Sermon Podcasts

We live in a world that’s divided in many ways. We see it around us every day. Political divides. Cultural divides. Differences in ideologies, customs and beliefs. But only one thing truly has the power to bring people together, regardless of the differences between us—the truth of the gospel of Jesus. That’s true in cross-cultural ministries overseas, and it’s true among us as well. It’s the truth of the gospel that creates unity in Christ.

Pastor John Roebke, a missionary with the One Africa Team, preached this sermon at Bethany's Saturday worship on January 1, 2022.

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Already as a child, Jesus' saving work had begun. His entire life, he served as our substitute, perfectly obeying God's Law. Just think of how we often neglect the study of God's Word. Then look at twelve-year-old Jesus, eager to be in the temple learning more about Scripture. However, he would need to do more than be our substitute. Eventually he would lay that perfect life down as the sacrifice for our sin.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany's Sunday worship on December 26, 2021.

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The Lord had told Moses, ""No one may see me and live."" If sinners cannot even bear to look upon the glory of God, then they certainly could not hope to live with God in the glory of heaven. So, on that first Christmas, God chose to hide his glory under flesh. What child is this? It is God and man in one person, exactly what the human race needed to deliver it from its enemies of sin, death, and Satan. Christmas Day serves up the deep stuff of Christmas: the miracle and mystery of the incarnation.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany's Christmas Day service on December 25, 2021.

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What child is this? This Christmas Eve, an angel answers that question. ""A savior has been born to you."" It is a stunning statement, for two reasons. First, this child looks nothing like what we would expect in a hero-savior. This child is weak, helpless, and mired in poverty. Second, he has come to bring salvation ""to you."" It is a salvation we all need desperately. It was God's gift to us, given on that first Christmas Eve.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany's Christmas Eve service on December 24, 2021.

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A couple of weeks ago, we heard that when the Lord comes near, he humbles his people. In order to truly be prepared for Christ’s coming—both at Christmas and on the Last Day—he has to level the mountains of our arrogance and pride, so we can see our need for God’s salvation. Today, we see that when the Lord comes near, he lifts up the humbled. After God humbles us to see our sinful nature and our need for him, he comes to us with the message of forgiveness and the gift of faith. He lifts us up to live lives of joy and Godly humility as his loved and forgiven children.

Pastor Mark Henke preached this sermon at Bethany's Sunday worship on December 19, 2021.

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When the Lord comes near, he humbles his enemies. He puts out of our way all of the things that interfere with our relationship with him. He clears the path of everything that separates us from him. And he brings us joy and confidence for our lives of service to him.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany's Saturday worship on December 11, 2021.

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When the Lord comes near, he humbles his people. He does this through the messengers he sends, and through the message that they proclaim. Today we want to not only consider how God humbles his people, but remember God’s purpose in doing so—it’s to prepare a way for Jesus to enter our hearts and lives and bring us close to himself.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany's Sunday worship on December 5, 2021.

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As we begin the season of Advent, we consider the theme, “When the Lord Comes Near.” When the Lord comes near, he humbles his people, he humbles his enemies, and he lifts up the humble. But today we consider that when the Lord comes near, he first of all humbles himself. He humbled himself in order to carry out our salvation. And he continues to come to his people in a very humble way to bring that salvation to our hearts.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany's Sunday worship on November 28, 2021.

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Thanksgiving is a time for humble, yet hopeful reflection. There are certain times in our lives when we get a chance to reflect on the incredible blessings God gives. Maybe it’s a pivotal time—a wedding day, the birth of a child, a birthday or anniversary when friends and family gather around and we get a moment to think, “Wow.” Or perhaps it’s just a quiet time when it hits us—just how good God has been to us. As we reflect on that, we want to have a good dose of humility, knowing that we don’t deserve any of these good things. But at the same time, we have a good dose of hopefulness, knowing just how kind and faithful our God is.

Pastor Pat Brown preached this sermon at Bethany's Thanksgiving Eve worship on November 24, 2021.

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The last Sunday of the Christian church year is called Christ the King Sunday. This is the day we celebrate that Jesus came down from heaven, accomplished all that the Father asked him to do, and returned to the Father’s side to rule all things for the good of his church. But sometimes when we think of Jesus ruling over all things, we lose sight of what that means for us personally. Today we want to get a little more specific—and consider how Jesus, our King, is also our source of courage. There are a lot of things in this life that give us reason to worry. But as our King, Jesus comes alongside each of us and gives us the courage to face everything in this life as his own people.

Pastor Mark Henke preached this sermon at Bethany's Saturday worship on November 20, 2021.

Learn more at bethanyappleton.org