Melbourne Heights - Sermons

Easter is supposed to be a time when we celebrate the good news of Jesus' resurrection...but that doesn't mean we actually feel like celebrating. There's a lot happening in our world right now, and there may be even more happening in your life.   But the story of Easter tells us that, even when we don't feel like celebrating, Jesus meets us where we are. Because Jesus is alive and...

Every one of us has come to a crossroads in our lives where we've made the wrong choice. Every one of us has gone the wrong direction and couldn't find our way back. And the bigger the mistake, the easier it is to believe it defines us forever.   But our faith teaches us that God's love for us is greater than our biggest mistakes. So no matter what decisions you've made, your mista...

Every one of us has come to a crossroads in our lives where we've made the wrong choice. Every one of us has gone the wrong direction and couldn't find our way back. And the bigger the mistake, the easier it is to believe it defines us forever.   But our faith teaches us that God's love for us is greater than our biggest mistakes. So no matter what decisions you've made, your mista...

We've all had times when it felt like God didn't show up when we needed him. We prayed. We trusted. And we still got hurt. So we built walls to make sure it wouldn't happen again. And those walls have worked. But what if the very walls we've built to protect ourselves are the things keeping us from God's greatest work in our lives?

We've all had times when it felt like God didn't show up when we needed him. We prayed. We trusted. And we still got hurt. So we built walls to make sure it wouldn't happen again. And those walls have worked. But what if the very walls we've built to protect ourselves are the things keeping us from God's greatest work in our lives?

Have you ever had a moment when we've cried out to God, but it felt like God wasn't listening? Like God had forgotten about you? Like God had given up on you? When that happens enough times, it's easy to give up on God.   But even though God doesn't always show up when we want God to, that doesn't mean God's not at work in your life. Because God is always at work, even when...

Have you ever had a moment when we've cried out to God, but it felt like God wasn't listening? Like God had forgotten about you? Like God had given up on you? When that happens enough times, it's easy to give up on God.   But even though God doesn't always show up when we want God to, that doesn't mean God's not at work in your life. Because God is always at work, even when...

When you've been hurt enough times, you learn to keep your guard up. It's how we protect ourselves. But the longer we keep our guard up, the more alone we feel.   But what happens when keeping your guard up also keeps out the one person who sees you for who you really are and loves you anyway?

When you've been hurt enough times, you learn to keep your guard up. It's how we protect ourselves. But the longer we keep our guard up, the more alone we feel.   But what happens when keeping your guard up also keeps out the one person who sees you for who you really are and loves you anyway?

A lot of us have spent years going to church, reading our Bibles, and learning about God. And when you've spent that much time in church, it's easy to feel like you have God figured out.   But what happens when life doesn't go the way you expected, and God doesn't show up the way you thought he would? What if God is always bigger than anything we could ever figure out?

A lot of us have spent years going to church, reading our Bibles, and learning about God. And when you've spent that much time in church, it's easy to feel like you have God figured out.   But what happens when life doesn't go the way you expected, and God doesn't show up the way you thought he would? What if God is always bigger than anything we could ever figure out?

Sometimes we all feel like we're doomed to repeat the past. We always seem to say or do the wrong things. And we keep making the same mistakes.   But no matter how many times we've made the same mistake, we're not doomed to repeat the past. We can always choose a new direction.

Sometimes we all feel like we're doomed to repeat the past. We always seem to say or do the wrong things. And we keep making the same mistakes.   But no matter how many times we've made the same mistake, we're not doomed to repeat the past. We can always choose a new direction.

It's easy to learn about what Jesus wants from us. We can study scripture, discuss theology, and understand what God values. We can even agree that God's kingdom has no outsiders and that we're called to move toward the margins.   But knowing isn't the same as doing. Sometimes we'd rather stay comfortable in our sacred spaces than actually follow Jesus into the world. But we&#3...

It's easy to learn about what Jesus wants from us. We can study scripture, discuss theology, and understand what God values. We can even agree that God's kingdom has no outsiders and that we're called to move toward the margins.   But knowing isn't the same as doing. Sometimes we'd rather stay comfortable in our sacred spaces than actually follow Jesus into the world. But we&#3...

Jesus tells his followers, "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world." But even though we know what salt and light are, that doesn't mean we completely understand what Jesus has to say.   In the ancient world, salt preserved food from rotting and light protected people from danger. But salt only works when it gets mixed in, and light only works whe...

Jesus tells his followers, "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world." But even though we know what salt and light are, that doesn't mean we completely understand what Jesus has to say.   In the ancient world, salt preserved food from rotting and light protected people from danger. But salt only works when it gets mixed in, and light only works whe...

What does God require from us as Christians? Most of us would say going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and giving. We think being a good Christian is primarily about religious activities.   But Micah tells us God wants something different. God cares more about justice, mercy, and humility than religious performance. So what does it actually mean to do what God requires?

What does God require from us as Christians? Most of us would say going to church, reading the Bible, praying, and giving. We think being a good Christian is primarily about religious activities.   But Micah tells us God wants something different. God cares more about justice, mercy, and humility than religious performance. So what does it actually mean to do what God requires?

When starting something important, you pick a place that already matters, usually somewhere big and prestigious. Everyone expected Jesus to begin his ministry in Jerusalem, the religious center of Israel, where God's presence dwelt.   But Jesus went to Galilee instead—a place looked down on and dismissed. While we wait for God in Jerusalem, God's working in Galilee. Are we paying attention...

When starting something important, you pick a place that already matters, usually somewhere big and prestigious. Everyone expected Jesus to begin his ministry in Jerusalem, the religious center of Israel, where God's presence dwelt.   But Jesus went to Galilee instead—a place looked down on and dismissed. While we wait for God in Jerusalem, God's working in Galilee. Are we paying attention...

In Jesus' day, becoming a disciple required proving yourself worthy. You had to demonstrate your qualifications and convince a rabbi you had what it takes. So most people were rejected.   Then Jesus called fishermen and tax collectors—people already rejected or who never bothered applying. He tore down the barriers. But we keep rebuilding them. Who have we decided isn't qualified?

In Jesus' day, becoming a disciple required proving yourself worthy. You had to demonstrate your qualifications and convince a rabbi you had what it takes. So most people were rejected.   Then Jesus called fishermen and tax collectors—people already rejected or who never bothered applying. He tore down the barriers. But we keep rebuilding them. Who have we decided isn't qualified?

Jesus didn't need to be baptized. Everyone at the Jordan River was there because they were sinners seeking purification. Jesus was without sin, so he had no reason to step into that water.   So why did Jesus insist? Because while we try to avoid what's unclean, God moves toward it. The question is: are we willing to do the same?

Jesus didn't need to be baptized. Everyone at the Jordan River was there because they were sinners seeking purification. Jesus was without sin, so he had no reason to step into that water.   So why did Jesus insist? Because while we try to avoid what's unclean, God moves toward it. The question is: are we willing to do the same?