Sun, 30 December 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 12/30/07 Reading from Jeramiah 31 In Romans 7: 15 Paul states "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Many resolutions that we make on New Years Eve. Involve being less of this or that. God resolves to make you more! Find out what resolutions God has made for YOU!
Direct download: 2007-12-30_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Open_After_Christmas-Gods_Resolutions_for_YOU.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 12:39pm CDT |
Tue, 25 December 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 12/24/07 Reading from Luke 2: 1-20 The preparation for Christmas is finished! Get the three gifts we should recieve from God. Take a moment to find the true gift of Christmas!
Direct download: 2007-12-24_Pastor_Scott_Hackler__Christmas_Gifts.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 12:51am CDT |
Sun, 23 December 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 12/23/07 3 of 3 Reading from Luke 1: 5 and 68-79 Jesus came to give God's gift to the world HOPE is the gift we can all open EVERY DAY!
Direct download: 2007-12-23_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Open_Before_Christmas-Gifts_for_All-Hope.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 12:39pm CDT |
Sun, 16 December 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 12/16/07 2 of 3 Reading from Matthew 25: 31-40 According to Mr Fred Rogers your neighbors are "the people that you meet each day" Love your neighbor by giving them what they need. Attention. Give with the gift of Compassion!
Direct download: 2007-12-16_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Open_Before_Christmas-Gifts_for_You_and_Your_Neighbor.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 1:48pm CDT |
Sun, 9 December 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 12/9/07 1of 3 Reading from Genesis 33:1-10 Christmas gifts provide only temporary Joy. The gifts of Forgiveness, Respect, and Patience have much longer lasting effects. Give the kind of gifts marked 'Open Before Christmas'!
Direct download: 2007-12-9_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Open_Before_Christmas-Gifts_for_Family.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:43pm CDT |
Sun, 2 December 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 12/2/07 4 of 4 Reading from Matthew 7: 24-27 Learn to use what you have been given by God to impact the people he has placed in your life Do you invest your gifts by building on rock or sand?
Direct download: 2007-12-2_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Living_a_Life_On_Loan-Eternity.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 7:39pm CDT |
Sun, 25 November 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 11/25/07 3 of 4 Reading from Matthew 25: 14-18 Psalm 24 says: 1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, 2 for he founded it upon the seas Begin living the "all in" frame of mind!
Direct download: 2007-11-25_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Living_a_Life_On_Loan-Fortune.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 8:40pm CDT |
Sun, 18 November 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 11/18/07 2 of 4 Reading from Luke 14:1-14 If our Life intersects with God He is influencing our story; and if we are intersecting with others, he wants to influence them through us. Look for opportunities to be Christ to people through your actions and conversations.
Direct download: 2007-11-18_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Living_a_Life_On_Loan-Intersections.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 7:14pm CDT |
Mon, 12 November 2007
Reverend Alva Cauldwell on 11/11/07 1 of 4 Reading from Matthew 22: 34-40 Our life is on loan from God. Love is a 'breath of life' we all give. 1-1-1 principle: 1 hour each week of Worship, Personal growth, Service.
Direct download: 2007-11-11_Reverend_Alva_Cauldwell_Living_a_Life_On_Loan-Loves.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 10:23am CDT |
Sun, 4 November 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 11/4/07 4 of 4 Reading from Luke Chapter 10
We are the modern day disciples of Jesus. We can be the lucky recipients of heavens vision when we act on the behalf of Jesus.
The power God gives us to carry out His mission is awsome!
Direct download: 2007-11-4_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Faith_In_Action-Party.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 6:28pm CDT |
Sun, 28 October 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 10/28/07 3 of 4
God Uses the 'small people' to do great things throughout the bible. Small actions can build into great waves of good. Put a 'drop' into the ocean of need. See the tide turn when God goes to work!
Direct download: 2007-10-28_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Faith_In_Action-Drop.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 8:37pm CDT |
Sun, 21 October 2007
Jane Jebsen on 10/21/07 2nd in a series of 4 Reading Mark 8:22-25 (NLT) Learn to look through the lens of Christ. What Keeps you from serving others? Don't join a church! BE THE CHURCH!
Direct download: 2007-10-21_Jane_Jebsen_Faith_In_Action-Lens.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 4:51pm CDT |
Mon, 15 October 2007
Jane Jebsen on 10/14/07 1 in a series of 4 Reading Luke 10:25-37 We are saved by Grace alone! We learn to serve out of gratitude. learn to accept the opportunities for a 'devine detour' Join a "Faith in Action" small group today!
Direct download: 2007-10-14_Jane_Jebsen_Faith_In_Action-Detour.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:24pm CDT |
Sun, 7 October 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 10/7/07 Exclaimation = Joy! The exclaimation point came into use in the 14th century. The literal definition of the ancient word exultatio is Joy! Pastor Scott reveals the facts uncovered in Joy!s TCI survey and visioning sessions.
Direct download: 2007-10-7_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Putting_the__back_in_Joy.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:02pm CDT |
Sun, 30 September 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 9/30/07 4th in a series of 4 Readings from Romans Chapter 5:1-5 Dare to live by embracing suffering, knowing gifts will come from it. Teach and model it.
Direct download: 2007-09-30_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Family_Friends_Faith-BuildCharacter.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 3:00pm CDT |
Sun, 23 September 2007
Pastor Alva Caldwell on 9/23/07 3rd in a series of 4 Reading from Acts 2:40-47 Rituals are an important aspect of living in community. Develop rituals and patterns that will strengthen your relationships
Direct download: 2007-09-23_Pastor_Alva_Caldwell_Family_Friends_Faith-BreakBreadOften.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 8:55pm CDT |
Sat, 15 September 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 9/16/07 2nd in a series of 4 Readings from 1Corinthians Chapter 12 Each person is important in God's eyes and vital to the well being of all.
Direct download: 2007-09-16_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Family_Friends_Faith-Oneness.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 11:59pm CDT |
Sun, 9 September 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler on 9/09/07 1st in a series of 4 Reading from Matthew 26:36-46 Commitment is essential for healthy families and friendships.
Direct download: 2007-09-09_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Family_Friends_Faith-CallMeAnytime.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 1:45pm CDT |
Sun, 19 August 2007
Pastor Scott Hackler (on right) invites an old friend to Joy!Fest (Rev. Prudencia is not pictured) with Pastor Herberto Prudencia on 8/19/07 When God provides rain Joy! people move the party indoors. This years Joy!fest raised the roof at 749 Hunt club Rd. Over 400 school supplies packs were outfitted. Joy! ministry partner Segrado Corazon and Pastor Herberto Prudencia joined us for the day. William Smith and the Renewed Voices for Christ praised in music. Food and Fun were had by all. If you missed it you should plan better for next year!
Direct download: 2007-08-19_Pastor_Scott_Hackler_Pastor_Herberto_Prudencio_Joyfest.MP3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:51am CDT |
Sun, 12 August 2007
Luke 12:32-40
“Don’t be anxious about your life? and “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.? We can have strong relationships with our things which can distort our priorities and values. You may have heard it said that we should “use things and love people.? However, in our culture we often “use people and love things.? This is not what God intends for us and Jesus gives us some clear direction in our reading.
To Know: Our things can get in the way of our trust of God.
To Feel: Calm confidence that God will provide all we need.
To Do: Trust God, balanced laboring and resting, and seeking first the kingdom.
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Sat, 4 August 2007
Have you ever realized that three of the commandments concern the use of our tongues? Makes you stop and consider that this must be something of importance! Our words have incredible power – to hurt, harm or to build up! God’s desire is that the words we speak would bring love into people’s lives – not hurt. Because our words are so powerful – we must be careful, careful, careful what we say!
To Know: I have to be careful what I say – everywhere I am!
To Feel: Compelled to be intentional about what I say.
To Do: Choose this week to be over sensitive to what I say and to whom I say it! Make my words pleasing to God at all times!
Direct download: 2007-08-04_NextStep_Tender-Commandments_False-Witness.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:36pm CDT |
Sun, 15 July 2007
Reading: Luke 10:25-37
Direct download: 2007-07-15_Pastor-Twila-Schock_Go_Go-with-Mercy.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 7:45pm CDT |
Sat, 14 July 2007
Many people think this command is easy to keep because they have never actually murdered anyone, but Jesus points out to us that in our anger, we “kill? each other every day. Every time we speak out in anger, whenever we act out in anger, when we intentionally hurt someone else – we are doing exactly what we’re told not to do. God knew anger was a problem and would always be a problem for us and so here he takes time to help us!
Direct download: 2007-07-14_Dave-Striepling_Tender-Commandments_But-I-Never-Killed.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:20pm CDT |
Sun, 8 July 2007
Reading: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Jesus widens his horizon of ministry from 12 to 70 and then sends them out together, in pairs, into the mission of the kingdom of God. Followers of Jesus are to go out into the world together, discern where they can be effective and then serve whole heartedly. To Know: We are a community called to serve. To Feel: Each of us is called and gifted to serve. To Do: Go serve together.
Direct download: 2007-07-08_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Go_Go-Together.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 11:15am CDT |
Sat, 7 July 2007
Contrary to popular belief, this commandment is not just for kids! While we are to honor our parents, those who are parents are called to also be worthy of honor. And this command – is the only commandment with a promise – it is the hinge between the commandments about our relationship with God and our relationships with others. Our lives hinge on how we deal with this commandment because in knowing how to honor parents – we learn how to honor others as well. Tonight will also not only talk about honoring, but will teach us HOW to honor as well.
To Know: What it means to honor someone in God’s eyes
To Feel: Called to figure out ways to honor our parents – and others in our lives.
To Do: Choose today someone you need to honor and have a hard time honoring…then make a plan to start honoring them today!
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Sun, 1 July 2007
Reading: Luke 9:51-62 Jesus is on the move and headed right through Samaria toward Jerusalem to his eventual death on a cross. Nothing is going to distract him. There are no excuses that he will make. We will focus on the cost of being a disciple of following Jesus. Basic Focus: cost of discipleship; commitment To Know: Following Jesus, as long as it means power, life, and basically getting what we want in this world, is easy. As soon as it involves sacrifice, not returning evil for evil, or loving those who don’t love us, it gets to be a whole different ball game. We tend to want to lash out and take the situation into our own hands, rather than picking up our own crosses. To Feel: A sense of commitment to the kingdom of God and sharing the Gospel of Christ. To Do: Stop making excuses.
Category:sermons
-- posted at: 11:04am CDT
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Sat, 30 June 2007
Ron Mehl writes, “…if you consistently dishonor the Sabbath principle in your life, somewhere along the line the bills will come due. Things will begin to break down in your life…? When we think of remembering the Sabbath often what we think of is focusing on God – and while this is certainly a part of this, there is a reason that God gives us a day to REST. Tonight we will look at the whys of and importance of Sabbath and the role it plays in our life!
To Know: God calls us all to a day of rest EVERY week!
To Feel: Relief and excitement at the gift that God is giving
To Do: Choose to honor the Sabbath…by actually changing your calendar to give yourself a day of Sabbath each week. Do the hard work!
Direct download: 2007-06-30_Next-Step_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Keep-the-Sabbath.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:15pm CDT |
Sun, 24 June 2007
Category:sermons
-- posted at: 12:26pm CDT
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Sat, 23 June 2007
Direct download: 2007-06-23_1st-Quarterly-Worship-Arts-Retreat_Preview.mp3
Category:programs -- posted at: 2:22pm CDT |
Sun, 17 June 2007
Reading: Luke 7:36—8:3
Jesus humbles the proud but is forgiving and accepting of those who come to him humbly.
Basic Focus: Forgiveness. Humility.
To Know: Jesus forgives the greatest sins of those who come to him.
To Feel: Conviction for any lack of humility and relief that Jesus forgives our darkest sins.
To Do: Confess sin…go to the feet of Jesus.
Direct download: 2007-06-17_Guest-Speaker_Like-Jesus_Forgive.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 11:55am CDT |
Sat, 16 June 2007
Tonight we will look at the truth that idols are anything which takes our focus off of God. Even the things which seem or are “good? – when they usurp God’s position in our lives, they become idols. We’ll challenge people to look at their own lives and name the idols they worship and then also remind them, that God tells us he wants our focus on him – not so he can see better when we mess up and be ready to jump on us – but rather He wants our focus on Him so that we will focus on what’s best for us – in this life and for eternity.
To Know: We become like that which we worship
To Feel: Desire to take stock of what gods I am worshiping that aren’t God and the willingness to get rid of them
To Do:Take an active look at your life and answer this question: If everyone leaves an “Image? here on earth (and we do) – what image so I want mine to be? Then take the active steps towards doing just that!
Direct download: 2007-06-16_NextStep_Mark-Rounds_TENder-Commandments_Idols1.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:59pm CDT |
Sun, 10 June 2007
Reading: Luke 7:11-17 God, in full power, is present in Jesus. Jesus' compassion meets us in pain and even death. Basic Focus: Compassion. God's power. To Know: Jesus, the Author of Life, meets us in our pain and struggle. He has power to change things.
Category:sermons
-- posted at: 8:44pm CDT
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Sat, 9 June 2007
When God penned the 10 commandments he gave us more than just “rules for living?. He actually was writing a profound love letter to us. These commandments are God’s way of telling us what he thinks, what he desires for us. Just as a father wants their own children to have the benefit of their wisdom, the experiences, etc – the same is true for God with us. Over the centuries this love letter has been turned into something critical, something unattainable – over the next few weeks we want to reclaim this as what it is – a love letter from a Father to his children. To Know: God penned one of the most profound love letters in the 10 Commandments To Feel: The depth of God’s love – that he would love us so much, he’d give us this letter to guide our lives To Do: Commit to discovering and living the 10 Commandments more fully
Direct download: 2007-06-09_NextStep_Miriam-Hackler_TENder-Commandments_On-Eagles-Wings.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:48pm CDT |
Sun, 3 June 2007
Reading: John 16:12-15
The Spirit guides Jesus' followers along the path to truth. It will be both convicting truth and the truth of hope in Jesus, which leads to a future without fear. The Spirit declares the salvation brought by Jesus for all people. Basic Focus: The work of the Spirit. Truth. To Know: The Spirit is active in the life of a Jesus follower opening up the truth of Jesus. To Feel: Trust that it is for our good that we engage in the life of faith where the Spirit will lead us to truth. To Do: Seek the Spirit of truth through the practices of our faith. Willingly face our convictions and actively live in the truth of Jesus.
Direct download: 2007-06-02-03_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Spirited_Spirited-Truth.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 11:28am CDT |
Sun, 27 May 2007
Reading: John 14:8-17 (25-27)
This is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the church. The book of Acts describes this day as a time when the Holy Spirit descended as tongues of fire. What started as a small spark has turned into a roaring fire. Two thousand years later this church lives on because this fire was passed from person to person, generation to generation. In the Gospel reading from John, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come to his disciples. Because of the Spirit, they will be able to do even greater works than had yet been seen among them. This is a "Spirited Life" in which God, through His Spirit, is at work to move each of us to go deeper in our love of Jesus, our trust of Jesus and our obedience to Jesus. Basic Focus: The work of the Holy Spirit. To Know: The Spirit is at work in our lives to unite us to the work of Christ and the will of God. To Feel: We are empowered to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ in our world. To Do: Give our lives in service to people of our generation.
Direct download: 2007-05-27_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Spirited_Spirited-Life.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 11:24am CDT |
Sat, 26 May 2007
Jesus had risen…he had appeared to his disciples many times and now it was time to get the show on the road again! After planting the vision for where Jesus wanted them to go (the ends of the earth) with His message, Jesus gives them what he has long promised – the gift of the Holy Spirit! This gift transforms their lives! This same Spirit is here for us today and if we will dare to ask it in, to invite it to empower us – it will! But watch out! When the Spirit shows up, things happen!!
To Know: The Holy Spirit has a call on my life today, too!
To Feel: Empowered to live in the power of the Spirit
To Do: Choose to/dare to invite the Holy Spirit into your life and then follow where the
Spirit takes you! Expect great things to happen!
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Sun, 20 May 2007
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Category:sermons
-- posted at: 12:05pm CDT
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Sat, 19 May 2007
It is still the in-between time – the active mission of Jesus is on hold and the disciples are wondering what to do now. Without faith and conviction in their mission, they revert back to what they know – fishing. But Jesus shows up and changes the day. Through a miracle of fish and a bit of breakfast, Jesus plants the seeds of a new mission for these men and for us. “Feed my sheep? becomes the mantra for the day and for a lifetime! Just as Jesus called his disciples to this that day – so too, he calls us!
To Know: No matter what – Jesus wants to use you to “feed his sheep?!
To Feel: Motivated to step into the place Jesus calls – even if it looks different than I thought
To Do: Find ways to help renew the passion of Joy – personally and as a large community of faith!
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Sun, 13 May 2007
Revelation 21:10, 22:5
Category:sermons
-- posted at: 12:03pm CDT
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Sat, 12 May 2007
The crucifixion of Jesus was just three days ago. These two followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus had to wonder if there was any reason for hope or joy. They walked unsure of what the future held. Suddenly, but discreetly Jesus shows up in the picture again and begins to rekindle that flame in their hearts. And with one little breaking of the bread, Jesus reveals He is alive, there is reason for hope and a new day has begun. God calls us to see Jesus in our midst as well and to pay attention to the hope He brings for a new day, a new way and hope beyond measure!
To Know: Jesus still wants to be very much present in your life
To Feel: There is still reason for hope
To Do: Start living out the hope God has for your life and the life of this place called Joy!
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Sun, 6 May 2007
Scripture Focus: Revelation 21:1-6 This sermon will focus on some of the same concepts as last week. I will be telling the story of the battle with Satan and his emissaries. The story is of the continual defeat of Satan and evil and the ultimate victory of Christ. As the battle wages there is sadness, pain, and suffering, but there is a future for believers that promises something new. The hope that God gives us is unparalleled—“Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more...? Rest in the knowledge that we aren’t alone in our pain as well as in clinging to the promise that eventually God will take away our sadness and end the reason for our tears. Praise God that that promise is more than enough to carry us through from this world until the next...when we experience eternal life in the new heaven and earth.
Direct download: JOYcast_-_May_6_2007_Real_Revelation_-_The_New_Heaven_And_Earth_.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 1:21pm CDT |
Sat, 5 May 2007
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Sun, 29 April 2007
Scripture Focus: Revelation 7:9-17 There are at least three life-changing promises from this text.
Direct download: 2007-04-22_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Real-Revelation_The-Lamb-Who-Was-Slain.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 1:05pm CDT |
Sat, 28 April 2007
Direct download: 2007-04-14_NextStep_Pastor-Jane-Jebsen_Amazed_Amazing-Power-and-Authority.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 6:16pm CDT |
Mon, 23 April 2007
Scripture Focus: Revelation 5:11-14 Worship is falling down before our Creator and humbly recognizing all that we have and all that we are is a gift from God. Worship is giving Yahweh thanks and praise for the abundant life and eternal life we can have in Jesus Christ. Worship to God is our response that we can live every waking moment. Worship to God is our response that we can live in our homes. Worship to God is our response that we can gather as a community of believers to remember what Jesus Christ has done on the cross for each one of us. And worship will continue for all eternity around the throne of God because God is worthy of our praise.
Category:sermons
-- posted at: 5:35am CDT
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Sat, 21 April 2007
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Sun, 15 April 2007
Scripture Focus: Revelation 1:1-8 The introduction of the book comes with a blessing. We will be blessed to read this book. While we may be unsure about our reading of Revelation, we are promised that it will be a blessing. From the one who existed before time began and who will remain into eternity, we have grace and peace offered to us today. John wants victorious disciples to know that through Christ, God will provide enough grace and enough peace for each day. Jesus Christ—the Alpha and Omega—is the beginning and the end. Jesus is the beginning of all our endings and the ending of all our beginnings. To say that Jesus is the end of all my beginnings is to joyfully acknowledge that apart from him I am nothing and that the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Christ and LORD of all loves us, knows us, and calls us by name; and because he is the beginning and the end, our past is redeemed, our present makes sense, and our future is secure! He is the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Category:sermons
-- posted at: 1:03pm CDT
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Sat, 14 April 2007
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Sun, 8 April 2007
Sermon Text: Luke 24: 1-12 Easter means our faith isn't futile, our failures aren't fatal, and our death isn't final.
To Know: Jesus death and resurrection gives us a powerful, positive, productive life forever. To Feel: Our failures are overcome by Easter To Do: When you trust that your faith isn't futile, that your failures aren't fatal, and that your death isn't final -- then you can have a passion for living.
Direct download: 2007-04-08_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Easter-Message_A-Passion-for-Living.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 8:41pm CDT |
Sun, 1 April 2007
Sermon Text: Luke 19:28-40 What is success? It is the end for which we strive. It is the affirmation toward which we live that we believe once attained, will finally make it all worthwhile. The success of God is revealed as our Lord rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. It is the agenda of life and peace, the agenda of redeeming love. All the success of that first Palm Sunday, the power and acclaim given to Jesus, was held accountable to the cross which was to follow. Jesus willingly sets aside the temporary exaltation of women, men, and even children for the sake of God's eternal agenda. The story could have turned out so differently. He could have seized the moment, struck while the iron was hot, and taken control of the city. There was so much good that could have been done that he didn't do�it was because the immediate was held accountable to the ultimate�the temporary to the eternal.
Direct download: 2007-03-31_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_The-Road-Less-Traveled_The-Road-of-Success.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:52pm CDT |
Sun, 25 March 2007
Jane Jebsen, who leads Joy!'s adult discipleship ministry, discusses the NextStep worship experience that will launch at Joy! on Saturday, April 14. The opening message series is titled, "Amazed!"
Direct download: 2007-03-25_Announcement_NextStep_Jane-Jebsen_Tom-Keefe.mp3
Category:news & info -- posted at: 3:47pm CDT |
Sun, 25 March 2007
Judas and Mary show us diverging roads. Judas travels the road of greed. Mary is on the road of generosity. We can only imagine the tension in that room with Mary, Judas and the others. There was a discomfort with the actions and extravagance of Mary, but Jesus was calm. He received her gift as an incredible act of love. Surely they knew Jesus life was threatened. She must have been overwhelmed by some certainty that Jesus would die, so her deep love spilled out as the nard was poured. When Judas saw it, he was disgusted. To him it was a waste…he could see nothing good in her actions. To this day, of course, we see these two in marked contrast. Mary gives humbly from what she has and Judas’ greed tries to control not only his wealth, but the gift anyone else would give. Mary couldn't help herself...Hers was a response of love.
Direct download: 2007-03-24_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_The-Road-Less-Traveled_The-Road-of-Generosity.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:42pm CDT |
Mon, 19 March 2007
The Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-32 Guest Pastor Al Caldwell invites us to return home to:
Direct download: 2007-03-16_Pastor-Al-Caldwell_The-Road-Less-Traveled_The-Road-Home.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:01pm CDT |
Sat, 10 March 2007
Scripture Focus: Luke 13:1-9 Is your first reaction in tough times to blame? If it is you join a whole culture looking for someone on whom to hang all of the struggle and pain. When you see someone suffering, is your tendency to blame them for the suffering they face? Again, you will find yourself in the heart (or lack of heart) of the culture. This is the easy road. On this road we cut out people from our lives who do not produce what we want. On this road we can also cut ourselves from life with others or life with God because of our failures. The road less traveled is the road of mercy. It seeks not to blame but to help. It looks for forgiveness and readily gives others mercy in time of need. Not only can we see Jesus do this in the Gospels but we experience it as we are joined to his death and resurrection. What is so important to people of faith is that we know the one who will give it when no one else can or will. Jesus is the gardener who takes on the fate of all humanity, our suffering and our death, head on. He not only tends to the tree, but dies on a tree. He suggests that being cut off from God is a terrible fate, and then he endures that fate with us and for us. By joining us in our suffering, Jesus does not answer the questions about why we suffer. Instead he lives it. He shows us that it does not have the last word. Beyond our hope and comprehension is something greater still, of which by his death we can only catch a glimpse. For this purpose he tends the unproductive tree and dies with it, with us. To Know: Jesus will not give up on you, he doesn't want you to be cut off from God. To Feel: The love of God as Jesus meets us in our sinfulness, or in our pain and struggle. To Do: Receive mercy, give mercy, live mercifully.
Direct download: 2007-03-10_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_The-Road-Less-Traveled_The-Road-of-Judgment-and-Blame.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 10:23pm CDT |
Sat, 3 March 2007
Scripture Focus: Luke 13:31-35 There is a lure in taking
risk. Youth culture is focused on the X games and extreme sports
where one's life and health is at stake in order to feel alive and receive
the adulation of friends. Danger meets us as we travel on busy streets
and yet we engage in the risk. We follow financial schemes that
put our assets at risk. We take a chance that by accepting the
new job or starting a new business we will have a better and more fulfilling
life. Fear is met either by the devaluing of life or by the thrill
of living on the edge. Is this really the life we want to live? There is a lure in avoiding
any risk. Many of us avoid accidents by driving back roads and
byways. We avoid the pain of broken relationships by avoiding
relationships. We seek the safe way in work, money, family and
even faith. Fear is met by controlling every circumstance and
encounter. Is this really life? The road less traveled
entrusts our lives to God who wants to keep us safe in his care as a
hen would her chicks. This is a way that celebrates the risk taken
so that others will meet the power of God and God's kingdom of love.
We travel this road blessed as God's messengers. To Know: Jesus risks his life as he lives out his ministry all the while knowing that he has the power of God behind him. While we may also meet hostility as we follow Jesus, we are in the care of God. To Feel: The calming trust of God's loving care. To Do: Live life boldly, but also retreat into God's care for safety.
Direct download: 2007-03-04_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_The-Road-Less-Traveled_The-Dangerous-Road.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 3:58pm CDT |
Sun, 25 February 2007
Scripture Focus: Luke 4:1-13
There are two paths
in the wilderness. One is a self reliant path. You look
for strength within you and with all of your wisdom and cunning try
to find a way out. You seek for the easy way, the path of least
resistance and find yourself covering the same ground again and again.
Fear grows. Defensiveness grows. Physical forcefulness grows.
But exhaustion leads to despair as you move deeper into wilderness with
no hope. The other path looks
always for resources outside you. It is the path that recognizes
weakness and knows that the wilderness cannot be conquered alone.
You look for wisdom beyond yourself. You know that the tests you
face are temporary. You look for strength from the depths of faith
and rely on promises given by the one who faced the deepest challenges
of the wilderness. To Know: We are weak and need God's help. To Feel: Hope that God is present and your guide. To Do: Look for strength from the depths of faith and rely on promises of God
Direct download: 2007-02-25_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_The-Road-Less-Traveled_The-Wilderness-Road.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:50pm CDT |
Wed, 21 February 2007
Scripture Focus: Joel 2:12-13, 15-17
The less traveled road is the road of
humility that does what is right when no one is looking. We trust
that our treasures are in heaven and thrive in pleasing God as we serve
our neighbor. On this road we practice our faith without a fanfare
knowing that the immediate reward comes in having a life worth living;
a life of God given identity and purpose. To Know: We will never receive accolades enough to fill the empty places in our lives. To Feel: The good and faithful things we do are received by the God who loves us. To Do: Engage authentically in the marks of discipleship.
Direct download: 2007-02-21_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_The-Road-Less-Traveled_The-Humility-Road.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 2:42pm CDT |
Sun, 18 February 2007
Scripture Focus: Luke 9:28-36< The transfiguration of Jesus marks a turning point. We get to see the identity of Jesus in context with Moses and Elijah during a mystical moment, but when this event ends he walks with his disciples down the mountain and into life on the flatlands. They are now walking to Jerusalem and the cross. Jesus is committed to his purpose of redemption and through all of the days ahead will unfold that purpose before his disciples. He will teach, heal, send his apostles as witnesses of the kingdom, pray, suffer, die and rise. His disciples become prepared for their ministry and their memories will serve as the message of Jesus' love for humankind. We are disciples of Jesus who walk on the flat lands. It is real life and Jesus wants us to face life with a confident faith. It takes our commitment to grow the strength of our faith. Worship, prayer, scripture reading, Christ-centered relationships, giving and serving are at the heart of building a LIFE worship living. Pursue that LIFE…Love God and show him through your commitment to weekly worship and daily Bible reading and prayer. Impact others through giving and serving. Find time for fellowship and stay engaged to an authentic life.
Direct download: 2007-02-17_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Pursuing-Life_Engage-Authentically.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 12:28am CDT |
Sun, 11 February 2007
Scripture Focus: Mark 2:1-12 Imagine the scene...a huge crowd gathered around Jesus, making it impossible to get anywhere near him...the room and surrounding area completely full of people wanting either his healing touch, to hear him preach, or simply to be in his presence. You can almost feel the crush of the crowd. And then some men, determined to help their friend, get creative about how they are going to get him close to Jesus. Not only do they fight the crowd, carrying a cumbersome load, but they, when met with difficulty, refuse to give up. All for the sake of their friend who so desperately needs their help. Are there people in your life who would do that for you? Maybe they already have. Are you a friend like that? What about to those you don't know? Are you one who goes the extra mile for people in need? Do you see the incredible need to connect with others in faith, both to share and receive. Sometimes it's easier to turn the other way and pretend we don't need others; but we were created by God to be in community. In community we are nurtured for growth and given support to become the person God wants us to be. We are not created to do it alone. We are also called to be in community so that we can give to those who need our witness and help. The life of faith is meant to be done in community. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
Direct download: 2007-02-10_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Importance-of-Relationships.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 10:01am CDT |
Sun, 4 February 2007
Scripture Focus: Luke 5:1-11 Jesus is clear about the purpose of his disciples. They will fish for people. It is our calling. The net we cast is the Word of God that reaches the eyes and ears of people. It is important that we grow to maturity in our faith life so that we see beyond our needs (catching fish to simply sustain our own lives), to the needs of the other's body and soul. Jesus is also clear that we will not fish for people on the side of the boat that we think should be fished, but where he directs us. We impact others in many ways not the least of which is to put our resources where Jesus tells us to put them into an effort to reach the people of around us. Giving is a response to Jesus' call to fish. All that we are and all that we have is being asked of us to reach others. We give (money, time, talents) in response to the one who gives us purpose. We give generously because of the one who has generously given us our lives and everything that sustains us (full nets). We give because it is a vital part of fulfilling our purposes as Jesus' fishers.
Direct download: 2007-02-04_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Impact-Others.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 6:03pm CDT |
Mon, 29 January 2007
Scripture Focus: Luke 4:14-21 The first thing Jesus does after his trial in the wilderness was to go to the temple to worship and there he read the scripture. Jesus reveals himself as the one that the prophet spoke of in Isaiah 61. We learn that his words are powerful and that he teaches with authority, even for those who don't know him. First
things for followers of Jesus are worship, scripture reading and prayer.
Last week I focused on worship. On this day we will focus on the
practice of reading scripture and praying�habits that build a real
faith for real life. Through the reading of scripture we know
God more fully. Prayer gives us a way of speaking to God and makes
us more aware of God's presence and power.
Direct download: 2007-01-28_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Love-God-Enough-To-Know-God.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 11:48am CDT |
Sun, 14 January 2007
Scripture Focus: John 2:1-11 John 2:1-11 is part of a larger section in the Gospel of John that has come to be known as "The Book of Signs." It runs from the middle of chapter 1 all the way through the end of chapter 12 and is full of interactions between Jesus and groups and individuals that all point to the bigger, wider, grander coming of the Kingdom of God. The last verse in this section--verse 11--adds even more intensity to the story as the wedding at Cana begins both Jesus' public ministry in general and his demonstration of miraculous signs in particular. "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him." Jesus'
signs reveal his glory. We will use the idea of signs to think
about our identity as followers of Jesus. As Jesus becomes known
by what he does in these signs, our identity is made known in what we
do. Our actions are also signs that reveal who we are. We will begin to unfold the adult discipleship theme described by the acronym L.I.F.E.
Direct download: 2007-01-14_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Signs-of-Life.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 3:53pm CDT |
Sun, 7 January 2007
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 We begin a new year with expectation. We think about what has happened in our past and we hope for change. We wonder what will unfold before us. The people in the reading from Luke had the same feelings. What unfolded before them is God's love in the person of Jesus.Jesus' identity is revealed through John's prophetic words and then by a voice from heaven. He comes with power to judge (fire). It sounds threatening, and yet we discover that his judgment is filled with mercy and love. It is that judgment that shapes us and gives us identity. In our baptism that judgment is made known. Like Jesus, we are assured that we are known fully, treasured deeply, loved completely. We are identified with Christ in baptism. God comes to us and says to us, "You are my child, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Direct download: 2007-01-07_Pastor-Scott-Hackler_Pursuing-LIFE_Life-Identity.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 11:01am CDT |
Mon, 1 January 2007
Leftovers - whether you love them or throw them away - they are a part of our daily lives! The same is true for Christmas. Our culture would have us believe everything is done and over with once December 25th passes and all the presents are opened. But after all the rush of December, there are Christmas leftovers... What are they? What remains after Christmas Day? As Christians we need to realize there are some significant gifts which remain with us and the most important one is the baby who will grow to be our Savior. Will we lose Him as we throw away the wrappings and bows? Will He be boxed away with all the decorations? Will he be relegated to the back, lower shelf of the refrigerator until some future day? This weekend as we look to the wise men and their gifts - the late-comers to the Christmas party - we will see the magnificence of the gifts left for us even after Christmas is "over"
Direct download: 2006-12-30_Pastor-Jane-Jebsen_Livin-on-Leftovers.mp3
Category:sermons -- posted at: 1:14am CDT |