Sermons
As Christians living in the time after the grace of God appeared in the person of Jesus Christ, we wait in the time between grace and glory. We look back to the promises of God and forward to their final consummation, and in that waiting, we are to be disciplined followers of Jesus Christ.
Grace has appeared, and beyond the salvation it brings, grace is meant to educate us to live upright, self-controlled, and godly lives. In other words, grace should teach us to relate to ourselves, others, and God.
At Christmas God's eternal unchanging grace appears in the person of Jesus Christ. Focusing on that truth can give a Gospel and missional clarity in the midst of a difficult Christmas season.
At Christmas God's eternal unchanging grace appears in the person of Jesus Christ. Focusing on that truth can give a Gospel and missional clarity in the midst of a difficult Christmas season.
When we pray, we pray as forgiven people; therefore, our response should be to forgive other as we have been forgiven. It is the default of the Christian life and prayer.
The Model prayer is centered around the two words, "Our Father," from that truth we learn that prayer is not about what we don't have but what we already have.
Praying "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done," is good for our hearts. We struggle with misoriented prayer. That statement reminds that the mission of prayer is the magnification of God's kingdom, not ours.
The first two words of the Lord's or Model prayer, Our Father, reveal both the basis and purpose for our prayer. Those two words give us the confidence to come to the King of the universe as Father and puts us on mission to hallow his name.
This sermon opens our "When You Pray" series through the Model or Lord's Prayer. Here we see what the heart of prayer is, recognizing that it is not a performance, but it is desperation. Praying rightly is an understanding of who God is.
Thanksgiving is more than something we should add on to our lives. It should be the tenor of lives, and if it is will we live differently. We will be more content and useful for God's kingdom.