Sermon Video: Christianity and Sex - 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

As an introduction to the next seven sermons from 1 Corinthians 7 that focus upon the topics of marriage, sex, and celibacy, this message looks at the nature of sex in relation to the creation of humanity by God as male in female with the inherent capacity and need for sexual fulfillment.  The Church has struggled with this issue in its history, from promoting the false piety of celibacy above marriage, to allowing lax standards in relation to sexual immorality, but despite that failure, the function and purpose of sex remains ordained by God within marriage, a blessing of joy and union for those who embrace the Law of God reflected in our nature.

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Sermon Video: From Darkness to Light - Isaiah 9:2

In a world mired in moral and spiritual darkness, with humanity hopeless to solve the fundamental problem of our own fallen nature, it was up to God to intervene and change the trajectory of his creation.  And so God came, the Word of God made flesh, the Son of God in human form, to bring light to those living in darkness, truth to those who know only falsehood, and life to those who were spiritually dead.
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 most important events in human history invariably later involve those asking two questions: How did it happen?  Why did it happen?  For the most singular and momentous event in human history, the advent of the Christ child, the question of how was answered by the angel Gabriel, although it remains shrouded in mystery.  The question of why, however, has been clearly answered by Scripture, we need only ponder the character of God as we examine it.
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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Sermon Video: The real Happily Ever After - Isaiah 9:7a

Many a tale, particularly those aimed at children, ends with some variation of, "and they all lived happily ever after".  Real life isn't like that, it doesn't suddenly become devoid of problems, nothing in our experience can approximate the fairy tale's claim of "happily ever after".  Are they any real happy endings that won't end?  Only one story, thankfully a factual one, will have an ending that will be glory and joy everlasting, that of the Chosen One of God, the Messiah.
The prophet Isaiah described who the Messiah would be in Isaiah 9:6, here in 9:7, the prophet speaks about what the Messiah will do.  The promise that he will reign on the throne of David with an unending government of justice and righteousness remains a future prediction, for the throne of David in Jerusalem remains vacant nearly 2,700 years after the last king of Judah.  We can, however, have confidence that this kingdom will be established, for the LORD's promise to send a Messiah was fulfilled when Jesus came as Immanuel, God in the flesh.  Jesus came first to serve and to save, he will return in power to reign.  What will that kingdom look like?  It will be unlike anything we can imagine, for no human government has ever been established upon justice and righteousness.

As Advent approaches, remember that God not only promised to send a Messiah, but to establish and everlasting kingdom among men as well, and while we will never know the day of its arrival, it is always closer with each new day.

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Sermon Video: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6b

What's in a name?  The Messiah promised by the prophet Isaiah is given many names in Scripture: Jesus, Emmanuel, Son of Man, Son of God, Lamb of God, and Man of Sorrows (among others).  Here in Isaiah 9:6b, the prophet adds four titles given to the one who will bring God's salvation to earth: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Each of these in turn further explains who the Messiah will be and what he will accomplish.

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