Upside-Down Savior - Pastor Nathan Nass

Every day brings so many reasons to worry, but you don’t have to. Jesus says so. Jesus says you don’t have to worry, and he means it! Every day you can decide to live by your sinful nature or to live by the Spirit. I know it’s a struggle, but live by the Spirit! You can get all flustered by other people’s sins, or you can forgive them by God’s grace. You can wear yourself out trying to make yourself into something, or you can rest in what God has made you. You can worry about your money, or you can share it with others and feel your heart be refreshed. You can worry about your guilt, or you can take it daily to the foot of Jesus’ cross and trust in his forgiveness. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Live by the Spirit”. God bless you!

The Bible says a lot of things, but it really has just two messages in it. Can you remember two things? Yes, you can! They are the Law and the Gospel. The Law shows our sins. Think of the letters S.O.S. The Law shows our sins. The Law is any passage that commands us to be a certain way and shows that we’re not. The Gospel shows our Savior. S.O.S. again. The Gospel shows our Savior. The Gospel is every promise of what Jesus has done to save us. If you understand the Law and the Gospel, it unlocks the Bible’s message. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “The Law and the Gospel.” God bless you!

You can stop making deals with God. God’s real deal–the new covenant–is so much better! We say, “God, what do I need to do for you to bless me?” God says, “How about free?” We say, “God, if I shape up my life, will you forgive the sins of my past?” God says, “What sins? I don’t remember any sins.” We say, “God, if I try harder, will you love me?” God says, “I have loved you with an unfailing love from before you were born.” Do you know what that makes you? Confident. Not in yourself. In Christ! Competent. Not in yourself. In Christ! I hope you can listen to this sermon: “The New Covenant.” Jesus loves you!

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Every Christian has been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. No one should say, “Not me. I’m not good at anything.” That’s not true! “To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given.” All these gifts have a purpose: “For the common good.” Not our glory. The common good. The Holy Spirit has given you unique spiritual gifts for the common good. I hope you can listen to this sermon about the gifts of the Spirit and how God wants to use you as part of his vital rescue mission for the world: “Spiritual Gifts.” God bless you!

People like to say, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Here’s what we should learn to say: “God won’t give you more than you and he can handle.” Do you see the subtle little difference? How many times have you screamed out to God, “God, I can’t handle this!”? God says, “I know. I can. Come to me. Trust in me.” “God,” you scream, “I’m so close to falling.” God says, “I know. You need me. All the time.” It’s not your strength or your “handling” that gets you through trials and temptations. It is the grace of God. I hope you can listen to this sermon: “God Won’t Give You More than You and He Can Handle.” Jesus loves you!

You have lots of needs today. It probably seems like you don’t have enough. Listen to what Jesus invites you to do: “Bring them to me” (Matthew 14:18). Maybe it doesn’t seem like your finances are going to work out. Jesus says, “Bring them to me.” He provides in surprising ways. Maybe your body is causing you all sorts of pain. Jesus says, “Bring them to me.” He daily helps to carry our burdens. Maybe your soul is longing for peace, longing for more than this life. Jesus says, “Bring them to me.” When it comes to God and his salvation, all you need is nothing. He can take nothing and turn it into everything. I hope you can listen to this sermon about our God who always provides: “Bring Them to Me.” God bless you!

Our God is incomparable. In a world full of idols, there is no one and nothing like our God. Idols are always taking. Look at your life from time to time. What is it that’s always taking? A sport? Work? An expensive hobby? A relationship? Chances are one of those things is your idol. Idols are always taking. Our incomparable God? He gives. Forgiveness? It’s a gift through Jesus’ death on the cross. Eternal life? It’s a gift through faith in Jesus. Peace? It’s a gift to those who trust in him. Do you see the difference? Idols take. God gives. I hope you can listen to this sermon about the one true God: “Incomparable.” God bless you!

If you want to destroy something good, compare it with something else. Comparing often robs us of joy and peace. That’s certainly true in the Christian Church. Comparing churches and pastors causes conflict and divisions. At least, it did in Corinth long ago. So the apostle Paul reminded those Christians whom it really all depends on: Jesus! Who died for you to rescue you from all your sins? Jesus. Who gives you his eternal Word which is true and powerful and life-changing? Jesus. Who is always with you, no matter what? Jesus. I hope you can listen to this sermon about the foundation of the Christian Church: “God Gives the Growth.” Jesus loves you!

Christians can be the best citizens. Know why? You’re able to respect the government without worshipping it. To obey the government without trusting in it. To make this country a better place without putting your hope in it. How? You know the real King! So show respect, even for those who don’t deserve it. Pay your taxes. But trust in God. Put your hope in heaven. Thank God for the 250 years he’s given to our country. But know that every country ends, except one. Whose? Christ the King’s! I hope you can listen to this sermon: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” God bless you!

Happy Father’s Day! Here’s what I think dads really need: Encouragement. Life deflates us. We need to be filled up. Fathers need to be filled up. To be encouraged. Today, instead of telling you what you need to do, I want you to hear what God your Father has done for you. Your Father, right now, is working out all things for your good. Your Father, from before the beginning of time, has chosen you to be his own. Your Father, the almighty God, is with you, no matter what you have to face. Your Father gave up his own Son so that you could be the forgiven, saved, loved child of God. Who can separate you from his love? Nothing. I hope you can be filled up by this Father’s Day sermon: “Our Father in Heaven.” Jesus loves you!