Preacher Paul's Blogs

  What is the Holy Catholic Church? This Sunday is World Communion Sunday, when we join with fellow believers around the globe to celebrate the Lord's Supper. Our upcoming sermon will explore what it means to be part of the universal Church of Jesus Christ. As we read in 1 Corinthians 10, the communion we share through Christ's body and blood unites us with Christians past and present. In the sermon, we'll reflect on how celebrating communion connects us to the "communion of saints" throughout history. Their examples can inspire and guide us. We'll also consider how Christians worldwide can impart fresh perspectives to our faith. Even amid diversity, our oneness in Christ stands firm when we fix our eyes on him. As you read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 this week, here are some questions to ponder: How does remembering Christian martyrs, missionaries and ministers encourage your faith? What voices from the global Church could impart new wisdom to us? H...

  Living Hope: Finding Purpose in Christ This Sunday I'll be preaching from Philippians 1:21-30. In this passage, Paul offers hope and encouragement to the church in Philippi from his imprisonment, facing possible execution. Paul expresses that for him "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." He finds meaning and purpose in life through serving Christ, despite his dire circumstances. Even the prospect of death does not shake his faith or diminish his joy. Paul's hope is rooted not in escaping this world, but in Christ's power to transform trials into opportunities for spiritual growth and witness. We too can have this unshakable hope, even amidst suffering. When we set our minds on Christ, we can rise above our troubles and live boldly and joyfully. Paul calls the Philippians to stand firm together in faith, drawing strength from their unity. Though the road is difficult, nothing can rob us of hope and joy if our lives are rooted in Christ. As we reflect on this p...

  Speaking Truth in Love: Bold Yet Grace-Filled Preaching This Sunday I'll be preaching from Romans 14:1-12, a powerful passage about disagreeing agreeably. Paul urges the church to welcome all believers, though they may differ on disputable matters like diet or Sabbath observances. He warns against self-righteousness and judging others harshly over secondary issues. As we wrestle with weighty cultural questions today, we must major on the majors - the essentials of our faith - and discuss the rest with humility and grace. We're called to take sin seriously while remembering we're all works in progress. My hope is this text will challenge us to disagree lovingly and extend mercy as freely as we've received it. As you study and pray over this passage this week, consider: Do I make room for diversity in my church community? How can I balance truth with love when discussing complex issues? I look forward to exploring these questions together. See you Sunday!

  Spiritual Nourishment: Finding the True Bread of Life This Sunday I'll be preaching on Jesus as the bread of life from John 6:32-35. In this passage, Jesus tells the crowd that while Moses gave them manna from heaven, it is God the Father who gives the true bread of heaven through Jesus Christ. Jesus declares "I am the bread of life." In the sermon, we'll explore what it means for Jesus to be our spiritual nourishment and "bread of life." Just as our physical bodies need food each day for energy and health, our spirits need consistent spiritual nourishment. However, it's easy in our busy lives to forget this important nourishment through prayer, scripture, worship, and community. I'll be challenging us to consider: Are we feeding ourselves regularly with the "bread of life"? Are we creating space for spiritual nourishment amidst the hustle of daily life? How might nourishing our spirits more intentionally allow us to experience a greater ...

 Labor Day Rest Dear Church Family: As many of you may be hitting the road or taking to the skies this Labor Day weekend, know that I offer up prayers for your traveling mercies. May your journeys be safe, smooth, and filled with the peace of God. Whether you're traveling or staying close to home, my prayer for each of you is that you find time to rest and recharge over this holiday weekend. Just as God rested on the seventh day after the work of creation, so too should we heed the importance of rest. Jesus also understood the value of taking time away from the demands of daily life to rejuvenate; whether it was retreating to a solitary place to pray or sleeping in a boat amid a storm, the need for rest was evident in Jesus' life as well. Isn't it fascinating that most of us would never allow our cell phone or tablet batteries to get dangerously low, yet we often neglect our own need for rest and renewal? We can all take a page from the divine playbook; if God and Jesus fou...

  Picking Up Our Cross: The Cost of Discipleship This Sunday I'll be preaching on what it really means to follow Jesus. Our passage from Matthew 16 shows Jesus warning his disciples that being a true follower would require sacrifice and self-denial. It's a tough teaching that still challenges us today. Jesus says that those who want to follow him must "take up their cross" daily. In Jesus' day, taking up a cross meant embarking on a grueling march to execution. It represented shame, suffering, and death. Jesus used this vivid imagery to underscore that being his disciple requires full surrender and willingness to endure hardship for the sake of the gospel. It's far more than just a title we claim. As we'll explore on Sunday, following Jesus transforms everything about our lives. It means dying to sin, serving others, forgiving those who wrong us, giving sacrificially, and pursuing God's will even when it's difficult. While this is incredibly ch...

  Living Stones: Our Role in Building the Church This Sunday I’ll be preaching on Matthew 16:13-20 and the critical importance of the church being built upon the solid rock of faith in Christ. When Jesus asked his disciples “Who do you say that I am?”, Simon Peter confessed “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” This powerful truth - that Jesus is the Christ - serves as the bedrock of our faith and the foundation of the church. In the sermon, we’ll explore three implications of this passage: 1) Peter’s confession as the cornerstone of belief upon which the church is established, 2) the role and purpose of the gathered community of faith as the body of Christ, and 3) our shared calling as living stones to build up the church. Just as a physical building requires a firm foundation to stand strong, so too the church needs the stability of Christ as our center. As you read and reflect on this passage this week, here are some questions to consider: ·    ...