Archived Sermon Recordings
Series: God on Display
january - February 2019
In the Christmas accounts, God appears as a man. During the season of Epiphany, Jesus, the man, appears as God. In this series we will look at how different characteristics of God are revealed in the person of Jesus. With that growing clarity of who God is and how he sees us, we go away changed: thrilled by his generosity, relieved by his mercy, driven by his delight, encouraged by his power, confident in his design, relieved of fear by his presence; our anxiety is diminished because he is trustworthy, and we are at peace with him because of his forgiveness.
Part 1: his Generosity // ephesians 3:2-12
Jesus reveals that God has boundless riches that are now available to us in Christ, leaving us thrilled by God’s generosity.
Part 2: his Mercy // Luke 3:15-18, 21-22
Through his baptism, Jesus reveals that God was willing to not only associate with sinners but also take their place in the inevitable judgment against sin, leaving us relieved by his mercy.
PART 3: His Delight // Isaiah 62:1-5
God’s delight is reflected in the new name he gives us, and that delight drives us to continue to know him better and to live freed and for him.
PART 4: HIS POWER // LUKE 4:14-21
Jesus displays God’s intended use of power: it’s distributed for the benefit of others.
Part 5: His Design // Jeremiah 1:4-10
God’s design gives us the confidence to keep moving forward, guided by his Word, guided by his Spirit.
Part 6: His Presence // Judges 13:6-24
God’s presence assures us that we are forgiven (righteous) and empowered.
Part 7: His Trustworthiness // Jeremiah 17:5-8
God’s trustworthiness makes us bold and confident and reduces fear and anxiety.
PART 8: HIS FORGIVENESS // GENESIS 45:3-8, 15
God’s forgiveness gives me the willingness to forgive.
PART 9: HIS Glory // luke 9:28-36
God’s glory is uncovering the King who came for us and cares for us.
Series: Changing Expectations
DECEMBER 2018
God promised a mighty Deliverer. The expectations of what that Deliverer would look like and what that Deliverer would do were completely shifted when God fulfilled his promises.
Week 1: A Righteous Branch // Jeremiah 33:14-16
The Jewish expectation for the Messiah was that he would be a good king, like David. But David was also ruthless when his personal desires overtook him: he was a murderer, a philanderer, and an artful and scheming thief. God, through Jeremiah, promised, “I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line.” The surprising fulfillment was a human “branch” from David’s line, but he was not only good in some aspects of his life, he was perfect in everything! He was Jesus.
Week 2: A Refiner // Malachi 3:1-4
Some Jews—the Pharisees and teachers of the Law—expected a Messiah who would be pleased with their outward expressions and right acts—their performance. But Jesus called these religious performers “hypocrites” because those actions meant nothing when the inside was still polluted. The Messiah they got was one who would purify them from the inside out.
Week 3: A Babe // Micah 5:2-5a
Both wise Eastern sages and King Herod expected a king from Jerusalem, the royal city. But God chose a different route to deliver the King to this fallen earth. He picked a remote village and set the King in a cattle’s feed trough, not a throne.
CHRISTMAS EVE: The Eternal Life // 1 John 1:1-9
The Jewish expectation was more and more centered around a better earthly life. They were hoping for a leader who would make their earthly life better. When the Messiah showed up to fulfill God’s ancient promise, he came as the giver of eternal life - he was the Life.