Calvary Nexus Sunday Sermons

What are some resolutions that will most transform your life for good? Today, we consider Paul’s closing exhortations to the Thessalonians that provide some great transforming resolutions as we begin a new year (or any time).

Life is marked with God’s faithfulness, grace, and blessing. And yet, life in a world broken by sin is still wrought with difficulty, pain, and injustice. It is a sobering reminder that the state of the world (as it exists now) is not how God intends it to be for eternity, and that Christ will return to set all things right. We are closer to Jesus’ imminent return than ever before. As God’s people...

This time of year is often referred to as the “Season of Lights.” Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Homes, businesses, and streets are decorated with lights (Gemini Street). Christmas cards and manger scene, the nativity, and baby Jesus with a glowing head. Jesus is depicted as radiating light, the glory of God manifest. Is Jesus the light or one of many lights? What difference does it make? Consi...

I have been blessed to travel to Israel, and visit the shepherd’s fields of Bethlehem, and the Church of the Nativity – the traditional birthplace of Jesus. It is an incredibly moving experience to see, touch, and contemplate the place where God entered our world as Child. Worshipers cry, kiss the ground, and tremble at the idea that it is there our Savior was born. There are three responses peopl...

This life will have unavoidable pain, sorrow and grief. In light of this universal truth, it is an interesting philosophical, ethical, moral and existential matter to contemplate whether bringing a child into the world is “right, just, or good” in light of the relevant balance of happiness and heartache. Nevertheless, there is a reality that can tip the scales towards a conclusion that it is right...

Paul encourages the Thessalonian believers to continue growing in their love for others. As we grow in our love for God and love for neighbors, we will grow in the fulfillment we experience. Today, we will discover that when we live a life characterized by love, we can experience fullness in this life and for all eternity. 

In Eden, Adam and Eve experienced unity with God and one another; and a pure love unadulterated by sin. When they rebelled against God, they and all their offspring (including you and I) now have a sin nature (the flesh) that is an obstacle to experiencing pure love. And humanity is searching for that pure love to experience true contentment. But, it is hard to be pure. Sexual temptation is seduct...

According to 1 Corinthians 13:13, love is the greatest of all Christian virtues and is the method by how we love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. God is the source of our love, and the purpose of that love is to make us holy and blameless at the Lord’s return. Let's learn how to join God in His mission to make us more loving. 

In the midst of affliction, Paul encourages the church at Thessalonica to be established in their faith. As believers, we long to have a faith that can withstand the seemingly ever-changing tides of life. Yet, in the face of adversity, we can be tempted to seek our encouragement and comfort through means apart from the Lord. However, no source of encouragement or comfort will be as steadfast and f...

God has given us the Bible to reveal His nature, His plan of redemption, His moral perfection, and His eternal faithful love. God uses His word and Holy Spirit to transform us, and to prepare us for persecution and opposition. We need to experience the effective work of God’s word to be transformed, prepared, and built-up in Christ.

The purpose of God’s mission is joy, and He calls us to participate by becoming a redemptive, compelling, and missional people. 

God uses people to help others become mature disciples. We are called to serve one another in humility and love (Gal. 5:13). Jesus’ disciples embrace the blessing and responsibility to serve others, and learn to serve with right attitudes and actions.

Today we will see the example of the believers in Thessalonica who were faithful because of the transformative work of the gospel. Because of their faithfulness they were used mightily by God. In the same way, God desires to use each of us, so let’s continue to be transformed by the gospel and live lives that characterized by faithfulness.

The shortcoming of moral reformation is discouraging, because it does not produce the restoration we yearn for. Yet, this reality should lead us to a better way to be restored. 

The rebuilding of Jerusalem, that began with the wall and has progressed to the city, was not just a physical restoration. It was a call towards transformation in the attitudes and actions of God’s people that brought about reform. As we commit toward reorienting our attitudes and actions towards following God, we experience His transformation in our lives.

Those who know, or are reminded of, the greatness, goodness and grace of God desire to enter or renew a covenant relationship with Him.

This is Israel’s national prayer, and the longest recorded prayer in the Bible. It reviews Israel’s history, God’s greatness, goodness, grace, mercy, and faithfulness. It also reveal’s the community’s confession, repentance, and renewal.

There are countless thoughts and opinions on who God is and how human beings can find joy. However, apart from God’s word, we will never find the truth. Today, we will discover that by learning, loving, and living out His word, we can find true joy in the one true God.

A local church should seek to reach their community for Christ. A yearning to impact the community for Jesus, and expand His kingdom such that lives are transformed for eternity. A local church should impact a community such that if it were to vanish it would be noticed, and missed. Today, we learn how we can reach our community for Christ.

As followers of The Lord in Christ, God has not only saved us, but called us into participation in the work that He is doing in the world. God Himself has prepared this work for His people (Ephesians 2:10), and throughout Scripture, the Lord promises to bless His work, bless His people as they seek to accomplish His work, and prosper and establish work done for Him.  Followers of Christ affirm and...

Those who are in a right relationship with God will seek to be in right relationship with others.  In Judaism there are two related terms that are extremely important to understand: Mispat + Tzedakah These terms are related to righteousness or justice. Not in the sense of crime and punishment, but justice in the sense of doing what is right (Micah 6:8). In a Judeo-Christian worldview there is an o...

Whenever you work to advance God’s kingdom (e.g. personal life with God, marriage, family, service, sharing your faith, cultivating Christ-centered community) or rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem expect conflict. There may be opposition from circumstances, people, or the enemy of men’s souls . Whenever God moves to bless the enemy moves to oppress! Today, we discover how to overcome opposition...

God called Nehemiah to lead His people in the rebuilding of the walls of the city of Jerusalem. God called His people to a specific work in a specific time, and God equipped His people for that work. God is still calling His people to a specific work today, and He has equipped you (and us) for that work. And God has brought us into community to accomplish a far greater work together than we could...

Nehemiah felt that God had put in his heart to do something (12). God works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Have you ever sensed God calling you to do something (e.g. Bible learning, prayer, serve, share faith, give resources, small group)? How might people respond to God’s call? Don’t reply, reply when convenient, or respond in faith and go do what God has...

How should we respond to the needs of others? Clearly, we can’t care for all the needs, however it is equally clear that we cannot ignore them all either. Nehemiah helps us to understand that God uses people in His work of restoration. We discover greater contentment when help care for others. Let’s learn how together.