Sometimes we feel really disconnected from God. Some of us have always felt that way. We hear others talk about their “close personal walk with God,” and they seem like aliens. Why can’t I feel that way? What’s wrong with me?

This sermon examines the one essential prerequisite for feeling close to God. It’s not what you think!

Today’s scripture: Psalm 63:1-8

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He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not! [ 40:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

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Many of us long to be close to God, but fear what that might mean. The result is deep inner conflict — part of us wants to draw near to God, while another part of us pushes away. This Sunday we’ll talk about the factors that cause us to fear God. How can we overcome them?

Today’s scripture: Luke 19:1-10

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Push/Pull Play Now | Play in Popup

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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 relationships with others? This sermon explores what the Bible teaches about God’s ‘social life’ and the profound implications for how we live from day to day.

Today’s scripture: Proverbs 8:1, 22-32

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Standard Podcast [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

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 really like?”

Today’s scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

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Bewildered [ 40:06 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

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 that mean God is more male than female? Is it valid to refer to God as “Mother”?

Today’s scripture: Luke 15:1-10

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The Battle Of The Sexes [ 40:18 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

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. This week we’ll explore the “second person of the Trinity” — Jesus. What is the primary thing we’re supposed to learn about God from Jesus? Even if you’ve spent a lifetime in church, you’ll probably be surprised.

Today’s scripture: John 13:1-20

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A Picture Worth A Thousand Words [ 39:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

In our relationship with God, we tend to do a lot of talking. In hurried prayers, we tell God what we want, then race off before God has a chance to get a word in edgewise. Then we wonder why life seems so frustrating.

Maybe we’re swimming against the tide. This sermon will explore how to learn to listen to God.

Today’s scripture: Micah 3:4-7, 9-12

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Ears Wide Shut [ 34:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

When you picture the personality of God, what comes to mind? Perhaps the classic Unmoved Mover — aloof, measured, dispassionate.

When you hear about the anger of God, what do you imagine provokes that anger? Perhaps insubordination: “How dare you disobey me; don’t you know I could crush you!”

In this sermon, the prophet Hosea will challenge us to embrace a very different understanding of God’s personality  — to see God as maybe we never have before.

Today’s scripture: Hosea 11:1-9

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Love Hurts [ 40:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

Do you feel loved by God?

If you’ve been around church for any length of time, you’ve probably had it drilled into your head. God is Love. Jesus loves you.

But do you know it? Do you feel loved?

As we continue our series on Romans 8, there’s some remarkable insight into God’s love. Maybe the evidence has been there all along, but we just didn’t know how to see it. Watch or listen for a time of spiritual refreshment.

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I Love You This Much [ 35:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

Just how involved is God in the daily affairs of my life? Can I count on God to “fix” everything?

This week we resume our Romans 8 sermon series by studying one of the best-known verses in the Bible: “All things work together for good for those who love God.” Romans 8:28.

This verse (and those around it) raise fascinating questions about free will and predestination. Watch or listen for a practical examination of how God works in the world and our lives.

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Relax, Everything's Gonna Be OK [ 36:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

What do you do when it feels like God is far away? Our impulse may be to act like God is far away — but that can lead to actions that are self-destructive.

There’s a better way, and we’ll look at the example of Habakkuk to get some practical ideas.

This sermon was brought to us by our Clergy Intern, Vivian Wyatt.

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Are You There, God? [ 22:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

We’ve spent a couple weeks looking at stories surrounding the birth of Christ — it is the season, after all.

This week, something related but maybe not the first thing that comes to mind at Christmastime: What did it really mean for God to become human?

The scriptures say that Jesus “emptied himself” of divine privilege and power while he was in the flesh on earth. That has enormous ramifications for how we see God and how we are able to relate to God. Watch or listen for a message of encouragement and hope.

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Don't Make Me Come Down There! [ 35:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

Have you ever been told — or felt like it was implied — that Christians can’t feel sad or depressed or angry?

Would it surprise you to know that over a third of the Psalms, most of Job, plus an entire book — Lamentations — are all prayers that express anguish to God?

The writers of those texts were being honest. And they dared to bring their pain, frustration — their lament — directly to God.

This sermon looks at ways to reclaim the power of the prayer of lament. Listen or watch for a lesson that’s practical and life-giving.

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This Is All Your Fault! [ 27:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup