Matthew 16:21-26 "The Most Surprising Stranger"

Message: “The Most Surprising Stranger” Matthew 16:21-26

In this message we will be introduced to the most surprising stranger of all: Ourselves. The Fall not only damaged our relationship with God, but also our knowledge of self. The greatest deception was not Satan’s deception of Eve, but humanity’s self-deception. Spiritual growth is not possible without self-awareness. Knowing God and knowing ourselves go hand-in-hand.

Romans 6:1-11 "The Strangeness of the Church"

Message: The Strangeness of the Church, Romans 6:1-11

As we continue our series “Encountering the Stranger” today we look at the strangeness of the Church. We are truly the strange ones in this world. We follow a man who claims to come from heaven, died and was resurrected. We follow him in death through the symbolism of baptism and seek to live like he lived. We beckon others to ‘come and die’ with us, arguing that it is the only way to truly Live!

Luke 6:37-38 "Not Safeguarding Against the Stranger"

Message: Not Safeguarding Against the Stranger   Luke 6:37-38

As we continue the series “Encountering the Stranger” we come to the point where we accept our mandate as Christ followers not to ‘Safeguard against the Stranger’. Many of our judgments of others are motivated by fear. Fear builds walls that Christ desires to tear down. He makes this vividly clear in his call to not only love the stranger, but even our enemies.

Luke 7:36-50 "Learning from the Stranger"

Message: “Learning from the Stranger” Luke 7:36-50

Continuing the series “Encountering the Stranger” we arrive at this message of ‘Learning from the Stranger’. In this lesson we’ll look at how Jesus, considered an outsider by the religious leaders, was never truly received or heard by them. Because they did not truly receive the stranger and learn from him, they missed out on the fullness of God’s gift for their lives. We not only need to encounter the stranger, but a genuine encounter must open ourselves to learning from the stranger.