In recent days Becky and Nate Pracht went to Uganda on a missions trip. In this message they share lessons learned on the trip and especially press home the call to love one another. This is a message not only for those interested in global missions but for those who desire to love the community of believers deeper.
Joy to the World: Problem of Fear
Please note: the beginning of this sermon audio was damaged and couldn't be restored.
People have all sorts of fears including fear of spiders, fear of dogs, fear of flying, fear of public speaking, fear of rejection, fear of pain and so on. The greatest of all fears, however, is the fear of death. Hebrews says that people without God are in slavery to the fear of death. Jesus came to deliver us from this great fear of the unknown and to give us a blessed assurance in the face of death. Christ made it possible for us to not only be unafraid but to possess a deep abiding conviction that we are His, and that when we pass from this life, we will land safely in the arms of our Savior. This is a message of hope especially for those who still find themselves uncertain about what happens after death. For the Christian who has experienced the second birth it is a strong reminder of eternal realities. A good part of the message is expounding on the glories of the future city as described in Revelation 21-22.
Joy to the World: Problem of Separation
No matter what generation or what part of the world people live in the feeling of separation from God is felt keenly. There is a great invisible wall that separates humanity from God. The wall is impenetrable and impossible to scale. No one has figured out how to break through the wall themselves. Jesus came into the world to make a way of access through the wall. Scripture teaches that through the blood of Christ a way was opened up for all people to be reconciled with God. We who were far have been brought near. We who were an enmity are now friends of God. The last part of the message is an appeal specifically to the person who may still be far from God. Clear instruction is given in repentance. Kiss your old life goodbye and step through the door into a glorious brand new life in God.
Joy to the World: Problem of Guilt
In this first message of the series the great problem of guilt is dealt with. All people have sinned and carry guilt and no one, no matter how brilliant, has been able to figure out how to eradicate guilt. People try to suppress it or talk themselves out of it or just downplay it or even attempt to make up for it. But none of these efforts result in the thorough removal of guilt. Jesus came into the world to crush this impossible problem and through his work on the cross made it possible for guilt to be removed for those who trust in him. At the end of this message Scott divides the exhortation to address two groups. To those who have been pardoned the encouragement is to rejoice! For those who are still in sin and not yet washed of guilt the encouragement is - come to the fountain of cleaning, come home.
God is Immanuel
Drawing on the Gospel of Matthew's account of Jesus' birth, John Michaelson looks at the name Immanuel, God-with-us. Understanding the significance of the name and recognizing Jesus' nature as fully God and fully man while here on earth implied much for the first century Christians. It is just as relevant for His church today.
God is Self Sufficient
Does God need our service and worship? In this message delivered by Paul Moon, we explore God’s self sufficiency. Paul contrasts God’s completeness with our need for Him and teaches the beautiful truth that He is passionately pursuing a relationship with us. This voluntary relationship God has with His people reveals His incredible love for us.
God is Judge
How do we reconcile a God of wrath with God as loving Father? This message delves into this question and especially addresses the difficulty of the concept of hell. It’s easy to ignore the doctrine of final judgment or to downplay it or to, in some cases, revise the Bible to make it easier to embrace. Pastor Scott asks the question, “If we were God what alternative would we have instead of hell?” The talk includes weighty portions of Scripture along with philosophical logic leading to a reasonable view of this very difficult doctrine. In the end there are several exhortations given. This is not a message to listen to casually.
God is Faithful
We live in a world of broken promises. Many people claim to have unfailing love but it’s rare to find someone who keeps their promise. This widespread unfaithfulness has caused many to be cynical and to wonder if God really is faithful. When we fail to see God’s faithfulness it makes us nervous, insecure and stiff. It brings out the worst in us. Scripture is overflowing with declarations of the faithfulness of God. He will never leave us and never forsake us. When we begin to grasp the unwavering steadfast devotion of God to us it brings out the very best in us. Knowing God’s faithfulness to us makes us want to be faithful. This is essentially a message of comfort for those who struggle to feel secure in God’s unwavering care.
God is Shelter
It seems that no matter how hard we try we cannot escape the daily array of afflictions. It is common for us to experience fear, worry and franticness. These these have serious negative effects in many aspects of our life. The truth is that even amidst our troubles God is present and He is our shelter. He never turns His eye from us or takes His hand off us. We can trust in His constant care. This message is an encouragement to relax in God amidst whatever challenges we may be facing. We don’t need to be afraid and we don’t need to worry. The Father has us in His arms and nothing can separate us from His loving care.
Standalone Sermons: Healed vs. Cured
If you have ever experienced a physical injury, you know how frustrating it is to have limited mobility. Yet immobility is not contained to merely the physical realm, and at times we can feel paralyzed by our own thoughts or life's circumstances. In this sermon, Yale University campus missionary and Divinity School student Nia Campinha-Bacote gives us a glimpse into how God might be calling us to respond in the moments when we feel stuck. By looking at the Biblical account of a man who was paralyzed for thirty-eight years and then encounters Jesus, Nia challenges us to ask the question, "Do we desire to be cured or healed?"