Sermon

Life is full of storms, and like Florida, it is just a matter of time until we face the wind and waves. When they come, will we be ready? Are our lives and the things we value based upon lasting truth or shifting sands of whatever catches our fancy?

Jesus acknowledges that we will face storms in life, urging us to build upon a firm foundation that will withstand the storms, by living as he teaches.

Far from sheltering us from the storms, Jesus' gift is to show us the firm foundation that will not only withstand the winds and the waves, but to allow us to be a beacon of hope to others who are caught in the storm.

The path following Jesus, putting our faith in him, leads in a very different direction than the world around us, just as Jesus' led him to the cross before the resurrection.

I'm sure that everyone can think of a number of things that they wish they had, many of which would be a real blessing, but others that hindsight might reveal as empty.

As children, we often wanted the latest toy or cool thing a classmate had. As we grew older we slowly grew to appreciate and pursue things we needed to work for - jobs and relationships, as well as bigger toys.

As we grow in our Christian faith, Jesus draws our hearts far beyond what we can ever earn or buy and toward what is of eternal worth.

Sisters and brothers, let us listen to Jesus and remove the plank from our own eyes rather than getting caught up in the specks in the eyes of others.

Jesus is also clear that it takes more than knowing what he teaches, the real power is found as we have the faith to put what he teaches into action.

Our good friend Pastor Ivan Castro shares God's word with us this Sunday.

Sometimes we need to "think small" to understand God's purposes for us. God multiplies the little we have to offer to be far more than enough.

Kamdon Harrison shares God's word with us this Sunday!

Jesus doesn’t deny the need for these things, but he invites us to know the Father and his provision in the ordinary, not just the extraordinary. Jesus reveals life as far bigger and better than our immediate concerns. He shows us God who knows and is concerned about our needs.

We are surrounded by voices that compete for our attention - each calling for us to go in different directions.

What do we say "no" to so we can say "yes" to things that are more important? If we say our health is important, do we say "no" to a TV show so we can get exercise instead? Do we say "no" to a super-sized order of french fries so we can say "yes" to a salad? This morning you said "no" to a number of other options so you can say "yes" to joining in worship.

Are the things that guide our choices of lasting value?

Jesus summarizes what he has been teaching in the Sermon on the Mount saying, "Store up for yourself treasures in heaven,"

We've all been there, facing the final line between resisting and succumbing to temptation. Momentum and impulse carry us toward that sin. We're standing at that line because we already took a lot of steps to get there.

Sin starts as we take the first step off the path God places before us - when we pay more attention to what we ought to avoid rather than what we truly need.

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Forgiveness is not only a gift for the person forgiven; it is also a gift for the one who forgives.

Unforgiveness eats away at the heart and soul of the person who was wronged. It also disrupts our relationship with our God who loves us and is eager to forgive. To be unwilling to forgive is to be unwilling to be forgiven.

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