Are we allowing anything to block our worship of God – John 2:12-25, Part 5

John tells us his disciples would remember this day.  Look at verse 22.  The disciples remember Jesus’ cryptic statement after Jesus rose again on the third day, and they finally understand what he meant.  The temple was his body.  He died and rose again!  The disciples remembered what he said, and they believed that ScriptureContinue reading “Are we allowing anything to block our worship of God – John 2:12-25, Part 5”

When you disagree with your church, you should stay? – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 5

What should you do when you disagree with your church, or with the people in your church? In the previous post, I referred to a podcast that lists three options. 1. Stay, but don’t speak up. 2. Stay and work for change. 3. Leave. If you haven’t read it already, check out the previous post,Continue reading “When you disagree with your church, you should stay? – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 5”

When to leave a church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 4

This week I have been attempting to make the case that a church should be purple. What is a purple church? In a purple church family, we believe and live the principle that all people are equally loved in Christ, and thus we are one in Christ. As we saw in the previous posts (hereContinue reading “When to leave a church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 4”

Why we are a Purple Church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 1

This past November 2020, I preached one of my quarterly current events sermons right before the election.  Earlier in the year, as I was planning the preaching schedule, it seemed wise to have a current events sermon the Sunday prior to what was shaping up to be a major political event.  Of course, any presidentialContinue reading “Why we are a Purple Church – Current Events Q3 2021, Part 1”

What current events should we talk about? – Current Events 2021 Q3, Preview

This coming week we take a break from our Ezekiel series, because it is time for our once/quarter focus on Current Events.  On the Monday before each Current Events week, I scour the headlines looking for ideas.  There are so many possibilities.  Over the last 18 months, quite frankly, our national headlines haven’t changed aContinue reading “What current events should we talk about? – Current Events 2021 Q3, Preview”

Is there hope for a world on fire? – Ezekiel 11, Preview

Wildfires have been ravaging sections of the western USA. It happens every years during the hot, dry months of summer, but 2021 is particularly bad. I heard a news report that the acreage destroyed to this point in 2021 is three times that of 2020, and we thought 2020 was bad. A few weeks ago,Continue reading “Is there hope for a world on fire? – Ezekiel 11, Preview”

Not so fast 2021…why we needed 2020 – Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8, Part 1

A new year is upon us!  Are you excited?  On one hand, the switch from December 31, 2020 to January 1, 2021 this coming Thursday night is the same as any old Thursday night.  It is one day, then the next day.  Sure, we get a long holiday weekend, which is nice, but New Year’sContinue reading “Not so fast 2021…why we needed 2020 – Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8, Part 1”

I voted…now what? – Current Events 2020 Q4, Part 1

Our country is divided.  It is not just division about who we are going to vote for.  Our division goes far deeper than that.  We are deeply divided about what we think is best for the country.  Interestingly, what I have noticed is that both of the major political parties believe they are promoting whatContinue reading “I voted…now what? – Current Events 2020 Q4, Part 1”

How Christian dual citizenship matters to politics – Our Identity: Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Part 3

Christians, did you know you have dual citizenship?  I, for example am a citizen of the United States of America because I was born in the city of Alexandria, which is the state of Virginia. I have a birth certificate with raised seal to prove it.  Which is the land of your birth? Where isContinue reading “How Christian dual citizenship matters to politics – Our Identity: Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Part 3”