Salem First Friends Church

This episode finishes our (mini) series called Gentle Giants that focuses on the topic of gentleness in Scripture. Is it ever okay to set gentleness aside? 

This episode continues a short (mini) series called Gentle Giants that will focus on the topic of gentleness in Scripture. We're digging further into the true power in gentleness. 

This episode begins a short (mini) series called Gentle Giants that will focus on the topic of gentleness in Scripture. We'll begin by examining how we often misuse and poorly view gentleness, and then dig into to examples of how to properly view gentleness: in the life of Jesus, and in the fruit of the Spirit. 

With the concluding message in the series First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation we will zoom in on Jesus. How did Jesus speak about, and interact with, the governing authorities, structures, and ruling powers of his day?

Returning again to our series First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation, we will examine two passages that can teach us about the inherent temptations and struggles we are exposed to when we engage with the powers of the governing authorities that rule over the "kingdoms of this world."

For the next message in the series First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation we revisit a leader we've already looked at earlier: King Saul. Israel demanded a king, and God allowed them to have Saul. Now, in his first recorded political situation, Saul foolishly chooses to use the sacred in service of the practical.

Up next in our spiritual formation series First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation is a message that takes a look at one of the most common passages used when discussing how Christians should understand and interact with the people and systems that govern us.  

Up next in our spiritual formation series First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation is a message that calls attention to the anger and fear that are being purposely injected into our current political climate. How do we navigate this reality from the biblical perspectives on these two powerful human emotions? 

We're back into our Fall 2024 series of sermons called First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation. In this message, we take a look at an Old Testament passage about what a good and wise king should look like and then do the interpretive work of applying the general principles to our world today.  

We're taking a one-week break from our new series to hear from our Youth Pastor (Sarah Hodgson) as she brings a message about the mishaps that Paul experienced on the seas and in Malta... yet stayed the course with his mission. 

Continuing in our new series of sermons called First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation, this message takes a deep look at a moment in the history of the people of God when they were desperate for a new leader to end an internal problem of unethical political choices and also make their nation more relevant in the world around them. 

With this episode, we being a new series of sermons called First Things First: Navigation in a Divided Nation. In this series, we will be examining passages of Scripture relating to leaders and governments and asking how to best apply those to the current polarized political context of an American election season. To get started, this sermon lays out some general thoughts for the series, as well a...

Before we pause our Open Invitation series, we're finishing up Luke chapter 12. In this passage, Jesus uses two short—and seemingly unconnected—illustrations to make the point that we need to be observant of the signs of the Holy Spirit's work around us and cognizant of the fact that God will not delay his justice forever. 

The next sermon in our Open Invitation series explores an interesting passage in Luke 12 within which Jesus stops speaking in parables and reveals some things about himself that can be somewhat surprising.

The next sermon in our Open Invitation series helps us understand both the great privilege—and great responsibility—of both the areas of leadership we have, as well as being sons and daughters of God.   

The next sermon in our Open Invitation series focuses on what it means to be a good servant who is both ready and watching for the Master to return.  

The next sermon in our Open Invitation series brings a section about worry, security, and trust to a close. What do we "treasure" most with our time, our resources, our energy, and our focus? And, what do the answers to those questions reveal about our hearts? 

The next sermon in our Open Invitation series focuses on Jesus' teaching about worry. His repeated invitation is "do not worry," but why is that so hard for us?!? 

We're back in the Open Invitation sermon series! In this verse-by-verse journey through Luke's gospel, we pick back up with a parable about building bigger barns. 

In the final message from the series Radical Prayer, we're looking at examples from Scripture of when prayer led to a change in perspective instead of (or in addition to) a change in circumstances.

In the next message from the new series, Radical Prayer, we're studying a short parable about prayer that Jesus tells in Luke's gospel. It's a powerful reminder that we are invited and encouraged to be truly honest, transparent, and authentic in our approach to prayer.

In the next message from the new series, Radical Prayer, we get to some more practical, nuts-and-bolts aspects of praying. Jesus gives us an excellent framework for prayer when he teaches his disciples to pray. And, there are several other ways to approach prayer that come from Scripture and the long line of Christians who have come before us.  

In the next message from the new series, Radical Prayer, we look to a well-known metaphor used by Jesus: vines and branches. As we abide in Christ, we are invited to ask. And, as we abide and ask, there is an expectation: that we bear fruit for God's glory and our joy.  

In the next message from the new series, Radical Prayer, we examine two potential pitfalls with prayer and how to avoid them. Prayer that is modeled after Jesus doesn't need to be loud, public, or full of words. It can be a steady, ongoing communion as we recenter ourselves on the presence of God. 

In the opening sermon from the new series, Radical Prayer, we discuss what "radical" prayer actually looks like, as well as some views about prayer that we need to avoid.