First Presbyterian Church, Sterling IL

Matthew 25:31-46 April 26, 2014 First Presbyterian Church, Sterling, IL Christina Berry Years ago, a friend gave me a refrigerator magnet with a picture of Jesus on it. On the magnet were the words: Jesus is coming. Look busy. My friend gave me this magnet as a kind of elbow-to-the-ribs joking reminder of our shared history in the world of dispensationalists. If you are a lifelong Presbyterian, or if you were gone during our sermon series on Revelation, you may not have been exposed to this kind of thinking, but believe me, it is widespread. The short definition of dispensationalism is that it is a belief in “the rapture,” the second coming of Jesus that will take believing Christians away. This rapture will be followed by a time of terrible tribulation, war and pestilence for those who have been – are you ready? – LEFT BEHIND! Jesus is coming back. And he will sneak up on us like a thief, when we are busy doing something rotten, like sassing our teacher, or chea...

They’ll Know  John 21:1-14 April 19, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, Sterling, IL Christina Berry John 21: 1-14 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple...

Psalm 133: Acts 4: 32-37 April 12, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, Sterling, IL Christina Berry Psalm 133  How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore. Acts 4: 32-37 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levi...

Do You Believe This? John 11:1-26; John 20:1-18 April 5, 2015 First Presbyterian Church, Sterling IL Christina Berry John 11: 1-26 Narrator:  A certain man, Lazarus, was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, Mary and Martha: "Lord, the one whom you love is ill." Narrator:  When he heard this, Jesus said, Jesus: "This illness isn't fatal. It's for the glory of God so that God's Son can be glorified through it." Narrator: Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was. After two days, he said to his disciples, "Let's return to Judea again." The disciples replied, "Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?" Jesus:  "Aren't there twelve hours in the day? Whoever walks in the day doesn't stumble because they see the light of the world...