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VCHS elder Brant Cannon speaks from the book of Ephesians about how the idea of submission has been used for a long time in such a way as to oppress or control others but God’s plan for submission is that we defer to one another in order to obtain fullness by His Spirit. Churches, relationships, marriages, etc. that submit to one another in humility will find God’s presence at work among them.
Sacraments, means of grace, are a means of getting the method and mission of the church to connect people to the Source of life itself. They’re the Gospel in tangible form. If sacraments are a means of getting what God is about to the people who need to receive it, then what avenues does the local church have available to accomplish the same mission in our contemporary culture?
It’s a temptation of many church cultures to be wowed by big name celebrity type leaders or flashy ministries but the call of Jesus is to a live long obedience. Our fruitfulness isn’t based on producing but on living the life the Holy Spirit calls us to which is one of discipleship and faithfulness. To ensure that we have long lives of consistent ministry, we must judge our efforts not according to worldly standards but to how closely we follow the leading of the Lord.
The Body of Christ is full of disciples that have been given Holy Spirit gifts to use for God’s glory in edifying the church and advancing the Kingdom. We are living stones that God is building into a structure fit for his presence, but everyone is needed to be activated in their gifts and serving for it to be complete. Discipleship is critical so that we are always being poured into but also pouring into someone else.
As believers, we have some degree of spiritual responsibility for other believers. Our faith or lack thereof affects other disciples. Pastor Josh unpacks this idea of being our brother’s keeper and announces an upcoming mission trip to support Vineyard churches in Russia.
Jesus was a person of hospitality. As a sojourner to this earth, born in an inn, a refugee from Israel and immigrant to Egypt, and a homeless adult who “had no place to lay his head”, he understood what it feels like to be on the outside. And yet he offers us the most sacrificial, radical welcome. The scriptures tell us to “welcome other as Christ has welcomed us”, which means we must consider the hospitality of Jesus and work to ensure that our actions mirror his and embrace this Kingdom value as we love those on the outside into our homes, our social circles, and our church.
As God’s people, we actually have a call to die. Galatians tells us that because we’ve been crucified with Christ, it’s no longer us living but Jesus living through us. The life of a disciple is marked by death - by laying down one’s life for the sake of following Christ.
There is this amazing aspect of the Kingdom of God that, for some reason, God chose to use people to reach people. It certainly seems that there were better, more effective ways of doing things but God involves us in His plans. And as we put our hands to these tasks, it’s not His intention for us to go it alone. His design is for us to do it together, and our church gatherings are no exception. Worship is one of the core ways we engage together.
Having unity is one of the key qualities intended for God’s people. Jesus prayed for it, Paul preached and wrote about it, and the early church strived for it. But in our modern culture, having the kind of unity in our churches that truly puts others before self and reflects the nature and character of God is hard to come by. In this sermon, Leah Pavel talks about the things necessary for modern local churches to experience this kind of supernatural unity and the incredible effects when we do.
Introducing a new sermon series, Ecclesia, Josh Pavel talks about how as the gathering of Jesus’ disciples, we are called and expected to be a peculiar people, not following the ways and patterns of the world, but that of the Kingdom of God.
Paul greeted Phoebe as a deaconess of the church. Paul recognized her not to make a point about women in leadership or anything political but because she was a faithful servant in the Body of Christ who had an impact in her community. Paul’s letters were written to real people that filled the local church. These people were the application of the Gospel, the intended recipients of the epistles. These words were not intended for only the heroes or celebrities or household names, but people serving and loving their local communities.
Continuing in our No Small Parts series, the story of Abigail shows that God’s Kingdom is revealed, propelled, and instrumented by the variety of God’s people, not the isolated, random, heroic or famous individual. Her story takes place during the time when David is on the run from King Saul. The Lord uses Abigail’s intelligence, cunning, and boldness to redirect the future King David’s actions, remind him of God’s promise and calling. The result is that her own household is spared from ruin and David is spared from having unnecessary bloodshed on his hands.
Through looking at Korah and The Sons of Korah as mentioned in Numbers, the Psalms, and Jude, we see the long story of God’s redemption, correcting pride, and teaching us to “be still and know that I am God”. Knowing their story, the Psalms written by the Sons of Korah speak in new ways.
Eutychus is mentioned in only a few verses of one story in the book of Acts but was the subject of a substantial miracle of resurrection. Pastor Josh discusses this passage of scripture along with a debrief of the Vineyard National Conference to encourage repentance for our unbelief in the healing miracles of the Holy Spirit and to encourage waiting on God and blessing His work in ministry.
VCHS elder Brant Cannon looks at the role of Simeon and Anna in recognizing and announcing the arrival of the Messiah when Jesus was presented at the temple and the lessons we can learn about hearing God from these two devout servants who patiently awaited God’s promise.
Elishama was a secretary in the temple. He heard the words of God given to Jeremiah, and read out loud in the temple by Baruk, and recognized them as from the Lord so he honored and preserved it even though the king wanted to destroy the scroll. God’s word will be revealed and it will accomplish its purpose. Elishama shows us an example of faithfulness in our charge and a diligence in following God.
Jeremy Geelen discusses Hannah’s passion in pursuing the Lord for a son and offers encouragement to us to be as free in our love and pursuit of God as she was.
Jael is a woman found in the book of Judges in the time of Deborah. She was chosen by God to play a very important part in a battle the Israelites were facing and she is a perfect example of God equipping the called instead of calling the equipped.
The Demoniac was a man possessed with many demons and he lived among the tombs alone. Once Jesus delivers him, instead of allowing the man to travel with him, Jesus sent him back to his own family and community to share the gospel. And the effects of this man’s obedience is seen in later parts of scripture where the gospel is advancing. As N.T. Wright put it, this man was the first apostle to the Gentiles!
Several of Jesus’ own disciples were mentioned just a few times in scripture, yet they were dearly loved by the Lord and the impact they had for the gospel was widespread. These three men were faithful, patient and consistent and were certainly no less important or effective.
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