Discipleship Is a Pathway, Not a Destination
Scripture: Colossians 1:3-14 May I begin this sermon with a confession of sorts? When I started seminary I was a Bible illiterate for the most part. I hadn’t studied it, nor read it. What I knew about the Bible was only what I’d heard read in worship each week. And when only a handful of verses are read from week to week, that’s not much Bible. I entered seminary seriously wondering why the N.T. contains 4 different Gospels—Mathew, Mark, Luke,…
Obedience to What?
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 (view Ella Enchanted movie clip) Ah, yes, the perfect child, indeed! A child who obeys everything you say! Only in fairytales. Of course, in the movie this blessing of obedience turns out to be a curse. And many years later she discovers that she’s, in fact, not subject to the blessing laid upon her as an infant. Now, in reality, we all know that if we want our children to do something, all we have to do…
7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know
I am not a Biblical scholar. In fact, I am not a scholar of any sort. Nor am I an expert on any given topic. But with that disclaimer firmly in place, I do want to assure you that I can read. It’s truly a pleasure be a part of worship with you today. As I began to read and organize some thoughts, I came across some devotional material that caught my attention, and here’s why: Our Christian heritage has…
Who Do You Know and What Do You Believe?
Scripture Reading: Acts 17:22-31 Does anyone recognize these two men? (image of two men sitting at a table) I’m quite confident that you don’t know them for one simple reason: they’ve never been a part of your lives. They’re not related to any of you. They don’t live in Adrian. They don’t work at any of the places we work. They don’t go to church here. They’re not friends of a friend of yours whom you met at a party…
A New Season Begins
This sermon is a response to the news that our Associate Pastor, Chris Brundage, will be leaving us at the end of May, and that at the same time we’re welcoming Chuck Hollandbeck, our new Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries, and his wife, Shannon. Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Who here is a founding member of this congregation? Anyone here think they’ll still be here when this church closes its doors some day? The fact is, this church has been…
Crystal Ball Not Needed
This is the second in a 2-part post-Easter sermon series entitled, “What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?” This message focuses on the hope for our future the risen Christ offers us. Scripture Text: Luke 24:13-25 How interested would you be in knowing right now if you have a genetic predisposition to a particular disease? If that’s something you’d be interested in, then I have good news for you. The FDA just recently approved the first home genetic tests for 10 health risks,…
Peace Is In Our Hands
This is the first of a 2-part post-Easter sermon series entitled, “What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?” This message focuses on the deep, abiding peace of heart and mind the risen Christ offers us. Scripture Text: John 20:19-31 How does anxiety manifest itself in your life? For me, it effects my sleeping patterns. Most often, it wakes up in the middle of the night, and usually for no apparent reason. I can lie awake for a long period of time not…
Things Are Looking Up
Easter Sermon – April 16, 2017 Pastor Drew Hart Here’s an photo I took on Wednesday of a tree outside of my office window. Here’s a question for you…and I’m actually interested in hearing a couple of answers. If this particular image could speak, what would it be saying to you, personally? (responses) To me it’s saying, “No matter how it feels today, things will get better.” In other words, nothing stays bad forever. At some point, clouds always give…
Arrive and Rejoice
And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Beth′phage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat; untie it and bring it here. If any one asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this, ‘The Lord…
Because It Benefits the Whole Community
If you were the coach of a team — any sport, it doesn’t matter – would you rather have a team with 1 or 2 really, really good players who win you lots of games, or a team with no really good players, but they work well as a team, and win just as many games? Thursday’s CNN.com ran a fascinating article about today’s generation of young athletes. Geno Auriemma, head coach of U of Conn. women’s basketball team for…
Because Jesus Cares About Them
This is a sermon preached by Pastor Drew on March 5. It’s the first in a 5-part series called, “Why Should We Care About Them?” Read: Luke 15:1-10 Have you ever had the experience where you walk into a restaurant on a hot summer day only to discover that the A/C is turned up so high that you need a heavy sweater to stay warm? For years my mom has kept a sweatshirt in her trunk for this very purpose,…
Because They Matter!
This is a sermon preached by Pastor Drew Hart. It is the second in a 5-part sermon series about being externally-focused. There series is entitled, “Why Should We Care About Them?” Read: Luke 5:12-16 In terms of dollars and cents, how much do you suppose this person contributes to society? [photo of homeless person on a sidewalk covered with a blanket] Probably nothing. How much of a financial “drain” might some consider him/her to be? Somebody has to cover the…