Sometimes we avoid what matters most, and in the end, we are no better off. How do we grow in the lasting things of joy, hope, peace and love? Listen to this message inspired by the people of Berea.
Acts 17:2-10
Jesus brings freedom; but do you ever stop to think about what he frees us from, and why?
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
On Sunday our high school students shared a combined statement of faith. It is the culmination of this message - to read what these six students said - Click HERE. The message speaks to a combined faith build upon those before us, with Jesus as the anchor.
[You are] fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20
The genders are different. When this truth is accepted, we can seek to understand the differences - to the benefit of everyone. The biggest impact is within marriage; where the Bible calls us to live as equals, but related in ways which work. How do you get what you want? A big part is giving the other person what they want.
Listen to learn more.
Ephesians 5:33 Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Before he wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, John Newton lived out the story of the prodigal son. He wasted opportunities, he destroyed his life, he spit in the face of God - but neither his earthly father nor his heavenly Father ever gave up on him. Hear this encouraging story of grace.
Luke 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
Kent Busman, RCA minister and director of Camp Folwer, considers a messier picture of the church. Jesus welcomes the skeptic, but the Holy Spirit changes the followers' lives forever. After the fire of Pentecost, there was no going back. For each of us, God is always moving us forward. Listen to this inspiring message.
If you want the Kingdom of God, you need all of God. This message is about the trinity, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The earliest disciples had to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit after Jesus had left their presense. What about us, here and now, how do we wait for the Spirit?
Looking at the days before Pentecost, we can learn more about God's plan for our lives and this world.
Acts 1:1-14 (4) On one occasion, while Jesus was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about."
(Note: Holy Spirit was sung live, but not recorded, a recorded portion of Bryan & Ketie Torwalt's version has been inserted into this message instead)
I didn't count it out myself, but I have read that the most common command of God throughout the Bible is "Do not be afraid." Why is that and how do we overcome fear? Life can be scary at times, but that doesn't mean we need to be controlled by fear. Listen to this week's sermon for more on this important part of your life.
Deuteronomy 1:19-32 (29) Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you...
It is all about you - or at least it starts there. By God's mercy, our selfishness isn't the end of the story. God awakens, builds and uses your faith, however, in this process God's plan is for you to drop the "y" in your, and expand "your" to "our." Our faith together as followers of Jesus who seek to serve God is much richer, dramatically more beautiful, and a bolder witness to the world. Let us all together seek the Lord.
Listen to this message to hear about the ya'll of the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The future is in God's hands - but the decisions we make today have a huge impact on our future. How do you build your future? You focus on today, following the example of people who lived lives which are worthy of immitation. There are some great examples of people who lived by faith, and established an amazing future, in the Bible. Invest some time today by listening to this message about Abraham - the legacy of faith.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God.
If God is all powerful, and if God is good, then it makes good sense to seek God and try and please Him. All of this is a matter of living out your faith. But how do we do it? In the book of Hebrews we find not only the definition of faith, but also some startling examples for us to consider as we live our faith in the day to day.
Ancient stories can impact your life more than you can imagine... if you listen.
Find out what is mean when the Bible says, "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did... And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead." Hebrews 11:4
Living our faith causes us to have "skin in the game." When our faith moves beyond simple sayings and polite behavior, and into the realm of active participation in what God is doing in the world, then we can encounter Jesus in profound ways. Jesus is the ultimate example of having "skin in the game." I encourage you to listen to this message from Pastor James Brumm from Blooming Grove Reformed Church.
James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
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