Same Work, New Reason | Ephesians 6: 5-9
When you become a "slave of Christ," you are free to work for a new reason and a different reward.
Who's Your Hero? | Philippians 2:1-11
Jesus perfectly lived out the kind of humility we need in order to love people. Make him your hero.
Four Questions | John 1:35-42
Rethink Church | Acts 2:42-47
In this passage about the origins of the Christian Movement known as the Church, we are invited to rethink the way we "do church" today.
(No audio recording this Sunday)
Worship and Prayer Service - No Sermon
The Lord's Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4
We pray "The Lord's Prayer" almost every week. But even more than a prayer to pray, this prayer that Jesus taught his disciples is a model for all prayer.
This Sunday we used the Lord's Prayer line-by-line as a guide for praying for ourselves, our church, our community, and the world.
Called Together | Mark 3:13-19
When Jesus calls you, he says: "Come be with me", "Go for me," and "You're in this together"
How will you respond?
Lop-sided Love | Matthew 5:43-48
Take after your Father in heaven by showing your enemies one-way love
The Gate | John 10:7-10
What does it mean that Jesus says, "I am the gate"?
Strangely Good Citizens | 1 Peter 2:11-17
What does the Bible teach us about being citizens of our country? The Christians Peter wrote to were a misunderstood minority in their Roman culture--something that Christians in VT can relate to more and more. What he told them applies equally to us:
Be a strangely good citizen for Jesus' sake.
Peace for Parents | Philippians 4:6-7
Convert your worries into prayers and run into the arms of God.
Gospel Families | Ephesians 6:1-4
God designed the family to be the ideal system for growing faith in our kids. This passage tells us how that system works best.
Children: Obey and honor your parents.
Parents: Treat your kids the way God treats you.
Gospel Marriage | Ephesians 5:21-33
God designed marriage to reflect a greater reality: the love between Jesus and his people.
Let your marriage reflect the gospel.
Lessons From the First Marriage | Genesis 2:7, 18-25
God's beautiful design for the first human relationship--a marriage--shows us the deep need we have for relationship. His design for marriage has 4 important components: companionship, complementarity, loyalty and intimacy.
Only through knowing the love of Jesus, who is the perfect Husband to his people, the Church (Eph 5:25-33) your marriage can be what God intended.
Made for Friendship | Proverbs (various)
Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, 20:5, 27:6, 9, 17, 25:17, 27:14, 17:9
You were made for deep, soul-level friendship. A friend like this sticks with you, speaks into you, respects you, and protects your friendship.
All true friendships point to Jesus, the ultimate friend, who showed us that "greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friend" (John 15:13).
Linked | Matthew 22:34-40
Love God first and you will love others most
Everyday Heroes | 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
There is nothing greater than self-giving love. Therefore, the best thing you can do in your life is to learn self-giving love. Where do you learn it? From God, who is the essence of love (1 John 4:16). Every relationship in your life is a training ground for you to learn God's way of self-giving love.
A good definition of love is "The commitment of my will to your needs and best interests, regardless of the cost."
Living Out Of God's Love
Christianity is not about "behavior modification." It's about a whole new motivation for doing what's right. When you believe in Jesus, God says you are chosen, holy, and dearly loved. Live out of that reality. Only a knowledge of God's deep love for you will enable you to love others.
What Difference Does the Ascension Make? | Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:50-53
Because Jesus ascended to heaven and sent his Holy Spirit, there is more of him in the world now than ever. Because he ascended to take his rightful throne, he is Lord over all.
"Touch Me, and See" | Luke 24:36-49
Jesus reveals to us that in Christianity there is no such thing as a general, abstract understanding of God. Through Jesus' real, resurrected body, we learn that he can bring us peace in our lives, hope for the physical world, and a real message that the world needs to hear.