Sep 12, 2021
Sermon: True Joy Deeper than Therapeutic Happiness
II Corinthians 7.2-16: Paul shows us how to live in the spiritual tension of sin and the pursuit of righteousness. We cannot find peace through a therapeutic glossing over of sin, both individual and societal. We must face sin in ourselves and in the world. But we confront it in ourselves through our salvation in Christ. And we confront it in the world through the ethic of love, as we seek to model God's righteousness and teach it. Our world seeks comfort by denial of sin. We seek comfort by addressing it through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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  • Sep 12, 2021Sermon: True Joy Deeper than Therapeutic Happiness
    Sep 12, 2021
    Sermon: True Joy Deeper than Therapeutic Happiness
    II Corinthians 7.2-16: Paul shows us how to live in the spiritual tension of sin and the pursuit of righteousness. We cannot find peace through a therapeutic glossing over of sin, both individual and societal. We must face sin in ourselves and in the world. But we confront it in ourselves through our salvation in Christ. And we confront it in the world through the ethic of love, as we seek to model God's righteousness and teach it. Our world seeks comfort by denial of sin. We seek comfort by addressing it through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • Sep 5, 2021Sermon: Set Apart
    Sep 5, 2021
    Sermon: Set Apart
    II Corinthians 6.14-7.1: In response to the gift of grace through Jesus Christ, we are called to holiness. This calls for a separation from culture in terms of purposes and aims. In Corinth, Paul was confronting a situation similar to our own, where the temptations toward sexual immorality and idolatry were abundant. Paul calls us to not partner with the darkness, but live in the light of Jesus Christ and his way. Sanctity is the call and goal of the church that we might represent Jesus Christ well.
  • Aug 29, 2021Sermon: Authentic Living in an Inauthentic World
    Aug 29, 2021
    Sermon: Authentic Living in an Inauthentic World
    II Corinthians 6.3-13: Paul models for us a life that is authentic and whole. He does not seek to make himself seem better, but fully puts himself out there in his weaknesses. He lives his life out of the fulcrum of Jesus' death and resurrection. It is this path that guides us to unity in our soul, a unity of purpose toward serving Christ and seeking his glory.
  • Aug 22, 2021Sermon: New Creations in a Decaying World
    Aug 22, 2021
    Sermon: New Creations in a Decaying World
    II Corinthians 5.14-21: The only cure for the restlessness of our souls is being found as new creations through Jesus Christ. All our strivings to secure our inner stability will be futile unless Christ cleanses and restores our core. In him, we are new creations and brought to rest.
  • Aug 15, 2021Sermon: Now Is the Time
    Aug 15, 2021
    Sermon: Now Is the Time
    II Corinthians 5.11-6.2: Paul's hope and life calling is to guide people to an trust in the centrality of Christ in their life and in all things. It guides us to an urgency of the call of the church, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in our world.
  • Aug 8, 2021Sermon: An Eternal Covering
    Aug 8, 2021
    Sermon: An Eternal Covering
    II Corinthians 5.1-10: In Christ, we have hope of the everlasting life that is to come. Though we continuously feel the fading of our lives, in Christ, we are growing more and more into the promises of everlasting life in Christ.
  • Aug 1, 2021Sermon: Staring at the Unseen
    Aug 1, 2021
    Sermon: Staring at the Unseen
    II Corinthians 4: "We do not lose heart!", Paul says twice in this text. The hardships and suffering he's faced do not define him and his vision of life, but his vision of what is unseen guides him forward. He stares at the unseen, which is the reality of the coming kingdom that is that which is truly real. What is real in our present isn't fully real, because it doesn't last, but what lasts and doesn't fade is what is truly real. That is the coming resurrection and the coming kingdom.
  • Jul 25, 2021Sermon: Unveiled Faces
    Jul 25, 2021
    Sermon: Unveiled Faces
    II Corinthians 3.7-15: In contrast to the fading glories of all that the world pursues, we are given in Christ a gift of ever-increasing glory. It comes not from our efforts, but from relying on the efforts of Christ. His grace, not our works, is sufficient. All true glory is found in his love toward us in his willingness to die on our behalf. That is true glory, which we are welcomed into.
  • Jul 18, 2021Sermon: A Community of Second Chances
    Jul 18, 2021
    Sermon: A Community of Second Chances
    II Corinthians 2.5-11: Forgiveness and restoration are key parts of maintaining a harmonious community. In contrast to current cancel culture philosophy, the church seeks to maintain the health of the community with high standards and also the individual through reconciliation and restoration. These balanced correctly foster healthy community life for the group and individual.
  • Jul 11, 2021Sermon: The Complete “Yes” of Christ
    Jul 11, 2021
    Sermon: The Complete “Yes” of Christ
    II Corinthians 1.12-22: In Christ, we see all God's promises find fulfillment. In Christ, God shows his perfect faithfulness that gives us confidence to live even in the midst of hardships and challenges.