By Brandon Lemons On Sunday, we completed the Threads sermon series. For eight weeks, we journeyed from Genesis to Revelation…every Sunday! Each sermon was an epic journey, tracing a theme as it twisted and turned through Scripture, across thousands of years of biblical terrain. We’d finish the journey one week, and then return the next week to the same starting point (Genesis) and embark on a journey to the same destination (Revelation), via a different path than the we

By Brandon Lemons Did you know the idea of God’s temple is written into the Bible’s opening statements? In Sunday’s sermon that traced the theme of “temple” through Scripture, I said, “Many scholars believe the temple theme begins in Genesis 1 with how the creation account is presented.” I didn’t have time to dive into this claim during the sermon, but I’m writing this article to highlight parallels between creation and God’s temple. These parallels show that, in the openi

We Need Friendship: Reflections on the Book “Made for People” By Brandon Lemons I like to read. A few weeks ago, I finished a book called Made for People that was both inspiring and convicting. As I read, I kept thinking of not only how to apply this book to my life, but who I’d like to recommend it to and how to share its message with the people of Friedens. Therefore, one step I’m taking is to write an article about it. This article isn’t meant to be a “book review.”

By Brandon Lemons Seven years ago, I wrote a few notes in a Word document about an idea for a sermon series. I gravitated toward the title “Threads,” as in a thread that weaves its way through the biblical storyline. Yet as much as I liked the idea, I struggled to see how it could be an engaging sermon series; I worried it might feel too “heady,” too intellectual. So I moved on to a different idea for my next sermon series. In the years since then, the “Threads” idea

During Sunday’s worship services, we started a series of “Shadow Readings” to help us prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you missed Sunday’s reading or would like to reflect on it further, we are publishing the readings on Friedens’ blog each week. Today is Palm Sunday, when we remember what is known as Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds spread their cloaks on the ground. They cut tree branches and spread them on the r

During Sunday’s worship services, we started a series of “Shadow Readings” to help us prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you missed Sunday’s reading or would like to reflect on it further, we are publishing the readings on Friedens’ blog each week. When Jesus was beginning His ministry, John the Baptist saw Him coming and cried out, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This would have surprised people, but Jesus was not surprised. He un

During Sunday’s worship services, we started a series of “Shadow Readings” to help us prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you missed Sunday’s reading or would like to reflect on it further, we are publishing the readings on Friedens’ blog each week. Down through the centuries, God was preparing to send the Messiah into the world. He dropped many hints about the Messiah, including that He would enter the world as a baby, that He would be a great king, and also t

During Sunday’s worship services, we started a series of “Shadow Readings” to help us prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you missed Sunday’s reading or would like to reflect on it further, we are publishing the readings on Friedens’ blog each week. Each year leading up to Christmas, many churches observe a season called Advent. Advent includes readings about Jesus, and candles are lit to represent the approaching celebration of Jesus’ birth. This year, in

By Brandon Lemons This is the final devotional in the “Church on Mission” series. It’s an appropriate way to end because “making disciples” was not only the theme of Sunday’s sermon, but it’s central to the mission of any church that is faithful to Jesus. After all, Jesus said, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). A “church on mission” is intentional to “make disciples.” The term “disciple” can be confusing. One reason is that this word is rarely used in today’s c

By Brandon Lemons This last Sunday’s sermon focused on the importance of growing in Christ-like character. God expects that Christians will be growing and bearing fruit. In the New Testament, the main type of fruit is based on a person’s character. This devotional highlights an example of unhealthy character. When trying to understand and apply a positive characteristic, it can be helpful to examine the opposite of the characteristic we are trying to develop. Matthew

By Brandon Lemons In the New Testament’s letter called 1 Peter, the apostle Peter addressed Christians who were experiencing persecution and suffering. Peter called those Christians “exiles” (1:1), meaning they were living in a land that was not their own. In a literal sense, they were scattered geographically due to persecution. But there’s also a sense in which all Christians live in this world as exiles, because this world isn’t our ultimate home. The apostle Paul furt

By Brandon Lemons In the current sermon series called “Church on Mission,” we are focused on our OUT relationship with the surrounding world. This OUT relationship reminds us that Christians are to be intentional in how we represent Jesus to the world around us. On Sunday, we talked about the importance of verbalizing the Gospel. Today, I’d like to focus us on the heart of Jesus in outreach. Being a Christian means we strive to be like Jesus. Our attitudes, words, and

By Brandon Lemons Throughout the “Church on Mission” series, I am writing devotionals to help us reflect on the topics of the sermons. This devotional differs from the others in that it isn’t focused on just one passage. Instead, this devotional lists statements that highlight practical ways the Gospel can transform our lives, including how it frees and inspires us to care well for others. I first heard this list at a conference, from a pastor named John Lynch. I was

By Brandon Lemons Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth addressed widespread strife within the church. There were rivalries and factions. Some church members were looking down on other church members. It was a dysfunctional church family, to say the least. The church in Corinth was a far cry from the New Testament’s vision of church, which we talked about on Sunday as being “a community that is deeply and lovingly invested in each other’s lives.” Church can be

By Brandon Lemons This is part two of a series of devotionals that corresponds with the current sermon series, “Church on Mission.” Last week and this week, we are focusing on our relationship with God. Sunday’s message highlighted ways to grow in our heart for God, especially by building rhythms that get Scripture into our lives in a way that impacts us. When I talk about my goal for how Christians handle Scripture, I frequently use the descriptions “confidence, competen

By Brandon Lemons On Sunday, we started a series called “Church on Mission,” which unpacks Friedens’ mission of “Making disciples of Jesus through UP-IN-OUT relationships.” If you missed Sunday’s sermon on “Prioritizing God,” click here to watch or listen! Throughout this series, I will write a short devotional that corresponds with the previous Sunday’s message. Psalm 145 is a “praise psalm.” It is one of the Bible’s richest expressions of joyous praise to God. One

By Brandon Lemons The start of a new year provides a great reminder to re-focus on things that really matter. This is why people make New Year’s resolutions. This is why the New Year generates lots of reflection and goal-setting. Turning the calendar to January is an annual reminder to prioritize what really matters. With these New Year dynamics in mind, we are starting a sermon series on Sunday that is designed to re-focus us, as a church family, on why we do what we

By Brandon Lemons For the first time since April, we are starting a new sermon series. It is called “The Heart of Christmas” and will look at God’s heart, which compelled Him to send His Son into the world. This series will take a unique look at Christmas through a passage that isn’t a typical part of Christmas celebrations. I’m referring to Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you a

By Brandon Lemons Last Sunday as I was sitting in the class I was leading on “Resolving Everyday Conflict,” I was struck by the idea that Friedens offers great opportunities to learn and grow. These opportunities abound in a variety of ways each week, but I’d like to highlight our Sunday-morning classes. Everyone faces conflict…especially in today’s society! Disagreements and frustrations boil over, creating tension and driving wedges in relationships. This happens all the

By Brandon Lemons Back in 2009 when I was interviewing at Friedens Church, the search committee asked what my favorite part of ministry is. Unlike some questions, I didn’t have to ponder my answer; I already knew. I responded that “I love seeing God transform people’s lives.” This is an exhilarating part of ministry! Being a pastor gives me a front-row seat to witness God’s work in people’s lives. However, you don’t need to be in vocational ministry to see God transform