March 8, 2020
Our Lenten sermon series continues this Sunday with a look at Matthew 6:5-18 as Jesus calls us to prayer and fasting with hearts focused on our Heavenly Father. The hypocrisy of those who practiced public religion for the praise of others was a central concern for Jesus and remains a strong cautionary note for Christians today.
Besides the dangers of hypocrisy, what other concerns should we have in our modern age? I would point to a general trend in modern life that discourages the sacrifice of time and worldly pleasures for spiritual growth. While the Bible and God's Spirit call us to spend time in prayer and contemplation, the world often tries to drown out that call with the endless demands of self-indulgence and -gratification.
The Way of Jesus is the way to true freedom. Freedom from the things that enslave us. Freedom to see and experience life the way God intended. By spending time in prayer and freeing ourselves from our addiction to this world's counterfeit pleasures, we can begin to find the joy and peace that come only through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bob
Matthew 6:5-18
- Mar 8, 2020Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and Fasting
March 8, 2020
Our Lenten sermon series continues this Sunday with a look at Matthew 6:5-18 as Jesus calls us to prayer and fasting with hearts focused on our Heavenly Father. The hypocrisy of those who practiced public religion for the praise of others was a central concern for Jesus and remains a strong cautionary note for Christians today.
Besides the dangers of hypocrisy, what other concerns should we have in our modern age? I would point to a general trend in modern life that discourages the sacrifice of time and worldly pleasures for spiritual growth. While the Bible and God's Spirit call us to spend time in prayer and contemplation, the world often tries to drown out that call with the endless demands of self-indulgence and -gratification.
The Way of Jesus is the way to true freedom. Freedom from the things that enslave us. Freedom to see and experience life the way God intended. By spending time in prayer and freeing ourselves from our addiction to this world's counterfeit pleasures, we can begin to find the joy and peace that come only through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bob
Matthew 6:5-18
- Mar 1, 2020Salt & Light
Salt & Light
March 1, 2020
Driving home from our Ash Wednesday service this evening, I was struck by the abundance of light in our modern world. For almost all of human history, the darkness of night was overwhelming and unconquerable. Fires generated by wood and oils could bring some comfort, but most people lived half their lives in virtual darkness.
Salt is another item we take for granted in today's world that was once an invaluable item for food preservation and seasoning... so valuable that Roman soldiers were paid a "salary" (from the Latin word for salt) which allowed them to buy salt, an expensive but essential commodity.
Given the distinctive value of salt and light in ancient times, is it any wonder that Jesus would use both to illustrate the central characteristics of his followers? Like salt, their lives should bring distinctive, sustaining value to the lives of others. Like light, their lives should bring illumination to the lives of others so that they may see God's path for their lives.
How can you and I bring value to the lives of others? How can we be salt and light in a world that needs Jesus more than ever? Our Lenten sermon series continues this Sunday with a look at Matthew 5 and Jesus' call for us to be "Salt and Light."
Pastor Bob
Matthew 5:13-16