New Life Now Series
04/28/24 | Tasty Living
Speaker: Dr. David Goebel
Theme
In a world that can sometimes seem bland and indifferent, we have an opportunity to live like Jesus in our winsome and grace-filled distinctiveness. Salt, Light, and City all carry the image of a reformed community who lives at peace within and without. This winsome vision of a new life and community becomes a homing beacon for folks weary of the ways the world works to find new life in Jesus.
Scripture
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Sermon Devotional
04/21/24 | Blessed Are, Part 2
Speaker: Dr. David Goebel
Theme
Righteousness isn’t a cosmic naughty/nice list, its about doing right by others. Far from the American goals of gathering as much as I can for me and mine, Jesus is about others. Forgiveness, purity, peace, missing out for doing good for others are the ways you live the New life of Jesus.
Scripture
Matthew 5:7-12 (ESV)
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon Devotional
04/14/24 | Blessed Are, Part 1
Speaker: Dr. David Goebel
Theme
“Blessed are the ______” is analogous to saying “Those people have made it!” The first four types of people who have made it, who are “living the good life” are not anything like what any society would expect. They are not wealthy, powerful, or popular. The good life is being lived by the depressed, the mourning, the unempowered, and those who are being treated unjustly.
Scripture
Matthew 5:3-6 (ESV)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Sermon Devotional
04/07/24 | Labels and New Life
Speaker: Dan Wonneberger
Theme
Labels create expectations and shape our experience. In the same way that when we label a child a troublemaker, we find them making trouble; when we label a set of teachings a “sermon,” we expect intellectual explorations of righteousness. In chapter 5, Matthew collects teachings of Jesus that provide a foundation for how we can live out our New Life from Jesus today.
Scripture
Matthew 5:1-3a (ESV)
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,