Archive for the ‘Small Groups’ Category
Sermon – Easter Sunday, by Rev. Ken Wratten
The Easter Promise This Easter Sunday message is a wrap-up of our sermon and study series on Fear. Jesus experienced fear. So did his disciples, and so did his followers after his ascension as they experienced the oppression of Rome and rejection by many fellow Jews. What does the Easter Event teach us about the Christian response to fear? What lesson is there here that applies to us here and now? Listen to or read this message, and share your thoughts.
Thank you for engaging in this on-line discussion during the last six weeks. It was fun to use our audio sermons in this way, and I enjoyed sharing some of the ideas I worked on in preparing my weekly sermons which were not incorporated into the final version of the sermons. Let me know if you would like to use this blog format again. Eastertide Blessings, Ken +
(*If you can’t access this audio link, please click here to download the audio file.)
Sermon – Palm Sunday, by Rev. Ken Wratten
Fear of Releasing Control This sermon covers the last kind of Fear we will cover in this preaching series. We learn in our faith formation that God is sovereign over all creation. But do we remember that, and do we incorporate it into the way we approach the the adversities we face in life? Our human nature limits the power of God to what we can predict and understand. Is your God too small? Have you placed Him in a box of your own making?
In what way have you limited God’s power in your life?
When you have given God more control of your life, have you seen it make a difference? How?
(*If you can’t access this audio link, please click here to download the audio file.)
Sermon – Lent 5, by Rev. Ken Wratten
Fear of Calamity We continue our exploration of the Christian response to many of the fears that we face in life. This week we look closely at the personal and global, physical, emotional, and spiritual, calamities of our life. This is the time to rally our faith, to call on the Holy Spirit who lives in us, and refuse to allow this brand of fear from robbing us of the joy of today because of what might happen tomorrow. In this sermon I present the case that everything – everything – that happens in your life has spiritual significance.
What example can you share of a personal calamity or adversity that led you to an important learning?
Fearless Week Two
Fear of Not Mattering: This source of fear can be as simple as making us think twice before we take on something new, when we give ourselves an internal pep talk, saying ‘You can do this.’ But this fear can also completely debilitate some people. Are you convinced that you will never do anything important, or do you feel you are incapable of any significant contribution to your family, your company, or your friends? In this grand scheme of God’s plan for humankind, do you think there is any room for you to play a part?
Please share some breakthrough thought that developed in the thinking of your small group this week (obviously honoring any confidentialities of your group). If you are not in a small group, listen to the sermon for Week Two, and then share your Comments on; your version of dressing like James Dean to earn significance, your own experience of realizing the high personal value that God holds for you. Ken +