Pastor JD VanValin: Sermons

Third Sunday of Lent

Text: John 2:13-22

Jesus disrupts life. In John 2, Jesus disrupts the temple activities (normal routine), the Passover preparations (normal plans), and the understanding of the temple (normal ideas). Disruption always calls for change (repentance). Jesus leads us into a new way of life if we embrace his disruption.

Second Sunday of Lent

Text: Romans 4:13-25

Abraham's story helps us to see how faith is vital when it comes to righteousness. In what or in whom do we put our faith? The promises of God are incredible. Can something so good really be true? 

Sixth Sunday of Epiphany (Transfiguration Sunday)

Text: Mark 9:2-9

When Christ was transfigured he lifted the veil, revealing his true nature--fully God, fully man. The disciples were shown a glimpse of the kingdom of God, but in order to follow Jesus, they couldn't stay there--they had to go down the mountain with Jesus to the cross. We love the mountain top experience, but will we too follow Jesus down the mountain? 

Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

Text: John 1:30-31, Isaiah 40:28-31

How is one's strength renewed? Let's consider Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1) and the Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17) and see how the Lord renewed their strength and what the Lord would have for us.

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

Text: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus teaches with authority and has shown he has authority over evil spirits, sickness, and death. He is Lord of the Sabbath! As the "authorities" plot to kill him, Jesus is sharing his authority with his disciples. Jesus has full authority, but does he have complete authority in your life? If you are his disciple, have you received this authority that he wants to share with you?

Third Sunday of Epiphany

Text: Jonah 1-4

The Word of God came to Jonah, but it wasn't just for him, it was for the people of Nineveh. Jonah did evil, the Ninevites did evil until they heard and obeyed the Word of God. In the end, Jonah was not transformed by God's Word. He never shared God's compassion for God's enemies. Jesus, the Word of God who came in the flesh, perfect models compassion for enemies and it is only through him that we can overcome evil.

Second Sunday of Epiphany

Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; John 1:43-51

God calls us to himself more than he calls us to any task. The posture of a Christian is "Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening." Whether you hear God's voice or sense his direction in prayer, or whether or not you feel or hear anything at all, know that God calls you to be his, and therefore, to be Holy.

First Sunday after Epiphany

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

In Christ, God has revealed his nature, mission, and way not just to the Jews, but to all nations. The Magi represent the nations and choose to bow before him. Every nation will one day bow before the King. We either choose to bow today, or react by falling down before him whenever that day comes.

Second Sunday of Christmas

Text: Jeremiah 31:7-14

The goodness of God is fully expressed in the gift of his son, setting us free from wondering if God is good during times of suffering. God's goodness is eternal because that is who he is as well as who he gives.

First Sunday of Christmas

Text: Galatians 4:4-7

No one wants an incomplete gift, yet many settle for one. Jesus came not only to rescue us, but also to renew us. Salvation in Christ is not just being saved from hell, but it is being adopted as daughters and sons.