Paragon Church

When Paul addresses the church at Corinth regarding the act of communion, he tells them this in 1 Corinthians 11:28 - "Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup." - As we wrap up 2023 this Sunday and prepare for 2024 with a communion service... we will also take time to examine our hearts by looking at Luke 8 (parable of the soils).

Matthew 1:21-23 - She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” The reason He came is found in the names He was given...

As Ralphie makes it clear throughout A Christmas Story, there is only one gift that would make his life complete. Do you remember what it was that you desperately wanted for Christmas? Carrying over into adulthood, what is it that you are looking for to satisfy you? What is it that you are pursuing with your "all" only to be left wanting even when you get it? Luke 12:15 - He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

In It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey ponders the thought of "what if I had never been born" - Why are we even here? How much does your life affect those around you? How important is it to use your life for the Glory of God?

At Christmas, we celebrate LIGHT coming into the darkness... we celebrate the truth of LIFE confronting the reality of DEATH. Today's movie (story) is all about repentance and redemption - Today's Scripture... Titus 3:1-8 (paralleled with Zacchaeus in Luke 19)

"This is Christmas! The season of perpetual hope!" Home Alone - Isaiah 53

The Gospel according to the Grinch.

As we approach Thanksgiving... let's give thanks for the provision of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you read this last part of the book (James 4:13-5:20) you will see it really is "all over the place" - so much so, we could have easily done SEVEN more sermons on a deep dive into chapter 5.

Faith Submits - James 3:12-4:13 - Join us as we look at what it looks like to "submit" - Remember: Godly wisdom leads to unity - worldly wisdom leads to division.

James 3:1-12 - Do we understand the power of the tongue? Faith Speaks.

James 2:25-26 - Rahab risked it all for the spies after only hearing about who God is. We KNOW the Lord is God... what are we willing to risk?

Our next passage in James brings us another one of "those" passages... In James 2:24 we read that a person is justified by what he does, not by faith alone. Then in Romans 3:28 we read that a man is justified by faith apart from works. So, which is it? Join us as we look at how FAITH SACRIFICES.

Week Four of James - Real Life/Real Faith - James 2:14-19 - From the Message Commentary (2:18) .... I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.

Week 3 of James - Real Life - Real Faith - James 1:26-2:13 - Is your perspective of religion the same as God's perspective?

James 1:19-25 - How will you respond to the Word of God? Welcome to week 2 of our study in James...

James 1:1-18 - Real Life - Real Faith

We have made it to 700 Sundays... let's press on into the mission! No Turning Back. No Surrender. Total Commitment - BURN THE SHIPS! Remember, God never promises an easy life, but He does promise an incredible journey to becoming who He designed us to be.

The battle is real but it the war has already been won... in Christ. Today, we wrap up our study in Ephesians and the fight to WALK WORTHY. It is also Communion Sunday.

In the final relationship addressed within the Spirit Filled Life - we have the Slaves and Masters relationship (best way to equate it today would be an employee/employer work relationship). Join us as we look at Ephesians 6:5-9 and how it applies to us today in our second to last sermon in our Walk Worthy Series.