"Divine Directions"
The purpose of this sermon series was to answer the question, "Who are we as a new church?" We explore our purposes, mission statement and our overall vision and calling as a new congregation.
April 15, 2007. "The Priority of Worship." MP3 Audio File - pdf manuscript. (2 Chronicles 29:1-6, 28-33). Our first purpose as a church is worshiping. It is common knowledge, however, that worshiping is no longer a priority for many evangelical churches. Why is this the case? And what is worship? This sermon looks at three pillars of worship and asks whether worship should be the primary purpose for the Church and Christians.
April 29, 2007. "God's Miracle Grow." pdf manuscript. Our second purpose as a church is growing - to be a Life-Transforming Church. Why bother growing, though? Growing means changing, and changing is often painful. This sermon looks at the theological reason we must seek spiritual growth and how God uses the church in a unique way to facilitate growth.
May 6, 2007. "The Lasting Impression of Love." pdf manuscript. (John 13:33-36). Sometimes the Church makes the wrong impression - of hatred, hypocrisy and judgmentalism. What impression should it make? How about our new fellowship? Find out about the object of love, the standard of love and the result of love. Our third purpose is to be a relationship-building church. Leave the lasting impression of love!
May 20, 2007. "When You have Good News..." MP3 Audio File - pdf manuscript. When you have Good News... You Share it! Our fourth purpose is to be a Gospel-Sharing Church. But what is the gospel? With whom are we to share it? Why is this purpose so offensive to some? How do we fulfill this purpose well?
May 27, 2007. "Our Distinctive DNA - Part I." (Pentecost Sunday) MP3 Audio File - pdf manuscript. While all churches are called to fulfill biblical purposes, not all churches do so in the same manner. What mission does our church have, that is distinctive? Based on our mission statement, this sermon examines our desire to be a God-centered church, and our value of historic Christian worship.
June 3, 2007. "Our Distinctive DNA - Part II." (Trinity Sunday) MP3 Audio File - pdf manuscript. Continuing to look at our church's mission statement, this sermon focuses on our priority of growing together in faith, sharing grace with one another and the authority of Scripture.
June 17, 2007. "The Sacred Calling of Church Membership." MP3 Audio File - pdf manuscript. Why have some churches done away with membership? Is there a biblical case for it? Have you heard of an ancient document called The Didache? (What does that have to do with church membership?) In this message we consider God's calling for Christians to join with a particular assembly of believers - His body, the local church!
June 24, 2007. "Divine Directions." MP3 Audio File - pdf manuscript. After a baby is born - he or she is given an APGAR score. Was it a healthy birth? What are the indications? As we approach our three month anniversary, it is time to pause and look at our church's APGAR score. How has our birth been? This message concludes the sermon series, "Divine Directions" and is from our pastor's heart.