Most of us feel overwhelmed with our “got to” lists, those things that we have to get done. One reason is that being constantly busy and distracted by the world around us helps us to avoid the world within us, with a much more challenging set of got-to’s. We might worry that bringing God into the picture would only add to the burden of things we’ve "got to" do, but in Galatians 2:15-3:3, the apostle Paul argues just the opposite: Jesus is the end of our “got-to’s,” and the beginning of our “get-to’s.”
Freedom from What Other People Think (June 23rd, 2019)
A lot of people say that religion is too judgmental. But think of all the ways we judge and get judged every day. Just take a look at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! If we’re not judging or being judged, we’re trying to impress others. It can seem like the expectations of other people live rent-free in our heads. How can we get free from the opinions of others? The apostle Paul, writing to the churches he started in the region of Galatia (Galatians 1:3-12), dealt with the issue of pleasing other people or pleasing God. And before you think, “wait a minute, making other people happy is hard enough, now I have to add God to the picture?”, our sermon today will show how seeking God’s will is the way to real freedom.
Unnecessary (June 16th, 2019)
On the festival of the Holy Trinity, we celebrate the mystery that the One eternal, undivided God exists in three divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three Persons are each fully and eternally God, but there is still only one God. This is not a puzzle to be solved, but a mystery beyond human comprehension. Although we cannot fully understand it, we can rejoice that the doctrine of the Trinity reveals the depth and glory of God’s never-ending love.
The Advocate (June 9th, 2019)
The Day of Pentecost celebrates the birthday of the church, and marks the coming of the Holy Spirit to all believers. In this sermon, Pastor Paige unpacks Jesus’ promise to the disciples in John 14:8-17 & 25-27. They were worried and wondering what to do after Jesus’ death and resurrection took place. Jesus assures them that they won’t be alone after he returns to his Heavenly Father. He promises that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will come and be with them as they carry Jesus’ mission forward.
Rewrite: A New Tribe (June 2nd, 2019)
You may have heard the news that life expectancy in the United States is decreasing because of what have been termed “deaths of despair:” opioid overdoses and suicides. Our culture is living a story of isolation and hopelessness. In today’s Gospel reading (John 19:20-26), we hear Jesus’ prayer to his Father to make his followers into a people of unity and hope so that the world can know his presence. This unity is much deeper than simply getting along. It is the gift and work of God in us, for the sake of the world.