Sunday Sermon Synopsis for 3/29: Palm Sunday – Salvation By Faith – Phil. 3:8-9

The streets leading into the city and within were gorged with a mix of fervent devotees and curious hopefuls. Near-fanatical cheering and unrestrained palm-waving signaled this day as remarkably special. Could this reported miracle-worker and rabbi-extraordinaire be the one the nation of Israel had long awaited? Could he be the people’s Messiah? If the crowd was any indication what the popular opinion held, then there’s no question. But oh how quickly things can turn! Just five days later, some … [Read more…]

Sunday Sermon Synopsis for 3/22/15: “Salvation By Works – Phil. 3:1-7”

If I was to conduct a straw poll of the average person in America today and ask this question, “How does one enter Heaven someday?”, I believe I could chisel down the plethora of answers to virtually one. I suspect I’d hear such spiritual responses as, “I obey the 10 Commandments;” or “I’ve been baptized;” or“I’ve been confirmed;” or “I regularly go to church”. In addition, I suspect I’d also hear the more ethereal answer, “I’m … [Read more…]

Sunday Sermon Synopsis for 3/15/15: “Dying to Serve – Phil. 2:25-30″

Back on Sunday, January 18, 2015, Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang of Vietnam and his associate pastor were attacked by 5 men near the Bible college he had founded and still leads. The attack, though unprovoked,was especially vicious. A torrent of rocks and bricks pelted the two ministers until they collapsed. Even then, their attackers continued the assault, kicking and stomping them repeatedly. Pastor Quang suffered a … [Read more…]

Sunday Sermon Synopsis for 3/8/15: “It’s Not About You – Phil. 2:19-24”

When I was growing up and my dad would introduce me to others, he’d often say, “My son is one in a million. With those odds, how’d I  ever get stuck with him?”  We all knew he was jesting – I think/hope. No, I’m quite sure he was yanking my proverbial chain as he validated his true feelings of love and pride for me in a … [Read more…]

Sunday Sermon Synopsis for 3/1/15: “Pride and Joy – Phil. 2:16-18”

There are many things in life for which we can take great pride, which then spontaneously triggers an eruption of inner joy. Maybe we graduated from a university, Summa Cum Laude, or had our first article published in a popular magazine, or were voted in the  workplace as “Employee of the Year”. But those us … [Read more…]