On Sunday mornings Pastor Dirk and other guest speakers take the Bible and provide inspiring, encouraging, and often challenging messages to help you grow spiritually and discover good news from Jesus for your life.
If you are going to participate online, you can get the sermon notes and bulletins for each week below. Also there are links to the specific sermons, and an audio player for most Sunday messages.
The word faith is thrown around all the time - but what is it and how do you get it? I encourage you to listen to this important teaching on something which is so central in life. It is a matter of life and death.
There is so much we must take by faith; I hope this sermon helps you have a better handle on the topic so you can live it and share it.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God...
We often hear about an empty tomb - but that is not a convincing argument that Jesus is alive. However, after his death, Jesus came and ate with people. It was in eating that Jesus showed his disciples that he was not a ghost, but rather at risen Savior. When we realize that Jesus is not a dead figure from history, but a living person of eternity, everything can change for us spiritually. Listen to this Easter message - He is Risen!
Luke 24:41-43 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, Jesus asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and Jesus took it and ate it in their presence.
God takes ordinary things, and does the amazing!
Ordinary people, ordinary objects, the regular stuff of life, if we make it availabe to God, can be transformed. A young donkey tried near the entrance of a city went from being a beast of burden to a bold statement of humble authority.
But to put things into motion, the owner had to respond to the request from the Owner. Listen to this message which can help you to take care of, use wisely, and hold loosely the things we have.
Luke 19:33-34 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They replied, "The Owner needs it."
Zack had done the unthinkable and now his hiding place was compromised. They eyes of the crowd shifted from the beloved teacher to the hated thief. It was in this moment that the grace of Jesus transformed the situation, and as a result - transformed a life. But it wasn't without a cost.
As Jesus was heading to Jerusalem, he took an important detour to teach a lesson he doesn't want anyone to miss. Listen to this message to be inspired by the amazing love of Jesus; a love which is not only for the oppressed, but also the oppressor.
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus...
Jesus invites us to more! If you hear his teaching recorded in Matthew chapter 5 it can be a bit intimidating, but at the core it is comforting. It is comforting because God loves you enough to want the best for you, and help you achieve it. But it goes beyond you; God loves the whole world, and calls you to make a difference. Listen to this great invitation of Jesus.
Jesus invites us to follow him throughout our lives. Hear this message from our guest pastor - Rev. Chuck Gieser.
There is plenty of news out there which might lead you to think that marriage is in big trouble. The reality is that the vast and overwhelming majority still want marriage, and want the type of marriage God desires. A good, healthy, mutually supporting bonding of two into one flesh. I pray that this message helps you, and helps you encourage others to find the joy in Christian marriage.
What's your relationship status? Our lasting relationships impact our lives in so many ways, and what is happening in our relationships has huge spiritual implications. In this message we explore relationships, with a specific focus on those who are not married.
Single, Divorced, Widowed - What's your relationship status?
1 Corinthians 7:1-40
What is the condition of your soul? We can measure our financial health and our physical health. We talk about mental health - but what about spiritual health? How is your soul? The Bible claims that God's way revive the soul. Does your soul need some reviving?
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
Now what? If you have listened to the recent sermons, there has been a call to let go of the false fronts and get real, and to press on toward the prize offered by God through Jesus. But what does that look like? In Philippians 3 Paul gives us a great help - look at the examples of others. We can learn from those who have gone before us and those who are following Christ around us. In this message, Elder Wes Van Ort encourages us to find joy as we respond to the invitation "Let's Go!"
Philippians 3:17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
We can have a storm within us, or we can let it go. Do you want to hold onto bitterness, anger, resentment or regret? Do you want to live in the negative, or take hold of the good that God has for you. That is why Jesus came - so why not take hold of it with all that you are? This message focuses on an important "letting go" we all must do if we want all that God offers.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12
Last year many Christian themed movies made it big in the theaters: Noah, Exodus, Son of God, God's Not Dead, Heaven is for Real. One that isn't on most lists that should be is the animated film Frozen. With powerful cinematic metaphors of the Christian faith, this blockbuster is a great entry point into key aspects of following Christ. Listen as Philippians 3 and Anna & Elsa come together in one sermon.
What do we have to "Let Go" in order to see what we can become in this world?
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7
Things never go as perfectly as we plan - but that is the way life goes. So how can we celebrate Christmas in ways that make it meaningful, memorable, and true to the spirit of the holiday? Start by watching this video: Simple Christmas Video
Then listen as Pastor Dirk shares about making Christmas meaningful.
Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
In thinking what Christmas is not (It is not your birthday), it is important to realize that Christmas is not magic - it is miraculous. What is the difference between Magic and Miracle?
This is a critically important distinction to make as we understand God. If God is like Santa Claus for grown-ups, you will not have a God which can see you through everything life throws at you. We need a bigger, wise, more miraculous power in our lives.
Are you ready to expect a miracle this Christmas?
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-7
What can all the craziness of Christmas add to your life?
Are you complete or do you need more?
After spending some great time giving thanks, how do we have the best Christmas possible? It is the perfect time of the year to take steps right now to make this the most wonderful time of the year.
Give Thanks - Seek Goodness - Choose Wisely
1 Corinthians 1:5-9 For in him you have been enriched in every way-- in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-- because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
God is working in the world through His children gathered together and working together - as local churches. Local churches are made up of individuals. While is not a solo affair, Christianity definitely has a very personal aspect to it. For a church to be healthy, for you to be part of something bigger than you, you need to make some important decisions for yourself and how you are going to live. Jesus extends the offer, "Follow Me." Who is this Jesus?
Colosians 1:19-22
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [his Son], and through him to reconcile to himself all things... by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
A highly dysfunctional church cannot serve God well - so what does a healthy church look like? It isn't so much about organizational structure, history, or even specific doctrine - it is about people. People bound together by Jesus, and fit together as God intends. We are called to actively engage in being the Body of Christ.
This is life, this is work - and it produces something wonderful: JOY!
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:10-13
In the right column of this page is our church mission statement. If a church is going to serve God, it must be what God uses to get things done. God is active in the world through local churches - congregations who are vital and healthy.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16
We know so much, but we are known so little. We keep up false fronts, try and fit in, and have few (if any) people who truly know us. This isn't good for us in the long run. We are designed to be known, it is a cry of our soul to be known. The good news is that God knows you, and even with this knowledge, God loves you.
It is actually a good thing, a freeing reality, it is life giving once you realize you can't hide from God. God sees everything - and that's okay.
Psalm 139 O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
Sermon from Rev. Dr. Gregg Mast, President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary on being those who truly love their neighbors.
1 Kings 17:7-16 & Luke 10:29-37