Sermon Database

A comprehensive database of COGY’s youth sermons, dating from February 2009. Please allow at least a week for the most recent sermon to be uploaded.

 

Delving into the 1st Epistle of John

Apostle John wrote his first epistle already being an old man. He has seen a lot of God’s work in his lifetime and tested out the teaching of Christ on his own skin. The result – an unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ accompanied by a great eagerness to share His life with others.
 
The people John is writing to a group somewhat similar in their standing to us. Just like us, a lot of them were brought up in Christian homes. Christianity in their world existed at the time for already roughly 60 years which almost exactly corresponds to the age of Ukrainian Evangelical church.  It’s likely that a lot of them, especially of the younger generation, have lost their fervor and John takes upon a task to once again relate to them who Jesus, our great God and Savior, is and how His person and work affects us.
 
The main theme of this letter can be summarized in the call to three things: true doctrine (teaching), obedient living and passionate devotion. John is not about what we ought to be doing but, rather, focuses on what has already been done by God and calls the readers to respond out of that knowledge and transformation. The true teaching translates into authentic Christian living when it is obeyed.
 
True Christians are not “of the world” or “of the devil” but they belong to God and are “of the light.”  Since God lives in them it is clear for all to see Him in their lives. It manifests in their talk (it builds people up), actions (they are helpful rather than harmful) and life (the goals that they aspire to and live for are God’s).

 

Youth Project: Christianity in the USSR

Some of the elderly people in our church were eyewitnesses to the amazing work that God has been doing over in Ukraine.  We decided it would be a great idea to visit them and record their stories.  What a treasure it will be for us in the years to come!  Jesus is slowly taking them to Himself so we don’t have much time left having them with us. The conversations/interviews we have are sound recorded, then transcribed. We also collect photo’s for archiving. All these materials will be collected after our campaign is concluded, and compiled into book format and published with a corresponding website. This project is being kept internal and only public to our Youth, so if you’d like to sit in we’d be happy to have you join us.

Our visits are weekly, let us know if you’re interested in visiting some of our elderly people. Please note some of the conversations are pretty intense and graphic. hard topics like Stalin’s genocide, the Holocaust, and war are common topics. Contact Mike Labaz @ (206)353-8263 to be added to the group.

Featured Guest: Nick from Ukraine [Full Recorded Sermon Inside]

 

Before starting our new series of sermons and study on the books of John, we welcomed Brother Nick from Ukraine to share with us that which God had placed on his heart.

A few words about brother Nick…

Even though we’ve all been adopted into God’s family, brother Nick has a unique understanding of what it means to be adopted into God’s family. Brother Nick grew up as an orphan not knowing his biological parents, as a young man he witnessed young Christians serving him and others like him at an orphanage home where Nick lived all his life. He was blown away by the love and compassion they displayed. From that day on he was determined to find out what drove these people. Eventually Brother Nick came to know Jesus as his personal Savior, and learned that there is no better father than our heavenly Father!

We were blessed with his presence as he stressed the serious nature of our day to day walks with God. Later on, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we were led into a series of powerful prayers. Those present were able to open up and share their prayer requests and were supported by everyone in their prayers.  Even though we experienced some technical difficulties early on, they couldn’t stop those present in the room from being filled with the Holy Spirit!

We welcome you to come join us, every Thursday @ 7:30pm, and experience the glory of God for yourself!

Listen to the full sermon here: 03.19.09 – Guest Nick w/ Alex Sad Translated

Encouraging Scripture About Social Work

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Your Opportunity to Serve

There are a number of areas where we lack necessary help, now is the perfect time to get yourself plugged into our youth ministry. 

These areas include but are not limited to: 

• Labor – It takes time and effort to prepare for youth services and outreach events.
• Social Work - Visiting elderly. We’re forming a group quickly, inquire for more info.
• Hospitality - Food, coffee, upkeep, etc.
• Media – Photographers, videographers, web/graphic designers, etc
• Sound Board - Backup dedicated sound technician
• Ushers – Help insure order in the body of Christ by keeping order at our services.
• Inquire for more…

If interested in helping our youth, and in turn beginning your personal ministry and connection to your church, please contact a youth leadership member.