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Galatians 3

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

Closing out thClosing out this series on Galatians with chapters 5 and 6 brings us to finally seeing Paul's anger subside. He turns his attention from proving his theology of justification by faith to focusing now on future living. Paul articulates the difference between living life by the flesh vs. life by the Spirit. In this study, the fruit of the Spirit takes center stage as Paul invites the Galatian churches to stand and recognize that our flesh and our Spirit are opposed to each other. The course of life will be determined by which is allowed control.

Galatians 2

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

In the second week of our study of Galatians, we unpack chapters 3 and 4. Paul's frustration is still on full display as he accuses the Galatian church of acting foolishly by allowing themselves to be misled. Chapters 3 and 4 are the scriptural proof that Paul offers to establish that the Spirit is received by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. Paul uses the story of Abraham and God's promise to bless the world through him as the anchor for his argument in the text.

Galatians 1

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

This week, we study Galatians 1 and 2. Paul's frustration with false teachers misleading the church is palpable as he starts the letter with a greeting that is all business. Through the first 2 chapters, he retells the history of how he received not only his faith but the revelation of the theology in question. It was God who orchestrated both. Paul ends chapter 2 by writing out his theology of justification by faith and not by the works of the law.

Take Heart 1

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

Normalizing Recovery for each believer is paramount. The church has done well to lead people to an understanding of salvation, but often, the journey stops at the Cross. In this series, we focus on one of the ministries of Community Life Church called Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery picks up in a believer's life journey by helping to process and find healing for all of life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits. In this work, we move beyond salvation and start to discover freedom in life. Each service details the ministry of CR followed by a 20-minute testimony by someone working through the steps.

take Heart 2

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

Normalizing Recovery for each believer is paramount. The church has done well to lead people to an understanding of salvation, but often, the journey stops at the Cross. In this series, we focus on one of the ministries of Community Life Church called Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery picks up in a believer's life journey by helping to process and find healing for all of life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits. In this work, we move beyond salvation and start to discover freedom in life. Each service details the ministry of CR followed by a 20-minute testimony by someone working through the steps.

Matthew 5

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

Week 5: In this final study of the Gospel According to Matthew, we will consider the Passion Narrative. Chapters 26-28 take us through the most significant moments of our faith story. Through his retelling of the Passion, Matthew offers us a tremendous picture of the God who is present to Jesus in the most excruciating moments. Jesus, quoting Psalm 22, has long been misunderstood as God turning his face from his son rather than the intended reason of pointing the listener to Psalm 22. This Psalm reminds us that God will never leave us. Matthew closes his gospel account by sending his readers out to all nations… including Jews and Gentiles.

Matthew 4

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

Week 4: Week 4's study of the Gospel According to Matthew dives into chapter 18. Matthew often presents the teachings of Jesus in discourse form: The Sermon on the Mount (Ch 5-7), the Mission Discourse (Ch 10), and the Parabolic Discourse (Ch 13) are all examples of ways that Matthew groups teachings for a particular purpose. This week's study focuses on the Community Discourse found in Chapter 18, intending to provide the church community with an ethic by which to shape life together. Jesus encourages us to simplify the path for believers and always be willing to forgive.

Matthew 2

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

Week 2: Today, in week 2 of The Gospel According to Matthew, we turn our focus to chapters 3 and 4. Matthew introduces us to John the Baptist, presenting him as the last of the Old Testament prophets. John’s call for repentance is reminiscent of the prophets of old and preparation for the Messiah to come. Jesus is baptized, and all is done to fulfill righteousness. As we step into chapter 4, Jesus now faces his time in the wilderness. Once again, this parallels the journey of the Israelites, except in each case, Jesus was victorious. Chapter 4 ends with Jesus finding great success in proclaiming the Good News as people start arriving from everywhere to hear and see him.

Matthew 3

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

As we move into week 3 in our study of the Gospel According to Matthew, we draw our attention to the Sermon on the Mount. The heart of Matthew’s Gospel is grounded in the message that Jesus delivers in chapters 5-7. After preaching this sermon, Jesus sets out around the region, healing in the surrounding cities. Word of Jesus spreads, and before long, the disciples find themselves surrounded by a diverse population representing those near and far. As Chapter 9 draws to a close and Chapter 10 opens, we find Jesus looking out over the diverse crowd, and he has compassion for them. It is in this moment that Jesus decides to activate the disciples and sends them out to continue the work that has already begun. Our study will ask ourselves what we are doing to reach these very same lost. Is the harvest still plentiful? Are the workers still few?

The Gospel According to Matthew 1

Written by Lee Ames on . Posted in Sermon.

Week 1: Matthew begins his Gospel by anchoring Jesus into the heart of the Jewish faith. By starting with Abraham, connecting David, and then running the genealogy to the Exhile, Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah that emerges from the greater story of the Jewish faith. In Week 1, we’ll study the infancy narrative and how God’s plan came to us through a Child- steeped in the rich history of the Jewish text, the Torah- their story.