This sermon "
from Sept. 20, 2009 explores John 5:1-15 where Jesus heals a lame man. While there are many interesting aspects to this text the heart of the message is simply that Jesus is aware of this man and only Jesus is able to do for him what he can not do for himself.
This guy was passionate about wanting to be made whole, but he could not make it happen simply by his own will. Jesus, the Son of God, the crucified and risen saviour is the source of our life, our hope and our joy!
Without Jesus we have no hope, with Him we have more than we need!
Check out this great gospel song by the best Gospel singer America has ever known, Mahalia Jackson. The song written by Thomas A. Dorsey is "Precious Lord, take my hand". Dorsey has shared the story many times that he wrote this song in the midst of overwhelming grief at the death of his wife, at a very young age.
Dorsey recalls he was devastated and the sudden and tragic loss of the love of his life. Crying, praying and crying some more he sat at the piano and these words and this melody came almost instantly to him. They have been a blessing to millions since.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Growing in Grace
As we read the Gospels we quickly see a pattern in the lives of the disciples. First they are simply followers, then they grow in their passion for and understanding of Christ they become disciples. Not long after this Christ gives them service to perform and they are servants and at the end of His earthly ministry he calls them friends.
The sermon from Oct.4 explores this progression in the lives of the disciples and calls me to examine my own commitment to my Lord. I am growing deeper and stronger in my love and commitment to Him? Or am I easily distracted by sin and Satan to seek my own inferior pleasure rather then the vastly superior pleasure of God.
Before you listen to the sermon, take a listen to this great hymn sung by one of America's greatest hymn singers, George Beverly Shea. It is simply called "I'd rather have Jesus" and it was recorded live in 1957.
When I was a child we had a simple record player and only a handful of records. (I was a preacher's kid - and grateful for that- and my parents were intentional about what we watched and listened to) Each night my dad would put on one of our gospel records as we went to bed and I would fall to sleep listening to Ethel Waters or George Beverly Shea. This song, by Bev Shea was one that I listened to over and and over night after night. The words are powerful and the older I get the more meaningful they have become.
Indeed, as we grow in grace we realize, we would rather have Jesus.
By the way, Bev Shea is now 100 years old and recently he sang in person for the inmates at Angola Prison, the LA state prison.
Luke 22:7 - Growing in Grace. Are you?
"click to listen
The sermon from Oct.4 explores this progression in the lives of the disciples and calls me to examine my own commitment to my Lord. I am growing deeper and stronger in my love and commitment to Him? Or am I easily distracted by sin and Satan to seek my own inferior pleasure rather then the vastly superior pleasure of God.
Before you listen to the sermon, take a listen to this great hymn sung by one of America's greatest hymn singers, George Beverly Shea. It is simply called "I'd rather have Jesus" and it was recorded live in 1957.
When I was a child we had a simple record player and only a handful of records. (I was a preacher's kid - and grateful for that- and my parents were intentional about what we watched and listened to) Each night my dad would put on one of our gospel records as we went to bed and I would fall to sleep listening to Ethel Waters or George Beverly Shea. This song, by Bev Shea was one that I listened to over and and over night after night. The words are powerful and the older I get the more meaningful they have become.
Indeed, as we grow in grace we realize, we would rather have Jesus.
By the way, Bev Shea is now 100 years old and recently he sang in person for the inmates at Angola Prison, the LA state prison.
Luke 22:7 - Growing in Grace. Are you?
"click to listen
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Guest
The city was filled with people whose minds were focused on all things religious. Yet it appeared to the disciples that with everyone about to begin the passover in their homes or in a location with family and friends, there was no place, no room for them to celebrate passover with Jesus.
Just like today, when the vast majority of people have a "faith" of some sort, or claim that "faith" is a vital part of their lives, but few, very few have made room for the one who is the truth, and the life, " the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross," HEB 2:12.
The problem in our culture is not a lack of desire or interest or commitment to "spiritual things" but rather no room Jesus, no room for the truth. Yet, when there is no room, He makes room. Jesus Himself secured a room for the Passover, no one offered Him a room, no one invited him to their home, but still He found a room. He finds us!
Before you listen to the sermon, (a wonderfully short one this time) please take a listen to an awesome singer and an amazing and passionate presentation of the song, "In the Upper Room with Jesus". The singer is of course the one and only Mahalia Jackson.
The sermon - "the guest"
Just like today, when the vast majority of people have a "faith" of some sort, or claim that "faith" is a vital part of their lives, but few, very few have made room for the one who is the truth, and the life, " the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross," HEB 2:12.
The problem in our culture is not a lack of desire or interest or commitment to "spiritual things" but rather no room Jesus, no room for the truth. Yet, when there is no room, He makes room. Jesus Himself secured a room for the Passover, no one offered Him a room, no one invited him to their home, but still He found a room. He finds us!
Before you listen to the sermon, (a wonderfully short one this time) please take a listen to an awesome singer and an amazing and passionate presentation of the song, "In the Upper Room with Jesus". The singer is of course the one and only Mahalia Jackson.
The sermon - "the guest"
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