http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/podcast.xml Sermons from Community of Joy Lutheran Brethren Church en-us © 2007 Community of Joy Lutheran Brethren Church http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/5-4-08.mp3 In the world of sports, crunch-time is that critical moment when the outcome of a game hangs in the balance.  Spiritually speaking, crunch-time has to do with critical decisions and actions made in critical moments of suffering and testing.  Peter offers sound advice for times like these as he encourages us to humbly give God our cares, soberly resist the devil, and confidently stand in God's grace. Scripture passage from I Peter 5:5b-12. Sun, 4 May 2008 11:00:00 CST 9966 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-27-08.mp3 Fear is a powerful emotion, capable of distracting and immobilizing us.  In I Peter 3:13-17, writing to Christians beset by unjust suffering, Peter offers helpful instruction in facing down their fears: "Don't be afraid and don't worry" (v.14); view suffering as a "faith refiner" and then "in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord" (v.15).  Peter's counsel is every bit as applicable in our day. Scripture passage from 1 Peter 3:13-17. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:00:00 CST 9967 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-20-08.mp3 Christ is the cornerstone of a spiritual building and we are its "living stones."  As these living stones we are a people alive in Christ who have been chosen, changed, connected, and charged to make a difference in this world for God's glory and the extension of His kingdom. Scripture passage from I Peter 2:4-10. Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:00:00 CST 9968 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-13-08.mp3 Jesus cares about your heart. It is easy to see this as Jesus is quizzed by a man knowledgeable in the law. Jesus' response leave no questions about his authority while at the same time bringing up some important questions for our everyday life. Listen to this sermon by Greg Anderson of Inspiration Point Bible Camp to hear more. Scripture passage from Mark 12:28-34. Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:00:00 CST 9969 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-6-08.mp3 Two men, in despair over Jesus' recent death, while journeying from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, were suddenly joined by an anonymous traveler. Their mood changed from despondency to hope when they realized that this stranger was none other than the risen Christ Himself. Jesus was alive! Lives are transformed whenever the resurrected Christ shows up. Scripture passage from Luke 24:13-35. Sun, 6 Apr 2008 11:00:00 CST 9970 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-30-08.mp3 The resurrection of Jesus was the lynch pin of the Gospel, giving the early church something to talk about.  But it didn't stop there.  We too are commissioned to take the truth of Jesus' resurrection and the liberating message of forgiveness to a world that so desperately needs it.  We go not in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture Passage from John 20:19-31. Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:00:00 CST 9971 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-23-08.mp3 Everyone lives according to a "reality map" that shapes their beliefs, behaviors, and bottom-line priorities. The resurrection of Jesus Christ radically changed the reality map for his closest followers from disappointed and defeated disciples after His death, to purposeful and powerful protagonists of the gospel after His resurrection.  Listen to what the "new reality" of the resurrection can mean for you today. Luke 24:1-12 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:00:00 CST 9972 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-16-08.mp3 On Palm Sunday, we worship Christ as King.  A woman from Bethany demonstrated her extravagant devotion to Christ as she broke open a vial of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus' head.  Her devotion was personal, sacrificial, and part of her legacy that will always be remembered.  Such love could only come from Christ, who loved her first.  May we respond to Christ's love in the same way. Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:00:00 CST 9973 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-9-08.mp3 How the Holy Spirit gives us assurance of eternal life through living in us, enabling us to live holy lives and testifying that we are God's children. Sun, 9 Mar 2008 11:00:00 CST 9974 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-24-08.mp3 We all have problems but we need to relate our battles to THE battle. In our prayers we need to strike a blow for the larger cause of Christ by praying for others. Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:00:00 CST 9976 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-17-08.mp3 Part of learning to stand firm in the face of Satan's tactics is learning to use the "Sword of the Spirit," which is the word of God, as a weapon of spiritual warfare.  Sometimes our best defense is a good offense. - Ephesians 6:17b Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:00:00 CST 9977 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-10-08.mp3 The helmet of salvation protects our minds from the discouragement Satan uses to bring us down. With our minds anchored in the objective truth of Christ's finished work and not the ups and downs of our feelings, we can stand firm in the face of the enemy. - Ephesians 6:17a Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:00:00 CST 9978 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-3-08.mp3 In the battle against Satan we need each other. With our shields locked together, we can overcome anything he throws our way. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." - 1 John 5:4 Sun, 3 Feb 2008 11:00:00 CST 9979 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/1-27-08.mp3 Like a buoy at sea that remains afloat though buffeted by waves, a Christian maintains his sure footing, or readiness for battle, by applying "the gospel of peace," which is the recognition of the completeness of our position in Christ and our standing in Him. Ephesians 6:15 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:00:00 CST 9980 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/1-13-08.mp3 Satan attacks us by attempting to divide our loyalties and affections, and thus destroying our integrity.  In order to stand firm, we must put on the belt of truth, learning to think the truth and live the truth of God's Word in our daily lives. - Ephesians 6:14a Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:00:00 CST 9981 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/1-6-08.mp3 Have you ever had a day when everything seems to go wrong?  Maybe there's something more than Murphy's Law at work. In his letter to Ephesians, the Apostle Paul introduces the concept of spiritual warfare to his readers, urging them to take a stand against "the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."  Listen to this introductory message of a sermon series entitled "How to Stand Firm in the Face of the Enemy." - Ephesians 6:10-13 Sun, 6 Jan 2008 11:00:00 CST 9982 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-30-07.mp3 There is a downside to the Christmas story embodied in the life example of King Herod and his "slaughter of the innocents."  There are self-centered tyrants in our world as well, in our homes, workplaces, even in our churches.  Things could have been different for Herod had he worshiped the Christ child like the wisemen who looked to the star.  Things can be different in our day for those who will look to Jesus and worship Him by faith, turning the downside of Christmas right-side-up. Matthew 2:1-3, 7-14, 16 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:00:00 CST 9983 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-24-07.mp3 A candlelight service meditation on Christmas Eve Night. Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:00:00 CST 9984 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-23-07.mp3 Christmas tells us that Jesus came to our rescue, but the unwelcome reality in this is that we need rescuing.  The world applauds the strong and the powerful, but the Bible teaches that true empowerment belongs to the vulnerable, to those who understand their own desperate plight.  Our loving rescuer has come in the person of God's Son, "Immanuel, which means "God, with us."  Will we receive the rescue He offers? – Matthew 1:18-25 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:00:00 CST 9985 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-16-07.mp3 The message of Christ's birth was "good news of great joy." It was God's joy to send His Son into the world to fulfill His salvation plan. Furthermore, this good news was "for all the people," demonstrating God's heart for the nations. In the coming of Christ, God identified with us when we were unable, even unwilling, to identify with Him. God went to great lengths to bring us this joy. Praise His Name! Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:00:00 CST 9986 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-9-07.mp3 World peace sounds like a pipe dream in a world filled with "wars and rumors of war."  Yet, the prophet Isaiah saw a future kingdom of peace in which a righteous "Branch" shall rule and "the wolf shall dwell with the lamb," and "the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, ...."  How then shall we live as we await this extraordinary time? Sun, 9 Dec 2007 11:00:00 CST 9987 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-2-07.mp3 Someone has said, "People can live for weeks without food, days without water, and minutes without air; but only seconds without hope."  Hope is the glad expectation of good things to come based on the promise of a coming Messiah.  Ancient Israel faced adversity and so do we.  Advent is a season to rekindle our hope. Sun, 2 Dec 2007 11:00:00 CST 9988 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/11-25-07.mp3 The Christian life is certainly no bed of roses.  It's like paddling upstream in a downstream world.   Fortunately, God doesn't abandon us when we meet with resistance or even opposition.  With His help we can stand up when we feel put down.  "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:00:00 CST 9989 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/11-18-07.mp3 Peace is at the top of God's agenda for the world.  There's only one problem - the world we live in operates under a different definition of peace than God does.  Peace is not just "the absence of conflict" or a "temporary cease-fire" but God's lasting peace, made possible because God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.  As Christ followers, we are called to be peacemakers.  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:00:00 CST 9990 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/11-4-07.mp3 When life renders us wounded and vulnerable at the hands of another, especially someone close, there's a choice to make - hide behind an impenetrable wall of fear and self-protection, or forgive in Christ's name and find the freedom to live and love again. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). Sun, 4 Nov 2007 11:00:00 CST 9991 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/10-28-07.mp3 The human experience is marked by a restless yearning.  It's an inner hunger for meaning that craves fulfillment.  How do we fill the emptiness inside? Jesus said in Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be filled."  Righteousness refers first to a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ; and then right relationships with others, as we love and honor the people God places in our lives. Sun, 28 Oct 2007 11:00:00 CST 9992 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/10-21-07.mp3 As a culture we're achievement oriented and obsessed with winning. "Get ahead and stay ahead" is the mantra of many. We applaud and even revere those who come out on top. But has the "come out on top" crowd really cornered the market on happiness? Jesus teaches meekness. Only those who bow low before God can truly and lastingly hold their heads high. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:00:00 CST 9993 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/10-14-07.mp3 Is your heart broken by those things which break the heart of God? How deep is your awareness that things aren't what they're supposed to be? Chances are you know the pain of sorrow at some level. You know what it means to mourn. But the good news is that you can make sorrow your servant as you experience the comfort of Christ. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" Matthew 5:4. Sun, 14 Oct 2007 11:00:00 CST 9994 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/10-7-07.mp3 Is it success at any price? We weren't made to be on center stage of our own lives. When we as humans proudly step into God's shoes, we'll soon discover it's a bad fit. But thank God for His forgiveness! "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:3. Sun, 7 Oct 2007 11:00:00 CST 9995 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/9-30-07.mp3 Sermon from 9-30-07 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CST 9996 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/9-23-07.mp3 Sermon from 9-23-07 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CST 9997 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/9-16-07.mp3 Sermon from 9-16-07 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CST 9998 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/9-9-07.mp3 Sermon from 9-9-07 Sun, 9 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CST 9999 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/9-2-07.mp3 Sermon from 9-2-07 Sun, 2 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CST 10000 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/8-26-07.mp3 Sermon from 8-26-07 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CST 10001 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/8-19-07.mp3 Sermon from 8-19-07 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CST 10002 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/8-12-07.mp3 Sermon from 8-12-07 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CST 10003 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/8-5-07.mp3 Dan Brue: Trust Sun, 5 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CST 10004 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/7-29-07.mp3 Faithfulness: Going the Distance Sun, 29 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CST 10005 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/7-22-07.mp3 Goodness: Marching To A Different Drum Beat Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CST 10006 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/7-15-07.mp3 Kindness: Reaching Out to Others Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CST 10007 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/7-8-07.mp3 Patience: Refusing the Rush to Justice Sun, 8 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CST 10008 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/7-1-07.mp3 One Nation Under God Sun, 1 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CST 10009 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/6-24-07.mp3 Peace: Experiencing A Well-Ordered Life Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CST 10010 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/6-17-07.mp3 Joy: Overcoming Our Circumstances Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CST 10011 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/6-10-07.mp3 Love: Building Healthy Relationships Sun, 10 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CST 10012 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/6-3-07.mp3 Life in the Spirit Sun, 3 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CST 10013 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/5-27-07.mp3 The Driving Force Sun, 27 May 2007 12:00:00 CST 10014 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/5-20-07.mp3 Abide and Abound Sun, 20 May 2007 12:00:00 CST 10015 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/5-13-07.mp3 How To Love Your Mother Sun, 13 May 2007 12:00:00 CST 10016 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-29-07.mp3 Getting Past Your Past Sun, 29 Apr 2007 12:00:00 CST 10017 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-22-07.mp3 Take the Plunge! Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:00:00 CST 10018 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-15-07.mp3 Dr. David Veum: The Toughest and Best Job in the World Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:00:00 CST 10019 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/4-1-07.mp3 When the Cheering Stopped Sun, 1 Apr 2007 12:00:00 CST 10020 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-25-07.mp3 Our Riches in Christ: The Ultimate Wealth Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:00:00 CST 10021 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-18-07.mp3 Sanctified In Christ: Set Apart & Changed Sun, 18 Mar 2007 12:00:00 CST 10022 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-11-07.mp3 Free in Christ: Charting a New Course Sun, 11 Mar 2007 12:00:00 CST 10023 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/3-4-07.mp3 Pardoned in Christ: Declared Debt Free Sun, 4 Mar 2007 12:00:00 CST 10024 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-25-07.mp3 What About Unanswered Prayer? Sun, 25 Feb 2007 12:00:00 CST 10025 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-18-07.mp3 How To Pray With Power Sun, 18 Feb 2007 12:00:00 CST 10026 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-11-07.mp3 How To Pray the Lord's Way Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:00:00 CST 10027 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/2-4-07.mp3 Touching Lives Through Prayer Sun, 4 Feb 2007 12:00:00 CST 10028 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/1-28-07.mp3 Praying With Humility Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:00:00 CST 10029 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/1-21-07.mp3 A Prayer Shaped Life Sun, 21 Jan 2007 12:00:00 CST 10030 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/1-14-07.mp3 Praying With Gratitude Sun, 14 Jan 2007 12:00:00 CST 10031 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/1-7-07.mp3 A Life-Changing Prayer Sun, 7 Jan 2007 12:00:00 CST 10032 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-31-06.mp3 Jesus, the Light of the World Sun, 31 Dec 2006 12:00:00 CST 10033 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-24-06.mp3 Things Are Not Always What They Seem Sun, 24 Dec 2006 12:00:00 CST 10034 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-10-06.mp3 We Are Not Forgotten! Sun, 10 Dec 2006 12:00:00 CST 10035 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/12-3-06.mp3 A Pastor's Advent Prayer Sun, 3 Dec 2006 12:00:00 CST 10036 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/11-19-06.mp3 The Facts About Forgiveness Sun, 19 Nov 2006 12:00:00 CST 10037 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/11-12-06.mp3 Dr. Gaylan Mathiesen: The Missional Church Sun, 12 Nov 2006 12:00:00 CST 10038 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/11-5-06.mp3 What's Right with the Church? Sun, 5 Nov 2006 12:00:00 CST 10039 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/9-24-06.mp3 God the Father: Powerful, But Personal Sun, 24 Sep 2006 12:00:00 CST 10040 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/9-3-06.mp3 Sermon for 9-3-06 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 12:00:00 CST 10041 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/8-27-06.mp3 Sermon for 8-27-06 Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:00:00 CST 10042 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/8-20-06.mp3 Sermon for 8-20-06 Sun, 20 Aug 2006 12:00:00 CST 10043 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/8-6-06.mp3 Sermon for 8-6-06 Sun, 6 Aug 2006 12:00:00 CST 10044 http://www.cojlbc.org/sermons/7-30-06.mp3 Sermon for 7-30-06 Sun, 30 Jul 2006 12:00:00 CST 10045