Sermons
This year’s messages are part of this year’s theme, “Come See What Love Can Do.” Below you’ll find the sermons for 2018, along with Scripture passages. Sermons are by Lead Pastor Doyle Sager except where noted. Schedule is subject to change.
You can watch, listen to or download sermons on the Sermon Archive page under the Worship tab. Watch the sermon video, right-click on “Download the MP3” and select “Save Link As.” Or, click the “Download the Sermon” button to download a sermon transcript in PDF form, which includes a link to audio/video streaming. A link to the key Scripture passage is also included.
Want to purchase or borrow a recording? CDs and DVDs of the service are available for purchase by contacting the church office. Audio and video recordings are available for checkout through our media center.
| January 7-28, 2018 Sermon Series: The (Second) Greatest Love Story Ever Told Resources: The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Both are also available through the church media library.) |
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| January 7 | Everyone’s in This Story Luke 15:11-32 There is no place like home and no drama quite like finding it. |
| January 14 | The Younger Son Luke 15:11-32 Our rebellion, shame and self-hatred imprison us until we turn for home. |
| January 21 | The Older Son Luke 15:11-32 Good people aren’t always nice people. |
| January 28 | The Father Luke 15:11-32 God’s love is patient, fierce and much more than we think it is. |
| February 4 | God’s Refreshing Presence Isaiah 40:21-31 Good news for weary souls…God lifts us on eagles’ wings. Lord’s Supper served (More about the Lord’s Supper) |
| February 11 | Jesus Shines Brighter 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Jesus Christ is unequalled in his capacity to transform life, even into eternity. |
| February 18-March 25 Lenten Sermon Series Love’s Sorrow |
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| February 18 | Grieving Our Sin and Shame Lamentations 1:1-12,16 Only when we name the present reality of sin and its consequences can there be grace. |
| February 25 | Celebration: Associate Pastor of Worship Rod Maples’s 20th Anniversary |
| March 4 | Grieving Our Broken World Lamentations 2:1-9; 4:4-6 Perhaps communal tears must come before we can ever find answers to our local and global maladies. |
| March 11 | Grieving Our Many Losses Lamentations 3:1-24 Life is a series of losses; grief accumulates. |
| March 18 | Grieving Our Way to Deeper Faith Lamentations 3:25-36, 55-57 Only when the floodgate of tears opens up are we able to make room for God’s comfort and the Spirit’s new work |
| March 25 | In the Shadow of the Cross—Worship in Minor Key Lamentations 5:1-22 At the Cross, we wait for God to redeem all our suffering. |
| April 1 | Easter Sunday Resurrection—Love’s Great Reversal Acts 10:34-43 Lord’s Supper served (More about the Lord’s Supper) |
| April 8 | Youth Sunday Sharing messages: Marie Gillam, Burke Craighead and Hanna Watson |
| April 15 | Turn Around! Acts 3:12-21 Repentance is always the way back to God and authentic living. |
| April 22 | Loving Through Words and Deeds 1 John 3:16-24 Our works of love in Jesus’ name are our loudest sermons. |
| April 29 | Mission JC: Being the church in the city |
| May 6 | Special Sunday of Shared Worship with Familia Cristiana Internacional (FCI) Speaker: FCI Pastor Noah Angel |
| May 13-27 Sermon Series Twisted Love—Family Secrets, Lies and Heartaches Domestic Violence, Abuse, Rape and Trauma resources can be found here or downloaded as a PDF handout. Access sermons on our archives page. |
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| May 13 | Bullies and Controllers (Mother’s Day) 2 Samuel 12:1-10 When one person’s power and privilege dominate the family, abusive relationships follow. |
| May 20 | Surviving Rape and Abuse (Pentecost Sunday) 2 Samuel 13:1-19 Perpetrators of sexual and physical abuse must be named and exposed and victims must be given space to heal. |
| May 27 | Silent, Seething Anger 2 Samuel 13:20-39 Unspoken and unresolved anger can rip families apart. |
| June 3 | Summer Music Celebration Lord’s Supper served (More about the Lord’s Supper) |
| June 10 | When I Am in Deep Trouble Psalm 138 God’s grip on us is stronger in tough times. Message: Melissa Hatfield Some resources were mentioned in this message: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for any crisis, text HOME to 741741 to get response from someone who cares. |
| June 17 | Living for the Right Stuff 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Eternity provides a helpful perspective for weighing priorities. |
| June 24 | No Good Deed Goes Unpunished 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Doing Christ’s work is not easy, and serving brings suffering. |
| July 1 | Joy Comes in the Morning Psalm 30:1-5 After a night of fear and terror, morning brings a sweetness and joy. |
| July 8 | The Frightening Power of “No” Mark 6:1-13 God has endowed us with a terrifying freedom of choice, to reject Jesus’ presence and work if we so choose. Message: Hannah Coe |
| July 15 | When Kingdoms Clash Mark 6:14-29 Obedience to God inevitably leads to a struggle for allegiance and a clash of values. |
| July 22 | No Longer Strangers and Aliens Ephesians 2:11-22 In the Cross of Christ, God fashions a family stronger than human divisions. |
| July 29 | Our Prayers Are Too Small Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul models for us a deeper and more powerful way to pray for people we love. |
| August 5 | Whoever Comes Will Never Hunger John 6:24-35 The world offers empty spiritual calories; Jesus offers nourishment. Lord’s Supper served (More about the Lord’s Supper) |
| August 12-September 2 Sermon Series God’s Liberating Love |
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| August 12 | Why Stuck-Up Religious People Need Grace Galatians 1:6-24 Spiritual pride may be the deadliest of all sins. |
| August 19 | Overcoming Our Perfection Addiction Galatians 2:19-3:6 How foolish, to try to score points and earn God’s love. |
| August 26 | In Christ—Leaving Behind Our Us-Them Ways Galatians 3:23-29 Belonging to Christ is our highest, noblest identity. |
| September 2 | Freedom from Judging Others and Being Judged Galatians 4:12-20; 6:11-15 Grace for our struggles with self-worth, boundaries and hyper-critical spirits. |
| September 9-30 Sermon Series Learning to Love God’s Way |
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| September 9 | Without Love, It’s All Just Hot Air 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Without love, our very best efforts evaporate. |
| September 16 | Love Has a Secret Energy Source 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a With Christ’s power, love nouns become love verbs. |
| September 23 | Love Is the End Game 1 Corinthians 13:8b-13 Love will still be present when history ends and all else disappears. |
| September 30 | Love Is Not a Plaque on the Wall 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Christ is calling us to become a laboratory of love. |
| October 7 | Jesus, The Imprint of God’s Being Hebrews 1:1-4 Jesus is everything God has to say to us. Lord’s Supper served (More about the Lord’s Supper) |
| October 14 | The God of Also Acts 10:34-35 A Conversation on Race with Guest speaker: Dr. Terrell Carter Presentation PDFs: Roots of Racial Division Discussion on Multiracial/Multiethnic Congregations |
| October 21 | Love’s Call to Serve Mark 10:35-45 God’s love requires that we let go of our egos and put others’ needs first. |
| October 28 | Love’s Call to See Mark 12:28-34 God’s love requires that we let go of our way of seeing and ask for Jesus’ eyes. |
| November 4-18 Sermon Series Loving God Through Faithful Giving |
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| November 4 | Loving God’s Creation Genesis 1:1-26; 2:15; Jeremiah 2:7 God holds us accountable for the stewardship of all creation. See additional scripture passages about caring for God’s creation. |
| November 11 | Loving God and Neighbor Deuteronomy 6:1-12 Loving God and neighbor require concrete actions. |
| November 18 | Loving God’s Mission Romans 15:20-29 Coming into a relationship with Christ means we take on his passion through sacrificially giving. |
| November 25 | Prophet, Priest and King Revelation 1:1-8 The church is always nourished by Jesus Christ, who fulfills his divine roles. |
| December 2-23 Advent Sermon Series Christmas Thieves |
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| December 2 | Christmas Joy Christmas Musical featuring Orchestra and Adult Choir Lord’s Supper served (More about the Lord’s Supper) |
| December 9 | Busyness — Partying Without Celebration Luke 21:34-38 Overstuffed holiday schedules rob us of joy, peace and time for reflection. |
| December 16 | Shallowness — Church Without Life Change Luke 3:1-14 Are we paying lip service to the spiritual meaning of the season or truly keeping Christ at the center? |
| December 23 | Loneliness — Crowds Without Connection Luke 1:39-45 Holy seasons only become rich when they are experienced in community. |
| December 30 | Christmas–The Sequel Luke 2:15-21 |