Second Nature (Sermon Five)
Can we live a happy and flourishing life if we're not living a virtuous life? What is virtue from a Christian perspective, and how do we develop it? In this fifth sermon in the series, "Living [...]
The Way of Forgiveness (Sermon Four)
As Christians, the need to practice forgiveness could not be more clear in Scripture. But what exactly is forgiveness? We know forgiveness when we feel it, but defining itis often much more difficult. Does positive psychology [...]
Learned Helplessness, Learned Hope (Sermon Three)
The standard disclaimer for various mutual fund advertisements: "Past performance does not guarantee future results." But spiritually--and psychologically--our past experiences are highly determinative of our future ones; they condition our choices. In this sermon, Dr. [...]
Paying Attention (Sermon Two)
Sermon two in the series, "Living Abundantly: Christian Practices for Cultivating the Flourishing Life" Important note: Before listening to this sermon, you are encouraged to watch this video, which is about selective attention. It will take [...]
Tending Our Garden (Sermon One)
Sermon one in the series, "Living Abundantly: Christian Practices for Cultivating the Flourishing Life" Can Christian faith make us happy? Can you even pursue happiness? Or does happiness have to happen? In this introductory sermon to the [...]
Living Abundantly: Christian Practices for Cultivating a Flourishing Life
Soren Kierkegaard once wrote, "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." Is Christian faith more about solving the problem of sin, or the adventure of living a happy [...]
Grace Not Grievance; Victor Not Victim
How easy is it for our resentment to solidify into self-righteousness and the desire to even the scales? Dr. Vamos explores a story about a woman who was insulted, by none other than Jesus, but [...]
Gracious Talk
"Stick and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me..." We've all heard the old nursery rhyme, but it really isn't true, is it? Words, and the ways in which we use them, [...]
What Are You Wearing?
According to the author of Colossians, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. These are tough traits to put into practice, let alone live out. But notice, we are told to "clothe [...]
Weathering the Storms of Fear
Fear is a biological barometer in our lives. It warns us when we are in danger. But what happens when fear takes over? When does fear overtake you? How does our fear hinder our faith? [...]
Have a Seat
Jesus said: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." But, what does that mean!? Jesus is getting at something which [...]
Great Was Artemis of the Ephesians
All that remains of the great Temple of Artemis, one of the seven great wonders of the world. Paul's preaching of the gospel was having an impact on the ancient city of Ephesus [...]
Transforming Through Love
A load-bearing wall is integral to the structure of a home. The problem is, in our effort to create open space in our homes, load-bearing walls become dividing walls. This is true in our world [...]
Wisdom’s Table
Where are the wise..? Have you ever turned on (or off, for that matter) the TV and wondered that? This is the question which the apostle Paul and the teacher of Ecclesiastes ask, only they [...]
The Courage to Be Imperfect
What is your superpower? What if the power we receive as Christians is our embrace of weakness? A Sermon Preached by Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Vamos on Sunday, July 10th. 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. https://s3.amazonaws.com/pcol-media/sermons/2018/Service+2018-07-08.mp3
Your Money Or Your Life
A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Vamos, July 1, 2018. https://s3.amazonaws.com/pcol-media/sermons/2018/Service+2018-07-01.mp3
Don’t Be a Duck
An oft-used image for the successful life is to be like a duck: look calm and collected above the surface, but beneath, where no one sees, paddle like heck. The image for the life of [...]
We Do Not Lose Heart
Could you find something in yourself that would make you content, no matter what the weather? Sermon preached by Jeff Vamos, June 17, 2018. Exodus 25:31-40 (selections), 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 https://s3.amazonaws.com/pcol-media/sermons/2018/Service+2018-06-17.mp3