Reality Boston

In times of uncertainty sometimes hear, "All you can do is trust God.” But how do we know we can really trust God? And is that really all we can do? From the Palm Sunday text of Matthew 21:1-11, Al Abdulla addresses what’s needed to trust God, and what active trust looks. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

As we adapt to meeting online and engaging in community, we're still observing what it means to make space to listen in this Lenten season. To do that, we're going to look at Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:10-17. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Our world has changed drastically since the COVID-19 epidemic. Still, Jesus' Church is on the move. As we adapt to meeting online and engaging in community, we'll take a look at 1 Kings 19:9-12, and pay attention to how God has still called us to make space to hear Him in this season. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

In our world and in our city so many things demand our attention— business, chaos, and other distractions. As a community following Jesus, one of our core values is to live lives that are postured to hear from God, which is a counter-cultural act. In Psalm 46 God says to his people, "be Still and know that I am God". From this passage, Rashad Clemons explores what it means to make space, quiet our souls, and hear from the Lord. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

After Jesus reappeared from the dead, he commissioned his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples. It was a mission with meaning. Little did the ancient church, and the modern church for that matter, know that the great commission would often be at the expense of their comfort. From Acts 8:1-8, Al Abdulla explores our purpose and promise we have in participating in God’s modern day mission. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Everything begins in the mind— our thoughts shape our reality, and our thoughts lead to actions. If Jesus embodies what is true, good and beautiful, our thoughts should be centered on Him, but the wrong mindset can rob us of Christ's eternal joy and peace. In the final chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we see how a thought life centered in Christ reframes how we see the world. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

What is it that we’re really hoping for in an election year? Perhaps it’s vindication. We want someone to finally represent our needs, our views, and our values. Election year gives is the possibility of hope. From Philippians 3:15-21, Al Abdulla explores why our citizenship in heaven is perhaps the fulfillment of our deepest longing. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

In life we are often taking hold of things that we believe will bring us joy, fulfillment, and status. Here in Philippians 3:1-14, Paul teaches and exhorts the church to take Hold of true Joy by pursuing a life with Jesus— that pursuing Jesus will challenge us to let go of the things we once thought would bring us fulfillment. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Community and relationships can be difficult, and the church in Philippi was experiencing the difficulty of unity and affection in the midst of trial. From Philippians 2:12-18, Rashad Clemons shares how Paul admonishes this young church— Paul explains that the love of Jesus that's been worked into our hearts is also meant to be worked out in our difficulties with one another for the advancement of the Gospel! For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Humble confidence is the sweet spot of loving others as you also love yourself. Yet, there are two enemies to humble confidence: Fear and self-doubt. Both are rooted in the ego. From Philippians 2:1-11, Al Abdulla explores the antidote we need to become truly humble and confident. *There are no slides available for this sermon.

The joy found in the good news of Jesus is not only found in good times, but also in times of trials and hardship. This young Philippian church's joyful unity was in jeopardy, and the Apostle Paul gives them a word of encouragement on how to holdfast for the sake of the gospel. From Philippians 1:27-2:4, Rashad Clemons shares how tests are meant to galvanize a community to live from a place of humility and love. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how” —Nietzsche Suffering is universal. A metaphor often used for our affliction is ‘Chains.’ In Philippians 1:12-26, Paul finds himself in a dark Roman prison and in literal chains. In this talk, Al Abdulla explores what it is that allows Paul to have joy in the midst of his chains, and how our lives might be affected when we find ourselves chained to painful circumstances. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

In a world searching for fleeting happiness, the book of Philippians points to an indestructible Joy found in the good news of Jesus. Paul begins his letter with thanksgiving and prayer, filled with joy, on behalf of all of God's people in Philippi. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Colossians 1 and John 1 both tell us that before the cosmos began, Christ existed in perfect love, power and faithfulness. His story might seem like a myth-- too good to be true, but the prophets tell us of the good news of a coming King who is just, and shepherds his people into hope and life. From verses in Micah 5 and 6, Al Abdulla illustrates what it looks like to believe in this Shepherd King from eternity. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

What does God see when he sees me? The answer to that question can determine the deepest part of our identity. From Zechariah 3:1-10, show us how God sees us when we’re we’re given a behind the scenes look into the spiritual realm. Al Abdulla shows why we tend to have difficulty seeing ourselves as God does and the difference it makes when we do. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Delays can often get confused with unfulfillment, and experiencing a season of unfulfilled expectations can breed cynicism. God speaks to the people of God through the prophet Malachi, that surely He is sending the Messiah, and that their cynicism is not only misdirected, it has polluted their heart and clouded their perspective. We will explore what the scriptures say about God's faithfulness and commitment to exact justice and bring peace through the person of Jesus. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Only the promise of summer warmth gives hope amidst the winter chill. So what promise gives you hope amidst life’s sorrow and uncertainty? What if you could be assured that the best is yet to come? From the Minor Prophet Amos (Amos 8:4-10; 9:11-17), Al Abdulla explores God’s promise that although judgment is coming justice and joy is just around the corner! In other words, the advent of Messiah means the best is yet to come. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

“Hālal” is the most common word for praise. This word simply means to boast, brag, or rave about God even to the point of appearing foolish. Jesus asks a question about those who have received healing from Him, where is the praise? From Luke 17:11-19, Rashad Clemons explores how gratitude is the currency of the followers of Jesus and how praise is connected to our well being. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Jesus is the Lord of our work life as well as our prayer life. While we are meant to love our work, our culture encourages us to assign ourselves value through our work. What happens when we are unfulfilled? What do we do when we come up empty? From John 21:1-14, we see how Jesus can affirm us in our work, and remind us that he alone can richly provide. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Rejection. We’ve all experienced it. To some degree we all protect ourselves against it. In his final question before his death, Jesus expresses his experience of rejection from his Father. What does it show us about ourselves? What does it show us about God? From Mark 15:33-39, Pastor Al Abdulla speaks on one of the most perplexing passages in scripture. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.