Trinity United Presbyterian Church

Ruth, an outsider, chose unwavering courage and commitment to those near her. Her choice turned a foreign widow into the great-grandmother of King David and the ancestor of Jesus. Just like Ruth did, this lesson challenges us to commit to others. What do I do when I experience loss? Will that define me (as almost did with Naomi)?

The sermon series begins with faith's beginning - the epic story of Abraham & Sarah. In this series of sermons, we will also recall Trinity Church's history. In the rugged, unknown before Trinity in 1876, it was the trailblazers who dared to venture into uncharted territory. Their faithfulness impacted not only their generation but those to come. How do we trust God’s leading in uncertain seasons?...

Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar, has an enormous party, and drinks from the goblets captured from the temple of God in Jerusalem. A hand writes “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin” on the wall during the party. None of the wise men can interpret, but the Queen (Nebuchadnezzar’s former wife) remembers Daniel, who is called and able to interpret. Belshazzar is told by Daniel that his pride and arrogance, se...

Mr. Jayden Kawasaki Graduating High School Senior

The satraps set a trap for Daniel and despite knowing the law, he will not cease his devotion to God and his habits of prayer. He is thrown into the lion’s den, to the king’s distress, but God rescues him and he emerges unharmed. This leads to him being elevated, and God being acknowledged as the one true God. What challenges are there to maintaining our devotion to God, and our spiritual practice...

N dreams of a tree, but the interpretation is that God will punish him with temporary insanity. Daniel is tactful again, “If only this were a message for your enemies…” and though probably afraid is still willing to tell the king the truth. Acknowledging God is necessary for N’s recovery. Daniel calls on him to renounce his sin by doing what is right, and renounce wickedness by being kind to the o...

King Nebuchadnezzar sets up a statue of himself that everyone should worship but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse and are thrown into the fiery furnace. A fourth person is seen walking around with them in the furnace and they emerge unharmed, with no smell of fire on them. N turns and worships God saying this is the true God. Possible application points: what are we tempted to worship other t...

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream as interpreted by Daniel reveals that they are about to enter a time of serious geopolitical uncertainty. Kingdoms will rise and fall, but God will set up an unbreakable kingdom which will endure forever. As Daniel interprets this dream correctly, the king gives honor to Daniel and his god. Daniel uses his position to promote other godly men.

We are living in a physical world that nonetheless has a spiritual reality to it (represented by God-given dreams in this instance). The astrologers and magicians are told to tell the king not only what the dream means, but what the dream was: and getting it wrong is the death penalty: high stakes! But only God can reveal ultimate truth. Application: How do we keep the spiritual in mind in such a...

Daniel is brought into a culture hostile and alien to him. He enters a 3 year training program. He chooses not to defile himself in the alien culture, which has traps and dangers. We are living away from home (we are citizens of heaven). The culture has traps and dangers for us. How do we live in such a way that we do not get defiled? How do we stand apart and live different so that people can see...

The Final Words of Jesus

Why do we choose so poorly? Studies show that we have more choice than any generation in history, yet - paradoxically - we are less satisfied than ever. On this Palm Sunday, we look at the choices made by the crowd, by the Roman leadership, and by Jesus - and how these decisions can inspire our choices.

One could argue that Jesus’ greatest test was not on the Cross but in the Garden. For the Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus “began to be sorrowful and troubled.” And only here does Jesus tells his dearest friends that “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.” An honest look at Jesus’ very human emotions invites multiple questions – of Jesus and ourselves.

Are you a sheep, or a goat?? Jesus calls us to treat others as we would treat him in that situation. Who are 'the least of these' in our context? What should move us to action and how?

While the Disciples are impressed by the Temple, Jesus wants their trust and admiration to go elsewhere. He - Jesus himself - is the true and trustworthy Temple. And only Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. And because Jesus is our temple – the only focus of our worship – we are invited to a)trust his full authority, b)move through life with his calling to disciple, baptize and teach,...

"Practice what you preach!" In this chapter, Jesus scathingly rebukes the clergy for their false religion. And his words were recorded and written so that WE would hear them -- so Matthew no doubt intends those words for THE CHURCH. So, how do we tame the "pharisee" that is inside each one of us?

Let's talk about Life after death... so much of our efforts deny resurrection (like the Saduccees) or leaving resurrection unexplored (like the Pharisees). Jesus does neither, and we are blest if we follow his lead.

Jesus clears the Temple on Palm Sunday. His anger and rebuke of those who sold and bought in the temple is a model for our call to "be angry but do not sin" (Eph 4:26). Not all anger is sin, and sometimes NOT getting angry indicates a heart not fully committed to God (Note: I will be referring to the parallel passage of John 2:14-16). What makes you angry? What should make you angry (but doesn't)?

God's generosity baffles us. When we truly understand it, we are offended (not fair to me!) or grateful (for me?!) - but we are always surprised!

Every human has an innate desire to find lasting meaning and purpose. All humans long for a legacy that lasts. The ‘Righteous/Rich/Young/Ruler’ knows all indications are that Jesus is the one with the answers he longs for. But will he follow? Will we? What holds us back? And how can we live with lasting meaning and purpose?

One of the most difficult things a Christian is asked to do is to forgive -- truly forgive. We will explore what forgiveness means (and doesn't mean), and how God wants us to forgive when we don't think we can.

Once again, we examine the Church. The Transfiguration story tells us the shape of the Church (Christ preeminent, with the Law(Moses) and the Prophets(Elijah)), the power of the Church (Christ in Glory), and the weakness of the Church (human mistakes like Peter's happen LOTS!)

We'll focus on Jesus' commission to Peter - and how the Church destroys the gates of hell.