(Text: Hebrews 4:14-5:10) Perhaps the primary metaphor which the book of Hebrews uses to describe Jesus is that of our "Great High Priest," forever interceding for us. To make his point, the author states that Jesus is a priest forever "according to the order of Melchizedek." Who is this Melchizedek, anyway, and what does he have to do with us?

Treasures New and Old

A Great High Priest

(Text: Hebrews 2:10-18) In the second chapter of Hebrews, the author asserts that Jesus has destroyed the power of death, and therefore has set us free from the fear which enslaves us. How does fear still affect our actions? What might we do if we had no fear?

Freedom From Fear

(Text: Hebrews 1:1-4) In the midst of the suffering and injustice of life in this world, we often find ourselves hopelessly overwhelmed. In her sermon, guest preacher Ann Adams reminds of the comforting promise of this passage, that God is even now speaking to us and sustaining us through Jesus Christ.

God Has Spoken to Us

(Text: Luke 15:8-10; Psalm 113) In the Psalms, we find poems, songs, and prayers that accompany us through the life of faith, in both good times and bad. Psalm 113 opens and closes with the command, "Hallelujah!" (Praise the Lord!) What is praise? Why do it?

Hallelujah!

(Text: Acts 2:1-4; Romans 8:14-39) What does the Holy Spirit do, anyway? On this day of Pentecost, we hear about the coming of the Spirit in the early church, and we also hear Paul's teaching about the work of the Spirit in Romans chapter eight.

The Spirit's Choosing

(Text: Romans 6:1-14) "How can we who have died to sin go on living in it?" This question has haunted the church throughout its history. Paul tells us that through baptism we have died to sin so that we might live a new life, so how do we explain our bad behavior?

Dead to Sin

(Text: Acts 10:1-20, 34-48) With a pair of visions given to two very different men, God orchestrates the spread of faith in Jesus from the Jewish cities of Judea to the Roman city of Caesarea. Peter and his companions are shocked, for God works outside the Law.

To All Nations

(Text: Matthew 28:16-20) When Jesus gives the mission to disciple, baptize, and teach all the nations, he gives it to a group of disciples who are struggling with doubt. Surely this call  is more than they can handle! How can wavering worshipers like us measure up to this "Great Commission?"

Too Great a Commission

(Text: Matthew 28:1-10) At the first Easter Sunday, nothing could keep Jesus in his tomb.  Just as Jesus's tomb couldn't hold him, neither can the tomb-like walls we build for ourselves keep God's forgiveness away from our sin.

The End of the Ordinary

(Text: Matthew 21:1-17) On the Sunday before Passover, a large crowd gives Jesus a royal welcome as he enters Jerusalem.  Clearly the people see Jesus as a potential lord and king, but what kind of Lord is he?

Jesus is Lord

(Text: Matthew 25:31-46) Just two days before he will be stripped, beaten, imprisoned, and handed over to be crucified, Jesus tells of the final judgment of the nations.  At that judgment, Jesus reveals a startling truth; whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Jesus.  And it is Jesus's verdict that determines your future.

Judgement

(Text: Matthew 25:1-13) Speaking with his disciples about the coming of his kingdom, Jesus tells several parables about the need to be ready.  Today we hear the story of ten bridesmaids waiting for the groom to arrive.

Ready or Not

(Text: Matthew 22:1-14) When he is challenged by the chief priests and the leaders of the people, Jesus responds with parables where those who think they are on the inside find themselves cast out.  How can we hear these troubling parables today?

Dressed and Ready

(Text: Matthew 20:1-16) In his last teaching stop before coming to Jerusalem, Jesus is asked by his disciples about the sort of reward they can expect, since they have left everything to follow him.  In response, Jesus tells a parable of day-laborers with an offensively generous employer.

What We Deserve

(Text: Matthew 18:15-35) Nothing is closer to the heart of the Gospel than the forgiveness of sins.  But here in this text, Jesus speaks about forgiveness not in terms of the Gospel, but rather by the rules of the Law.

The Law of Forgiveness

"Every scribe discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of storage treasures new and old." -Matthew 13:52

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Treasures New and Old

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