February 13, 2022: The Message Still Stands

1 John series message 13

Text: I John 3:11-15

Loving people is the most natural disposition for a Christian because, as John will soon tell us, God is love. In fact, it's a distinguishing characteristic that is to be expected in any Christ-follower. Yet, at the same time, we are urged to grow in this area and display it predominately in our lives! This week we'll break down practical ways we can be known as people who love well.

February 6, 2022: The New Birth

1 John series message 12

Text: I John 3:6-10

Is it possible for someone to be a true Christian without showing any evidence of it throughout their lives? Our passage deals directly with the new birth and what it means, practically speaking, in our lives. It is incongruent with the principle of the new birth for someone to name Christ but not have fruit to show for it. The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil!

January 30, 2022: Behold!

1 John series message 11

Text: I John 2:28-3:3

As John speaks to righteous living, he bursts into praise for what God has made us to be, and for what lies ahead for His children. He can't help himself. What an exhilarating passage to take in! It is brimming with hope and joyful anticipation! Within the New Testament, there are mountain peaks which leave us breathless - this is one of them.

January 23, 2022: You Can Do This!

1 John series message 10

Text: I John 2:18-29

You can do this, But this is not a self help pep talk. We sounded the warning last week, but the flip side of the coin is His provision. God has graciously and abundantly given us all we need to thrive in our walk with Him. Though there are temptations in the world, and dangers from within, we can do this because ‘greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world.’

January 16, 2022: Truth in a World of Error

1 John series message 9

Text: I John 2:18-25

So many applications as we start a new year! Life has been disrupted and many have suffered great loss. Let us resolve to press on in the truth - to know it, to discern error, and live uprightly in this present age - full of love for God and others. May the word of Christ dwell in us richly though the word around promotes error.

January 9, 2022: What NOT to Love

1 John series message 8

Text: 1 John 2:15-17

The Apostle of Love references love 26 times in this short letter. In this instance, he tells us what not to love. We'll determine what he means by "world" and give a clear pathway for our life direction. This is a crucial passage for the church to be intimately familiar with.

December 26, 2021: I Am With You

Advent series message 4

Text: Isaiah 43:2

Isaiah is full of Advent prophecies and comfort for God's people. 2021 has been another difficult year - God's gracious promise is that He will neither leave us nor forsake us in difficult times. Jesus reiterated this by telling us that, as we endeavor to make disciples, He will be with us to the very end.

December 19, 2021: Eternal Life!

2021 Advent series message 3

Text: II Timothy 1:8-12

Through the Advent of Christ, death would be abolished and life and immortality brought to light! Given our assurance of eternal life, we are entreated to suffer for Christ's sake, knowing we have an inheritance laid up for us in heaven.

December 12, 2021: God Is Love

2021 Advent series message 2

Text: I John 4:16

In this message we'll isolate a non-Johanian book of the Bible and see how the concept of love is developed throughout. It provides a compelling presentation of Christ's advent - the purpose and effect it has, as well as the calling on our lives. It is full of hope and encouragement!

December 5, 2021: Light of Life

2021 Advent Series message 1

Text: Isaiah 9:1-7

In the Bible, light often refers to God's glory, purity, and hope. It is particularly used when describing Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and the hope that He brings. On Sunday, we'll survey major Messianic light themes as we celebrate His coming, with an eye to John's application of them in his writings.

November 28, 2021: Gospel Fortitude

1 John series message 7

Text: I John 2:12-14

The elderly apostle dispenses exactly what we need to thrive in our walk with Christ. He doesn't give platitudes or empty promises, but anchors us in glorious gospel truths that reflect our union with Christ. We can take courage and develop confidence as we consider these stupendous declarations.

November 21, 2021: A New Commandment

1 John series message 6

Text: I John 2:7-11

Love, love, love! Our good friend, Cornel, had it right. God is love, so when God’s life is in us, we can expect a godly love for others to be present. This is also something that we can grow in, and be diligent to preserve, within our fellowship.

November 14, 2021: Living in the Light

1 John series message 5

Text: I John 2:3-6

John is very clear in his messaging. If we are in Christ, our life will reflect that. We can't claim to be in the light, and yet, walk in darkness. We don't flesh this all out perfectly, so there is provision for us to confess our sin, and keep walking in the light, as the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. This gives both confidence and comfort as we face trials and temptations, doubts and distractions, and don't always get it right.

October 31, 2021: Missing the Mark

1 John series message 3

Text: I John 1:8 - 2:2

Sin is not a popular notion these days, but the Bible puts sin at the very core of the gospel message. He is faithful to His promises to cleanse us of unrighteousness as we walk with Him. If we say we are without sin we are deceiving ourselves.

October 24, 2021: A Study in Contrasts

1 John series message 2

Text: I John 1:5-7

John will show us from every conceivable angle that there are two groups of people in the world. You are in the Kingdom or you are not. Light and darkness is a theme developed extensively in Scripture. While it is true God transforms us via the new birth, we also need to be reminded to live as children of light.

October 10, 2010: The Unexpected Abundant Life

Text: John 9:39-10:18

Last week we began to look at how we are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus in response to all He has accomplished through His death and resurrection - declaring us holy before God, coheirs with Christ, new creations, and conforming us to the image of Jesus. This is true for every generation of believers until the end of time! So, if this is who we are, how then shall we live? Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly, but how we define abundant life in our culture is very different than the life we see in Scripture. He gives abundant life but it might not be what we were expecting or maybe even wanting.