A New Beginning - Audio

In this sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent, Pastor Chris explains that living the way of Jesus is so difficult because it's not nature to us. Yet, he argues that it's still worth learning because it leads to life. He makes this point by exploring several different text from both the Old and New Testaments. In his first text from 1 Corinthians chapter 1, he explores Paul's warning to remember that the cross of Jesus is foolish and unwise to the world. Yet, those who trust it find life. Pastor Chris then explores Jesus' words in John chapter 2, where he drives out the money changers and those selling sacrifices from the temple. Pastor Chis explains that Jesus did this as a prophetic action, intended to communicate that God wants more than religious actions from his people. Instead, God wants a real relationship. This is difficult for humans to understand, because our knowledge and wisdom on religion has always led us to ritual, rather than relationships. Finally, Pastor Chris explores the ten commandments from Exodus chapter 20, which give us a path to life. Each commandment, when understood in a context that connects to today, challenges us to leave behind what is natural to live the life that Jesus offers. Pastor Chris ends the sermon with a call to take our next step down the way of Jesus, and learn to live a way that leads to life.

In this sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent, Pastor Chris beings our Lenten series this year titled "Seeking Harmony." For this first week, Pastor Chris explains that seeking harmony requires us to first make a choice: leaving behind our sin to follow Jesus. Pastor Chris explains this point by first explores the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. He then reminds us of the words of Jesus in Mark 8, where he called those who follow him to take up their cross daily and follow him. Finally, he looks at Romans 4 where Paul shares Abraham's faith as an example to all. In this sermon, you will be challenged to leave behind your sin and place your trust in Jesus.

In this sermon, Pastor Chris delves into a profound question: where does the road paved by God’s will and word lead? Join us as we explore this captivating truth: Harmony is God's plan for the world. Transitioning from last week's discussion on the significance of following the way of Jesus, today's sermon embarks on a journey through scripture to uncover the profound truth that harmony is at the heart of God's plan for humanity. As we journey through the pages of Genesis, we witness God's intention to bring order and purpose to a formless and empty world. Through the lens of the Hebrew word "tov," meaning good, we uncover God's desire for harmony—a world where everything operates according to its intended purpose. We then see that human rebellion then brought chaos back into God’s good world. Despite humanity's rebellion, God's plan for restoration remained steadfast. Through passages from Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation, we glimpse a future where God's righteousness brings peace, where healing flows like a river, and where the new heavens and the new earth resound with the promise of harmony restored. As a congregation, we are called to embody God's plan for harmony. Through loving God, loving others, making followers, and living the way of Jesus, we actively participate in God's redemptive work, paving the way for harmony in our relationships and communities. Join us in this transformative exploration as we align ourselves with God's eternal plan for harmony. Together, let's strive to find harmony with God, with one another, and with the world around us, for harmony is God's plan for the world.

In this sermon, Pastor Chris explores the fundamental question: what kind of life are we building? Drawing from the inspiring dedication of Olympic champion Michael Phelps, we learn that the lives we lead are a result of the choices we make each day. This sermon continues our series called Salemology, we explore our fourth core value, "Living the Way." Join us on this transformative journey as we assess the road we're currently on and commit to building lives rooted in the way of Jesus. Whether you're already on the journey or seeking direction, let's embrace the challenge of becoming disciples together. Let's build our lives on the way of Jesus and discover the true joy of living the way.

In this sermon, Pastor Chris explores the call to make followers of Jesus. He does this by exploring Matthew 28 verses 19-20, often call the Great Commission, where Jesus commands his disciples to make more disciples. In this sermon, we explore who should make disciples, why they should make disciples, what message they should proclaim, and how they complete the process.

In this video, Pastor Chris preaches the third sermon in our Salemology series. The focus of this week is on loving others. In this sermon, Pastor Chris explores the second part of Jesus greatest commandment: loving others as yourself. What we discover from this study is that Jesus took his idea of loving others straight out of the Jewish scriptures. Looking at Leviticus 19:18, we see that God summed up the right way to live by telling his people to love their neighbor. If we want to love God, then we need to start by loving our neighbor.

In this sermon Pastor Chris continues our sermon series on Salemology. In this sermon he explores what it means to love God. He first explores the first of the two greatest commandments according to Jesus, loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength from Mark 12. Then he explores this passages connection to Deuteronomy 6, often called the shema.

In this sermon, Pastor Chris explores Acts 19, where we see that the good news of the gospel isn't just a story of personal transformation, but a challenge to the very fabric of the world. It's a call to die to our old selves and follow Jesus, relinquishing the the power of the evil forces of Satan, the flesh, and the world.

In this sermon, Pastor Chris explores Acts 16 where we learn that Paul's approach to ministry required him to know himself, and to know his audience. He knew his strengths and weaknesses, and how his story could connect to his audience. He also know the barriers that would block his audience from hear the gospel, and he did his best to remove them. Join us as we learn together and are challenged to know ourselves and our audiences better so that the good news of Jesus can be made known to the world.

In this sermon, Pastor Chris explores Acts 15, where the Jerusalem council faces the challenge of how new Gentile Christians will be welcomed into the people of God. After listening, praying, and studying scripture, the leaders of the Jerusalem church explain their decision: Gentiles may follow Jesus without converting to Judaism. What we learn from this, Pastor Chris explains, is how to handle conflict and disagreement in the body of Christ.