In this sermon, we turn the corner to our desire for satisfaction and how that too so often leads us into the trap of looking to people, power, or possessions instead of the ultimate satisfaction that is ours in Jesus. Our story is taking from John 4, where a find a pivotal conversation between … [Read More…] Samaritan’s Trap—Seeking Satisfaction Through People
In this sermon, we explore Naaman’s security trap—seeking security through possessions. As we follow along in 2 Kings 5, we’ll discover a new and better identity as a child of God. 1) Naaman’s Hardship Naaman’s story is somewhere in the middle 60 years of Elisha’s ministry. Naaman means “gracious.” He is the commander … [Read More…] Naaman—Seeking Security Through Possessions
In this sermon, we look back over 3 millennia to the story of Gideon and his identity trap—seeking security through power. 1) Gideon’s Test Gideon was a tribal warrior leader-judge. His story takes place between 1179-1154 BC and is recorded in the Book of Judges chapter 6. The context of the story is … [Read More…] Gideon—Seeking Security Through Power
In this sermon, we go back 2,500 years to the Medo-Persian Empire to discover Esther’s identity trap—seeking security through people. Through the story, we’ll see how God loves her out of her orphan-hearted identity and into the true security of living as a child of God. Esther’s Secret: The story begins with King Xerxes … [Read More…] Esther—Seeking Security Through People
The Book of Ephesians is about God’s plan for the fullness of time to unite all things throughout eternity. God’s plan is the biggest logistic undertaking of all time. Against that backdrop, we get a prayer report from Paul in Ephesians 3 about the way he prays for the church. Paul’s primary point is … [Read More…] Bigger Prayer, Bigger God
In this sermon, we look at Zacchaeus’ identity trap—seeking significance through power. 1) Zacchaeus: Lost Zacchaeus was one of the “bad guys” in the Bible because he was a chief tax collector and he was notoriously rich. Everyone knew him to be one of the wealthiest people in Jericho, and they hated him … [Read More…] Zacchaeus—Seeking Significance Through Possessions
We often use Bible verses out of context to find rest for our weary souls. Can you relate to that? In this sermon, we look at a passage that has much to say about finding the spiritual rest we long for. How do we enter God’s promised rest from Hebrews 4? We React … [Read More…] God’s Promised Rest
In this sermon, we look at Jacob’s identity trap: seeking significance through power. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, and the father of Joseph. His story gives us a powerful look at the deep identity transformation God wants to bring into each one of our lives. We’ll look at three parts to Jacob’s story: … [Read More…] Jacob—Seeking Significance Through Power
Following Jesus is basically learning to live out our new identity in Christ. But it’s difficult because we’ve spent so much of our lives living from our orphan identities. To live from our new identity as children of God requires intention and practice. We must unlearn the heart-habits of orphanhood and embrace the heart-habits of … [Read More…] Joseph—Seeking Significance Through People
Who are you? How would you answer this question? In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the stories of nine different characters in the Bible, who each tried to build their identities in all the wrong places, and then discovered the kind of wholeness that only God can give. And in considering their lives, we’ll … [Read More…] Mapping Our Hearts
