12/26/10 – John Kwan – “What to Pack”
Sermon – What to Pack
Matthew 2: 13-23. We have just witnessed the glory and majesty of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The candles have all been lit. The carols have been sung. Celebrations and hallelujahs abound. The baby Jesus has arrived! But Joseph is warned in a dream to have the family flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s reach. Thus begins Jesus’ journey to make a difference in the world and the attempts to thwart those efforts.
Scripture – Matthew 2: 13-23
12/24/10 – Jonathan Chute – “Who Counts?”
Sermon – Who Counts?
Luke 2: 8-20. Luke wants to be sure that we understand the social and political circumstances surrounding the night of Jesus’ birth. He reminds us that the birth took place in Bethlehem, during the reign of Caesar Augustus, under the governorship of Quirinius, when an important census was being taken. Yet this story takes place out of the sight of the famous and powerful. The angels announce the good news to shepherds, out in the fields. The baby Jesus is born in the humblest of conditions, welcomed into the world almost as a refugee.
Scripture – Luke 2: 8-20
12/19/10 – Jonathan Chute – “The Waiting Room”
Sermon – The Waiting Room
Matthew 1: 18-25. The story of Jesus’ birth as told by Matthew is seen through the eyes of Joseph. In this account the father of Jesus does not say a single word. Matthew tells us what he thinks and dreams, but no one hears Joseph speak. Joseph is a decent man – a just man, but God asks of him something far greater than simply doing what is right. Much is at stake. The rest of the story will depend on his response.
Scripture – Matthew 1: 18-25
12/12/10 – Jonathan Chute – “Beginning at the Begetting”
Sermon – Beginning at the Begetting
Matthew 1: 1-16. Matthew sets the stage for the coming of Jesus in an unusual way. He opens with what he sees as the real beginning of the story, telling us the names of everyone in Jesus’ family tree – all the way back to Abraham. In a culture that placed such importance on family and heritage, the genealogy of Jesus has some surprises in it.
No Scripture Audio this week
12/05/10 – Jonathan Chute – “Which Came First?”
Sermon – Which Came First?
Matthew 3: 1-12. This Sunday we are greeted by John the Baptist, who calls the people to repentance and urges them to show their results of their faith in their daily lives. But John knows that this is just the beginning – there is still more work to be done. He knows that someone is coming after him, who will bring God’s project to completion.
Scripture – Matthew 3: 1-12
