goodshepherdkc North Oak sermons
About
Available on
Community
1131 episodes
Jesus' final days are difficult to hear, but it teaches us a theme of Jesus' life. We cannot experience the beauty of new life without the sacrifice of the cross. All the promises of the gospel are true, but in order for that to happen, we all have to sacrifice first. We never get to the beauty of new life without the sacrifice of the cross.
Relationships, by definition, are messy. They offer us the opportunity for connection, friendship, collaboration, and love, but they also are ripe with opportunities for misunderstandings, annoyances, frustrations, and hurt. Learning and practicing the art of forgiveness is essential to maintaining relationships in the midst of differences and disagreements.
Relationships, by definition, are messy. They offer us the opportunity for connection, friendship, collaboration, and love, but they also are ripe with opportunities for misunderstandings, annoyances, frustrations, and hurt. Learning and practicing the art of forgiveness is essential to maintaining relationships in the midst of differences and disagreements.
When it comes to other people (especially those we don’t like), we tend to default to one of two positions; be nice and ignore the hurtful/destructive behaviors or harshly speak out against, critique, or cut off the person. But Paul teaches us that our responsibility is to “speak the truth in love,” to confront people honestly and straightforwardly, and yet do it in a way that is consistent with Christ’s love.
We are created in the image of God and therefore reflect God. We all have worth beyond what we say or do and are all complex individuals.
The Shepherds were outcasts. They were relegated to the outskirts of society due to their profession, which many deemed dirty and pathetic. Yet God came to them with the news of Christ's birth. Because even though others had dismissed them, God did not.
Mary was from a town that had no significance and from a family that was not important. So when God chose her to be the one to give birth to the Messiah, it seemed ridiculous, yet God chose her. Not because of her name or her birthplace but because God saw something great in her.
One of the things that stunt our growth is not that we dream too big but that we dream too small. God promises throughout scripture that when we take a big risk or dream big, God will somehow show up and bless us in surprising ways — even opening up the floodgates of heaven.
Many of us say we value church and faith, but our finances may tell a different story. Jesus says where your treasure is, that's where your heart is. If we want a changed life, we don't need to simply change our minds, we need to change where we spend our finances — our hearts and minds will follow. When we practice generosity, our lives can be transformed, and others' lives are transformed.
God invites us to be part of the healing strategy for the world through the local church. When we give to the local church, we become part of the movement to help our neighborhoods, communities, and friends experience the hope of Christ.
The Bible isn't just one book, it's a group of a lot of books. This sermon will be a lot of teaching about how the Bible is structured and what's in it — basically, Bible orientation!
The Bible isn't just one book, it's a group of a lot of books. This sermon will be a lot of teaching about how the Bible is structured and what's in it — basically, Bible orientation!
The Bible isn't just one book, it's a group of a lot of books. This sermon will be a lot of teaching about how the Bible is structured and what's in it — basically, Bible orientation!
The Bible is meant to be God's instruction manual for our lives. It contains information we can't get anywhere else, it changes things when we read it, and if we are going to base our lives on it, it's probably a good idea to have read some of it.
The Bible is meant to be God's instruction manual for our lives. It contains information we can't get anywhere else, it changes things when we read it, and if we are going to base our lives on it, it's probably a good idea to have read some of it.
Jesus does his best work when we push through our fears and excuses and step out of the boat. We do this by not allowing our fears to control us but inform us and identify our excuses. Remember, you are enough right now to take bold action toward your breakthrough.
Jesus does his best work when we push through our fears and excuses and step out of the boat. We do this by not allowing our fears to control us but inform us and identify our excuses. Remember, you are enough right now to take bold action toward your breakthrough.
Jesus does his best work when we push through our fears and excuses and step out of the boat. We do this by not allowing our fears to control us but inform us and identify our excuses. Remember, you are enough right now to take bold action toward your breakthrough.
You can be prepared by determining the need of others, working while you wait, and playing your game. When we lean into those 3 lessons from David, God will use your effort for your next giant breakthrough.
You can be prepared by determining the need of others, working while you wait and play your game. When we lean into those 3 lessons from David, God will use your effort for your next giant breakthrough.
Jesus is inviting us into a life of freedom, but much of the time, we allow our past to stand in the way of God’s invitation. We can begin to break through our past into the life God offers us by recognizing our past is still there, releasing the shame and guilt that comes from our past, and reclaiming that God and God’s love for us is what actually defines us.
Jesus is inviting us into a life of freedom, but much of the time, we allow our past to stand in the way of God’s invitation. We can begin to break through our past into the life God offers us by recognizing our past is still there, releasing the shame and guilt that comes from our past, and reclaiming that God and God’s love for us is what actually defines us.
Pursuing stuff, pleasure, and ambition as ways to find meaning in life will leave us empty; it will satisfy us for a little while, but then it will disappear like a vapor. There’s a better way to find contentment and joy. We are invited to stop, enjoy what’s right in front of us, and be grateful to God for all that God gives us. Stop. Enjoy. Be Grateful.
Pursuing stuff, pleasure, and ambition as ways to find meaning in life will leave us empty; it will satisfy us for a little while, but then it will disappear like a vapor. There’s a better way to find contentment and joy. We are invited to stop, enjoy what’s right in front of us, and be grateful to God for all that God gives us. Stop. Enjoy. Be Grateful.
Pursuing stuff, pleasure, and ambition as ways to find meaning in life will leave us empty; it will satisfy us for a little while, but then it will disappear like a vapor. There’s a better way to find contentment and joy. We are invited to stop, enjoy what’s right in front of us, and be grateful to God for all that God gives us. Stop. Enjoy. Be Grateful.
Many of us long for a spiritual home, a place to belong and feel loved. But much of the time, we find ourselves without a spiritual home. Jesus paints a picture of God who longs for us to come home and celebrates when we arrive. If we feel far from our spiritual home, we are invited to return to celebration. If we have found our spiritual home, we are invited to throw the party.
Many of us long for a spiritual home, a place to belong and feel loved. But much of the time, we find ourselves without a spiritual home. Jesus paints a picture of God who longs for us to come home and celebrates when we arrive. If we feel far from our spiritual home, we are invited to return to celebration. If we have found our spiritual home, we are invited to throw the party.
Through this Syrophoenician Woman, who speaks up against injustice and oppression, we learn that everyone has a place at the table. In the Kingdom of God, there is enough for all, and there is no need to fear scarcity, which frees us to love and welcome all.
