Living Faith Christian Church Sermons

Jesus tells a story to illustrate the core message of the biblical gospel and answer the question of whether or a not a person who has lived for themselves be brought back home to God. Often called the "parable of the prodigal son", this story teaches us about God, ourselves and what God's heart is towards his children when we wake up and recognize our need for him.

Pharisees were considered the most righteous people of their time. So when Jesus declares that "unless your righteousness surpasses the Pharisees", his audience must have been in shock. How could this be? The key is that the righteousness of a Pharisee is external and based on their own efforts. Jesus is calling a new kind of righteous people - who, empowered by the Spirit, have a new life from the inside out.

God doesn't tell His people to stop sinning and leave it at that. He calls us to a new life instead of our old life. He calls us to be holy instead of being unholy. He calls us to truth instead of lies. The daily life of a Christian is choosing to living the new way instead of the old way - fueled, empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit.

Humanity's default setting is not to live for God but to live for self. When a person turns their life to Christ and receives the Holy Spirit, things can change and new life begins from the inside out. Even as Christians, we will still struggle, needing to daily live by the God's power and not return to our default setting.

John 3:16 might be the greatest verse in the Scriptures. This one verse tells us a lot about God, Jesus and all of us, which in turn, is the more important news for all of us to hear and believe.

Scriptures tells us: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a one sows, this he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7). So, will we sow spiritual seeds which will produce spiritual fruit or will you plant seeds of self and this world and produce that kind of fruit? The choices, decisions and habits of today will affect our lives tomorrow.

Scientifically, thorns are made of the same elements as a stem or branch, but something has happened to it to inhibit it’s proper growth. As time passes, we adopt beliefs and behaviors that shape us. What habits, routines or practices are helping or hurting your growth and fruitfulness as a follower of Jesus? A look at the seed that fell among the thorns from the parable of the sower.

The function of thorns is to steal the resources and nutrients needed to bring fruit to maturity. Through the parable of the sower, Jesus warns us about the things of this world which will do that to our spiritual lives. This warning is similar to John the Baptist's call to get ready for God's kingdom through repentance - a message that remains relevant today. May we remove anything standing in the way of our relationship with God. A look at the seed that fell among the thorns from the parable of the sower.

The parable of the sower teaches us that troubles and trials will come, threatening us to only be temporary and then fall away. But, troubles do not have to take us out! The Bible is filled with empowering truth to so we may endure and overcome. A continuing look at the seed that fell on rocky soil from the parable of the sower. Here is a link to the video shown at the close of the sermon - https://youtu.be/t2G8KVzTwfw?feature=shared

When the children of Israel had a chance to enter the Promised Land, the first generation say "no", because their fears were greater than their faith. The second generation did not repeat their parents' mistakes - choosing to face their face their fears so they could enter the place the LORD had prepared for them. Which generation will we be like? The first picked up stones and refused to go, the second picked up stones to testify how God had brought them through. A continuing look at the seed that fell on rocky soil from the parable of the sower.

Emotion, experiences and enthusiasm are tremendous motivators and evidences of God at work - but they also fade and end up being unreliable guides for our life. Jesus calls us to endre difficulty and seasons when outward evidences are hard to come by - it is in these seasons we are growing our roots. When the emotion fades and the excitement wears off - follow Jesus. A continuing look at the seed that fell on rocky soil from the parable of the sower.

The second place the seed falls in on rocky soil. Rocks are representative of affliction, persecution and temptation. These things threaten the fruitfulness of the word in the heart of a person. Jesus teaches us not only to anticipate trouble but to recognize that troubles and trials will either make us stop or make us stronger. A continuing look at the seed that fell on rocky soil from the parable of the sower.

If our enemy the devil is fighting against us, how should we fight back? James 4 gives us three keys to victory in the spiritual battle - submitting to God, resisting the devil and remaining holy. As God's people with the power of Christ in us, we can overcome all that the evil one may bring our way. A continuing look at the seed sown beside the road from the parable of the sower.

Jesus' parable of the sower is his most important parable, filled with lessons on discipleship. He tells his disciples to watch for the evil one who wants to snatch the word from hearts. The devil is determined to fight against God's people - and his primary tactic is through lies. He speaks falsehood, accusations and offers temptation - and we ought to be aware and prepared to combat his lies with God's truth. A continuing look at the seed sown beside the road.

Jesus' parable of the sower is his most important parable, filled with lessons on discipleship. He tells his disciples to watch for the evil one who wants to snatch the word from hearts. Who is this evil one and what is he determined to do? A closer look at the seed sown beside the road.

Jesus teaches about the threats against his disciple's progress and maturity by using a story about a farmer planting seed in 4 types of ground. The parable of the sower is a lesson in discipleship to Jesus. The end goal of planting the seed is not just growth, but producing fruit - the same is true about our apprenticeship to Christ.

Hear how God has been working in and through His people this last year. A closing word and prayer from Psalm 23 and 24.

One of the greatest expressions of love is just being with someone. As human history moves alongs twists and turns, a great question has been "is God still with us?" Generation after generation He has answered that question in a variety of ways - through signs and wonders, through kings and prophets. But the greatest expression of God's love and sign that He has not abandoned us is given through the sending of His son Jesus Christ.

Jesus teaches that we can be joyful even when life tells us we can't be. John 15 tells of a time when there would have been much uncertainty in the hearts of his disciples - yet he tells them they can still have joy. John 15 teaches us that joy comes from being connected to Jesus, abiding in Jesus and by bearing fruit.

Jesus promises peace for his followers, but yet we often find ourselves lacking peace. While there are a number of reasons why this might be true, our lack of obedience to Jesus is a major threat to our peace. Rather than run away from the Lord when we feel angst and worry, our conviction is an invitation to turn to him and have peace restored.