Hays Christian Church

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.

Lent 2023 (Part 4): Our Feet

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers the journey of a Christian life. Psalm 121 describes an ascent to Jerusalem but implies spiritual similarities. God promises direction and support as we go through life’s journey so we can be goers and trust God.

Lent 2023 (Part 3): Our Mouths

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers our words and how they are connected to our hearts. Psalm 51:15-17 describes David’s anguish over his sin and speaks to repent. Our mouth is not only what we do and don’t say, but also a demonstration of our heart, so we should submit both heart and mouth to God’s desires.

Lent 2023 (Part 2): Our Ears

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s next focus in Psalms considers the distinction between hearing (receiving information) and hearing (understanding). Psalm 40:1-6 explains what the Psalmist is going through and how God taught them to listen. God hears us and gives us ears to hear the Truth of who He is.

Lent 2023 (Part 1): Our Flesh

This Lent, Pastor Cana’s focus is in Psalms to consider what it means to belong entirely to Jesus. Psalms 139:1-18 rejoices in God’s presence and tells us how we can trust that He always knows us. Whether God is everywhere you look or nowhere to be found, our bodies are proof that God is intimately aware of us, so we can trust that our whole selves are known to Him.

Clothed in Christ: Colossians 3:12-17

Pastor Cana takes us through Colossians 3:12-17, in which Paul writes to the church in Colossae to encourage them to reflect on their actions and instructs them how to show their devotion to Christ. We as well can demonstrate our Christian identity and loyalty every day by clothing ourselves in the virtues of Christ: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and most importantly, love.

Doubting and Believing: John 20:19-31

In John 20:19-31, the disciple we know as Doubting Thomas asks for proof that the Lord his friends met was the same Jesus that was crucified. When presented with that proof, Thomas’ faith grew stronger. Pastor Cana shares with us that hesitance to believe and asking questions are a part of a healthy faith.

Looking for God (Part 2): Esther 5:9-13

Pastor Cana follows up with Esther in Esther 5:9-13, where Haman is enraged at the sight of Esther’s relative Mordecai. Haman’s revenge would mean the genocide of the Jewish people, but Esther’s actions lead to their salvation. God works in threatening circumstances for the good of His people. When you examine your life, to look for God.

Looking for God (Part 1): Esther 2:5-11, 15-18

Pastor Cana brings us to Esther 2:5-11, 15-18, where the story of Esther begins. Esther hides her Jewish beliefs to gain favor in the palace as King Ahasuerus seeks a new queen. God works in flawed people, including His own. Do you see God’s presence in hindsight when you thought you were working for yourself?

A Tale of Two Shepherds

Pastor Cana muses on scripture (Jeremiah 23:1-4, Psalm 23, and Ephesians 2:12-18) describing both good and bad shepherds and leaders. Each of us has a responsibility to be shepherds for those around us, leading with support, grace, compassion, and generosity.

God’s Rule and Reign: Psalm 2

The text for Pastor Cana’s sermon is Psalm 2, where the Psalmist speaks about the worldly powers who conspire against God and considers humanity’s desire for power, which is God’s to distribute. His authority and control are not threatened. We find comfort that God will not let false powers last but will reign in love forever.