That'll Preach
Bearing With One Another
August 29, 2021 • Dr. Kevin Roberts, Pastor Joe Focht • Colossians 3:12–16
The statistics are staggering and dismal. Stress, anxiety, depression, fear, and other related mental and emotional health symptoms are showing up in our everyday lives from small to debilitating ways. We are doing our best to find new and better ways to cope, but often without success. While followers of Jesus are never exempt from these challenges, we have an advantage over those who don’t know Jesus and are led by His Spirit. We also have an opportunity to help others even while in the midst of the same struggles.
Slow Down and Sabbath
August 22, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra • Mark 2:23–27, Genesis 2:1–3, Deuteronomy 5:12–15
When we look at the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God, it is interesting that many of us would agree that we must continue to not worship other gods, have idols, misuse the name of the Lord, dishonor our parents, murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, and covet. But what about the fourth commandment… should we continue to observe the Sabbath? Should we work six days and on the seventh completely rest as it was commanded to Moses and the Israelites?
Prayer & Fasting
August 15, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
One of the distinguishing factors of Christianity in comparison with other world religions is the access that we have to God through the blood of the Lamb. Jesus has made a way for all of us, once and for all. Why then do we not embrace this gift with consistency and with confidence? What would happen if we devoted ourselves to fully receive God’s gift of presence?
Wake Up! The Doorbell is Ringing
August 8, 2021 • Romans 13:11–12
Maybe the term "woke" as it is being used today has you concerned or confused as to its meaning and context. Don't let that stop you from embracing the call in Scripture to "wake up" spiritually. The Lord has a purpose and a plan for every believer to fulfill. We are called to follow Him. We are in the process of being changed by Him. And we have been challenged by Him to impact our world. We can only do this when we are "awake" in the truest sense of the word.
What if God is Unwilling?
August 1, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra • Matthew 8:1–3
We believe that God is omnibenevolent (all-good), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omniscient (all-knowing). So how are we to understand suffering, pain ,and evil in this life? If God is all-good, then He would desire for there to only be good, right? If God is all-powerful, wouldn’t He have the power to end all suffering, pain, and evil? And if God is all-knowing, wouldn’t He have the knowledge on how to get rid of all suffering, pain, and evil? So why doesn’t He?
If!?!?!?
July 25, 2021 • Dr. Keith Koteskey
It’s so very easy for us to say that we believe that God can do anything, but we often live as if we don’t really believe that. A father who encounters Jesus in the Gospel of Mark helpfully illustrates that strange tension. Jesus’ response helps us see a deeper truth about who He is and the nature of a deeper faith that can change how we live!
Things Children Need
July 18, 2021 • Pastor Kevin Moore
Our culture today is constantly bombarding our children, trying to get them to conform to their way of living. As an adult, many times we don’t know what to do. What does it take to be inspired and equipped to raise Godly children who are able to stand strong in a world that falls short?
I Am Willing
July 11, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
Jesus, in the Gospel accounts, asks His disciples to come and follow Him. But what does that mean? And does followership look different today than it did when Jesus walked the earth? Are we missing something crucial in the pursuit of following Jesus? Sometimes when something seems off or missing, the answer is rather simple or obvious. What would happen if we took a different approach to following Jesus?
Change Your Clothes
June 27, 2021 • Pastor Gabe Reed
It is so easy for us to lean back into our flesh and forget the power of what Christ has done for us. Paul is addressing the church at Colossae to challenge them to remember who they are because of Christ so that they can live the life Jesus invites us to. Paul will have us look back at who we once were and then help us change our clothes into who we have been called to be.
To Live is Christ; To Die is Gain
June 20, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
Have you ever been troubled when thinking about what happens after death? Have you ever been lost in thought in regard to the meaning of life? Why am I here? What is next? These are common questions in the human experience called life. The Apostle Paul, and the way in which he lived his life, offers a beautiful perspective on what life and death are all about. To live is Christ; to die is gain!
I Will Give You Rest
June 13, 2021 • Pastor Tim Veenstra
Jesus offers a very important invitation in the Gospel according to Matthew. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Are you weary? Are you burdened? Are you just flat out tired? What is holding you back from receiving what Christ is so freely offering? Come to Jesus.