Sometimes it’s hard to feel joyous when there is so much chaos going on around us. There are three things that we can do to help find the joy God desires us all to embody.
Scriptures Used: Psalm 100; Revelation 2:2-5
This sermon was delivered during the Bishop’s annual parish visit.
Scripture Used: Psalm 126; Nehemiah 6:1-9 and 8:13-18; Mark 4:26-34
Waiting can be incredibly exciting or terrifying. How can we wait with hope and expectation? Psalm 130 gives us guidelines for waiting.
Scriptures Used: Psalm 130, Luke 18:9-14
Meaningful Conversation Starters: What does it look like for you to prepare for Christmas? What would it take for you to get ready?
Psalm 107 encourages us to remember the power of God that saves us, and others. It reminds us to witness verbally, publicly and boldly of that saving power, trusting for ourselves and others.
Scriptures Used: Psalm 107:1-43; Luke 4:16-30
The "imprecatory" psalms - the psalms of anger against injustice - are rarely read or preached on in church. This is unfortunate because they are a gift: Spirit-inspired words to voice righteous indignation about the very real evils in the world. Paul calls on us to be truthful -- to "BE ANGRY, and do not sin." These psalms allow us to do this, with humility (recognizing our own sinfulness), and to give our anger to God to handle it in his way and his time.
Scriptures Used: Psalm 58 and Romans 12:14-21
Psalm 27 is one of confidence in the Lord’s ability to be light, salvation and a stronghold for those who put their trust in Him. It teaches the importance of a relationship with Jesus that is personal, a priority and protective.
Scriptures Used: Psalm 27:1-14; John 4:1-26
In Psalm 143 David shows us how to respond to situations that threaten our bodies, minds or spirits. In doing so, he takes us beyond our experience to desire a greater good for ourselves, others and God.
Scriptures used: Psalm 143:1-12; Matt 10:26-39
The Psalms were the official hymnbook of God’s people for over 1500 years. Today, they provide language that take us where we would not (and perhaps could not) go -- giving us new reasons to be thankful, to praise, to have faith in trials, to lament and to pray against injustice and oppression. They are God’s language for calling out our souls.
Scriptures used: Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 7:12-29
Science and faith are often viewed as incompatible, according to a majority of Americans. Is it really true that these two are really in conflict? How do Christians relate to science in ways that are faithful to the Christian faith, but also to the true nature of science itself?
Scriptures Used: Psalm 19, Mark 4:35-41
What does the bible say about faith making us better people? John 15 has some incredible insights what fruit can come from a life that is abiding in Jesus, which includes very practical character traits like love, joy, friendship and more!
Scriptures Used: Col 1:3-14; John 15:1-17
How do we talk about emotional, often conflictual topics and leave as friends? This sermon will address the heart we approach such conversations with, as well as the skills we need to be peace-makers.
Scriptures Used: 2 Tim 2 : 14-26; Matt 5 : 1-16
What is curiosity and why is it important? What is the opposite of curiosity and what are the costs related to the lack of it?
Scriptures used: Prov 1:1-7; Matt 13:1-23
What happened in Athens in the 1st century, when the Apostle Paul met with the people there (also recorded in Acts 17). Why does it matter for us today?
Scriptures used: Acts 17:16-34; Matt 16:13-20
Why would you or I take the risk to be a part of a gathering of followers of Jesus (church), when there’s so much negative press in the media about what happens when Christians gather together? Today we’ll learn from a story of a paralyzed man, the nature and value of true community.
Scriptures used: Mark 2:1-12; Gal 6:1-10
The story of Ezra and Nehemiah are great lessons for how to build. They provide powerful lessons about who God is, and who we are to be as we minister in the church and world. This message will focus on the sovereignty of God, how we deal with opposition from within and without, and the importance of God’s glory as our final goal.
Scriptures used: Ezra 3:8-13; John 17:10-23
God has a world-sized purpose for each of us.
Scripture used: Genesis 12 : 1-3; John 20 : 1-22
August 18, 2019
So many people have different opinions about the Church. However, what does the Bible say, and what does Jesus say? This sermon will cover what is the Church, why does it matter and how this can shape what we believe and do.
Scripture used: Matt 16:13-20; Eph 2:11-22
August 11, 2019
Deacon Scott shares how Hebrews 11:1-16 relates to our lives of attempting to faithfully follow God in the midst of uncertainty, feeling foreign, and trusting in God’s promised eternal hope.
Scripture Used: Hebrews 11:1-6, Luke 12:32-40
Meaningful Conversation Starters:
Is faith in God intriguing, promising, and hopeful for you, or does it just sound like daydreaming or madness?
Is your faith in … your faith? Or is your faith in God and His faithfulness.
Do you have faith that God can use what you have to offer?
Is it sometimes easy to be discouraged or frustrated and wonder if God really is in your life? If He really is going to reveal His will to you as you seek after Him?
Just prior to departing from the disciples after their last supper together, Jesus prayed for the unity of those who were believing in Him. He prayed to the Father that "they may be one, as we are one." Why? So that the world may know Jesus was sent by the Father and know the Father's love.
Scripture used: John 17:20-26
Meaningful Conversation Starters: Is the unity of the Church a gift of God, or something we work towards, or is it both? What are some practical ways we demonstrate, or live out, our unity in Christ?
There is a "different gospel" that many are preaching -- prosperity gospel, universalism, progressivism (relativism), and so forth. Jesus tells us to be wise and shrewd. Paul warns the church about those who will come and ravage the flock. We must safeguard our families, friends, the church, etc while at the same time interacting with different ideologies graciously and sensitively.
Scripture used: Matthew 7:15-23; Jude 1:1-8, 17-23
110 Roanoke St E
Blacksburg Virginia, 24060
540-217-3210
Morning Worship - 9:15am
PO Box 924
Blacksburg, VA 24063
540-217-3210
