Encourage, Equip, Inspire

The Mission of God from Genesis to Jesus

This message is a little more academic!  We take a look at Five Covenants in the Old Testament and how they are reflected in the Great Commission Jesus gives his followers in Matthew 28:18-20

How to be a Christian without being a Jerk - part two, the sermon itself

Looking at the example of Daniel and his friends on how we can stand up for our beliefs without being obnoxious.  Also learning about how to live in a hostile culture.  

How to be a Christian without being a jerk - scripture reading, Daniel 1

The scripture reading of Daniel 1, was not recorded, so listen to this first, then listen to How to be a Christian...part two, the sermon proper.  Thanks!

Gearing up for Game Day

It's Back to Ephesians!  Chapter 6:10-20 this time as Paul serves up his closing arguments and makes an appeal for us to Prepare, Pray, and Proclaim!

Temptation, Identity, and the Holy Spirit

Joyce helps us understand Jesus' temptation as recorded in Luke chapter 4.  When we understand that Jesus is both God and Man, and through the power of the Holy Spirit we can overcome temptation and become the people God intended us to be.

Prepare the Way of the Lord

This message about preparing for God's work in the new year, focuses on John the Baptist, his message of repentance, and how God is at work in our lives preparing us to be the Masterpiece He intended us to be.

The audio of the Skit at the end of the message is from "The Chisel" by the Skit Guys.  This episode was purchased by Hartford City Church for use in our Sunday worship service.

Lights for Hartford

Be strong and take heart and Wait for the LORD.  We will see the goodness of God in the city of Hartford!

Jesus is the light of Salvation - as told by the grandparents of the Christmas story

In many ways, Simeon and Anna serve like the grandparents in the Christmas story.  In Luke 2.22-42 we see two powerful people who are examples of what spiritual fathers and mothers should be.  We need them desperately in our church.  For at their best, they always point us to Jesus Christ, the light of Salvation for the whole world!

God is with us and for us, the fragile wonder of Christmas

This week's podcast includes part of the original song, Fragile Wonder, by Matteo Guastamachio.  We ended our service with three prayers for peace for Hartford and for our world.  This short message focus on the "poetry of Jesus coming into the world in sh*t and straw."  I give credit to Bono for the idea and inspiration to riff on this theme in an advant-garde advent homily.  Enjoy!

Happy Hanukkah!

How do we find the presence of God in this World?  Jesus came and claimed to be the Messiah, the very presence of God in the World.  The Jewish religious leaders did not believe and wanted to kill him.  Jesus withdrew to the wilderness, across the Jordan river and many in THAT PLACE believe in Him.

Jesus is the light of the World, Do you feel His presence in your life?

This message is taken from John 10