Swimming UPSTREAM in a Downstream World

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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.

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.