Standing Firm for Hard Conversations
Hard conversations are just that...hard. They're hard, because there's often lots of potential drama, or relational fallout that come with hard conversations. When God calls on us to be willing to say hard things, and have hard conversations--confronting sin or false beliefs with God's truth--will we be able to stand firm? Or will we play the role of the "ostrich," burying our heads in the sand, and pretending not to notice? We look to an account of the life of the Apostle Paul for encouragement, and a reminder of our motivation for these hard conversations!
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- Sep 10, 2023Standing Firm for Hard ConversationsStanding Firm for Hard ConversationsHard conversations are just that...hard. They're hard, because there's often lots of potential drama, or relational fallout that come with hard conversations. When God calls on us to be willing to say hard things, and have hard conversations--confronting sin or false beliefs with God's truth--will we be able to stand firm? Or will we play the role of the "ostrich," burying our heads in the sand, and pretending not to notice? We look to an account of the life of the Apostle Paul for encouragement, and a reminder of our motivation for these hard conversations!
- Sep 3, 2023The Necessity of the CrossThe Necessity of the CrossCrosses are certainly shocking, brutal, painful devices. And yet, Jesus points out the necessity of the cross--both his cross, and the crosses he says we must carry as Christians who would follow him. What are these crosses in our lives? And why are they necessary? Watch Pastor Troy's sermon to find out more!
- Aug 27, 2023The All-Important QuestionThe All-Important QuestionThere are a lot of important questions in life that we need to answer, and depending on our answers, those questions can have massive impact and implications on our lives. However, there is one all-important question we have to answer-- Who is Jesus? How you answer that question completely changes your life, and your eternity. So Jesus asks, "What about you? Who do you say I am?"
- Aug 6, 2023Reckless PatienceReckless PatiencePatience is a virtue that people value, and desire to have. But is it ever possible to be too patient? Can patience sometimes be reckless, in a negative way? In the story that Jesus tells today, he pictures God displaying what some might call "reckless" patience. Is God too patient with people who don't deserve it? Watch Pastor Troy's sermon to find out more about God's reckless patience, and how it leads us to be more patient in our lives as well!
- Jul 30, 2023Let’s Get Real!Let’s Get Real!Many non-Christians would describe American Christians using words like judgmental, hypocritical, or self-righteous. As Christians, we might be tempted to get defensive, or brush off such opinions as ridiculous. But might it be good to do some soul-searching to identify if there are ways that Christians are giving that impression? Largely, it will depend on whether we're being "real" in our lives of faith, or whether we're insincere. Listen as Jesus tells a story that forces his listeners to wrestle with that question: Is my spiritual life real? Or fake? Sincere? Or insincere? And how can we "get real" in our lives of faith?
- Jul 23, 2023God Isn’t FairGod Isn’t FairWe all want things to be fair. Especially when we feel like we aren't the ones who are being treated fairly! That's why it might seem strange that Jesus tells a story that paints God as seemingly "not fair." However, the fact that God isn't fair, in the way the world views fairness, is the best news possible for us! Watch Pastor Troy's sermon to find out more!
- Jul 2, 2023The Compassion of the Christ(ian)The Compassion of the Christ(ian)When we see someone that is hopeless and helpless due to sad physical circumstances, we feel compassion for them and have a desire to help. In today's sermon text, we also see Jesus' compassion for the crowds. But it wasn't just because of physical circumstances that he felt such compassion for them. And he didn't just feel compassion for them, he took action to show compassion to them! One way he did that, and does it still today is through the Holy Ministry of God's Church!
- Jun 25, 2023The Confidence to Be ConfessionalThe Confidence to Be ConfessionalOn June 25, 1530, a gathering of religious and political leaders took place in Augsburg, Germany. What happened at that gathering has caused repercussions for us, even 493 years later! Watch Pastor Troy's sermon to find out what more, and how that gathering impacts us still today!
- Jun 4, 2023Too Inconceivable to IgnoreToo Inconceivable to IgnoreGod tells us some pretty inconceivable things about himself in his Word. One of them is what we celebrate today--the Holy Trinity; that there is only one God, but that one God exists as three distinct, separate, and equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For many people, the inconceivable nature of such a teaching is a dealbreaker. But in Pastor Troy's sermon, he points out why the inconceivable nature of such a teaching isn't a dealbreaker, but rather, a comfort and encouragement that this doctrine can make us that much more certain he is the one true God!
- May 30, 2023Unity, Diversity, UnityUnity, Diversity, UnityOn Pentecost, we celebrate the gift that keeps on giving, as the Holy Spirit, first poured out on Jesus' followers that day, continues to give diverse gifts to His people. And we get to use those gifts to bring more people into the unity of faith in Jesus--the greatest gift that the Holy Spirit gives!
