|
Feb. 25, 2007
Temptation
Luke 4:1-13
Steve Eason
Sunday Bulletin Steve's Soundbite (Video)
Sermon Text (pdf) Audio (wma) Audio (mp3)
This sermon marks Jesus' forty days of temptation by Satan. Jesus at this point is aware of his responsibility as Christ and savior, and Satan realizing this attempts to bribe him into forsaking this duty. Jesus is not tempted when he is confused about who he is. He is tempted when he is clear. That’s when you are the most dangerous. There’s nothing more dangerous than a person who is clear about their mission and they have a passion for it. You’d better tempt them. You’d better distract them. If you don’t, they’re going to be successful.
Feb. 18, 2007
Having our Veils Removed
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
Steve Eason
Sunday Bulletin Steve's Soundbite (Video)
Sermon Text (pdf) Audio (wma) Audio (mp3)
This Wednesday we begin Lent, a 40-day journey of preparation for Easter. It’s a time for personal inspection – to ask yourself some questions – to open your mind and heart to God anew and afresh. I’ve got a prayer written on a little post-it note on my desk. It says, Lord, show me what I’m missing. That could be a powerful prayer for Lent. But you’d better be prepared for God to answer that prayer because you might see some things you don’t want to see. Having your veils removed is not always pleasant but it is always freeing. It brings new life like fresh air into a stuffy room.
Feb. 11, 2007
Jesus' Words to the Rich and to the Poor
Luke 6: 17-26
Steve Eason
Sunday Bulletin Steve's Soundbite (Video)
Sermon Text (pdf) Audio (wma) Audio (mp3)
Twelve of us from MPPC recently spent eight days in Malawi, Africa. We were there to explore ways to deepen our relationship with the Central Church of Africa Presbyterian and to look at other possibilities for ministry in that area. You could feel the contrast everywhere. We were white – they were black. We were Americans – they were Africans. We were rich – they were poor. And yet, through our baptisms, we belonged to each other in Christ. I’m not sure that I love Jesus as much as they do. The people of Malawi, Congo or even Charlotte may not need us to come as much as we may need to go. Could it be that God is giving us the opportunity to serve others as a means of helping us to get into the kingdom?
Feb. 4, 2007
The Call to Follow Jesus
Luke 5: 1-11
Deborah Conner
Sunday Bulletin Deborah's Soundbite (Video)
Sermon Text (pdf) Audio (wma) Audio (mp3)
In our culture many believe it is preferable to be a leader rather than a follower. Following is thought of as a “less than” position to be in. After all, being a leader is where the action is. Our Gospel story this morning is about following and being a follower whether you are a leader or not. The text tells us about the first disciples and the circumstances of their call to follow Jesus. It is a familiar passage because of the well-known verse: “From now on you will be catching people” or you will be “fishers of men”. |
