Salem Magley Church Podcast Salem Magley Church

In this sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Chris explores the message and implication of two parables of Jesus in Mark 4:26-34, focusing on how God uses small, seemingly insignificant things to achieve his divine purposes.

Pastor Chris begins with a reflection on the quote, “When the well is dry, we know the value of water,” attributed to Benjamin Franklin. This serves as a metaphor for how we often take things for granted until we recognize their true value. Similarly, we may undervalue our contributions until we see God’s plan unfold. The main passage, Mark 4:26-34, offers two parables that illustrate the Kingdom of God: one about seeds growing into a harvest and another about a mustard seed growing into a large plant. Together, these parables highlight that God's in the business of growing small things into God things.

Throughout the sermon, Pastor emphasizes that it is God who makes things grow, whether in our hearts, our community, or our church. We are reminded that while we may play a role in preparing the soil, it is ultimately God who causes growth. The mustard seed parable serves as a powerful illustration of how even the smallest seed can grow into the largest plant, illustrating that God can turn our smallest efforts into God things.

In this sermon for the Third Sunday after Pentecost, Pastor Chris preaches on Mark 3:20-35, exploring the mystery of Jesus' identity and mission. To begin, Pastor Chris draws a parallel between the challenges of completing a puzzle and the journey of understanding who Jesus is. Just as piecing together a complex puzzle requires trial, error, and perseverance, so too did people in Jesus’ time struggle to grasp who he was.

In today's fast-paced world, the concept of self-care has become a multi-million dollar industry, focusing on fitness, mindfulness, and mental health. But long before the advent of fitness apps and smart gadgets, the importance of rest was known and emphasized by God Himself. In today's sermon, Pastor Chris delves into the biblical concept of the Sabbath, exploring its significance and how it is a gift of God's goodness to us.

In today's sermon for the First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, Pastor Chris explores the important and often divisive doctrine that sets Christianity apart—the Trinity. The concept of the Trinity has historically caused major splits within the church and influenced various religious perspectives, including elements within Islam and other religious groups closer to orthodox Christianity. So, why is the Trinity so crucial, and why do we dedicate a special day to celebrate it each year?

Join us as we explore these questions and more!

In this sermon for the Day of Pentecost, Pastor Chris dives into an interesting theme found in some of the most iconic movies, from "Planet of the Apes" and "The Matrix" to "The Hunger Games" and "I Am Legend." What do these films all have in common? They each depict the end of the world as we know it. But why are we so fascinated by these apocalyptic scenarios? Is it just the thrill, or is there something deeper going on?

Pastor Chris explores this idea and then shift gears to talk about the Day of Pentecost, a key event from the Bible that marks a powerful new beginning with the arrival of the Holy Spirit. This event isn't just about an end—it's about a fresh start that brings a divine presence into our lives and unites people under a common message.

In this sermon, we’ll see how the Holy Spirit ensures we're not alone, guiding and supporting us in ways we might not even realize. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of Pentecost, where God's Spirit lives within us, transforming us and our world.

In this sermon for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, we explore the timeless question: What is the good life? Pastor Chris answers this question by delving into the age-old inquiry, seeking wisdom from various perspectives and cultures. From Martha Stewart's advice to ancient biblical texts, we examine different paths to fulfillment and meaning.

Early on, we see that the culture of the 21st century wants us to believe that we define our destiny. They we decide our future. That we will into existence our own version of the good life. But Pastor Chris questions this perspective, encouraging us to look deep into the ancient wisdom of the biblical authors to discover what they believed was the source of the good life: the law of God.

As we move into the New Testament, we see that Jesus’ disciples came to understand him to be the full revelation of God, and in fact God’s own testimony about himself. In this message, we encounter Jesus as the ultimate witness of God's truth. His teachings and life serve as a beacon, guiding us toward the true good life.

Don't miss out on this transformative message that challenges us to embrace the good life, rooted in the eternal truth of Jesus Christ.