Just Fishing, 3 of 4 from September 15th, 2024

“Following Jesus’ mission means being treated like Jesus.”

Matthew 10 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

Following Christ isn't always comfortable - it often leads to conflict and opposition. Yet, we're called to be 'fishers of men,' interrupting the ordinary with God's extraordinary purpose. In Matthew 10, we're challenged to embrace Jesus' mission with courage and conviction. The imagery of fishing from the fish's perspective offers a profound insight: people may resist the gospel, but that doesn't mean we're doing something wrong. We're encouraged to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, advancing the kingdom despite persecution. The key message is clear: centering our identity on Jesus gives us the strength to face any opposition. We're reminded that we're of immense value to God, who knows even the number of hairs on our heads. This teaching urges us to reorder our priorities, putting Christ above all else, even family ties. As we engage in this mission, we're promised that those who receive us will be blessed. It's a call to step out in faith, knowing that following Jesus' mission means being treated like Jesus Himself.

Just Fishing, 2 of 4 from September 8th, 2024

“Jesus entrusts His mission to us, together.”

John 4:27-42 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

Sometimes our spiritual lives can feel stale, like opening a bag of chips that's lost its crunch but Jesus invites us into a fresh, living relationship with Him. He offers 'living water' that satisfies our deepest thirsts and transforms us from the inside out. In this message we are reminded us that Jesus' heart is for all people - those we like and those we tend to avoid. The Samaritan woman's excitement about her encounter with Jesus led her to share with others, showing us that we don't need to have all the answers to share our faith - we just need to be excited about what Jesus is doing in our lives.

Just Fishing, 1 of 4 from September 1st, 2024

“Jesus' invitation is an interruption.”

Luke 5:1-11 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

We're reminded that Jesus' invitation is often an interruption to our daily lives. Just as He approached Peter after a long night of fruitless fishing, Jesus meets us in our 'meh' moments - those tedious, frustrating parts of life. The key lesson is that obeying Jesus, even when it doesn't make sense to us, opens our eyes to the work He is already doing in the world. Simon (-Peter)'s willingness to cast his nets again, despite his exhaustion, led to a miraculous catch that revealed Jesus' power and Peter's own sinfulness. This encounter teaches us that Jesus' presence clarifies our predicament, but also offers us grace and a new purpose. We're challenged to see our everyday environments as mission fields where we can 'catch people' for Christ.

Standalone Sermon from August 25th, 2024

“We must SHOW commitment to Jesus.”

2 Peter 1:1-15 by Logan Dean

This week we're reminded that our spiritual journey is a process of growth, much like learning a new skill. We start with faith as our foundation, then build upon it with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and ultimately, love. This progression, outlined in 2 Peter 1, challenges us to continually develop our relationship with God and others. God has already provided us with everything we need for spiritual growth. Are we utilizing these resources, or are we remaining spiritually stagnant? This message encourages us to actively engage in our faith, moving beyond being 'spiritual babies' to becoming mature, effective followers of Christ.

Heavy Hearts, 9 of 9 August 18th, 2024

“God will completely restore all that our sin broke.”

Ezekiel 40-48 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

Today we’ll examine God's vision for restoration. The central theme revolves around God's promise to completely restore all that sin has broken. We're taken on a journey through Ezekiel's detailed measurements of a future temple, which at first may seem tedious, but ultimately reveals God's meticulous care for His people. This vision challenges us to set our hearts on God's promises, even when they don't immediately align with our expectations. The living water flowing from the temple, bringing life to the Dead Sea, beautifully illustrates God's power to transform and renew. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to trust in God's timing and His ability to bring spiritual and physical restoration to our lives and the world around us.

Heavy Hearts, 8 of 9 August 11th, 2024

“Ultimately God moves everyone from shame over our failure to wonder at God's character.”

Ezekiel 38-39 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

Explore the mysterious prophecy of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39. The central message revolves around God's ultimate control over all nations and His desire to reveal His character to the world. We learn that evil cannot coexist with peace and that challenges will arise even in times of prosperity. However, God's purpose is not just to protect Israel but to demonstrate His power and holiness to all nations. This passage reminds us that no matter how dire circumstances may seem, God is always in control. God is orchestrating events to fulfill His greater plan. As we grapple with uncertainties in our own lives, we're encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and to find wonder in His love and mercy, even in the face of our own failures and shortcomings.

Heavy Hearts, 7 of 9 August 4th, 2024

“God’s desire is for us to know Him and be led by Him”

Ezekiel 36-37 by Matthew Wheelock (@matthew.wheelock.31)

We're reminded of God's unwavering commitment to restoration and redemption through Ezekiel 36 and 37. The vision of the valley of dry bones serves as a striking metaphor for spiritual renewal. We learn that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, God has the power to breathe new life into us. This message encourages us to trust in God's plan even when we feel lost or broken. It emphasizes that our position in life is divinely ordained and that God speaks to us even in our lowest moments. The key takeaway is that obedience to God leads to blessings, though these blessings may not always align with our expectations. Ultimately, we're called to know God intimately and allow Him to lead us, transforming us from spiritual death to vibrant life in Him.

Heavy Hearts, 6 of 9 July 28th, 2024

“All of our hope is secure in the honor of our True Shepherd.”

Ezekiel 34, 36 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

We confront the harsh reality of failed spiritual leadership and its consequences in Ezekiel 34. The passage reveals God's deep concern for His people and His commitment to personally intervene when human leaders fall short. We're challenged to consider how the quality of our spiritual journey corresponds directly to the character of those we choose to follow. This serves as a stark reminder to carefully discern our spiritual influences and to ultimately place our trust in the True Shepherd - God Himself. The message offers hope and comfort, assuring us that God sees, knows, and will act to rescue and care for His flock, even in the face of human failure.

Heavy Hearts, 5 of 9 July 21st, 2024

“Jesus’ authority extends to every area of our lives.”

Ezekiel 24, 33:21-22 by Ryan Gagnon (@RyGagnon)

The central theme of these chapters revolves around the consequences of persistent disobedience and the weight of sin. We're reminded that we cannot bear the burden of our own transgressions - only Jesus can. The imagery of a corroded pot symbolizes how sin taints everything, making us unfit for God's purpose. Yet, even in judgment, God's grace shines through! He offers cleansing, but we must choose to accept it. This serves as a wake-up call for us to examine our own lives and consider where we might be resisting God's authority. Are we trying to bear our own sin? Are we fully surrendering to God's will? The message challenges us to recognize Jesus' authority in every area of our lives, reminding us that partial obedience is still disobedience.

Heavy Hearts, 4 of 9 July 14th, 2024

“God’s love will not be deterred by our rebellion.”

Ezekiel 16 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

In Ezekiel 16 we're confronted with a stark parable of God's relationship with Jerusalem, symbolizing His love for His people. The chapter presents a challenging narrative of undeserved love, rebellion, and ultimate redemption. We're reminded that God loves the unloved and unlovely, choosing us not for our merit but out of His boundless compassion. This love story begins with God's intervention in our desperate state, nurturing us to beauty and prominence. However, the parable takes a dark turn as it depicts our tendency to forget God's goodness, turning to idolatry and spiritual adultery. This serves as a powerful reminder of how easily we can take God's blessings for granted and seek fulfillment in lesser things. Despite our unfaithfulness, God's love remains steadfast, culminating in the promise of an everlasting covenant through Jesus Christ.