March 22, 2015 Sermon

"It Wasn't Easy"

I’ve always enjoyed watching those home improvement shows on TV. Putting in new windows, floors and trim looks so easy. When they plaster drywall, they do it so smoothly and quickly. About 20 years ago I thought "That looks easy. I can do that!" So, I bought the equipment, a bucket of joint compound, and started to plaster. Ugg! Not pretty. Plastering is not as easy as it looks.

Why am I bringing this up? Because so many people think that Jesus’ gift of salvation wasn’t all that hard. After all, He is God. He can do anything He wants. Surely, many think, it was easy for Him to save us. As we travel through God’s Word today, I pray that all of us will realize that it was a lot harder than we at first think. "IT WASN’T EASY!" But, He wanted to do it and it was painfully perfect.

March 15, 2015 Sermon

Keep Looking Up!

It was one on my first Pastor's Conferences as part of the AZ-CA District. The conference was held in Gila, NM. The only forewarning I was given was that it was "interesting." We stayed at a hotel that was like something out of Stephen King's - "The Shining." It was late January, and in that part of the country, the spring warm up was already taking place. Whatever snow had fallen was now melting and filling all the streams and rivers. In fact the stream right next to the single-story hotel had flooded over into the parking lot. And we were told upon arrival that the water level was up to the foundation of the building just a few days earlier. There was plenty of water, just not the kind a hotel guest would be hoping for. No hot water. No running water. No flushing the toilets. There was a local church up the road that offered us the use of their restrooms. There was no cell service - save for a pay phone to make calls home. Thankfully, it was only a one night stay.

You have all had those types of regrettable experiences that left a sour taste in your mouth and 101 reasons to complain. It may have been a camping trip where it never stopped raining, or the vacation where everyone was miserable; a flooded basement that ruined all the family pictures, or something far more serious. We want to turn to God's Word in our OT lesson this morning and let God remind us how he takes care of our every need. It's here in the story of the Bronze Snake where the Lord reminds us to "Keep Looking Up!"

March 8, 2015 Sermon

What's So Great About the Cross?

Why do we exist as a congregation? That’s a question I believe all congregations should ask themselves time and time again. Some congregations answer that question this way: "We exist to help the hurting." So they establish food pantries and other community services. Others will say that they exist to make this world a better place. So they advocate for policies in government. Others will say they exist to make others feel welcomed and nurtured. So they establish self-help groups, community building programs and social activities. That’s why they exist.

Why does Messiah exist? Well, you walk in to this building, and what do you see? A cross. On the top of our steeple, there’s a cross During the season of Lent, we refer to the cross of Christ time and time again. There are crosses on my gown. You may be wearing a cross as part of your jewelry. The cross of Christ is the central message that we proclaim and drives everything that we do as a congregation. It’s all about the cross.

Now, you may ask "WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT THE CROSS?" Today God tells us through the Apostle Paul. The cross shows the power and wisdom of God. There’s nothing more important, nothing more life-changing than Christ’s cross.

March 1, 2015 Sermon

Look to the Lord!
Jake couldn't take it anymore. The guilt was overwhelming. It got so difficult he couldn't sleep at night. He ruined another relationship yet again.
Have you ever been there before and been in Jake's shoes? Maybe you've come into the worship service and just had that recurring thought in your mind - I wonder if the forgiveness that is announced by the pastor right now, I wonder if it is for me? I wonder if God could ever forgive me?
You and I can relate to Jake, and the Jacob in our OT lesson this morning. We are like the Jacob in our OT lesson who had guilt and had thoughts and fears and worries that were running through his mind. But what we'll also hear is how God sough Jacob out. We'll be reminded that we have the same assurance and comfort that Jacob did and "Look to the Lord!" b/c 1) His promises bring me life; and 2) His protection leads me to glory.

February 22, 2015 Sermon

The Time Has Come
All the guests are seated. The flowers look great. The music sounds fine, and then the church bells ring. In 30 years of doing weddings, I've never yet heard a bride or a groom say at this point "Uh, can we wait just a minute or two? The Badger game isn't quite finished." In every instance that I can remember, they were anxious to get things going. The time has come! Let’s do it! Eager anticipation, right?

Today, I pray that we have that same kind of eager anticipation as we look at the task the Lord sets before us today. "THE TIME HAS COME!" to battle temptation and to believe the good news. Come, and listen to our Lord today.