Through and To

Expectations are influential. This simple truth is on full display as Jesus comes to Jerusalem during the most important week of the year - on a little donkey. People are confused and some wonder if he's was really the Messiah. Others knew not to put God in a box, confined by the limitations of their own expectations. 

Jesus may show up in a way you don’t expect…and because expectations are influential, the way Jesus shows up might be confusing. You might not recognize him at first. You might even wonder if it’s really him. BUT, the good news is, with Jesus, you can let go of your own expectations and pick up trusting him. 

Originally shared on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025. 

Spending time and energy being concerned about things that haven’t come yet adds to difficulties you already have to contend with today…AND you will have to contend with tomorrow’s trouble when tomorrow comes. So, in reality, you’re concerning yourself with it twice. 

Conversely, pursuing The Way above all else one day at a time reduces your trouble because it reminds you of God’s provision every single day. So, take no thought for tomorrow's difficulties. Give God the things that concern you today. He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes your way, to manage what concerns you - today. 

This message was originally shared on April 6, 2025. 

When billionaire JD Rockefeller died, one of his highest aides was asked, “What did he leave behind?” The aide answered, “All of it.” 

And that’s how it will be for every one of us. When this life ends, everything we have will stay here…and if it has a hold on us, upon entrance into glory to be with Jesus forever, we will hear him say, “Let It Go.” 

But here’s the thing, when we give our lives to Jesus, the old is gone and the new has come. So, in a very real sense, one life ends and a new one begins. That means Jesus is already saying, “let it go.” 

This message was originally shared at Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene March 30, 2025. 

How are you supposed to give? Pray? Fast? What's the secret ingredient to doing doing these practices correctly? Also, what does Kung Fu Panda have to do with it? 

This sermon was originally given at Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene on March 23, 2025 as the third message in the Lent series, "Let It Go." 

Word nerd warning: The Bible isn't written in English, but that's how we read it. The Bible wasn't written in the 21t century, either...but that's how we read it. So, what did Jesus mean by words like "hate" and "enemies" and "persecute"? It turns out, Jesus wasn't talking about extreme emotions and rare circumstances. He was talking about something that applies to most people most days. 

Jesus is not about that T.H.U.G. Life and we're not supposed to be either. 

Originally shared March 16, 2025 at Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene. 

If you’re angry, you are standing at one end of a path that leads to unloving behavior like insulting others. And if you’re insulting others, you’re choosing to literally give voice to a violation of the law of love. 

While anger puts you at one end of that path, it does not put you on the path. You can be firm without insulting people. You can give voice to your anger without sinning. 

How? What does that look like? Sound like? Feel like? 

This message was originally shared as the first sermon in a Lent series called "Let It Go" on March 9, 2025 at Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene. 

If we really believe what we’ve found in Jesus is good news, why don’t we share it with others? Keeping it to ourselves is like hoarding bread when you’re surrounded by people who are starving to death...and we know this, yet we still hold back. Why?

This straightforward and compelling message combats our excuses, clarifies what telling people about Jesus is actually about, and gives a simple formula anyone could use to share the Gospel today! 

Originally shared at Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene 03.02.25. 

When Jesus had only hours left to live, what did he do? He loved to the end, setting aside his crown to put on an apron. This is the love that’s been changing the world for the last 2,000 years and the most vivid picture of this love we can paint with our lives is to serve like Jesus serves. May we lay down our crowns and take up our aprons.

Think about the things Jesus did during his time on earth. What comes to mind? Most of us think of things like teaching, healing, doing miracles, praying, walking on water, dying on a cross, right? After last week’s episode, you might even add “listening” to the list. But did you ever notice that part of how Jesus saved the world was by…eating?

Flipping through the pages of the Gospels, our attention naturally goes to the stories of Jesus doing over the top, amazing things like healing the sick, feeding thousands of people, and even raising the dead. We tend to remember the extraordinary moments, but it’s important that we don’t overlook the more frequent and ordinary things that Jesus does. The moments when Jesus gets close to another person and just listens…because, for the people he listens to - those are extraordinary moments.