Powell Butte Christian Church

PSALMS SERIES: WEEK 02 - PSALM 136 - “HESED”

I want to talk today about a Hebrew word that adds richness and depth to our faith - and it’s sad that far too many believers have no idea of the word because they don’t read Hebrew. It’s the word “chesed.” This word appears 250 times in the OT. You’d think it's kind of important, right? And what’s intriguing to me is that (talk about getting our attention!) 127 out of those 250 times, over half the time the word appears in the Bible, it’s here in the book of Psalms. Last week I misspoke in...

PSALMS SERIES: WEEK 01 - PSALM 100 “HIS LOVE ENDURES”

Sometimes I think we come into this place and we leave our stories outside. Sometimes I think we come in here and we try to separate ourselves from the things that have distracted us or overpowered us all week. And yet, that’s not being true to what it means to be fully devoted to following Jesus. Yes, there are times when following Jesus makes you feel on top of the world - and you experience a season of blessing, and it’s all good. But those times can make you feel like the times where th...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 51): RESURRECTION PEOPLE

My wife, Jenny, has just a few shows that she records and does not miss. One of these is the show “Survivor,”  a “reality” game show in which people are “marooned” on an island where they compete for a million dollars at the end of the season. It’s now in its 44th season. The show uses an elimination system, where contestants in teams compete in a variety of challenges,  and then are made to vote off other tribe members until only one contestant remains and becomes the "Sole Survivor." Why ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 50): MISSION DRIFT: LOSING YOUR FOCUS

A book called Mission Drift  explores why organizations such as Harvard University or the YMCA that BEGAN as Christian organizations eventually wind up “drifting” from their original goal and even landing in direct opposition to the mission of Jesus.  The authors believe that, without making intentional choices, faith-based organizations can easily drift from their founding mission, never to return to their roots. But, you know, Harvard and YMCA didn’t drift off course overnight - the drift...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 49): BECAUSE HE LIVES

To be honest, as I was trying to put together the message for today, it hit me how mundane, how routine, this story may be to some. For preachers, it’s hard to find a new angle, or an exciting new way to tell the story of the resurrection. I spoke with my dad, who is also preaching an Easter message today, and he confirmed how difficult it can be at times to go from the Yawn to the Yahoo!, or - as I put it, from the Yada Yada Yada to the Yaba Daba Doo! If you think through some of the great...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 48): GOD’S LOVE LETTER

Last week I mentioned the most unfair, illegal trial you could ever imagine. And if you’re like me, when you begin to read what’s happening at this point of the story of Jesus’ life and ministry, you think, “This ain’t fair. This REALLY stinks!" In the movies we are accustomed to the guys in the black hats getting what’s coming to them, right? The guy in the white hat - the hero - we’re used to HIM winning. Movies typically wrap things up nicely and justice is served and you feel good about...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 47): THE FULL COURT PRESS

March Madness. A defensive play in basketball - the Full Court Press. Things get tight, lots of intensity. A good chance of giving up possession and letting the other team score. This morning we will look at a place where you could say that Jesus was facing a full court press. It all happens in a place called the Garden of Gethsemane. This Garden of Gethsemane is significant to those who follow Jesus because it is here where the final battle was fought for our very souls. It is here that th...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 46): YOUR TABLE IS READY. COME THIS WAY

On Thursday of the final week of Jesus’ life, he and His disciples would share a special meal together. This meal was special because it celebrated the Jewish feast known as Passover. It was a very special time for the Jews - a time of remembrance, a time of celebration. It was a meal the disciples had celebrated with Jesus before - but this time it would be different.  There has been a suggestion that Jesus didn’t specify publicly where the meal was to take place because he didn’t want dis...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 45)

Today we are going to look at a passage that has been quite possibly misinterpreted for some time. Many who read this passage automatically jump to a preconceived notion of what it means, namely, the end of the world. For the past century and a half, there has been teaching that Luke 21 and the parallel passages in Mark and Matthew’s Gospel account point to the last days. The word, BTW, is eschatology; from the Greek word eschaton, meaning “last” or “extreme,” as in “last days.” Eschatolo...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 44) - WHO DIED AND PUT YOU IN CHARGE?

 I have become increasingly fascinated by the response to Jesus by the religious leaders of his day. We speak often (and most times disparagingly) of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Scribes and the Teachers of the law that opposed Jesus at just about every step of His ministry life. And why I’m fascinated, I think, is two-fold. First of all, I’m fascinated because these were the men who had devoted their lives to the study of the Law and the Prophets, they were supposed to be the so-called...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 43) - WEEPING OVER THE CITY

If only - one of the most powerful emotions to experience - regret. Man - if only I had know….fill in the blank… then I wouldn;’t have gotten into that situation, I wouldn’t have bought that car, that house, I wouldn’t have … whatever. OR if only I had known I WOULD HAVE done something. I WOULD HAVE visited my dad, would have studied harder. Today, as we continue to study the book of Luke, Jesus is going to talk about that kind of regret. But, He’s going to go even deeper Into a spiritual r...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 42) - Bought, Brought, and Broken

Last week we observed Jesus as he was preparing to make himself known to the people as their promised Messiah. But he was coming, not to set up an earthly kingdom, but a spiritual one. And, while the crowd was very excited - willing to hail him as King - they really didn’t totally understand what that would mean for Jesus; and what it would ultimately mean for themselves. Here’s the point for this morning: if Jesus is truly YOUR king, then there are some implications that cannot be ignored ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 41) - What They Got Wrong…

Have you ever been in a situation where you really needed some help? A situation just got out of hand. It was too difficult, too painful, you were trapped and there was nothing you could do about it. You really needed someone who could come into your situation and make things right. Now imagine a situation when help DOES come - but you don’t recognize the help! I’m SURE you’ve heard the story of a guy who was stuck on his roof with rising floodwaters all around. A raft comes - nope, God’s g...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 39) - MONEY MATTERS - WEEK 3 - Flip the List

Today is all about priorities. We all have priorities, and sometimes our priorities reflect wisdom, and sometimes…not so much. Last week we saw what it meant in our lives - especially when it comes to our resources - to be under new ownership. We saw how all the things we have in this life were entrusted to us by the REAL owner - the Lord Almighty - and we get to accept the position of manager of all the resources He chooses to give. So if God owns everything - if we are HIS managers, is t...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 38) - MONEY MATTERS - WEEK 2 - Under New Ownership

Perhaps you’ve gone into a place of business - one that you had been familiar with for a long period of time - but all of a sudden, this time as you walk in things it was apparent something had changed? The carpet is new, the layout is different. If it’s a restaurant, the menu has changed - both in what it looks like and what it is offering for your meal choices. Maybe the server is new, the greeter, the decor — the whole place has changed. And then you realize that everything is different ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 37) - MONEY MATTERS - WEEK 1 - An Overview

This morning we’re kicking off a brand new message series based on many passages in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus teaches about one of the most important subjects we could ever understand as we follow his lead in living in the Kingdom of God. It’s a 4 week series that I have entitled: “Money Matters.”  So I have a question: Hearing that title, “Money Matters,” how does that make you feel? What’s going on in your gut right now? Are you…Anxious, Angry, Defensive, Uncomfortable? Money touche...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 36) - AT HIS FEET

Happy New Year - new plans - new visions - new outcomes, prayerfully. 2022 was good. What’s this next year going to look like? Some feel like we’re getting close to the final days of the last days. And, like my dad would always say whenever anyone asked him about his views on the end times, he’d say, “Well, I know that we’re closer today than we ever have been!” And that’s true. 2023 MAY be the year Jesus returns to rule and reign (as we saw last week in our final Advent Series sermon about...

ADVENT 2022: HEAV’N AND NATURE SING - Week 4 - Joy to the World!

Today we conclude our Advent series, Heav’n and Nature Sing, by looking at one of the most well-known of all Christmas songs - though, as you will see, though it definitely could fit in with the message of Christmas, it wasn’t actually written to be a Christmas song. The song is “Joy to the World.” The author of the hymn was a pastor born in the late 17th century by the name of Isaac Watts. Watts was a brilliant child. He learned Latin at age four, Greek at nine, French at ten, and Hebrew a...

ADVENT 2022: HEAV’N AND NATURE SING - Week 3 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

We’ve been focusing this year’s Advent Sundays on the songs of Christmas - Heav’n and Nature Sing! And more than just the tune and the harmony, we are focusing on the deep theology found in some of the most beloved Christmas songs we sing during this time of year. We looked at the anticipation and hope for the coming Messiah as we lit the prophecy candle and studied O Come, o Come Emmanuel. Then last week we lit the Bethlehem candle, singing O Little Town of Bethlehem, and focusing on the c...

ADVENT 2022: HEAV’N AND NATURE SING - Week 2 - O Little Town of Bethlehem

Today we continue our Christmas series entitled Heav’n and Nature Sing! Each Sunday we will be taking one well known Christmas Hymn and looking at the meaning behind the words. You may have heard the saying: “Familiarity breeds contempt.” It means that sometimes we can hear something so many times that we no longer hear what is being said. Today I want to take the time to break down the words of the hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem. We read of Bethlehem, the City of King David, in both Matth...

ADVENT 2022: HEAV’N AND NATURE SING - Week 1 - O Come, O Come Emmanuel

While the Christmas countdown clock has already started ticking away for many of us, we actually have four whole weeks laid out ahead of us, which gives us plenty of time to stop and ponder the wonder, the miracle of Jesus’ first coming into this world. As an adult, with all that goes on in our day and age, Christmas always seems to speed by - this season goes by  in a snap. But I remember as a kid, the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to drag by painfully slow. We knew someth...

YOUTH PASTOR, Ethan Waud

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 35) - I MEANT TO GO BACK

 “I was gonna…” Never gave me a leg to stand on! In the 18th Century James Boswell said, "Hell is paved with good intentions."  Today we are studying a passage we looked at last year at this same time - the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I find it pretty amazing that this is where our study in the Gospel of Luke naturally leads us to. This is literally the next passage after the passage we looked at last week! God does indeed work in mysterious ways! It’s a passage where 10 people have receiv...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 35) - I MEANT TO GO BACK

 “I was gonna…” Never gave me a leg to stand on! In the 18th Century James Boswell said, "Hell is paved with good intentions."  Today we are studying a passage we looked at last year at this same time - the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I find it pretty amazing that this is where our study in the Gospel of Luke naturally leads us to. This is literally the next passage after the passage we looked at last week! God does indeed work in mysterious ways! It’s a passage where 10 people have receiv...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 34 - NO OFFENSE…

Why do we get offended? As I look back at my life, I get embarrassed at how often it was those LITTLE things that made me offended. Like there was a DEFCON meter for my offense when I’d go to the movies… Or the elderly gentleman who was mentoring me in my mid-20s whose ONE VOTE I blamed a particular presidency on… I look back and realize that every time I’m offended, my anger is involved. And I have found out that not only does my anger NOT please God - it isn’t even REALLY EFFECTIVE. It s...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 34 - NO OFFENSE…

Why do we get offended? As I look back at my life, I get embarrassed at how often it was those LITTLE things that made me offended. Like there was a DEFCON meter for my offense when I’d go to the movies… Or the elderly gentleman who was mentoring me in my mid-20s whose ONE VOTE I blamed a particular presidency on… I look back and realize that every time I’m offended, my anger is involved. And I have found out that not only does my anger NOT please God - it isn’t even REALLY EFFECTIVE. It s...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WK 33 - A PUZZLING PARABLE

You have to keep the worms warm. One of the most difficult to understand parables of Jesus is a parable of the dishonest manager found in Luke 16. Some misinterpret this parable to imply that Jesus is actually commending the dishonesty of the servant of a certain rich man. And at face value, the parable can be quite confusing - especially in the lens of our modern Western mindset. Before we attempt to interpret this particular parable, I want to go back and remind us about the nature and i...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 32 - WHO IS COUNTING THE COST?

The Bridger Wilderness just south of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming was designated in 1964 and memorializes the famous Jim Bridger. This Wilderness lies within the Wind River Mountains and offers 428,000 acres and over 600 miles of trails for the adventurous of spirit to explore over a lifetime. Extending 80 miles along the Continental Divide and holding the headwaters of the Green River, Bridger Wilderness is home to 7 out of 10 of the world's largest glaciers, hundreds of high alpine...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 32 - WHO IS COUNTING THE COST?

The Bridger Wilderness just south of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming was designated in 1964 and memorializes the famous Jim Bridger. This Wilderness lies within the Wind River Mountains and offers 428,000 acres and over 600 miles of trails for the adventurous of spirit to explore over a lifetime. Extending 80 miles along the Continental Divide and holding the headwaters of the Green River, Bridger Wilderness is home to 7 out of 10 of the world's largest glaciers, hundreds of high alpine...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 31 - DINNER PARTY WITH JESUS

Things overheard at the dinner table: Say the blessing. Don’t know what to say. Just say what you hear mommy say: Dear Lord, why did I invite so many people to dinner? OR. Older man telling about the great restaurant he and his wife had visited - forgot the name; what’s the name of the flower with the thorns and smells nice? Rose. That’s it! Rose - what’s the name of the restaurant we went to the other day? In Luke 14 Jesus is at a dinner party where many things are overheard! And what a ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 30 - MYTH - CONCEPTIONS

1 Timothy 4:1 “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will [a]fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (NASB)” Demonic doctrine (doctrine, meaning the teaching of a set of beliefs). What is THAT about? Sounds out there…UNTIL you realize that there’s this new trend on Social Media called ex-vangelism (people who are leaving the faith for some pretty incredible reasons): Did you know… 1 - Christians, not Jews, wrote the Torah?  ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 29 - KEEP YOUR SHIRTS ON; KEEP THE LIGHTS ON…

The last couple of weeks have been pretty stark when it comes to the messages we find in the Gospel of Luke. And today is no different. There is a clear warning to us in Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12. BUT - there is always a flip side. As some may hear the message and fear, it is my opinion that those who are true disciples of Jesus will find encouragement. This message is about the end - a hotly debated subject in Christian circles. Some believe in a pre-tribulation rapture (a “catching up” o...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 29 - KEEP YOUR SHIRTS ON; KEEP THE LIGHTS ON…

The last couple of weeks have been pretty stark when it comes to the messages we find in the Gospel of Luke. And today is no different. There is a clear warning to us in Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12. BUT - there is always a flip side. As some may hear the message and fear, it is my opinion that those who are true disciples of Jesus will find encouragement. This message is about the end - a hotly debated subject in Christian circles. Some believe in a pre-tribulation rapture (a “catching up” o...

Gideon and the Gideons

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 28 - THE CHALLENGE, THE CHAMPION, AND THE CHOICE

Demons - are they real?  Charles Baudelaire said “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn’t exist.” Imagine a scenario where something IS real - and dangerous - but is not taken seriously. Today’s passage talks about the reality of a spiritual world that - unfortunately - too many people living in the modern western world either doesn’t know exists OR is woefully misinformed about it. The errors lie in either having no clue that there is a spiritual r...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 28 - THE CHALLENGE, THE CHAMPION, AND THE CHOICE

Demons - are they real?  Charles Baudelaire said “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn’t exist.” Imagine a scenario where something IS real - and dangerous - but is not taken seriously. Today’s passage talks about the reality of a spiritual world that - unfortunately - too many people living in the modern western world either doesn’t know exists OR is woefully misinformed about it. The errors lie in either having no clue that there is a spiritual r...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 27 - THE SECRET TO NOT LOSING HEART

I’m going to give you a list of items - can you figure out what category they all fall into? TV Remote, Cell Phone, Keys, Socks, Wallet, Pen, Passwords / Usernames Things you lose more often than you should! For me, I have to count to a certain number each day to make sure I have all the things I need before starting my day… because while there are certain things you can lose and life will go on - there are some things that makes it difficult to continue on without them. Like what if you ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 27 - THE SECRET TO NOT LOSING HEART

I’m going to give you a list of items - can you figure out what category they all fall into? TV Remote, Cell Phone, Keys, Socks, Wallet, Pen, Passwords / Usernames Things you lose more often than you should! For me, I have to count to a certain number each day to make sure I have all the things I need before starting my day… because while there are certain things you can lose and life will go on - there are some things that makes it difficult to continue on without them. Like what if you ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 26 - THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL FATHER

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 26 - THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL FATHER

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 25 - TOO LATE

 I want to begin today by talking about being prepared. The motto of the Boy Scouts, right? Be Prepared. Even the worst case scenario can be at the very least minimized when you have taken the time to prepare. But the sad thing is that many people realize the importance of preparation only when it is already too late. The parable we are going to look at today is really about delaying to the point of no return - a thing we all (unfortunately) can relate to. It’s all about too little, too lat...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - WEEK 25 - TOO LATE

 I want to begin today by talking about being prepared. The motto of the Boy Scouts, right? Be Prepared. Even the worst case scenario can be at the very least minimized when you have taken the time to prepare. But the sad thing is that many people realize the importance of preparation only when it is already too late. The parable we are going to look at today is really about delaying to the point of no return - a thing we all (unfortunately) can relate to. It’s all about too little, too lat...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - (WEEK 24) - EAT, DRINK, AND BE WARY

We’re talking about money today. And yes, I get it. Churches throughout history have at times shot themselves in the foot due to corruption or greed or what not. People are wary when a preacher starts preaching about money because we know of high profile preachers who have abused the trust of their congregation, and have manipulated people to get more money out of them. This isn’t new, by the way. The story you’ve heard from the Gospels about the widow who put her last two copper coins into...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD - (WEEK 24) - EAT, DRINK, AND BE WARY

We’re talking about money today. And yes, I get it. Churches throughout history have at times shot themselves in the foot due to corruption or greed or what not. People are wary when a preacher starts preaching about money because we know of high profile preachers who have abused the trust of their congregation, and have manipulated people to get more money out of them. This isn’t new, by the way. The story you’ve heard from the Gospels about the widow who put her last two copper coins into...

Holiness

Elder Larry Andrews

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 23) - WHO’S MY NEIGHBOR?

Stories can teach us things in powerful ways. They allow us to let our guard down so that the principle to learn can be caught, rather than taught.. Parables were commonly used by Jesus. Why? For a couple of reasons, In Matthew 13:10-13 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoe...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 23) - WHO’S MY NEIGHBOR?

Stories can teach us things in powerful ways. They allow us to let our guard down so that the principle to learn can be caught, rather than taught.. Parables were commonly used by Jesus. Why? For a couple of reasons, In Matthew 13:10-13 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoe...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 22) - LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME

Luke 18:15-17      Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Do you see something special about Jesus in this passage? Can you see how Jesus had time for children?? Isn’t that amazing? ...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 21) - THE PROBLEM WITH POWER

In chapter 8, Jesus sent the disciples out to fly solo in doing ministry,  remember? And they had success! It was great! So naturally, they're pros now, right? They should be experts now and be able to run with thus authority and power without stumbling once… Yeah. How often does THAT happen? You try something and get lucky and have some success the first time you try it. “THAT’S EASY!” you say. And so you run into another situation with great confidence in your own abilities — and fine th...

LUKE: YEAR OF OUR LORD (WEEK 21) - THE PROBLEM WITH POWER

In chapter 8, Jesus sent the disciples out to fly solo in doing ministry,  remember? And they had success! It was great! So naturally, they're pros now, right? They should be experts now and be able to run with thus authority and power without stumbling once… Yeah. How often does THAT happen? You try something and get lucky and have some success the first time you try it. “THAT’S EASY!” you say. And so you run into another situation with great confidence in your own abilities — and fine th...