Sermon Series

The Magnificat

November 26, 2018Sermon SeriesEMC Admin

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” (Luke 1:46-47)

Take a moment and stop. Close the tab opened to Amazon. Put down the Walmart gift guide. Set aside the gift inventories and shopping lists, just for a moment. Ask yourself this question: What have I turned Christmas into?

It’s a tough question to answer, isn’t it? There is no intent to induce guilt here, just a sincere invitation to reflect and evaluate the status of things. Christmas, the season for giving, is right around the corner, but judging by the commercials and billboards and advertisements, one would think it’s a season for getting. On purpose or not, we have turned Christmas into that annual time to justify spending money we don’t have, eating food we don’t need, or lining our pockets with profits.

What if instead of a season for getting we treated Christmas as a season for receiving? What if instead of a season for getting stuffed we treated Christmas as a season for being filled? What would Christmas become then?

During the four weeks of Advent, we will ask these questions in light of the example we see in Mary, the mother of Jesus. We’ll see that when Christmas is about receiving and being filled that, by necessity, it becomes for the faithful a season of responding. Mary’s response to the news of the incarnation recorded in the Gospel of Luke is a model for what all responsive Christian faith should look like.

Perhaps this year Advent will allow us to not only evaluate what we have turned Christmas into, but also consider all that God desires Christmas to turn us into.

Series Playlist

The Magnificat

Measured Incredulity

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Measured Incredulity

Dec 2, 2018 • 34:04

Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Rather, it provides an opportunity to move beyond trusting yourself in order to obediently give all of your life to God. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Magnificat Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Faith From the Heart

Dec 9, 2018 • 32:56

Through Mary’s example we are encouraged to both express our faith out of duty to God’s call but also find our delight in it. Speaker: Aaron Meservey Series: The Magnificat Scripture: Luke 1:46-47
Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise

Dec 16, 2018 • 38:02

God takes notice of the lowly and invites them to become a part of his redemptive purposes for the world. How could their response be anything other than surprise and surrender Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Magnificat Scripture: Luke 1:46-55
All of Me for You

Dec 23, 2018 • 42:35

Faced with the realities of her circumstances, Mary’s faith in a trustworthy God is expressed through wholehearted devotion. Speaker: Sean ScribnerSeries: The MagnificatScripture: Luke 1:46-55
The Foolishness of Christmas

Dec 30, 2018 • 41:24

Speaker: Jeff WortmanSeries: The MagnificatScripture: I Corinthians 1:20-25

Dear Church,

October 9, 2018Sermon SeriesEMC Admin

“God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)

The book of Revelation is as perplexing as it is intriguing. For many Christians, its complex, symbolic imagery makes it almost impossible to understand, let alone apply to their daily lives. It’s easier to treat it as simply a message for the future. Yet that was not its intended purpose. It is a book for the people of God in the present.

How will the church conduct itself in an ungodly world? This is a critical question for every church of every age. The people of God are always faced with the temptation to compromise in some form or another. The revelation given to John runs counter to the world and demands people change their perspective or face judgement. John perceives there is a real danger that the churches will conform to what are considered the “normal” values of the world-system rather than to God’s transcendent truth.

Over the next several weeks, we will see the heart of Jesus for his church exposed. Through the apostle John he exhorts believers to remain faithful in spite of present sufferings. This heavenly vision has motivated suffering Christians of all ages to hold to the glorious promises of God and not to fall away.

The path to ultimate victory is in one’s willingness to suffer for Christ. “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” (Revelation 22:7)

Series Playlist

Dear Church,

The Battle Cry of Victory

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The Battle Cry of Victory

Oct 14, 2018 • 36:22

The book of Revelation was not given as a chronological forecast of world events – something we can place on our calendar in order to master the future. It is an invitation to come know and submit to the God of all history. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Dear Church, Scripture: Revelation…
The Two Witnesses

Oct 21, 2018 • 42:35

God’s protection and provision ensure that the church’s prophetic witness will endure despite the persecution it encounters in the world. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Dear Church, Scripture: Revelation 1:1-3
The Unholy Trinity

Oct 28, 2018 • 47:18

The evil kingdoms with their political, economic, and religious institutions demand the people of God must submit or face the consequences. In the present age, Christians will be faced with the decision to stand up for the one, true God, or bow to the world-system. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Dear Church,…
The Wedding Cloak

Nov 4, 2018 • 35:46

Those who persevere in their faithfulness to Christ will be rewarded at the end of time, and their reward will be nothing less than nuptial union with Christ himself. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Dear Church, Scripture: Revelation 19:6-10
On Earth as it is in Heaven

Nov 11, 2018 • 40:24

The snapshot of heaven serves to show us not only that God is gloriously sovereign and deserving of submission, but that he desires to manifest his glory throughout the world through the lives of those yielded to him. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Dear Church, Scripture: Revelation 4
A New Heaven and Earth

Nov 18, 2018 • 42:25

The work that God has begun will one day be completed. The power of Christ’s resurrection is at work in you, and its pattern will define all of eternity. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Dear Church, Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8
The Rider on the White Horse

Nov 25, 2018 • 36:08

The one who will finish what he started in revealing God’s salvation and judgement will make known the fullness of who he is then to those who seek him now. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Dear Church, Scripture: Revelation 19:11-16

Mega Mystery

August 27, 2018Sermon SeriesEMC Admin

“This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” (Ephesians 5:32)

We live in a confusing time. A time in which marriage has been in steady decline, assaulted by redefinition, wariness, and pessimism. A time in which the radical consequences of the sexual revolution are being felt. A time in which the very essence of what it means to be a man, a woman – a human being – is subjected to preference and whim. Yes, these are confusing times, but they need not be.

The right perspective on all these issues can be found in God’s word. The Creator of the universe is also the Creator of the body and sex. He alone defines and determines what makes us human; he alone is who ultimately defines our identity and gives meaning to all our relationships. Marriage was his idea, not ours, established with particular ends in mind that involve much greater realities than the happiness of the espoused.

Referring to God’s design for marriage, the Apostle Paul calls it a “mega mystery” – an extraordinarily great, wonderful, and profound truth that can only be understood with the help of God’s Spirit. Who we are as human beings and how we relate to one another all point to the nature of God and what his desires are for human history, and marriage only “works” to the degree that it approximates the pattern of God’s self-giving love in Christ.

Join us in our journey to unlock the mystery, to uncover its truths, and to discover the Gospel-shaped meaning of it all.

Series Playlist

Mega Mystery

Divine Design

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Divine Design

Sep 2, 2018 • 35:05

What does God’s word reveal about the mysteries of God’s intentions for marriage, sex, and identity? How is the church to think and live and relate to the world in response? Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Mega Mystery Scripture: Matthew 19:4
The Sanctuary of Trust

Sep 9, 2018 • 33:30

The covenant of marriage is not how you find your identity and self-fulfillment. Rather, it’s how husbands and wives together point the world to the One who alone fulfills. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Mega Mystery Scripture: Matthew 19:5a
Covenant Renewal

Sep 23, 2018 • 44:21

What is the meaning and purpose of sex? Hint: It’s not all about you. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Mega Mystery Scripture: Matthew 19:5
A Deeper Conviction

Sep 30, 2018 • 46:16

God hates sexual sin and is clear about its consequences. The Gospel, however, offers a message of hope for forgiveness, cleansing, and power to be all God created you to be in Christ Jesus. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Mega Mystery Scripture: Matthew 19:6

Fitting In

July 16, 2018Sermon SeriesEMC Admin

“He makes everything work out according to his plan.” (Ephesians 1:11)

Under house arrest and handcuffed to a Roman soldier, the apostle Paul disclosed to the Ephesian Christians his broad, Spirit-led perspective on history, the future, and God’s plan for his people. Though his wrist was chained and his body was confined, his heart and mind inhabited eternity. He peered back before the foundation of the world and on to the fullness of time, and laid hold of what we ought to be here and now in the light of those two eternities.

How puny our vision is compared with his! How small our mind; how narrow our horizons! If only we could discover our present purpose in the light of God’s eternal past and future, we would see that – far more than fitting our shattered lives back together – God is fitting our lives into his great Master Plan.

Fitting In is a 6 week season for discovering our place in it all. He has a plan for all of creation and YOU are an important part of it.

If only we shared the apostle’s perspective, we would also share his praise. Life would become worship, and we would bless God constantly for having blessed us so richly in Christ.

Series Playlist

Fitting In

Summing Up the Whole

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Summing Up the Whole

Jul 22, 2018 • 38:33

The church is central to God’s purposes for all of history. Discover your own present purpose in the light of God’s eternal past and future. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Fitting In Scripture: Ephesians 1:9-11
Receiving an Unchanging Identity

Jul 29, 2018 • 26:05

Discover who you are in light of Whose you are in Christ. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Fitting In Scripture: Romans 10:9-10
Make Everlasting Investments

Aug 5, 2018 • 39:21

The Christian life is to be marked by growth in grace to prevent investing in trivial things or worse. Hear how Peter calls people to continued growth. Speaker: Aaron Meservey Series: Fitting In Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18
Join God's Enduring Work

Aug 12, 2018 • 41:33

Join God in his work in the world that stands the test of time and endures. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Fitting In Scripture: I Corinthians 3:9-17
Reap An Eternal Harvest

Aug 19, 2018 • 47:10

To be a faithful disciple means to be a disciple-maker. Through evangelism and teaching, we continue the work that Jesus began through his life and ministry. Speaker: Aron Meservey Series: Fitting In Scripture: Matt 28:18-20
The Ordering of His Puzzle

Aug 26, 2018 • 40:29

God’s providence is his order and care over all his creation. He is particularly at work in the lives of those who love, trust, and obey him. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Fitting In Scripture: Genesis 50:20

The Holy One

May 14, 2018Sermon SeriesEMC Admin

“For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:3)

Who is this Holy One of Israel? This is a question that has been discussed and debated for millennia, answered with doctrines and formulas and confessions. While helpful – and even necessary – the truth is you can know doctrines and formulas and confessions and not actually know him!

Our focus for these weeks ahead will be to look into what the Holy One has revealed about himself with an eye toward knowing him personally. He wants to be known and he desires for us to become like him – holy as he is holy. This can never be achieved by sheer force of will, but only as a result of him forming his own life in us. He is calling you and me into an exclusive relationship, one that changes who we are and issues in changed behavior.

The way to him is grace. The walk with him is obedience. Let’s meet the Holy One.

Series Playlist

The Holy One

How He Still Speaks

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How He Still Speaks

May 20, 2018 • 44:34

When the all-sufficient word of God meets the Spirit of God in the midst of the people of God we have the essential ingredients of awakening. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4
Knowing the Holy One

May 27, 2018 • 33:38

The Sabbath principle is not “go to church on Sunday,” but set aside a day for rest, perspective, and intimacy. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3
Living With the Holy One

Jun 3, 2018 • 40:57

The way to God is grace, but the walk with God is obedience. Holy living is the intended consequence of gracious salvation. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: Leviticus 11:45
Renewed by the Holy One

Jun 10, 2018 • 34:22

Christianity isn’t offering a veneer of morality glued onto the exterior of our otherwise unchanged lives, but rather a radical transformation of heart, mind, and will – a movement from darkness to light, captivity to freedom, sinfulness to holiness, death to life. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: Ezekiel…
Seeking the Holy One

Jun 17, 2018 • 29:45

The pursuit of the Holy One begins with a broken-hearted awareness of our own unholiness. Speaker: Aaron Meservey Series: The Holy One Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14
Abiding in the Holy One

Jun 24, 2018 • 47:01

Christian holiness can never be understood or experienced unless it is defined by the inner life of the Triune God, a life of Persons who are eternally in and for the other. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: John 14:15-21
Beholding the Holy One

Jul 1, 2018 • 28:00

The suffering of those whose gaze is fixed upon the Holy One has limitless redemptive potential for the sake of the world. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: Acts 7:54-8:1
Filled by the Holy One

Jul 8, 2018 • 45:13

By his Holy Spirit, God wants to affirm that we are loved by him, belong to him, and can be filled with his holy love. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: Romans 5:5
Life in the Holy One

Jul 15, 2018 • 46:23

How is the life of the Holy Spirit that makes us new creations in Christ sustained? Listen to learn about “spiritual respiration.” Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Holy One Scripture: 1 John 3:4-10