Faith Church : Teachings : Passion Miracles Lent 2009 Sermon Series

The Season of Lent has begun! It always starts on Ash Wednesday (this year February 25th) and is a 40 day period (not including Sundays) of fasting and penitence leading up to the greatest celebration in the Christian Year, Resurrection Sunday on Easter! This year at Faith Church we have two emphases during Lent. First, our Lenten Compact, God & the Stranger, which we’re doing together with Kimball Ave. EC Church in Chicago, and secondly our teaching series, Passion Miracles.

Last year around this time one member of our congregation gave me a book called The Miracles of the Cross by William Nicholson, and suggested that I take a look at it as a future Lenten series. It is a book that was written a hundred years ago, and an new edition was recently released in updated language. In it, Nicholson talks about the miracles from the cross to the resurrection. After adding a couple, consolidating some others, we have our series Passion Miracles! Some of the miracles are very famous, others you'll find quite obscure and may even think, "I never heard of that before."

March 1, 09 - Mysterium Tremendum!

John 18:1-6

Our God is a miraculous God! Do you believe that? In our culture, a strong dose of science has downplayed, or even in some eradicated, believe in miracles. During Lent we’ll look at all the miracles that occurred during Jesus’ Passion, from the Garden of Gethsemene to the Resurrection. We need a God of miracles in our lives! And this first one is a mysterium tremendum. Come and see!

March 8, 09 - Swords and Plowshares

John 18:10-11

The story is classic: right in the middle of the temple guard arresting Jesus, bold and brash Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus (the high priest's servant). The ear! The ear? Was it just poor swordsmanship from the hand of a fisherman? Why did Peter have a sword in the first place? Aren’t swords supposed to be turned into plowshares in the Biblical ethic? And what is the significance as Jesus heals Malchus?

March 15, 09 - The Day Like Night

Luke 23:44-45

While Jesus hung on the cross Luke reports that there was a darkness like the night. There are plenty of natural causes for daytime darkness: eclipses, volcanic ash. This could not possibly have been that. Instead it was a supernatural miracle. Why would God block the light of the sun while Jesus hung on the cross? We’ll study this miracle and its application to our lives.

March 22, 09 - The Curtain Torn

Matthew 27:51

With Jesus still on the cross, Matthew tells us that the curtain in the Temple dividing the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn in two. To help us look at this miracle, we welcome Dr. John Tornfelt, dean of our seminary in Myerstown, who is also along with his wife Deb, new to Faith Church. John teaches preaching at the seminary, so we’re going to turn the tables and hand out evaluation sheets to everyone so you can grade him! Just kidding. Actually we’re excited to hear how this miracle can make a significant impact on our lives today.

March 29, 09 - The Earth Moved

Matthew 27:51 and 28:2

There were two earthquakes (one during crucifixion and one at resurrection) during Jesus’ passion. We’re going to look at what God accomplished by sending them, and what meaning they carry for us as we move step by step closer to the greatest miracle of all.

April 5, 09 - The Revivals to Life

Matthew 27:52-53

On Palm Sunday, while we think of Jesus triumphantly entering the city of Jesus to begin Holy Week, our study will fast forward us to the end of that week. Our sixth miracle has got to be one of the least talked about passages in the Gospels. Matthew reports that other people were revived to life after Jesus arose! Who were they? Why did this happen? And most importantly what might God want to teach us through this miracle?

April 12, 09 - The Resurrection

Luke 24:12; John 20:5-7

Our 2009 Resurrection Sunday will be a special morning! We’re cancelling Sunday School so we can all gather at 10am for a Easter Cantata from our choir as well as celebrating the most important Passion Miracle, the Resurrection of Jesus. Because of this, we encourage everyone to invite at least one friend who is not part of a church or perhaps unsaved. Who will you bring with you? God wants to work his resurrection power in their lives, and Easter Sunday is the perfect chance to see that happen!


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Philippians Passion Miracles Hope Lives American Idols	Passion Miracles The Season of Lent has begun! It always starts on Ash Wednesday (this year February 25th) and is a 40 day period (not including Sundays) of fasting and penitence leading up to the greatest celebration in the Christian Year, Resurrection Sunday on Easter! This year at Faith Church we have two emphases during Lent. First, our Lenten Compact, God & the Stranger, which we’re doing together with Kimball Ave. EC Church in Chicago, and secondly our teaching series, Passion Miracles. Last year around this time one member of our congregation gave me a book called The Miracles of the Cross by William Nicholson, and suggested that I take a look at it as a future Lenten series. It is a book that was written a hundred years ago, and an new edition was recently released in updated language. In it, Nicholson talks about the miracles from the cross to the resurrection. After adding a couple, consolidating some others, we have our series Passion Miracles! Some of the miracles are very famous, others you'll find quite obscure and may even think, "I never heard of that before." March 1, 09 - Mysterium Tremendum! John 18:1-6 Our God is a miraculous God! Do you believe that? In our culture, a strong dose of science has downplayed, or even in some eradicated, believe in miracles. During Lent we’ll look at all the miracles that occurred during Jesus’ Passion, from the Garden of Gethsemene to the Resurrection. We need a God of miracles in our lives! And this first one is a mysterium tremendum. Come and see! March 8, 09 - Swords and Plowshares John 18:10-11 The story is classic: right in the middle of the temple guard arresting Jesus, bold and brash Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus (the high priest's servant). The ear! The ear? Was it just poor swordsmanship from the hand of a fisherman? Why did Peter have a sword in the first place? Aren’t swords supposed to be turned into plowshares in the Biblical ethic? And what is the significance as Jesus heals Malchus? March 15, 09 - The Day Like Night Luke 23:44-45 While Jesus hung on the cross Luke reports that there was a darkness like the night. There are plenty of natural causes for daytime darkness: eclipses, volcanic ash. This could not possibly have been that. Instead it was a supernatural miracle. Why would God block the light of the sun while Jesus hung on the cross? We’ll study this miracle and its application to our lives. March 22, 09 - The Curtain Torn Matthew 27:51 With Jesus still on the cross, Matthew tells us that the curtain in the Temple dividing the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn in two. To help us look at this miracle, we welcome Dr. John Tornfelt, dean of our seminary in Myerstown, who is also along with his wife Deb, new to Faith Church. John teaches preaching at the seminary, so we’re going to turn the tables and hand out evaluation sheets to everyone so you can grade him! Just kidding. Actually we’re excited to hear how this miracle can make a significant impact on our lives today. March 29, 09 - The Earth Moved Matthew 27:51 and 28:2 There were two earthquakes (one during crucifixion and one at resurrection) during Jesus’ passion. We’re going to look at what God accomplished by sending them, and what meaning they carry for us as we move step by step closer to the greatest miracle of all. April 5, 09 - The Revivals to Life Matthew 27:52-53 On Palm Sunday, while we think of Jesus triumphantly entering the city of Jesus to begin Holy Week, our study will fast forward us to the end of that week. Our sixth miracle has got to be one of the least talked about passages in the Gospels. Matthew reports that other people were revived to life after Jesus arose! Who were they? Why did this happen? And most importantly what might God want to teach us through this miracle? April 12, 09 - The Resurrection Luke 24:12; John 20:5-7 Our 2009 Resurrection Sunday will be a special morning! We’re cancelling Sunday School so we can all gather at 10am for a Easter Cantata from our choir as well as celebrating the most important Passion Miracle, the Resurrection of Jesus. Because of this, we encourage everyone to invite at least one friend who is not part of a church or perhaps unsaved. Who will you bring with you? God wants to work his resurrection power in their lives, and Easter Sunday is the perfect chance to see that happen!