The Upper Room Fellowship

Sermon Summary: In our "Unstuck" series, we explored Steps 8 and 9 of the Twelve Steps: making a list of those we've harmed and making amends. We began with Jesus' radical teaching from the Sermon on the Mount that challenges our priorities. While religious leaders of His day would never interrupt worship, Jesus said, "If you remember someone you've wronged while worshiping, leave your gift at the...

Sermon Summary:Shame drives us to hide. From the moment Adam and Eve felt shame in the garden and covered themselves with fig leaves, humanity has been stuck in this pattern of concealing our true selves. We begin with a confession – whether we realize it or not, we're all hiding something. The "Unstuck" series explores how the 12 steps of AA correspond with Jesus' teachings. Whi...

Sermon Summary:In our "Unstuck" sermon series, we explored Step 4 of the 12-step recovery program: making a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This practice, which began with Bill W. in 1935 through Alcoholics Anonymous, isn't just for those struggling with addiction but offers freedom to everyone. While the first three steps are somewhat theoretical (admitting powe...

Sermon Summary:In our "Unstuck" series exploring principles from the 12-Step Program, we focused on Step 3: "We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God." While the first two steps involve recognition and belief, this third step calls for action and choice—the pivotal moment when we surrender control to God. The sermon used the powerful metaphor o...

Sermon Summary:In this exploration of Step Two of the 12 Steps, we journey through the remarkable transformation of King Nebuchadnezzar. His story reveals how even the most powerful among us can be trapped in the insanity of self-sufficiency. Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of ancient Babylon and builder of legendary wonders, believed himself to be the source of his own greatness until a divine intervention...

Sermon Summary:We explored the universal experience of feeling stuck - not just in snow, but in relationships, habits, addictions, and behavioral patterns. Drawing parallels between AA's first step and spiritual transformation, we examined how true freedom begins with admitting our powerlessness. The sermon connected the founding principles of Alcoholics Anonymous to the transformative power o...

Sermon Summary: In John 3, we explore the transformative encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a respected religious leader who sought Jesus under cover of darkness. Despite his extensive religious knowledge and status, Nicodemus discovered that proximity to religion wasn't enough – he needed a complete spiritual rebirth. Through their dialogue, we see Jesus challenging the notion that being reli...

Sermon Summary: In this exploration of John 15, we delved into what it truly means to be the church - not just a building, but an unstoppable movement Jesus called "ecclesia." We discussed how transformation happens not through our own efforts, but through abiding in Christ, the true vine. Using vivid illustrations, we explored how trying to manage sin is like holding a beach ball underw...

Sermon Summary: In this New Year's message, we explored four pivotal scriptures that define the essence and purpose of the church. Beginning in Matthew 16, we journey to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus declared He would build His church on the foundation of His identity as Messiah. We learned how the original Greek word "ekklesia" described a dynamic movement rather than just a building. The Great...

In this New Year's message, we explore the profound metaphor of spiritual clothing and how our heavenly Father clothes us. Drawing from Ephesians 6's armor of God passage, we examine how spiritual warfare manifests in our daily lives - from marriage struggles to personal faith challenges. The sermon weaves together imagery of animal molting, new wineskins, and the prodigal son's story to illustrat...

In this Christmas message, we explore why our culture's endless search for magic - from Marvel movies to Superman - points to a deeper spiritual longing. The Christmas story introduces us to shepherds, society's outcasts and criminals, who become the first recipients of history's greatest news. Through their story, we discover how God intentionally chooses the unlikely and unworthy to showcase His...

We explored the fascinating story of the Magi – not the three kings of Christmas card fame, but Persian astrologers who practiced a form of wisdom that God's people were actually told to avoid. Yet mysteriously, God invited these pagan scholars to witness something extraordinary. These educated stargazers could get themselves to Jerusalem through their learning, but they needed Scripture's wisdom...

In this exploration of Luke 1, we journey beyond the sanitized Christmas card version to uncover the raw, supernatural drama of the nativity story. We examine how Mary's hurried 100-mile journey to Elizabeth wasn't just a family visit, but possibly a desperate attempt to save her life. The sermon unpacks how John the Baptist, still in Elizabeth's womb, recognized Jesus' presence and leaped for joy...

Sermon Summary: In this advent message, we explore the extraordinary nature of the Christmas story through the lens of what C.S. Lewis called "deep magic" - the reality that our world isn't just a closed system of cause and effect, but rather infused with divine presence and purpose. We journey through the announcement of Jesus's birth to Mary in Nazareth, examining how God consistently chooses un...

Sermon Summary: In this final installment of our Nehemiah series, we explore what happens after the seemingly perfect ending of Jerusalem's wall being rebuilt. After 12 years of successful leadership, Nehemiah returns to his position in Susa, only to discover years later that everything he built is falling apart. The temple is compromised, worship is neglected, and the people have broken their cov...

Nehemiah #2 : The Slave Who Asked for a Fore

Nehemiah #1 : When Distraction Means Destruction

Becoming Childlike

Trading Rules for Relationship

The Connected Life: Lessons from a Branch

In this sermon, we explore the book of Ezekiel, focusing on the prophet's extraordinary vision by the Kebar River in Babylon. We delve into Ezekiel's background as a priest, accustomed to the structured worship in Jerusalem's temple, and how his exile to Babylon shattered his understanding of God's presence. The sermon highlights how God sometimes bypasses our rational mind to speak directly to ou...

In this sermon, we explore the idea that the darkness and challenges we see in the world, and even in our personal lives, do not have the final say. We examine the historical event of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland in 1979 and the subsequent fall of communism, highlighting the power of hope and faith in Christ. We are reminded that God's kingdom is not in decline, but rather, it is growing ex...

Better Together #4 - Unified & Focused

Better Together #3 - Digging Through Roofs // Chris Holm

Better Together #2 - Temples on Two Feet