Graceful Christianity by Dr. Kevin Thomas

Religious rules push people away from God. Too often, the church, like the Pharisees before us, tie up heavy loads on our people which they can't possibly carry. Christ came with a different plan. Click to listen as we consider how Christ sets us free from the burdens of religion.

When people united at Babel without God's help, God said that they could accomplish ANYTHING. Imagine how much good the church could accomplish if we united WITH God's help. It's Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit unite us in love and service for one another and the world around us!

Sometimes, our religion prevents us from truly loving God and others. Religion can be a barrier to true faith. It was for Paul. It was for me. Let's allow the resurrected Christ to lead us beyond our religion to something so much better!

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that we might all be one so that the world will know that the Father sent Him! When we break barriers, the world sees the light of Christ. When we build walls, we crucify Christ.  Today's message invites us to join the Apostle Peter in breaking barriers that ALL might experience the all-encompassing love of Christ.

There's a lot of talk about orthodoxy lately, but is right belief really enough? It's not allegiance to the creeds that saves us but something much more fundamental. In this message, I share the heart of Christianity.

The resurrection changes everything, or it changes nothing. For those who believe, the resurrection invites is into a lifelong transformation into the image of Christ.

Whose kingdom are we building? How will we use our power and influence? Who gets the glory? These three questions will shape our Christian lives. Let's talk about them.

Why would God ever lead us into temptation? What's the point in asking God not to do what God would never do? Maybe there's more meaning in this words than we first thought. Let's talk about it.

Today's message reminds us of our calling to feed a world where too many people are starving. That hunger certainly includes the need for physical food, but it also extends to spiritual food. These few words of the The Lord's Prayer become transformational when we move from reciting them to living them.

What does it mean to pray to OUR Father? Where is God? What does it mean to hallow God's name? We'll address all these questions in this first of a 6 sermon series on "The Lord's Prayer."

We've all done things we'd like to forget. We've said things that we regret. We've hurt people, and we can't find a way to fix it. That guilt can destroy, but it doesn't have to have the last word. Today's message offers hope to all of us who are guilty. There is Good News after screwing up!

Jesus took three friends up on a mountain where he was changed. If He was already perfect why did He need to change? Why do we need to change? What does that change look like? Let's talk about it.

God designed the beautiful diversity of creation to live in harmony. Sadly, our failure to love has distorted God's image in one another and in the world around us. Jesus came to restore order, to tear down unjust systems, and to liberate the oppressed. Today, I'll offer three concrete ways we can join Jesus in that holy work.

Shallow faith tries to keep Jesus out of the private parts of our lives like work and relationships. Shallow faith attempts to lock Jesus inside buildings where we can visit Him on Sunday mornings. We were built for better. Jesus is calling us out of the shallows. It time to go deeper. 

Technology has become an integral, almost necessary, part of our lives. Our cell phones have invaded every area of our lives, and they're here to stay. Today's message is not anti-technology. (I just recorded it on a computer, and some of you will listen on a phone!) Rather, let's talk about healthy relationships with technology and one another.

Money is either a tool or a trap. Depending on our relationship with it, we are either its slave or its master. In this message we will consider some basic principles that will help to set us free.

For too long, the church has claimed that a marriage license is the key to making intimacy holy. That model is broken. It's time for the church to offer honest, healthy guidance for our intimate lives. Let's start the conversation!

Most people feel separated from God at some point in their lives. Some feel it's impossible to find a way back. The promise of today's message is the Christ provides a way home.