Salem First Friends Church

Christmas Under Wraps Pt. 2 - This message unpacks why the gospel announcement of the birth of Jesus is good news and not good advice, and also explores why Matthew's gospel begins the exciting story with... a dusty old genealogy?!?

We're kicking off our Advent 2025 sermon series, Christmas Under Wraps, with a look at light. Isaiah's messianic prophecy described the arrival of the coming King as a time of "dawning light." How is the Light of Jesus still active in our lives and our world today?

It's not just the Trinity that's a complex and mysterious part of the Christian faith! There are many things that Christians believe that require an acceptance of mystery and a reverence for God. Let's use the scene of Moses at the burning bush as a case study for how to approach the more mysterious parts of life with God.

The concept of the Trinity is one of the great mysteries in the Christian faith. But, it can feel overly confusing, and not applicable to our lives. This message encourages us to think differently about what the Trinity can teach us about God and ourselves!

Changing from the Center, Pt 10: We finish this sermon series by looking at ways to make this journey of formation longer than just the ten weeks we've spent focusing on these themes. What do a plan and posture for ongoing formation look like?

Changing from the Center, Pt 9

Changing from the Center, Pt 8: We all want control. Some more than others. In some areas more than others. But, is clinging to control a sign of idolatry? Let's look at the issue of control through four biblical lenses.

Changing from the Center, Pt 7: We are encouraged so many times in the Bible: "Do not be afraid." Is it really possible to live a life that is never "shaken" by fear? What does it look like to walk through fear while maintaining an obedience to God... and even growing in the process?

Changing from the Center, Pt 5: How do our experiences with pain, hurt, struggle, and suffering speak to our souls? Are we open to God teaching or testing us in those times in order to grow in wholeness and holiness?

Changing from the Center, Pt 5: Are we allowing the truth of Scripture to define our reality? And, can we see the divine reality of the Kingdom of God emanating from our lives?

Changing from the Center, Pt 4: Our tendency as humans, when we sense brokenness, is to hide. From each other. From God. But, we've been called to vulnerably "walk in the light" to find forgiveness and reconciliation.

Changing from the Center, Pt 3: Spiritual resistance, experienced through what the Bible calls "the flesh," is very real, and very strong. But... it's not the strongest thing about you! 

Changing from the Center, Pt 2: Our wants and desires have a lot to reveal to us about who we are and who we are becoming. How should we view and handle them from a Christ-centered perspective?

We're kicking off a new Fall sermon series!!! For the next 10 weeks, we'll be in a series called Changing from the Center, which will follow along with themes and ideas from a book titled What Does Your Soul Love? by Gem & Alan Fadling. This first message is an introduction to what it means to "change from the center" by being attentive to the deeper interior of our lives.

We're finishing up the pair of sermons on what it looks like to grow and guard our zeal. In this message, we'll look at Moses as a model, but then also see how the New Testament encourages us to look past Moses as well. 

What does it look like to live a "zealous" life bubbling over with "spiritual fervor?"

We finish off Luke chapter 14 with two short verses from Jesus that remind us of the importance of "staying salty" as his followers.

Carrying from last sermon's theme of the challenges of choosing to follow Jesus, this message highlights the idea that we need to "estimate the cost" of being a disciple. 

We're back into the Open Invitation series! Moving on from the scene featuring Jesus speaking with those gathered for a meal in the home of an influential Pharisee, we now see Jesus addressing the larger crowds. His words to the growing flocks of people might surprise you!

Reflecting on a recent article written by Russell Moore, we have the option to follow one of (at least) two shepherds calling out to us and influencing our lives. Which shepherd do you want to follow?

In the aftermath of the Texas floods, this sermon unpacks some of the big questions we have about God in the midst of suffering and tragedy.

Jesus warns his tablemates about the possible excuses that can distract us from having a central focus on the Kingdom of God.

Continuing the scene of Jesus dining at the home of a prominent Pharisee in Luke 14, Jesus now describes how someone might determine a "guest list" in the ancient world. His calling is for his followers to live at a "blessing deficit" with the people in their community. 

Jesus follows up his healing—at a Sabbath meal, while dining at the home of a prominent religious leader—with an observation (and critique) of the seat-choosing behavior of the guests and what it reveals about their hearts.

Jesus is at it once again! He's healing on the Sabbath (for the third time in Luke) while welcoming an "unclean" man near the table of a shared meal. His opponents (who likely contrived this entire experience as a test) are left silent. What can we learn about their loss of words?