The Church God Wants

The Church God Wants: A Church Quick to Forgive

September 17, 2023 • Pastor Mark Schutz • Matthew 18:21–35

God never wrongs us. But others may do us wrong. Others may cause us pain. And when we are quick to forgive, it is one way we thank God for being so quick to forgive us. This is what God wants in his Church—people who, like him, are quick to forgive.

The Church God Wants: A Church Willing to Say Hard Things

September 17, 2023 • Pastor Mark Schutz • Galatians 2:11–16

Warning against sin is not easy. It upsets people, even offends them. But saying hard things and hearing hard things are the loving things to do when it is a matter of eternal life and death.

The Church God Wants: A Church that Takes Up Its Crosses

September 3, 2023 • Pastor Mark Schutz • Matthew 16:21–26

We carry our crosses in gratitude for Jesus carrying his cross, one too heavy for us to bear because it was weighted down with our sin. We carry our crosses because we know that in those moments of struggle, we are forced to turn to Christ and rely on his strength.

The Church God Wants: A Church that Knows Jesus

August 27, 2023 • Pastor Mark Schutz • Exodus 24:5–9

Jesus is both Lord and Savior, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This truth is the core of saving faith. It is the central message God has called our church to proclaim. What does God want in a church? He wants a church that really knows Jesus.

The Church God Wants: A Church for All People

August 20, 2023 • Pastor Mark Schutz • Matthew 15:21–28

Jesus shows us that God wants the church to be for all people. All of us—regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or social status—have the same problem of sin. And we all have the same Savior. Therefore, anyone who comes to Christ’s Church and cries out, “Lord, have mercy!” is more than welcome.

Hope Lutheran - Spearfish

Discovering the kind of church God wants.