Category Archives: Sermons

God The Builder (2 Samuel 7)

Posted on September 6, 2021 by salooper57

2 Samuel 7 has been called “one of the most important chapters in the Bible.” Here we explore its importance to the biblical story of Jesus and to our lives.

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Asking Questions of John 3: What Does Jesus Mean by “Be Born Again?”

Posted on August 27, 2021 by salooper57

What on earth does Jesus mean when he talks about being born again? The answer to that question needs to be clearly grasped, and so merits study and careful thought. For now, let me say this: to be born again … Continue reading →

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The Original “Nick at Night”: Asking Questions of John 3

Posted on August 25, 2021 by salooper57

In John 3, a man named Nicodemus comes to see Jesus. Nicodemus is a mid-level celebrity in ancient Israel, a respected scholar and prominent national leader. As far as we can tell, he’s a stand-up kind of guy. He’s got … Continue reading →

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How to Seek the Kingdom

Posted on August 22, 2021 by salooper57

…if we don’t give priority to seeking his kingdom, we’ll never find it. “Seek second the kingdom and his righteousness” and you’ll be wasting your time. But that’s the way God intended it. The half-hearted, the religious dabbler, the spiritual dilettante never see the kingdom. “The kingdom of heaven,” Jesus once said, “is like a treasure hidden in a field.” Any number of people can pass right by it and never know it’s there. It is the one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness that is filled, not the one who nibbles at it. It is “he who seeks [who] finds,” not he who daydreams. Continue reading →

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You Can Take “It” With You

Posted on August 19, 2021 by salooper57

I have often heard people say, usually in an appeal to evangelize, “The only thing you can take with you to heaven is another soul.” But that is not quite true. You can take a bigger soul with you – … Continue reading →

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The Kingdom Commission

Posted on August 15, 2021 by salooper57

Earth is in a civil war – a spiritual war, really, though we must understand that spiritual means more than religious, or mystical or emotional. Spirit is un-bodied personal power, and earth is caught in a cosmic struggle between opposing … Continue reading →

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Story Within a Story: Bringing Your Story into God’s Story

Posted on August 9, 2021 by salooper57

This sermon follows the stories of Saul and David in 1 Samuel. Saul does not recognize the larger story and insists on being the sole contributor and final authority on his story. David, however, shows us how we can collaborate … Continue reading →

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It Cannot Bear to Admire, Respect, or Be Grateful

Posted on August 4, 2021 by salooper57

Envy is a terrible thing. It is one of the chief sources of evil in the world. Here are some of the things the Bible says about envy: It can destroy someone (Job 5:2); it will steal a person’s peace … Continue reading →

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Formed and Deformed: the Spiritual Formation of David

Posted on July 27, 2021 by salooper57
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David and Goliath: Seeing Beyond the Appearances

Posted on July 18, 2021 by salooper57

(We had technical problems this week and so the video is not yet – and may never be – available. If we can get audio or video, I will post it later in the week.) This one of the most … Continue reading →

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