The proclamation of Christ's suffering on the cross is an essential part of the gospel message. While many people can accept a historical Jesus as a moral teacher, or a champion for social justice, the full message of the cross can seem like folly to those who are perishing. It can either break hearts or harden them; it puts pressure on people to accept or reject the message that Jesus somehow became sin for us all, and the wrath of God fell on Him instead of us. Pastor Scott explains why it is important to behold the agonies of Jesus on the cross, and how it should impact our lives as believers.
Love Story: Redemption
Redemption is the act of making something better or more acceptable. Christ makes us acceptable to God. The crime of sinning against God is eternal separation from Him, but the record of our sins is put on Christ. He exchanged His life in return for a people; we are a reward for what Christ gave. Redemption is also about exchange, and Pastor Scott entreats us to see the serious implications of the doctrine of redemption.
Love Story: Jesus Rescue
Before God created mankind, He knew we would rebel, and that He would need to come to die and atone for us. Jesus – king of kings, lacking nothing, through whom all things were made – came to solve the problem of the condition of humanity: all are stained and sentenced to eternal separation from God. He entered into our suffering world, both fully man and fully God, and allowed Himself to be beaten, mocked, scourged, and crucified so that He could have a people who would love Him for eternity, to lavish and pour out His riches on us forever. Pastor Scott urges us not to settle for anything less than a heart ablaze with love for Christ, because of what He has done for us.
Love Story: The Problem of Sin
Until we understand the bad news, the Good News won't make much sense; a cure for a horrible disease can't be appreciated as a wonderful thing unless we see the horrible disease. Pastor Scott implores us to comprehend the futility of our own sense of morality before a perfectly holy and righteous God. Nothing unholy can enter into Heaven, and we are all stained by sin. The gospel teaches us that there is a way to be washed, to go from guilty to innocent, so we can stand without fear before God, knowing we are covered by the righteousness of Christ and our debts were cancelled on the cross.
Love Story: Image of God
There are so many ways that humans hate other humans; though we were created for love, we seem bent on hating. Yet all human beings are made in the image of God. Scripture states that we are the crowning artwork of the Creator: once an idea in the mind of God, brought into being as living, breathing works of art created by God Himself. Pastor Scott exhorts us to comprehend just how fearfully and wonderfully made we are, and how aware God is of us; He thinks about us, He is present, He is listening. We need to understand that all people are precious, and God has an unquenchable, burning passion to pull them close. Every human is sacred to God, and of great worth to Him, and we are called to honor them.
Standalone Sermons: The Cross and Communion
John Michaelson opens up his sermon with a description of his experience with Easter Encounter, and the powerful culmination of beholding the cross. He then discusses the progression and culmination of Jesus's life on earth: to teach, to model holiness, to heal sickness and disease and infirmity, but the main reason Jesus was born, was to die. Jesus resolutely understood His calling and purpose. John reminds us about the significance of the cross, and what Jesus did for us, and exhorts us to never weary of keeping what Jesus really did (and continues to do) for us, forefront in our minds and hearts.
Love Story: Introduction
Pastor Scott gives an overview of a new series going deeper into the love story of the gospel – a story of a lovesick God, pursuing people who do not love Him, but give their love to anyone and anything other than God. But instead of giving up on us, God continues to woo us. Despite our straying hearts, God is persistent in His love and desire for us. Scott also delivers an impassioned plea for us to participate in the work of proclaiming the truth of the gospel, who God is, and reconciling people to God.
Advent 2015 | Joy
We live in a world that is hurting in so many ways. We are created to yearn for joy, but where can we find joy in a world that is full of so much pain, fear, violence, and depression? Pastor Scott exhorts us to find our joy in Christ. Everything the world can offer is only fleeting and temporary, but joy in Christ is a promised eternal blessing, and transcends our circumstances.
Advent 2015 | Love
There's a craving in each of us to be close to God, but sometimes it's hard to comprehend and feel His presence and love. It's easier to focus on people and tangible things. Even for people who follow Jesus, we can struggle to feel and know that it's really true that God loves us personally. Scott encourages us to understand that the love of God can become real to us, and be experienced deeply in this present life. We're invited by God to open the eyes of our hearts and understanding to comprehend who He is, and to grasp the depth of His great love for us. The love of God can be experienced powerfully if we open our hearts wide to it, and ask God to make it real for us.
Advent 2015 | Peace
The world is full of turmoil, fear, and anxiety; we crave peace, but cannot seem to find it. We look for peace in all the wrong places. Pastor Scott explains that the real issue is a heart-problem: we need a new heart to hold the peace of God. Before we can experience God's peace, we need to be at peace with God. The path of peace is a lifestyle, and we have to walk in it. The key is learning to trust God, and placing every area of our lives into His hands.