The Tabernacle Sermons

As we look at the heart of what Paul is teaching about the body, the church, we see that unity in Christ enables us to stay on mission.  In essence, a stronger church, starts with me!

Nothing sparks a debate or argument quicker than politics. And each successive election causes the further polarization and fracturing of the nation. But Christians have a calling to be stronger citizens because of their loyalty to Christ.

We often ask the question, what do I get out of serving instead of, How is Christ glorified through my serving?

Is the  church obedient to the mission God has called us to or is the mission (which has not changed) without a church?  Are we so good at the motions of casual attendance, casual conversations, casual observation of the service that we have missed out on what happens when God’s people truly gather on mission! 

God is generous by nature and sets the ultimate standard of generosity. People are selfish by nature because we are all born in sin. We don’t have to stay that way, but can allow the Gospel to transform our hearts towards stronger generosity.

Can we be strong in our weakness?

Receiving Christ is the beginning of the Christian life, not the ending, and Scripture uses various metaphors to describe the spiritual journey. It’s called a way, a road, a race, or a walk. All illustrate the same thing: movement or progression.

Most people tend to rely upon their own wisdom or the counsel of the world, when faced with the issues of life. But God has all of the best wisdom and counsel readily available to us. Perhaps that’s why sinful hearts often seek Him last. 

Have you ever wondered what happens when you allow your mind to fixate on what others have and to grow frustrated on what you don’t have? Look no further than 1 Kings 21!  We find Ahab, vexed and sullen with a covetous spirit, however, his heart is about to change!

In this chapter we find a war saturated story paired with drunken kings, walls falling down on 27,000 Syrian soldiers, lions killing prophets because they wouldn't punch another prophet and a bold reminder that we serve a limitless God, rich in mercy and the giver of abundant hope! 

The church that Jesus promised to build has been under attack for 2000 years. And half-hearted Christians with milquetoast faith are the first to fall away or get picked off. God’s call is to leave everything behind on behalf of the fight for His kingdom.

Sooner or later everyone faces disappointment, discouragement or despair. The important question when we feel hopeless, fearful, and alone is whether we will run toward God or away from him.

In this text, we look at three different prayers; three different forms of prayer that Elijah gave to God, in faith, as a primary weapon in this fight. The hope is that we wouldn't see these prayers as circumstantial, as unique to Eljiah's story alone, but as a necessity in the lives of each and every believer today.

In this passage we see what is potentially the greatest spiritual showdown in 1 Kings.  Two heavyweights duke it out in a winner takes all bout between the God of the Bible and the pagan gods Baal and Asherah.

Faith and obedience can sometimes stir up trouble, but the trouble is on the side of the faithless and the disobedient.

The fact that God is both transcendent and immanent is hard wrap one’s mind around. But if we don’t accept this paradox, that God is limitless in power and at the same time is intensely personal, then our understanding of God is too small.

It’s easy to look for spiritual shortcuts or hacks to get what we want from God. This temptation is nothing new, and only shortchanges God’s process. In Elijah’s life we see that the only way is the same old way, which is God’s way.

We can waste years and lifetimes trying to fill the God-shaped hole in our souls. Good things become god-things as we worship the work of our own hands. Only Christ can fill that void because as image-bearers, we were made for God alone.

Generational sin is only repeated when we chose to follow the footsteps of unfaithfulness, not the footsteps left by those who have been, or are being faithful.  It comes down to a choice.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but according to the Bible God looks at the heart. God’s desire is that our hearts would be fully devoted to Him in love, which is also the first commandment. But sin makes our hearts so very complicated.

Our earthy vision of jealousy almost always involves sin and thus the main teaching point. How can God be jealous? What is Holy Jealousy? What does it mean for us? Let’s dive in.

The nature of sin drives us to hide ourselves in shame from God and one another. But the antidote for sin and shame is relationship with God and community with one another. Jesus came promising life and truth that will set us free.

People often treat God and His Word as a nice addition to life and not the centerpiece of existence. But God is not a side-dish off the menu, and He demands and deserves our whole life in worship.

The ascension of Christ made it very clear that the earthly ministry of Christ was not completed until He was seated at the right hand of the throne of the Father. His presence with the Father does not mean he is no longer with us. The promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit is now present in the heart of all believers. 

Good Friday Message