What’s So Special About This Book That I Would Want To Live It In My Life?

"Bible Vs. Broccoli" Series

September 28th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Luke 19:28-40

The Bible only comes to life if it comes to life in our lives. 

The Bible is only powerful if that power flows out of us.  It is only a book until it is in our hands, our hearts, our souls, and our lives.  Once we read it AND take it in we truly are transformed.  The Bible is all about learning to live your life from the inside out and not the outside in.  How is your life being lived?

What's So Special About This Book For Me?

"Bible Vs. Broccoli" Series

September 21st, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Hebrews 4:12-13

Have you been to a Barnes and Nobles lately? 

One of the largest sections is the “self-help” section.  Our world is filled with people, groups, shows, and websites that are designed to improve, help, reshape, and repurpose our lives.  God has been doing that since the beginning of time and the Bible reminds us all throughout that the love of God can do all those things.  We just need to read it again.  It is the standard by which all the others are formed.

What's So Special About This Book Today?

"Bible Vs. Broccoli" Series

September 14th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Jeremiah 31:31-34b

The Bible was written so long ago. 

ow is it relevant to my life and all the things that I face on a daily basis?  When we actually dig into the Bible we see that the problems, struggles, and pain are all the same today as they were centuries ago.  Hurt is hurt.  Pain is pain.  Suffering is suffering.  This book still changes lives, even today.

What's So Special About This Book?

"Bible Vs. Broccoli" Series

September 7th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
2 Timothy 3:10-17

The Bible is in 9 out of 10 homes in the United States in the year 2014. 

One study shows that only 37% of people who have Bibles in their homes actually pick them up and read them.  If the Bible has life and power in it, how is it that 2 out of 3 of us never tap into it?

Forgiveness: How Many Times?

August 31, 2014

Pastor Paul is preaching.
Matthew 18:21-35
 

There are few things more difficult in life than extending forgiveness to those who have wounded us.  

Of course, God never said it would be easy.  And His desire is not that we continue to place ourselves in a situation to be hurt.  But He does, without question, call us to forgive.  Do I really have to forgive no matter what?  How many times does He expect me to forgive those who continually hurt me?  If you’ve asked these questions before, you’re in good company because the disciple Peter did as well.  Perhaps Jesus’ response in Matthew 18 will provide some clarity to this difficult subject.

What If It's Too Late?

"Dirt" Series

August 24th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Matthew 10:1-16

It’s never too late to turn your soil over.

At the beginning of each growing season the farmers are out in the fields turning over the soil. It lets the air breathe. It lets water get deep into the soil. It turns the soil that was exhausted from last year’s growing over and brings up the fresh soil for growth. In our faith journey we sometimes need to just turn over our soil to get to the fresh part of our faith that is ready for growth.

Life Stinks, Thank God

"Dirt" Series

August 17th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Mark 4:1-9

One of the most important ingredients for a crop to be successful is manure.

People steer clear of manure for many reasons. In farming, manure is absolutely necessary for life and growth. In our lives we hate when our lives go through “crappy times.” In our faith journey it is those “crappy times” that God uses to make our soil rich and ready to receive.

Storms, They Are a Comin'

"Dirt" Series

August 10th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Matthew 7:24-29

If our hearts are like dirt getting ready to receive the seed, which is the word of God, what is our dirt composed of and how will it help us weather the storms of life?

Hoping for a Bumper Crop

"Dirt" Series

August 3rd, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Luke 13:6-9

Followers of Jesus Christ are supposed to be producing fruit, PERIOD.

When we do a baptism at our church the congregation responds that it will so order its life after the example of Christ. We respond that we will bear fruit. Are people seeing Christ in us, if not, you’re just taking up soil.

Church, Meet Your Multitudes

"Where Is Everybody?" Series

July 27th, 2014

Pastor Paul is preaching.
Mark 6:30-37a

In the midst of Jesus’ ministry, He was ever confronted by the needs of the multitudes.

But He knew that in order to have access to their hearts, He had to first fill their stomachs and heal their diseases. He would teach His twelve disciples to do the same. And confronted by a broken world and emptying churches, our approach must be no different. We must not turn our backs on the needs of the world, but rather open our hearts and extend a hand of Christ-like love. A free Store is one way of extending the grace and love of Christ. And just like Jesus, in the feeding of the 5000, multiplied the humble gifts of one boy to feed the multitudes, He will do the same for us.

What Do We Have To Lose?

"Where Is Everybody?" Series

July 20th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
2 Kings 7:1-16

In the text from 2 Kings we have the four men with leprosy who are dying outside the city gates.

They were facing death no matter what direction they looked. There was no food in the city. If they did nothing, they would die. They could go to the army of the Arameans and they could be killed. They had nothing to lose. As disciples of Jesus Christ called to serve his people, what do we have to lose as we journey into Cleveland to start a Free Store? I would rather have a graveyard of failed ideas that no new ideas at all. Tyrone Guthrie said, “We are looking for ideas large enough to be afraid of again.” What do we have to lose?

Entertaining Angels Unaware

"Where Is Everybody?" Series

July 13th, 2014

Pastor Paul is preaching.
Hebrews 13:1-3, 11-16

Recent statistics suggest that only about 20% of Americans attend church each weekend.

If God’s love is so transforming, then where are all the people? Well, they are waiting for us to fulfill the mandate God placed upon His church, to go out into the world and meet people in the midst of their struggles, to share God’s love with them wherever they are at. The author of Hebrews tells us to “not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Strangers or angels, it matters not. Let us be launched out into the world as ambassadors of God’s love.

My Aim Is All Wrong

"Devil" Series

June 29th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching
Ephesians 6:10-20

The devil is extremely clever.

The devil has realized that humans have the amazing ability to fight with each other, OFTEN. He loves it when we are fighting with each other because when we are fighting each other we do not have the time, energy or resources to fight him and his evil in our world. In his eyes there is nothing better than a church divided. We must make sure that as we put on the whole armor of God we have our weapons aimed in the right direction.

Why Do I Always Give Into Temptation?

"Devil" Series

June 22nd, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Matthew 4:1-11

This world is tough.

The devil knows all of our weaknesses, frailties and flaws. The devil knows what tempts us in the deepest darkest parts of our souls, hearts and minds. He is the one trying to be the master of our lives when no one is looking. Who do you turn to in those moments?

I Thought Jesus Makes Life Easier

"Devil" Series

June 15th, 2014

Reverend Dan is preaching.
Matthew 3:13-4:1

Many people have this dream that once you give your life to Christ life will just get easier from then on.

In many cases it could be exactly the opposite. In today’s text, we see that in the moment for all of us.