Abiding Shepherd

Drained?

God has given a new life of purpose and significance. But it can be hard to live that way when it feels like the world is sucking the energy and power right out of us. Thankfully, God has given us Philippians 2:12-16a.

5.9.21 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nathan Krause

You Are NOT Powerless Today!

With all the stress that life pours on us and all the challenges to our faith, we can feel overwhelmed or even intimidated. But never forget who’s working in you!

5.9.21 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

Who/What Is Shaping Your Life?

Where we find our identity, purpose and fulfillment drives our lives. Thankfully, we’ve been given the gift of Sanctification (In the Narrow Sense) which means we get to live with the identity, purpose and fulfillment that God created us to have!

1) As beings who were made by a Creator for a purpose to achieve something significant, our need for identity, purpose and fulfilment is written into our DNA.

2) When we search for our identity, purpose and fulfillment in something other than God, we’ll always miss the mark of what we were meant to be. We’re living as slaves to sin.

3) We were baptized into Christ we died with Him. When He rose we rose. We no longer belong to a way of life that ends in death. We have real life!

4) Through faith in Christ we have been declared right with God. That means we are alive to:

a. God, the One who created us to be walking pictures of Him (Identity)

b. Purpose (You have been given a life that is truly awe-some as a part of His plan)

c. Fulfillment (You’ve been set on the path of life with real, eternal significance)

5.2.21 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

The Power of Truth

God’s truth has given us life and changes our lives. Dig into how this works by looking at “Sanctification in the Wide Sense.”

4.24.21 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nathan Krause

When you know the truth, you have a new life!

Study John 17:17 and learn how God gives us "The Real Life."

4.25.21 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

As we take the 2nd step in our new series "Sanctification," an in-depth look at living our Christian faith, it's important to recognize the difference between Justification and Sanctification. Pastor Krause lays out the differences with the message "Justification is Not Sanctification."

4.18.21 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nathan Krause

Gifts Are Meant to Be Enjoyed!

Giftts are pretty amazing! It’s great simply to open up the gift and see what’s inside. But there’s a second part. A gift is meant to be taken hold of and enjoyed!

1) When Jesus rose on Easter Sunday, He brought us the greatest gift. Like any gift, it’s meant to be enjoyed!

2) We’ve embarked on a special new series called “Sanctification” which is all about taking hold of and living in the reality of the gift we’ve been given!

3) Naturally we were all born spiritually dead, unable to fulfill our intended purpose or live according to God’s design.

4) Through faith in Christ, we are declared right with God. Simply because God delights in us, He  has given us the gift of life! (Justification).

5) Every gift is meant to be enjoyed. God made us alive and prepared good works for us to do so that we can take hold of this git & really live! (Sanctification) 

4.18.21 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

We all want to live a good life. 

God wants that for us too! 

But what does a good life really look like? 

Embark on a life changing journey with our new sermon series digging into "Sanctification" and embrace the gift God has given us in "the good life."

4.11.21 Message from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nate Abrahamson

The Tomb Is Empty - What Now?

So often reality doesn’t meet our expectations, but the Resurrection actually exceeds all human expectations! So… what should we do now?

1) Sanctification takes place in us by the work of the Holy Spirit. We were spiritually dead but have been raised back to life!

2) Without Jesus not only are we not saved, we’re not sanctified. It all goes back to Jesus.

3) Salvation is not sanctification. Sanctification only happens as a result of salvation.

4) God has saved us and now He gives us opportunities to choose to give Him glory in our lives.

5) When we look for the answer to the question, “What now?” the reality always exceeds the expectation!

4.11.21 Message from Cottage Grove

Pastor Nathan Krause

The World Changed That Day

From the moment Jesus rose, the world has not been the same.

This Sunday we celebrated Easter by studying Mark’s account of the resurrection from Mark 16:1-8.

4.4.21 Easter Sermon from Fort Atkinson

Pastor Nathan Krause