24 HOURS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - Jesus, Barabbas, and Pilate (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on March 22, 2015 based upon the book "24 Hours that Changed the World" by Adam Hamilton)

Betrayal, denial, arrest, condemnation.  That was just the beginning of the evening for Jesus.  His friends and religious leaders all turned away or on him this night.  No one stood to defend him.  People either accused him or denied knowing him.  When he made it to Pilate, he was utterly alone.

I have been very blessed.  During the most difficult times of my life, I have never been alone.  I have always had someone by my side.  In the midst of accusation, persecution, illness, betrayal, I have always had someone to turn to.  In this moment, Jesus is utterly alone.

This was only a few short days from Jesus being encircled by throngs of people as he entered the city on Palm Sunday.  The crowds, the disciples, the friends; they had all left.  Now he stands before his judge utterly alone.

Alone.

24 Hours That Changed the World - In the Garden (a blogpost for a sermon series inspired by Adam Hamiliton's book by the same name to be preached beginning on March 8, 2015)

What do you think about the events in the Garden of Gethsemane?  Do you feel for Jesus in his time of need?  Do you identify with the disciples as they fell asleep while their master was in great need?  What do you picture the garden to look like?  Was Jesus weak that night or just human?  How do you understand the prayers of God to Himself?  What do you think about the events in the Garden of Gethsemane?

24 Hours That Changed the World (a blogpost for a sermon series inspired by Adam Hamiliton's book by the same name to be preached beginning on March 1, 2015)

Our lives can change dramatically in 24 hours.  My life changed quickly when I married my best friend on July 25, 1992.  My whole world transformed when my son, Caleb, was born on December 26, 1994.  Everything morphed when my wife was involved in a pedestrian motor vehicle accident while walking our dog in our neighborhood on October 22, 2013.  Life can change in the blink of an eye.

The lead up to Jesus' execution changed the spiritual path of the universe for eternity.  That day.  That 24 hours.  That moment in time changed the world.

RADICAL - Dying as Gain (a blogpost for a sermon based on David Platt's Radical to be preached on February 15, 2015)

I have thought a lot about death in my 48 years of life.  I have done hundreds of funerals.  Prayed with many people during the last moments of their life.  I have held family members as they watched the life pass from their loved one.  I have felt the sting of the loss of grandparents, an uncle, and other family members.  I have lost close friends and many classmates/acquaintances.

I will say that I have witnessed death that has seemed gracious, the end to a very difficult illness or disease.  While I have seen that grace, it has not always seemed like gain.  The absence of suffering does not necessarily mean there has been a gain; just a subtraction of a minus.

I will never forget a funeral for one of my high school friend's grandfather.  The church that morning seemed more like a party than a funeral.  It was a true celebration.  You could feel the gain.  You could tell that he was not only better off but better indeed.

How do you look forward to your death?  Is it an event to be dreaded or a moment to be prized?  How do you live in light of death?

RADICAL - Living When Dying is Gain (a blogpost for a sermon based on David Platt's Radical to be preached on February 15, 2015)

"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."  These words from the Apostle Paul found in Philippians 1:21 challenge the very nature of living in this world.  "To live is Christ" can hold more meanings and ideas than I can expound.  "To die is gain" has more life confronting nuances to make your head spin.

What does it mean for you "to live"?

Radical - No plan B (a blogpost for a sermon based on David Platt's, Radical, to be preached in February 15, 2015)

Why would God intrust the care of the good news to us?  Maybe more importantly, why would He not have a backup plan?

RADICAL - How far is too far? - (a blogpost for a sermon based upon the book, Radical, by David Platt to be preached on Feb. 8, 2015)

How far will you allow God to stretch you?  What are your boarders and boundaries?  What is too far?

For some of us, radical is an easy word to swallow.  For others of us, radical is a terrifying and terrible word.  Which camp do you fall into?