Pastor JD VanValin: Sermons

Text: Hebrews 10:11-31

After Jesus offered his blood as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, he sat down. It's done. We do not go on as usual. This is a life-transforming, whole-person re-orienting, mission-altering event. It's not even just for a few people, but this work is for the whole world. The good news of Jesus requires us to respond, and hopefully receive.

Text: Mark 12:28-34

Anytime you seek to learn information, a skill, a way of living from someone, there is an end goal for taking time to learn. The end goal of discipleship is not merely to know God, but to love him and also to love those whom he loves. In other words, the goal of a disciple is to be like Jesus. 

Text: Mark 10:46-52

Jesus opened the eyes of the blind, he helps us to see. A different question is, "Does God see?" A common prayer in the scriptures is "Give ear, O God, and hear. Open your eyes, and see." It is a request/command for God to look, to see, to hear, and ultimately to have compassion and intervene. We all need God to come, and the amazing thing is that he actually came down and took on a human perspective with human eyes. If there is any god that sees, it is the God who took on human flesh, and he leads us in paths of righteousness.

Text: Mark 10:35-45

Discipleship Group Guide

We all hunger for glory. God made us for glory--for his and ours. Sin distorted, as it does all things, our desire for glory. Instead of looking for it in God, we seek it out in other ways in which the world offers. When we follow Jesus, we don't just jump from justification to glory. Instead, Jesus asks us, "Can you drink the cup I drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" He invites us to follow him descending into darkness in order to shine light and bring hope. At death, we do not need to fear, for we will rise with him in the last day and live in his glory forever.

Text: Mark 10:17-31

Discipleship Group Guide

Jesus calls us to follow him. It is a high invitation and a high challenge. His call is gentle yet tough. He came and it cost him everything, and likewise, when we follow him, it costs us everything. The rich young ruler got a taste of Christ's call on his life. Bonhoeffer says that cheap grace justifies sin, while costly grace justifies the sinner. Jesus removes sin, but he also transforms our life, and that is costly.

Text: Mark 10:13-16

Discipleship Group Guide

Jesus prioritizes children as being the necessary model for inheriting the Kingdom of God. What can we learn from our childhood and from the children that we care for today? As disciples of Jesus, may we all become like children in our dependence, trust, and obedience to the Lord.

Text: James 5:13-20

Discipleship Group Guide

As a disciple of Jesus, what should I do when ________? The Bible is not necessarily an instruction book, yet there are sometimes very specific instructions for certain situations. James gives very specific instructions for God's people in James 5:13-20. When we obey these instructions we are practicing the way of Jesus. Practicing the way of Jesus is a long journey, and over time, we see the fruit of God's work in our lives. May we continue to follow Jesus and obey his commands.

Text: Proverbs 31

Discipleship Group Guide

A Proverbs 31 Wife is the typical designation for a godly woman who serves her family and community well. Since the Church is the bride of Christ, and since the Church is made up of disciples, Proverbs 31 is also a description of the faithful bride of Christ and how disciples live. 

Text: James 3:1-12

Discipleship Group Guide

How should someone who follows Jesus speak? Why do Christians sometimes speak evil words? What needs to be done? The words and messages we speak reveal what is in our heart. If we need to change how we speak, we need to change our heart. Jesus can heal us and he does this through his Holy Spirit and the work of fellow believers in our lives.

Text: Psalm 146:5-10, and many more

If you could choose to be part of a church full of rich people or poor people, which would you choose? A church without the poor is out of touch with the world since the majority of the world is poor. Jesus became poor for our sake. If we are to follow Jesus, that should be our same path.