Worship - Sermons
February 12, 2012 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - Seventh Sunday After the Epiphany/Transfiguration Sunday
“How to See God’s Glory Exodus 34:29-35
- God’s glorious law scares away sinners.
- God’s glorious gospel returns us to God.
- God’s reflected glory needs renewing in us.
February 12, 2012 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany
“Share God, Not Idols” 1 Corinthians 10:19 - 11:1
- Use freely what comes from God.
- Use freedom to do what is good for others.
- Jesus keeps us free by his salvation.
“How to Know God” Isaiah 40:21-31
- God shows power as creator of the stars.
- God shows wisdom as ruler of grasshoppers.
- God shows grace as Lord who lifts eagles.
January 29, 2012 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
“Who Speaks for God?” Deuteronomy 18:15-20
- God speaks to reluctant hearers.
- God speaks through people like us.
- God speaks as one of us in Jesus.
January 22, 2012 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Third Sunday After the Epiphany
“Jesus Makes Us Different” Mark 1:14-20
- Jesus comes to bad with a message of good.
- Jesus comes to us with a gracious choice.
- Jesus comes to make us to be like him.
January 15, 2012 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - Second Sunday After the Epiphany
“Hear and Answer” 1 Samuel 3:1-20
- Respond with attention to God’s word.
- Respond with obedience to what God says.
- Respond by repeating to others.
- Respond with seeking God’s mercy.
“God Shows Up at Baptism” Mark 1:4-11
- John’s baptism shows that we are sinners.
- Jesus’ baptism shows he is God.
- Jesus’ baptism for us shows we are loved.
January 6, 2012 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - Epiphany
January 1, 2012 (MP3) (PDF Text) - New Years Day
“God Starts Right Away” Luke 2:21
- Circumcision served to begin God’s covenant
- Jesus’ circumcision begins his service.
- God’s covenant begins our lives of service.
December 25, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Christmas Day
December 24, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Christmas Eve
"The Christ Child Changes Our Way of Life" Titus 2:11-14
- We may need to change our expectatons.
- God’s ways are different from the world’s.
- Jesus’ coming makes a change in our lives.
December 18, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Fourth Sunday in Advent
“God’s Mystery Gift: the Gospel” Romans 16:26-27
- God calls us to the obedience of faith.
- God gives us strength through the gospel.
- God gets the glory and we get the blessing.
December 11, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Third Sunday in Advent
“Bringing a Clear Message” John 1:6-8, 19-28
- We are commissioned to witness to the light.
- We must confess that we are not the focus.
- We can be clear about what Christ does.
December 7, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Midweek Advent Service
“The Christchild Changes Sin’s Ruin in the Kingdom” 2 Samuel 7:17, 11b-16
- David’s sinful seed ruins his family & kingdom.
- God gives a new child who renews the kingdom.
December 4, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Second Sunday in Advent
A New Beginning” Mark 1:1-8
- We are found out in the wilderness.
- We are led to total reliance on God.
- Jesus brings us back to God.
November 30, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Midweek Advent Service
“The Christ Child Changes the Devil’s Ruin in the Garden” Genesis 3:8-15
- The Devil’s deceptions drive us to despair.
- Christ’s love gives hope despite pain.
November 27, 2011 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - First Sunday in Advent
God Gently Asks to Give us Gifts” Mark 11:1-10
- Jesus coming uses humble means, like us.
- Jesus’ coming calls a glad response from us.
- Jesus’ coming brings freeing blessings to us.
November 23, 2011 (MP3- not available) (PDF Text) - Thanksgiving Eve
“Stress Thanksgiving” Philippians 4:6-20
- Stress God’s Power.
- Stress God’s Blessings.
- Stress Opportunities.
November 20, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Last Sunday of the Church Year
“Doing Service for Jesus” Matthew 25:31-46
- Service is seen as a sign of faith.
- Jesus sees us as those who serve him.
- We see Jesus as the one who serves us.
November 6, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - All Saints Sunday
“Dress Rehearsal for Heaven” Revelation 7:9-17
- Saints worship God, the source of blessings.
- Saints worship God when washed by Jesus.
- Saints worship where God puts his presence.
October 30, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Reformation Sunday
Proclaim the Eternal Gospel” Revelation 14:6-7
- God’s Gospel from heaven remains eternally.
- The Gospel is for everyone on earth.
- God’s messenger proclaims the gospel.
October 16, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Who’s Is This?” Matthew 22:15-22
- It is right to return respect to authority.
- It is right to return blessings to God.
- Being returned to God’s image makes us right.
October 9, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 17th Sunday after Pentecost
October 2, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 16th Sunday after Pentecost
“Living on the Edge” Philippians 3:4b-14
- Pushing the edge on our own is risky
- Being with Jesus gives an extreme makeover.
- We live pressing on to the edge of eternity
September 25, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 15th Sunday after Pentecost
“What Gives You the Right?” Matthew 21:23-32
- God gives Jesus the right to do what he does.
- God gives us the call to do what is right.
- God gives righteousness through repentance
September 18, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 14th Sunday after Pentecost
“Do a Double Take” Matthew 20:1-16
- God gives us all we need for daily life.
• God gives us all work to do in his kingdom.
• God gives us all extravagant grace.
September 11, 2011 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - 13th Sunday after Pentecost
“Never Forget” Psalm 103:1-12
- Make known God’s ways to others.
- Watch for weakness in doing right.
- Watch how God saves through suffering.
September 4, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 12th Sunday after Pentecost
Doing All that is Due Romans 13:1-10
- Authorities are God’s tools for our good.
- We owe authorities obedience out of love.
- God himself provides all we need and owe.
August 28, 2011 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - 11th Sunday after Pentecost
“God’s Servant Has a Tough Life” Jeremiah 15:15-21
- Knowing God’s word brings rejoicing.
- Following God’s word brings reproach.
- Relying on God’s word brings restoration.
August 7, 2011 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - 8th Sunday after Pentecost
“Learning to Walk in Faith” Matthew 14:22-33
- Jesus pushes us to exercise faith in his will.
- Jesus calls to challenges of faith in his care.
- Jesus lifts us to saving faith in him as God.
July 31, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 7th Sunday after Pentecost
“What a Deal!” Isaiah 55:1-5
- Whoa! God promises us priceless gifts.
- Ufda! Why waste work on what is worthless?
- Wow! David’s descendant offers a great deal.
- Ahoy! This abundance is available to all.
July 17, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 6th Sunday after Pentecost
“Is It Worth It?” Matthew 13:44-52
- We find God’s treasure gives our lives worth.
- Jesus finds us worth his great sacrifice.
- We find salvation worth sharing with others.
July 10, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 5th Sunday after Pentecost
“Accept No Imitations” Isaiah 44:6-8
- Follow the King, not imitation lords.
- Rely on the Redeemer, not generic salvation.
- Look to a lasting Rock, not temporary future.
July 3, 2011 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - 4th Sunday after Pentecost
“Live Not as Slaves but Sons” Romans 8:12-17
- Slavery to flesh leads to fear and death.
- The Spirit leads us to sonship with Christ.
- God’s children go through suffering to glory.
June 19, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
June 12, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Day of Pentecost
June 5, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Seventh Sunday of Easter
“When You Suffer…” 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11
- Rejoice that you share in what Christ does.
- Submit to God and resist the devil.
- God will strengthen and restore you.
May 29, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Sixth Sunday of Easter
“What Do You Have to Say For Yourself?” 1 Peter 3:13-22
- We answer suffering with hope and gentleness.
- We answer our conscience with trust in Jesus.
- Jesus answers for our sins with his work for us.
May 22, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Fifth Sunday of Easter
“God’s Building Plan” 1 Peter 2:2–10
- Babies thirst for growing up by God’s milk.
- People are built up for showing God’s might.
- We are lifted up by knowing God’s mercy.
May 15, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Fourth Sunday of Easter
“Where the Shepherd Leads” 1 Peter 2:19-25
- Jesus leads straying sheep to sanctification.
- Jesus sometimes leads us through suffering.
- Jesus, our substitute, leads to salvation.
May 8, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Third Sunday of Easter
“Fuel for Faith” Luke 24:13-35
- Heavy hearts need more than miracles.
- Slow hearts need the scriptures opened.
- Burning hearts see Jesus in fellowship.
May 1, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Second Sunday of Easter
“Peace Be With You” John 20:19-31
- Jesus presence brings peace to the fearful.
- Jesus’ word brings peace to the doubtful.
- Jesus’ servants bring peace to the sinful.
April 24, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Easter
“It’s All About Life” John 20:3-9
- We have ways of life that lead to death.
- Jesus’ way of death leads to life.
April 22, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Good Friday
It’s All About Death” Acts 2:22-24, 37-38
April 21, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Maundy Friday
April 17, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - Palm Sunday
“This One Was with Jesus” Matthew 26:71
- Being with Jesus is risky.
- Being with Jesus is challenging.
- Being with Jesus is a blessing.
“Dying for Life” John 11:17-27, 38-53
- Jesus uses Lazarus’ death to bring new life.
- God uses Lazarus’ life to bring Jesus death.
- God uses Jesus’ death to bring us to life.
April 3, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 4th Sunday in Lent
“Living With Light” Ephesians 5:8-14
- Being full of darkness is unfruitful.
- Walking with light leads to goodness.
- The light of Christ gives us life.
March 27, 2011 (MP3 - not available ) (PDF Text) - 3rd Sunday in Lent
“Benefits of Faith” Romans 5:1-8
- We have peace and rejoice in God’s glory.
- We endure and benefit from suffering.
- We receive undeserved love from Christ.
March 20, 2011 (MP3 - not available ) (PDF Text) - 2nd Sunday in Lent
“Faith Counts” Romans 4:1-8, 13-17
- We want to count as good people.
- Faith counts as righteousness.
- All with faith count as God’s family.
“God’s Word Wins” Matthew 4:1-11
- Jesus trusts God’s word to provide.
- Jesus submits his will to God’s plans.
- Jesus suffers to fulfill God’s promise.
March 6, 2011 (MP3 ) (PDF Text) - Transfiguration Sunday
“It all Belongs to God” Psal. 24:, The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein
- We aside a portion of our treasure for God's work.
- We think the rest belongs to us.
- ALL that we are and have is the Lord's.
February 20, 2011 (MP3 ) (PDF Text) - 7th Sunday After Epiphany
“Investing in Futures” 1 Corinthians 3:10-16
- God calls us to invest in building his temple.
- Investments bring risks and rewards.
- God guarantees the foundation of Christ.
Sermon Scripture Text: “God Gives Growth” 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
- God is a generous giver of all good.
- God gives us growth in joyful serving.
- We enjoy blessings as God gives growth.
February 6, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 5th Sunday After Epiphany
Sermon Scripture Text: Matthew 5:13
- You are precious preservative in the world
- You have power in appealing words & deeds
- You are purified by Jesus’ perfection
Sermon Scripture Text: Matthew 5:1–12
- We can have difficulties without despair
- We can do good without being greedy
- We can suffer and still be saved by Jesus
January 23, 2011 (MP3 - not available) (PDF Text) - 3rd Sunday After Epiphany
Sermon Scripture Text:
January 16, 2011 (MP3) (PDF Text) - 2nd Sunday After Epiphany/Life Sunday
Sermon Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1–9
- God's will calls us to roles as his servants.
- God's grace calls us to be enriched saints.
- God's faithfulness calls us into relationship.
Pastor Vance Becker
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