Finding Joy in Jubilee

Finding Joy Sermon Series

October 21st, 2018

Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost.

Pastor Paul is preaching.

Leviticus 25:8-13

You perhaps noticed a theme developing thus far in this series, the realization that joy is not obtained through accidental encounter but rather through intentional pursuit.

In the early years of the nation of Israel, God would remind His people of the need to pursue joy by instituting the “Year of Jubilee”, a time in which people were liberated, property was restored, and life was intentionally simplified.  Perhaps there’s something of value in this tradition even for Americans today, namely that joy can be found just as sufficient in the act of giving things up and simplifying our lives as it is by adding to them.

Have you created space for joy in your day to day?  Let’s consider together.

We Are Charged

Jumpstart Sermon Series

September 16th, 2018

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Pastor Paul is preaching.

Mark 6:34-44

There’s no doubt that personal time with God makes up the foundation of a dynamic and growing faith life, but foundations are meant to be built upon, right?

Some of the most rewarding times in our spiritual journeys occur when we step out of our prayer closets and seek the Lord together. Pursuing God was never intended to be a solo act. Believe it or not, Jesus addressed this as He miraculously fed the 5000+, not so much with His words but in the truth that lies between the lines.

Let’s allow God to speak afresh through this story. Can more time seeking God together with others help jumpstart your faith? Time to find out.

What?

Bullhorn Sermon Series

August 19th, 2018

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost.

Pastor Paul is preaching.

Ezekiel 2-3:3

What are we afraid of? Most of us can admit to the logic of how important
it is to share our faith. The Good News we have to offer can unlock eternity to
those who have yet to receive it. Yet with all the people that still claim Christ in
our world, how often do you actually encounter someone courageous enough to
witness to their faith, even in subtle and non-confrontational ways? Why?
Because we are afraid. The risk is too great. Well, it’s time to begin to name
those fears and confront them head on. As messenger to the wayward nation of
Israel, the prophet Ezekiel faced a task even more daunting than our own. Yet God
emboldened him for his assignment. And He can do the same for us. As risky as it
is to speak aloud our faith, even greater is the risk of remaining silent.

Why?

Bullhorn Sermon Series

August 5th, 2018

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost.

Pastor Paul is preaching.

Mark 1:40-45

Before we stick our necks out there to engage in any task as anxiety-
inducing as faith sharing, it’s only natural to seek a solid explanation as to why we
need to do so in the first place. Can’t I just follow Jesus and keep my faith to
myself? It’s a valid question but the answer is already evident in the question
itself. Jesus stopped at nothing to share the Good News of God’s love with all He
came in contact with. Truly “following Jesus” demands that we do the same. The
leper in Mark 1 couldn’t help but share the Good News of Jesus Christ with
everyone he met. To him, it was a natural and joy-filled act. Perhaps his story can
offer some pointers for us.