April 26, 2015 Sermon

"Jesus is Your Shepherd"

Why do you go to your doctor? To that specific doctor? It may be that he or she is the only one in your health plan that you can see, but often we choose our doctors because we like them. We go because they’ve shown us that they care about us. We go because they have a good track record treating us. We trust them because they take care of our physical health.

Do you have a spiritual doctor, a shepherd that takes care of your spiritual health? Do you have someone you can rely on, someone that is always there for you? Of course you do! Sometimes we may wonder. Sometimes we may doubt. But today our Lord comes to us and reassures us. Today, on Good Shepherd Sunday, come with me to God’s Word and be reassured once again that "JESUS IS YOUR SHEPHERD." Jesus is totally dedicated to us and he has the power to give us life.

April 19, 2015 Sermon

"How Do I Get There?"

He and his college buddies were traveling through the Ozark mountains on their way to the Buffalo National River. They were going to canoe the entire river during their spring break. So, they pulled up to a general store in a small town at the end of the river where they were going to leave one car. Walking in to that store, he asked the men that were sitting there "How do I get to the start of the river?"

Well, that started an argument. One man said one thing, another contradicted him and said another. A third man said they both were wrong and proceeded to give yet another set of directions. Who was right? Confused, he asked again "What’s the best way to get there?" but that started a whole ‘nother argument among the men in that general store.

How do I get there? Most of us have asked that question at some point in our lives, haven’t we? And it’s a question that many people today ask when they come face to face with the fact of their mortality. We’re all going to die, eventually. And if there is a heaven (and God assures us there is),"HOW DO I GET THERE?" Let’s see if God answers that question for us today.

April 12, 2015 Sermon

"You Don't Want to Miss This!"

The term "can't miss" is being used extensively these days. TV executives label shows and episodes as can't miss in an effort to spike ratings. Or with the NFL Draft coming up at the end of the month - you'll hear the gurus claim that some of the college prospects are "can't miss."

But what I really mean is this - have you ever found yourself in an amazing situation that tugged at your heartstrings as the best ever? I think it's safe to say we've all had "Can't Miss" moments. The birth of your first child; their first step; after a long hike - the view from the top of the mountain that is can't miss. And in some situations you or a friend may be the one exclaming, "You don't want to miss this!"

There was a "Can't Miss" event that took place on Easter Sunday as the disciples saw their Lord Jesus risen from the dead. And they made it clear they wanted the one disciple who wasn't there - Thomas - to not miss out on seeing Jesus alive when they said to him in v. 24 - "We have seen the Lord!" In other words, "You Don't Want to Miss This!"

Today, we continue our Easter season of worship that leads us to give many thanks and praise to Jesus.  We will see how Thomas’s doubts were put away and how Jesus comforted and commissioned his disciples and how he still does the same for you and me today.

April 5, 2015 Sermon

A Little While...
based on John 16:16-22

What are the four words that parents dread most? Maybe it’s these: "Are we there yet?" If you’ve ever taken a trip with small children, even if it’s only a 5 minute trip, I’m absolutely positive you’ve heard these words. Children are so anxious to get wherever you are going.

So what’s your answer to that question? Some might say "We’ll get there when we get there", but that doesn’t go over so well with kids. Others might say "In 5 minutes", but they don’t have a watch or a good grasp on time. Or, you might say "We’ll be there in a little while" and let them figure out how long that is.

This morning, as we take a look at Jesus’ words to His disciples, He uses that phrase "A LITTLE WHILE". He’s pointing them to the very first Easter morning when He would see them again. For now, they would experience sorrow for a little while. Then, in a little while, their sorrow would turn to joy. You know, in a little while.

March 29, 2015 Sermon

Who Can Climb the Hill of the Lord?

How many of you would consider yourself a climber? Maybe the purest example is that of a young child who displays exuberance when they’ve climbed on top of the furniture – with a grin on their face from ear to ear.

A professional baseball player started as a young child in tee ball and little league; then AAU and high school baseball. And whether or not he decides to go to college, once he enters pro-ball, he has to make his way through rookie league, summer league, and the single, double and triple-A ranks before he can make it to the top – Major League Baseball.

In business, the young professional works the long hours for many times little pay – all in an effort to make it to the top of his profession.

And if you like – mountain climbing – you know that there are quite a few things that you have to do before you accomplish the feat of making it to the top of the mountain – the least of which is being in good physical condition and maintaining proper hydration.

I'd like you to consider yourself a climber this morning as we consider the words of King David in Psalm 24 as he both asks and answers the question this morning, "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?" or in other words - "Who Can Climb God's Hill?" May we all have the ability to both ask and answer that question that we are able to climb God's hill because of what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what he's done for us.

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