Most
of us have taken a road trip at some time or another. And the
inevitable question that arises before too long is, “Are we there yet?”
Why? Because the journey itself was not the goal, the goal was the
destination. We wanted to arrive! Anything that slowed us down or got
in the way, was considered a bad thing. However, the memories that
linger – and the valuable lessons learned – are often found in the
unplanned stops and adventures along the way.
Likewise, the book of 1 Corinthians in the Bible was written
to a church that was having difficulty arriving at the place God wanted
them to be in ministry. Their road trip was being slowed down by
obstacles, detours, construction zones, and even a flat tire or two.
But as we read that timeless advice, we can learn a lot from them, and
hopefully gain some insights about how to avoid the obstacles we can
and enjoy the ones we can’t.
Like many roadtrips, we're not
planning to announce all the stops in advance. But here are the
obstacles, detours, rest stops, and construction zones we've
encountered so far.
Message #1 (Aug. 2nd) ~ "Who's Going With Us & What Are We Bringing?" (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) Message #2 (Aug. 9th) ~ "What Vehicle Are We Going to Take?" (1 Corinthians 1:10 - 3) Message #3 (Aug. 16th) ~ "Follow the Signs - One Way & Yield!" (1 Corinthians 4)
Message #4 (Aug. 23rd) ~ "Flashing Lights In the Rearview Mirror" (1 Corinthians 5)
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How to Use the Sermon Media Player
All successful recordings of sermons by Pastors David & Jessica Swisher are now being offered here online. The media player at left features:
Searchable database - Where it says "Search Archive" at the bottom of the player, simply click and enter your search. For example, if you want to see all sermons we have preached on "prayer," enter that and it will bring them up. If you can't remember the title of a sermon but know it was in our MythBusters series, enter "MythBusters" in the search box and it will pull those up to choose from.
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RECENT MESSAGES:
Games People Play
Series
Theme: "Games People Play" are the things we do and the stuff we spend
our time on that doesn't really get us anywhere. Whether we're talking
about someone's half-hearted commitment or their extraordinary devotion
to fruitless activity, when we say someone is “playing games,” we're
talking about pursuits that use up our time and sap our resources and
leave us nothing in return.
June 28th – “Games People Play: Trivial Pursuit” Topic: Knowledge Biblical Examples: Adam & Eve (Genesis 2:8-9), Job (Job 16:4-5), and The Corinthian believers (1 Corinthians 13:2) Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher Summary: Like
the game of Trivial Pursuit, we can easily fall into the temptation of
thinking “knowledge is power.” Reading & studying the Scriptures
is great, but there is danger in relying too much on your knowledge.
When you do, your Christian walk can become a game of Trivial Pursuit,
where the goal is to prove that you KNOW more than everyone else. With
this game, however, the consequences can be very severe, as Adam &
Eve, Job, and the Corinthian Church learned: (1) Separation from God,
(2) Separation from others and their pain, and a very deceptive (3)
Self-inflation. June 21st – “Games People Play: Pretend/Masquerade” Topic: Authenticity Biblical Examples: Jacob (Genesis 27), Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10)
Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher Summary: Like
the game of Pretend we played as kids, or Masquerade as adults
sometimes play, life can get to be very competitive. We can become so
determined to “WIN” that we we'll do so at any cost, forcing those
around us to become the “losers.” So why do we play this game? Either
to (1) Hide who we really are or (2) Become somebody else. In this
message, see how Jacob played this game (and how it worked out for him)
and see how Ananias & Sapphira played this game (and how it worked
out for them). June 14th – “Games People Play: Monopoly” Topic: Priorities Biblical Examples: The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
Preached by: Pastor David Swisher Summary: Like
the game of Monopoly, we start out our life with a playing piece and
very little to work with and roll the dice, hoping with each turn to
land on something that's good for us and hoping to avoid Chance and the
bad stuff. We buy and sell and negotiate to get the upper hand,
eventually hoping to end up in the position where it doesn't matter
what the dice rolls - for me or anybody else - it ends up being
security for ourselves. In a parable (Luke 12), Jesus described a rich
man who lived in just this way. Find out about the four major mistakes
he made that caused him to completely miss God's blessing and instead
pay dearly for his poorly-spent investment.
Miscellaneous
June 7, 2009 - Crocodile Dock: Vacation Bible School (VBS) Childrens' Program For short video synopses of each night's lessons, complete with pictures of kids and special effects, visit our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/halldelphos
May 31, 2009 - "John Wesley's Spiritual Journey" Preached by Pastor David Swisher
May 24, 2009 - Rev. Steve Kmetz of Salina Rescue Mission [Not recorded]
May 17, 2009 - Special Service: Graduation, Baptism, & New Member Reception Short mini-sermon (devotional) preached by Jessica Swisher
Wesleyan career missionaries to Mozambique
"Portraits of Compassion"
(Denomination-wide "SpringLife"
Emphasis on Witnessing & Discipleship)
Theme: Common people, extraordinary
witness
Theme Verse: “But in
your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so
that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be
ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15-16, NIV)
March 29th – “Philip: Come & See” [Palm Sunday] Scripture: John 1:45-46 Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher The power of intentional inviting. April 12th – “Jesus: A Life Poured Out” [Resurrection Sunday] Scripture: Philippians 2 Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher Jesus offered the most compassionate life & sacrifice ever. April 19th – “The Four Friends: Compassion & Community” Scripture: Mark 2:1-12 Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher Real friends don’t let friends suffer in silence. April 26th – “Paul: On Mars Hill” Scripture: 1 Cor. 9:22 & Acts 17 Preached by: Pastor David Swisher “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
May 3rd – “Daniel: A Lifestyle Witness” Scripture: Daniel 6:1-5 Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher Daniel was a lifestyle witness: "they could vind no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent."
May 10th – “The Widow at Zaraphath: A Mother's Legacy" [Mother's Day] Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-24 Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher “_____________.”
Miscellaneous
April 5, 2009 - Missions Sunday featuring Orai & Linda Lehman Wesleyan career missionaries to Mozambique
Mar. 22, 2009 - "Saint Patrick's Legacy & Its Message for Today" Summary: While
shamrocks and leprechauns and pots 'o gold abound around March 17th, it
was instead the fiery passion of a devout follower of Christ named Patrick
who shaped a nation and gave rise to the popular legends.Patrick was the first missionary to the
unchurched in Christian history (after the apostles).His ministry spanned
some 30 years, in which he oversaw the planting of about 700 churches and
ordained perhaps 1,000 priests (all of whom were formerly unchurched).In addition to establishing an evangelistic
presence throughout most of the Emerald Isle (encompassing northern, central,
and eastern Ireland), by the time of his death at least 30-40 of Ireland’s 150
tribes were fully evangelized (where the leaders and the majority of
tribespeople had come to know Christ).He was extremely successful and influential in a land which most people in
the established church felt was “unreachable,” and there are some very definite
reasons why.In this church history
message, learn some surprising insights into Patrick’s life and ministry,
understand some of the myths and symbols of St. Patrick’s Day, and be
challenged to take lessons from his life and ministry and apply it to our world
today. Preached by: Pastor David Swisher
"Fireproof Your Life"
Sun., Feb. 15th - "Fireproof Your Life for Times of Crisis" ~ LISTEN
Summary: "Fireproof doesn't mean that the fires will never come, but that when they do, you'll be able to withstand them." (Lt. Michael Simmons in the movie Fireproof). In this message we learn from the experience of Job that crisis is complicated, unfortunately it's common, but it's also conquerable. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Sun., Feb. 22nd - “Fireproof Your Heart & Mind” ~ LISTEN
Summary: Thoughts will come, but that doesn't mean that we have to dwell on them and let them rule our attitudes. We must learn to (1) Guard our heart, (2) Recognize intruding thoughts and (3) arrest them, and (4) Dwell instead on the things of God. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Sun., March 1st - “Fireproof Your Convictions” ~ LISTEN Summary: The majority of universities founded by Christians for the furtherance of the gospel have degenerated over time to where today they're hostile toward Christianity and suspicious of religion. The same trend holds true with Christian ministries and organizations, Christian churches, and even individuals. So how can we "fireproof" our convictions so that when the attacks on our faith and values come, we will withstand and remain strong? The answers are surprisingly simple, and outlined clearly by King David in Psalm 1. Preached by: Pastor David Swisher
Sun., March 8th - “Fireproof Your Relationships”~ LISTEN
Summary: Relationships are so important; they are foundational to life. But so often, they can be the cause of great grief and anxiety instead of joy and mutually fulfilling friendship. In this message, we learned to: 1) Select our relationships carefully, 2) Say, “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” – and mean it!, 3) Stay in control of our tongue, and 4) Submit to God in all of our relationships. We also get some tips on how to fight fair. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Sun., March 15th - "Fireproof Your Church”~ LISTEN
Summary: One of the leading causes of death in America is home fires (84% of civilian fire deaths were in a home, and 63% of those deaths were the result of non-existing or non-working smoke alarms). We have the same problem in the Church today: We don’t see the danger signs – the beginning smolderings around us – because our alert system is inactive or nonexistent. In this message we discuss how we can prevent “fires” in the church, or at least how to minimize their destructive results by looking at the warnings to the churches in Revelation. Causes of “fire” in the church:
1) From the outside “arson” ~ Suffering (Smyrna & Philadelphia) 2) From within ~ Straying from sound doctrine (Pergamum & Thyatira) 3) From lack of fire ~ Sleeping (Sardis & Laodicea) 4) From allowing the Enemy to rule within ~ Splitting – divisions and disunity (John 17)
Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
“Fireproof doesn’t mean that the fires will never come, but that when they do, you’ll be able to withstand them.” Lt. Michael Simmons in the movie Fireproof
What Now? Strategies for Handling the Current Economic Crisis
Jan. 11, 2009 - "Trust [God] Completely" LISTEN
Summary: Fear and panic are not becoming to the people of God. The peace of Christ allows us to approach life's difficulties with calm, deliberate, confident steps. Trust in God, not in circumstances, things, or programs. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Jan. 18, 2009 - "Think Differently" LISTEN
Summary: Once we've resolved to trust God completely, what then? Proverbs 3:5 says to “Trust in the Lord will all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” So we need to think differently regarding (1) the origin of our money & stuff, (2) the ownership of our money, and (3) the order of our priorities. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Jan. 25, 2009 - "Give Generously (& Receive Graciously)" LISTEN
Summary: In tough economic times, there are people who are (or will be) going without some of the necessities of life and we have an obligation to share with them in Jesus' name. Within the Body of Christ, we should follow the example of the early Church recorded in Acts 2. But in order for believers to give generously, those who need help must also receive graciously. Here in the Minneapolis/Delphos area, LOVE, Inc. is a partner ministry which helps area churches become more effective at meeting these needs collectively and we encourage its support. If you need help, let your church's leaders know. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Feb. 1, 2009 - "Act Wisely" LISTEN Summary: In these difficult economic times, it is essential for us to act wisely. There are smart responses we can make to the economic crisis, including working hard and saving (and five other suggestions based on our General Superintendents' pastoral letter on the economy). There are also some very unwise responses that could get tempting in days ahead, such as avoiding debt and get-rich-quick schemes. This message contains some candid and very personal advice from a pastor describing the consequences and effects of both, learned by both observation and the hard way and shared with compassion in order to save other Christians from grief. Preached by: Pastor David Swisher
Dec. 14, 2008 - "Everlasting Father" Preached by: Pastor David Swisher
Dec. 21, 2008 - "Prince of Peace" Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
"Praying God's Way" Series
Nov. 9, 2008 - "Praying in the Will of God" Topic: Identifying the Voice of God Preached by: Pastor David Swisher
Nov. 16, 2008 - "Praying in the Words of Jesus" Topic: The Lord's Prayer Preached by: TBA
Nov. 23, 2008 - "Praying in the Way of the Spirit" Topic: Communion Preached by: TBA
Message from the D.S.
Nov. 2, 2008 - "The Church: A Wall or a Window?" Topic: Outreach & Meaningful Connections Preached by District Superintendent Ed Rotz
MythBusters Series
Oct. 26, 2008 - "Myth #7: There's Strength In Numbers" [MythBusters Series] Truth: God doesn’t need a big amount; all He wants is the little that I have. (John 6:1-15) Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Oct. 19, 2008 - "Myth #6: Who Am I to Judge?" [MythBusters Series] Truth: We should discern right from wrong and caution others who are making harmful choices (Matthew 7:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:6-12 & 6:1-7) Preached by Pastor David Swisher
Oct. 12, 2008 - "Myth #5: Everything Happens for a Reason" [MythBusters Series] Truth: God doesn't cause everything we experience, but he does feel my pain and I should trust Him with everything that happens in my life (Romans 8:28-29) Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Oct. 5, 2008 - "Myth #4: God + Me = A Majority" [MythBusters Series] Truth: We need each other in the church. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Sept. 28, 2008 - "Myth #3: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" [MythBusters Series] Truth: God helps those who can't help themselves (Isaiah 64:6) Preached by: Pastor David Swisher
Sept. 21, 2008 - "Myth #2: All Roads Lead to Heaven" [MythBusters Series] Truth: Jesus is the only way to heaven and to the Father (John 14:6) Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
Sept. 14, 2008 - "Myth #1: I'm Okay - You're Okay" [MythBusters Series] Truth: All have sinned and are in need of a Savior. Preached by: Pastor Jessica Swisher
