The Promises of God - Our Story in the Light of God's Promises by Pastor Marissa Ortiz Jadrich - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard

Pastor Marissa encourages us to explore our personal narratives in the context of Jesus' life, as detailed by the different Gospel writers, in her sermon from the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor. Part of the "Promises of God" series and titled "Embracing Our Story in the Light of God's Promises," the sermon delves into how each Gospel author uniquely presents Jesus' story, urging us to reflect on how these perspectives resonate with our own life experiences. Whether it's our family background, achievements, or significant historical events we've witnessed, she emphasizes that our stories are integral to our identity and purpose.

She invites the congregation to see themselves as part of a larger narrative, one that is deeply loved and cherished by God. This divine love and acceptance, Pastor Marissa suggests, are the foundations for genuine personal change and growth. Her message interweaves the Biblical account of Jesus with personal introspection, offering insights into our individual lives through the lens of Jesus' story.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, encouraging us to live in acknowledgment of God's eternal love and promises, embracing our own stories as part of God's grand narrative.

The Promises of God - Jonah - Contending with God's Mercy by Rev. Donnell Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard

In this sermon, Pastor Donnell encourages us to embrace gratitude and grace as we reflect on our year. He begins by expressing gratitude for those present and emphasizes the importance of focusing on what we should be thankful for, rather than dwelling on our failures and disappointments. Pastor Donnell reminds us that despite the challenges, we have made it through the year, which is a significant accomplishment.

He then delves into a sermon series on the promises of God, using the story of Jonah to illustrate his points. Pastor Donnell explores the idea of trust in God, especially in situations where God's plans might seem daunting or disagreeable. He provides a detailed analysis of Jonah's story, including Jonah's reluctance to follow God's command to go to Nineveh and his eventual compliance after trying to flee.

Pastor Donnell highlights Jonah's internal struggle and his anger towards God's mercy towards the Ninevites, which Jonah perceives as unjust. This part of the sermon invites listeners to reflect on the nature of justice, mercy, and our own responses to perceived injustices.

Throughout the sermon, Pastor Donnell skillfully weaves in contemporary applications, encouraging listeners to consider their own lives in light of Jonah's story. He challenges us to think about how we respond to God's calls, how we handle our own reluctances and disappointments, and how we can learn to trust in God's broader plan, even when it conflicts with our personal desires or sense of justice.

In conclusion, Pastor Donnell leaves us with a thought-provoking choice: to live in a world where mercy triumphs over judgment, as exemplified by God's treatment of Nineveh, or to choose a different path. This message, rooted in biblical narrative and rich in personal application, invites reflection and a deeper understanding of our relationship with God and others.

The Promises of God - Habakkuk - God's Terrible Plan by Rev. Donnell Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard

Pastor Donnell encourages us to reflect on the nature of God's promises and our responses to them, especially during times of struggle and waiting. In his sermon titled "The Promises of God - Habakkuk - God's Terrible Plan" he delves into biblical narratives, focusing on how characters interact with God's promises through phases of receiving, believing, waiting, seeing, and blessing. He highlights the universal promise God made to humanity after Adam and Eve's disobedience, emphasizing God's continuous effort to fix the rebellion's consequences and asking for humanity's trust.

Pastor Donnell explores the prophet Habakkuk's dialogue with God, where Habakkuk questions God's seemingly unfair plans and confronts the injustice and violence he witnesses. This interaction serves as a model for bringing our doubts, questions, and anger to God. Pastor Donnell points out that even in the face of difficult or seemingly terrible divine plans, worship and faith in God's nature as a promise keeper are crucial.

He further discusses the impact of injustice and oppression, both on the oppressed and the oppressors, and the role of empire in these dynamics. Drawing parallels with contemporary issues of injustice and the feeling of helplessness they often evoke, he encourages bringing these concerns to God.

Concluding, Pastor Donnell relates this to Jesus Christ's own experience with state-sponsored violence and his ultimate resurrection, presenting it as the ultimate example of God's power over empire and violence. He challenges the congregation to examine their own lives for ways they might be perpetuating mini empires and to seek repentance and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

The Promises of God - Zechariah by Pastor Marissa Ortiz Jadrich - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarbor or watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard

In this sermon, Pastor Marissa delves into the theme of the Promises of God. She highlights the importance of promises not as tests of faith, but as foundations for hope. Pastor Marissa encourages us to see hope not as certainty about the future, but as envisioning a future different from the present and moving towards it with God. She discusses how faith and belief play crucial roles in embracing and enjoying God's promises, using the biblical story of Zechariah to illustrate how doubts and faith coexist in our relationship with God.

Pastor Marissa explains that promises are not just about big miracles but also about everyday assurances of God's presence and guidance. She shares personal anecdotes and biblical narratives to show how promises manifest in various forms - from an angel's message to Zechariah and Elizabeth about their son John, to Mary's visit to Elizabeth, where shared joy and hope amplify their faith. The sermon emphasizes that personal stories of faith and instances of God's kindness have the power to nourish faith and hope in others.

Throughout the sermon, Pastor Marissa invites listeners to reflect on their experiences of God's promises and kindness. She encourages sharing these stories within the community, underscoring their significance in strengthening collective faith and hope. The episode concludes with an invitation to connect with the church for further guidance and community involvement.