Sermons

A sermon is a talk. It is a conversation between God and the preacher, the preacher and him/herself, and the preacher and the listener. It is a beautiful, delightful dance of truth, memory, and possibility. Like a dance, a conversation can meander around the room gracefully, all the while leading you to end up right where you started - with a hopeful prayer.

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Answering the Question: What Must I Do to Go to Heaven?
Sermon Jason Elder Sermon Jason Elder

Answering the Question: What Must I Do to Go to Heaven?

In this sermon from James 1, we see faith, works, salvation, and grace. This sermon reframes the question, “What must I do to go to heaven?” by focusing on God’s grace and our grateful response. Discover how trials, the power of the tongue, and being doers of the Word reflect true faith. Keywords: James 1, faith and works, salvation, grace, gospel.

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Have You Looked into the Water? (Ephesians 1)
Sermon Jason Elder Sermon Jason Elder

Have You Looked into the Water? (Ephesians 1)

This sermon from Ephesians 1:3-14 explores identity, grace, and transformation using the allegory of “The Ugly Duckling.” We often struggle with feelings of inadequacy and misunderstanding, but the Scripture reminds us that our true identity is found by looking in the waters of our baptism. We are beloved children of God, blessed, chosen, adopted, redeemed, and marked with the Holy Spirit.

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Being Made Well and Whole: A Daughter Restored (Mark 5:21-43)
Sermon Jason Elder Sermon Jason Elder

Being Made Well and Whole: A Daughter Restored (Mark 5:21-43)

In Mark 5:21-43, we witness profound acts of restoration: Jairus' daughter and a woman healed. It's more than a story; it's a feast of God's grace and restoration. This passage is also 1 of 5 Markan Sandwiches, which is a storytelling technique akin to framing, whereby one story is interrupted and interpreted by another.

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God Sees and Blesses Hagar
devotional Jason Elder devotional Jason Elder

God Sees and Blesses Hagar

God shows tenderness, love, and generosity to Hagar, the very things Abraham and Sarah would not. This story is a reminder that "Me Too," has always been. How did Hagar and Ishmael survive in the wilderness? They are regarded Hagar regarded as beloved in the eyes of God.

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The Beautiful Budding Faith of Nicodemus
sermons Jason Elder sermons Jason Elder

The Beautiful Budding Faith of Nicodemus

Nicodemus in the Bible (John 3:16) teaches us there are many ways to love God. We can ask questions, advocate for fairness, and give others dignity. Doubts are not disqualifiers. He brought his questions to his teacher and we can bring our questions to Christ.

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Thirsting for God and Deep, Deep Love
Sermons Jason Elder Sermons Jason Elder

Thirsting for God and Deep, Deep Love

In John 4, Jesus meets the Samaritan Woma, or the Woman at the Well. He talks to her and opens her eyes to the kind grace of God. We all have a well inside of us. It is there we meet the God of love and where our thirst for meaning and purpose is quenched.

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