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 Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube Life can get heavy when we carry things God never asked us to hold. Let go of the extra baggage and trust God for the journey ahead. Discover the freedom and joy that comes when you travel light with Jesus. Monday: The Art of Traveling Light Scripture: Hebrews 12:1 Reflection: The sermon introduces us to the concept that overpacking is not just a travel problem, but a life one. Consider what "baggage" you carry that's more emotional or spiritual than physical. Reflect on how overpacking plays a role in your personal, emotional or spiritual journeys. Questions: What are some things you carry that you know you don’t really need? How does carrying this baggage affect your daily life and relationship with God? Tuesday: Trust and Provision Scripture: Luke 10:1-4 Reflection: Jesus instructed his disciples to travel without a purse, bag, or extra shoes, teaching them to rely on God's provision. Reflect on areas of your life where you rely ...

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube Monday: The Power of "He is Risen" Scripture Reading : Matthew 28:5-7 Devotional Thought : As Easter people, we live in the power of the resurrection. The phrase "He is risen" is not just for Easter Sunday but is a daily reminder of the victory we have in Christ. These words are the foundation of our faith, ensuring our trust in a living and promise-keeping God. Reflection Questions : How do you incorporate the reality of the resurrection in your daily life? What challenges do you face in remembering and celebrating Christ’s victory outside of the Easter season? Additional Scriptures : Romans 6:4, Colossians 3:1-4 Tuesday: Waiting on the Promise Scripture Reading : Acts 1:4-5 Devotional Thought : Jesus instructed his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. This waiting was not a waste but a preparation. Similarly, when God instructs us to wait, it is often to prepare us for something great...

Listen on Spotify  Watch on YouTube Monday: The Foundation of Love Scripture: John 13:34-35 Reflection: As you start your week, consider the foundation upon which your actions and relationships are built. Jesus gave us a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved us. This isn't a suggestion, but a commandment to reflect his love in our daily interactions. Questions: How do you feel about love being a commandment rather than a suggestion? Reflect on a time you found it difficult to love someone. What barriers did you face? How can you prioritize love in your interactions today? Additional Scripture: 1 John 4:7-8 Tuesday: Love Through Service Scripture: John 13:1-17 Reflection: Jesus washed his disciples' feet, serving them with humility even knowing he would be betrayed. Consider how Jesus' act of service exemplifies love and think about ways you can humbly serve those around you. Questions: What does serving oth...

Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube   Monday: Turning Off the Noise Scripture Reading:  Philippians 4:8-9 Devotional:  Begin your week by reflecting on the pervasive influence of news and media in our lives. How often do you find yourself consumed by the news cycle, seeking to validate your pre-existing beliefs rather than seeking truth? Today, challenge yourself to discern between entertainment-focused news that stirs division and news that genuinely informs and enlightens. Reflection Questions: How does consuming sensationalized news affect your mood and outlook? What steps can you take to focus more on truth and less on fear? How can Philippians 4:8-9 guide you in being intentional about what you allow to occupy your mind? Additional Scripture:  Psalm 119:105 Tuesday: The Blame Game Scripture Reading:  Luke 6:41-42 Devotional:  Consider the tendency to shift blame onto others, as discussed in the sermon. Just as Jesus faced the crowd questioning him abou...

 This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday.  Here's a line I probably took out of my sermon: Christians often pay a lot of money for mountain-top experiences. I say probably because, who knows? Maybe I'll decide it needs to be said.  Stay blessed...john

 Listen on Spotify Day 1: Responding to the Unexpected Scripture: Luke 5:1-5 Devotional: In our busy lives, we often encounter situations that are unexpected. Just as Peter was cleaning up after a long, unsuccessful day, Jesus entered with a request that seemed absurd. Yet, Peter listened and responded with, "If you say so." Sometimes, God asks us to step out of our routines and comfort zones. When we listen and respond to God's call, even when it seems counterintuitive, we open ourselves up to experiences that transform us. Reflection Questions: How do you typically react when you receive unexpected or challenging requests? What might God be asking you to do that feels uncomfortable or illogical? How can you cultivate a heart that is open to saying, "If you say so," to God's prompts? Additional Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5-6 Isaiah 55:8-9 Day 2: The Miraculous Catch Scripture: Luke 5:6-7 Devotional: ...

I couldn't help but think of the old Cheers theme song as I prepared for this message. We still don't have a spot like that. We have places we like to go, but I still can't ask the waiter for "my ush."  Watch on YouTube Stay blessed...john Day 1: Finding Your "Spot" with Jesus Reflection: Pastor John talks about always wanting a "spot"—a familiar place of community and comfort. Reflect on how Jesus can be that "spot" in your life, a place of safety and joy amidst the uncertainties. Scripture Readings: Psalm 91:1-2 Matthew 11:28-30 Questions for Reflection: What are your "spots" of comfort in your daily life? How can you invite Jesus into those spaces? How does your relationship with Jesus provide a sense of belonging and community? What practices can you incorporate to make your time with Jesus a familiar and cherished "spot"? Day 2: Jesus Among Us Reflection: Jesus participated in the community...

The first Sunday of the new year. So, it's magi time.  When I look at photos from NASA, I think of the magi. What did they see that inspired their journey? What would think of what we see now? This is my Epiphany sermon titled "The Star Was the Start."  For my next message, maybe I'll make sure to brush my hair. Stay blessed...john Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube Day 1: The Star as a Sign Scripture:  Matthew 2:1-2 Devotional:  The story of the Magi is filled with mystery and intrigue, largely due to the many questions we cannot answer. However, one thing is clear: the star served as a guide to Jesus. Just as the Magi had the star, we have moments in our lives that serve as initial signs drawing us closer to Christ. Reflection Questions: What are some "stars" or moments in your life that have drawn you closer to Jesus? How did you respond when you recognized these moments?  Additional Scripture:  Psalm 19:1-4 Day 2: Mo...

Watch on YouTube This sermon wrapped up our 2024 Advent sermon series, Incarnation. Each week, I encouraged the church to look for how God's hope, peace, joy and love show up incarnationally, in the flesh, around them. And to commit to being God's hope, peace, joy and love in the flesh themselves to the people they come to know.   Stay blessed...john Day 1: Embodying the Hope of Christ Scripture Reading:  Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Reflection: Reflect on the hope that Christ’s incarnation brings to the world. What are the areas of your life and community where you see disappointment and fear? How can you embody Christ’s hope in these situations? Questions: What does hope in the flesh look like in your daily life? How can you actively spread hope to those around you this week? Additional Scripture:  Matthew 12:21 Day 2: Embodying the Peace ...

 Listen on Spotify In case you're wondering, the drum cleaning is taking longer than I anticipated. But it's going to be nice when I'm done. I'll make that a sermon illustration when I'm done.  Watch on YouTube Stay blessed...john  Day 1: The Messenger of Peace Scripture:  Malachi 3:1 – “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” Devotional:  Reflect on the role of messengers in your life. Who has God used to prepare you to receive God’s peace? Think about how these messengers have guided you through difficult and chaotic situations, acting as God’s instrument to reveal God’s presence, even when things seemed overwhelmingly unjust or wrong. Reflection Questions: Who are the messengers of peace in your life? How have they helped prepare you to meet God’s peace? In what ways can you become a messenger of peace for others? Additional Scripture:  Isaiah 40:3-5 Day 2: The Hard W...

 Goofy me had the camera turned around to start this week's message. But I got it taken care of early enough to make it worthwhile to share. This week was the first Sunday of Advent. So, I scrambled to remember which theme goes to each Sunday of the season. A couple of years ago I told myself I would remember "Happy People Just Live." That is, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  Our sermon series this Advent is titled Incarnation. I'm using background graphics from Church of the Resurrection, but I'm not following their sermon format. I just needed the pics--Thank you, Adam Hamilton.  Watch on YouTube Stay blessed...john

 I started a new playlist on my YouTube channel. It's called "Audio Sermons."  Can you guess what it is?  In case it's not obvious, I started uploading my old sermons I have audio recorded. These were from the days when it wasn't as easy to video record them.  Here's the link to the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSJ8R4pRJKZUDq6XRlAHsEwf8kFrZra5e Stay blessed...john

 This was the final sermon in our Summer Sermon Series on the Ten Commandments. I'd never done a series that long before. But I think people were engaged with it. After this sermon, a youth asked me, "So, is it okay to cut the grass?" Ooops. Maybe I should've said more 😂 Stay blessed...john

The book of Revelation is a book about worship.  That seems strange to many people.  Images of beasts, plagues, whores, horsemen and the end of time make it difficult to see John's call to worship the One who is worthy.  In fact, those types of images scare many people into thoughts of destruction and disaster. With some imagination and soul searching, however, we can look and see what John wants us to know.  Revelation is not about predicting the future.  Rather, it's about our commitment to God.  John's vision reminds us 1) God has a better way of life for us, 2) We can live that life and 3) It is all worth it. Week 1: A Divine Imagination Week 2: Faith Counts Week 3: The End of Your World Stay blessed...john

Everyone knows summer can be hard on church attendance.  People travel.  People say they travel.  It can be difficult to tell how many of your church friends you may see in church on any given Summer Sunday.  Instead of taking summer "off" or leaving the good stuff for when everyone comes home, I wanted to do something a little different for those folks who are able to make it to church during the hot months. Who knows, maybe it would even help get that one soul out of bed if they knew they could expect something different in church. So, longer story short, I decided to do a sermon series on the book of Revelation.  I've had plenty of questions and conversations since I first let everyone know about it.  There have been a few that have said they were looking forward to hearing it all.   I guess it was a good idea. Here are the first two sermons. ++If you are reading by email or news reader, click on the title to begin listening to...

I say that I will scream if I hear another sermon, clergy retreat, district meeting  or conference presentation that mentions church membership decline.  And if they include numbers and percentages I will walk out.  Now, if I did that my throat would constantly be hoarse and I would never attend another meeting because it's mentioned quite a bit. And how two-faced am I?  Church membership decline came up in my sermon this past Sunday; I even slipped in a statistic.  I neither raised my voice beyond my usual bellowing and was the last person to the leave the sanctuary. I think it was God. It seemed right, and a good and joyful thing to mention it as we thought about Peter's miraculous work with Tabitha and how so many believed in the Lord because of it. It's agreed by many that the church has lost some of it's prophetic voice.  Maybe she's been yelling too loud at other things, but many do not think the Christian church has much to contribute to the...

We have been chosen by God. But what does that mean? How are we chosen? And for what are we chosen? You can use the mini sermon player below or click on the sermon title to hear each file. Chosen to Be Chosen for More Chosen to Know

Gloria told me I should change the title of this sermon.  So, I did.  You can thank her for not hearing a sermon entitled A Big But . Instead, I went with This Changes Everything, hoping I could still get the point across.  The point?  Easter is the biggest "But" of all!  It's called a coordinating conjunction.  Look it up or have a quick listen to this Easter sermon.  And don't be jealous that your church didn't talk about buts on Easter. That's a pretty big but(t) ++If you are reading by email or news reader, click here to listen to the sermon.++ Stay blessed...john