December 8 Sermon: Repentance That Bears Fruit
What does true repentance look like? In this Advent sermon on Luke 3:1-17, we reflect on John the Baptist’s call to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Discover the difference between outward appearances and genuine transformation as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Let’s live lives that glorify God through true repentance.
Contemplate these questions as you listen to this week’s message:
What areas of your life might appear outwardly polished but need genuine transformation through repentance?
How does the Holy Spirit work in you to produce fruit that reflects true repentance?
How can reflecting on Christ’s second coming help you live in a posture of repentance and readiness?
December 1 Sermon: Established Hearts
Advent calls us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s return, just as Paul urged the Thessalonians to live lives of thanksgiving, prayer, and holiness. In this sermon, "Established Hearts," we explore how God shapes us through His Word and Spirit to be blameless and loving as we await Christ's appearing. Join us in seeking hearts ready for His coming!
Contemplate these questions as you listen to this week’s message:
How does Paul’s expression of thanksgiving in 1 Thessalonians 3:9 challenge your view of gratitude in your spiritual life?
In what ways can you actively encourage and equip others in their faith journey as Paul sought to do for the Thessalonians?
How does the work of God in establishing blameless hearts through His Word and Spirit transform how you live in anticipation of Christ’s return?
November 24 Sermon: Sealed for Salvation
In Revelation 7:1-17, John sees the sealing of God’s people for salvation, a vision of a global multitude worshiping the Lamb, and the eternal comfort of those redeemed by His blood. This passage reminds us of God’s sovereign care, the global reach of His grace, and the joy of salvation that leads us to eternal worship. Be encouraged by the hope this vision offers!
November 17 Sermon: Who Can Stand?
In Revelation 6, the seals are opened, revealing powerful images of judgment, the cry of the martyrs, and the inevitable reality of God's wrath. But even as the world shakes, the Lamb offers hope and salvation. Who can stand before the wrath of God? Only those who take refuge in Christ. Trust in Him today!
November 10 Sermon: The Anthem of Heaven
In this message, we explore Revelation 5, where heaven erupts in worship, proclaiming the Lamb’s worthiness to open God’s redemptive scroll. Jesus, the Lion who conquered as a slain Lamb, unites believers across time and space in one anthem of praise. Join us as we uncover how this eternal song reshapes our hope and devotion.
November 3 Sermon: Before the Throne
In Revelation 4, John’s vision shifts from earthly struggles to the throne of heaven, unveiling God’s glory and ultimate control. For believers facing persecution, this reminder of a sovereign, eternal King offered profound hope. Today, we’re called to endure life’s challenges by focusing on the One who reigns over all creation. Discover this unshakable foundation and steadfast hope.
September 29 Sermon: Not By Bread Alone
Imagine someone conducting a 30-day experiment that for an entire month, they decide to give up on all solid food and survive on nothing but water. At first, they might feel okay. Maybe they would be confident that they can handle this. They just need to get used to it. But as the days pass this person's body would start to weaken. Their energy levels would plummet because they're not only losing their fat stores but their muscles are wasting away. And by the end of the month they would barely be functioning.
September 22 Sermon: A Lamp Unto My Feet
In this sermon, we explore the clarity of God's Word and how it serves as a light in a noisy, confusing world. Scripture is not distant or vague; it is accessible, illuminating, and guided by the Holy Spirit. We’re reminded that God’s Word provides direction for our lives and calls us to engage with it daily. Join us on this journey of discovery and clarity.
September 15 Sermon: Everything We Need
In this message, we explore the sufficiency of Scripture in three key areas: salvation, holiness, and worship. God’s Word is always enough, regardless of our circumstances. It guides us, transforms us, and reveals how we are to worship Him. Join us as we uncover the power and authority of Scripture in every area of life.
September 8 Sermon: The Final Word
In a world filled with competing voices, only one rises above the noise with true authority—God's Word. This sermon explores the authority of scripture as the inspired, God-breathed truth that shapes, equips, and transforms our lives. Discover how the Bible guides us in teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, equipping us for every good work.
September 1 Sermon: From Suffering to Salvation
Have you ever imagined the surroundings of the people who wrote different books of the Bible? The letters of Paul, I think, invite us to do this because we have a knowledge of Paul's history from knowing his ministry journeys in the book of Acts and the fact that in some of his letters, he tells us that he is imprisoned. In fact, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon are commonly known as the prison epistles. The setting in which a writer is penning a letter helps us to understand context. And actually think about the different situations that the authors may have been in as I read through the Psalms. Because there are so many different emotions in the Psalter.
August 11 Sermon: From the Heavens to the Heart
As you and I take in the world around us, we're blessed to have so many tools at our disposal. We are able to explore the depths of God's created order. And we are not only able to have the gift of being able to look around us without too much effort, we could know the deeper details of what we are observing in the world. We can get a telescope and we can have a closer look at the heavenly bodies that adorn the night sky. And we can look into a microscope and see even deeper intricacies in these objects that we see that are close at hand to us. And both of these tools, they allow us to get beyond what is visible with the naked eye.
July 28 Sermon: Strength for the Battle
Join us as we explore Psalm 18 and discover how God guards, rewards, and strengthens His people. Through life's challenges, God shapes us into instruments for His purpose, just as a blacksmith forges a sword. Dive into the powerful imagery of refuge and deliverance, and find strength in the Almighty's faithful promises.
July 21 Sermon: Awaken to Righteousness
So I've mentioned in the past that I don't really remember dreams. That's not something that I do, where I have a dream and I can come to you and give you every detail about what the color of the bird was flying through the air and which street I was on, but it really wasn't that street. You know how dreams go. I don't have that happen when I dream. What happens to me is that often I wake up from what must have been a very vivid dream, and I can't separate what I experienced while sleeping from the reality of life.
2024 Dutch Festival Sermon: Better Than Gold
I always credit my third and fourth grade teacher, Laura Schmidt, as being one of the reasons that I love to read. Every day after lunch break and recess, Laura would read to us from one of the Little House on the Prairie books. Now, not being content, not knowing how the stories were going to end up going in this book series, I decided to get the books myself and read ahead. I was not content with Laura's pace. I obtained those books for myself, and I read through them all multiple times.
July 14 Sermon: In His Presence
Maybe my memory isn't very good. I would freely admit such things. But I think this is the greenest that the grass has been at this point in the summer in quite a few years. And I'm really enjoying all the different colors of summer this year because, first off, we haven't really had them in this way for what seems like quite a long time. And also because while the weather was unseasonably warm this spring, it never really got warm enough for the trees to pop early and give us those colors that we love very early. It took a while for us to get that view of the world. Well, a few nights ago, I was at a baseball game and I happened to notice that the infield grass was basically perfect, luscious and green and manicured, like you would expect to be with all the rain that we have had so far this year.
July 7 Sermon: Immovable
As you can imagine, I often receive a wide range of questions as a pastor. From practical concerns about ethics or the Christian life to deep theological inquiries. I get these types of questions on a somewhat regular basis. Among these, the most pivotal questions I receive often revolve around salvation. And more importantly, probably the better way to describe it would be assurance. How can I know that I'm saved? And, such questions echo a profound biblical inquiry, such as we find in Psalm 15 this morning, where David asks, who can sojourn in the Lord's tent, and who shall dwell on his holy hill?
June 30 Sermon: Folly’s Echo, Wisdom’s Call
Explore Psalm 14 as we navigate through themes of human depravity, the distinct lives of the righteous, and the profound promise of God's deliverance. Discover how these ancient truths can guide us in today's complex world. Tune in to find wisdom and encouragement for your spiritual journey.
Consider these questions as you listen:
1. How does recognizing our own depravity help us appreciate God's grace more deeply?
2. In what ways can you see the difference between the lives of the righteous and the ungodly in your own community?
3. What practical steps can you take this week to live out the truth that God is your refuge and deliverance in times of trouble?