God's people are to be marked by an honor for their parents. Having been drawn into the family of God by adoption, the Christian obligation to honor is much wider than mere biology. And the ramifications are huge: Unless we honor our earthly parents, we cannot rightly claim to honor our heavenly Parent.
Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11)
We again accept apologies as we failed to record this week's sermon. Adjustments in our A/V setup are causing some (hopefully) temporary glitches.
The Name (Exodus 20:7)
Many of us were taught not to "swear," that it was somehow inappropriate--though we didn't know why--to shout "God" or "Jesus Christ" in frustration. Is that really what it means to take the name of the Lord in vain? Or is there something a lot deeper? (Note: Sermon audio forthcoming.)
An Old Couple and Their Laughter (Genesis 21:1-7)
Laugher can be a mark of scorn, surprise, and unbridled joy. The story of Isaac's birth is a story of laughter in many forms that points us to our greatest joy and contentment in Jesus Christ.
5 Keys to Disciple Making (Matthew 28:16-20)
How to be go about making disciples? Jesus gives us the guidelines in Matthew 28:16-20. How are you engaged in making disciples?
Idols (Exodus 20:4-6)
God tells the Israelites to not make a graven image. What does that mean for us today? Does it have any relevance? In short, yes. Idolatry is the perverse desire to domesticate deity, and it is an ever-present danger for us.
Other Gods (Exodus 20:1-3)
Are the 10 Commandments to be celebrated or reviled? Cherished or rejected? We begin a series on the 10 Commandments and look at what it means to have no other gods.
Approaching a Righteous God
The Patriarch, Abraham, pleads with God to save the residents of Sodom. How do we approach a righteous God when we we ourselves are so unrighteous?
On and Off the Beaten Path
As Christians, we're "prone to wander... prone to leave the God" we love, as the old hymn goes. Because of that danger, we're called to bring each other back.
Things We Pray For
As James' letter draws to a close, he emphasizes that prayer is the basic posture of the Christian life. Prayer is for everything, but he makes a special note about healing and forgiveness.