Seaside Church Sermons & Media

1. Spend each moment wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16)2. Seek the Lord's will (Ephesians 5:17)3. Live by the Spirit in community (Ephesians 5:18-21)

The Sunday After Ascension Day [Year C]Lectionary Texts: 1 Samuel 12:19-21, Psalm 47, Revelation 22:10–21, John 17:20-26Sermon Text: Acts 18:1-17

ZOMBIE FAITH (dead, useless, foolish faith)-James: The Uselessness of Faith Without Works (James 2:14-26)-Paul: The Futility of Works Without Faith (Ephesians 2:1-10)LIFE-GIVING FAITH-Life-giving faith for anyone! [from Abraham ---> Rahab] -Life-giving faith (2:14-26) meets life-giving religion (1:27)  -Faith that gives life to the least, last, and lost. -Faith that gives life to our own lives.

Showing partiality contradicts faith in Jesus.-It contradicts the fact that God is a good judge & we are not (2:4-7)-It contradicts the royal law of love (2:8)Loving (all) our neighbors is consistent with faith in Jesus.-What is “agape" love? “seeking the well-being of others regardless of their response.”-Who are my neighbors? Anyone we come across, especially those in need. (Luke 10:30-37)-In loving our enemies: “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (2:13) 

The proverb at the heart of life-giving religion (1:19)-Slow to anger (20)-Slow to speak (26)-Quick to listen (21-25, 27)  -Listen to what? The word of life (Jesus) -What does quick to listen look like?  -Ongoing repentance -Active listening -Doing what Jesus says to do

Three Themes Throughout James:1. TRIALS & TEMPTATIONS-See them as opportunities for growth (1:2-4)-Keep the goal in mind (1:12)-Don’t blame God (1:13-15)-Trust in God’s goodness (1:16-18)2. WISDOM & SPEECH-Ask and trust God to give us the wisdom we need (1:5-8)3. POVERTY & WEALTH-Remember the withering nature of financial wealth. [1:10-11]-Celebrate the lasting nature of spiritual riches (available to all!) in Christ. [1:12]

Saul’s tragic response to God’s grace serves as a dual warning for us1. Saul is the type of leader we want but don’t need2. Following God in the way we want isn’t Godly

Our King Jesus...1. Meets us in our distress2. Remains faithful when we are not3. Uses weakness for God’s mighty work4. Does what God says, always5. Rescues and restores us completely6. Shares generously in the Spoils

God thwarts our belief that we are in control of the outcomes of life by:- allowing desperate situations- refusing to act as our assistant- intervening miraculouslyThings we can do about the desperate situations in front of us: - Understand they are normal- Cry out to God for help- Prepare ourselves with hopeful truth- Seek help from your communityThings we can do about our desire to control outcomes:- Be honest about our motivations- Acknowledge our limitations & God’s omnipotence- Trust in the goodness of GodHow to think about miraculous interventions:- Ask for and believe in God to perform miracles- Acknowledge God’s power over all things- Look for God to work in ways we didn’t expect

Note: Our video feed went out in the gathering, but we were able to capture sound and slides.

What does it look like to trust God’s plan when evil seems to be winning? Trust in God’s deliverance [1 Cor. 15:24-26]1. Grieve what God grieves [Ps. 139:19-24]2. Love what God loves [Matt. 5:43-48]3. Do what God says [1 Peter 3:8-12]

Listen is as we wrap up our brief summer 2025 Psalms Sermon Series by hearing from three Seasiders about how a particular Psalm has impacted them.