James 3:1-18 confronts the reality that our words have power—Whether we’re teaching, venting, joking, or offering advice, our speech reveals the source of where we are drawing our words from. James warns that the tongue is small but dangerous, capable of igniting destruction if left unchecked. It can’t be tamed by sheer willpower, because the problem runs deeper than habits—it’s a heart issue. What flows from our mouths reflects whether we are being shaped by God’s wisdom or by selfish ambition. True wisdom, James says, is humble, peaceable, and sincere—it comes from a life surrendered to God. Transformation doesn’t begin with better self-control; it begins by drawing near to Jesus, the Word made flesh, who not only speaks truth but makes us new.

This sermon, part of a series on the book of James, emphasizes that real faith is more than just belief or words—it must be accompanied by action. Drawing from James 2:14–26, the speaker contrasts empty declarations of faith with genuine faith that results in obedience and good works, using examples like Abraham and Rahab to illustrate how faith is proven through trust-driven action, even when risky or uncomfortable. The sermon warns against the deception of “belief” that lacks obedience, comparing it to how even demons believe in God but do not follow Him. Personal anecdotes about trusting God in relationships and finances serve to illustrate modern-day “tightropes” of faith, calling listeners to respond to God not with mere acknowledgment, but with full commitment and trust. The message concludes with an invitation to live a life of real, active faith—one that places full trust in God and follows His lead.

In this sermon Pastor Chris uses humor and vulnerability to introduce the concept of "selective hearing"—both as a lighthearted relationship issue and a deadly spiritual condition that plagues the church. Drawing from James 1:19–27, he challenges believers to move beyond merely listening to God’s Word to actually living it out, emphasizing that true discipleship means being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing as He did. The sermon explores how pride, particularly expressed through unchecked anger and self-righteousness, stifles spiritual growth and prevents the Word from transforming hearts. It calls listeners to receive the Word with humility, recognizing themselves as deeply loved moral failures who are changed not by trying harder, but by allowing God's truth to shape their character and actions. Ultimately, James teaches that genuine faith is proven not by knowledge or emotion alone, but by compassionate action—especially toward the vulnerable—and by a righteousness rooted in God’s love, not human pride.

Rev. Bruce Cromwell, Ph.D. starts our series in the book of James with a powerufl message titled "Sharing and Suffering". Our text for this morning is James 1:2-18 a challenging passage on how we should view difficulties from an eternal perspective. Now because of Christ, everything is different.

The sermon titled *"The Re-Creation Story"* explores the profound significance of Easter as the heart of the Christian faith.Through John 20:1–18, Pastor Chris draws attention to the reactions of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John to the empty tomb, emphasizing that faith is not a result of human reasoning alone but a miraculous work of God in the heart. Mary, in her desperation and neediness, is the first to encounter the risen Christ—not because she was important by worldly standards, but because she recognized her complete dependence on Him. Jesus’ resurrection is portrayed not just as a historical event but as the beginning of a new creation—where broken, sinful people are called by name, transformed, and invited into the family of God as brothers and sisters. The message challenges listeners to move beyond simply being around Jesus to truly knowing Him, recognizing their deep need for grace, and allowing Him to recreate something beautiful out of their lives.

This Palm Sunday message emphasizes the profound paradox of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem—how He is simultaneously the humble servant and the triumphant King. Through vivid storytelling and a deep dive into Scripture, the Pastor Chris paints a powerful picture of Jesus riding a lowly donkey while receiving royal praise, confronting the listener with the truth that Jesus is not someone who can be liked casually—He demands full surrender. The sermon contrasts the joyful celebration of the crowd with the tension it creates among the Pharisees, priests, and Romans, each perceiving Jesus as a threat in different ways. Highlighting the immodesty of Christ—His unapologetic claim to be King and God—the message challenges believers to examine where they stand in the crowd: enthusiastic worshiper, cautious follower, skeptical bystander, or conflicted disciple. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to “wonder”—to reflect deeply and honestly on their response to Jesus, and whether they truly submit to Him as King, or simply observe from a distance.

This message explores the concept of time and God's timing in the context of suffering and unmet expectations. Pastor Chris reflects on the emotional weight of "What if?" questions and the pain that often arises from unfulfilled desires, emphasizing that unmet expectations can lead to a persistent, low-level sorrow. Through the story of Lazarus' resurrection (John 11:1-45), the sermon illustrates how Jesus’ actions—waiting before healing Lazarus—highlight a divine purpose beyond human understanding. Jesus responds to both Mary and Martha differently, offering truth to Martha and empathy to Mary, revealing His compassion and divine purpose. The message encourages believers to trust that Jesus’ timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. It reminds us that while death and grief are inevitable, through Christ, there is hope beyond the sorrow, as He is the resurrection and the life.

JOHN 9:1-7 & 26-41

In this sermon, Pastor Mark explores the theme of shame through the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:4-26. The woman, an outcast shunned by society for her past, encounters Jesus, who offers her living water—symbolizing spiritual renewal and freedom from shame. The sermon contrasts guilt and shame, explaining that while guilt leads to repentance and forgiveness, shame, often used by Satan, keeps people trapped in despair and hopelessness. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus sees our deepest flaws but loves and accepts us, offering freedom from shame. The sermon concludes by encouraging listeners to build their identity not on others’ opinions but on God’s unconditional love, just as the Samaritan woman did when she embraced Jesus and shared the good news with others.

The sermon "Born Anew Pt. 3 – Letting Go" focuses on the transformative power of God's love and the necessity of being "born again" through the Spirit. Using a shaken soda bottle as an illustration, pastor Chris describes God's love as an uncontainable force, bursting forth like an explosion of activity. The sermon explores Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, emphasizing that salvation is not about religious rule-following or moral achievements but about spiritual rebirth through water and the Spirit. Nicodemus, despite his deep religiosity, struggled to grasp this truth because he was rooted in man-made traditions rather than a genuine relationship with God. The message highlights baptism as an outward sign of an inward transformation and urges believers to embrace the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, which enables true change. The ultimate takeaway is that Jesus changes everything, calling individuals to let go of self-reliance and embrace the new life offered in Him.