In our second combined service with Redeemer Anglican Church, Pastor Eric Phillips and Pastor Randy Powell share the honor of bringing the Christmas Eve message of hope and joy through the experience of the shepherds, first with one angel's message of a savior, followed by the promise of peace from a whole company of angels.
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Sermon Video: Joseph graciously accepts the Christmas gift he didn't ask for - Matthew 1:18-24
Have you ever received a Christmas gift that you absolutely hated? One that you can't wait to return, one that you struggle to pretend you're happy for?
Joseph was given a Christmas gift that he didn't ask for, the way he responded to this unexpected gift show why God chose him to be the dad here on earth to the long-awaited Messiah.
Sermon Video: God's unexpected Christmas gifts - Luke 1:34-38
Perhaps you've received an amazingly unexpected and wonderful Christmas gift at some point, whatever it was, it can't begin to compare with the one given to Mary
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Sermon Video: Advent Witnesses Part 6 - Magi: Unexpected Guests, Matthew 2:1-12
The final witnesses to the Advent arrive somewhat late, but given how far they had to come, that's understandable. Matthew tells of that the arrival of Jesus included an astronomical sign, one read by the gentile Magi who come to offer the new king homage. Their acceptance of this new king is contrasted strongly with the plotting of the old one, Herod, an offers a reminder that closed hearts do not accept the facts as they are.
Sermon Video: Advent Witnesses Part 5 - Shepherds: The 1st Evangelists, Luke 2:8-18
As we continue to consider the Advent of Jesus Christ from the perspective of the witnesses, we now come to the day of his birth and a number of shepherds going about their jobs working the night shift. God chooses them to receive the angelic message of Good News and great joy, to be the first to come see the newborn Messiah, and also to be the first to go tell others about this wonder which God has done. In other words, God chose them to be the first evangelists. Once more God's preference for making use of the meek and lowly amazes us, the willingness of these shepherds to be instruments of God's will encourages and challenges us to go and do likewise. Christ the Savior is born! Share the Good News!
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Sermon Video: Advent Witnesses part 2 - Joseph: A Kind Husband, Matthew 1:18-19
As Matthew relates the event of the first Christmas, the focus is upon Joseph, the adopted father of Jesus. We learn that Joseph is like his ancestor, Boaz, a man of both righteous adherence to the Law of Moses, and a genuinely kind man. When Joseph learns of Mary's pregnancy he does not seek vengeance or humiliation, but rather intends to divorce her quietly. Joseph would thus fulfill the Law without being vindictive. Is it any wonder that God chose him to parent the Son of God?
"Nice guys finish last" may be a common enough idiom, and true in any number of pop culture examples and real-world scenarios. But God holds us to a different standard than 'winning' in this life, as followers of Jesus, we don't want to 'win' at the cost of our character.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Sermon Video: Advent Witnesses part 1: Mary, willing servant - Luke 1:38
As we look at the Advent story this year from the perspective of the eyewitnesses, we begin with Mary. If is difficult to put ourselves in her shoes with a gap of 2,000 years of culture, history, and for most of us, ethnicity separating us, but in the end even us men who do not know what it feels like to bring a child into this world, there is still a common humanity that we share with Mary. That being said, her response to Gabriel's mind-blowing message is truly extraordinary. Unlike many in the scriptures who respond to God's calling with hesitancy or doubt, Mary responds with humble obedience. "I am the Lord's servant" is as powerful as it is simple.
Friday, December 25, 2020
Sermon Video: The Word Became Flesh - John 1:14
Amidst the wonder of Christmas, the angels and shepherds, the wise men and the star, is a deeper amazing truth. That moment in Bethlehem when Jesus first took breath was the coming of the Word of God, Immanuel, God in the flesh, living here with us. Why? Not to start a political revolution, or lay forth an ethical or philosophical path, but to bridge a gap. A gap between a holy and righteous God and a sinful people living darkness. This task only God could complete, so he came here to make our salvation possible. Jesus did not receive grace, as do we all, but was its source, he did not seek Truth, he was the Truth. This story begins before the world was created with the plan of God, takes a massive step forward at Bethlehem, but was always headed to Calvary and the Empty Tomb of Easter. So let us give glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest. Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Sermon Video: The Right to become Children of God - John 1:12-13
In response to those to did not recognize or receive Jesus, John writes of the gift received by ALL who did receive him. Not only that, John emphasizes that those 'who believed in his name' will also be given the gift, reminding us that it is not our knowledge/wisdom that saves us, but the work of Jesus. What is this gift? The right to become a child of God. All of humanity are in one sense the children of God as image bearers, but in this much deeper and necessary sense, only those who receive (believe in/put their hope/trust in) Jesus will have a relationship with God and be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the greatest gift every offered to humanity, it only need be accepted by faith to be applied.
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Sermon Video: Immanuel, "God with us" - Matthew 1:22-23
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Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Sermon Video: The Messiah's Nature - Philippians 2:6-8
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Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Sermon Video: "How will this be?" The Miracle of Christmas - Luke 1:34-38
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Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Sermon Video: The Virgin and the throne of David - Luke 1:26-33
The arrival of the angel Gabriel at Nazareth to speak to Mary marks the beginning of the centerpiece of God's vast plan of redemption for humanity. In accordance with his plan, God chooses a young woman pledged to be married to a man with a claim as a descendant of David, a morally upright couple, through whom the grace of God will work as the mother and adopted father of the Son of the Most High. The surprise visit is only the beginning, for God is working to establish a kingdom that will endure forever, quite a lot for a virgin teen to take in.
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Monday, December 25, 2017
Sermon Video: From Darkness to Light - Isaiah 9:2
The light of Christ was the beginning, from there the grace of God has spread throughout the earth as the Gospel's message of repentance, reconciliation, and restoration has transformed lives generation after generation. We who believe today have inherited the light that first spread with the apostles, we now carry that light as ambassadors of God, bringing to news peoples and a new generation. May we all shine brightly as we reflect the glorious light of the Christ.
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Sermon Video: The Zeal that brought Emmanuel to Earth - Isaiah 9:7b
The zeal of the LORD brought the Emmanuel, God in the flesh, to earth. Why zeal? Zeal is the emotion that is connected to both love (ardor) and anger (envy, jealousy) relating to the relationships between people and between God and people. In this case, the zeal of God as our Heavenly Father would not allow God to sit idly by as humanity self-destructed in its rebellion against God. The love of God, propelled by zeal, moved God to act in accordance with his holiness, thus the advent of the Son of God, sent to be a sacrifice for sin, sent to redeem humanity from darkness.
As we celebrate Christmas, marveling at the wondrous deeds of love which God has wrought, let us remember that zeal motivated God, for his is our God, and we are his people.
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Thursday, November 16, 2017
Our Christmas Gift from God
Having recently passed the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, it is also appropriate for us to remember that God's gift was given to humanity: Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone"), Sola fide ("by faith alone"), Sola gratia ("by grace alone"), Solus Christus or Solo Christo ("Christ alone" or "through Christ alone"), and Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone") What God gave to us, beginning at Bethlehem and culminating at Calvary and the Empty Tomb, is a truly free gift. It can be no other, for it was a work solely of the trinity, with God the Father planning/directing it, the Holy Spirit assisting in it, and Jesus carrying it out in the flesh.
A gift is not a gift if you pay for it, nor is it a gift if you earn it. Our salvation in Jesus Christ, is and always will be, a gift from God. As Paul explains in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, though faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
This Christmas, as you give and receive gifts, remember to thank God not only for the material blessings which we have received, but primarily for the far more important spiritual redemption which has been offered to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. The gift of God is available to all, may the Spirit of God call those who have not yet received it to accept this one of a kind gift, and may those who have already received it always remain grateful for the bountiful love of God.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
The Creator among Creation: Immanuel
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Sermon Video: "good news of great joy" Luke 210-11
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Monday, December 21, 2015
Sermon Video: "the power of the Most High" - Luke 1:34-35
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Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Christmas Eve Sermon Video: "the true light that gives light to every man" - John 1:9
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Sermon Video