Fruitland Covenant Church
Fruitland Covenant Church
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Lift Your Head in Hope
As we embark on the season of Advent, we're invited to reflect deeply on its profound themes and spiritual insights. We began with a curious juxtaposition of socks, Lego Spider-Man, tea, Himalayan dog chews, and fishing lures. While they seem unrelated, they all symbolize how our culture can shape our perceptions of this sacred time. Advent calendars of every kind show up, encouraging a focus on material accumulation. Yet the true essence of Advent lies in preparation, expectation, and reflection on both the first and second comings of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, serves as a poignant reminder that amidst chaos and uncertainty, our focus should be on hope. Just as the story of the solitary figure outside the White House with a candle tells us, these practices do more than merely attempt to change the world-they keep us anchored in faith. During Advent, we reconnect with themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, grounding ourselves in the knowledge that Jesus brings redemption and renewal. In doing so, we resist the temptation to be overwhelmed by life's troubles and instead, remember to lift our heads in hope, assured that our Redeemer is near.
How do the seemingly unrelated Advent calendar items mentioned in the sermon reflect our culture's approach to Christmas, and how might this distract us from the true meaning of Advent?
In what ways can we, like the pastor with the candle, engage in practices that prevent the world from changing us rather than trying to change the world?
How does Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the temple challenge our assumptions about permanence and security in our own lives?
What does it mean to 'lift up your heads' in times of distress, as Jesus instructs, and how can we practically apply this in our daily lives?
How does Bonhoeffer's analogy of trapped miners hearing rescuers approach relate to our understanding of hope in Christ's return?
In what areas of your life do you find yourself putting hope in things other than God, and how can you redirect that hope?
How does the reminder that Jesus experienced human suffering change our perspective on our own struggles?
What practices or rituals can we incorporate into our lives to keep our focus on the true meaning of Advent and Christmas?
How can we be 'people of hope' in a world that often seems hopeless, and what does it look like to share that hope with others?
In what ways does the certainty of Christ's return impact how we live our daily lives and face uncertainties?
มุมมอง: 13

วีดีโอ

Change of Heart - A Sermon on Deuteronomy 30:6
มุมมอง 38หลายเดือนก่อน
As we conclude our journey through the Torah, we're reminded of the profound truth that rules alone cannot change our hearts. The book of Deuteronomy, with its retelling of God's laws, serves as a powerful illustration of humanity's need for divine intervention. Moses' seemingly discouraging speech actually points to a greater hope - God's promise to circumcise our hearts. This spiritual circum...
Listen! Deuteronomy 6:4-9
มุมมอง 16หลายเดือนก่อน
In this message, we're reminded of the fundamental importance of loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength. The sermon delves into Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the famous 'Shema' prayer, which Jesus later cited as the greatest commandment. We're challenged to consider what it truly means to love God with everything we have. It's not just about feelings, but about action and obedience - a response...
A Matter of Trust
มุมมอง 17หลายเดือนก่อน
In this exploration of faith and trust, we delve into the book of Numbers and the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. The central story revolves around the spies sent to scout the land and the subsequent rebellion of the people. This narrative serves as a mirror to our own struggles with fear and doubt. We're challenged to consider: Do we truly believe God's intentions for us are good, ev...
Clean and Unclean - Sermon on Leviticus
มุมมอง 28หลายเดือนก่อน
In this exploration of Leviticus, we're invited to reconsider our understanding of holiness and its relevance in our daily lives. The central theme revolves around God's call for His people to be set apart - not for isolation, but for the purpose of reflecting His goodness to the world. We delve into the intricacies of ritual purity and moral purity, understanding that these ancient laws were d...
Unfaithful Family and a Faithful God
มุมมอง 142 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this powerful exploration of God's faithfulness, we delve into the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from the book of Genesis. These narratives reveal a profound truth: God's promises endure despite human flaws and failures. We see how God chose a family line, beginning with Abraham, to bring about His plan of redemption for the world. Despite numerous obstacles - including famine, decept...
Good and Evil
มุมมอง 222 หลายเดือนก่อน
Good and Evil
End Credits: Revelation 22:6-21
มุมมอง 93 หลายเดือนก่อน
As we conclude our journey through the book of Revelation, we're reminded that this powerful text is not just a script for the future, but a guide for our present lives. The central message calls us to keep our focus on Jesus, the Lamb who was slain. We're challenged to examine where we place our worship and allegiance. Are we inadvertently bowing down to false idols - even good things like suc...
The Garden City - Revelation 21
มุมมอง 133 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this exploration of Revelation 21 and 22, we're invited to contemplate the awe-inspiring vision of the new heaven and new earth. The central message revolves around God's ultimate plan to dwell among His people, fulfilling the promise echoed throughout Scripture: 'I will be their God, and they will be my people.' We're challenged to see beyond the vivid imagery of a radiant city, flowing riv...
The New Heavens and the New Earth; Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-5
มุมมอง 253 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this powerful exploration of Revelation 21, we're invited to contemplate the awe-inspiring concept of a new heaven and a new earth. This isn't just about an escape from our current world, but a profound transformation of all creation. The imagery of no more sea, tears, or death paints a picture of a reality free from chaos and suffering. As we delve into this vision, we're reminded that our ...
The Books and The Throne, Revelation 20:7-15
มุมมอง 124 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this exploration of Revelation 20, we delve into the profound imagery of God's final judgment. We're reminded that our actions have eternal consequences, yet our salvation hinges on our relationship with Jesus. The vivid symbolism of books being opened represents the permanence of our deeds, both good and bad. However, the most crucial book is the Lamb's Book of Life. This powerful metaphor ...
The Millennium; Revelation 20:1-6
มุมมอง 114 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this exploration of Revelation 20:1-6, we delve into the concept of the 'millennium' and its various interpretations. The key message is that regardless of how we understand these verses, our focus should remain on Jesus Christ. We're reminded that the future is in God's hands, not ours or the devil's. The passage contrasts the temporary power of the beast with the eternal reign of Christ an...
The White Rider; Revelation 19:1-21
มุมมอง 94 หลายเดือนก่อน
In this profound exploration of Revelation 19, we're reminded of the ultimate victory of God over evil. The chapter paints a vivid picture of the rejoicing in heaven, with repeated cries of 'Hallelujah!' as Babylon falls and God's justice prevails. We're then introduced to the wedding supper of the Lamb, a beautiful metaphor for Christ's union with His church. This imagery shifts to a powerful ...
Trust in the Lord
มุมมอง 84 หลายเดือนก่อน
Sermon for 75th Anniversary on 8/11/24 As we reflect on 75 years of our church's history, we're reminded that there's often more to the story than we realize. The journey of faith is full of surprises, just like the discovery of the Fruitland Mission Society's early beginnings. This teaches us to appreciate the layers of our spiritual heritage and the continuous work of God through generations....
The Nature of Babylon
มุมมอง 2684 หลายเดือนก่อน
Revelation 18 In this powerful exploration of Revelation 18, we're called to examine our hearts and 'come out of Babylon.' The imagery of Monte Testaccio in Rome and the clothing waste in Chile's Atacama Desert vividly illustrate the excesses of our modern world. We're challenged to recognize the 'Babylon' in our lives - the arrogance, opulence, and economic exploitation that can seduce us away...
Babylon the Great?
มุมมอง 85 หลายเดือนก่อน
Babylon the Great?
Dusty Discipleship
มุมมอง 45 หลายเดือนก่อน
Dusty Discipleship
The Bowls - Revelation 16:1-21
มุมมอง 75 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Bowls - Revelation 16:1-21
The Choice
มุมมอง 185 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Choice
The Beasts of Revelation 13
มุมมอง 166 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Beasts of Revelation 13
The woman, the child, and the dragon
มุมมอง 266 หลายเดือนก่อน
The woman, the child, and the dragon
The Witnesses
มุมมอง 156 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Witnesses
Sweet and Bitter
มุมมอง 146 หลายเดือนก่อน
Sweet and Bitter
Seals and Sealed
มุมมอง 277 หลายเดือนก่อน
Seals and Sealed
The Slain Lamb on the Throne
มุมมอง 67 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Slain Lamb on the Throne
The Throne: Visions of Eternity
มุมมอง 167 หลายเดือนก่อน
The Throne: Visions of Eternity
Wake Up to Spiritual Renewal: Sardis and Laodicea
มุมมอง 217 หลายเดือนก่อน
Wake Up to Spiritual Renewal: Sardis and Laodicea
Faithfulness and Fearlessness
มุมมอง 48 หลายเดือนก่อน
Faithfulness and Fearlessness
A Message to Ephesus, Pergamum and Thyatira
มุมมอง 98 หลายเดือนก่อน
A Message to Ephesus, Pergamum and Thyatira
Seeing Jesus
มุมมอง 208 หลายเดือนก่อน
Seeing Jesus