Why He Came

The advent season is a special time to reflect on Jesus' birth and the years, months, and days leading up to his birth. This year, we took time to stop and focus on learning about why Jesus came.

Why he came: part 1

Who? What? When? Where? Why? These are the questions we ask when we want to learn more. On December 3, Pastor Brian kicked off the advent series with a sermon attempting to answer some of these questions. He explained a few common misunderstandings about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus by walking through some of these basic questions. Of these question, the most important is the "Why?" Why did Jesus come? This is the first sermon in a series attempting to answer that question. The primary biblical text for this sermon is Ezekiel 37:15-28.

Why he came: part 2

Jesus' coming to earth was not a plan B or a backup plan, but was God's perfect plan for the redemption and salvation of humanity. Early in Jesus' ministry, he entered into a Jewish synagogue and read from Isaiah 61 and told those in the synagogue that the words were being fulfilled in front of their eyes. On December 10th, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached the second part of the advent sermon series and looked at what we learn from Jesus' reading of these words and what those words tell us about WHY Jesus came to earth.

Why he came: part 3

In 1 John 1, it is revealed that Jesus came for fellowship with humanity. Fellowship with Jesus is more than just saying you are "Team Jesus." Having genuine fellowship with Jesus requires us to listen to the truth, live by the truth, and confess the truth. On December 13th, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached part 3 in the Why He Came series. The biblical text referenced in this sermon is 1 John 1. 

Why he came: part 4

On Christmas Eve,  Pastor Brian concluded the Why He Came series with a sermon rooted in Luke 2:25-32. This passage talks about a man named Simeon and his encounter with baby Jesus. Simeon instantly knew and understood who Jesus was, and a lot can be learned from this brief encounter about why Jesus came to earth.

What Only Thankful People Know

Thanksgiving is a time when people around the country pause and give thanks for things in their lives. On November 26th, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached concerning the topic of thankfulness by examining Psalm 105:1-5.

Swimming UPSTREAM in a Downstream World

In the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan, he makes the following statement: "If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream.”

Upstream: Part 1

On October 1, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached the first sermon in the UPSTREAM series. This series is rooted in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and focuses on the need to swim upstream in a downstream world. This first sermon is rooted in Matthew 5:1-12, a section commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. These blessings spoken by Jesus were countercultural by nature.

Upstream: Part 2

On October 8, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached Part 2 in the UPSTREAM series. This sermon focuses on Matthew 5:13-16. In these verses Jesus talks about the need for believers to be the salt and light of the world! 

Upstream: part 3

On October 15, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached Part 3 in the UPSTREAM series. The text for this sermon is Matthew 5:17-20. In these verses, Jesus states that he has not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill the Law. As a result, a genuine and personal relationship with God becomes possible. 

upstream: part 4

On October 22, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached Part 4 in the UPSTREAM series. The primary text for this sermon is Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48. These verses raise the standard of what it truly means to love one another and follow after God. 

upstream: Part 5

On October 29, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached Part 5 in the UPSTREAM series. The text for this sermon is Matthew 5:27-32. The sermon focuses on the topic of marriage. 

Upstream: part 6

On November 5, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached Part 6 in the UPSTREAM series. The sermon is titled "A Life of Intention" and is rooted in Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-18.

upstream: Part 7

On November 12, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached Part 7 in the UPSTREAM series. The sermon is titled "What Are You Doing With Your Hands?" The text for this sermon is Matthew 6:19-21, 25-27, and 7:7-8.

upstream: part 8

On November 19, Pastor Brian Matherlee concluded the UPSTREAM series with a sermon titled "Putting it All Together." The Biblical text for the sermon is Matthew 7:1-6, 13-27.

If I Knew Then

On September 24th, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached a sermon entitled "If I Knew Then" out of Ecclesiastes 11:8-2:1.

Do I Have Your Attention?

Pastor Brian Matherlee preached on September 17th from Exodus 3. It is here that Moses is called, and while that calling is for Moses, it is a reminder that God has called each of us. What is God calling you to? 

Living in Rough Waters

On September 10th, Pastor Brian preached a sermon from Mark 1:14-20; 2:13-27 entitled "Living in Rough Waters."

Wiser Than the Serpent

On September 3, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached a sermon called "Wiser Than the Serpent." The primary text was Nehemiah 4. 

The Fruit of the Spirit

Throughout the summer, Pastor Brian Matherlee preached a series on the Fruit of the Spirit. The root text for each of these sermons can be found in Galatians 5:16-18, and 22-25.

On June 11, Pastor Brian preaches his opening sermon in the Fruit of the Spirit series. The text for this sermon is from Galatians 5:16-18 and verses 22-25.

On June 18, Pastor Brian continues his series with a focus on Love.  The text is from I John 4:7-12, and 19-21.

On June 25, Pastor Brian preaches Part 3 of this series on the Fruit of the Spirit.  This message focuses on Joy.  The text is from John 15:5-11.

On July 9, Pastor Brian continues the Fruit of the Spirit series with the message of "Peace." The text is from Philippians 4:6-9.

On July 16, Pastor Brian preaches Part 5 of the series on the Fruit of the Spirit. The message focuses on Patience. The text is from Romans 12:19-21.

On August 6, Pastor Brian continues the Fruit of the Spirit series. The message focuses on Kindness, Goodness, and Gentleness. The primary texts for this sermon are: Romans 12:4, Psalm 23:6, and Galatians 6:1. 

On August 13, Pastor Brian preaches Part 7 of the Fruit of the Spirit series which focuses on Faithfulness. The text is from Exodus 32.

On August 20, Pastor Brian continues the Fruit of the Spirit series with a focus on Self-Control. The primary Biblical text is Genesis 4:2-7.

On August 27, Pastor Brian concluded his series on the Fruit of the Spirit. He took a few moments to review major points associated with each fruit and then addressed how living a life in the Spirit is living a life above the law. The primary text is Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25; 6:7-9.

July 30th Sermon - David Clark

On July 30, Rev. David Clark preached and challenged us to be amazed enough at who Jesus is and what He wants for our lives. The text is from Proverbs 8:1, 22-36; Matthew 8:1-4; and Colossians 1:15- 19; 3:1-4, 10-12

Ordinary to Extraordinary

On July 23rd, Pastor Elizabeth Covington preached on the way that God can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The text is Genesis 28:10-22.