We live in a world that envisions freedom as the absence of obligations. But it turns out that our deepest freedom comes from embracing duty and responsibility. In this sermon we explore Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 11), where Jesus shows us the human goodness of fulfilling our duties and obligations toward our neighbors.
What does it mean to be human? Psalm 8 answers this question by portraying human beings as both glorious and limited. God has “crowned us with glory and honor” as persons made in his image. He has also made us “a little lower than the angels,” reminding us that we are finite and limited. In this sermon we explore the wisdom of Psalm 8 to discover how embracing both our glory and our limits is key…
Seasons of spiritual dryness are a familiar experience for God's people. We often respond to these seasons by quietly going numb, settling for empty routines while hoping something changes. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 85 and discover how looking to the cross — where God's perfect righteousness and peace embrace — sets us free to actively seek renewal.
All of us long to BE someplace. Psalm 84 shows us the place we're meant to be is in the presence of God. So why don't we long for God's presence like we ought? And how can we awaken a deeper longing? In this sermon, we explore Psalm 84's invitation to long for God's dwelling place, and we discover how Jesus fulfills this Psalm and brings us near to God.
Everyone has enemies. Opposition is part of what it means to be human in a broken world. In this sermon, we look at Psalm 83 and its stark call for God to judge his enemies. We learn how God’s justice frees us to radically forgive and love others—remembering that Christ died to save us while we were still His enemies.
Every human being is entrusted with some level of authority, yet we frequently distort this gift by judging others based on our own feelings and preferences. Until God finally arises to "judge the earth," we are called to judge justly, and Psalm 82 shows us how. In this sermon, we explore what it means to do justice in the world.
Our daily lives are full of habits and routines that shape who we are becoming. To say it another way: we are liturgical creatures. Some of our life patterns are good; others aren't. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 81's invitation to build a better life liturgy: one that sings to God, tells His story, and submits to His authority.
Every human being understands the longing to be seen. As Curt Thompson says, “We are all born into this world looking for someone looking for us.” In this sermon, we explore Psalm 80 and its plea to God: "let your face shine that we may be saved." We discover how longing for God's face to shine upon us finds its perfect, saving resolution in the ultimate Shepherd and True Vine, Jesus Christ.
One of the biggest problems in the world is the problem of "us" versus "them". Our human tendency is to respond to injustice by seeking retribution against our enemies. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 79, written after enemies had destroyed Jerusalem. The Psalm shows us how shifting our gaze from “them” to “us” to "you, O God" empowers us to seek justice while also loving our enemies.
It's easy to present a curated version of our lives. We often go through the motions, aiming our devotion at worldly idols and missing the profound grace given to those who stop pretending. In this sermon, we explore Psalm 78 and how being ruthlessly realistic about our hearts and lives is the only way to experience the relentless mercy and transforming grace of God.
Every human being has troubles. And sometimes our troubles overwhelm us. We live in a culture that encourages us to turn inward and endlessly process our troubles, yet this self-focused rumination often distorts our theology and leaves us doubting God's goodness. In this sermon, we look at how Psalm 77 calls God’s people to shift their gaze from their own internal pain to God's steady…