Special Days

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At Christmas, we usually focus on the story of Mary’s miraculous baby. But there is another miraculous birth story as well – that of Mary’s elderly relative Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Pastor Ryan talks about how the two of them came together for mutual support in this tumultuous time.

Luke 1:39-56 (NLT) ; 路 加 福 音 1:39-56 (CUVS)

“Mary and Elizabeth” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also read Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by 𝔥𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔞𝔯𝔶 𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔩𝔱𝔞 on Unsplash

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Once Jesus was born and the good news was announced, life went back to normal. People had to wait 30 more years to find out what Jesus’ birth meant. Before that, people had waited hundreds of years for him to come. Now, we have waited almost 2000 years for Jesus to come again, and we are still waiting. What is all that waiting for?

Isaiah 11:1-10 (NLT) ; 以 賽 亞 書 11:1-10 (CUVS)
Matthew 3:1-12 (NLT) ; 馬 太 福 音 3:1-12 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also read Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by sol on Unsplash

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Advent is a season of waiting for Jesus to come. Not to come as a baby, because He already did that. We are reminded to wait and be ready for when He comes again.

“Waiting…” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Isaiah 2:1-5 (NLT) ; 以 賽 亞 書 2:1-5 (CUVS)
Matthew 24:36-44 (NLT) ; 馬 太 福 音 24:36-44 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also read Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Aleksandra Sapozhnikova on Unsplash

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entrance to a rock cave with a round stone rolled partway across the entrance. The cave is all dark inside.

On Easter morning, some women went to the Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body for burial. They worried about how they would get to him past the stone that blocked the entrance. That day, angels came and rolled away the stone. What are the stones in our lives that keep us from Jesus? And who will roll them away?

“Who Will Roll the Stone Away?” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Mark 16:1-8 (NLT) ; 馬 可 福 音 16:1-8 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Fr. Daniel Ciucci on Unsplash

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We all know the story of Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. But what were the praises really about?

“Through the Lens of Hosanna” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (NLT) ; 詩 篇 118:1-2,19-29 (CUVS)
Luke 19:28-40 (NLT) ; 路 加 福 音 19:28-40 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Zach Lucero on Unsplash

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 Jesus taught by his words and actions that giving to the poor and needy was of top importance. Yet, when Mary poured a whole jar of super-expensive perfume on his feet in a most unseemly display of outlandish love and gratitude, and Judas objected on the grounds that the money could have been given to the poor, Jesus defended her. How are we to understand this seeming contradiction?

“Jesus First”, by Pastor Ryan Emmons

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

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Self Control is the last part of the fruit of the spirit, and the only one that is not part of God’s character. God does not need self control because He is not tempted to do things he shouldn’t. Still, self control grows in us through the work of the Holy Spirit.

“Being Fruitful: Self Control”, by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) ; 加 拉 太 書 5:22-23 (CUVS)
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT) ; 彼 得 前 書 3:15-16 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Jordi Zamora on Unsplash

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God is gentle as our good shepherd. Jesus too. Pastor Ryan gives examples of both and talks about how we can show this trait in our interactions with others.

“Being Fruitful: Gentleness” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) ; 加 拉 太 書 5:22-23 (CUVS)
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT) ; 彼 得 前 書 3:15-16 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

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picture of a man walking through woods with his dog. The forest floor is covered in purple and gold flowers illuminated by sunshine, with long shadows.

God is faithful to his people and to his promises. We are also called to “a long obedience in the same direction”. What does this look like?

“Being Fruitful: Faithfulness” by Pastor Ryan Emmons

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) ; 加 拉 太 書 5:22-23 (CUVS)
Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT) ; 馬 太 福 音 25:14-30 (CUVS)
Lamentations 3:22-27 (NLT) ; 耶 利 米 哀 歌 3:22-27 (CUVS)

You can set up a real-time transcript when you listen on your device. You can also download Pastor Ryan’s sermon notes (not a transcript).

Photo by Benjamin Wedemeyer on Unsplash