In this sermon, we take a look at our past and dream about our future, as we celebrate our 19th Anniversary. You’ll learn a lot about who we are and what we’re called to do. Pastor Jeff also shares some surprising history (known to few) that gives a big clue about God’s dream for the […]
Author Archives: Jeff Miner
Live And Let Live
The only problem with people is. . . well, people. God makes each of us unique, then throws us all together and expects us to get along. How’s that supposed to work? Romans 14 provides profound guidelines for living together in healthy community — in our families, at church, and at work. Today’s scripture: Romans […]
The Essence of Spiritual Living
Religion can get really complicated, with all its rules, rituals, and doctrines. Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. In this sermon, our study of the book of Romans brings us face-to-face with to two simple verses that capture the essence of what it means to be a spiritual person. Today’s scripture: […]
Theology 101
As we continue our study of Romans, this sermon tackles one of the harshest, most objectionable passages in the New Testament — only to realize that, when understood in context, it is one of the most gracious and hopeful. In the process, we learn a lot about how to think about God. Correction: In this […]
The Gap
No, we’re not talking about the clothing store. We’re talking about the gap between what everybody says the spiritual life can be (in theory) and what we actually experience from day to day (in real life). How can we close this gap? The Apostle Paul has a powerful, practical suggestion. Today’s scripture: Romans 7:15-25; 8:1-11 […]
What’s Jesus Got To Do With It?
We often hear people say that Jesus’ death on the cross was necessary — that without it, we would be in big trouble. What does that mean? Why is the cross important? This Sunday, we’ll cut through the buzz words to examine how Jesus’ death fits into the big picture. Today’s scripture: Romans 5 Watch […]
Religionless Christianity
We’ve all seen it. Sometimes religion actually makes people worse. Sometimes religious people are downright mean and unloving. Clearly religion is not the answer. So what is? What does God really want from me? This sermon looks at the surprising answer found in the New Testament book of Romans. Today’s scripture: Romans 3:21-24; 4:3-5, 13, […]
The Dilemma
Picture someone you know who is wild and uninhibited, given to all kinds of riotous excess. Now picture someone who is super-religious, given to strict observance and quick to criticize. Who is closer to God? Who is more likely to enter Heaven? If religion is not the answer, then what is? Today’s scripture: Romans 1:19-20, […]
God’s Active Social Life
Sounds odd, doesn’t it? Many of us probably tend to see God as a singular monarch, “the Unmoved Mover,” sitting on a throne somewhere in the distant cosmos, completely self-sufficient, wanting and needing no one. But what if that’s not the case? What if God is, in fact, a thoroughly social Being who thrives on […]
Bewildered
Some people see God as best friend and constant traveling companion. Others see God as infinitely transcendent and remote — ‘high and lifted up.’ So which is it? Should I see God as best buddy or as unknowable being? This sermon continues our series, as were thinking deeply about a critical question: “What is God […]
The Battle Of The Sexes
On this Mothers Day, we could choose to play it safe and offer a bland, superficial sermon filled with platitudes about motherhood. But that’s not who we are! As followers of Jesus, let’s engage the real issues (and truly honor our Moms) by exploring an important subject: ‘gender and God.’ If God is Father, does […]
A Picture Worth A Thousand Words
How we see God — the picture of God we carry around in our heads — dramatically affects how we feel about life, ourselves, and God. So what is God really like? This Sunday we resume our series in which we are exploring that critical question, using the concept of the Trinity to guide us. […]
Alone In A Great Big World
Do you ever feel that way? Even when surrounded by friends and family, sometimes life’s journey seems terribly isolating. Mother Theresa once said, “The biggest disease today is not leprosy or cancer. It’s the feeling of being uncared for, unwanted — of being deserted and alone.” But it doesn’t have to be that way! This […]