Brian's Sermons

He Shall Be Called… Wonderful Counselor Isaiah 9:1-7 9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is...

Ephesians 5:8-20 8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light  9  (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)  10  and find out what pleases the Lord.  11  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  12  It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  13  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.  14  This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper,     rise from the dead,     and Christ will shine on you.” 15  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  16  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  17  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  18  Do ...

Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Who remembers the old Mission Impossible show? One recurring theme was the mission: “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” Over the past couple of months, we’ve been studying Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, more specifically, the Beatitudes, where Jesus pronounces the blessings of his Kingdom. He has been teaching his disciples a radically different way to live. There is a paragraph break here, and Jesus goes on from his “blessed are” formula but this is real...

John 9:1-41: Look Out I don’t know what it was like in your school, but in my school, the cool kids were in the science club.  Well, maybe not the cool kids, per se, but anyway, I was in the science club.  We actually did some really fun activities, including spelunking.  That’s the fancy science word for cave exploring.  We trekked a couple of miles into the backcountry until we got to the cave entrance, and then, flashlights in hand, we went into the cave.  As we got deeper in, it got darker until the only light came from our flashlights.  At one point our guide told us to turn off our flashlights and to be silent.  If you’ve been there, you know how dark it was.  It’s can’t-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face dark. We only stayed in that darkness for a few moments, but it was striking. It was so good to get to see again.  As we once again turned on our flashlights, as light shone into the darkness and illuminated the cave, we once again ...