May 6, 2012
Law and Life
By: Rev. Bob Weeks
Series: Life 101
SERMON TEXT: MATTHEW 5:17-20
We live in an age of confusion when it comes to the commandments of God. While the Ten Commandments are held up as the foundation of many nations' legal codes, most of us would have a hard time naming all ten. We tend to fly by the seat of our pants when it comes to God's will, basing our ethics on the situation at hand, and excusing ourselves from the highest demands of the law while holding others to the most rigorous standards.
This Sunday is a Communion Sunday and we'll meditate on the relationship of love, grace, faith, and law. Rather than proclaiming them at odds and mutually exclusive, Jesus weaves grace and law, forgiveness and holiness together in a way that leads to true righteousness. Come and join us a s we continue on our journey through The Sermon on the Mount and learn the basics of life in the Kingdom.
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- May 6, 2012Law and Life
May 6, 2012Law and LifeBy: Rev. Bob WeeksSeries: Life 101SERMON TEXT: MATTHEW 5:17-20We live in an age of confusion when it comes to the commandments of God. While the Ten Commandments are held up as the foundation of many nations' legal codes, most of us would have a hard time naming all ten. We tend to fly by the seat of our pants when it comes to God's will, basing our ethics on the situation at hand, and excusing ourselves from the highest demands of the law while holding others to the most rigorous standards.This Sunday is a Communion Sunday and we'll meditate on the relationship of love, grace, faith, and law. Rather than proclaiming them at odds and mutually exclusive, Jesus weaves grace and law, forgiveness and holiness together in a way that leads to true righteousness. Come and join us a s we continue on our journey through The Sermon on the Mount and learn the basics of life in the Kingdom.
- Apr 29, 2012Salt and Light
Apr 29, 2012Salt and LightBy: Rev. Bob WeeksSeries: Life 101PDF of Sermon for 4-29-2012_Salt and LightThe greatest threat to authentic discipleship in today's world may be the brick walls of our churches. Rather than shining as lights on a stand (Matthew 5:15), we often take on the nature of secret societies, huddling together in scarcely filled sanctuaries fearing for our future.In this week's portion of The Sermon on The Mount, Jesus paints a contrasting portrait of a people whose actions glorify God as they serve as agents of change shining in the darkness - an image strikingly different from the "escapism" of our culture that encourages us to create "safe spaces" away from the injustice and pain of the world; spaces that keep us away from the very people we are called to serve.I'm excited about this sermon series and the challenge of this passage of Holy Scripture. May we live out Jesus' vision for his church not only in Verona but as we go out into the world with the Gospel!Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
- Apr 22, 2012This is Bliss
Apr 22, 2012This is BlissBy: Rev. Bob WeeksSeries: Life 101
PDF of Sermon Slides: April 22, 2012 - This is Bliss - The Beatitudes
A look at Matthew 5:3-12 and Jesus' beatitudes. These beatitudes ("blessed" or "happy") give us a glimpse into the true nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. You may be surprised at their meanings, their connection to Old Testament prophecies, and how revolutionary these blessings remain in today's world.
Matthew 5:3-10
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Apr 15, 2012The Importance of Focus
Apr 15, 2012The Importance of FocusBy: Rev. Bob WeeksSeries: Life 101
PDF Slides of "Life 101 - The Importance of Focus"
When the basic ethical teaching of Jesus comes in contact with the saving grace of the cross AND the glory of the resurrection, we witness the Christian life in all its grace and glory. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus moves us from the letter of the law to the spirit and intent of the law. It is a series of teachings that no human being can fulfill by mortal power - it is only when we surrender to God's grace and power that the words of Jesus come alive in our lives. This Sunday we'll begin a several-month sermon series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount with a message on "The Importance of Focus." We hope you'll join us for this series of messages on "Life 101: Foundations and directions for life from Jesus."This Sunday's Sermon Text
Matthew 4:23-5:2 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[a] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.Matthew 5Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount 1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. - Salt and Light
Salt and LightBy: Rev. Bob WeeksSeries: Life 101The greatest threat to authentic discipleship in today's world may be the brick walls of our churches. Rather than shining as lights on a stand (Matthew 5:15), we often take on the nature of secret societies, huddling together in scarcely filled sanctuaries fearing for our future.In this week's portion of The Sermon on The Mount, Jesus paints a contrasting portrait of a people whose actions glorify God as they serve as agents of change shining in the darkness - an image strikingly different from the "escapism" of our culture that encourages us to create "safe spaces" away from the injustice and pain of the world; spaces that keep us away from the very people we are called to serve.I'm excited about this sermon series and the challenge of this passage of Holy Scripture. May we live out Jesus' vision for his church not only in Verona but as we go out into the world with the Gospel!Grace and peace, Pastor Bob