Week 1 of the sermon series on world religions. You can watch the video for the sermon as well as the video for the weekly devotional.

Week one Sermon on respecting other faiths
Respecting other faiths master handout
Week1 Respecting other Faiths Handout

Weekly Devotional on Respecting other faiths
Week One Devotional

God who wants to crash into our squalid existence and be a part of our lives.  This God has marked us and our humanity as holy.  We are not repenting of being human, but of using our greatness for destruction, and of suppressing the greatness of others.  Our squalid condition is a result of what we have done to ourselves and our world, but it is not a reflection of who we are, and what we are created to be.  Jesus has come to restore us to the appropriate relationship with God, and to our rightful place.  Humanity is created to be great.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

“6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  7 his man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. …  19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”  21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

Preparing for the Lord Master Handout
Preparing for the Lord handout

Luke 1:26-38

“26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”  29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”  35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.  37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”  38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

Mary Handout Master
Mary Handout

January 22nd, Week 2: Ancient Religions

The search for God is as old as humanity. There are many ancient, dead religions, however, in which we can see echoes of many of the themes of our faith, and many tribal religions that have been unchanged for millennia.

January 29th, Week 3: Eastern Religions, Part 1

Some of the Eastern religions are the most ancient religions that are still in regular practice. Though many seem foreign to us in the West, their philosophical framework definitely informed our Western culture and faiths. This week, we will look at Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism.

February 5th, Week 4: Eastern Religions, Part 2

We continue our look at the ancient Eastern religions, including Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Shintoism

February 12th, Week 5: Middle Eastern Religions, Part 1

We believe that we are familiar with the religions of the Middle East, but we often interpret them through Western eyes. This leads to our use and abuse of the principles of these religions. This week, we will look at Judaism and early Christianity, which was considered a cult of Judaism.

February 19th, Week 6: Middle Eastern Religions, Part 2

Islam is demonized, disrespected and misunderstood by Western culture. We need to find a way to better relate to the nearly 1 billion people who call themselves Muslim.

February 26th, Week 7: Western Religions, Part 1

When did Christianity become a Western religion since its origin is from the Middle East? Unfortunately, Christianity’s identification with Western culture has transformed Christianity into a religion that would not be recognized by the founding fathers and mothers.

March 4th, Week 8: Western Religions, Part 2

Contemporary religions have grown up around the combination of various themes found in more ancient religions, including new ageism and spiritualism.

March 11th, Week 9: A Celebration of God’s Word

We celebrate the rich and vibrant contributions religion has made, and cull together what we have learned from others. One can still be Christian, yet still acknowledge the benefits one receives from learning from other people of faith.

Introduction:  Everyone of us has been born with talents, but when we are born anew into Jesus Christ, we receive a unique spiritual gift that is meant to be available to the church, used for the purpose of furthering the mission of Christ.

Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  2 As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.”  3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’”  4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.  6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.  8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

What are YOUR gifts?
I Corinthians 12:7-11:  Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous power, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation
I Corinthians 12:28-30: apostles, teachers, helpers, administrators
Ephesians 4: evangelists, pastors
Romans 12:7:  service, encouragement, giving, leadership, Mercy
I Peter 4:  hospitality, speaking.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit Master Handout

The Gift of the Holy Spirit handout

Mark 13:24-37

Jesus said… 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.  28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.  35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.  37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Hope Amidst Despair Master Handout

Hope Amidst Despair handout

“While ministering in Africa, I met a Christian worker who raised his 6 children on $10 a month. He told me the story of how children in his village were going blind because of a disease that could be prevented with medicine that only cost 50 cents. He began to pray and ask God to send a rich person to their village to help give the money for the medicine, but no one ever came. As he kept praying, the Lord told him he should give the money to buy the medicine. But with 6 children and only a $10 a month salary, he couldn’t see how he could do this. But he and his family prayed and decided that every month they would buy the medicine to help one child. When I last spoke with him, he’d been doing this for 7 years and had saved 84 children from going blind. And his family saw God meet all of their needs.”
Brian Kluth, author of the book, “40 Day Spiritual Journey to a more Generous Life”

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’  37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’  41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:  42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;  43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’  44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’  45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Generosity Master Handout

Generosity Handout

This lesson follows immediately after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus followed up the confession of Peter with his teaching to the disciples that the Messiah’s purpose was to die. This did not coincide with the well-established tenets of the Jewish faith and their biblical interpretation. Every previous Messiah (David, Josiah, Hezekiah) had been a military leader and political ruler. This Messiah, however, did not come to establish a kingdom and overthrow oppression through political force or through weapons of war. This Messiah came with only one weapon in his arsenal: love. Those who would follow this Messiah must not wield any other weapon.

Matthew 16:21-28
21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Take up a cross
Take up a cross handout