Sermon « Journeyman Journal

Sermon: Exodus 17:8-18:27, No Lone Rangers

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

The sermon this week was about the power of community…taking from two stories in Exodus: the Battle with the Amalekites and Jethro’s Advice for Moses. We talked about the importance of living in community with another because that’s how God has made us. We need one another to help carry our burdens, helps us when we fall down, and fight our spiritual battles.

We don’t get to be “Lone Rangers” in our spiritual journey…we need share the journey with others.

For more, please take a listen to the sermon podcast.

29.11.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon No Comments

Sermon: Exodus 7-11, The 10 PLagues

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

This last Sunday (October 25) I had the privilege of preaching on the 10 Plagues as we continue our sermon series through the book of Exodus. The sermon is entitled American Idol: Egyptian Style and focused on the idol worship God was confronting and attacking with each of the 10 plagues against Egypt.

We all have idols—things that take God’s place in our lives…but God never leaves them alone and He requires that we turn our hearts toward Him and lay our idols down. Sometimes our idols are bad things (i.e.: pride, pornography, etc) and sometimes they aren’t (i.e.: work, family, etc). Regardless, we need to keep our relationship with God the most important part of our lives. Our hearts are prone to wander and we need to come back to our Father daily…He’s waiting with open arms.

For more detail, please listen to the Sermon Podcast

27.10.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon No Comments

Sermon: John 21:15-17

Monday, April 20th, 2009

I had the privilege of preaching again this past Sunday—and on the first day of our new first service, “reFresh Cafe”. My passage was John 21 and I focused on the interaction between Jesus and Peter (his “reinstatement”). In this interaction, Jesus draws a parallel between our love for Him and our love for one another. You can’t have one without the other. Our love for others flows out of our love for Him, and our love for others is evidence of our love for Him.

Until I got to studying this passage I hadn’t always made that connection. Love God…check. Love Others…check. Love Others out of my Love for God….hmmm….not so sure about that one. I prefer to love others out of my own strength and ability. As usual…I still have plenty to work on!

Listen to the sermon podcast.

20.04.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon No Comments

Preaching in Topeka

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Last week, at the beginning of our Spring Break trek through Kansas and Missouri, I got the privilege to preach in Grant’s new church in Topeka, KS: Western Hills Baptist Church. I had a great time. Great church. Great people. Great worship.

The sermon was on John 8:1-11, the woman caught in adultery. Grant is currently going through a sermon series entitled “conversations” that is focused on conversations that Jesus had with various people in the book of John…life changing conversations.

In my sermon, the focus is on these words that Jesus speaks to this woman after her accusers have left (after He makes them look foolish): “Neither do I condemn you.” I still have a hard time hearing this from God. I would much rather carry around my guilt than accept his scandalous forgiveness. It’s hard to hear these words and really accept them, but He means it.

I. Don’t. Condemn. You.

He loves us just the way we are…and too much to leave us there!

Here is the audio of the sermon if you really want to torture yourself:

Conversations: A Guilty Pawn

29.03.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon No Comments

Sermon Reflection

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

This past Sunday I had the distinct honor and pleasure to preach at our church (Pinecrest Community Church). Now, I have preach many sermons but it had been a long time and I hadn’t preach at this church. I wasn’t nervous, but I was reminded a few times (by a close and dear friend of mine) that I really should not suck if at all possible.

Upon reflection, I do not think I sucked. You can judge for yourself by listening to the podcast. Since it has been awhile since I preached there were a few little cobwebs and a returning to some old habits, but all in all God did His thing and I just tried to let Him speak and be His conduit. It was fun…I truly love teaching and preaching.

What do I need to improve? Where do I begin? The big thing I want to focus on is slowing down and using silence. I got this feedback from both of our pastors and it’s a bad habit I have worked very hard to break (my very first sermon was over in like 5 minutes instead of the 20 it should have taken…those poor people!). Speaking is a craft and it takes some honing. The more you do it, and focus on getting better, the better it gets.

For those of you that heard me…I welcome constructive criticism. I just hope and pray that God continues to us me for His glory! It’s fun when you’re doing what He has called you to do.

28.01.2009 Church, Ministry, Sermon 5 Comments