The Sycamore Message

Resurrection: Body of Evidence

Pastor Eric BurtonApril 20, 2025 - Easter Sunday
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭57‬-‭64‬‬As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching. The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”

A Necessary Praise

The Sycamore Church - Palm Sunday: A Necessary Praise
Pastor Eric Burton4/13/25
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭9‬‬Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Perfect Love

4.6.25 - John Barnett

A Cure For Itching Ears

How many enjoy a good comeback story?A Sycamore Quality: Celebration. We believe church should be a place to celebrate what Jesus is doing.Today we are on our final installment in the Romans series. We’re going to begin with Paul’s instruction and end with victory!The responsibility of believers:Romans 16:17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.

Romans: Greetings

Pastor Eric Burton - March 23, 2025
thesycamore.net

Romans: Detours

March 16, 2025 - Pastor Eric Burton - Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭23‬-‭33‬‬
But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey. But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together. Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other. And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.

Romans: Just A Reminder

Romans 15 - Pastor Eric Burton
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭14‬-‭22‬‬I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.
Romans 15:14-22
Context: Paul’s main audience here is Gentiles, or people that are not Jewish.
Vs. 14 Paul is confident in his work among the Gentiles.He was confident they were full of goodness. Despite the many issues he had to address in the church they were ultimately full of goodness. And not their own goodness but it is believed he is referring to the same goodness as a fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians.5:22 .
This goodness was not their own but the goodness of God in them.Vs. 15 You just need a reminder.Paul is telling us why he wrote this letter to the church at Rome. He is bold in his approach because they know what they should do but may not be living them out.
You are able to teach others but you just need a reminder. We don’t always need to learn something new we just need a reminder of something wealready know. There is a dynamic difference between teaching someone else what you know and actually living it out.
Paul is even careful not to preach to others and miss out on the power of the gospel himself.
1 Corinthians 9:27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Vs. 16-17“Things pertaining to God”.Paul refers to his work among the Gentiles as a minister pertaining to the things of God. This word minister is translated the same as priestly ministry.Priests made sacrifices for God so that people could be made right.
Paul borrows this interesting phrase service of God, or things pertaining to God from the book of Hebrews to refer to mosaic code of sacrifices. 
Paul craftily weaves this phrase here in chapter 15 to show just as God used priests in the Old Testament to make sacrifices to forgive sins, he has used him to show the Gentiles that Jesus is their sacrifice for sin.He wants it known that I am only doing the work of a priest but it is God that does the saving.
The preaching of the gospel should be confirmed.Mark 16:20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.
God uses me in spite of me.
Paul was very successful and gifted in his ministry but very careful to mention that it was God working through him in spite of himself.
The work of God was demonstrated with miraculous signs and wonders.One of the most effective forms of evangelism is miracles, signs and wonders. Some people believe those works are over but they are what confirms the preaching of the gospel.
Mark 16:20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.Paul is saying I made sure to present the gospel of Jesus Christ whenever miracles started occurring.
Miracles should never be in and of themselves the pinnacle of a ministry lest we get arrogant thinking we did something great. Miracle should always be accompanied with the Good News. People should always hear about Jesus, the greatest miracle worker.
Furthermore, Paul says, “In this way” I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. Everywhere Paul preached miracles followed.
1000 miles between Jerusalem and Illyricum. No matter the race or nationality the power of God and the good news translates. It works for the Jew and the Gentile
Vs. 20-22 Paul’s ambition for missionOne of the most sobering verses in the BibleThe Apostle Paul wanted to preach the Gospel where people had never heard about Jesus. He is quoting from Isaiah 52:15 to illustrate his ministry. For they will see what they have not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. The power of the gospel is thatJesus is revealing himself to people where a preacher has never been. He doesn’t want to build on what another man has built. He only wants to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Bring it homeNext week we get to look at Paul's travel plans to bring the gospel and how plans don’t always turn out like we intended. Paul is reminding the church at Rome with diverse culture and demographics that God has done a work in you. Whether you were Jew of Roman you needed Jesus.
Ephesians 2:17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Whether you were NEAR or FAR from Jesus we were all the same distance from hell.

Rules of Engagement - Part II

The Sycamore Church - Romans 14 - Pastor Eric Burton
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭23‬‬Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
Today let's see where this applies to our life in respect to other believers. I don’t want us leaving here just knowing what the observation and interpretation are but the application as well. How does this apply to my life?
Key Verse: Romans 14:12-23
Sycamore Church Value: Be loyal. Accept other believers where they are and be willing to walk with them when we don’t see eye to eye.
1. Prefer other believers. Vs. 14-21• “ In and of itself” There are lots of things in and of themselves that are not bad. If you were to take it out of the context of it’s stereotype it’s not evil. It comes down to the context of a thing. Of course, we know there are things “in and of themselves” that are evil.• The “strong” believer has a responsibility to not exercise their liberties in front of a “weak” believer as it says in vs. 2. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
2. Don't ruin what God is doing. Vs. 15.• If we don't understand the terms of the new covenant we risk the chance of destroying the work of God. The church in Rome were in danger of destroying the work of God because of differences. (ROMANS 14: 20)• One might say the weaker believer just needs to grow up and not get offended. True, but we’re not talking about someone simply getting upset. This is about a practice that overlaps worship with God and someone’s old life. This has to do with someone that hasn’t quite come to the place where you are.• Is there anything you used to do in the world that you see being done in the church?• Don’t let your freedom ruin what Christ did to make someone else free.
3. Keep your liberties to yourself. Vs. 22
4. Don’t violate your conscience. Vs. 22-23• If you think it’s right then don’t feel guilty• If you think it’s wrong then don’t do it. If you do, You’re trespassing your own conscience thus sinning against yourself. God makes things acceptable, not man.I know we're not fighting over meat. 1Corinthians 8:4 So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.Examples of meat: Something acceptable in the church and the world. Politics, style of music, organized sports, TV, riding a Harley Davidson, dancing…
5. People are not meat.•God shows Peter a vision in Acts 10:28 of a sheet of different meats. Peter's religious custom said you can't eat those kinds of meats. But God is not talking about meat, HE'S TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE HE DIED FOR. (ROMANS 14:15)God is wanting to use you to bring people into His kingdom today. If Peter had rejected what God was doing Cornelius and his family may not have come to Jesus.
Let’s go back to the beginning of our text6. Focus on yourself.• Vs. 10-12 Every knee will bow. Everyone will give a personal account.Paul is speaking to the weaker brother here. A reference back to vs. 2 in this chapter when Paul tells those who don’t do certain things must not condemn those who do. Why do you judge each other over non-essential matters when God is going to judge us all on essential matters? Focus on yourself.• INSTEAD live in such a way that doesn’t cause other believers to stumble and fall. This stumble and fall is much more serious than just hurting someone’s feelings. It's about you causing them to leave the faith; to destroy the work God has begun in them.• It may feel unfair to watch what you do for the sake of someone else’s faith, but the sacrifice will be worth it all. These present sufferings won’t compare to the glory we will share. Romans 8:8
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Jesus Said Love One Another - Yes Even That Person

Elder Tim Barber - February 16, 2025
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭13‬‬We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: “For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.” And in another place it is written, “Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.” And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.” And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.” I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Theme: Paul calls believers to selfless love, unity, and hope in Christ as thefoundation of Christian community.
Paul is transforming alienation into community.
I. Bearing with the Weak (Verses 1-3): A Call to Selfless LoveVerse 1: We who are strong ought to bear the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Verse 2: Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.Verse 3. For even Christ did not please himself
Everyday Life: How do you use your strength?Truth: Moses and Aaron (Exodus 17:8-13) When Israel fought the Amalekites, Moses arms grew weak as he held up the staff. Instead of criticizing him, Aaron and Hur supported his arms so that Israel could win the battle. We all have weak moments; the strong are called to lift up the weak, not leave them behind.
II. The Power of the Word for Encouragement (Verses 4-6): ACall to Endurance and UnityVerse 4: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.Verse 5: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity.Verse 6: So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Everyday Life: Who and how did someone speak life into your disappointment and despair?Truth: Elijah's Despair and God's Encouragement (1 Kings 19:1-18)
III. Accepting One Another as Christ Did (Verses 7-12): ACall to Inclusion and JoyVerse 7: Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Verse 8: “For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed.” Paul shows that Jesus fulfilled God’s promises to Israel.Verse 9: Paul writes: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” (Romans 15:9) This comes from Psalm 18:49, where David declares: “Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.”Verse 10: Paul continues: “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people." This is from Deuteronomy 32:43, which says: “Rejoice, you nations, with hispeople, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.”Verse 11: Paul declares: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” This is a direct quote from Psalm 117:1, which states: “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.”Verse 12: Paul concludes: “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” This prophecy from Isaiah 11:10 says: “In that day the Root of Jesse will standas a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.”
Everyday Life: How did you create space for the one who felt uncomfortable or out of place?Truth: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)The Samaritan helped the wounded man while others ignored him. He didn't care about race or status—he saw a person in need.Christ calls us to embrace people, not exclude them.
IV. Abounding in Hope Through the Holy Spirit (Verse 13): ACall to Joy and Trust in GodVerse 13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.True hope isn't based on circumstances—it's based on God's faithfulness.The Holy Spirit fills us with joy, peace, and hope that overflows.
Everyday Life: Make a statement today of Living life with confidence and expectation !!Truth: Abraham's Hope in God's Promise (Romans 4:18-21)Abraham hoped against all odds that God would give him a son.Even when it seemed impossible, he trusted God's promise.Faith in God leads to overflowing hope.
Conclusion:Christ calls us to love selflessly, find encouragement in His Word, embrace unity, and overflow with hope.
Challenge:Who in your life needs patience from you?Who do you need to encourage this week?Are you living in the hope and joy God offers?
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Super Soul Sunday

Pastor Eric Burton - February 9, 2025
Key Verse Today: Matthew 16:26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Sycamore quality: church should be enjoyable.
It's Super Bowl Sunday!  Apollo 11 Moon landing and Super Bowl XXVII halftime show are considered the most watched event.
Today we're going to have some fun with a N. American tradition while presenting a biblical truth. 
Because of the NFL's copyright restriction on the use "Super Bowl" others have deemed today as Super Sunday!
I'm not a big proponent of gimmicky sermons but culture is worth using when it can bring a spiritual insight.  Jesus often did this through his teaching.  So what if today we had a Super Soul Sunday. 
Today our soul is the prize and there will be a winner and loser, you decide.   The first soul we read about in the Bible is Adam's. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
The life in Adam was different than the life in every other creation.Adam was made from the same earth but didn't have the same source of life. There may be similarities between you and another species  because God used the same material.  But when he gave life He put something different in Adam and every human being that made us a living soul.  His Breath.  
We're made of the same earth but what's in me is different.  
The breath of God gave Adam the ability to do a purpose rich work on earth transcending robotic instinct.  The breath of God ignites our ability to connect with our purpose and our world.    
The soul is the immortal part of our being. We know we have one but don't know how to listen to it. We know we have one but don't know how to nourish it.We know we have one but don't know if it's healthy.  We know we have one but don't know it's value.  We know we have one but fail to realize it's going to live forever somewhere.
It's difficult to put your finger on soul.  It's the combination of heaven and earth. When eternal was mixed with temporal. It's feeling and facts. Soul will make you remember your alive. This is what is up for grabs today. John 10:9-10 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Soul is when you know the rules and then bend them.You know soul when you hearWhen you hear it you feel itWhen you feel it you express itWhen you express it you see it
We need more soul in the churchMore soul in our prayers, our worship, our preaching, our evangelizing, our faith
In Matthew Jesus asks is there anything worth more than your soul?He says, what does it profit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul.  In order for there to be a profit what I'm getting has to be more than what I'm giving, that's good economics? Is there anything more valuable than your soul. Some people have gained earthly riches and notoriety at the expense of what makes them different. Moses praise to God that he wouldn't take His presence from them because that's what made them different than everyone else.  Don't lose what makes you, you. Don't lose your identity and creativity.  The beat in your heart was gone.  Your joy and passion. We won't come out profitable when we put pleasure over value, gratification over value, quantity over value. Opinion over value. 
Ephesians 2:5 We were dead in our trespasses (sin) Much what kills us is trespass.  We went where we weren't supposed.  We violated a boundary God set up.  God breathed into Adam and he became a living soul. We were dead in our trespasses and sins but God wants to breath life back into you. Jesus' breath is what gave the disciples the Holy GhostIt's the same breath that came from heaven like a mighty rushing wind on the day of Pentecost.It's the breath of God that makes us alive!
God gave us a playbook for the soul to be saved.Run the play. 
There's this interview with Drew Brees about the QB calls. And Stephen Colbert wanted to know how you decode this long connection of phrases to make sense. The coach wants you to run the play because it works. But so often we don't want to follow the instructions. 
God's play for saving your soul starts with 
1. Believing.  Mark 16:16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.2. RepentLuke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.3. Be BaptizedActs 2:384. Because all have sinnedRomans 3:235. Be filled with the Holy Spirit; the breath of God.  Acts 2:38Ephesians 1:13
What If Jesus were a Quarterback?
Your second half can be a comeback. If it feels like the first half of your life, no matter your age, was a mess there’s still time to come back! 
ConversionWho's the best at 4th down conversions? Luke 19:10 Jesus  came to seek and to save that which was lost. This is the story of Zacchaeus.  He had gained the world and lost his soul. He spent half his life doing the wrong thing.  But Jesus called a play.  Zacchaeus ran it and the second half of his life was better than the first.  
The first half of your life may be a mess but Jesus can turn it around.