SLO Pastor Sermons

God gets personal

Sat, 3 Apr 2010 19:37:45 -0700

The final part in my series, “Behind the Curtain - Grace Stories from the Old Testament” and I finish with the greatest grace story ever told. In this Easter message I talk about the change in the covenants, and how since the curtain was torn, God does not live in the temple any more, he lives in us.

For this message, it will help you to imagine a curtain behind me, one not unlike the picture here, and I hope, even on the audio version, you will know when I tear it down.

I finish with the challenge to pray this prayer - “Dear God, what do you want to do through me.”

God Will Provide

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 21:58:47 -0700

Coming to the end of this series of Grace Stories from the Old Testament, with the story of Abraham being tested by God. This is an offensive story, and to demonstrate this fact I pay tribute to my own children. Then I go on to unpack the fact that if God is in charge, He will provide.

Beyond the Breaking Point

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:49:49 -0700

It’ll be hard to tell on a podcast, but I start by holding a bendable stick, one that bends and returns to its original form when the pressure is relieved. I then go on to use the story of Hosea, in the most family friendly way possible, to show how God always reaches further than any place we can go. Grace, and Gods love, extends beyonds our needs. I touch on brokeness - emotionally, physically and spiritually - but this message is all about beyond the breaking point.

The Scripture foundation for this message is Hosea 1, 2, 3 plus I think you’ll find a similar message from the Prodigal son in Luke 15.

God, Make it Stop

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:53:50 -0800

Can you have too much God? Of course not right? Except that perhaps one of the reasons God seems distant form us is because he knows we can have too much of him.

This message goes from Exodus 19.5 and 5 right through the 10 commandments and up to the point the Children of ISrael ask God to make it stop! And includes a good biblical look at the act of deliverance, before looking at the fact that once delivered God invites us to join him - remember, God does not just save you from something, but into something.

Samson - A Strong Man (Sometimes) In Control

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:40:58 -0800

No 4 in the series - Grace Stories From the Old Testament.

This sermon starts of with a brief look at the fact that there are a lot of service opportunities at church right now - 3 sign up sheets went round right before this. But then I get right into a message I actually feel ok about - I don’t always!

Then I will look at the story of Samson, and I think many of you will find that his story in so many ways is your story. A man so definitely called by God, yet never quite getting it together while struggling with that call. If in anyway you are not sure either what God is calling you to do, or wondering why your call never seems to quite materialize, or feel you are inadequate for anything God wants you for... then this is most definitely a message for you.

Grace - It’s in The Details

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:52:32 -0800

The next in my series - Grace Stories from the Old Testament. This time less of a traditional story, and more of a look at the law, but I try and show how the law is grace. not a big stretch it turns out.

Jonah - Traveling Through Grace

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:17:52 -0800

No.3 in our series Behind the Curtain - Grace Stories from the Old Testament. I look at the story of Jonah. I am resisting my more traditional story lines this time around, and we will certainly not be spending much time on the literal v's story aspect of this little Old Testament book.  Rather, we are searching for grace, and while this may seem an obvious story to tell, for God does not destroy the Ninivites, I think there is a greater grace story here - for grace is given not only as a result of making a good decision, but also as a result of making a bad one.

For your information, this is also the message I delivered the week after the Earthquake in Haiti. I was planning this before that event, but I found application as I preached.

It Has To Happen Once

Sat, 9 Jan 2010 15:44:25 -0800

This is the first in the new series “Behind the Curtain - Grace Stories from the Old Testament”.

I’ll be looking at the Old Testament to see a bigger picture of God, but i get started here with what might seem a rather far fetched idea - that everything in this world has to happen once to really eradicate sin from the universe forever. It’s a complicated start, but I do hope to do some heavy lifting in this series. But if you get this, you will see more purpose to your life than you ever have before.

Christmas Part 2: Paradox

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:18:16 -0800

Last week was Pendulum, and we looked at how two sides fighting and competing can be pointless as we try and sort the universe out! This week, I look at the value of the two sides working together in seeking God in a message called Paradox. This is my second Christmas message of ’09. I’ll see you in 2010 when I begin a series called “Behind the Curtain - Grace Stories from the Old Testament.”

Christmas Part 1: Pendulum - God Came Down

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 18:04:04 -0800

As our church struggles in its mission to be Jesus’ hands and feet to all people, I take a look at the breadth and scope of the gift of Jesus and how his appeal was to all different types of people (local poor shepherds and foreign rich kings for example).

It’s been a long time since one of my messages has been posted on here, so if you’ve been checking periodically, then let me just say it is good to be back with you!

Part 2 next week, is called paradox, and will share the point that our different positions are not something to be overcome, but to be embraced.