The Right Place for Opportunities - sermon June 27

God brings healing to our lives, but often it's up to us to be in the right place for the opportunity to happen. When we put our trust in God's hands, we also need to use our own. Based on Mark 5:25-34, the story of the woman who finds healing touching Jesus' cloak. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?" 31 And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

Mark 5:25-34

Talking Back - sermon Feb 28

If the Gospel message were simply that we should do what we're told and follow the rules and we'll get to go to heaven, the powers would never have tried to kill Jesus. Rediscover the Jesus who challenges authorities and provides a different meaning to "follow your cross". Second in the sermon series on the passion story in the Gospel of John. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20 Jesus answered, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said." 22 When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" 23 Jesus answered, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. - John 18:19-24

Fairness in the Kingdom - sermon Sept 20, 2020

In the parable of the Laborers in the vineyard, Jesus gives us a glimpse of a kingdom of God that is generous with abundance.

Stepping Out - Sermon August 9, 2020

In the story of Jesus and Peter walking on water it’s easy to get hung up on the miraculous part of the story to the detriment of what it says it about faith and our relationship with Jesus. Jesus is telling Peter to have faith in his promises, that Jesus can pull him through. It’s not a question of belief, Peter knew Jesus existed and was the messiah, but of faith - of trusting in Jesus’ promises to hold his hand as he stepped out into a risky venture with him.

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Matthew 14:22-33

22[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while he dismissed the crowds.23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
  28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

The Sower - July 12, 2020

Sharing the Gospel and developing faith is not a straightforward, mechanical process, where we control things until we can reliably produce results. We’re working with people and spiritual matters, and the better analogy is that of an ancient sower who casts the seeds out into the field not knowing where they will go.

Matthew 13:1-9

1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!”

Jesus' Easy Burden - July 5, 2020

In the midst of all the stress caused by the isolation and disruption of the coronavirus, our hardest struggle if often having to go it alone, or struggle with it by ourselves. Jesus tells us to give up the burdens of the world and find freedom in taking up his yoke - to find freedom in his teachings, spirit, and way of life.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Mission of Healing - June 14, 2020

The story of the "sending of the 70" or the "sending of the 12" is often seen as an "evangelism" manual, and yet Jesus only sends the disciples to the people of Israel. Maybe the mission is not what we think it is.