If you want to read the story of Jesus’ birth, you will probably look to the gospels of Matthew or Luke.  There you find the stories of angels, shepherds, wise men, and a stable.  You wouldn’t read Mark, because that gospel begins with Jesus’ ministry, and skips the story of His birth altogether.  You probably would not read John, even though his gospel does contain a unique telling of the story of Christmas.  This year, during the season of Advent, we will consider John’s unique telling of the Christmas narrative.

On December 23, our sermon focus on the hope that is found in Christ.

Advent 3: Word in the World

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Text:  John 1:1-10

Sermon:  Word in the World

Date:  December 16, 2012

Listen to audio: December 16, 2012 AM Sermon 

If you want to read the story of Jesus’ birth, you will probably look to the gospels of Matthew or Luke.  There you find the stories of angels, shepherds, wise men, and a stable.  You wouldn’t read Mark, because that gospel begins with Jesus’ ministry, and skips the story of His birth altogether.  You probably would not read John, even though his gospel does contain a unique telling of the story of Christmas.  This year, during the season of Advent, we will consider John’s unique telling of the Christmas narrative.

On December 16, our Sunday School Children will remind us of the story of Jesus’ birth, as they present the play, “The Good News Flash.”

Our sermon this morning will focus on Christ’s ongoing work through His people in the world.

Advent 2: Word and Creation

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Text:  John 1:3-5

Sermon:  Word and Creation

Date:  December 9, 2012

Listen to audio: December 9, 2012 AM Sermon 

If you want to read the story of Jesus’ birth, you will probably look to the gospels of Matthew or Luke.  There you find the stories of angels, shepherds, wise men, and a stable.  You wouldn’t read Mark, because that gospel begins with Jesus’ ministry, and skips the story of His birth altogether.  You probably would not read John, even though his gospel does contain a unique telling of the story of Christmas.  This year, during the season of Advent, we will consider John’s unique telling of the Christmas narrative.

 

Advent 1: Word with God

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Text:  John 1:1-2

Sermon:  Word with God

Date:  December 2, 2012

Listen to audio: December 2, 2012 AM Sermon

If you want to read the story of Jesus’ birth, you will probably look to the gospels of Matthew or Luke.  There you find the stories of angels, shepherds, wise men, and a stable.  You wouldn’t read Mark, because that gospel begins with Jesus’ ministry, and skips the story of His birth altogether.  You probably would not read John, even though his gospel does contain a unique telling of the story of Christmas.  This year, during the season of Advent, we will consider John’s unique telling of the Christmas narrative.

December 2 is the first Sunday of Advent, and our message focuses on John’s words that tell us Jesus was with God from the beginning of time.

Rev. Rick Williams

Sermon:

Text:  Ruth 1

Sermon:  A Cling of Godly Love

Listen to audio: November 25 AM Sermon

 

On Sunday, November 25, Rev. Rick William led our morning worship service and preached from the book of Ruth.

Contemporary Idols: Exalt Myself

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Text:  Daniel 4

Sermon:  Exalt Myself

Listen to audio: November 18, AM Sermon 

Nebuchadnezzar was king of the Babylonian Empire almost 600 years before Christ was born.  During his lifetime, he was arguably the most powerful and influential ruler who had ever lived.  Most of the known world was under his political power.  During his reign, he accomplished wonderful building projects and was able to glean wisdom and insights from the nations of the known world.

In Daniel 4, we read a unique story, which seems to be written by Nebuchadnezzar, that chronicles his descent from what appeared to be the ultimate position to power, to a man who struggled to maintain his sanity.  At the center of this struggle was a desire to be exalted and a refusal to acknowledge God.

Perhaps one of the most difficult idols to defeat is the idolatry of self.  When we live to satisfy ourselves and see our name exalted, we can run into the problem of ignoring God.  In this last sermon in our series on contemporary idols, we will consider Nebuchadnezzar’s fall from power as a warning to acknowledge God’s power in our lives.