Trinity United Presbyterian Church

Jesus’ teaching on the vine and branches summarizes our three most basic and important commitments in life: Commitment to Christ, to the body of Christ, and to the work of Christ in the world. We abide in the Lord through prayer and attention to God’s Word. We love one another because we are all beloved in Christ. We bear much fruit that will last as the natural result of God’s life flowing throug...

In the gospel of Luke we see several passages of scripture that highlight how Jesus called his first disciples. In this passage from Luke chapter 5 we will notice not only who Jesus asks to follow him but also but why he asks them to follow him. This sermon is really about our call to serve the Kingdom of God - that is for all of us. But in the midst of that call there is also the vocational call...

King Josiah gives us the example of why pursuing difference and change matters as it leads us to reclaim our identity, rediscover God’s truth, and experience renewal in how we live our lives.

The best response to the perpetual problem of suffering and evil is humility. God is God and we are not. Faith, hope, and love thrive when we accept God’s sovereignty over all life. Our unwavering confidence in God’s love lies at the heart of this conviction. God’s love ensures justice, quiets our anxiety, cultivates our contentment, and generates our confidence. Job’s story reveals both the limit...

This message focuses on the thieves on the cross. If we had only this account of the crucifixion, we would have enough to understand the entire gospel. This taunting thief took up the insults of the crowd and threw them at Jesus. His scornful jibe revealed his shallow understanding of the nature of justice and of Jesus. For Christ to save Himself would have been seen by most as a vindication. To s...

This message focuses on the thieves on the cross. If we had only this account of the crucifixion, we would have enough to understand the entire gospel. This taunting thief took up the insults of the crowd and threw them at Jesus. His scornful jibe revealed his shallow understanding of the nature of justice and of Jesus. For Christ to save Himself would have been seen by most as a vindication. To s...

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is yet one more evidence of God’s divine design, orchestrating all events according to God’s redemptive plan. We see this in the securing of the colt, the fulfilment of Scripture, and the prophecy of Jerusalem’s future destruction for rejecting Jesus. Application: Jesus walks the “high way,” the royal way (el Camino Real) so that we can travel with him into our royal in...

Jesus’ journey to the cross is the “scarlet thread” woven through Scripture. The transfiguration combines the revelation of Jesus’ glory with the clarity of his mission as the Christ (Luke 9:20-22). Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) predicted and prepared God’s people for this cosmically significant event. (See Deuteronomy 18:15—quoted in Acts 7:37—and Isaiah 53 as examples)....

We’ve probably all had the humiliating experience of being chosen last for a sports team, or facing some kind of rejection. How liberating it is when we realize that we have been chosen by God. And more than that, he has a plan for us, good works for us to do, to make a difference in this world. This week, as we wrap up our Chosen series, we’ll be looking at what a difference that makes to us, and...

Growing up as a street kid in Kampala, Uganda, Peter endured unthinkable suffering; however, the kindness of a stranger changed his life. Peter's inspiring story will challenge you to reflect on what you have been given and invite you to be Chosen by a child in Honduras.

We're invited to step outside our comfort zones and engage in God's love for "the least of these brothers and sisters" whom Jesus calls us to care for, near or far.

Commitments shape our lives. We first make our commitments and then our commitments make us. What kind of commitments shape your life? Is life just happening to you, or are you shaping an abundant life? If you want to become all that God created you to be, you must tap the power of a committed life. As we come to the commencement (I prefer that word over “conclusion”) of our journey toward heighte...

Since creation, the Lord has called us, as his image-bearers, to reflect God’s nature in a holy partnership in life and work. Theologians describe our call to be “vice-regents” who exercise God-given authority in the responsible care for and management of creation. Spiritual exercises channel the life of Christ through us as we play our part in Christ’s continuing work in the world. We have one ca...

One of the greatest distractions to spiritual growth is drawing power from our human assets instead of relying on the Lord. Spiritually speaking, power means having the resources and ability to pursue and achieve godly goals, to maintain our convictions and standards in the face of subtle challenges or direct opposition, and to influence individuals, groups, and relational networks (systems) for g...

Spiritual vitality makes sense of life: Why are we alive? Why is there suffering? What is God’s will for our lives? Apart from God, the ‘secular mind’ conjures up a inaccurate, inadequate explanations and principles for life and conduct. When we receive new life through Christ, however, we also received the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). This new mind corrects our view of the world and of ev...

God is always with us, but we rarely realize God’s presence. Spirituality, at it’s essence, is living moment-by-moment in the awareness of God’s presence by the power of the Holy Spirit. Spirituality brings us in touch with God’s life so we bring God’s touch to the world. Elisha’s servant saw the spiritual reality that is often “invisible” to those untrained in faith. Spiritual exercises set us fr...

In the rush to experience as much as we can, we miss those factors that bring peace, perspective, and meaning into our lives. How can we confront and break “the tyranny of the urgent”? We do so when we align our time with God’s values. Grace takes time. Experiencing peace takes time. Letting God love you takes time. This message equips us to exercise daily time awareness and weekly Sabbath rest. A...

Spiritual growth is not automatic. Our best intentions will not change us by themselves. Many strategies (such as guilt, emotionalism, and will power) are inadequate for us to discover and sustain the motivation for consistent training in godliness. Motivation is best generated when we catch the vision for the new life God has for us in Christ. The ‘glory’ of the Old Covenant faded, but the glory...

The symptoms of soul neglect help diagnose our spiritual condition. But what about spiritual health? What does that look like? We measure our physical health by basic criteria called vital signs. The soul, likewise, has vital signs by which we measure spiritual health. The five vital signs of spiritual health are: God’s pace redeems our time. God’s presence fills our hearts. God’s perspective rene...

It’s not only what we do that hurts us most; it’s what we fail to do. We are often unaware that many of our emotional, psychological, and relational struggles arise from soul neglect. This message explores the symptoms of soul neglect in Elijah’s story, such as depression and discouragement, disconnecting from others, disconnecting from responsibility, and vulnerability to temptation.

We profess to believe in God, but our words, thoughts and actions often dishonor God and embarrass us. We are theoretical believers– but functional atheists. Intentional soul care (spirituality) connects us with God in vital fellowship, cultivates spiritual awareness in our daily lives, and conforms us to God’s image in Christ. Theme scripture for entire series: 1 Timothy 4:7, 8 “ ...Train yoursel...

We are a forgetful people. When it comes to our spiritual lives, it is important that we never forget what God has done for us. In Joshua 4, God instructs the Israelites to construct a pile of stones to mark the day they crossed over the Jordan River, into the land that God had promised them. The stones would be a reminder, for generations to come, of God’s love for his people and faithfulness to...

“ ...Should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus never hesitated to teach the reality of judgment. To perish is to be separated from God, cut off from eternal life with God. God gave Jesus to save us from judgment. Through faith in Christ, God gives us the gift of abundant life now and eternal life forever. Jesus warned Nicodemus (and all who read the gospel) about the eternal danger of reject...