Teachings by Mark Willis, Pastor
"Connect-Serve-Grow: the Vertical" - November 6, 2011
The vision of Merriam Christian Church is to Connect-Serve-Grow. This vision informs our relationship with God and our relationship with others. In this sermon, we talk about how Connect-Serve-Grow informs our relationship with the divine.
"Zombie Theology: You Gotta Have a Plan" - October 30, 2011
When the zombies come, you gotta have a plan if you are going to stay ahead of the horde. What is your plan? God has a plan for you: Do justice,love kindness,and walk humbly with God.
"Zombie Theology: Don't Get Bit" - October 23, 2011
The danger of becoming a zombie,someone who is just going through the motions of faith, is around believers everyday. If you get bit, it is easy to lose your passion, your purpose, and your drive to live like Christ. Whatever you do,don't get bit.
"Zombie Theology: No Brain Activity" - October 16, 2011
The big problem with zombies? They have no brain activity. Sometimes Christians wander about in their faith and don't engage their brains either. For all that disciples get off track with, it helps to remember that "Its all about the grace,stupid!"
"Zombie Theology: Just Going Through the Motions" - October 9, 2011
Are you living your faith or simply going through the motions. This series explores the rich history of "zombies" in American culture and compares them to Christians who are just shuffling along in their faith.
"Get Unbent" - October 2, 2011
What gets you "bent out of shape"? What can you do about it when you "get bent"? Hear a talk about two people who were bent out of shape and encountered Jesus.
"Grace, Greenbacks and God" - September 25, 2011
Money, money, money. How do we spend our money? What does how we spend our money, say about us,our priorities, and our faith? Jesus talked about money more than anything else in his parables - why would he do that?
"Faith is Our Shibboleth" - September 18, 2003
What is the thing that sets disciples apart in this world? How are Christians different? How will followers of Christ be known? The answer is in our "shibboleth", the works by which we are known.
"Remember Regret Redemption" - September 11, 2011
On the anniversary of 9/11, we gathered to remember that fateful day, regret the mistakes we have made in the ten years since, and accept the redemption God gives us in new hope for the next ten years.
"Make Your Mark" - September 4, 2011
This sermon relates observations from several recent funerals with the question: What mark are you leaving on this world with your life?
"Love Wins: The Good News is Better Than That" - August 28, 2011
This concluding sermon on Rob Bell's book deals with the need to have us accept God's retelling of our stories. We think things are worse than God thinks,and we have to listen to God's retelling to enter God's party.
"Love Wins: There Are Stones Everywhere" - August 21, 2011
This second sermon on "Love Wins" discusses the presence of Christ in our world: The unusual places that Christ shows up.
"LoveWins: Now and Then" - August 14, 2011
We begin looking at Rob Bell's book,"Love Wins"and wrestling with some of the concepts that Rob brings up. This is a challenging book,but one that I recommend for people desiring deeper spiritual exercise.