Posts by PastorKarl (Page 5)

Whoever hears these word of mine…and does them” – Jesus (Matthew 7.24) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” – St Paul (Ephesians 2.10) “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – James (2.17) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Jesus (Matthew 7.21) “If you love…

Do you understand faith in Jesus as security or adventure? When you pray, do you pray more for comfort or for courage? Are you asking God to equip your spirit for the battle or quiet your soul with calm? This summer we’re going to take a walk together with Jesus and discuss and listen to what He says to all of the above questions. Our summer worship series, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out…

“Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord you God is giving you.” – God (via Moses and Exodus 20.12) St Paul adds a few years later, “This is the first commandment with a promise.” (Ephesians 6.1-3) This Mother’s Day is all about the power of “honoring.” We’ll learn from a deep dive into this word, “honor” it is a voluntary weight lovingly borne. Honoring is choosing to carry the burden of…

I’ve had a higher-than-usual number of comments and questions on last week’s sermon, “The Fresh Air of Forgiveness” – so much so I’ve added “Part 2” this week! Essentially, the Open Tomb serves as the Source of the Fresh Air of Forgiveness Jesus “breathed on” his frightened and secluded disciples. From that first breath of heavenly air, forgiveness of sins has been circulating globally – from heart to heart, soul to soul! It’s called the Gospel. From that first breath,…

Locked into a stare…Jesus tells the Pharisees a highly unlikely-to-be-true story about a trusting vineyard owner who keeps getting abused and taken advantage of by the stewards left behind. It’s highly unlikely the owner of the vineyard would allow the beatings and abuse by the stewards. It’s highly unlikely the owner would risk sending his son into such a dangerous engagement. It’s highly unlikely the gangster-like stewards would actually kill the son of the land owner without fear of repercussion. And yet…the highly unlikely story’s death…

It happens all the time. Bosses get “bossy.” Pastors get pushy. Parents impatiently become controlling (overbearing). It’s a sinful pattern since sin dis-integrated things. Leaders de-evolve into something other than the personal care and investment their office of charge calls for. Instead, there is a petrification of the heart that leads to impersonal pronouncements instead of loving dialogue. In the writings of the prophet Ezekiel, chapter 34, the Lord chastises the leadership of the day pointing out their selfishness; greed…

Light and darkness are “archetypal” i.e., a recurring theme not only in the Bible, but in philosophy, literature and stories throughout history. From Star Wars disturbances in the force from “The Dark Side” to the ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, the struggle between light and darkness is well published. The Scriptures are replete with descriptions and illustrations of the spiritual battle between darkness and light as well! The Gospel of John prologue synthesizes it with inspirational precision, “The light shines in…

This Sunday is about introducing new things! A new worship series; a new child of God introduced to the waters of Baptism and a new guest Master Musician to bring sacred song into worship. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John (20.31) Here’s the purpose of the Gospel of John and the central purpose of our new…

In the concluding installment of “The Love Paradox” worship series, we’ll receive the Gospel call from Jesus to join him in “unforced rhythms of grace.” (Matthew 11.29) We’ll discover or be reminded that not only is there directive from God – there is illustration of how the Creator Himself to follow the “Engage. Disengage. Repeat.” pattern for life. Little more needs to be said about the “Engage. Engage. Repeat” pattern emerging in culture. Flat screens everywhere, smart phones even more…

“Resistance is futile.” – The Borg (of Star Trek: Next Generation fame) It’s one of the largest, most glaring lies told by the fictitious Borg – and more to the point – by demons every day. This temptation tool is designed to deflate hope and faith and substitute quick fix and despair. The Bible essentially defines spiritual warfare (i.e., resistance to spiritual maturity) in three areas, the world, the flesh and the devil. The pollution of a fallen creation means…