In the Upper Room: Part 4

The timing.

 
Pastor Steve Grosz
 
 

In The Upper Room : Part 3

A Sermon Series in John
Chapter 16

Four whole chapters in the book of John (chs.14-17) are dedicated to a single message Jesus gave to his followers, over one meal in one place, namely the last supper in the upper room. Each week we explore a chapter of this dynamic teaching.  Today we consider the help Jesus promised to his followers in chapter 16 that would empower them in his absence–i.e. the coming of the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit?
Why does He matter? Let’s find out together as we go deeper into the help God has for us!

Pastor Steve Grosz

Rooting and Abiding

Sermon by David Kosht

“What root and trunk are to trees, Jesus is to Human life.”  -FD Bruner

In The Upper Room – Part 1

Sermon Series in John
Chapter 14

Four entire chapters in the book of John (chapters 14-17) are dedicated to a single teaching Jesus gave over one meal in one place, namely the last supper in the upper room. Over the next four weeks we explore the impact of Christ’s words of encouragement and challenge to His followers both then and now.

Pastor Steve Grosz

The Death of Death (Prequel)

The Death of Death (Prequel) 

John 11:1-45

Sermon upload pending

The narrative of John chapter 11, tracks the resurrection of Lazarus as both a tragedy and a triumph. Not only does the miracle sequence include a picture of real suffering–as Jesus’ friend Lazarus succumbs to illness–but it also serves as a prequel (or foreshadowing) of Christ’s own victorious resurrection. In examining the concept of resurrection, we find the mashup of hardship and hope that has given shape to the people of God in the past, present and future.

Pastor Steve Grosz

Called: Part 8 (Called to More)

Called (Sermon Series in John)
John 15: 1-16

Part 8 is the conclusion of our Called sermon series. Over the past 2 months much ground has been covered in learning how to lean into the callings that God has positioned and equipped His people to do. In this last teaching of the series we consider the concept of “fruitfulness”. The bible often makes mention of the importance of meaningful productivity or fruitfulness (at least 64 times between the Old and New Testaments). This reflects a truth that we know to be true, namely that we have been wired to desire ongoing growth and development. Just as a healthy tree seeks to bear more fruit and reproduce, so too a person that God has made alive seeks to move his or her blessings outward and onward.

Pastor Steve Grosz

Called: Part 7 (Called to Follow Through)

 

John 13: 1-17

A master craftsman, working away at his trade over a period of time, is a helpful picture of the follow-through and perseverance that we are called to seek in our vocations. Bearing fruit for the glory of God and the good of others is a commitment to stick with meaningful work long after it has ceased to be easy. In Part 7 of our Called sermon series, we consider the follow-through that Christ demonstrated in pursing His calling to teach the way of the servant leadership. The King of kings chose to bend down and meet a basic need that others thought too lowly, and in doing so He reveals a key to having a high sense of calling.

Pastor Steve Grosz

Called: Part 6 (Called to Trade Up)

Sermon Series in John 
John 9:1-38

A few statistics about Americans and work are revealing:

A recent work satisfaction survey conducted by the Conference Board research group, found that for the eighth straight year, less than half of US workers are satisfied with their jobs (47.7%), well below the historical level of 61.1% percent in 1987. – www.conference-board.org

It causes a person to ask the question “why?”.  Why this low view by so many workers toward so many vocations?  Does the gospel provide an answer, a “trading up” for a higher view of human labor? Part 6 in the Called sermon series considers how Christ’s example in His calling, beckons us to “trade up” the view on our own.  

Pastor Steve Grosz

Called: Part 4 (Called to Work Hard & Rest Hard)

John 5:1-18

A few statistics about Americans and work are revealing:

  • The average American worker receives 13 vacation days every year, but 34% of workers don’t take a single day of that vacation.
  • Even when people do take vacation days, 30% of people say they worry constantly about work while they are trying to relax.

Work was created by God for a person to pursue with diligence, while experiencing a balanced rhythm of rest. The extremes of either sloth or a frantic pace don’t have to define the way we engage our callings. Part 4 of the Called series will examine the unique way of working that Christ extends to his followers.

Pastor Steve Grosz