Can God keep his promises when we fail? It’s a major question in the book of Genesis, and even throughout the whole Bible. A popular question about the problem of evil is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” But in this sermon on Genesis 38, the story of Judah and Tamar, Pastor Luke asks a twist on that question: Can God do good things through bad people? Or, will God keep his good promises when we fail so bad? Pastor Luke looks at the answer to that question under three heads: Our sin seems to endanger God’s redemptive purposes; God works through what is sinful and shameful to accomplish his glorious redemptive purposes; we can now boast in our weakness, trusting that our darkest moments are a part of Christ’s redemptive story.

Part of a series on the book of Genesis.

From Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

What parts of Judah and Tamar’s story are the most shocking to you? How does this chapter challenge the idea that God only works through “clean” situations or morally impressive people?

Where in your own life have you assumed “God can’t use this”? How does knowing that Jesus willingly entered the family line of Judah and Tamar impact the way you view your own failures?

How might you share your story (even the messy parts) in a way that points to Jesus as the hero?

Take some time to pray that God would use the weak and messy parts of your life for his glory. Confess your sins and ask for power to live in the hope of God’s redeeming grace.

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Can our sin derail God’s purposes? Is it possible to undo God’s good plan with your poor choices? Can you out-sin grace? These questions seem to be on the mind of the writer of Genesis in Chapter 37, where we find the account of Joseph, Jacob’s favored son, and his brothers. This story, though well-known on its own, is just a part of the larger story of Genesis, and a part of the even larger story of redemption. Through Joseph we ultimately get a glimpse of Jesus; through Joseph’s rule we find a picture of God’s kingdom. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this passage under four heads:

1) God’s promise to restore his world includes exalting his King.

2) Pride tempts us to resist God’s King; pain tempts us to despair of his promise.

3) God uses opposition to his rule to exalt his King.

4) Take heart—despite present appearances, our King reigns; his kingdom is coming.

Part of a series on the book of Genesis.

From Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

In your own words, retell the key events of Genesis 37. What stands out most to you? How does this story show us God’s determination to right his world and human opposition to it? (Consider also Psalms 2 and 8.)

Why are we, like Joseph’s brothers, so opposed to God righting his world? Why do we often like Jacob despair of it ever happening?

Which temptation is stronger for you right now—resisting Jesus’ reign in some area of your life, or despairing that his promises will ever come true?

The sermon asked, “Can our sin derail God’s purposes?” How does Genesis 37 begin to answer that question? Do you find this easy or hard to believe? Why?

Read Acts 2:22–24, 32–33. How might looking to the cross (both the significance of Christ’s opposition and the wonder of God’s purposes) change the way you respond to difficult circumstances this week?

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Everyone longs for life. And most people don’t just want to survive, but to thrive, to know life to its fullest. A Biblical way to say it is that people long for blessing. In Scripture, to bless is to bestow life upon and God, the blessed one, the source of all life, all power and good, is the one who blesses us. The book of Genesis is fundamentally about life and blessing. If you want blessing in your life, you need the message of this book. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche returns to a sermon series on the book of Genesis, re-introducing the book and showing that Genesis is the beginning of God’s story to bless the nations through the promised child. Pastor Luke exhorts us to believe the promise, give thanks for present blessing, and wait expectantly for what is to come as he walks us through the beginning of the story of blessing, the content of the story of blessing, and our response to the story of blessing.

Part of a series on the book of Genesis.

From Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

What do you think about the idea that we must understand Genesis (and, indeed, every book of the Bible), in light of the whole story? What are the strengths of that approach to the Bible? What are the dangers?

Where do you see blessing and curse play out in your own life, experience, or context? What do these things look like “at ground level”?

Which do you find to be the most difficult, believing God’s promises, giving thanks in the moment, or waiting hopefully for what is to come? Why do you think that is?

Jesus takes the curse we deserve at the cross and receives the blessing we need in his resurrection. How does that enable you to give thanks for present blessings even as you wait for good things to come?

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Things look bad. Looking at the world around us, it is easy to see that things are not what they should be—and this has been true throughout human history. In Psalm 37, David, the King of Israel, looks around and sees that things are not right. The wicked prosper, people plot evil, scheme to hurt others, draw the sword and bend their bows. Today we see this same principle at work on the large scale and small scale, war mongers and classroom cheaters. But what do we do with that? When you begin to get upset about the success of the people around you who seem to not deserve it or you begin to be tempted to join them in their evil ways, the psalmist offers another way: fret not. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this Psalm, showing that when things look bad we can do three things: look at the big picture, look at the cross, and look to the Lord.

From Sunday Evening Worship, August 10, 2025.

allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

If you believe in what you are doing, it can bring a certain joy to the task at hand to do it with others, especially when you are in synch with those you are partnering with. But more often than not, there is a tension and dreariness that results from teamwork going awry. The book of Colossians comes to a close with some practical words about teamwork. After Paul has spent time telling his readers who Jesus is, who we are in light of that, and what it all means for our lives, he gives a final lesson in Colossians 4:7–18 on laboring together for the work of the gospel. Listen as Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on this passage, showing that because we are in the Lord we can be fellow workers that communicate and cooperate for the work of the gospel.

Sunday Morning Worship // August 10, 2025

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Though the church at Colossae was perhaps the most insignificant church that Paul ever wrote to, they had a significant mission: to declare the mystery of Christ. In Colossians 4:2–6 we see the apostle Paul calling the Colossians to live gospel-centered lives and to proclaim by their lives and by their words the mystery of Christ. Listen as Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on this passage, showing us that because of the grace of God we can declare the mystery of Christ by being watchful in steadfast prayer, by effectively walking in wisdom, and by responding with gracious speech.

Sunday Morning Worship // August 3, 2025

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

Most people don’t understand authority. It is either seen as an opportunity or a travesty, a means of personal power or a tool for the subjugation of the weak by the strong. Both of these views share the same misunderstanding of authority—-and it is into this misunderstanding that the gospel speaks. When we understand authority rightly we can live as citizens of Christ’s kingdom in a way that manifests his lordship, blesses our neighbor, and glorifies our Father in Heaven. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Colossians 3:18–4:1, sharing four truths about authority found in the text: Christ as Lord radically redefines authority; before Christ all are equal; by Christ submission is qualified; and in Christ authority is submission.

Sunday Morning Worship // June 27, 2025

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

How does Paul anchor authority and submission in the Lordship of Christ?

How are our understandings of authority and submission distorted by culture and experience? How are they distorted by the disordered loves of our hearts?

How do Jesus’ cross, resurrection, and ascension to the Father's right hand each reshape the way we understand authority and submission?

What will it look like for you to exercise authority this week as an act of Christ-like service? What will it look like for you to submit to imperfect leaders, remembering Christ and honoring him as Lord?

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

As a Christian, you have a new identity in Christ—–therefore, act like Christ, depending on Christ, in the name of Christ and to the glory of the Father. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche explains, preaching on Colossians 3:12–17 and answering four questions: Who are we? What are we to do? How are we to do it? And why?

Sunday Morning Worship // June 20, 2025

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

Who are you? Tease out some of the many things that make you you. How do each of those shape how you live? What is the relationship between our new identity in Christ and the way we are called to live?

Think of some areas of life in which you find it hard to bear with and forgive. How do our identity in Christ, the peace of Christ, and the Word of Christ help enable us to “put on Christ”?

What motives tend to sway your heart in everyday life? What can we do so that the glory of God in Christ becomes the great motive of our lives?

What is one area of life in which you hope to show greater Christ-likeness? Take some time to meditate on Christ’s grace to you in this very area and then pray to that end.

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

The psalms give us the language for every season of the soul, and Psalm 16 is a psalm about joy. It begins with a declaration that there is no goodness apart from God and it ends with a recognition that at God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore. Joy is central to the Christian life and this psalm helps us understand what it looks like, feels like, and what it means to rejoice in the Lord. Listen as Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on this psalm, helping us to understand joy better through four questions: Why do we long for joy? Where do we look for joy? How does joy become distorted? And how do we rejoice in the Lord?

From Sunday Evening Worship, July 13, 2025.

allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.

From our vantage point within a culture steeped in pessimism and cynicism, we may be surprised to find that Colossians 3:5–11, a passage containing a list of sins, is not ultimately about our sin—but rather our renewal and new identity in Christ. Listen as RUF at Illinois campus minister Ethan Brown preaches on this passage, showing us that to live as people of hope we need to be honest about sin and honest about grace. Pastor Ethan looks at this text in two sections: The Old Morality and The New Humanity.

Sunday Morning Worship // July 13, 2025

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allsoulspca.org

All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.