In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 47

The Real Small Group Leader Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Nov 29, 2001

Jesus longs to be present as the center of our gatherings, just as he promised, to be light and to give life.

The Real Small Group Leader Pastor Jim Luthy Last week, I mentioned the optimum group size was probably between 2-12 people. That being said, I’m sure any of you who have worked with a group of others would agree there are times when it seems the optimum group size is one. Working with others ...read more

Scripture: John 3:26-30, Ephesians 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breaking The Habit Of Isolationism Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Oct 12, 2001

We must agree that the "habit" of not meeting together is counter-productive to making disciples.

Breaking the "Habit" of Isolationism Pastor Jim Luthy In the past few weeks, we’ve been discussing, both here and in our TLC Groups, the value of living in community. You might recall that we talked about the "Paradox of Community," where we hunger for intimacy yet we fear intimacy. Then we ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living With A Common Purpose Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Oct 5, 2001

The truest community is found in a gathering of people who are learning to become Jesus-trusting disciples and are committed to making Jesus-trusting disciples.

Living with a Common Purpose: Making Disciples Pastor Jim Luthy Last week we talked about the awakening in America to the problem of individualism. Rising from our slumber after the terrorist attacks, the people of our nation are giving blood, giving money, giving thanks, and giving in to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The New Awakening Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 28, 2001

The alarm that went off on September 11 is opening our eyes to the problem of individualism. The only thing that will keep us from collectively rolling over in our bed of apathy is a strong call to the cross of Christ and to genuine Christian community.

The New Awakening Pastor Jim Luthy It has been two and a half weeks since we were awakened by the news of terrorists striking on our own soil. Since that time, we have heard that the attacks awakened a "sleeping giant." But that leads me to some questions. If we were a "sleeping giant," why ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30-31, Philippians 2:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Faces Of The Stranger Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 21, 2001

Let’s talk about what makes it difficult for us to form community, and in so doing, we will also find an explanation for the turmoil our world is seeing and has always seen.

The Faces of the Stranger Pastor Jim Luthy I’ve really wrestled this week whether to return to our series on community or to talk about the recent attacks on our nation. On one hand, we are being asked to return to normal, whatever that means, and these messages on community are meant to equip us ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8, Matthew 23:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 7, 2001

Our vision (Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people) did not originate with us, but with God.

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Hosea 14 Pastor Jim Luthy At the top of our invitation cards, on our information brochure, and on our web site, you will find a vision statement for our church: Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people. Striving. Living. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Introducing The 1st Team Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 7, 2001

The origin of community is found in the triune nature of God.

Introducing The "1st Team" Pastor Jim Luthy Football season has broken out all over our television sets this weekend. For as long as I can remember, football games on T.V. always began with the introduction of the starting lineups. It used to be that each player would get to introduce ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14, Deuteronomy 6:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Does God Get Our Attention? Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Aug 17, 2001

When unfaithfulness leaves us, our churches, and even our nation in a state of decay, God comes in like a surgeon to restore us. How will we respond?

How Does God Get Our Attention? Hosea 5:1-6:3 Pastor Jim Luthy For several reasons, I haven’t spoken much about my years as a Fingerprint Technician with the Washington State Patrol. I’ve got stories, but I don’t tell them very often. Most of them have to do with crime scenes more than the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is God Ignoring Our Nation? Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Aug 14, 2001

Is God ignoring our nation? The evidence might make us wonder if the God of all creation has forgotten us.

Is God Ignoring Our Nation? Hosea 4 Pastor Jim Luthy Is God ignoring our nation? The evidence might make us wonder if the God of all creation has forgotten us. I offer our environment as evidence. We in the church like to call it creation, giving God glory for it, but also leaving him ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The 3rd Product Of Unfaithfulness: Estrangement Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Jul 19, 2001

A parable helps illustrate how we’ve been separated from God by not delighting in him. Our unfaithfulness leaves us estranged, but by his sovereign choice he has made a way to reconcile us to himself through Jesus Christ.

The 3rd Product of Unfaithfulness: Estrangement Hosea 1:7-8; Romans 9:1-29 Pastor Jim Luthy Imagine a large ship sailing across uncharted waters in the vast Pacific Ocean. Aboard ship are the ever-wise captain Ichiro (I couldn’t help myself) and his large family – children, grandchildren -- ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The 1st Product Of Unfaithfulness: Impotence Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Jul 13, 2001

Unfaithfulness among Christians has led many in and out of the church to lose power for living. Yet God turns tragedy into triumph.

The First Product of Unfaithfulness: Impotence Hosea 1:1-5, 11; 1 Kings 9-10 Pastor Jim Luthy Dan and I drove through downtown Vancouver B.C. a couple of weeks ago after a worship session on a Friday night. A two-block strip of night clubs were beginning to come to life as the rest of the city ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The 2nd Product Of Unfaithfulness: Condemnation Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Jul 13, 2001

Unfaithfulness among Christians has led many in and out of the church to deal with guilt. Mercy is God’s love toward men extended to free us from condemnation.

Unfaithfulness: Condemnation Hosea 1:1-2:1; 2 Kings 17:6-23 Last week we looked at the first illegitimate child born to Hosea’s unfaithful wife, Gomer. We noted that the child, whom the Lord instructed Hosea to name Jezreel, represented the first product of unfaithfulness, which is impotence, or ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:6-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marry, Marry, Quite Contrary

Contributed by Jim Luthy on May 17, 2001

The secret to making marriages thrive is to dance with the spiritual reality that you are no longer two lives trying to get along, but two former lives now becoming one new life by the loving hand of God.

In the 1970’s, a wave of no-fault divorce legislation swept across the nation. As states passed no-fault divorce laws, a culture of divorce developed. The divorce culture was perpetuated by the rise in pre-nuptial agreements. Now, many states are realizing the socio-economic effects of divorce. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Let 'em Pull Your Strings!

Contributed by Jim Luthy on May 14, 2001

If you cannot or will not forgive, you are a puppet in the hands of the one who harmed you.

Actress Molly Ringwold learned Survivor Tip #4 somewhere along the way, saying "From my experience, forgiving is the only way to survive." Obviously, we would be mistaken if we took our survivor tips directly from Hollywood. Unfortunately, many people do. But Molly Ringwold’s survivor tip didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living With Child-Like Purpose

Contributed by Jim Luthy on May 8, 2001

In becoming like little children, we can live with a purpose that will endure.

Live With a Child-like Purpose Pastor Jim Luthy Last week we discovered Jesus confronting his disciples about their approach to greatness in the Kingdom of God. It seems they were developing a worldly approach, which creeps into our thinking dressed as religion. They thought, you might recall, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:10-14, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational