Jubilee Sermons

Passage: Matthew 14:22-32. It's likely our last official sermon. What should we say? What's important to remind each other? How about: Do not be afraid. A common Bible refrain. Yes, sometimes we end up in scary unknowns. Sometimes Jesus leads us there himself. But we are not to fear. This is the journey of faith and the choice we have to trust and follow, especially when it's hard!  Disclaimer: this sermon has borrowed from material in "Three Levels of Faith" a very great message by John Mark Comer.  

Passage: Luke 24:13-35. As Jubilee continues to take steps toward our final commissioning, we resonate with disciples on Emmaus Road. Feeling as if all is lost, with many questions, we desire the presence of Jesus to illuminate our way and reorient us to His purposes and big story. 

This is the difficult public announcement that Jubilee will be taking steps over the coming months to close our church community. We are grieving but choosing to follow Jesus in the midst of it all! 

Passage: Genesis 22:1-18. Following our sad news that Jubilee will be taking steps to close in the coming months, Jonathan led us in remembering the unchanging character of God, demonstrated in the stories of people like Abraham who trusted even when he couldn't understand. 

Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6. What if Trust is what this is all about? The case can be made that this is our part in the thru-story of God's activity: learning to trust. Wisdom will counsel us that things will be better if we choose this road! But why doesn't my road look very straight? 

Passage: Ephesians 4:1-6. It really isn't enough for someone to believe that God loves them and has imparted every spiritual blessing possible. There eventually comes the moment when people might ask, yes but does it change your life? And the answer is that it should. It is fitting. It makes sense. This kind of earth shattering news (that Jesus came to change everything) must eventually result in resounding life transformation.  This is part of the Beautiful Resistance sermon series on Ephesians. 

Passage: Ephesians 3:1-11. If you know what our mission is, then don't be surprised that things are hard for us. Not because we're trying to be controversial, but because grace runs counter to the world's philosophy. As Christians, we've been entrusted with a message of hope and there will be resistance. This message is part of our Beautiful Resistance series on Ephesians. 

Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22. How many ways do we need to hear the Good News? Answer: a lot of ways. Paul challenges us to remember the things that used to divide us and then rejoice that Jesus has removed the barriers. Jesus brings in the outsiders and then we join Him in proclaiming this radical welcome. And, of course, don't forget we become part of the never-ending building project! This message is part of our Beautiful Resistance sermon series on Ephesians. 

Passage: Hebrews 11. Ever wonder if what you're doing matters? Are you seeing fruit? Do you struggle with understanding God's purposes? With characteristic authenticity, Madi shares about her big lessons from her recent YWAM DTS experience. We can't help but hear our own questions and learn along with her! 

Passage: Ephesians 2:4-10. Grace. A name for a girl and also a thought that changed the world (says Bono). We're allowing the vast beautiful implications of God's lavish grace to wash over us. God didn't just save us for niceness but so we could become something world-changing!   This is part of our Beautiful Resistance sermon series on the book of Ephesians. 

Passage: Ephesians 1:22-23. It's Easter Sunday and we couldn't think of more fitting celebration message than that Jesus has changed everything by rising from death. There is nothing He doesn't rule over, fill or transform in His redemption plan for all humanity! What joyous Good News! 

Passage: Ephesians 1:15-21. Paul prays a long run-on prayer... and Jon preaches his longest sermon ever. Fitting. There is so much packed in to this prayer that teaches us both how we can form our prayers and also what kind of stuff Paul would pray for people immersed in an anti-Christ culture.  Turn on the lights and have an apocalypse! This message is part of our Beautiful Resistance sermon series. 

Passage: Ephesians 1:11-14. In part three of our mini series on the incredible spiritual blessings available to all Christians, we are reminded again of our kingdom wealth. We have access to exactly what we need at every moment. The covenant language of inheritance applies to us and of course, the wild implications of the Spirit alive in us! This is part of our Beautiful Resistance sermon series of Ephesians. 

Passage: Ephesians 1:7-10. Welcome to part 2 of our mini series. We're breaking down one of the longest run-on sentences in ancient literature. It's an exclamation of praise for all our incredible spiritual blessings. Today we tackle redemption and revelation and see it all neatly summarized in Jesus.  We are richer than we think!   This is part of our Beautiful Resistance series on the book of Ephesians. 

Passage: Ephesians 1:3-7. Paul's opening run-on sentence was just too good to lump into one sermon, so we made it three. Christians are spiritual billionaires (according to Paul) with access to every spiritual blessing imaginable. So what are some of these blessings and what difference do they make in our day-to-day lives? Part of The Beautiful Resistance sermon series. 

Passage: Ephesians 1:1-3. We're starting a new sermon series on the book of Ephesians. A letter about identity and formation. A how-to for the new Christian on what it means to follow Jesus in a world that doesn't know Him. And, as always, we should understand who and why Paul writes this letter. Once we do, we'll see how it speaks to us more than 2,000 years later. Part of our Beautiful Resistance sermon series. 

Passage: Psalm 84.  At some point, we all experience the sense that something is missing. Even those who know Jesus and have been satisfied on some level. That's because we are creatures of longing. Made for something complete. Something else.  

Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. We could try a lot of things to change our lives. And we do. But self-help and will power only go so far. They'll shift little stuff, but how on earth will we change the big stuff. As in, becoming like Jesus. For this, we'll need outside help. Someone who stands alongside. With and in us. Accessing the full power of the godhead. The Holy Spirit.  This is part of our ongoing Practicing the Way sermon series.  With credits to John Mark Comer and Bridgetown Church. 

Passage: 1 John 1:7. As a culture, we are lonely. Alone. We think we're connected by technology but feel more alone than ever. But this idea of community feels so hard in real life. How do we do it? Why? And what does Jesus think about all this? Part of our Practicing the Way series on How We Change.  Credits to Bridgetown Church and John Mark Comer. 

Passage: Mark 1:14-15. New Year's resolutions abound and we want a silver bullet solution to our problem. Our problem being that we want to change but don't know how. Shifting the direction of our loves, not just our minds, might be a starting point!  This is part of our ongoing Practicing the Way sermon series.  With credits to John Mark Comer and Bridgetown Church.