First Pres Orlando Sermons

Dr. Swanson | In that last week, so many aligned against Jesus, especially in this scene in the garden. In this rapidly changing culture, on what side do we find ourselves standing today? John 18:1-12

Rev. Dean Weaver | Two episodes with Jesus concerning a fig tree help us understand how walking with him ultimately bears fruit in our lives. Mark 11:12-26

Dr. Swanson | We all struggle with the notion of innocent suffering. Children being shot randomly, human trafficking, etc. In this text, we see an innocent man being cruelly treated - and why?  He's done nothing.  Answer: He suffered for us. John 19:1-3

Dr. Swnason | While the church finds its expression in local communities, it is part of the larger church, called to impact the world for the gospel. Thus, we live in the world distinctively and not apart from it. And as we impact our culture, we realize we are encouraged by the impact being made by our brothers and sisters around the world - of which we are part - and to which we BELONG.  Revelat...

Dr. Swanson | When the church understands her mission based on the grace of God poured out for her, then she becomes financially generous in order to enable that mission to advance.  2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Rev. Jack Peebles | The Church has a twofold rhythm - we come in and we go out. Going out means loving service and faithful witness. as "partners" in the gospel of Jesus. Hill 8, Scott 3) Philippians 1:3-6

Dr. Swanson | We are described as "saints" 60 times in the NT, but that process of sanctification is a community project. We are in the same family, and we grow in Christ as we do so TOGETHER. This is the hard part of church life: discipline, pastoral authority accountability, restoration, temptation - but all necessary because God calls his people to be HOLY.  1 Corinthians 1:2-3

Rev. Case Thorp |  With our common story, we are called into a common community. The church is a family.  Matthew 12:46-50

Dr. Swanson | As we renew our baptismal vow to start the year, we are reminded the church is a called people of a common, singular testimony. We are all part of the one story revealed in the Biblical narrative: what we were, what we are now, and what we will one day be.  Psalm 136

Dr. Swanson | The primary task of the church has been and always will be - worship. We worship individually, sure, but we must always gather in community (Heb 10:25, 12:22-24) to praise, confess, receive, and send his people. Romans 15:5-13

Dr. Swanson | We begin with the seminal text in Acts which described the basics for church life: to learn, care, worship and evangelize. We've lost a bit of these in the pandemic (Intro from Hill) so we need to work to reclaim our practices. Acts 2:42-47

Rev. Tanner Fox | The life of Christ is shaped like a J. He descended, in humility in the incarnation, and descended even further as a servant, and even further to death on the cross to save us and redeem the world. His person and power accomplished salvation and he also gave us a pattern for the Christian life… a life of humility. Our lives should be J shaped in the likeness of Jesus.  Philippian...

Bret Allen, Jonathan Wagner and Karen Roberts | A sweet time of worship and reflection as 2021 comes to a close.

Dr. Swanson | Science has proven that when we are sick, we feel worse at night. It bears out what we already knew: the darkness of night can exacerbate our fears. It was on a perilous night that the light dawned, causing a frantic old priest and semi-retired organist to craft a carol that would quiet and encourage a people: Silent Night.  Luke 2:8-12

Dr. Swanson | In 1745, John Wade was a Catholic priest running for his life due to strife with the Church of England. He composed "O Come All Ye Faithful" as a means of uniting the church in a prophetic way, emblematic of the faithfulness of John, foretelling Jesus' coming and remaining faithful event his death.  Matthew 3:1-4, Mark 6:26-29

Rev. Fox | We will look at "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and the way that the song invites us to the story of Jesus’ first Advent, the experience of Christ revealing himself, and the experience of serving him as a herald of the truth. Isaiah 52:7

Rev. Swanson | As we look at our world today, the plea of this great carol echoes even more deeply. Reflecting the prophecies of the Old Testament, one of the oldest carols, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," was written by an exiled priest and an ancient monk, pointing the world to the hope that would come for them - and for us. Isaiah 7:13-14

Rev. Swanson | While "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" seems uplifting and positive, its original intent was a charge and challenge to remember the least and the poor, much like the shepherds in those fields. Luke 2:8-9

Rev. Swanson | We never seem to think that we are greedy. We understand we are many other things, but we tend to be blinded to our greed and our lifestyle choices. If the eye illuminates the body, then can we see our need for greater generosity?  Matthew 6:19-24

Rev. Swanson | We live under the illusion the money brings us "in" to the people or the life we want. We feel like outsiders, and we want to be insiders. However, for Naman and Zaccheus, God is the one that bring them in...and so their generosity and their view of money is radically changed.  Kings 5:11-14, Luke 19:5-10

Rev. Swanson | The hallmark of the Reformation movement is contained in the old saying, "Once reformed, always reforming." It means, in essence, God comes in Christ to "change" or reform your heart, and then from that point, you are always spiritually reforming - or growing/changing. However, as we know, change is hard. Personally, and corporately. Since Covid, things have chan...

Rev. Thorp | Election is a hard doctrine, but a beautiful doctrine that needs explanation and clarity. Only those in Christ are saved, and yet, via Common Grace God still loves and serves all of humanity and Creation. Eph 1:3-14

Rev. Swanson | Slowly, but ever so surely, alcohol has taken on an outsized place in American life and culture – and it has done so in the church as well. Legalism has been replaced by liberty and that liberty has created diminished witness and false rationalizations. Covid has exacerbated all of it to the end that people are drinking more than ever – and we need to talk about what Scripture says...

Rev. Swanson | The doctrine of hell... why it matters... and the hope we have through Christ which delivers us from any fear that we will wind up there. John 3:16-18, 36

Rev. Peebles | As God’s chosen, scattered people, we are continually being transformed into the image of Jesus. We are works-in-progress! Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, but also necessitates a regular obedience from us. This week, we will talk about discipleship in the vein of our sanctification, and the importance of a regular rhythm of spiritual disciplines and practices. 1 Peter...