First Pres Colorado Springs Sermons

The high priest, Caiaphas, had no idea what he was truly saying. John points out the irony in John 18:14. But the truth of it remains. Jesus, one man, has died for the many. Jesus has paid the ransom price to bring the disobedient nation, the people of God, into eternal life in God’s Kingdom. On this Sunday after Easter, we celebrate that eternal life is welling up within us if we have faith in Je...

This is the story of Lazarus. Before Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning, He called His friend Lazarus out of the tomb and back from the dead. Lazarus came out with his graveclothes still on. Jesus commanded those around him to unbind him and let him free. Jesus has granted us new life; we act as though we are still dead. Jesus has gained us forgiveness; we act as though we are still condem...

Jesus came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday humbly riding a donkey. But His presence turned a walk through a gate into a parade into the city of God. The people could see something of His glory, enough to make them sing and shout. How do you see the glory of God? It will remain hidden to you until you believe. We want to see in order to believe, but some things you have to believe in order to see. Je...

Why? If only. When we are hit with unexpected tragedy and loss, we ask why. No matter how much you expect it, the loss of a loved one leaves a great hole and causes us to ask why. It is OK to express our disappointment and pain with God. If only you, God, would have cured the cancer, stopped that drunk driver, turned the heart of my wayward child… But God didn’t. Mary, so close to Jesus in Luke 10...

This is an “I Am” statement of Jesus. One of the seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John, and one of the most powerful! There is no use pretending that Jesus never claimed to be God. “I Am” is the name YAHWEH (cf. Exodus 3:14). And who is Jesus? Jesus is the resurrection. The promise of life after death and the restoration of all things all hang on the person of Jesus. Jesus is the life. Ete...

We are so often bound by fear of what may happen to us in the worst case. The disciples were scared that the enemies of Jesus would capture Him. Jesus responds that His day is not done; He has a full "day" of work to do and it will not come to an end until his "hour" is come to be lifted up and draw all people to Himself (cf. Jn 12:32). Jesus is at peace walking in the light. C...

Lazarus was sick, and would die. But Jesus says his illness would not end in death ultimately. He knew He had the power to raise Lazarus up again. But there is a sickness that leads to death. Sin. We are all subject to it. It binds us and captures us. How can a kept person be made free? Speaker: Tim McConnell

We do not rejoice in ourselves, or in our position, or in our capabilities, or in our good fortune. We rejoice in the Lord always. If you believe in Christ, then you are “in Christ.” In union with Christ, we rise. Our lives are not our own. We belong to Christ and we receive His eternal life as we rise in Him. Take Joy. Wherever you are and whatever you are suffering, from there you can, in Christ...

It is easier to move through struggle and trial when you know there is an end on the horizon. Paul knows there is an upward call in his life. He knows that Christ has won a place for him in heaven, in the eternal kingdom. It is an upward call—not so much because it exists up in the clouds as that it lifts our heads. Jesus ascended; we will too. Forward into God’s eternal world-put-right. That give...

Friendship helps us find joy in the midst of sadness and trials. Friendship is no small thing. Paul names two friends, Timothy (“I have no one else like him.”) and Epaphroditus. Paul finds relief in thinking of these friends in his suffering. He is blessed by their presence and shares in relationship with the community through them even when he is himself imprisoned and separated. Take joy in frie...