Jonathan Reid of Fostering Hope delivers a challenging sermon on the adoption of God's people and the responsibility that comes with it. What does this responsibility entail? The imitation of Christ through the selfless fostering and adoption of orphans into the family of God.
Friend at Midnight
One of the greatest challenges in the life of any Christian is to develop a strong, vibrant, unceasing practice of prayer. The disciples who walked with Jesus quickly realized that they didn't pray the way Jesus did, so they asked him "Lord teach us to pray". Pastor Scott expounds on Luke 11:1-13 as Jesus teaches the disciples some important lessons on praying. Jesus gets at the very root of how we perceive God within because this determines whether we will be motivated or discouraged. The message is relevant to both the brand new believer desiring a prayer life and the old saint who has been walking with the Lord for several decades. Also, being Father's Day, there was also much threaded throughout the message about God as Father.
The Family That Runs
Is there an inherent purpose to our lives? Is there an intrinsic design in our relationships with the people around us? Ren youth director, Chris Waugh, led us into discussion about the parable of the Prodigal Son. In this parable, Jesus invites his audience into right standing with a Father who runs to his children and celebrates their existence. Jesus argues that the rightful meaning and design of human life is familial intimacy with the Creator of the Universe.
Standalone Sermons: Community Depth
Pastor Scott gives what he often calls a "pastoral talk" to address some very practical and important concerns regarding life as a church community. There are many challenges in the aim to have depth of community including geographic scattering, busy schedules, widening social circles, fatigue, and the transient nature of cities. Several concrete instructions are given on how to overcome these challenges and develop deep meaningful relationships within the church. In the ending, Pastor Scott talks specifically about the need for supernatural love in order to do what God is calling us to do in being a community of love.
Treasure and Pearl
What do you value the most in this world? There are so many enticing things around us and it's very easy to become attached to this present world. Jesus teaches twin parables about how the person who discovers the value of the kingdom will joyfully give up anything in order to attain it. Pastor Scott discusses the paradox of how eternal life is a life gift, but costs us everything we have to obtain it. Are we truly surrendered?
Mustard Seed and Leaven
It is common for followers of Christ to feel small and insignificant, and to feel like progress in the mission isn't really happening. It's easy to become weary and to even wonder if the Lord has anything big in store for the future. Jesus addresses all this in these twin parables as he teaches us that the kingdom may start small, but over time it will grow to be something huge. Pastor Scott gives some strong encouragement at the end to stand firm and keep sowing seeds, trusting that in due season, we will reap a harvest. This is the perfect message for those getting weary in the work of God.
Wheat and Weeds
There are, undoubtedly, many things that frustrate us as godly people in this world. We are grieved by the gross things that happen in the name of Christianity, and we are vexed by the atrocities in society. Just like the disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven, we at times long for God to come and cleanse away all evil. Pastor Scott shows us in this parable that Jesus is teaching us to synch up with God's timetable and join him in the great work of extending mercy to all people. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the season of grace. Now is the time to love all people regardless of how evil they may be.
Standalone Sermons: The Importance of Forgiving
No one can escape the need to forgive others. Everyone is hurt or wronged or betrayed at one time or another, and when these experiences happen, it's very easy to become bitter. Ren elder John Michaelson goes deep into the teaching of Christ from the sermon on the mount about the dangers of not forgiving. He discusses how it's not only important to forgive but to pursue reconciliation. John also provides some wonderful hope at the end on God's sufficient grace to enable us to forgive deeply from the heart.
The Sower
The Word of God is sown into hearts, but all hearts don't respond the same way. Pastor Scott teaches on the Parable of the Sower showing four very different types of hearers. Some are completely shut, and others get excited but eventually fall away. Other people grow but distractions choke any real fruit from coming forth. The good heart, though, hears and receives and produces abounding fruit over the long haul. Our relationship to God's Word determines our measure of fruit, and Pastor Scott presses the point that fruitfulness is not optional. The message concludes with some practical thoughts on what fruit looks like, and how we can be fruitful.
Why Parables?
Parables are a form of teaching often associated with Jesus because he used them frequently. A parable employs story and metaphor to explain an idea. Sometimes parables are very easy to understand, but sometimes the point is not immediately obvious and needs to be searched out. Pastor Scott explores the question the disciples asked Jesus of why speak in parables. The answer to that question is very different than what most people think. This message serves as an introduction to the series on parables.