Addict, Part 1: INTERVENTION Why do we fall short?  However we define right, why do we do wrong?   The Bible calls it SIN.  But what is SIN, really?  And is there hope?  This first message in our six-week series “addict” is our INTERVENTION, identifying our powerlessness over our addiction to me.  Letting the  12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous be a guide, we can find real, lasting hope in Jesus when we admit our problem. Scripture: Romans 7:14-25 14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.[…]

Go Big or Go Home!  What would it have been like to be in the room with all the other followers of Jesus when the Holy Spirit flooded the room?  In that moment, a room full of hiding cowards transformed into bold preachers.  They had been terrified they’d be crucified like Jesus, yet in a short time they would stand defiantly before the religious authority boldly proclaiming their allegiance with Jesus.  Whatever took place in that upper room on the day of Pentecost radically changed them forever.  With the arrival of the Holy Spirit, what would have been a called failed moment instantly became a full blown movement that literally toppled governments and changed the trajectory of history.  What happened?  And could it happen again? WCJD:  What CAN Jesus Do?[…]

So we are Christ’s Ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.  We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) WWJD:  What Would Jesus Do? Do you remember the WWJD craze?  Credit for the acronym apparently goes to a Topeka, KS preacher.  For over twenty years, Christians have claimed that acronym as a reminder to act like their Lord and Savior:  “What Would Jesus Do?”  Scripture calls us to love like Jesus, to serve like Jesus, to give like Jesus, and to lead like Jesus.  The acronym challenges us to act just like Jesus would if he was living our lives. As Christ United Methodist Church celebrates another Pentecost, we are dreaming big about what could happen in[…]

  Grow Up! Over the next four weeks at Christ Church, we will partner with our new Children’s ministry to follow the same lesson plan they pursue.  This four part series from Open.Life.Church challenges the young and old alike to move on to maturity and simply “Grow Up!”  Don’t worry, we don’t want to rush childhood.  But at the same time, nothing is more disappointing or sad than a childish adult.  The purpose of childhood is to learn and move onto adulthood well prepared and mature. Likewise, if we are followers of Jesus Christ, we have been born again (see John 3).  New to faith in Christ, we are like infants needing considerable care, support, and training.  Over time, we intentionally seek to mature in our faith,[…]

  Mind your own business!  Ever had someone poke their nose into your business?  These meddlers always know what is right or best for us.  We want to decide about ourselves for ourselves.  “No one’s changing me!”  No one likes their faults or mistakes exposed, especially by someone you or I haven’t authorized to do so.  It rubs us wrong.  It hurts.  It stirs up anger when someone tells us what we’re doing wrong.  I once had someone tell me, “Pastor, be careful!  You’ve gone from preaching to meddling.”  What they meant was that I had spoken to a very sore subject or point in their lives.  We’re comfortable hearing general statements about good or bad.  When the topic gets a little too specific or[…]

  “I really hope to make a mess of my life!”  No healthy person every thinks this way.  We all hope for the best and we fear the worst.  Healthy people approach each day and each decision trying to make the best of their circumstances.  Think back to some really bad decision you made in the past.  Did you hope it would blow up in your face?  Rarely do we purposely chose what we know is bad.  We only know our bad decisions by the benefit of hindsight.  Even the really stupid decisions we’ve made, we’ve chosen them thinking we would be okay or no harm would come.  Our problem is perspective.  Either we don’t see ourselves or our circumstances correctly.  With the best of[…]

  Where do we start?  Our world sure seems messed up!  I think all of us hope to see change happen soon.  We awoke this morning to new reports of bombing and terrorist attacks.  Our presidential campaign scares many of us.  Our economy offers little reassurance.  We really wonder what kind of world I will pass along to our children and grandchildren.  We want to change the world for the better.  But were do we start? Many of us might recall the days before digital cameras when every picture produced a film negative we took to get developed.  Those negatives presented a warped view of reality.  Black was white, up was down, and left was right.  The film needed processed, developed, in order to truly[…]

  Can we change who we love?  Everything changed on Sept 11, 2001!  I vividly remember wondering if my city, my area was next.  Our collective sense of security crumbled along with the Twin Towers.  Everything changed, including the face of our enemy.  For a brief moment in time, the entire nation united to declare war on a new enemy.  As we remember the events of of 9/11, I invite you to wonder along with me what it means when Jesus gives us the crazy statement “love your enemies.”  I’m not suggesting we change a national policy…only that we consider changing who we love. How would you respond if I told you that the sky was green?  You might gently pat me on the head,[…]