Come With #5 - Be With

In this sermon, we are reminded that Jesus never walked alone. From the very beginning of his ministry, he invited others—his disciples—to journey with him, teaching and forming them every step of the way. Even in his most intimate moments, such as when he climbed the mountain to pray, he took three disciples with him so they could witness and learn from him. Jesus was always with his disciples, and they were always with him.

As we stand on the threshold of Lent, preparing to follow Jesus into Jerusalem, we too are invited to walk with him. But we don’t walk alone. We are connected by a shared faith, a common mission, and a desire that no one is lost. Together, we walk with Jesus, listening to his words, letting them shape us, and allowing them to transform our hearts and lives.

Even when we face the valleys and challenges of life, we are assured that Jesus walks with us. We are never alone. As we journey through Lent and beyond, let us remember that we are always in the presence of Christ, surrounded by each other, and guided by his transforming word. Let us take that word to heart, trusting that it will change us and draw us closer to the one who is with us always. A sermon on Luke 19:28-37.

Come With #4 - New Life

This week, we’ll reflect on Levi, the tax collector, who was seen as one of the worst sinners of his time. Yet when Jesus called him to “come with,” Levi left everything to follow him. This demonstrates the transformative power of Jesus’s call. As followers, we are invited into a daily rhythm of repentance and renewal. Levi’s joy overflowed into a banquet for sinners, showing that new life in Christ always bears fruit. We’ll be looking at Luke 5:27-32.

Come With #3 - Whatever it Takes

This week, we're looking at Luke 5:17-26. We meet some friends who did whatever it took to bring their paralyzed companion to Jesus. When the crowd blocked their way, they dug through the roof of the house to lower him into Jesus’s presence. This story reminds us of the urgency of introducing others to Jesus. The need for faith, healing, and hope is as great today as it was then. What lengths will we go to so others can meet Jesus?

Come With #2 - Jesus, wait!

"Jesus, Wait!" (Luke 5:12-16)

In this sermon and text, we meet a leper who defied societal rejection to approach Jesus for healing. Though he had been isolated and excluded, he cried out in faith, “Jesus, wait.” In response, Jesus touched him and healed him, showing us the power of mercy and the importance of drawing close to him, even when we feel distant or unworthy.

Come With #1 - The Call

Week 1: "Come With!" (Luke 5:1-11)

In this sermon, we’ll explore Jesus’s call to his first disciples. As Peter, Andrew, James, and John dropped their nets to follow him, their relationship with Jesus deepened. But this wasn’t an easy path. Peter’s initial excitement turned to fear as he cried, “Away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Yet Jesus reassured him, saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Similarly, we may feel unworthy when we first encounter Jesus, but his call reminds us to trust him and embrace the journey.

The Way of the Wise #4 - The Heart of Wisdom

The Heart of Wisdom (Proverbs 3:1-10) (TRUST)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But what is its heart and core? The heart and core of wisdom is trust not in your own name, in your own ways, in your own wealth, in your own thinking or understanding. No, the heart of wisdom is not those things. The heartbeat of wisdom is trusting in the Lord. In this sermon, we’ll explore the reasons why so many other things and people are unworthy of our trust. At the same time, we’ll see why and how God is truly worthy of all our trust.

The Way of the Wise #3 - Wisdom's Worth

True wisdom from God has value for everything. This is true of Jesus, who is Wisdom from God. It is also true of the wisdom that the Spirit gives and works deeply in us. The writer urges us: Do not let this go! Do not let this out of your sight but hold it tightly. Wisdom is what the Teacher calls us to love and desire above all things. (Proverbs 3:11-24)

The Way of the Wise #2 - Wisdom is

What is Wisdom? Why does it matter and how do we get it? This week we’ll begin to answer those questions this way: On the one hand, our Father calls out to us and urges us to tune our ears to wisdom and to seek it with all of our hearts. Yes, open up your ears to hear! And, at the same time, he reminds us that wisdom from him is truly a gift from him. Wisdom is a Spirit-worked, spiritual gut instinct that is truly a gift from our God. And so, we pray, “Lord, give me this wisdom!” Proverbs 2.

The Way of the Wise #1 - The Beginning of Wisdom

As we enter 2025, we hurry with the Wise Men to worship Jesus. Jesus himself walks beside the Sea of Galilee and calls us to follow him with a lively faith. But how? What does such a lively faith look like? Solomon has something to say about that. He calls us it “the Way of the Wise.” In this four week series, we’ll begin to learn to walk the way of the wise.

Today, we learn from Solomon that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1:1-7

O Come, Redeemer

O Christ our Redeemer, Come.

The one who paid the price

With your life and death.

O Intercessor before the Father’s throne

To welcome us into our eternal home, come.

A sermon on Matthew 25:1-13

O Come, Emmanuel

O God Among Us, Come. Great king, who gives the Law To gather nations nigh, O Lord our God, Redeemer, To save your children, come. A sermon on Isaiah 7:14

O Come, King of Nations

12/25 (Isaiah 28:16)

O King of Nations, come.

The hope and cornerstone

Who makes from many, one,

You fashioned us in Eden –

Your earthly vessels, save.

O Come, Dayspring (Christmas Eve)

12/24 (Isaiah 9:2-7, especially 2)

O Glorious Dayspring, come.

The bright eternal light

And sun of righteousness,

On those who sit in darkness

And death’s dark shadow, shine.

O Come, Wisdom #5 - Waiting for Wisdom

We are now in the season of Advent. “Advent” means coming or arrival. This means that it is a season of anticipation, longing and hope. We look forward to and long for the coming of Christ even while we celebrate the fact that he came.

We sit right at the edge of our celebration of Christmas. It just a few days away now. It is so close we can almost taste it. Oh, how good it will be when he walks through the door and ushers us into eternity.

Today, Wisdom speaks to us through the Scriptures and tells us, “Blessed are those who wait at my door… for those who find me find life.”

O Come, Key of David

12/18 (Revelation 3:7-13)

O Key of David, come.

Unlock what none shall bind,

And lock what none shall loose:

The captives in the darkness

Imprisoned, now set free.

O Come, Wisdom #4 - Wisdom's Delight

The countdown is on. Each Sunday that passes in this season of Advent brings us one Sunday closer to our remembrance and celebration of Christmas. Hope begins to grow. Expectation and joy begin to increase. This only grows when we consider who Wisdom truly is: He is Christ, the Lord. The One who sits on heaven’s high throne. The One who gives all gifts for body and life, for soul and eternity. The One who is the eternal Son of God, truly God and truly human being, in one person. Today, we learn another thing. He was there at the very beginning, creating this world together with the Father and the Spirit, delighting in what was being created and finding joy in us, the crown of God’s creation. He is Wisdom, the one who is delighted with us.

Today we see that Wisdom was not only there before the world was created, but he was also there at creation. He was constantly at the Father’s side, rejoicing in his presence and delighting in humankind.

O Come, Root of Jesse

12/11 (Isaiah 11:1-10)

O Root of Jesse, come.

This ensign raised for all

To whom the nations pray,

Before whom kings keep silent:

To rescue quickly come

O Come, Wisdom #3 - The Best Thing God Did

We are now in the season of Advent. “Advent” means coming or arrival. This means that it is a season of anticipation, longing and hope. We look forward to and long for the coming of Christ even while we celebrate the fact that he came.

Today, we meet John the Baptist who cries out, running ahead of Jesus, preparing the way for him. And what does he say? What does he tell us about Jesus, true Wisdom of God? He declare the greatness and eternity of Jesus, of Wisdom: “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me” (John 1:15). That was his clear and loud testimony. “I am not worthy to stoop down to untie his sandals” (Luke 3:16).

O Come, Adonai

12/4 (Exodus 3:1-14)

O Lord of Israel, come.

Through bushes breathing fire,

To Moses you gave Law;

O come, redeeming Ruler,

With arms outstretched to save.

O Come, Wisdom #2 - Wisdom's Gifts

This is about wisdom in the book of Proverbs, but not the practical, know-how kind of wisdom. This wisdom from God is his very own Son. As we end one church year and move into another, we call out for true wisdom from God (cf. 1 Corinthians 1) to come. Last week we learned that Christ is true wisdom. Today, we see that since Christ is wisdom on his throne, he comes with and gives gifts to meet all our needs. Proverbs 8:17-21.