Nathaniel From Timfam

A good life has to navigate the stages and transitions of life. Relationships are central to both the stages and the transitions. One relationship needs to stay at the center. June 25, 2023, Sermon 2

We say good things about the importance of relationships, but we're wired personally and culturally, in so many ways, to resist relationships. In order to love, we will rebelieve relationships. Matthew 19 June 11, 2023

There are a number of practical reasons to be part of a local congregation. It is frequently difficult to be part of congregation and go through the experiences, on a regular basis, that will really form us into God's people. But Jesus was crushed so that even if we are hard pressed, we will never be crushed and destroyed. He is a foundation so we are better built. 1 Peter 2:4-10

There are so many good things in our world, but there is plenty too that we'd like to be rescued from. There is an offer to make us new people in this world; and there is an offer to give us a new world. But Christian salvation offers us salvation as a new person into a new world. It's better than we could imagine. Acts 2:32-41

After the disciples thought they saw Jesus dead and risen, the whole thing almost came to a halt for various reasons. They were stuck in the mess of their time. They were changed, and they went forward with fresh confidence and boldness. Will we get past all the mess of our time, or we will be stuck for our own reasons? Peter assures we can receive the mark of "genuine". We can pass the test. 1 Peter 1:3--9

Everything in life has results and consequences. Some we like, some we don't. If we go to school, we can probably get a job and make a living. If we find a spouse, we can have kids. One action had more consequences than anything else in life - the resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus lives, _____________. How do you fill in that blank? John 20:1-18

The struggle with evil, with pain, with difficulty, with challenge is real. We sit and wait for deliverance, freedom, and liberation. While we sit, we eat. This is food for the fight. Not burgers, but the food of Christ, the true Passover Lamb. Mark 14:12-17 Maundy Thursday 2023

Even the Bible does not always seem to tell the truth or the facts. Did Jesus tell the truth? There is a lot that we need to investigate and search out. But there is a depth to the truth that we cannot imagine. Darkness fell on Jesus so we can always have the light of truth. John 8:12-20

Life is filled with tough questions and difficult, dangerous situations. God provided a tabernacle for the people to provide security and safety for their difficult journey. Jesus is the true tabernacle for safety and security on our trip. Ask the tough questions and find that every path in life leads to him. John 7:1-52

Jesus meets a man paralyzed for 38 years. He doesn't just heal him. He stops sin in its tracks. Will we? If he has stopped sin, will run the other way and keep away from sin? John 5:1-15

I marvel that the woman talked to Jesus about so many problems in her life and still went away saying, Come and see. That's not how we tend to feel. Jesus might not always make us feel good. But he will give us something different than we can get anywhere else. The gospel will fill us up, even if we don't always like the fact that we need it. John 4:1-26

Religious people often have the impression and give the impression that God wants better people. It's true Jesus teaches basic principles and truths to live better lives. That isn't the main thing. Chiefly, Jesus wants us to have a new life. A different life. John 3:1-17

The temple was established by God as a way to get near God. Jesus came in and rejected the conveniences it offered in an attempt to help people get God's gifts. None of it could get people close to the holy, consuming God. What are we relying on to get us close to God? Do we have anything better to keep us in the presence of the holy, good God? Jesus offers a better temple in John 2:13-22.

This new world that Jesus gives us is not only or primarily a world of rules, codes of conduct, regulations, and ways to live a better life. It is first and foremost a world of grace, where God in Jesus pours out his good gifts to us to cover over our embarrassment, shame, and disgrace. We see that wonderfully at Cana in a wedding. John 2:1-11

God gives us a new world in Jesus - a world of connection (love), creation, reconciliation, justice, and forgiveness. Jesus reveals God's light to lead us into this new world. He directs us to hope, peace, a future, and forgiveness. That is where we live, and that is what we reflect.  Isaiah 8:14-9:4

Big businesses want to offer us a very specific world. A world driven by consumption and dopamine hits from trivial pursuits. The devil wants to offer us a world of self-gratification. God offers us a world defined by connection, reconciliation, truth, justification, and forgiveness. John 1:35-42

There is really only one gift of true love for this world - Jesus. If you feel the pressure to love everyone around you well enough that they can finally enjoy life again, let his love be the love of their (and your!) life. Merry Christmas 1 John 4:2-12

It's easy to tell people who are waiting for someone else compared with people who don't. If you're waiting for grandpa and grandma to visit, you might clean the house quickly and excitedly watch from the window. If you're waiting for a new baby, you've bought the car seat and crib and are just a little anxious. If you're waiting to get a new job, you're learning new skills. We do specific things when we wait. Christians cry, "come and help". That is just the beginning of our waiting. Like Joseph and Mary, we return home and wait for God to come to us. Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38

Just what are we saying when we say, "Come and help"? Certainly we do a lot of good and there is a lot of good about our lives. There is also a lot of good in the world. When we say, "Come and help", we are saying that nothing else in the whole world can rescue us from both the personal issues we face and the systemic corruption and destruction the world experiences. As good as hospitals, financial counselors, therapists, doctors, coaches, trainers, and everyone else is, there is only one Savior. And repentance on our part reveals who that one Savior is. Matthew 3:1-12

God shows us what a great helper we can expect. That's why we say, "Come and help". Matthew 21:1-11