Never Without a Mission – Always Say Never, pt.7

Matthew 28:16-20.

What is the mission of the church?  To be part of God’s mission which is to redeem the world unto Himself.  One thing that is fascinating about the Greek language, the written language of the New Testament, concerns the word “priority.”  We are always talking about how we need to have our priorities in order, how we need to set our priorities, and how our priorities are so crucial to how we function.  In the Greek language, the word we translate “priority” cannot be made plural.  I think that is theologically sound as well as a grammatical truth.

Never the Same – Always Say Never pt. 4

2 Corinthians 5:14-17.

Sometimes things are said or we experience events that make an incredible impression.  They have such an impact that they change our perspective or point of view.  I was told of a man who was pulled over for speeding even though he had just been passed by another motorist.  Complaining about how justice was not being served, the man quickly changed his tune when the officer asked him if he had ever gone fishing.  Thinking that conversing with a fellow good old boy would lead to the dismissal of a sure ticket, he acknowledged.  Everything changed when the officer asked the next question; “Ever catch ‘em all?”

Salt Shakers – Sermon Summary

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men,” Matthew 5:13, NIV.

This sounds like one of those “good news/bad news” scenarios.  You are the salt of the earth and that is a great thing – congratulations.  However, if you don’t use what you have been given, its off to the dumpster for you!

A Sunday Walk – Sermon Summary

Luke 24:13-35.

Sometimes we have to be good and confused in order for things to become clear for us.  Take these disciples, for instance.  They’re walking home on what we know as Resurrection Day, sad because of the crucifixion yet confused because they had heard that Jesus was risen.  But they didn’t stick around to find out with certainty, so they walk along confused and frustrated.  Jesus appears and they still don’t get it but soon it becomes clear, and the results of their encounter should show us three things every Christian should possess.

A Servant’s Attitude – Sermon Summary

Mark 10:42-45.  Real Followers series, pt.7 (conclusion).

James and John asked the wrong question.  The other 10 had the wrong reaction.  Jesus made it right.

James and John had approached Jesus prior to today’s text and asked if they could be seated on either side of Jesus in His kingdom.  There are no higher seats one could ask to fill.  The other 10 became “indignant” with them.  This could be motivated in one of three ways: either they were jealous that they didn’t think of it first, they felt that they also were deserving of those seats, or that nobody had the right to ask such a question.  Personally, I think it was a combination of the first two although the third is what we all hope they meant.  Somehow, the word “indignant” makes me stick with my original conclusion.