There is just one place to worship God. Did you know that? It’s just that the one place of worship isn’t a physical place. It’s a person. It’s Jesus. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). If you want God, what do you need? Jesus. His truth. His life and death for us. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “One Place of Worship.” Jesus loves you!

We always think we can do things on our own, but the Bible tells us that we are better together. The Christian Church isn’t meant to be filled with people going off and doing their own thing. Instead, God wants Christians

The Bible has a lot to say about leadership. After celebrating the Fourth of July in an election year, it’s good for us to hear God’s advice for choosing a leader 3,500 years ago. God’s qualifications for a king are so different than what we see around us today: Not proud. Not lustful. Not greedy. Dedicated to God’s Word. A servant of all. That’s the right king! Wouldn’t it be great to have a leader like that? We do! It’s Jesus. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). No matter what happens this year or in this election, we already have the right King: Jesus! He’s the King you’re longing for. I hope you can listen to this sermon about godly leadership: “The Right King.” Jesus loves you!

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24). That’s what Abraham Lincoln liked to say during the Civil War. Of course, President Lincoln didn’t come up with that on his own. Who said that? Jesus! Was he talking about the Civil War? No! Jesus was talking about an even bigger war: The war between God and Satan. In that war, you can’t play both sides. You can’t be on God’s side and on the devil’s side. The devil is active in so many ways today: Psychics, horoscopes, dark magic, good “luck”…. Watch out! A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. I hope you can listen to this sermon about the dangers of the occult and the good news of Jesus: “Undivided.” As Jesus is undivided in his love for us, may we be undivided in living for him. Jesus loves you!

There is something that Jesus wants to give you: Joy! Do you need more joy in your life? Here is what Jesus told his disciples on the night before he died: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). Jesus wants us to have complete joy in our lives. Where does that joy come from? There are two reasons why each Christian can be joyful every day: Jesus saved us. Jesus provides for us. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Complete Joy.” Jesus loves you!

Christians are called to faithfulness to the one true God. When you hear voices in our world calling out, “Let’s follow other gods,” like money or popularity or sports or sex or family, don’t listen! In fact, be willing to make changes in your life to cut away whatever is pulling you away from God. It’s not worth it! You can love sports, but do sports love you back? No. Only God does! You can love money, but does money love you back? No. Only God does! You can love people, but will people ever love you perfectly? No. But God does! Martin Luther said: “It is better to lose friends, brothers, saints, mighty ones, and everything than to lose God.” Isn’t that true? “It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” I hope you can listen to this sermon, “Called to Faithfulness.” Jesus loves you!

Jesus ascended into heaven where he rules over all things. Do you know what that means for you and me? Who is King? Jesus. Who is our Lord? Jesus. Everything is just a footstool for his feet. Do you hear of wars and rumors of wars? They are under Jesus’ feet. Jesus is my Lord! Is your heart filled with frustrations and fears? They are under Jesus’ feet. Jesus is my Lord! Are you plagued by sin and guilt? Even those sins are under Jesus’ feet. Jesus is my Lord! Life on earth often doesn't make sense. The bad guys often seem to win. But you know the real story: Jesus won! Jesus came to earth to save us, and then he returned to heaven to rule for us. I hope you can listen to this Ascension Day sermon: “My Lord.” Jesus loves you!

If you want to make a list of “Important People Whom God Should Raise from the Dead,” the Bible says, “A single lady with no family.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely. There is no one more important than her.” If you want to make a list of “Super Important Good Works that Give Glory to God,” the Bible says, “Sewing clothes for widows.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely. There is nothing better that can be done in my name.” If you want to make a list of “Ways God Carries Out His Will in Our Lives,” the Bible says, “Letting us die.” We say, “Really?” Jesus says, “Absolutely, so that you can rise.” I hope you can listen to this sermon about how God raised Tabitha from the dead: “Pins and Needles.” Just like Tabitha, you matter to God. Your life matters to God. Jesus loves you!

There are a lot of things that Christian churches do. Have you noticed that? What should our church be focusing on? Doesn’t it seem complicated? It doesn’t have to be. Here’s what the first Christian church focused on: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). That doesn’t sound complicated, does it? It’s simple. Church is meant to be simple. That first Christian church devoted themselves to God’s Word and to caring for each other as a family in Christ. Isn’t that what we want for our churches? I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Simple Church.” Jesus loves you!

Every sheep needs a shepherd. At least, that’s what the Bible says. According to the Bible, every person is a sheep. Every person is following someone. It’s just a matter of whom you’re following. So, whom are you following? I hope it’s Jesus. He’s the Good Shepherd! In fact, he laid down his own life to save us. The Bible encourages pastors like me with these words, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Every sheep needs a shepherd. I hope Jesus is your Good Shepherd, and I also hope you have a pastor who points you to Jesus. Here’s a Good Shepherd Sunday