Hays Christian Church

The Reason for My Hope: 1 Peter 1:3-9, 3:14-16

Jennie Straight takes us to 1 Peter, where Peter writes encouragement to the early Christians as they experience struggles. In chapter 1:3-9, he gives 6 reasons that we can rejoice in life’s challenges. In chapter 3:14-16, Peter instructs Christians 5 ways to respond to those challenges to set an example for others that will draw them to Christ. Featured excerpt from Charles Stanley’s The Reason for My Hope.

Working and Believing the Law of Love: James 2:8-17

Pastor Cana refers to James 2:8-17, where James writes to the church to explain the connection and distinction between the law teaching us the heart of God and calling us to love our neighbor. For Christians, to believe and to act out belief means living the law of love in our daily lives. How have you fulfilled the law of love today? How have you not?

What Shall I Give?

For this message, Betty Rupp encourages us, with several texts from scripture, to step out of our selfish tendencies to consider what we can give to others and to God. We can give of ourselves with our time, money, and skills for God’s glory and greater blessings.

Persevere in God: Haggai 2:1-9

Pastor Cana turns to Haggai 2:1-9, where the Temple of Jerusalem is in ruins and Israel believes it’s impossible to return to its former glory, but God promises that their work isn’t pointless. The glory to come will be even greater. For God’s kingdom, things are not as they were, and by working with God, we can be a part of the later, greater glory.

The Forgiveness of God: Psalm 32:1-7

Pastor Cana takes us through Psalm 32:1-7, a song whose movements speak of freedom and joy, the writer’s unconfessed and unforgiven sins, the weight of sin, and promises of God’s goodness. God forgives our sin and guilt when we ask for it. This week, our calling is to ask God for forgiveness and to experience God’s blessing

Rejoicing Before God: 2 Samuel 6:12b-19

Pastor Cana dives into 2 Samuel 6:12b-19, where King David and the people of Israel celebrate the arrival of God’s sacred seat, the Ark of the Covenant. David’s undignified method of rejoicing reminds us that we can be freed from our social/cultural hesitancies when celebrating God. We are invited to release our inhibitions out of the joy of knowing God.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 6): Eternal Life, Knowing Christ

To conclude Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to John 17:1-8. In the text, Jesus shares thoughts, prayers, teachings and desires for His disciples and those who follow. When we work out of love towards knowing Jesus and His teachings, eternal life is granted to us.

Transfiguration of Self: Matthew 17:1-12

In Pastor Cana’s study of Matthew 17:1-12, Jesus takes a few of His disciples onto a mountain to witness His Transfiguration, which reveals Jesus as divine and transforms the disciples into apocalyptic seers. We as Christians can show Jesus’ transformation with our lives.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 5): Who Is My Family?

For part 5 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Mark 3:20-21, 31-35. In the text, Jesus is engaging a crowd in a house when His mother and siblings come to restrain Him. For Christians, families are not created by biological bond but by Christ’s blood. We must embrace family in other forms to create welcoming homes.

What Unchurched Believers Are Missing: Acts 2:37-42

Steve Tramel makes the case, evidenced by Acts 2:37-42, that Christians who exclusively seek spiritual fulfillment outside of church are not receiving curricular teachings, fellowship with other Christians, the Lord’s supper, or shared prayer. God is in nature, yes, but it is vital to a Christian life to also experience Him “where two or more are gathered” in His name.

Pay Attention to the Verbs: Luke 6:27-28

First Baptist Church’s Pastor Chris Prater directs our attention to Luke 6:27-28. Because we serve a God of action, we are to be people of action and listen to (not just hear) Jesus’ instructions to love, do good, bless, and pray. Will you listen and act?

Teachings of Jesus (Part 4): Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

For part 4 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Matthew 5:4. In the text from Jesus’ Sermon of the Mount, we receive the Beatitude “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. Mourning is a reality of life, even in God, but so are blessings and comfort realities for those who mourn.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 3): Abundant Life

For part 3 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to John 10:7-10. In the text, Jesus teaches us about the possibility of a life of abundance that He offers. We can rejoice that we can come in, and go out, and find the pasture of abundant life by the voice of the Lord.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 2): The Unmerciful Servant

For part 2 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Matthew 18:23-33. In the text, Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant shows a king forgive a slave with an insurmountable debt, but the slave did not extend that mercy to one with a debt to him. What we learn is that God’s mercy is given so that we can offer it to others, and it is our responsibility to extend the mercy we’ve received.

Teachings of Jesus (Part 1): Love Your Enemies

For part 1 of Pastor Cana’s Teachings of Jesus series, we go to Luke 6:27-36. In the text, Jesus gives His Sermon on the Plain and instructs listeners to live a life of love. Showing love to our friends and family is easy, but it’s when we love our enemies that we model Christ.

Forgiveness (Joseph and His Brothers): Genesis 50:15-21

Pastor Cana’s sermon text (Genesis 50:15-21) shows Jospeh’s brothers, who sold him into slavery, beg him for forgiveness following the death of their father. In response, Joseph grants them forgiveness and promises to provide for them and their families. In a similar fashion, when we transgress against God and repent, God offers us the gift of full forgiveness.

Authority of the Trinity: Matthew 28:16-20

Pastor Cana’s sermon text (Matthew 28:16-20) covers Jesus’ final statements to the Disciples before His ascension, giving us a chance to think about authority and power and ask what Jesus is saying. Jesus, God-of-God, has full authority to send, forgive, and teach humanity. We get to act in God’s triune authority to do the same.

Pentecost - The Spirit’s Gifts and Works: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

Pastor Cana’s sermon text (1 Corinthians 12:3b-13) shows Paul asking the divided church in Corinth to come together. After all, the Spirit’s work in the church is unity and the Spirit’s gifts make diverse unity possible. We have the ability to use our diverse gifts of the Spirit to unify our church community.

Revelation and Ascension: Luke 24:44-53

Pastor Cana’s sermon text (Luke 24:44-53) describes Jesus’s final teachings to His followers and His ascension into heaven. From this, we are taught about God’s presence, promise, and power and in our understanding, we can react as the disciples did: worship in joy and bless God.

God’s Vengeance: 1 Samuel 25:23-34

Pastor Cana’s sermon text (1 Samuel 25:23-34) recounts Nabal’s refusal to provide David’s men, protectors of his shepherds, for the feast day. David’s wrath dissipates as Nabal’s wife Abigail offers gifts and reminds him that for his restraint, God will deliver His vengeance. Vengeance is not our place but God’s, because His is the better timing and judgement. We are to trust in His retribution.

An Unexpected King: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Pastor Cana’s sermon text (1 Samuel 16:1-13) presents us with God’s prophet Samuel, who, following King Saul’s disobedience, seeks out a new king among the sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite. As the youngest is brought forth, God proclaims that he is worthy to lead. God surprises and accommodates us in our misplaced expectations so we must be ready for and rejoice in God’s provision.

All God’s People Are God’s People: Amos 9:7 & Isaiah 19:25

Pastor Cana’s sermon texts (Amos 9:7 and Isiah 19:25) teach that God’s people are not limited to Israel but include Israel’s enemies because they have also been created by Him. We can rejoice and believe that God sees all people as His beloved people, His handiwork, and His inheritance.

Love, Truth, and Christ’s Discerning Body: 2 John 1:5-9

Pastor Cana’s sermon text, 2 John 1:5-9, expresses the significance of love and warns about those who would claim Jesus did not come in the flesh. Jesus’ physical presence is a demonstration of what it means to walk in love, so it is our task to follow His example.

Christ’s Resurrection: Matthew 28:1-10

Celebrating the ultimate defeat of death, Pastor Cana declares that Christ’s resurrection is a good physical reality. Matthew 28:1-10 sees the two Marys visit Jesus’s tomb, but they are met by an angel who declares that He has risen. Afterward, Jesus meets them and instructs them to deliver the Good News to the disciples in Galilee. By returning in with his scars, Jesus promises that resurrection power is for all of us, perfectly restored in imperfect bodies.

Passion of Jesus, Preparing for Burial: Matthew 26

This Palm Sunday, Pastor Cana reflects on Jesus’ preparations for His death. Matthew 26 shows Jesus accepting a woman’s anointing and praying His full-bodied submission to God’s will. As we prepare for Jesus’ burial, we should reflect on His passion to learn how to wholly submit ourselves to God.

Clarence Jordan

Joanne Tramel’s first sermon of the year highlights great Christians of history. For 2023, that figure is Clarence Jordan (1912-1969). Jordan made it his life’s purpose to fight against economic and racial inequality using his Koinonia Farm in Georgia, though terrorized by local white supremacists. His Cotton Patch Gospels provided modern retelling of the Bible and the later use of the farm for affordable housing paved the way for the founding of Habitat for Humanity.