Christ Fellowship Sermon

Most people say that they don’t feel close to God. They feel spiritually weak. God seems far away. And yet, nothing is more important than a close relationship with the living God. Only the Holy Spirit can empower us to know God.

In the story of Spiderman, the alien symbiote takes control of him, and him being set free of its control, but he still struggles with the lasting effects of being under evil’s control. As Christians, we once were all under the control of sin but can now put on the new self.

Marvel at the Word made flesh. While Christmas calls us to wonder and marvel, I find it hard to slow down. It’s hard to marvel at traffic on the highway, trying to merge into the next lane while getting cut off by a big truck. It’s hard to wonder at Christ while you are dealing with customer service on the phone, talking to a person you can barely understand.

Like John, we are witnesses to the Light. God sent John. Furthermore, we are sent by Jesus with the courage to face any situation confidently since we have God's power to enable us. Listen as Leroy Armstrong teaches about the mission of John the Baptist.

This Christmas at Christ Fellowship we are slowing down to really ponder who Jesus is and what he has done. To do that, we are unpacking the remarkable prologue to John’s Gospel.

We would love to hear what you are thankful for this year. I invite you to thank God for what he has done in your life through our church, perhaps one of the ministries you are involved in. 

I confess I sometimes daydream that one of my books will be a best seller. Do you ever want to be rich? I think about what I would do with millions. What would you do? I’d pay off any debts. Buy a nicer car, do a large remodeling project, and buy a cabin in Red River, New Mexico. I would bless my kids and grandkids. And give lots of money to the church and other solid ministries. What would you do...

When you got Jesus, you got generous! Sometimes God will ask you to give it back (time/talent/treasure) so He can unwrap it for you. (remember opening candy for my littles). Don’t hoard the candy. Don’t eat it all on Halloween. Transfer some to the candy jar where your Father has your rewards.

If God is out there, can I connect with him? If I talk to him, does he listen? Does he talk back? It seems wild to think we could have a relationship with God, doesn’t it? Especially when you consider the idea in light of our human relationships. We can’t see God or hug God or shake God’s hand. We’re humans and God is . . . well, God.

Many condemn the Bible as racist, misogynist, violent, close-minded, irrelevant, inconsistent, contradictory, and untrustworthy. And yet here we are. The Bible has carried tremendous influence around the world for millennia.

Last week we talked about whether Christianity is too narrow, and arrived at the conclusion that Christianity is inclusive, but truth itself is exclusive. Christianity is wide open to everyone without exceptions, but truth is narrow. This conclusion begs the question, is Christianity true? Since Jesus is at the heart of Christianity, we can refine the question, Is Jesus God?

Have you ever heard the standard advice not to discuss religion or politics at the dinner table? This sentiment stems from the natural human inclination to avoid discomfort. Conversations around both subjects can be tense, awkward, and downright confrontational. This is especially true when someone tells you that their way of thinking is the only right way—particularly if you don’t agree with thei...

Why does God allow evil to exist? And why doesn’t God stop it? In pain we ask, “Why me?” that soon gives way to “Why are you punishing me?” And that is only a whisper from far darker thoughts: maybe God is not loving. Maybe God is cruel. And if so, you say to God, “God, if you are there, I want nothing to do with you.” Why, why, why? I’ve asked those very questions.

Let’s be honest; it’s scary to consider we might be wrong about something, especially when it’s an issue of such gravity as God’s existence. It takes courage to reconsider what you think and open your mind to possibilities other than what you currently believe. On what grounds will we consider the claim for God? Do we just take a blind leap of faith? That would be intellectually irresponsible. I i...

For most of us, there are times when we lie awake at night and worry that life has no real meaning. Everyone wants their life to have meaning. But wanting something doesn’t make it real. So, the question remains: Does life have a purpose?

Spiritually speaking we believers can suffer from not seeing clearly or being blinded. We can miss who we are in Christ, our mission, who Christ is, and our identity in Him. This can be a serious problem, a dangerous problem, scary, and even deadly for our faith. This is what we see Paul address with the believers in the book of Colossians.

Most of us want to become the people God calls us to be. You do not have to be the person who yells at her kids, blows up in anger, is crippled by anxiety, is addicted and lonely. By the power of his Spirit, God transforms us to be full of love, joy, peace, and spiritual power.

God invites you to be part of a world-changing movement. There are many good causes out there that you could contribute to, but there is only one that is sure to succeed, only one that is sure to make a real difference. It starts with one conversation, one cup of coffee, one relationship at a time. This is life, the joy of helping others experience Christ.

Today we wrap up 2 Peter, where much of chapter 3 revolves around the Second Coming of Christ, the Day of the Lord, and the Final Judgment.

Watch out! That’s Peter’s warning in 2 Peter chapter 2. Open your Bible to 2 Peter chapter 3 for a heavy message warning you of spiritual danger. The danger does not come from the world or demons. This danger comes from religious leaders from insiders who claim to be Christians.

Spiritually, when we forget God’s truth, we get disoriented, confused, and lost. We forget who we are in Christ, our identity. We forget where we are and where we are going. We get scared. When you forget God’s truth, it’s common to doubt, to doubt that the Bible is true, to doubt that Jesus is coming back or is even real.

How could God ever use you? You can’t be a Christian. You can’t serve God. It’s impossible. I wonder if those thoughts tormented Peter.