Tag: being different
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The Pressure to Fit in When My Faith Makes Me Different
Our culture seems to be of two minds. On one hand it celebrates being different and unique. “You do you!” On the other hand, we want desperately to fit in, to be affirmed, and to be like everybody else. This tension is felt by Christians too. But we need to wrestle with something: Why do…
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The new alternative lifestyle: Christlikeness
Alternative lifestyles. What comes to mind? Well, these days a lot of those things are more mainstream than you think. So what if the new alternative lifestyle was Christlikeness? In this sermon on Mark 10:1-45 (also released as a podcast episode) we explore 5 sections of text which highlight Jesus’ invitation to be a part…
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![Salvation Before Reputation [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/oct6.png?w=1024)
Salvation Before Reputation [Sermon]
Michael Mangis says: “Faith means stepping onto the path that looks so much like it goes in the wrong direction.” Perhaps that is why Jesus’ own family said he was “out of his mind.” What motivates what YOU say and do? This sermon (and podcast episode) explores that very question as we unpack Mark 3:1-21.
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![Holiness is Readiness [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sermon-holiness.png?w=1024)
Holiness is Readiness [Sermon]
The idea of holiness has pretty much been trampled. Gee, I wonder why that is? God is holy. And we are told to be holy as a way to prepare for the return of Jesus. This sermon is on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13.
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![Costly, whole-hearted devotion [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sermon-graphics-gen-1-1.png?w=1024)
Costly, whole-hearted devotion [Sermon]
If you follow Jesus you are different. In 1961, 96% of people in our country identified as Christian. No longer. “No Religion” is now the second largest ‘religious’ category. And while you can’t read too much into what people tick on a census form, the fact remains that if you follow Jesus today, people will…
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![Fickle or Faithful [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sermon-sunday-titles-4.png?w=1024)
Fickle or Faithful [Sermon]
Crowds can be fickle. One day they’re yelling “Hosanna!” to Jesus and a few days later they’re crying “Crucify him!” Where are we in the mix? Are we fickle, or faithful? That’s what this Palm Sunday sermon explores with John 12:12-19, along with four practical helps toward faithfulness.
