Sermons from Jesus MCC

All About Angels

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:00:09 +0000

Some Christians see angels as literal beings. Others see them as metaphors. Whichever way you see them, the concept of angels can provide powerful insights into how the world works — and how we can better respond to the challenges we face.

Listen for a thoughtful exploration of the Biblical concept of angels.

Today’s scripture: Revelation 1:19-2:7

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Cosmo Quiz: Are You Spiritual?

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:00:52 +0000

Have you ever taken one of those Cosmo Quizzes? Are you destined to succeed? Do you look for the right things in a guy? Are you turning into your Mom? These quizzes are almost irresistible because instinctively we understand the importance of self-awareness and self-evaluation.

Suppose there was a Cosmic Quiz . . . to help you assess where you are in your spiritual life.

Well, there is — sort of. This Sunday we’ll take a look at a well-known psychological model meant to help us assess our spiritual development — and compare it to what Jesus says. Together we’ll learn something new and interesting.

Today’s scripture: Luke 1:26-38

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Discovering Serenity — One Step at a Time

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:00:42 +0000

“Worried and distracted” — those are the words Jesus used to describe a woman named Martha. Unfortunately, the same words probably describe you and me.

Life’s events and circumstances drive us, push us, frazzle us. We struggle. This Sunday we’ll talk about practical strategies for breaking out of that cycle.

Today’s scripture: Luke 10:38-42

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More Than Meets The Eye

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:00:52 +0000

It’s so easy to do: Something bad happens, or somebody does something mean and unwarranted to us. We respond reflexively — fighting fire with fire.

And before we know it, we’re caught up in a futile cycle of recrimination, threats, and aggression. In the end, nobody wins.

There is a better way. This sermon explores the ultimate source of power for creating positive change.

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More Than Enough

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:00:50 +0000

When you think about your time, money, and energy — does it seem like there’s never enough? Most of us would say so. We feel stretched so thin.

Jesus invites us to see the world in a different way — a way that gives us much-needed relief.

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Stuck

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:00:21 +0000

There are certain places in all of our lives where we are stuck — and tempted to say, “That’s just the way I am and always will be; there’s no point in trying to change what cannot be changed.”

Think again! This sermon examines a dramatic Bible story that shows us how to achieve transformation in our places of greatest ’stuckness.’

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Jerk!

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:00:57 +0000

It’s one of the most basic of all human impulses — to judge others.

We know judging others is bad because it hurts others. But have you ever thought about what judging others does to you? The Bible says the impact can be devastating.

That’s what this sermon explores — the impact of my judgments on me, and how to liberate myself from that way of thinking.

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I Want It, and I Want It NOW!

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 10 May 2009 16:00:55 +0000

This sermon looks at the example of Esau, who sold his birthright (a double portion of his father’s inheritance, plus family leadership rights) for a bowl of soup.

We’d never do something so stupid, right?

It’s so easy, though, to look only at how I feel now, and what I want NOW, and not even think about how this relates to my life and larger goals.

We’ll also look at Jesus’ example as the contrast to Esau, as we discover practical ways to gain better control of our impulses. Listen as we continue the Mastering Your Mind series.

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Am I Coachable?

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:00:12 +0000

One of the most important skills for successful living is being able to acknowledge mistakes and learn from them. But that’s painful. It’s much easier to just avoid it.

This week we’ll look at how to get better at practicing healthy introspection.

In this series, Mastering Your Mind, we’ll identify and root out the most common forms of distorted thinking that hold us back.

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She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:00:10 +0000

We return to Mastering Your Mind. With this new series, we’ll identify and root out the most common forms of distorted thinking that hold us back.

This week: low self-esteem.

Love of self — the healthy kind that the Bible speaks of — means feeling genuinely good about who you are at the deepest core of your being.

Do you? Do you love yourself that way?

Listen or watch as we seek to replace distorted thoughts with live-giving alternatives.

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What a Little Love Can Do!

Guest Speaker — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:00:40 +0000

In this sermon we hear from Melody Merida, Ceci Spence, and Chris Tenpas, three of our folks who went to Sudan earlier this year.

We’ll learn about their journey — both physical and spiritual. We’ll have a chance to think together about what we may be called to do as we seek to make a difference in this place of great need.

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In addition to the presentation by Melody, Ceci, and Chris, there was also a video presented as part of this sermon. Watch that video here.

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Think Different

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:00:32 +0000

For the next few weeks, we’ll look at common, distorted patterns of thinking that drag us down, and pair each of those with a spiritual antidote.

This sermon tackles fatalism – a victimized pessimism that tells us life is bad and nothing good can ever come from what we do. Know anyone like that?

Contrast that with faith. And we’re not talking about perky, shallow optimism. Real faith is much grittier, less shiny, and much more enduring.

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The Donkey, The Stallion, and the Strategy of the Hills

Melody Merida — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:00:01 +0000

We’re offering something different this Palm Sunday.

Melody Merida presents the message in the form of a story about a king who sends his son to make peace with the subjects of his kingdom. The son is sent on a donkey, like a common beggar, to denote the humility of the king.

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I Love You This Much

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:00:34 +0000

Do you feel loved by God?

If you’ve been around church for any length of time, you’ve probably had it drilled into your head. God is Love. Jesus loves you.

But do you know it? Do you feel loved?

As we continue our series on Romans 8, there’s some remarkable insight into God’s love. Maybe the evidence has been there all along, but we just didn’t know how to see it. Watch or listen for a time of spiritual refreshment.

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Relax, Everything’s Gonna Be OK

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:00:36 +0000

Just how involved is God in the daily affairs of my life? Can I count on God to “fix” everything?

This week we resume our Romans 8 sermon series by studying one of the best-known verses in the Bible: “All things work together for good for those who love God.” Romans 8:28.

This verse (and those around it) raise fascinating questions about free will and predestination. Watch or listen for a practical examination of how God works in the world and our lives.

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Are You There, God?

Guest Speaker — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:00:15 +0000

What do you do when it feels like God is far away? Our impulse may be to act like God is far away — but that can lead to actions that are self-destructive.

There’s a better way, and we’ll look at the example of Habakkuk to get some practical ideas.

This sermon was brought to us by our Clergy Intern, Vivian Wyatt.

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Anticipation

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:00:29 +0000

We’re continuing our series in Romans 8. This sermon looks at the concept of being “heirs with Christ.” What does it mean to be a “child of God”?

If you’ve ever thought about what heaven will be like, or what your role there may be, this sermon will shed light on those questions.

In addition to the afterlife, our identity as “children of God” is essential to our life in the here and now.

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East of Eden: Life in the Real World

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:00:36 +0000

We’re continuing our study of Romans chapter 8, what some call the pinnacle of the Bible.

If you’ve spent any time at all on planet Earth, you know that suffering is part of life. Even scripture says that all of creation is “in bondage to decay.”

So if suffering can’t be avoided, doesn’t it make sense that we figure out how to “suffer well”? We’ll look at the example of Jesus, who shows us how to maintain hope, and how suffering can be the gateway to resurrection.

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Reach Out, Hold On

Guest Speaker — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:00:24 +0000

How often have we been willing to tolerate broken relationships, allowing anger and resentment to fester? We hold back, waiting for others to make the first move.

This sermon looks at becoming “Ambassadors of Reconciliation.” That’s a mouthful, but it’s a task we’re called — and equipped through Christ — to do. David Zier, seminary student, preaches.

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Push Pull

Guest Speaker — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:00:47 +0000

How often have we been willing to tolerate broken relationships, allowing anger and resentment to fester? We hold back, waiting for others to make the first move.

This sermon looks at becoming “Ambassadors of Reconciliation.” That’s a mouthful, but it’s a task we’re called — and equipped through Christ — to do. Vivian Wyatt, our Clergy Intern, preaches.

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Alternative Energy

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:00:44 +0000

This sermon launches a new series on what many theologians consider the most important chapter in all the Bible — Romans 8.

This series will be about living victoriously. This sermon takes a look at what it means to “live in the Spirit.” Join us for a message of power and encouragement, as we discover how to access this “alternative energy.”

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The Fierce Urgency of Now

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:00:35 +0000

A look at where we’ve been, and an exciting look at the possibilities that are before us.

This is Pastor Jeff’s annual State of the Church Sermon.

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The Good Life

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:00:25 +0000

For several weeks we’ve been looking at Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth.

So far we’ve looked at Worship, Connection, Quiet Time, Service, and Generosity – powerful blocks we can use to build our souls.

This sermon looks at the last two — “?” and “D” — and puts all the pieces together into a coherent plan.

Sermon supplement: My 2009 Soul Care Plan

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Imitation of Christ

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:01:59 +0000

This sermon continues our series on Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth.

So far we’ve looked at Worship, Connection, and Quiet Time — three powerful blocks we can use to build our souls.

But these are all “inflow.” What’s the point of making my soul more fit, if I’m not using that growth for some good?

This week, we look at the S and G blocks — Service and Generosity – and at the example of Jesus, who modeled these traits in extraordinary ways for us.

Watch or listen as we consider ways to “practice the presence of Christ.”

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The Wild Stampede

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:00:03 +0000

This sermon continues our series on Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth.

So far we’ve looked at Worship and Connection – two powerful components we can use to build our souls.

This week we’ll examine quiet time — another tool that can help us invite the presence of Christ into our life. We all know how frantic and hectic life can be. Couldn’t we all use more of Jesus’ peace and presence?

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Out of Hiding

Rev. Jeff Miner — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:00:29 +0000

This sermon continues our series on Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth with “C” for Connection.

Last week we looked at Worship. A powerful worship service can be a wonderful way to enter into the presence of God. But sometimes, it’s just not enough.

Have you ever felt isolated at church, like you’re on the fringes and just can’t figure out how to break in? There’s a New Testament word that describes what we need — koinonia. This sermon explores what it is and how to find it.

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