July 18, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

June 27, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

June 27, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating andRelationships

June 20, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating andRelationships

June 13, 2010 Sermon by Dave Matt

June 6, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating andRelationships

May 30, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

May 23, 2010 Sermon by Aaron Adams

May 16, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

May 9, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

May 2, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

April 25, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

April 18, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

April 11, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.". Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”- 1 John 3:16

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." John 20: 19-23

You've heard the good news. You believed. Now, receive the Holy Spirit, and forgive.

"This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6: 9-13

When Jesus stood up, He said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, Lord," she answered. "Neither do I condemn you," said Jesus. "Go, and from now on do not sin any more." John 8:10-11

It is Good Friday. The day Christ took on our shame and guilt and died for our sins. Remember him and the grace that is given us. Thank him for forgiving our sins. Thank him for triumphing over the power of death. Thank him for a new life in us. Go, and sin no more.

Today, go to the Good Friday service.

Two thousand years ago on a Sunday morning, Jesus resurrected from the dead, triumphed over death. You who have heard the good news, believed.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4 

Today, go to Community Night, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-32

…rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer… Rom. 12:12.

Wednesday of Passion Week: the religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus while Judas agrees to betray Him. The gospel writers are silent about what Jesus did while His death was being plotted. Undoubtedly, He was devoted to prayer. Today, rejoice, persevere, and pray.

Tuesday of Passion Week, Jesus taught in the temple.  The chief priests and the elders question Him and seeking to trap Him in a statement. (cf. questioning authority, Lk. 20:1-8, and tribute to Ceaser, Lk. 20:19-26)  Jesus discerned that they were not really seeking truth.  Therefore, he was illusive and veiled in His answers. He continued to teach the people in parables. 

Jesus said in Mt. 7:8., “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened”.  Today seek the Lord in truth.

March 28, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

Today is Monday of Passion Week. It is traditionally recognized as the day the Jesus cleansed the Temple. Jesus showed righteous indignation at how the “house of prayer” had been turned into “den of thieves.” Jesus was angry at the hypocrisy of how the temple was treated. Today, we are the temple of the Lord. Be angry about your own hypocrisy. Cleanse your temple through repentance.

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Col. 3:8

Today, practice gentleness, forgiveness, kindness and speaking words of encouragement.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Col. 3:12-13.

Paul is calling us to “put on a heart of compassion, ect.” He is saying that we can and should choose to have these qualities. The reason he gives is that we have been chosen by God. We are set apart. We are loved and forgiven. It is in this knowledge that we are freed to put on a new heart. Today, choose compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16.

Have you ever had a song or a phrase stuck in your head all day.  Today, do that.  Choose a scripture, a worship song, or a hymn and let it richly dwell within you today.  Then, admonish one another by posting it under comments.

Marriage is to be held in honor among all… Heb.13:4

On Sundays we have been in a series focusing on relationships.  Today, pray for the marriages in our community.

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. - Rom 12:9 

Good and evil are polar opposites, like light and darkness. Paul says that we are to be repulsed by evil and to hold tightly to things that are good.

Today, take no delight when you see something evil.  Even more so, do not look at anything evil with indifference.  Further, search for goodness. Look hard for it.  When you find it, hold on to it and rejoice in it. John 3:19 says “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Col. 3:23-24.

Happy Monday!  Do your work heartily as for the Lord.

March 21, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships 

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Col. 3:17

Today, Give Thanks. Give thanks to the Lord, and post them under “comments.” 

Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—Col. 3:9-10. 

Today, practice speaking the truth in love.

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Col. 3:8

Today, practice gentleness, forgiveness, kindness and speaking words of encouragement.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Rom 12:16.

The world teaches us that our value is measured in comparisons to others. We are constantly weighting our perceived value over and against those around us. When Paul says, “associate with the lowly,” I don’t believe he is saying “do something nice to someone you perceive as lower than you so that you may feel good about yourself.” He is saying to “unite” or “join” yourself with someone in a low position in society. Scripture is clear that our value comes from the fact that we are image bearers of our Creator.

Today, see the image of God in others. Treat the people that you encounter with the love and respect due the Person who’s image they bear, regardless of their position in society.

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Col.3:5.

Today, let your heart be pure.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Phil 4:8

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Pet. 4:10.

We are to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God. That is to say that, we have each been entrusted with the care and administration of God’s grace. God’s grace comes in many expressions. We are agents of God’s grace, each with our own individual expression. Today, be a good steward of God’s grace in the way He has called you to express His love.  

March 14, 2010 Sermon by Jen Hutchinson

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom. 12:18.

Today, be an agent of peace. Be at peace, and pass the peace to others. 

"I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." - Acts 26:19

Today, "... Focus. Stay on course. Redirect. Re-Focus. Start Over. Do Over. Add. Subtract. Connect. Maintain. Survive. Thrive. Vitalize. Inspire. Be willing to create movement in your life by sitting still." - Courtesy of Jim Baldwin, our associate pastor of Disciples' Church.

For further reading, please visit his Blog

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. - Rom 12:15.

Today, put aside envy and apathy. Show compassion to those who are hurting. Rejoice in the fortunes of others, in spite of your own circumstance.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rom12:14. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone…Rom12:17. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:21.

The Lord’s answer to evil is to overwhelm it with good. It is like shining a flood light in the midst of darkness. Today, if you are mistreated, pray a blessing over that person. If you encounter evil act in response by doing good.

...contributing to the needs of the saints… Rom 12:13

Today, give to someone who is in need.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord… Rom 12:10-11.

Today, be devoted, give preference, be diligent, and be fervent (showing great warmth and intensity). Do these things as an act of service unto the Lord.

March 7, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. - Col. 3:1-2

Today, keep seeking the things above. Let your mind be Holy to the Lord. To be Holy means to be “set apart.” Set your mind on things above.

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Rom 12:9b Good and evil are polar opposites, like light and darkness. Paul says that we are to be repulsed by evil and to hold tightly to things that are good.

Today, take no delight when you see something evil. Even more so, do not look at anything evil with indifference. Further, search for goodness. Look hard for it. When you find it, hold on to it and rejoice in it. John 3:19 says “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

Let love be without hypocrisy - Rom 12:9

Hypocrisy: (1) a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess. (2) a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.

Today, Let your love be real and authentic, not just having the appearance of virtue and religious belief.

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority… Col 2:9-10

In John 19:11, Jesus answered Pilate, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above”

Christ is the fullness of God in the flesh. In Him we are made complete. As a result we are free to submit unto any earthly rule or authority without the fear of diminishment. Today, pray for those who are in authority over you. Treat them with honor and respect, due to the office they hold.

Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. - 1 Pet. 4:11

Today, remember the power of your words. Use them to speak life into those around you. Also, remember the power of your actions. Use them to serve others, not by your own strength but by the power of God.

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly…. Rom 12:4-6

Today, spend some time in prayer. Ask the Lord to help you to identify some of the gifts that you have received from Him. Exercise your gifts to honor the Lord and edify the body.

February 28, 2010 Sermon by Adam Ayers on Relating and Relationships

Be hospitable to one another without complaint. - 1 Pet. 4:9

Hospitable: (1) receiving or treating guests or strangers warmly and generously; (2) to be favorably open or receptive.

Today, treat guests and strangers with warmth, favor and generosity.

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. — Rom 12:3.

Humility is “not thinking more highly of oneself than one ought to think.” Today practice humility by renouncing the spirit of entitlement. Giveway, rather than demanding your way. Receive all things that you have taken for granted as a gift (ie. food, shelter, fresh water, and freedom from persecution).

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. - Col. 2:8

Today, make every effort to avoid fruitless conversations and arguments that are rooted in worldly philosophy, elementary principles, and the traditions of men.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. - 1 Pet. 4:8

Who would you be if you placed “loving each other deeply” above all other priorities in your life? Today, let love be your priority and see how your life impacts others.     

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Rom. 12:2

Reflect on how the world is calling you to conform to its values and purposes.  Then take a moment to renew your mind.  Ask the Lord to show you His good and perfect will.  Allow Him to transform you today.

February 21, 2010 Sermon on Relating and Relationships