About us

Cultivating the Christian Life

A Sermon Series on Discipleship

This series is a practical experiential, topical series geared toward intentional Spiritual Formation as a congregational initiative and a church wide discipleship campaign. If you’re a new believer, a seasoned saint, a parent, a pastor, a teacher, a coach, a business executive, a social worker or anyone committed to changing and helping others change, this series will have great application for you. This series will overview time-tested principles of spiritual growth. It will cover 12 “rules” for the spiritual life. A “rule” is an organized spiritual guide or a way of living. There are 12 key areas of discipleship. A disciple is a follower of Jesus, a learner. These principles are designed to make you, a disciple of Jesus Christ, more like Jesus Christ, which is the goal of spiritual formation. This series will involve a small group initiative workbook for going deeper, available for reuse in the future.

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This series is a practical experiential, topical series geared toward intentional Spiritual Formation as a congregational initiative and a church wide discipleship campaign. If you’re a new believer, a seasoned saint, a parent, a pastor, a teacher, a coach, a business executive, a social worker or anyone committed to changing and helping others change, this series will have great application for you. This series will overview time-tested principles of spiritual growth. It will cover 12 “rules” for the spiritual life. A “rule” is an organized spiritual guide or a way of living. There are 12 key areas of discipleship. A disciple is a follower of Jesus, a learner. These principles are designed to make you, a disciple of Jesus Christ, more like Jesus Christ, which is the goal of spiritual formation. This series will involve a small group initiative workbook for going deeper, available for reuse in the future.

Bob Plant
planting vert
Dave vert
Small tree between roots

Resources:

  • Cultivating the Christian Life – a workbook by MBC. Please pick up a copy in the lobby on Sunday morning, in the church office during the week, or click HERE for the PDF Beta version.

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Resources:

1.  Tim Keller’s, “Hidden Christmas”

2. Tim Keller – Message on Psalm 2 “Jesus our King”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjMGMUuNpZ4
We have a king 2. We hate the king 3. We need the king)

3. John Piper – “Coronavirus and Christ.” E BOOK https://document.desiringgod.org/coronavirus-and-christ-en.pdf?ts=1586278809

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

Sermon on deck…

Exodus

Rescued from Darkness Into the Hands of God

The Book of Exodus (meaning “Exit”) is the great story of the OT people of God. It’s all about God remembering His covenant, having compassion on His people who are in bondage to slavery, and bringing them out with a mighty hand and leading them on to the promised land. Their story is our story. Like them, we too were in bondage to slavery to sin. Like them, God sent us a redeemer. Like them, God bought us back to set us free. Like them, God brings us out, to bring us toward Himself. Do you need God’s rescue? Do you need to grow in awe of the Lord? Do you need to experience freshly His power, redemption, and leading in your life today? This series through Exodus will teach us in a fresh way how the God of Moses, “I Am,” is still our God today.  

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Resources:

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Resources:

1.  Tim Keller’s, “Hidden Christmas”

2. Tim Keller – Message on Psalm 2 “Jesus our King”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjMGMUuNpZ4
We have a king 2. We hate the king 3. We need the king)

3. John Piper – “Coronavirus and Christ.” E BOOK https://document.desiringgod.org/coronavirus-and-christ-en.pdf?ts=1586278809

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

Sermon on deck…

Membership

Next 2-Week Membership Class Begins April 26th @11am

2-Part class will be on Sunday April 26th and May 3rd.

Sign-up for the next 2-week class beginning April 26th

Spring 2026 Membership Class Details

Length: 2-week class
Date: Sunday April 26th and May 3rd
Location: Great Room, YFMB
Time: 11am

Why Membership

Unlike a social-club membership, where the organization exists to serve the members, church membership is more akin to being in a family, or sports team. Membership at MBC exists as a united group of believers who are counted on in an attempt to fulfill a common purpose of becoming a provider of God’s love and care to others. We are a church not for ourselves, but for others. Members commit to joining a spiritual family that provides encouragement and support to one another. We are called to a higher degree of responsibility, service and sacrifice. Our elders and leaders pledge to assist our members with care, counsel, prayer and teaching.


Is Church Membership Biblical?

We hope that, as the Lord leads, you make a covenant to be part of our church family.

Four Steps to becoming a Member…

If you are interested in becoming a member please read through our four-step process below.

We want you to make an informed decision about joining our church. We periodically offer a Membership class that explains our values and beliefs and discusses the next steps to joining MBC. All prospective members are invited to attend our Membership class. This is where you will learn about the history and vision of MBC, acquaint yourself with its ministries and opportunities, and dialogue with elders and other congregants on questions you may have about the church or Christian community. This 3-week class will include the following topics: Articles of Faith & Doctrinal Positions, Church Covenant, Vision & Mission Life. 

Upon completion, those who attended are able but not obligated to sign up for a membership interview, the second step of the membership process. 

For more information on how to become a member please contact the main office at: 908.647.0594 or reach out to MBC’s email.

Baptism: 

For many, baptism is the first public step of obedience to Christ. If you have not been baptized following salvation, we ask you to take this step before becoming a Member.

Signing the Covenant

Sign the statement of faith and church covenant, and the application would go to the elders.

Meet with an Elder

The final step is for the prospective member meets with an Elder for approximately 45 mins to provide basic biographical information and recount God’s converting work in his or her life. 
Sign-up for the next class

Questions?

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Dave Hentschel

Lead Pastor: Preaching,
Spiritual Formation & Care

Contact Dave with any questions
Fruit of the Spirit
We Need a King
Cultivating the Christian Life
Luke-Act One-To Save the World
Romans 8:18-39, But Now: Creation Groans: Eagerly Awaited Victory
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(De) Toxicity
Easter Service 2024
Romans 9-16, Behold, New Life: Living & Loving as Heirs

Getting Connected

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Fill out this Shared Interest form to let us know how you wish to get involved with MBC. People who share the same interests in recreation, leisure, arts, entertainment, sports activities, and more, come together and build relationships.

Fill out this Share Your Gifts form to let us know how you wish to get involved with MBC.

MBC has various different weekly emails such as ENEWS to keep up with all the latest at MBC, PRAISE & PRAYER to learn how to pray for the church, and our Teen Sync to stay up to date with our MBC teens. Click HERE to learn more and subscribe

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Unbelievable-Christmas
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Choose Joy April 16 - June 25
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Story of Reality

Are We Living in Different Realities?

Have you ever had a conversation where you felt you were using the same words with different meanings? Almost like the other person was living in a different reality? This is the great challenge of our modern world. People are talking past each other because, in many cases they have a completely different view of the world. It’s almost like some people have a piece of the puzzle, but have never viewed the whole picture.

 

Paul wrote this to the church in Colossae: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ (2:8).” Now more than ever it is crucial that followers of Christ have a view of the world grounded in Scripture. Too often, followers of Christ are taken captive by the stories, the messages of the world. We can easily believe a different story. This series will help Christians form a worldview rooted in the Scriptures and teach them how do have conversations with their friends about the gospel. The only story rooted in reality in the Gospel… can you tell it?

Weekly Theme Resources:

ORIGIN: Key Resources

IDENTITY: Key Resources

  • Book: Trueman, Carl. The Rise and Triumph of The Modern Self. (Wheaton IL: Crossway, 2020)
  • Article: “What is Our Christian Identity in this Anonymous Age?”
  • Video: Rethink the Self 

MEANING: Key Resources

MORALITY: Key Resources

DESTINY: Key Resources

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Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

General Worldview Resources:

Books:

  • Anderson, James. What’s Your Worldview? (Wheaton IL: Crossway, 2014)
  • Brown, William & Gary Phillips & John Stonestreet. Making Sense of Your World. (Salem, WI: Sheffield Publishing, 2008).
  • Colson, Charles. How Now Shall We Live? (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1999).
  • Gay, Craig. The Way of The (Modern) World. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998)
  • Godowa, Brian. Hollywood Worldviews. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002)
  • Gould, Paul. Cultural Apologetics. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019)
  • Koukl, Greg. The Story of Reality. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017)
  • McLaughlin, Rebecca. Confronting Christianity. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019)
  • Mclaughlin, Rebecca. Secular Creed. (Austin, TX: The Gospel Coalition, 2021).
  • Sire, James. The Universe Next Door. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2020-6th)
  • Sherman, Amy. Kingdom Calling. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2011).
  • Sunshine, Glenn. Why You Think The Way You Do. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009).

Articles/Podcasts:

Videos:

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

Sermon on deck…

Greater Than

Greater Than

Imagine a professional fighter sitting back down in their corner between rounds after getting pummeled in the ring. What motivates them to get up and keep fighting? Ever feel like your life is just too hard to keep going? Your burdens you carry are just too heavy? Ever been tempted to just throw in the towel and quit? What’s the use? The book of Hebrews is written as a strong source of encouragement to press on toward one thing – the supremacy of Christ over all things. He is worthy every effort! Our world is obsessed with upgrades and others around us are perpetually looking for what’s easy and comfortable. But what if instead of always chasing what’s next, your soul was able to find an anchor that would keep you grounded at all times and pull you through in all circumstances? In the first century, times were tough for the early Christians. Persecution and marginalization were a daily reality. Believers were tempted to abandon their faith and seek an easier life. In this New Testament letter, called “a word of exhortation” (13:22), we are given strong motivations to press on and run the race marked before us with discipline and courage. There are stern warnings and consequences for those who shrink back and look elsewhere for their security in life. Instead, we are told, no matter what it costs us, “Let us go to Him!” because knowing Him is worthy of all our devotion. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, we will find the things of earth will grow strangely dim, because He is greater.  

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Resources:

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Resources:

1.  Tim Keller’s, “Hidden Christmas”

2. Tim Keller – Message on Psalm 2 “Jesus our King”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjMGMUuNpZ4
We have a king 2. We hate the king 3. We need the king)

3. John Piper – “Coronavirus and Christ.” E BOOK https://document.desiringgod.org/coronavirus-and-christ-en.pdf?ts=1586278809

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

Sermon on deck…

Promises of God

Promises: Our Anchor in the Storm

What do you hold onto when everything falls apart? Are there words strong enough to hold us up and get us through? Where do you go when nothing else will do? The Bible contains thousands of great and precious promises (2 Pet 1:4) that God wants to fulfill in your life. In this series, you’ll learn about some of the most significant promises that God has made to you. D. L. Moody once said “God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” And these promises aren’t empty. They’re the keys to new life, peace within and hope for tomorrow. You can be sure He is our anchor in the storm. All God’s promises in Christ are Yes and Amen. (2 Cor 1:20) 

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Resources:

Please enjoy this weekly Advent companion devotional.
DOWNLOAD: Advent_Reading_plan.pdf

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Resources:

1.  Tim Keller’s, “Hidden Christmas”

2. Tim Keller – Message on Psalm 2 “Jesus our King”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjMGMUuNpZ4
We have a king 2. We hate the king 3. We need the king)

3. John Piper – “Coronavirus and Christ.” E BOOK https://document.desiringgod.org/coronavirus-and-christ-en.pdf?ts=1586278809

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

Sermon on deck…

Dignity: They=Me

Does all life have dignity and worth?

If you stopped to survey our society, you might be tempted to answer, “no.” To have dignity means you are worthy of honor; to have worth means you are valuable. And yet, so many people feel they don’t have either. 2020 was a year filled with much talk of death—as we enter 2021, we want to talk about life. The sanctity of human life means that all human life has dignity and worth—this means unborn children has worth, people with special needs have worth, people of all races have worth… and even when you are depressed and feel like you are worthless… you have worth… and dignity. As Russell Moore says so aptly, “Our pro-life witness ought to be seen in Sunday schools filled with children with fetal alcohol syndrome and autism and cerebral palsy and AIDS who are hugged and loved and received because we see in the Jesus and because we embrace a gospel that told us a long time ago that life is better than death.” 

Over the next four weeks we are going to talk about how all human life has… dignity and worth. All people are worthy of life and flourishing. How can we advocate for this? Join us to find out.

Resources:

Week 1 – Dignity and Mental Health

Week 2 – Dignity and Special Needs

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

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Resources Cont.:

Week 3 – Dignity and Race

  • Yancey, George. Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006).
  • Newbell, Trillia. United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2014).
  • Tisby, Jemar. The Color of Compromise (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019).
  • Williams, Thaddeus. Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020).
  • Organizations:
  • YouTube Video with Dr. Pat Sawyer— “What is Systemic Injustice?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8m9gTQkCjA
  • Movie: Just Mercy (Also book of same title by Bryan Stevenson)

Week 4 – Dignity for the Unborn

Week 5 – Dignity and the End of Life

  • Beckwith, Francis J., and Geisler, Norman L. Matters of Life and Death.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, 1991.
  • Frame, John M. Medical Ethics:  Principles, Persons, and Problems.  Phillipsburg NJ:  P & R Publishing, 1988.
  • Koop, C. Everett. The Right to Live, The Right to Die.  Wheaton:  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1976.
  • Schaeffer, Francis A and Koop, C Everett. Whatever Happened to the Human Race?  Old Tappan NJ:  Fleming H Revell Company, 1979.
  • Tada, Joni Eareckson. The Life and Death Dilemma.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
  • Thielicke, Helmut. Living with Death (trans. by Geoffrey W Bromiley).  Grand Rapids:  William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1983.
  • Articles:

Resources:

1.  Tim Keller’s, “Hidden Christmas”

2. Tim Keller – Message on Psalm 2 “Jesus our King”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjMGMUuNpZ4
We have a king 2. We hate the king 3. We need the king)

3. John Piper – “Coronavirus and Christ.” E BOOK https://document.desiringgod.org/coronavirus-and-christ-en.pdf?ts=1586278809

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

Sermon on deck…

Rediscover Christmas 2020

Good News in Troubling Times

We’ve made it! We’ve made it to Advent and the Christmas season! And wow, can we certainly use some Christmas! It’s been a year like no other, to put it mildly. Global pandemic, economic recession, mass unemployment, political division, cultural upheaval, racial reckoning, record wildfires, extra powerful hurricanes, devastating floods. Did I miss anything? Maybe whatever personal struggles you are facing are a result of those wide-scale events or completely unrelated. In whatever form they’ve come for you, the realities of life have been heavy and humbling. We have been aware of the darkness around us.

It’s the ideal setting for some light. It’s just the kind of backdrop for a Savior to come. It’s the perfect time to rediscover Christmas. Because no matter how troubling the times, and no matter how heavy our hearts, there is good news. The greatest news!

 

As the angels proclaimed it on the night of Jesus’s birth long ago: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:10-14)

 

This is the news of the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God. This is the news that drives away fear and fills us with joy and holds us in peace. It’s news of the reality we are invited to step into and experience.

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Resources:

Please enjoy this weekly Advent companion devotional.
DOWNLOAD: Advent_Reading_plan.pdf

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

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Resources:

1.  Tim Keller’s, “Hidden Christmas”

2. Tim Keller – Message on Psalm 2 “Jesus our King”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjMGMUuNpZ4
We have a king 2. We hate the king 3. We need the king)

3. John Piper – “Coronavirus and Christ.” E BOOK https://document.desiringgod.org/coronavirus-and-christ-en.pdf?ts=1586278809

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

Sermon on deck…

Triumphs & Tragedies of Israel’s Kings

Triumphs & Tragedies of Israel’s Kings

Do you feel like our world is out of control? More than any moment in our lifetime, the events of 2020 have shown us the fragility of our nation: a global health pandemic, racial rioting, a divided government, and the very questioning of history itself.

If you feel like our world is out of control, you have something in common with the people of Israel in the books of 1 & 2 Kings.The story begins at the high age of King David and ends with his descendants being carried into exile by the Babylonians.

How did this happen? In short, it was a failure of leadership in the nation of Israel. In between David and the exile, we encounter stories of kings and prophets, civil war, revolution, and false worship. Yet, despite all of this uncertainty, the story shows us that God is still faithful even when His people are unfaithful; God is still in control even when everything else is out of control. If you need hope in the year of 2020…we invite you to journey through 1-2 Kings with us this Fall.

Resources:

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Schedule:

9/20 – Solomon: A Complicated Leader (1 Kgs. 1-11)

9/27 – Jeroboam vs. Rehoboam: Division & Civil War (1 Kgs. 12-16)

10/4 – Elijah: A Prophet Rises (1 Kings 18:20-40)

10/11 – Ahab: King of Wickedness (1 Kings 20:1-43)

10/18 – Elisha: Passing The Torch (2 Kings 2:1-14)

10/25 – Elisha: The Miracle of the Widow’s Oil (2 Kings 4) 

11/1 – Jehu and Joash: The Kingdom of God is Forever (2 Kings 9-12)

11/8 – Hoshea: The Fall of Samaria (2 Kings 17:1-23)

11/15 – Hezekiah: Faithfulness in Wicked Times (2 Kings 18:1-12; 19:14-19)

11/22 – Josiah: The Great Reformer (2 Kings 22:1-4, 11-20; 23:4-23)

Previous Sermons

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