All of Life Church Sermon Audio

Peacemakers are those who actively prioritize relationships and the well-being of others over their own gratification or personal vindication. Peacemakers are reconcilers. Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are those who are persecuted because they are determined to imitate Jesus in all of life.

As we set our pre-existing definitions aside, we ask, “What is purity?”. “Does God's purity make Him lovely? Good? Desirable?” We observe that Jesus cares about purity, all the way to the core of who we are, and this degree of purity is required to be in the presence of God who is Holy. We interpret that Jesus is not condemning those who are impure, but offering his own purity and life as gift. We...

Mercy is the sister of justice. When wrong is done, there are natural and legal consequences. Where justice hands out the fair (and good!) consequence - mercy sees the person, in the misery of that consequence- and intercedes. It is motivated by compassion to forgive the debt and remove the consequence. Mercy in God's Kingdom has a particular order. The parable of The Unforgiving Servant in Chapte...

Meekness is a word that feels foreign to our modern English vocabulary. Yet, Jesus calls those who exhibit this quality, 'blessed' and promises them the earth. What did Jesus intend to communicate with that word? In short, Jesus people don't throw their weight around. Instead, they rely on God to give them their due.

God mourns for the world, and we as His people being made into the image of His son - join Him. He brings true comfort and care to those who trust Him enough to mourn.

Jesus calls his followers to extreme and beautiful righteousness. But first, he rescues them and makes them part of his kingdom. This feels like a performance paradox - but is resolved when we become poor in spirit.

Jesus begins his public teaching, by describing what the people of His kingdom are like, and how they live. As readers and followers of Christ, the way that we approach the Sermon on the Mount (& the Beatitudes), and the way that we see ourselves in it - is critical.

As we abide in Christ - His way, and His will - become our way and will. Discipleship to Jesus, at its core, is about becoming more like Jesus. The result of this is living a life of prayer, of joy, of obedience, and love.

Jesus is the True Vine who aligns His people's hearts and wills to His. He empowers their fruitfulness and joy. According to Jesus, abiding in Him is The Way to satisfy the deepest longings of your soul.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Charles Wesley) captures the double nature of Advent. We remember Christ's first coming, and pray for his return. Christians are marked with a distinct longing for the presence of Jesus in our lives now, and a more complete way at his return.

The song "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" was originally created - in hymn form - by Charles Wesley. It's been modified and altered into the Christmas song we recognize today. As Charles Wesley and countless people have sung this, we proclaim Christ the King has come (and will come again) and that our right response is rejoicing! In understanding the history and lyrical significance of this Christmas...

In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus calls 4 men to follow him and be transformed into missional partners. Accepting Jesus' call to follow him, means daily open-hearted relationship that transforms and frees us.

God is the Creator-King who loves His people - and his plan is to reign, through His people, over His place. This is Jesus' message in nine words; "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

John the Baptizer prepared the Judean's to receive the King of a new Kingdom. His message was of repentance and expectant faith. John's message reminds us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance - and to receive the King and His reign in our own lives.

This narrative of king Herod vs. King Jesus is the continuation of a much longer contest. The story of God is replete with men and empires opposed to God's control and rule. We see in both the story of Israel, and the story of Jesus - that though people will try to destroy Jesus and God's plans, God always guides, protects, and prevails.

Jesus carrying the title "King of the Jews" is nothing to be glossed over in our familiarity. The Kingdom of God displayed in the Gospel of Matthew is beautiful - and it requires a True King.

Jesus has left heaven for a purpose: to rescue His people, and be in community with us. Always.

Matthew's inclusion of Jesus Christ's genealogy invigorates us as we re-discover that the Messiah's story is rooted in history & God's story of hope for all nations.