LaGrave Live

LaGrave Live

By Reverend Peter JonkerSociety & CultureReligion & SpiritualityChristianityHistoryPersonal Journals
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LaGrave Live episodes

  • LaGrave Live, April 19, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Evening Worship Service - Tips for the Tightrope
    About The Service:
    Pastor Jonker will lead us in worship and we will welcome missionaries Dan and Priscila Cummings, who will give an update on their medical ministry in Kalukembe, Angola.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload...
    About Us:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    This evening service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church centers on the metaphor of life as a challenging journey or "tightrope." Through scripture from Philippians 4 and insights from a long-term study on happiness, the service explores how prayer and joy provide a divine "fortress" of peace amidst life's inevitable crosswinds.
    The Journey and Global Mission
    The service opens with a call to worship from Psalm 125, emphasizing that those who trust in the Lord are as unshakable as Mount Zion. This theme of a "journey" or "ascent" is woven throughout the liturgy, mirroring the Psalms of Ascent used by Israelites traveling to Jerusalem. A significant portion of the service is dedicated to a mission update from Daniel Cummings, a medical missionary serving at the Kalu Kembe hospital in Angola. He describes the stark reality of serving in a region where subsistence farmers earn roughly $15 a month and spiritual needs are as pressing as physical ones, yet emphasizes that the same "living Savior" worshipped in Michigan is at work in Angola.
    The Illusion of Advantage: The Harvard Happiness Study
    The sermon introduces the "Harvard Happiness Study," a longitudinal project spanning nearly 90 years that tracked 268 undergraduates to determine what makes humans flourish. Surprisingly, the study revealed that even highly advantaged individuals—Harvard graduates—frequently struggled with depression, addiction, and mental illness, with one-third of the cohort facing mental health issues by age 50. This data serves as a backdrop to the biblical reality that life is a "tightrope walk with a strong crosswind," where worldly success and "righteousness Olympics" fail to provide true stability.
    The Fortress of Prayer and Transcendent Peace
    Focusing on Philippians 4, the sermon redefines prayer not as a tool to change circumstances, but as a means to enter a "safe room" of peace. Paul’s promise is not necessarily the removal of obstacles, but that the "peace of God" will guard the heart like a soldier protecting a fortress. This internal sanctuary allows believers to remain steady even when "storms" of disease, loss, or worry rage outside the perimeter. The sermon notes that while prayer may not solve every problem, it connects the believer to a peace that "transcends all understanding."
    Joy as a Rooted Reality
    The final movement of the service distinguishes between "happiness" and "joy." While happiness is an "above-ground phenomenon" dependent on favorable weather and circumstances, joy is rooted in the unconditional love of God. Using the illustration of a grandchild’s unconditional embrace of a grandparent, the sermon explains that joy does not depend on skill or status; it is a "wild, wonderful overflow" of grace. Believers are encouraged to live under this "waterfall" of love, which holds them steady on the tightrope of life.
    The service concludes with a reminder that while the "tightrope" of life is difficult for everyone—regardless of their advantages—believers are not left to walk it alone. By inhabiting the "safe room" of prayer and rooting themselves in the unconditional joy of Christ, they can find a peace that remains unshaken by the world's crosswinds.
    1 hr
  • LaGrave Live, April 19, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-19-2026
    More Than Merely Human
    About The Service:
    Pastor Jonker will preach on 1 Corinthians 3.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-19-AM-order-of-worship.pdf
    About the Church:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
    The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    More Than Merely Human: Living the Resurrection Life
    Beyond the Mortal: Reflections on Life After Easter
    More Than Merely Human: A guide to spiritual reconstruction based on 1 Corinthians 3
    "We are no longer defined by the sum of fear, sorrow, or sin. Our Judge is also the Redeemer, and we are the resurrected people. ”
    — LaGrave Sunday Sermon Summary
    Core metaphor: dots and stars
    Quote from Max Lucado's fable: Wemmicks wooden figures label each other every day – good for Venus and mess up gray dots.
    Secular trap: Corinthian "climbing spirit" that turns faith into competition and comparison.
    Path to Freedom: Like Lucia, the label can no longer be attached to her body due to her connection to the Creator.
    Comparison of the two foundations of life
    Secular Mode (Merely Human)Grass and straw / pride / comparison
    In ChristGold, silver, gemstones, grace, and security
    Action Guide: Build the Eternal Project
    # Stop comparison# Build confidence# Live your love
    1. Recognize: Realize that social media and the workplace are essentially a "dot and star" game.
    2. Rooted: Christ alone is the unshakable foundation.
    3. Build: Invest in things that will survive even after the trial of fire with "faith, hope, and love."
    Reading time: about 12 minutes | Suitable for: Seeking spiritual growth
    Easter Season 2026
    2026, at LaGrave Church. The service explores the transition from celebrating Christ's resurrection to understanding its practical implications, specifically how believers can move beyond "merely human" tendencies of competition and comparison to live a life rooted in grace.
    Detailed Point Summary
    The Call to Resurrection Life
    The service opens with a celebration of the Easter season, emphasizing that Jesus’ victory over death allows believers to shrug off fear and live a life that is "really life." This "Resurrection Life" is not just a future hope but a present reality that redefines how individuals view their griefs, sins, and identities. By setting their minds on "things above," the congregation is encouraged to put to death earthly practices like anger and greed, instead clothing themselves in compassion, humility, and love.
    The "Merely Human" vs. The New Creation
    Merely Human
    Competitive Climbing
    "Dots and Stars" Validation
    Factions & Pride
    Worldly Wisdom
    In Christ
    Radiant Grace
    Secure Identity in the Maker
    Unity in Love
    Faith, Hope, & Love
    The Spirit of Corinth and the Climbing Culture
    Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, the sermon highlights Paul’s frustration with the early church's "worldliness." Ancient Corinth was a strategic, wealthy trade hub—a city of "competitive climbers" and aggressive entrepreneurs who sought to make something of themselves in a new Roman colony. This cultural spirit of climbing the ladder of success had infected the church, leading to factions where members competed over spiritual maturity, knowledge, and gifts like speaking in tongues. Paul critiques this as being "merely human," noting that such behavior is indistinguishable from the surrounding secular culture.
    The "Dots and Stars" Analogy
    To illustrate the exhaustion of a life built on comparison, the sermon references Max Lucado’s You Are Special. In the story, the "Wemmicks" spend their days sticking gold stars on the impressive and gray dots on the clumsy. This "dots and stars game" mirrors modern social media and workplace dynamics, where validation is external and performance-based. The character Lucia, however, remains unaffected by these labels because she maintains a constant relationship with her Maker. This serves as a metaphor for the Christian life: when one's foundation is the grace of Christ, the "dots and stars" of worldly opinion no longer stick.
    The Foundation of Endurance
    Paul identifies that while knowledge and status pass away, three things endure:
    Faith
    Hope
    Love
    "The greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13
    Building on the True Foundation
    The sermon concludes by challenging the congregation to build their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ using materials that last: faith, hope, and love. Unlike the "straw" of pride and competition, these virtues survive the "fire" of life's stresses. Living this way often appears "foolish" by worldly economic standards—such as giving generously to the needy or investing in community rather than self-advancement—but it is the hallmark of being "more than merely human".
    Key Data & Milestones
    New Members/Births: Grace Elizabeth and Henry Roger were born last week.
    Milestones: Laura Jean Colbert is celebrating a milestone birthday.
    Community Arrivals: Jim and Beverly Ludema are new to the community and being welcomed.
    Missions: A mission team recently returned from service in Mexico City.
    To-Do / Next Steps
    Participate in the congregational meeting during the 10:00 hour to select new elders and deacons.
    Attend the 6:00 PM evening worship service featuring a visit from missionaries Dan and Priscilla Cummings regarding their ministry in Angola.
    Engage in the daily practice of "clothing oneself with Christ" by choosing compassion and forgiveness over worldly competition.
    Support and encourage the mission team as they debrief from their recent trip to Mexico City.
    Pray for healing and strength for members recovering from illness or injury, including Ellen, Dan, Bill, and Jack.
    Conclusion
    The service serves as a profound reminder that the Resurrection is a call to exit the "merely human" cycle of comparison. By finding security in the Maker’s love, believers are freed from the "dots and stars" of culture, enabling them to build a lasting legacy of faith, hope, and love.
    1 hr 23 min
  • LaGrave Live, April 12, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Evening Worship Service - Resurrection Risk
    About The Service:
    Rev. John Steigenga will lead us in worship. He will preach on John 12: 1-11 and his sermon is entitled “Resurrection Risk.”
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload...
    About Us:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    This evening worship service at La Grave explores the profound implications of Christ’s resurrection through the lens of Lazarus’s story in John 12. The service calls believers to shed the "grave clothes" of their old selves—specifically prejudice and selfishness—to embrace a new identity defined by "good trouble" and sacrificial love.
    Liturgical Foundation and Global Intercession
    The service opened with a call to worship from Psalm 100 and a responsive reading of Psalm 146, emphasizing God’s role as the maker of heaven and earth who remains faithful forever. This liturgical focus shifted into a pastoral prayer that acknowledged the "recreating power" of spring as a testimony to God's covenant. The prayer specifically interceded for those suffering in global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and the uncertainties facing people in Iran and Israel. The congregation sought the strength to "see like Christ" and to act justly in a broken world.
    Shedding the "Grave Clothes" of the Old Self
    Drawing from Colossians 3 and Romans 6, the sermon compared spiritual transformation to Lazarus being told to "take off those grave clothes." These metaphorical clothes include sexual immorality, greed, anger, and—most stubbornly—prejudice and racism. The speaker noted that even the founders of the United States, despite declaring all men equal, failed to shed the "grave clothes" of slavery because they viewed others as subhuman. True conversion requires "new eyes" to see that in Christ, there is no distinction between Greek or Jew, slave or free, as Christ is all and in all.
    The Identity of a Witness and "Good Trouble"
    The service highlighted that following Jesus inevitably leads to "trouble," which the late Senator John Lewis called "good trouble." Historical examples, such as the 16th-century "hidden Christians" of Japan, and modern examples, like a retired pastor visiting undocumented immigrants in detention centers, illustrate the cost of being a "living sign" of Christ. Lazarus’s core identity became inseparable from the man who brought him back to life; similarly, believers are called to live as those who are safe in God's arms even while serving in a hostile world.
    The service concludes with a powerful reminder that while the world may target those who follow Christ, the resurrection is proof that the "old order of things" is passing away. To live as Lazarus is to be a living testimony of life-giving power, choosing intimacy with God over the safety of silence.
    1 hr 8 min
  • LaGrave Live, April 12, 2026
    The Reality of the Resurrection: A Service of Eastertide
    The "What If" of Easter
    A logical defense of the Resurrection based on 1 Corinthians 15
    2026-04-12 Service
    The 6 Logical Consequences
    01
    Useless Preaching
    Empty shells without a nut; just hot air.
    02
    Futile Faith
    Faith is only as good as its object.
    03
    False Witness
    Apostles misrepresenting God's actions.
    04
    Unsolved Guilt
    No atonement; we are still in our sins.
    05
    No Hope for Dead
    Those who "fell asleep" have perished.
    06
    Most to be Pitied
    Living a grand delusion; a crime to share.
    Key Quote
    "Christianity is not a philosophy... it is first and foremost a claim that something happened."
    Speaker
    DB
    David Bass
    Guest Preacher
    Keywords
    #Eastertide #1Corinthians15 #Resurrection #ApostolicCreed
    Summary: The sermon pivots on the word "BUT"—Christ has indeed been raised.
    Reading Time: 4 mins
    This worship service, held on April 12, 2026, at LaGrave, centers on the theological and practical necessity of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through liturgical music, intercessory prayer, and a rigorous examination of 1 Corinthians 15, guest preacher David Bass explores the "counter-factual" history of what the Christian faith would become if the resurrection were merely a myth.
    Liturgical Celebration and the Season of Eastertide
    The service opens with a vibrant celebration of "Eastertide," a period the church observes for six Sundays following Easter Sunday. During the children's message, it was explained that the continued use of white banners and festive decorations serves as a reminder that the "Good News" of the resurrection is too significant to celebrate for only a single day. This liturgical season emphasizes the ongoing presence of the risen Christ and the mandate given to his followers to share this message with the world.
    The Eastertide Calendar
    Why the celebration continues for 50 days
    6
    Sundays of Celebration
    50
    Days to Pentecost
    52
    Lord's Days per Year
    "We celebrate Easter for 52 Sundays a year because Christ rose on the Lord's Day."
    Community Intercession and Global Mission
    The congregation engaged in deep intercessory prayer, focusing on three distinct areas: the global church, the local community, and the internal needs of the parish. Specific prayers were offered for persecuted Christians worldwide and for peace in conflict zones including the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. Locally, the church reaffirmed its commitment to ministries such as Dégagé, Guiding Lights, Mel Trotter, and the Downtown Food Pantry. The service also marked the safe return of the Mexico City mission team, who spent the previous week engaged in ministry and vacation bible school.
    The Sermon: "What If?"
    Guest preacher David Bass delivered a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, addressing the "logical hammer blows" Paul uses to defend the resurrection. Bass argued that Christianity is not a mere philosophy or moral code, but a claim that a specific historical event occurred. He utilized a "counter-factual" approach—asking "What if Christ has not been raised?"—to illustrate that without the physical resurrection, preaching is empty, faith is futile, the New Testament is a record of false witnesses, and there is no atonement for sin. The sermon concluded with the "flip of the script," asserting that because Christ has indeed been raised, he is the "firstfruits" of a future harvest of all believers.
    The Six "Hammer Blows" of 1 Corinthians 15
    1. Useless Preaching: The apostolic message becomes "hot air."
    2. Futile Faith: Faith is only as good as its object; a dead Christ cannot save.
    3. False Witness: The New Testament authors become liars misrepresenting God.
    4. Unforgiven Sin: Without the resurrection, the "atonement" has no divine seal.
    5. Perished Saints: Those who died in Christ are simply gone forever.
    6. Pitiful Delusion: Christians become the most pitiable people on earth.
    Key Data
    Mission Update: The Mexico City mission team returned home at 1:00 AM on the day of the service.
    Pastoral Care: The congregation recorded 44 funerals in the previous year.
    Upcoming Event: A detailed report from the Mexico City team is scheduled for May 2.
    To-Do / Next Steps
    Members are encouraged to check the bulletin for various opportunities and events happening during the 10:00 hour.
    Attend the special presentation regarding the Mexico City mission trip on May 2 during the 10:00 hour.
    Pray for Ellen Decker and Bill Stroh as they both face surgeries scheduled for Monday.
    Keep Jack VanSledwight in prayer for healing from blood clots.
    Continue to support and pray for local ministry partners including Dégagé, Guiding Lights, and Mel Trotter.
    Conclusion
    The service concludes by affirming that the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope. As summarized by the closing story of a child’s perspective, the resurrection is not just a past miracle to be studied, but a present reality that promises future restoration for all who believe.
    1 hr 22 min
  • LaGrave Live, April 5, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Evening Worship Service -Easter Morning Worship The Two Enemies of Easter - 2026-04-05
    About The Service:
    We will celebrate Christ’s resurrection at both our 8:40am and 11:00am services. Pastor Jonker will preach. There will be brass and timpani and the choir will sing. We praise God for the grace and faithfulness represented in the celebrations this week and we hope many of you will be able to join us at these services.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload...
    About the Church:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi...
    The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    This Easter service at La Grave celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, framing it as the definitive victory over the physical finality of death and the spiritual weight of cynicism. Through liturgy, song, and sermon, the congregation is encouraged to trade "cynical glasses" for a perspective of hope.
    The service commenced with a vibrant liturgical celebration, utilizing traditional hymns and scripture to establish the reality of the resurrection. Readings from Psalm 16 and Revelation 21 emphasized the promise of a "new heaven and new earth" where the "old order of things," characterized by mourning and pain, is replaced by God's eternal presence.
    The children's messages bridged the gap between historical narrative and personal faith. By recounting the story of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb and the eventual belief of "Doubting Thomas," the speakers illustrated that while doubt is a natural response to the impossible news of the resurrection, a personal encounter with Christ transforms that doubt into the confession, "My Lord and my God".
    In the central sermon, the speaker addressed the modern struggle with "Death’s prescription glasses"—cynicism. Using personal anecdotes about physical aging (tinnitus) and the scientific concept of entropy, he described how death seeks to "flatten" the world into a cold, mechanical process. He argued that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a "new prescription" of hope that restores transcendence, beauty, and the presence of God to a world that cynicism tries to make dull.
    The service concluded with a call to global and local intercession. The congregation prayed for a mission team currently in Mexico, celebrated new births within the community, and sought comfort for those grieving recent losses, asserting that the "Easter hope" must sustain believers as they act as faithful servants in a cynical world.
    The service serves as a powerful reminder that while death and cynicism are persistent enemies, the resurrection of Christ provides a "bloodless revolution" of hope. By rejecting the "nonsense" of a flat world and embracing the reality of a risen Lord, the community is empowered to live with joy and transcendence.
    1 hr 31 min
  • LaGrave Live, April 5, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Morning Worship Service 04-05-2026
    Easter Morning Worship: The Two Enemies of Easter
    About The Service:
    We will celebrate Christ’s resurrection at both our 8:40am and 11:00am services. Pastor Jonker will preach. There will be brass and timpani and the choir will sing. We praise God for the grace and faithfulness represented in the celebrations this week and we hope many of you will be able to join us at these services.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-4-5-AM-easter-order-of-worship.pdf
    About the Church:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
    The April special offering is for Family Promise. Family Promise partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and case management for families with children facing a housing crisis.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    Summary
    The text is a detailed transcript of an Easter worship service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It includes musical interludes, scripture readings, sermons, prayers, and a children’s message. The core message emphasizes the significance of Christ’s resurrection as the foundation of Christian faith and hope, triumphing over death and cynicism. The narrative highlights the initial disbelief of Jesus’ followers, the angelic proclamation of His resurrection, and the transformation from despair to joy and hope. The sermon explores death and cynicism as the two main enemies faced by believers, contrasting them with the hope and new perspective offered by faith in the risen Christ. The service concludes with communal prayer, blessings, and joyful praise, reaffirming the resurrection as the ultimate source of hope, renewal, and eternal life.
    Highlights
    The resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated as the cornerstone of Christian faith.
    Death and cynicism are identified as key enemies confronting believers daily.
    The angel’s message, “He is not here; He is risen,” overturns despair with hope.
    The initial disbelief of Jesus' disciples exemplifies the struggle with doubt and cynicism.
    Faith in the resurrection offers a transformative worldview filled with hope and joy.
    The global church community and mission work underscore the universal impact of Easter.
    The service balances scripture, worship, prayer, and teaching to engage all ages.
    Key Insights
    Christ’s Resurrection as the Heart of Scripture: From Genesis to Revelation, the resurrection is the central promise and fulfillment, providing a continuous narrative of hope and divine faithfulness. This theological anchor transforms Christian identity and mission.
    Death as the Ultimate Enemy: Death is portrayed as a powerful, tangible adversary that brings physical end and spiritual despair. It represents entropy and decay, the inevitable fate of all living things, emphasizing human mortality.
    Cynicism as Death’s Co-conspirator: Unlike doubt, which is momentary, cynicism is a hardened, habitual skepticism that blinds people to hope. It represents a spiritual and emotional barrier that dismisses resurrection and joy as nonsense.
    The Transformative Power of Resurrection Hope: Believers are called to reject death’s cynical glasses and adopt the “glasses of hope” through faith in the risen Christ. This hope is robust and historically impactful, having revolutionized the world.
    Historical and Personal Struggles with Faith: The text illustrates the challenges even early disciples faced in accepting the resurrection, mirroring modern believers’ struggles with doubt and cynicism. It shows faith as a journey from skepticism to conviction.
    Global and Communal Dimension of Easter: The service connects local worship with global mission efforts, reflecting the resurrection’s worldwide significance and the church’s unity across cultures.
    Resurrection as a Promise of New Creation: The ultimate hope is not just personal eternal life but a renewed heaven and earth, free from death, sorrow, and pain, affirming God’s sovereign restoration of all things.
    Keywords
    Resurrection
    Cynicism
    Death
    Hope
    Faith
    New Creation
    Easter
    FAQs
    Q1: Why is the resurrection central to Christian faith?
    A1: The resurrection of Jesus is central because it confirms His victory over death, validates His divine identity, and assures believers of eternal life and God’s faithfulness.
    Q2: What are the two main enemies discussed in the Easter message?
    A2: The two main enemies are death, which represents physical and spiritual death, and cynicism, a habitual skepticism that dismisses hope and divine promises.
    Q3: How did Jesus’ disciples initially respond to the news of the resurrection?
    A3: Many disciples initially doubted or were cynical about the resurrection, finding it hard to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until they saw Him personally.
    Q4: What is the significance of the "glasses" metaphor?
    A4: The "glasses" metaphor illustrates how death tries to make people see the world through cynicism and despair, while faith in Jesus offers a vision of hope and joy.
    Q5: How does the resurrection impact the Christian view of the future?
    A5: It assures believers of a future new heaven and new earth where death and suffering are no more, reinforcing hope for eternal life and restoration.
    Core Concepts
    The Resurrection as the Foundation of Christian Hope: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pivotal event that defines Christian faith. It represents the defeat of death and the guarantee of eternal life, as proclaimed from the earliest days of the church and throughout Scripture. This event is not just a historical fact but a transformative reality that shapes the believer’s worldview.
    Death as a Real and Present Enemy: Death is portrayed as the ultimate adversary, responsible for physical demise and spiritual despair. It is linked to the scientific principle of entropy, symbolizing inevitable decay and loss. Death threatens to extinguish hope by convincing humanity that life ends in darkness and nothingness.
    Cynicism as a Spiritual Barrier: Beyond death, cynicism is identified as a deeply ingrained attitude that rejects hope and divine promises. It is the hardened skepticism that dismisses joyful news as foolishness, preventing people from embracing the resurrection’s truth. This mindset is a daily challenge for believers, often reinforced by cultural and intellectual influences.
    The Power of Faith to Overcome Death and Cynicism: Faith in the resurrection offers a new lens—one of hope, joy, and divine presence. This “prescription” from Jesus changes how believers perceive the world, infusing life with meaning beyond mere material existence. The resurrection message, once embraced, has historically revolutionized societies and individuals alike.
    The Continuing Struggle with Doubt and Belief: The initial disbelief of Jesus’ followers reflects the natural human struggle with faith. The narrative of Thomas, who required physical proof, highlights the journey from skepticism to conviction. This story encourages believers to trust in the resurrection despite doubts.
    Global and Communal Dimensions of Easter: Easter is celebrated not only locally but as a global event uniting Christians worldwide. The service emphasizes the importance of mission and community, reflecting the church’s role in spreading the resurrection’s hope beyond cultural and geographic boundaries.
    Eschatological Hope in New Creation: The resurrection points forward to the final restoration of all creation. The promise of a new heaven and earth where suffering and death are abolished provides ultimate hope and sustains believers through present trials. This eschatological vision completes the Easter message, anchoring faith in God’s future kingdom.
    Together, these concepts form a comprehensive theological and practical framework for understanding Easter’s significance and living out its hope in daily life.
    1 hr 31 min
  • LaGrave Live, March 29, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Evening Worship Service - Misery and Belonging - 2026-03-29
    About The Service:
    Reverend Bob Arbogast will preach a sermon titled Misery and Belonging
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload...
    About Us:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi...
    The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    1 hr 9 min
  • LaGrave Live, March 29, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026
    Cross Words: He Descended into Hell
    About The Service:
    March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
    About the Church:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
    The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-29-2026
    Cross Words: He Descended into Hell
    About The Service:
    March 29 is Palm Sunday. We will have our traditional palm processional as we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Pastor Jonker will conclude our series on the cross with a sermon on the phrase from the Apostle's Creed that talks about Jesus descending into hell. Important texts for this doctrine include Matthew 26:36-46, I Peter 3:18-20 and Psalm 88.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-29-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
    About the Church:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
    The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    Summary
    The provided content is a detailed transcript of a Palm Sunday worship service, blending musical worship, scripture readings, sermons, and prayers focused on the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. The central theme revolves around the doctrine of Christ’s descent into hell, a key article of the Apostle’s Creed. The sermon explores biblical references and theological interpretations of hell, its meaning, and Jesus’ experience of suffering and victory over evil through His death and resurrection. The service also includes reflections on human suffering, the presence of evil, cultural attitudes towards hell and the devil, and the hope found in Christ’s redemptive work. Prayers for healing, community needs, and missionary work are included, along with traditional hymns and Christian liturgical elements. The message encourages believers to find strength and hope amid life’s trials by remembering Christ’s victory over death and the devil.
    Highlights
    Palm Sunday worship commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and anticipates His death and resurrection.
    The Apostle’s Creed includes the phrase "He descended into hell," a doctrinal point explored in depth.
    Biblical terms related to hell—Sheol (Old Testament), Hades (Greek Scriptures), and Gehenna (New Testament)—illustrate evolving views of the afterlife and judgment.
    Modern secular culture shows declining belief in hell and the devil but paradoxically exhibits fascination with horror and chaos, reflecting an underlying spiritual awareness.
    The sermon contends that Jesus experienced the full despair and separation of hell on the cross, bearing all human suffering and sin.
    The concept of the Harrowing of Hell, where Jesus triumphantly frees Old Testament saints, is discussed as a traditional but debated interpretation.
    The service includes communal prayers for healing, peace, and spiritual growth, emphasizing Christ’s ongoing presence and victory.
    Key Insights
    Theological significance of "He descended into hell": This phrase assures believers that Jesus fully experienced human despair and spiritual separation from God, affirming that no suffering is beyond His redemptive reach.
    Evolution of hell in Scripture: Old Testament Sheol is a neutral realm of the dead, while New Testament Hades incorporates judgment, and Gehenna represents eternal punishment, reflecting deepening biblical understanding of the afterlife.
    Cultural paradox of belief and fascination: Despite declining explicit belief in hell and the devil in modern society, horror movies and dark themes flourish, suggesting a subconscious grappling with evil and chaos.
    Christ’s victory over evil: The sermon highlights that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the power of Satan and death is broken, offering believers hope amid suffering and loss.
    Pastoral application: Recognizing Jesus’ descent into hell as both experiential (sharing human suffering) and victorious (defeating evil) provides comfort and courage for believers facing trials.
    The Harrowing of Hell tradition: The idea that Jesus physically descended to free righteous souls before resurrection enriches Christian art and liturgy but remains a debated biblical interpretation.
    Community and mission focus: The service integrates prayers for real-world needs, health, and missionary efforts, connecting doctrinal reflection with practical Christian living.
    Keywords
    Apostle’s Creed
    Descent into hell
    Sheol
    Hades
    Gehenna
    Harrowing of Hell
    Redemption
    FAQs
    Q1: What does the phrase "He descended into hell" mean?
    A1: It means that Jesus Christ experienced the full depth of human suffering, including spiritual separation from God, and through His death overcame the power of evil and death.
    Q2: How is hell described differently in the Bible?
    A2: Hell is described using three terms: Sheol (Old Testament realm of the dead), Hades (Greek term for the underworld, sometimes a place of judgment), and Gehenna (New Testament term for eternal punishment).
    Q3: Why is belief in hell declining in modern culture?
    A3: Secularization and changing worldviews have led many to reject traditional beliefs in hell and the devil, though cultural expressions like horror films suggest an underlying awareness of evil’s reality.
    Q4: What is the "Harrowing of Hell"?
    A4: It is a traditional Christian belief that Jesus descended into hell after His death to free the souls of Old Testament saints, illustrating His victory over death and Satan.
    Q5: How does understanding Jesus’ descent into hell help Christians today?
    A5: It offers assurance that Jesus has shared in human suffering and despair, providing hope and strength for believers facing trials, knowing He has defeated evil and death.
    Core Concepts
    Palm Sunday and the Passion Narrative: Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, anticipating His suffering and death, which are central to Christian faith and worship. This day contrasts the initial celebration with the sorrow that follows, highlighting the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ mission.
    The Apostle’s Creed and its Central Doctrines: The Creed is a concise summary of orthodox Christian beliefs, including Jesus’ suffering, death, burial, and descent into hell. The phrase "He descended into hell" is a pivotal theological assertion signifying Jesus’ solidarity with human suffering and His triumph over evil.
    Biblical Terminology for Hell:
    Sheol is the Hebrew term for the place of the dead, depicted as a shadowy, non-judgmental realm in the Old Testament.
    Hades is the Greek counterpart used in the New Testament, initially similar to Sheol but increasingly associated with judgment and torment.
    Gehenna is a term Jesus used to describe eternal punishment, a fiery place reserved for the wicked, emphasizing the reality of final judgment.
    Theological Interpretations of Jesus’ Descent: The sermon presents two main views: one that Jesus experienced the emotional and spiritual anguish of hell on the cross, and another traditional view (held by Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions) that He physically descended to the realm of the dead to liberate the righteous, known as the Harrowing of Hell.
    Cultural Context and Spiritual Reality: Despite declining intellectual belief in hell and the devil in Western culture, the popularity of horror films and dark narratives reflects a deep-seated awareness of evil’s reality and the human struggle with chaos and despair. The figure of the Joker in The Dark Knight exemplifies this chaotic evil seeking to undermine order and hope.
    Pastoral Application and Encouragement: The message encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and evil, recognizing that He has borne every human pain and temptation. This assurance offers comfort amid suffering and fosters spiritual resilience.
    Christian Worship and Community Life: The transcript reveals the integration of liturgical elements—hymns, prayers, scripture readings—and community concerns, including prayers for healing, missionaries, and social justice, demonstrating the holistic nature of worship that engages both doctrine and daily life.
    Through these core concepts, the content provides a rich theological, cultural, and pastoral exploration of one of Christianity’s foundational beliefs, inviting believers to deepen their faith and find hope in Christ’s redemptive work.
    1 hr 16 min
  • LaGrave Live, March 22, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Evening Worship Service - The Grace of Kindness - 2026-03-22
    About The Service:
    Pastor Jonker will lead us in worship. He will preach on Galatians 5:22 and he will talk about kindness.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/upload...
    About Us:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Givi...
    The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    More about this evening worship:
    This evening worship service at La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church centers on "Kindness" as a vital fruit of the Spirit. Through scriptural reflections on Ruth and the teachings of Paul, the service explores how God’s "incomparable riches" transform kindness from a meager social politeness into a gritty, life-giving force that reflects the character of Christ.
    The Scriptural Narrative of Kindness
    The service opens with a call to worship from Psalm 138, emphasizing that although the Lord is exalted, He looks kindly upon the lowly. This theme is woven through the Old Testament narrative of Ruth and Boaz. In the fields of Bethlehem, Ruth—a destitute foreigner—finds more than just grain; she encounters the "guardian-redeemer" kindness of Boaz, who provides protection, sustenance, and dignity. Naomi recognizes this as a manifestation of God’s persistent kindness to both the living and the dead.
    Defining Christian Kindness
    The sermon defines Christian kindness as "active love used to build up another person" specifically towards the life of Jesus Christ. Using the contrast between a warm gas station attendant and an indifferent cashier, the message illustrates how the human spirit is contagious. However, Christian kindness goes deeper than mere friendliness; it is "gritty and wonderful," sometimes manifesting as a gentle smile and other times as firm discipline or the "hard medicine" of truth-telling in the face of opposition. This reflects the kindness of God in Ephesians 2, which raised humanity from spiritual death to being "seated in heavenly realms."
    Kindness as an Infinite Resource
    A primary obstacle to kindness is the "scarcity mindset"—the belief that kindness is a finite resource like time or money that will run out if spent too freely. The sermon refutes this using Paul’s descriptions of God’s "incomparable riches" and "immeasurably more" power. Because the well of divine kindness never runs dry, believers do not need to be frugal or budget their compassion; they can afford to be extravagantly kind even in a society marked by rising anger and declining trust.
    Community Prayer and Intercession
    The service concludes with a deep intercessory prayer, acknowledging the "gentle push of spring" as a sign of God's grace while bringing specific community suffering before God. The prayer covers national concerns—asking for truth and love to replace anger and deception—and specific congregational needs, including those facing transplants, hospice care, and sudden illness.
    Kindness is not a "thin virtue" but a robust, Christ-centered power rooted in the infinite grace of God. By shifting from a mindset of scarcity to one of divine abundance, the community is called to be a "contagion" of positivity and mercy in a fractured world.
    1 hr 1 min
  • LaGrave Live, March 22, 2026
    LaGrave Live
    LIVE Morning Worship Service 03-22-2026
    Cross Words: Taking Up the Cross
    About The concert:
    We continue our Cross Words series, focusing on the meaning and impact of Christ's cross. Pastor Jonker will preach on Mark 8:31-9:1.
    Order of Worship:
    https://lagrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-3-22-AM-Order-of-Worship.pdf
    About the Church:
    We are a traditional CRC church in the middle of Downtown Grand Rapids, MI, worshipping at 8:40am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm. (10:00am and 6:00pm during the summer months)
    We'd love to hear from you:
    Connection: https://www.lagrave.org/contact
    Let us pray for you:
    Prayer: https://www.lagrave.org/prayerrequest/
    Giving: https://www.elexiogiving.com/App/Giving/lagr107178
    The March special offering is for Mel Trotter Ministries. Mel Trotter Ministries provides shelter for individuals and families with services including: meals, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, case management.
    Listen on the go:
    Amazon Music: https://bit.ly/LGPodAmazonMusic
    Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3tuOdwQ
    Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/LGPodGoogle
    Soundcloud: / lagravecrc https://soundcloud.com/lagravecrc
    Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3yXDFaT
    Follow us!
    Facebook: / lagravecrc https://www.facebook.com/lagravecrc
    Instagram: / lagravecrc https://www.instagram.com/lagravecrc
    Website: https://www.lagrave.org
    #LaGrave #LaGraveCRC
    Taking Up the Cross: A Lenten Journey into Sacrificial Power
    Taking Up the Cross: The Revolutionary Path
    Lenten Series: Cross Words | LaGrave Avenue Church (March 22, 2026)
    Fifth Sunday in Lent
    Theological Core: Matthew 16:21-28
    "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
    Roman Power (The World)
    Pure strength & domination
    Boasting in casualties (Caesar)
    "Iron laws of force"
    Cross Power (The Kingdom)
    Sacrificial love & weakness
    Absorbing pain for others
    "The last shall be first"
    Key Concept: Strepho
    Jesus' "dynamic turn" on Peter. It wasn't a casual glance; it was a passionate rebuke of the temptation to choose success over sacrifice.
    Illustrative Narratives
    The Mission (1986)
    Rodrigo (the gun) vs. Gabriel (the cross). True change comes through blood of the cross, not force.
    Leroy Smith (2015)
    A Black officer assisting a KKK marcher in the heat. Grace vs. the "bottles" of counter-protest.
    Community Pulse
    #SeminaryTraining #NewMembers #CaminoDeSantiago #GlobalPrayer
    Speaker: Pastor Peter | Liturgist: Levi Huizinga
    ⏱ ~85 min Service📖 Matthew 16:21-28
    This worship service at LaGrave Avenue explores the radical call of Jesus to "take up the cross," contrasting worldly domination with the transformative power of sacrificial love. Through liturgy, scripture from Matthew 16, and contemporary illustrations, the congregation is invited to move beyond human concerns toward the "dynamic turn" of Christ.
    Detailed Summary
    Community Welcomes and Transitions
    The service marked a "homecoming" for Levi Huizinga, a pre-seminary student and former member returning to lead the liturgy as part of his training. The community also celebrated the addition of three new members representing three generations of one family: Lynn Stinson, Sarah Turnage, and Francesca Turnage. Notably, Sarah and Francesca shared their upcoming plans to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain this June. These introductions emphasize the church as a multi-generational covenant family where members support one another’s spiritual and personal journeys.
    Lenten Liturgy and the Theology of Betrayal
    During this fifth Sunday in Lent, the liturgy focused on the "shape of the cross" in daily life. The prayer of confession acknowledged the human tendency to deny the necessity of suffering or to hide behind religious "busyness" rather than truly following Christ. In a message directed at children, the betrayal of Jesus by his friend Judas was used to illustrate that Jesus intimately understands emotional pain and abandonment. This teaching framed the cross not just as a physical sacrifice, but as a place where Jesus absorbed the "mean" actions of others to offer healing.
    The "Dynamic Turn" (Strepho)
    In Matthew 16:23, when Jesus rebukes Peter, the Greek word strepho denotes more than a simple movement. It is a passionate, dynamic spin.
    Human Concerns
    Success, safety, and avoiding the cross.
    God's Concerns
    Sacrifice, love, and the path of the cross.
    The Radical Contrast of Power
    The sermon centered on Matthew 16:21-28, highlighting the moment Peter moved from being the "Rock" to a "stumbling block" by rejecting Jesus’ path of suffering. The message contrasted the Roman concept of power—pure domination and the slaughter of enemies as seen in Julius Caesar’s conquests—with the revolutionary power of Jesus. While the world values "pure winning," Jesus introduced a power that absorbs pain and offers forgiveness. This "cross-shaped power" is described as the only force capable of truly changing the world, moving beyond the "pagan" temptation to solve problems through brute force.
    The Choice: The Gun vs. The Cross
    To illustrate the difficulty of choosing the cross, the sermon presented two models of response to evil. First, a scene from the movie The Mission contrasted a priest who took up arms (Rodrigo) with one who carried the cross into a massacre (Gabriel). Second, a real-life example from 2015 described Leroy Smith, a Black police officer, who chose to help an elderly KKK protester suffering from heat exhaustion. While counter-protestors responded with anger and bottles, Smith responded with water and grace. These stories serve as a call for modern believers to recognize that the hope for the world lies not in "the end of a gun," but in the "blood of the cross."
    Models of Response to Evil
    ⚔️ Worldly Power: Forceful restraint, shouting, and "pagan strength" to crush enemies.
    ✝️ Cross Power: Absorbing pain, offering water to enemies, and sacrificial love.
    "The hope for the change of the world will not come at the end of a gun, it will come through the blood of the cross."
    Key Data
    Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:21-28 (The rebuke of Peter and the call to discipleship).
    Historical Context: Julius Caesar boasted of killing 1 million Gauls and enslaving another million to demonstrate "power."
    Biblical Terminology: Strepho (Greek) – A dynamic, intense turn or spin.
    To-Do / Next Steps
    Community Fellowship: Join the coffee time in the multipurpose room following the service.
    Congregational Care: Pray for Jim Kroll as he begins radiation for multiple myeloma.
    Healing Petitions: Keep Dan Goris in prayer as he recovers from a recent stroke and surgery.
    Global Intercession: Pray for those living in the "valley of the shadow of death" in Congo, Yemen, Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Tel Aviv, and Tehran.
    Support Missions: Remember Mike and Megan Ribbens in their ongoing ministry in South Africa.
    Conclusion
    The service concludes with a sobering yet hopeful reminder that following Jesus requires a "death to self" and a rejection of pagan power structures. By picking up the cross, the believer participates in the same revolutionary grace that Jesus modeled—a grace that seeks not to dominate, but to redeem through sacrifice.
    1 hr 25 min

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If you’re looking for a warm church that commits to an intensely pertinent Gospel in the Reformed tradition of the Christian faith, we invite you to worship with us. Our 1,800 members come from across…