Sermons
Hampton Presbyterian Church | 2942 E. Hardies Rd. | Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724.443.3201 | Fax: 724.443.8260
Email: hpcusa@hamptonpresbyterian.org | Web: www.hamptonpresbyterian.org
Phone: 724.443.3201 | Fax: 724.443.8260
Email: hpcusa@hamptonpresbyterian.org | Web: www.hamptonpresbyterian.org
March 14, 2010 - Ryan Pixton
Can't we all just get along? These now famous words underscore a strange predicament of the human condition - conflict and fighting seems to be inevitable. Even the church - which is supposed to be a community defined
by unity in Christ - has been marred by conflict over everything from belief to the color of the carpets. And yet we join our voice in singing songs like "In Christ There Is No East or West". This coming Sunday we'll continue our look at the book of 1 Corinthians by looking at 1 Corinthians 6 and the tricky question of lawsuits among believers. There is much in this passage that speaks to how we are to work with others who we disagree with in the church today.
Can't we all just get along? These now famous words underscore a strange predicament of the human condition - conflict and fighting seems to be inevitable. Even the church - which is supposed to be a community defined
by unity in Christ - has been marred by conflict over everything from belief to the color of the carpets. And yet we join our voice in singing songs like "In Christ There Is No East or West". This coming Sunday we'll continue our look at the book of 1 Corinthians by looking at 1 Corinthians 6 and the tricky question of lawsuits among believers. There is much in this passage that speaks to how we are to work with others who we disagree with in the church today.
March 7, 2010 - Rev. Ted Martin
I Corinthians 3:10-23. This passage frames our initial study on the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. After we have taken our jaunt through major theological concepts and explored the life of Old Testament
and New Testament characters as well as study some of the key parables of Jesus, we begin our examination of the practical aspect of being the church. And what better way, than to look at a well documented church of the 1st
century. It's funny as one reads through the letters to the Corinthian church, one will quickly see that "there is nothing new under the sun" (from Ecclesiastes). The issues that faced the church then are some of the same
issues the church struggles with today. Boy, that can be a bit disheartening. Alas, it is the quirky nature of humans that even Thoreau lamented. As we continue our voyage through Lent and begin this study on the church, ask yourself this question, "What am I bringing to the table of our Lord Jesus Christ that is of benefit for the body?" and then ask this question, "Where are my pitfalls that distract me from worshipping God?"
I Corinthians 3:10-23. This passage frames our initial study on the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. After we have taken our jaunt through major theological concepts and explored the life of Old Testament
and New Testament characters as well as study some of the key parables of Jesus, we begin our examination of the practical aspect of being the church. And what better way, than to look at a well documented church of the 1st
century. It's funny as one reads through the letters to the Corinthian church, one will quickly see that "there is nothing new under the sun" (from Ecclesiastes). The issues that faced the church then are some of the same
issues the church struggles with today. Boy, that can be a bit disheartening. Alas, it is the quirky nature of humans that even Thoreau lamented. As we continue our voyage through Lent and begin this study on the church, ask yourself this question, "What am I bringing to the table of our Lord Jesus Christ that is of benefit for the body?" and then ask this question, "Where are my pitfalls that distract me from worshipping God?"
April 4, 2010 - Rev. Ted Martin
I Corinthians 15:12-22 - We get all kinds of information coming at us. And today, it comes at us at light speed. As fast as the electrons can pulse through the wires and radio waves can piece through the atmosphere, we pick up information. With such a plethora of news, we reach a point of saturation. In some ways, we become like children after the Easter Egg hunt is over and their mouths betray the amount of chocolate they have stuffed into their system. Sure, for a moment we are energized and ready to respond to any and all events, then comes the sugar comatose state. We just had too much and we stare blankly into space devoid of any real response to the issues at hand. We just don=92t know how to respond. So, we retreat to what we know and what we have experienced. Anything beyond that can and will be questioned. As you prepare for Easter Sunday, take some time to think about all the things that have bombarded you and vied for your attention. Reflect upon how you responded to these things. Likewise, think about how you have defended a position that has been questioned. How do we filter what is legitimate news from the hearsay and fabrication? Come prepared to exclaim the power of the resurrection this coming Sunday.
I Corinthians 15:12-22 - We get all kinds of information coming at us. And today, it comes at us at light speed. As fast as the electrons can pulse through the wires and radio waves can piece through the atmosphere, we pick up information. With such a plethora of news, we reach a point of saturation. In some ways, we become like children after the Easter Egg hunt is over and their mouths betray the amount of chocolate they have stuffed into their system. Sure, for a moment we are energized and ready to respond to any and all events, then comes the sugar comatose state. We just had too much and we stare blankly into space devoid of any real response to the issues at hand. We just don=92t know how to respond. So, we retreat to what we know and what we have experienced. Anything beyond that can and will be questioned. As you prepare for Easter Sunday, take some time to think about all the things that have bombarded you and vied for your attention. Reflect upon how you responded to these things. Likewise, think about how you have defended a position that has been questioned. How do we filter what is legitimate news from the hearsay and fabrication? Come prepared to exclaim the power of the resurrection this coming Sunday.
March 21, 2010 - Rev. Brian Wallace
March 28, 2010 - Rev. Ted Martin
*I Corinthians 12 - This portion of scripture has been referenced by believers for centuries upon centuries. It is a part of the Bible where we find the comical literary stylings of Paul at work. It is where his wit drives home a logic that is undeniable. This is a place in scripture where he hammers home the importance of being one in Christ who is the head of the body...the church, and where we are to be about the business of building each other up. You see, the great irony that comes from this passage is the personal quest to find out what one's spiritual gifts are. Here is a passage that outlines for us the reality that there are differences in the body with an emphasis upon building each other up. The goofy mixed up world that we live in takes this passage and turns it on its head. We are on some Monty Python quest to find the holy grail of self. What is my gift? What is my spiritual value to the body? These are secondary questions! The primary question is: Are you building up the body of Jesus Christ recognizing he is the head? This puts the focus outward instead of inward. As you prepare for Sunday... The great celebration of Palm Sunday...may you reflect upon the essence of how Jesus comes as the head of the church looking outward to the needs of the world; emptying himself of his will ready to receive the will of God.
*I Corinthians 12 - This portion of scripture has been referenced by believers for centuries upon centuries. It is a part of the Bible where we find the comical literary stylings of Paul at work. It is where his wit drives home a logic that is undeniable. This is a place in scripture where he hammers home the importance of being one in Christ who is the head of the body...the church, and where we are to be about the business of building each other up. You see, the great irony that comes from this passage is the personal quest to find out what one's spiritual gifts are. Here is a passage that outlines for us the reality that there are differences in the body with an emphasis upon building each other up. The goofy mixed up world that we live in takes this passage and turns it on its head. We are on some Monty Python quest to find the holy grail of self. What is my gift? What is my spiritual value to the body? These are secondary questions! The primary question is: Are you building up the body of Jesus Christ recognizing he is the head? This puts the focus outward instead of inward. As you prepare for Sunday... The great celebration of Palm Sunday...may you reflect upon the essence of how Jesus comes as the head of the church looking outward to the needs of the world; emptying himself of his will ready to receive the will of God.
April 11, 2010 - Rev. Ted Martin
May 2, 2010 - Rev. Ted Martin
I Kings 21:1-16 and Luke 6:27-38 provide the foundation to our examination of a topic that is brutally present in our world. Throughout the ages, the pain of man's inhumanity against man has been a scar on every generation. In contrast to this painful reality is the message of challenge that Jesus presents to his disciples. It is a message of challenge that the Scots Confession reiterates in response to the end of a bitter civil war and great atrocities executed by Mary Tudor. This confession was crafted to establish the Scottish Parliament. We read the words of Jesus' admonition and we read with astonishment the actions of Jezebel and Ahab. How do we respond to situations in our own lives where we may be offended or where we may hear of one person or people group suffering because of maligned power?
I Kings 21:1-16 and Luke 6:27-38 provide the foundation to our examination of a topic that is brutally present in our world. Throughout the ages, the pain of man's inhumanity against man has been a scar on every generation. In contrast to this painful reality is the message of challenge that Jesus presents to his disciples. It is a message of challenge that the Scots Confession reiterates in response to the end of a bitter civil war and great atrocities executed by Mary Tudor. This confession was crafted to establish the Scottish Parliament. We read the words of Jesus' admonition and we read with astonishment the actions of Jezebel and Ahab. How do we respond to situations in our own lives where we may be offended or where we may hear of one person or people group suffering because of maligned power?
February 28, 2010 - Rev. Brian Wallace
February 21, 2010 - Rev. Ted Martin