This week we welcome Tim Anderson to the pulpit as our guest preacher. Tim served as the pastor of ICP from 1996-2001 after several years of missionary work in Central Europe. Since then he has served as the pastor of Calvary Chapel Burbank in Southern California. We are glad to have Tim and Laura back with us!
Acts - What Does this Mean?
Acts 2
The Holy Spirit arrived on the day of Pentecost in a powerful way, leaving the people there amazed and asking the question "What does this mean?". By pouring out his Spirit in this way, God was not only giving his followers the gift of his power and presence, but he was creating a new community of people, one whose life together was (and still is) centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Acts - Where Did He Go?
Acts 1:1-14
This week we begin our sermon series in the book of Acts which will carry us through the summer. The sequel to Luke's gospel, Acts recounts the birth and spread of the early church as the gospel begins to spread "to the ends of the earth." What we'll see is that this is the continuing work of Jesus Christ through the power of his Holy Spirit. We begin with a look at Jesus' ascension, and consider how it is a source of great encouragement in our life of faith.
The Supremacy of Christ
Colossians 1:9-20
Before we begin our series in Acts next week, we're taking a break from Luke's writings to look at a passage from the Apostle Paul considering the cosmic significance of Jesus Christ and his supremacy over all things, and how we are called to live in response to Him.
Luke - Can I Get a Witness?
Luke 24:36-53
This week we come to the conclusion of Luke's gospel as the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples again and gives them a new role - to be his "witnesses". This is a role his followers are still called to play.
The Gospel Comes to Europe
Acts 16:11-15, 40
This Sunday our guest preacher is Simon Marshall, International Director of European Christian Mission International. Simon and his family were part of ICP for several years when they lived in Prague and he is the brother of current elder Trevor Marshall. We look forward to him sharing God's word with us this week.
Unmet Expectations
Luke 24:13-35
When the Risen Christ met two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus on the first Easter they did not recognize him. They were downcast because their expectations for Jesus and what he would do had not been met. This is true for many of us in life. There is often a disconnect between what we think God should do for us and what he actually does. Yet as Jesus reminds these men, God fulfills what he has promised, and in Christ has given us all that we need.
A Skeptic Believes
John 20:19-31
Sometimes when our trust in Christ is tested, we are tempted to think, “if only God would ___, then I could trust him.” In Thomas’ encounter with the risen Lord Jesus, he learned that he didn’t really need what he thought he needed. And this story helps us see what we really need to move from unbelief to belief in Jesus – not only to receive forgiveness and everlasting life, but also to continue to trust him, and to help others come to faith in Christ.
Luke - The Best Day
Luke 23:13-49
The resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after he was crucified, is the event that that gives us our eternal hope. It tells us that sin and death, both so prevalent in this life, do not have the final say, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ does. It is the best day!
Luke - Christ Crucified
Luke 23:13-49
This Sunday we'll be looking at Luke's passion narrative. Jesus's death on the cross is what his life and ministry have been building to, and it is the ultimate example of God's faithfulness to us. As Jesus takes our sin upon himself, he fullfills his mission "to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).
Luke - Jesus on Trial
Luke 22:66-23:25
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he shared a meal with his disciples. It was a meal rich with symbolism and significance, pointing to God's saving work in Israel's past. Jesus also used it to point to the saving work God was about to do through him. We still take part in this meal today in remembrance of him. This Sunday we'll look at the significance of this sacrament, how we might approach the table, and how God uses it to strengthen our faith.
Luke - Meals to Remember
Luke 22:1-23
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he shared a meal with his disciples. It was a meal rich with symbolism and significance, pointing to God's saving work in Israel's past. Jesus also used it to point to the saving work God was about to do through him. We still take part in this meal today in remembrance of him. This Sunday we'll look at the significance of this sacrament, how we might approach the table, and how God uses it to strengthen our faith.
Luke - Today Salvation has come to this House
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus's encounter with Zaccheus is another well known story unique to Luke, and it brings together several different themes that run through this gospel. There were many barriers to God in Zaccheus's life, but Jesus calls him by name and declares that salvation has come to this house this very day.
Luke - Lost and Found
Luke 15
One of the most well-known of Jesus parables, there is something for everyone in the story of the prodigal son. At the heart of Jesus's teachings here is the heart of our loving Father for his lost children, you and me included.
Luke - What Are You Worried About?
Luke 12:13-34
One of the themes that comes up regularly in Luke's Gospel is wealth and what we are to do with it. In this parable unique to Luke's gospel, Jesus warns his listeners against the temptations of greed and the futility of chasing material wealth in this life. Instead, he reminds his disciples of God's great love and generosity, and to put their trust in his provision instead.
Luke - Who is my Neighbor?
Luke 10:25-37
The first part of Luke's gospel spends a lot of time exploring the questions "Who is Jesus?" and "What did he come to do?". Luke chapter 9 serves as a point of transition in Jesus' ministry as he begins to move toward Jerusalem and the cross. But as he does he confronts us with the question we each have to answer for ourselves - "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?".
Luke - Jesus Revealed
Luke 9:18-22, 28-36
The first part of Luke's gospel spends a lot of time exploring the questions "Who is Jesus?" and "What did he come to do?". Luke chapter 9 serves as a point of transition in Jesus' ministry as he begins to move toward Jerusalem and the cross. But as he does he confronts us with the question we each have to answer for ourselves - "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?".
Service Standard
Mark 6:30-44
The feeding of the 5,000 is the only one of Jesus' many miracles that is recorded in all 4 Gospels. This week, we will take a very different look at the narrative. We will not focus on the miracle, nor the boy who offered the loaves and fish. Instead, we will delve into how Jesus uses the situation to teach the disciples a lesson about the service standard he expects of them. This same service standard he expects of us also.
Luke - Ethics of the Kingdom
Luke 6:17-49
In Luke 6 Jesus delivers his 'Sermon on the Plain' where he gives much of his ethical teaching in this gospel. Jesus describes for his listeners some of what it looks like to be his disciple. Not surprisingly, much of what he says runs counter to what his audience would have expected (and what we might want to hear), leaving us with the challenge to love others in the same way God has loved us in Christ.
Luke - Let Down Your Nets
Luke 5:1-11
As Jesus embarks on his formal ministry in, he quickly gains a following by people drawn to his teaching and miraculous healings and works. In this passage Jesus begins to call his first disciples and we see how their encounter with him, experiencing both his mighty power and gracious provision, changed the purpose and direction of their lives.