Sermons from Grace/Bethel

In the midst of the troubled times of the last days Paul reminds us to keep pointing our children in the right direction, to Jesus and the the Scriptures.

At his baptism Jesus identified with us. He fulfilled all righteousness. He kept God's law as our perfect substitute.

The Magi from the East set an example of what it means to be truly wise - They watched for the signs God gave, they acted in faith, worshiped the infant Jesus as their King and Savior, Gave gifts fit for a King, and obeyed the Lord's instructions not to return to Herod.

The words of the blessing given in Numbers 6 are not just a pious wish. Through them God himself puts his name on us and WILL bless us.

God sent Jesus into the world at just the right time to redeem the world. He sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts at just the right time so that we would be considered heirs with him of eternal life.

God rolled up his sleeves and provided salvation for the world in Jesus.

God loves us. Christmas proves it. He gave his Son to save a world who didn't deserve to be saved.

Joseph was a righteous man. When the Bible calls someone righteous it means that they trust in the one true God and his promise of a Savior. Like Abraham, righteousness is credited to a person through faith. Those who are righteous through faith show that righteousness in their lives, as Joseph did. 

Jesus is the Key of Knowledge. He warns us about things that distract us, or keep us from seeing him as the one who reveals God to us.

Did John have doubts about Jesus? Whether he did, or his disciples did, John knew what to do with doubt. He went to Jesus and Jesus removed doubts by pointing him to the prophecies of Scripture he was fulfilling.

God, the God of Hope, provides hope for that hopeless because he is always faithful to his promises. Most importantly he kept his promise to send a the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The only way to be truly enlightened is by the Holy Spirit working through the word of God.

Just as Noah did we need to prepare an ark for our family. We do this by making sure everyone in our family knows that Jesus is their ark, their only hope of salvation when the last day comes.

The Psalmist prays for God's blessings so that, through us, his salvation my be known to all.

Jesus or victorious King gives us a glorious eternal kingdom.

God pictures for us what it will be like to live in the new heaven and the new earth.

At home with Jesus you are perfectly safe for all eternity.

Jesus left heaven to save us so that we could call him our brother.

God's law is truth but it can't sett you free  because you break it. Only he Son can set you free by his life and death in your place, and his glorious resurrection from the dead. He has set you free from sin, death and Satan  so that you can serve the Lord without fear and your neighbor in love.

Psalm 2 describes what Jesus faced as the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to trap him with difficult questions. When they were finished he asked them a question that made it clear that the Christ was to be both the son of David and the Son of God. Jesus is true God and true man, just  who he needed to be in order to save us. Always take refuge in him.

There is no sacrifice we can make to pay for sin. The only sacrifice that paid for sin was the sacrifice that Jesus made in our place. As we acknowledge our guilt and look to Jesus for forgiveness we will be moved to do what is just and love mercy.

Paul prays with freedom and confidence that we would be strengthened by the Spirit, know the greatness of God's love for us, and be filled with all the fullness of God.

Jesus tells us not to worry and gives us excellent reasons not to - God cares for birds and flowers and we are worth much more than they. Paul reminds us that God sacrificed Jesus to save us and if he did that, why wouldn't he provide for our lesser needs? Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath learned from experience what it means to put God first, trust him and he will provide.

Christians need constant renewal to be enabled to take off the old and put on the new.

The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us that everyone is our neighbor, even our enemy.  Leviticus 19 give us practical examples of how we can show love for our neighbor.