Sermon Podcast

Pastor Brent wraps up our summer series “What Does the Bible Say?” with two messages on eternity. In Jesus’ graphic parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16, he exposits “One Fate” (v. 22); “Two Outcomes” (vv. 19-23); and “Three Demands” (vv. 24-31). We all come to the same earthly fate, death, yet our choices in life have radically different eternal consequences. Even in torment, the rich man shows no signs of repentance, but rather continues trying to boss around Lazarus. By contrast, Lazarus (“the one whom God helps”) is silent in this parable, needing neither rationalizing nor defending. The witness of Scripture gives us all the reason we need to hear God’s call unto salvation (2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8; 4:7). D.A. Carson: “There is not a single passage in Scripture that says there is repentance in Hell.” Who do we know who are in danger of Hell? Are you? Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus and be saved!

Terry Szymanski from our Elder Team returns to preach on one of his favorite Christian disciplines, apologetics. His introduction covers several humorous illustrations designed to encourage critical thinking skills and discernment: a series of AI-modified photos of himself ranging from the mundane to the ridiculous; a quick round of “Two Truths and a Lie”: and misunderstood lyrics to a pop song from when he was a child. Terry then dives into his sermon on 1 John 4:1-6: “Recognizing That There is a Battle of Ideas (Truth & Lies)” (v. 1); “Spotting False Teaching” (vv. 2-4); and “Practicing Discernment and Living in Truth” (vv. 5-6). From describing various assaults on truths; definitions and iterations of antichrists; basic truth theories; and subjective vs. objective truth, Terry challenges the listener to have hearts that burn with desire for the truth of Jesus and His Word (see Luke 24:32) and to live out truth today.

Pastor Brent previews our final three Sundays in our summer series, “What Does the Bible Say?” Although he didn’t plan it, today’s message lands just two days before the primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin! Two mistakes Christians make regarding political involvement range from total disengagement to idolatry of party or politicians. Rather, keying off of Luke 20, Pastor Brent reviews the “Motivation of the Jewish Leaders” (vv. 20-22) and focuses on “The Proper Approach Toward Government” (vv. 23-26). He then gives close attention to “Why Human Government Exists” (creation mandate; protect life; just laws; human welfare) and “Our Relationship with Government” (pray for them; seek goodness and justice; submit to government; embody God’s kingdom values in the public square). All things belong to God; therefore government is subordinate to Him. A highlighted resource is How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age by Jonathan Leeman.

The word “justice” is mentioned 400 times in the O.T. alone. Justice starts with knowing the heart of God (see Micah 6:8). In contrasting modern-day social justice with the Bible’s teaching, Pastor Brent opens Matt. 12:1-21 emphasizes “The Desire for Justice” (vv. 1-8); “The Heart of Justice” (vv. 9-14); and “The Fulfillment of Justice” (vv. 15-21). After detailing Jesus’ examples from 1 Sam. 21 and Hos. 6:6, Pastor Brent asserts that loving people should always be put ahead of rule-following and we need to make and abide by laws that reflect God’s good design and doing good toward His image-bearers. In today’s society, justice is equated with fairness, retribution, and expressing one’s authentic self. However, biblical justice has to do with our evil, sinful human hearts and ultimately recognizing who Jesus is and responding rightly. We respond through repentance and faith for salvation and through kingdom living that glories God through us! Recommended resource: Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth by Thaddeus Williams.

We’re more than halfway through our summer sermon series, “What Does the Bible Say?”, and Pastor Brent’s message refutes the materialism and humanism so rampant in our culture. Accepting the spiritual realm is to live in reality, and we as Christians currently live in enemy-occupied territory. Opening the powerful passage in Eph. 6, Pastor Brent preaches that Christians are “Commissioned” (vv. 10-13), “Equipped” (vv. 14-17) and “Empowered” (vv. 18-20). Our strength is in the Lord; we fight against the Devil’s schemes; and all six aspects of the full armor of God have specific purposes. We are to pray with the Spirit’s power on all occasions both generally and specifically with perseverance for all the Lord’s people! As an immediate application, Pastor Brent invites prayer huddles to pray for individuals, marriages, ministries, age groups, missionaries, Bible studies, and issues in our world. Fight the good fight of faith side-by-side with the people of God by the power of God for the glory of God.

Pastor Brent is back from vacation with anecdotes about his family’s costumed appearance in an Independence Day Parade and his two recent injuries which set the stage for his sermon. After quoting theologian Gregg Allison from his book Embodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World, Pastor Brent asserts that a biblical view of embodiment is that the promise of a resurrection body is integral to the glorious gospel! His outline of the last half of the great resurrection chapter (1 Cor. 15) focuses on “What Kind of Bodies Will We Have?” (vv. 35-49); “When Will I Get My New Body?” (vv. 50-57); and “How Shall I Live While I Wait?” (v. 58). Redeemed embodiment is part of the good news of the gospel, and we wait with godly posture (standing firm), purpose (given fully to the Lord’s work), and trusting in the promise that our labor in the Lord is not in vain!

Scott McCall of our Elder Team preaches out of 1 Cor. 12 in this 6th message of our summer series, “What Does the Bible Say?” After an opening illustration about the true story of Band of Brothers (book and miniseries) and the men of Easy Company unified with diverse gifts of skill yet with a common mission, purpose, and bond, Scott admonishes us to fight the good fight of faith in the spiritual war faced by the Church. He breaks down this longer passage as follows: “Spiritual gifts are a result of the Holy Spirit’s work” (vv. 1-6); “Each Believer has a role to play in the Body of Christ and has at least one gift to share” (vv. 7-26); and “Spiritual gifts are given to each believer to build up the Body of Christ in unity, wholeness, and to glorify God” (vv. 27-31). Scott’s closing application is to make sure each listener has received Christ as your personal Savior; know your spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life; and serve the Body of Christ for God’s glory!

Pastor Paul opens this Independence Day Weekend sermon by sharing his love of country, admonishing listeners to cherish and defend our nation’s ideals while “longing for a better country—a heavenly one” (Heb. 11:15). Apply America’s Freedom of Religion by making disciples for Jesus Christ! He then breaks down this familiar passage from Matt. 28 in three parts: “Believe the Authority of Jesus” (vv. 16-18); “Obey the Commands of Jesus” (vv. 19-20a); and “Trust the Presence of Jesus” (v. 20b). Pastor Paul highlights four “alls” (authority, nations, commands, days) and Jesus’ four-fold assertion to Godhood. Many cross-references undergird this passage, which William Hendriksen describes as Jesus’ Great Claim, Great Commission, and Great Comfort. Illustrations include the life of 18th century preacher-evangelist George Whitefield (heard in person by some 80% of the colonial populace through 1770) and Pastor Paul’s efforts to plant and water seeds for the gospel by leading Bible studies, Bible camps, and personal relationships through his former tentmaker ministry, Jugheads Youth Juggling Company.

Week 4 of “What Does the Bible Say?” focuses on eschatology. Using an opening analogy of the unknown timing of earthquakes, Pastor Brent encourages the congregation that despite the unknown timing of the definitive “last day,” God’s people will be faithful to the end! He then outlines Matthew 24: “A Revealing Conversation” (vv. 1-3); “Signs of the End” (vv. 4-35); and “Our Job in the Meantime” (vv. 36-51). Regardless of a Christ-follower’s place on the timeline of the end times (right now or any time since the Ascension), we are to be ready with vigilance (vv. 42-44) and be faithful with integrity (vv. 45-51)! Today is the day to take seriously following Christ, walking in God’s ways till the end and matching our words to our lives every day.

It’s part 3 in our 13-week summer sermon series, “What Does the Bible Say?”. After an opening example of childhood building sets and the necessity of a good cornerstone, Pastor Brent preaches a “1-2-3” sermon about the Church in 1 Peter 2: “One Cornerstone” (vv. 4-6); “Two Responses” (vv. 7-8); and “Three Results” (vv. 9-10). The Church is built on the Cornerstone of Jesus, the Living Stone and Person where Heaven and Earth meet! Jesus is either our salvation or our judgment. Those who receive Him in saving faith experience renewed relationships (in covenant with Him and each other as His temple); renewed purpose (declaring His praises); and renewed identity (saved)!