It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

This sermon is Pastor Jeff’s annual “State of the Church” address. 2007 was a roller coaster ride for Jesus MCC with great highs and lows — but Jeff shares with us a vision he has for 2008 and beyond.

Watch the webcast. If you have comments or have questions about the media player, please email us.

 

 Giants in the Land [42:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

This sermon looks at the principle of “sowing and reaping.”

Some Christians say we have the power to shape our own future to be anything we want it to be just by what we do — give love, get love back, give money, get money in return. Is it that simple?

To what extent do my actions now affect the shape of my life to come?

This sermon references a Sowing Seeds of Abundance worksheet.

Watch the webcast. If you have comments or have questions about the media player, please email us.

 

 Shaping My Destiny [42:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

It would be difficult to imagine a bird that was happy without being able to fly, or a dolphin that was happy without being able to swim. Birds were created to fly; dolphins to swim. Take that away and they’ve lost their essence.

So what about us humans? What is the characteristic action that defines us, without which we cannot be happy? Jesus says most people live and die without ever figuring that out. Listen or watch as explore Jesus’ answer. It’s not what you think!

Watch the webcast. If you have comments or have questions about the media player, please email us.

 

 The Rescuing Hug [33:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

No doubt, someone has told you, “Don’t let the hard times get you down!”, or words to that effect.

But the same jokers who spout cliches like that don’t tell you how to not let the bad stuff get you down.

In this sermon, as we look at Joel Osteen’s fifth principle from Your Best Life Now, we’ll dig into some practical ways to triumph while you’re in the midst of hard times. Listen for something more than a cliche.

Watch the webcast. If you have comments or have questions about the media player, please email us.

 

 Singing in the Rain [35:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

This week, being so close Christmas and all, we’ll look at a portion of the Christmas story — the shepherds visit to the Christ child.

That old thing again? No surprises there! Blah, blah, blah.

It all depends on how you look at it. We’ll dig beneath the familiar to find something more. How can we, like the shepherds, be witness to the presence of God?

Watch the webcast of this sermon. If you have comments about the sermon or questions about the media player, please email us.

 

 Are You Available? [39:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

When someone is treating you badly, how do you react? Do you strike back? Or is there a better way?

Last Sunday we talked about how important it is to be willing to forgive and let go of the past. But what if something isn’t in your past? What if it’s happening now?

How should someone who wants to live well respond to an ongoing oppressive situation? Listen as we delve into the spiritual principles that will help us rise above the stress and trouble.

Click to watch the webcast of this sermon. If you notice errors or have suggestions, please email us.

 

 When Life Is Unfair [38:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Think about some of your past hurts or mistakes. Are they easy to conjure up? Is it a struggle to let go of them?

The past — all of those mistakes, bad memories, times of pain — can be like quicksand, dragging us down and never letting go.

This sermon looks at the 4th principle from Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life Now – letting go of the past. Listen or watch for some practical ways to leave the past in the past.

Click to watch the webcast of this sermon. If you notice errors or have suggestions, please email us.

 

 Mastering Our Past [35:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Life is funny. One minute you’re walking down the road, your world all neatly ordered, everything in place, then *bam* something happens, and it feels like suddenly, everything is scrambled.

As you probably know, we announced this week that Julie Benson has resigned from her position as Minister of Worship, effective January 6.

This is a big change for our church — and change hurts. It’s really annoying when God takes something that is working so beautifully and shakes it up.

How should a person of faith respond in times of seismic change — whether that change is taking place in our church or in our personal lives? How should we respond?

Click to watch the webcast test of this sermon. If you notice errors or have suggestions, please email us.

 

 When Everything Gets Scrambled [41:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Are you generally a positive or a negative person? Do your thoughts lift you up, or drag you down?

Our thoughts shape our life. How we interpret a situation depends as much on what’s happening in our heads, as what is happening out there in the objective world.

But it’s so easy to allow our thoughts to run wild and to spiral downward into negativity. In this sermon, we look at how — with God’s help — we can take control of out thoughts and words, and harness their power to create a new and better life.

Click to watch the webcast test of this sermon. If you notice errors or have suggestions, please email us.

 

 Mind Over Matter [33:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

You were born to be a champion.

When you hear stuff like that, how do you react? Do your eyes roll with cynicism? Or can you embrace it?

Last week’s sermon looked at who we are — one of God’s dear ones, uniquely created in God’s image. This sermon looks at what we’re here to do.

You are not surplus. You are here for a unique, God-given purpose.

Click to watch the webcast test of this sermon. If you notice errors or have suggestions, please email us.

 

 Born to Be a Champion [39:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

How do you feel about yourself? What do you believe about yourself? It’s one of life’s most important questions, because it will dramatically influence your destiny.

• If I think I’m not a good person, then I’m not.
• If I think I’m not loveable, odds are I won’t be.
• If I think I’ll never amount to much, I probably won’t.
• If I think I’m not a gifted person, my own lack of self-esteem will hold me back.

So, how do you feel about yourself? How should you feel about yourself? Listen for a message of great encouragement.

Click to watch the webcast test of this sermon.

 

 Apple of My Eye [35:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Are you achieving your full God-given potential? Do you find yourself thinking, “Something’s wrong with my life; surely this isn’t what God intended.” Or maybe your life is going well, but still you sense that there is more to be discovered.

With this sermon, Pastor Jeff begins a new series based on Pastor Joel Osteen’s best-seller, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential. We will explore Osteen’s seven principles, compare them to the teachings of Jesus, and gain powerful practical insights for living better lives now!

Click to watch the webcast test of this sermon. If you notice errors or have suggestions, please email us.

 

 Getting Unstuck [38:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

This sermon concludes the series that began September 30. We’re looking at the Bible’s brilliant three-part formula for success in hard times, which comes from Romans 12:12: Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Listen for a message of great encouragement!

Click to watch the webcast test of this sermon.

 

 How to Triumph in Hard Times, Part 3 [33:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup