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Current/Upcoming Sermon Series (Click on series graphics for more detailed info)

the big idea:

A contrarian is a person with a preference for taking a position opposed to that of the majority. Jesus was a contrarian. Again and again he opposed the religious majority of his day, because the religious majority had forsaken the clear teaching of Scripture and had allowed themselves to be misguided instead by their own natural reason.

We are in constant danger of being led astray by our own natural reason. Our natural reason clouds and perverts the truth that God’s Spirit has revealed to us. Throughout the season of Epiphany (the season that celebrates God manifesting the truth through his Son, Jesus Christ) we will explore several of the ways our natural thinking leads us away from the truth. We will allow God’s Spirit once again to speak God’s truth into our hearts.

Previous Sermon Series

the big idea:

“Joy to the World!” is a song that brings images of happyChristmases, smiling faces and jolly carolers. It’s meant to lift hearts and unite people in singing. But, what about when YOUR world doesn’t seem so cheery? What about when the joy is muffled by finances, joblessness, brokenhearts, sickness or pain? Where is the joy? Are we all out of luck this Christmas? Join us Christmas Day as we hear how God knows EXACTLY what we are going through and sent the PROMISE of joy – JESUS.



the big idea:

The Christmas carol asks, “What child is this?” The Holy Spirit enabled the prophet Isaiah, who lived 700 years before the first Christmas, to describe Jesus clearly. What child is this? Listen to Isaiah give us some surprising answers.



the big idea:

Our culture is incredibly interested in heaven and hell. The topic finds its way onto the bestseller lists (i.e. “Heaven Is For Real”), into television documentaries, and even onto the racks of the most popular magazines. People want to know the truth. The problem is the truth about heaven and hell is not found on the best-seller list. The truth is found only in the number one best seller of all times—the Bible

Our topic for our End Times series this year will be heaven and hell and what the Bible has to say about them. After being reminded of the importance of knowing and standing by the truth of God’s Word, we’ll take a biblical tour through heaven and hell. Although there are some things we just don’t know, there are also some wonderful and comforting things that Lord has revealed to us about the life that follows this life.



the big idea:

Jesus often taught in parables—earthly stories with heavenly meanings. What we don’t realize is that with many of these parables Jesus was attempting to get at and change the common religious misconceptions of the day. What many people in the church believed or how they lived was not in accord with God’s Word and will. So Jesus told a story that was meant to expose their sin and call them to repentance.

It’s interesting to see how little things really change. The church today struggles with the same kinds of issues the church wrestled with in Jesus’ day. With this series we’ll take a look at three parables that Jesus shared and apply them to the church and to our personal lives today.



the big idea:

We end the summer by taking a close look at four of the shortest books of the New Testament. But don’t let their size fool you. These postcards are packed with timeless truth. Not only do they provide us with a revealing collage of the character of the first century church, but they also provide insight into the heart of our God. Only the ink on the postmarks is as fresh as if these postcards were sent yesterday with applications as personal as if addressed to each of us individually.



the big idea:

Do you consider yourself someone who believes in God, but in reality you live as if everything is still up to you? Do you say you believe in the power of prayer, yet hardly ever pray? Do you call yourself a Christian and yet you can’t seem to let go of past guilt and shame? It’s a phenomenon that’s been called Christian atheism—believing in God, but living like he doesn’t exist.

Jesus calls it “forsaking your first love.” Paul expresses this inner struggle when he says, “The good I want to do I do not do!” There are so many different situations that can arise in our lives that lead us down the path to Christian atheism. But how we got there is not as important as recognizing the real problem, repenting, and turning to Christ alone for both forgiveness and the strength to change through the gospel.

This sermon series will be a frank conversation about our Christian atheist tendencies and sins so that with Christ’s forgiveness and God’s help, we can throw off lackluster expressions of faith and lead more authentic, God-honoring lives.



the big idea:

“You just gotta have faith.” People bat that phrase around all the time. The truth is: everyone has faith. Everyone puts his or her trust in someone or something. Maybe it’s a doctor. Maybe it’s their savings account. Maybe it’s the words of a false preacher on the TV. So much of how we think and what we do is based on things we’ve just “come to believe,” or things we’ve heard other people say, or things we’ve read in books. Sometimes it just seems to be the most logical thing to us—so it must be true!

Unfortunately, sooner or later that kind of faith—a faith with no sure and solid foundation—is going to really disappoint us. How about a different kind of faith? A faith that has something solid to sink it’s teeth into? A faith that will never leave you hanging or disappointed?

This series will look at this “radical” kind of faith and do so using real and relevant applications to our everyday lives.



the big idea:

Easter will soon be here again. It’s a big deal in our lives. We go church. We get together with family. We go out to eat. But, like so many things in life, we just kind of fall into the pattern of things. We do what we always do and don’t take the time to understand why we do it.

What does Easter really mean for my life? How does it change my day-to-day existence? And, if it doesn’t change anything, have I lost sight of Easter’s true meaning? This Easter season as we walk alongside some of the early believers on the first Easter Sunday, we’ll be reminded of what Easter really means and the profound change it brings to our lives.



the big idea:

The season of Lent brings us face to face with the greatest clash of all time. During Lent we witness the supreme champions of both good and evil hold nothing back as each seeks with all his might to destroy the other once and for all. As we watch this battle our eyes are focused on Jesus because our hopes of freedom and future glory rest in him.

On the Sundays in Lent, Jesus will train and equip us for our own spiritual battles. We will see that there is no one more qualified or more capable of bringing us victory on our personal battlefields than he who has already conquered sin and death for us. We can boldly and courageously charge in battle!



the big idea:

We all have "stuff" in our lives that tends to "define" us. We are apathetic, greedy, stuck on ourselves, stressed out... you name it... and that is the "me" that we all too often "settle for". BUT what is the "me" that God wants me to be—the me I really want to be? What would it look like if I could move closer to THAT "me". I want to be more generous. I want to be more compassionate. I want to talk about Jesus more. I want to be a better husband and dad. Whatever it is... you don’t have to stay where you are.

There’s a free upgrade available, powered by Christ. The rewriting process will be a bit painful, but the final results are worth it.



the big idea:

Light is power. We feel it when we’re playing or working out in the sun. We see it as we marvel at how green and beautiful and lush our world is. We taste it in the food we eat and experience its energy as this food fuels us.

In this Epiphany season, the Scripture holds out Jesus as the Light of the world. He is the power to remove our sin and reconcile us to God. He is the power to turn unbelieving hearts into believing hearts. He is the power to help us overcome the darkness of our sinful nature. He is the power to open our eyes and see things differently, and not only see them differently, but actually feel differently about them. Join with us in experiencing the power of the Light.



the big idea:

We have great respect for people who have a dogged determination, who set their minds to accomplish something great and won’t allow anyone or anything get in their way. Yet, even the most unwavering grit and fortitude we see depicted in the heroes on the movie screen pales in comparison to the resolve God has to love us and rescue us from our sin. We see this resolve in the manger on Christmas Eve, as the Creator of heaven and earth, determined to free this world from its slavery to sin, takes on human flesh and blood and enters the world he created. Yet, Satan was also determined—to counter God’s plan in any and every way possible. And it’s in this all out battle of the wills that we clearly see who truly is the greatest. In the end, absolutely nothing is going to be able to stop God’s love.



the big idea:

As you look back over your life, do you have any defining moments? Unusual things that happened, achievements made, crises you lived through, that set or changed the course of your life? We understand that nothing just happens. God uses our defining moments in life to refine our faith.

The season of Advent adds cause for urgency to God’s refining process. Jesus is coming back. Will we be ready? Our Old Testament lessons this Advent season share powerful defining moments in the faith lives of three individuals. Although the details differ in our lives, God still uses the same types of experiences to shape and mold our faith. And, though the experience may not be the most pleasant at the time, God is making sure we’re prepared for that day when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.



the big idea:

Living in the year 2010 in the good old US of A, we have a hard time imaging what it must have been like to be slave; being owned by someone else, having your life controlled, not being able to do the things we want to do when you want to do them. But are we as free as we really think we are? We live in a society where addiction and depression are epidemic. We are constantly trying to escape the pain in our lives only to find ourselves more enslaved than we were before. There are a lot of negative emotions that take us captive. But four of the “biggies” are guilt, fear of condemnation, sadness and worry. Imagine a life free from the power of these ugly slave drivers. Wouldn’t it be great! We don’t have to imagine too hard for too long because in this upcoming End Times series, God is going to give us a clear picture of world where all our struggles come to an end. A world in which we are finally free!



the big idea:

Fear seems to be the name of the game when it comes to anything financial nowadays. The market takes yet another dive as analysts speak of fears of a possible double dip recession. People who have lost their jobs are wondering how long it’ll be yet before they’re back to work—and how are they going to keep afloat in the meantime. Those who haven’t lost their jobs are wondering if they’re going to be able to weather the recession. Even in good economic times we have our fears. Will we have enough for retirement? What if some disaster strikes? How will we get our kids through college? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could live with no fears when it came to money and our finances? The good news is: it’s not some pie in the sky dream (like I’ve got to have a couple million before that’s going to happen!). God gives us a much more sane and relaxed view of our finances—no matter what we have or don’t have.



the big idea:

What does it mean to be successful? Who of us doesn’t feel the pressure of our culture? The all-consuming preoccupation to pursue the prestigious career, to amass lots and lots of money, to possess all the latest in toys and technology, to be respected and admired by those around us. These pursuits are held up as the be all and end all of happiness and fulfillment in life. But how are they really working for people? God offers a very different definition of success. As we look at the life of Jesus, we see that his definition of success included a life of self-sacrifice and the lonely walk to the cross. At first glance this definition of success may sound very negative and unappealing. Yet, certainly the scriptures give us hints of the joy and fulfillment Jesus experienced in bringing help, peace and comfort to people. Add to that the glory and honor Jesus enjoys now exalted at the right of God the Father.



the big idea:

David knew the joy of success. David knew the bitterness of failure. But most importantly, David knew the LORD—his powerful, kind, righteous, merciful and loving God. It’s incredible the lessons we can learn from the life of this man whom God calls “a man after my own heart.” As we make this journey through David’s life, it will be our prayer that God make us men and woman after his own heart.



the big idea:

People don’t set out to build their faith on myths. But somehow falsehoods keep showing up in the way many Christians think about life and God. Their beliefs are assumed by many to be rock-solid truth—until life proves they’re not. The tragic result is often a spiritual disaster - confusion, feelings of betrayal, distrust of Scripture, and a loss of faith or anger toward both God and church.

The answer, as always, is the power of the truth - the truth of God’s Word. In this practical worship series, based on a book by Larry Osborne, we will look at 8 widely held beliefs that are both dumb (because they’re not based on God’s Word) and dangerous. Get ready to be shocked, relieved and inspired by the truth of God’s Word.



the big idea:

Satan has blinded the minds of the people of this world convincing them that they cannot be absolutely certain about anything. The consequences of this lie are staggering. There is no solid foundation to build our lives upon. I’m not sure where I came from. I’m not sure what I’m doing here. And I’m not sure where I’ll be going. My life is filled with all kinds of doubts and subsequently…all kinds of fears. The country song writer said it well: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Easter gives us a certainty that we can build our lives around. We know who we are. We know where we stand with God. We know what we’re doing here. And we know whom we can trust.



the big idea:

During the Lenten season we sing: If you think of sin but lightly Nor suppose the evil great, Here you see its nature rightly, Here its guilt may estimate. The place the hymn writer is referring to, the place where we cannot help but be repulsed by the horror of our sin, is the cross, where our bruised and bloodied Savior suffers the pangs of hell itself—FOR OUR SIN. Lent is a time to remember our sin, to repent of our sin, so that we may be refreshed and renewed at the foot of our Savior’s cross. Unfortunately, the old sinful nature in us constantly tries to downplay or minimize our sin and its ugly fruit. This year our Lenten worship will help us see and understand more clearly the reality of our sin, its dark nature and its gruesome consequences so that we may see more clearly the amazing power and love of our Savior.



the big idea:

If we're going to be honest, Christian witnessing is not the most popular topic—inside or outside the church. Those outside the church are skeptical at best thinking that the church is just trying “to sell” Jesus to fill their pews, their coffers and their volunteer lists, that our only interest is the preservation of an outdated institution. Those inside the church struggle with fears: Will there be questions I won’t be able to answer? Will I be labeled a "Jesus freak"? We feel that people don’t really want what Christ has to offer…like we’re spreading some infectious disease rather than truly good news. As we continue our Epiphany celebration, our worship will help us to look at our Christian witness in a new light, through the eyes people who have been there and done that.



the big idea:

What a crazy busy time of the year! We expend so much energy getting everything ready that, by the time Christmas arrives, we’re completely spent. Instead of a heart that is really and truly prepared to celebrate the greatest gift this world has ever received, we can’t wait for it all to be over. The truth is, all our outward traditions and trapping of Christmas cannot even begin to prepare us for the celebration of this miracle like God can. So come to worship, sit back and relax and let God do your Christmas prep.



the big idea:

November 1: The Attack
November 8: The Fire
November 15: The Victory
November 22: The King




the big idea:

Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “Defense wins championships.” But no one would deny that offense is extremely important too, not just in a football game, but especially in the game of life. We’re all in it. This game is real. The outcome is eternally significant. The Opponent is real too and he’s ready to destroy your faith and the faith of everyone you love. Now’s not the time to sit back and hope for the best. It’s time to attend church, get the game plan and then confidently go on the offensive. It’s time to break the huddle and get some victories with the help of God!





the big idea:

"They don't want me in that church. I’m too sinful." Have you ever heard someone express this kind of sentiment? We know that it’s completely wrong, that it goes contrary to everything Jesus taught. And yet, how easily God's people in the church can give the impression that church is only for those who live by certain standards, that the church is for people who have their lives all together.

Didn’t Jesus chastise the Pharisees for their condescending attitude toward those who didn't live up to their standards? Didn't Jesus tell them that he came not for the healthy, but for the sick? The frightening reality is that the temptation to become modern day Pharisees carries a more powerful lure than we realize. In this series, we will confront our pharisaical tendencies, rejoice in our own forgiveness, and seek the help of the Holy Spirit to look at the people around us through Jesus' eyes of compassion and mercy so that our church becomes an even greater haven for sinners.



the big idea:

An invaluable gift for the believer is the blessing of a "spiritual father." For some that spiritual father is the patriarch in the family. For others the spiritual father may be a pastor or a mentor within the church. A true spiritual father has a deep faith, nurtured through constant use of Word and sacrament, seasoned through the struggles and trials of life. A true spiritual father teaches, encourages, rebukes and exhorts with a tender heart of compassion because he knows the joys, the struggles, the trials and the dangers of life from firsthand experience.

The Scriptures cite Abraham as the spiritual father of all who believe. Starting with Father's Day and running through the end of July we will retrace Abraham's spiritual faith-walk (and sometimes faith-stumble) gleaning some incredibly relevant lessons for our own spiritual journeys.



the big idea:

Our church has an urgent mission. We exist to share Christ’s victory with today’s people, loving people enough to meet them where they are. But how are we going to do this? That’s where our core values come into play. Our core values keep us focused on our mission and guide us as we worship and work to carry it out. As we begin worshiping at Showtime Cinema we’re going to practically explore how each of our core values impacts us not only as a church, but each of us as individuals in our daily lives.



the big idea:

Many people came to Jesus searching…searching for healing, searching for answers, searching for peace of mind. Some went away disappointed because what they were searching for wasn’t what they really needed. They need something more. What are you searching for? Are you finding what you truly need…or are you looking for more?



the big idea:

A soldier who’s stationed overseas can’t wait to get home to hold his wife and children in his arms again. A first year college student, away from home for the first time in her life, looks forward to Christmas break like she never has before. After a long and stress-filled day at work, it feels so good to just to plop down in that familiar easy chair. There is no place like home. If that’s true for our physical home, how much more so of our spiritual home!

Jesus once told the story of a young man who through some bad personal choices felt himself estranged from his family. What the young didn’t know was that his father’s love for him had not changed despite his actions. We, too, can often feel like that young man. But the reality is, our heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love. And he longs for that moment when he can put his arms around us and reassure us of his love. Despite all the different ideas that are out there, that’s what church is all about. It’s coming home to a place of peace, acceptance and healing.



the big idea:

In a world that is constantly changing, that is full of questions and uncertainties, can we find something solid to hang on to, something that will give us the security we long for? The answer is Jesus—The Great I AM.



the big idea:

Are you afraid to turn on the news? “The markets took another sharp downturn today.” “A bomb exploded early this morning in the middle of…” “More devastating wildfires…” “Two residents on the northeast side shot and killed…” The sheer amount of bad news in the world is oppressive. And unfortunately not even the world’s celebration of Christmas this year will be able to bring a stop to all the bad news. But that’s what makes the good news of Christmas all the more glorious. As dark and depressing as the world is, we have a message of peace and hope that brings light even to the darkest night.



the big idea:
Why Lord? There is so much that happens in our lives, so much that goes on around us, that causes us to wonder where God is and what he’s doing? We meet people who are angry with God, disappointed with God. As we listen to their stories, we can hardly blame them. Many of us have felt the same way at times. This worship series will take an honest look at some deep, heart wrenching questions we all have and allow God’s Word of truth to speak to our disappointments.



Amazing Grace: We begin our fall worship with a study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—a letter in which Paul celebrates what God’s great power has done for his believers, for his church. The first half of the letter deals with the gracious plan of salvation that God conceived already in eternity, implemented in time, and that will reach its completion on judgment day, when God will take us home to enjoy an eternity of bliss in heaven. All of this comes to us by grace, that is, as a free gift from God. The second half of the letter outlines our response to God’s grace, encouraging us to live a life of love and service to God and to each other.

Reality Check: Do you find it difficult to identify the areas in your spiritual life that require attention and change? Sometimes it’s easier to pick out personal flaws as we see them lived out in the lives of others. Throughout July and August we’ll use the lives of the kings of Israel and Judah as a reality check for our own personal spiritual journeys. We may be surprised at what we learn about ourselves. But we’ll be even more surprised by what we learn about the love and grace of God.

Discovering Discipleship: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? When we take a close look at what God's Word has to say, we find out that discipleship is definitely about what we believe.  Yet, true discipleship, biblical discipleship means much more. Discipleship is following in Jesus' footsteps. It's learning to know him so well that our lives start to become a reflection of his.