LBFC Weekly Sermons

In our series on Christians, Politics, and Government we are moving into specific topics now that a foundation for a Christian approach is established. Our first topic is... immigration! Can we discuss immigration with others truthfully with less heat and light that shows us as people who love our neighbors - both those who already live in our communities and those who may be immigrating to join t...

How should Christians respond to evil? How should Christians respond to evil done in Jesus' name? In this episode we work through a bit more of the basic teaching of Jesus for all of his followers and then consider when to speak up, or act, and when to remain silent. Visit us on the web:  https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch"...

I'm sure you noticed the hostile tone of discourse in the media these days, even from those who claim to be Christians. In this episode we work through Jesus' ways of using words, beginning with a broader discussion of hate. Visit us on the web:  https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://openchurch.com/...

We seem to be living in a time when politics is particularly driven by fear, when government is introducing policies that seem to be motivated or supported by fear. What does it mean to be a Christian - to follow Jesus, in such a time? We consider the most frequent instruction or command one can find in the Christian scriptures: "Do not be afraid!" Why? How? Can we love our neighbors and fear them...

What does it mean to be a Christian - to follow Jesus? Many Christians in the United States seem to be doing things that are inconsistent with following Jesus, or supporting such things. So how do we identify what it means to be a Christian? How do we evaluate the actions of our government? What responsibility do we have to speak up when things are done that are are inconsistent with following Jes...

Matthew reports in chapter 26, verse 30 that Jesus and the disciples sang... something? I mean, after eating the Passover meal that we often call The Last Supper. What did they sing? In this episode we discuss the Psalms that they would have sung (Psalms 113-118) and then my granddaughter Malea and I read them for your meditation so you can hear them in the context of Jesus going to the cross, bei...

In this episode we again consider what God is like. Beginning with the description God gives of himself in Exodus 34, we consider what it means that God is loving and faithful - two characteristics that are inseparable in God. Visit us on the web:  https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://openchurch.co...

In this episode we consider what God is like. Following up on the description God gives of himself in Exodus 34, we consider what it means that God is compassionate. It may seem simple, but we often have a difficult time with compassion! Visit us on the web:  https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://op...

In this episode we consider what God is like. Following up on the description God gives of himself in Exodus 34, we consider what it means that God is gracious. Visit us on the web:  https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://openchurch.com/free-download/front-porch-1011834/, (CC-BY-SA-3.0) Most Scriptur...

In this episode we consider what God is like. Is he the angry, vengeful God so often attributed to the "Old Testament"? Is he like Jesus? Visit us on the web:  https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://openchurch.com/free-download/front-porch-1011834/, (CC-BY-SA-3.0) Scripture quotations are from the Ho...

In this episode we consider the scriptures associated with Christmas from the standpoint of some passages we studied in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount - the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and even the Sheep and the Goats passage from Matthew 25. Visit us on the web:  https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https:...

In this episode we consider three advents of Jesus. He has come, He is coming, and He will come! Visit us on the web: https://www.lbfc.org . Give: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3ZJ93YXC6X9AS Music "Front Porch" by Adam Selzer, see https://openchurch.com/free-download/front-porch-1011834/, (CC-BY-SA-3.0) Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®...

In this episode we conclude our series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, covering his challenge to "build our house on the rock." We consider in some detail a foolish plan for life that is building on sand. We encourage everyone to check out the Bible Project series at https://bibleproject.com/playlists/  and https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/the-bible-project-podcast/. Visit us on the web:  https://...

We've arrived at the concluding challenge section of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In this podcast the focus is Jesus' warning against the danger of false prophets. The podcast from last time that reviews the Sermon on the Mount, as referred to in this episode can be found at https://five.libsyn.com/show/episodes/view/33713342 The Long Beach Ministers Alliance Post-Election Prayer Video can be viewe...

We've arrived at the concluding challenge section of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In this podcast we briefly review the sermon so far, and then focus on the images of two gates that Jesus uses in his conclusion: one small opening to a narrow road and one broad leading to an easy road. We also take a little detour into a discussion of "many" and "few" with respect to who finds the gate that lead to...

Jesus has taught us to seek first God's kingdom and right relationships - and not to judge or condemn others, but to use discernment. He has moved into teaching us about our relationships with one another. And then, he says "Ask, Seek, Knock..." For what? We often take this passage out of context and miss Jesus' point. This session includes a reference to the August 1, 2024 message that you can fi...

Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" has included his warning against hypocrisy, then his encouragement toward generosity, and last time we condluded with his admonition that we cannot serve both God and money! That naturally brings up our human inclination to worry about the future. This time, we consider Jesus' teaching to leave worry behind, instead seeking first God's kingdom and right relationships....

We worked through Matthew 6.16-24, focusing on the purpose of prayer and fasting, and then on generosity. In this passage, Jesus talks about "storing up treasure in heaven." What is that, exactly? We encourage everyone to check out the Bible Project series at  https://bibleproject.com/playlists/  and https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/the-bible-project-podcast/. Visit us on the web:  https://www.lb...

Last time, we worked through Matthew 6.16-24, focusing on the purpose of prayer and fasting, and then on generosity. I touched on verse 24, the last verse; but I'd like to focus on it this time - the subject of Mammon, or money and wealth. We encourage everyone to check out the Bible Project series at  https://bibleproject.com/playlists/  and https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/the-bible-project-pod...

After teaching his disciples what we call the Lord's Prayer, Jesus returns to the topic of hypocrisy - that is, in his terms, practicing religion and doing good deeds to be seen by others. He addresses fasting, generosity, our treasure, and having eyes to see. It's quite a profound line of thought, and a great treasure for those with eyes to see. We encourage everyone to check out the Bible Projec...

How should Jesus' followers respond to offenses? Is condemnation a good response? The Olympic opening ceremony led to some strong reactions from many Christians that led me to consider this question, and speak to it from the Sermon on the Mount, a bit out of order in our text. We encourage everyone to check out the Bible Project series at https://bibleproject.com/playlists/  and https://bibleproje...

Jesus teaches his followers how they should pray in the very center of his sermon on the mount. This too, is our way to pray. In this message, we consider more deeply the line of the second half of the prayer, " lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." There are two articles with various links related to this podcast: https://www.oaks2b.com/2024/06/07/links-to-the-lords-pray...

Jesus teaches his followers how they should pray in the very center of his sermon on the mount. This too, is our way to pray. In this message, we consider more deeply the line of the second half of the prayer, " forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. " There are two articles with various links related to this podcast: https://www.oaks2b.com/2024/06/07/links-to-the-lords-prayer...

Jesus teaches his followers how they should pray in the very center of his sermon on the mount. This too, is our way to pray. In this message, we consider more deeply the first line of the second half of the prayer "Give us this day our daily bread." There are two articles with various links related to this podcast: https://www.oaks2b.com/2024/06/07/links-to-the-lords-prayer-with-music/ https://ww...

Jesus teaches his followers how they should pray in the very center of his sermon on the mount. This too, is our way to pray. In this message, we consider more deeply how the first portion of the prayer relates to God's purposes in creation and for humans. There are two articles with various links related to this podcast: https://www.oaks2b.com/2024/06/07/links-to-the-lords-prayer-with-music/ http...