Does our love for our neighbor as ourselves extend to our fences, dogs, shared spaces, care for things borrowed? Does neighborliness identify us as covenant people of God? Or confirm the world’s suspicion that our faith is a hypocritical cover story? Join us as we examine Exodus 21:28-22:17 and examine what the Bible says about our responsibility to love our neighbors by the way we use our things, what happens when we fail to exercise this love, and why it matters.
Category Archives: Sermons
06/18/2023 | “An Eye for and Eye” | Exodus 21:18-27
An eye for an eye! Moderns assume this is a sanction for revenge. But what if it is a safeguard to keep personal offense from becoming a blood feud. To guard against revenge, not foster it. And to help assess what sin destroys and repentance requires. Join us as we examine God’s law concerning personal injury in Exodus 21:18-27 and consider the important difference between justice and vengeance.
06/11/2023 | “Test Time” | James 1:1-4, 12
Anxiety, fear, palpitations, amnesia, ‘going blank.’ Responses to test-taking are diverse, but rarely pleasant. Whether tests of strength or skill, diagnostic or vocational tests, or final course exams, no one likes to be tested. We may enjoy the results, but never the process. Yet, testing is God’s great means of growth for us. Join us as our guest, Rev. Shannon Stokes, leads us to examine James 1:1-4, 12 in a sermon entitled “Test Time.”
06/04/2023 | “Overwhelmed” | 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
How do we react when life overwhelms? We say our faith gives us strength for “many trials of various kinds.” We should “count it all joy.” We can endure “all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Yet, when bad goes to worse, how then shall we live? Join us this week as Rev. Bill Holiman preaches from 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 and shares how we can manifest the life of Jesus even when life seems overwhelming.
07/02/2023 | “Unraveling” | Exodus 22:16-23:9
Exodus 22 is a hodge-podge of laws. But a common thread binds them together. We must guard others’ dignity and rights as fiercely as our own. Or else society unravels and loving our neighbor as ourselves becomes loving ourselves at a neighbor’s expense. Join us as we examine Exodus 22:16-23:9 and examine what the Bible says about our responsibility to love our neighbors as ourselves rather than loving ourselves by using them for our advantage.
05/28/2023 | “Death Penalty” | Exodus 21:12-17
Do OT civil laws have any continuing relevance? Or are they, like ceremonial laws, abrogated by Christ’s finished work? Are the laws concerning crime and punishment mere relics of the theocracy? Or should they carry authority in modern civil justice? Join us as we examine Exodus 21:12-17 and consider what the Old Testament teaches about the application of the death penalty and about civil justice today.
05/21/2023 | “Slaving Away” | Exodus 21:1-11
Far from a theological embarrassment, God places instruction about the care of slaves first in his application of the 10 commandments. This is not an editorial blunder but a call for Christians to live out their faith in gracious ‘life together.’ This week we examine Exodus 21:1-11 and consider what the Bible teaches about slavery and what this has to do with us.
05/14/2023 | “The Invitation” | Exodus 20:22-26
Invitations can create anxiety. The Bible invites us to come to God. But our sin makes us hesitate. So, God, himself, provided a safe approach through Jesus. How will you RSVP to God’s invitation? Ignore it? Decline it? Dread it? Or joyfully accept it? Join us as we examine Exodus 20:22-26 and consider God’s invitation to draw near.
05/07/2023 | “Storm Shelter” | Exodus 20:18-21
Where will you shelter from God’s justice? Under works? Family? Ritual? Who shields you from God’s judgement? The Bible names only one mediator between God & men, the man, Christ Jesus. All who come to him are never shut out. Do you have a storm shelter?
Join us as we examine Exodus 20:18-21 and consider how the Ten Commandments lead us to understand our need for Christ.
04/30/2023 | “Ground Zero” | Exodus 20:17
Covetousness, discontented desire, is ‘ground zero’ for all sin. It detonates evil in our hearts that poisons intentions, words, actions, relationships, and vocations. The 10th commandment warns us about it. But how carefully have we guarded our hearts? Join us as we examine the 10th Commandment and consider the warning against covetousness.
