Presence for You!

No, that’s not a typo. This weekend is not about presents but about presence. Which actually might be what we want most during this crazy year after all. This weekend we study Hebrews 7:23-28 where we prepare to welcome the greatest presence of all through the “Greater Priest.”

12.13.20 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nathan Krause

Unlimited Access!

In a season when we’re longing for the people, places and activities that we love, Jesus gives us exactly what we need by being “A Better Priest.”

1) How could sinful people be assured that they were on good terms with God, that His presence was there among them and that He was working for them and through them? A vital piece was the work of the priests!

2) The priests would bring sacrifices into the holy place on behalf of the people. These sacrifices would point to how God would bring justice for sin and create a way for us to be at one with Him.

3) Jesus is a greater priest because:

a. He is not limited by death. He is speaking to the Father on our behalf always and forever.

b. He gives us unlimited access to God. We can come into His presence again and again, knowing He is here with us and we will live forever with Him.

c. He not only brought a sacrifice before God, He was the sacrifice before God. He laid down His life so we could be set right with God once and for all.

4) In challenging seasons like we’re in, we may long for what once was. But perhaps this is an opportunity to recognize that as good as those things were, they were limited.

5) Focus on something greater! No matter where you are or who you’re with, you can come into God’s presence right now. He is there with you and you will live forever with Him!

12.13.20 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

Messages. Messages. And More Messages!

We are constantly being bombarded with messages. We get to choose whether or not to listen. There is a better message from A Greater Prophet that we get to listen to again and again every day!

Deuteronomy 18:17-20

12.6.20 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

Can Anyone Actually Help Us?

With all the challenges in life, we may wonder if there’s anyone who can actually help us, who can actually do the job. Thankfully, God has given us A Greater Prophet!

1) When God sends a messenger to us, He wants us to listen!

2) Whoever is called by God to speak on His behalf is to say nothing more or nothing less than God says.

3) Jesus not only spoke God’s Word perfectly but embodied God’s Word.

4) Jesus the is the leader that actually leads us to the promised land, that actually solves the problems of life!

5) God is calling us to be His prophets to this generation, to speak the truth that there is a Greater Prophet who brings light into this dark world!

Deuteronomy 18:17-20

12.6.20 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nathan Krause

Missing Something?

We just got done with one holiday that didn’t feel quite right, and soon an even bigger holiday will present us with many of the same challenges.

2020 has been filled with strange and unusual circumstances leaving us all with that “something is missing” feeling. As we begin the season of Advent, as well as a new church year, God chooses to fill the gap with some great news. Our Advent series is called SOMETHING GREAER and our first lesson takes us to Haggai 2:6-9 with the theme “A Greater Glory”.

11.29.20 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nathan Krause

Your Life Is About Something Greater!

What we prioritize in our lives says  a lot about where we find our identity and security. Remember what your life is all about!

1) When we make ourselves number 1, it might seem like it will benefit us, but it never turns out well.

2) When we rob God of being first in our lives, we really rob ourselves.

3) God takes our lack of glory and gives us the glory of Christ.

4) We give God glory when we honor all that He’s done and continues to do!

5) We reflect God’s glory so all the nations can see what He has done!

11.29.20 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Brian Klebig

It's Good Not to Know!

If you’ve ever felt like it would be easier if God would just tell us when Jesus will return, you’re not alone. But there is incredible blessing for us today not to know!

1) Rather than having us be ready on a specific day for Jesus to return, God would have us always be ready.

2) Part of being ready is not just being prepared for the day Jesus returns, but knowing that our personal last day could also come any day.

3) We often feel like we’re most ready when life is going smoothly, but it’s often in those challenging times when we’re depending on Him that we’re most ready.

4) God would have us be ready every day, seeing each day as an opportunity to glorify Him and serve others.

5) Perhaps our current situation with the virus, where we don’t know when it will all be over, is a great opportunity to practice encouraging each other being ready for Jesus to return.

11.22.20 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nathan Krause

When there's something in our future that we've never experienced before, we can tend to get a bit nervous. If that's true with any unfamiliar experience, it can be especially true with something as different as the return of Jesus. But as we study 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we find incredible encouragement as we ask the question, "What Will It Be Like?"

11.15.20 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

Our Future Is Amazing!

It can be dangerous when people aren’t on the same page. As Christians we get to come together and encourage each other with the good news of what’s ahead!

1) One of the most fundamental truths about the Christian faith is that death has now power over us!

2) When a Christian passes away, their soul immediately joins Jesus in paradise. When He returns He’ll bring their soul with Him, their soul & body will be reunited and resurrected.

3) Whether a person passes away before Jesus’ return or is still living on this earth, we will all join in on the same celebration that day.

4) One of the challenges of our current season is how difficult it is to encourage one another. As the body of Christ let’s continue to look for ways to support and encourage each other with the good news of what’s ahead!

11.15.20 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nathan Krause

It Matters Today!

We’re looking forward to eternal life with Jesus. Someday He’s going to return. But let’s be honest, sometimes all that good stuff can seem really far off. It can be hard to see how it changes the way we live today. So this weekend, as we’re nearing the end of the church year and turning our focus towards Jesus’ return, let’s study 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 together.

11.8.20 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nathan Krause