Current Series
July 2023
Sunday, July 2
Sermon Title: “What Is Freedom For?”
Sermon Text: Galatians 5:1, 4-6, 13-15
Fallen Condition Focus: The Jewish objection to freedom, to which Paul responds, is that without the Law, human sin would lead to actions that embody destructive vices rather than life as God intends. Governing Theological
Thesis: The purpose of freedom from religious law, rules, and regulations is to have the freedom to determine how an individual or how a community may explore ways to respond with love to their context, to any person, and any issue that might come their way.
Sunday, July 9
Sermon Title: “How is Freedom Forged?”
Sermon Text: Galatians 5:16-26
Fallen Condition Focus: The problem of sin comes from a heart/will bent toward the flesh, which will always be in tension with God’s law…
Governing Theological Theme: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, not the letter of the law, produces character, thus freeing Christ followers from the burden of the law and empowering Christ-followers to love.
Thesis: When it comes to Freedom, we are empowered to do what we want, because what we want is shaped by the Holy Spirit, and not by the flesh.
Sunday, July 16
Sermon Title: “Talking About Mental Health in Church”
Sermon Text: Psalm 88
Fallen Condition Focus: While many Psalms contain elements of lament, Psalm 88 is the only Psalm that ends without hope of God’s deliverance.
Governing Theological Theme: While the message of this Psalm fails to lend itself to hope, its place in the canon of Israel’s scriptures ensures that a vast array of feelings can be brought before God in the context of worship. Thesis: Historically, the church has not been a safe space to discuss mental health and when mental health has come before the church it has been met with fear and no compassion. The goal of this message is to begin the conversation about mental health.
Sunday, July 23
Sermon Title: “Help, Healing, and Hope”
Sermon Text: Psalm 22
Fallen Condition Focus: When going through darkness, we question our identity, our purpose, and our future.
Governing Theological Theme: The Psalm begins with darkness but ends with praise for the Lord’s deliverance. This Psalm was on the mind and lips of Jesus as he was crucified, acknowledging all that he felt while dying, but expressing confidence in the Lord’s eventual deliverance.
Thesis: Even though mental health challenges can be difficult, solutions exist to cope, to heal, and to remember God’s ultimate victory, which he gives to all who trust him.
Sunday, July 30 (Observance of the Lord’s Supper)
Sermon Title: “Remembering Who You Are”
Sermon Text: Psalm 8
Fallen Condition Focus: This Psalm, focusing on humanity as the crown of creation, implies that neigh-boring peoples do not consider the place of human beings to be of any importance, thus implying life has no meaning.
Governing Theological Theme: Psalm 8 reminds worshippers of humanity’s place in creation – its crown and the ones through whom God cares for the remainder of creation.
Thesis: When mental health challenges arise, worship provides a space to remember who you are even when your thoughts and feelings say otherwise. You are God’s beloved.