Sermon Teachings for Lent and Beyond

In keeping with the mission of our church–to know Jesus, grow in him, and make disciples…, this year’s 2022 Lenten series focuses on the complexity of following Jesus in the world. For some disciples, following Jesus is limited to a certain day of the week. The only choice they assume they have to make is to embrace the label, Christian.

 

By using the lectionary readings, the aim is to demonstrate through the teaching series that the reality of following Jesus involves many challenging choices over one’s lifetime. Being a disciple is not a one-and-done deal. Instead, we choose to commit our lives to Him and then spend the rest of our pilgrim journey learning how to follow His way instead of our way.  

Date Scripture  Sermon Title
/Link to Podcast		 Notes
March 2
Ash Wednesday		 Isaiah 58:1-12 Proper Alignment The religion that God prefers cares more for people than empty religious rituals.
March 6
First Sunday in Lent Communion Sunday		 Luke 4:1-13 Overcoming Temptation While we cannot stop temptation, we can choose how to respond to its triggers in our lives.
March 13
Second Sunday in Lent		 Philippians 3:17–4:1 Stand Firm Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us—through his life, death, and resurrection, and the resulting victory over sin and the devil—we can stand firm in him, united as disciples against a spiritually hostile environment.
March 20
Third Sunday in Lent		 I Corinthians 10:1-13 Learning from others’ mistakes Now, these things occurred as examples for us so that we might not desire evil as they did.
March 27
Fourth Sunday in Lent		 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 A New Beginning Discipleship is an invitation into a new way of life
April 3
Communion Sunday		 Philippians 3:4-14 Christ-Centered Every disciple must determine what adds to life in Christ and what subtracts from life in Christ.
April 10
Palm Sunday		 Luke 19:28-40 Divided by Jesus Every culture tries to claim Jesus for its own agenda.
April 14
Maundy Thursday		  I Corinthians 11:23-26 Community To overcome their divisions and lack of mutual concern, Paul introduces the Lord’s supper as a table of fellowship.
April 15
Good Friday		 This service looks at the scriptures’ depiction of the day Jesus was betrayed, falsely accused and unjustly tried before begun put to death on a Roman cross.
April 17
Easter Day		 I Corinthians 15:19-26 No Fear of Death Death is an enemy that Christ conquered through his death.
April 24
Second Sunday of Easter		 Genesis 2:15; Psalm 8 Caring for Our Home In Celebration of Earth Day (April 22) we take time to consider the choice of caring for God’s creation as stewards and beneficiaries of its provision.
May 1
Third Sunday of Easter		 Acts 5:27-32 Witness or Silence The resurrection of Jesus is good news to be shared

The ACTS Prayer Model

On January 30, 2022, Rev. Dr. Raymond Hylton spelled out the ACTS prayer model during his Sunday sermon. Here is a reminder of how that works:

A – Adoration: We bring glory and praise to God, acknowledging his greatness in each of his three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

C – Confession: Acknowledging where we have failed in walking in the ways we are called, we confess our sins, trusting completely in his desire to forgive them, and in the completeness of that forgiveness through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

T – Thanksgiving: We recall God’s specific goodness to us as individuals, as members of families, groups, and institutions, and as part of the local and universal body of Christ. We give thanks for the provision we have received and for the blessing of God’s presence in our lives.

S – Supplication: Knowing that God loves us, we bring our cares and concerns, desires, dreams, and needs, as well of those we know, love, work with, and are part of community with. We pray for our leaders at all levels of responsibility, from small group leaders to heads of state.