Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church

By WEPC

Welcome to Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church! We'd love to worship with you. Check out this podcast for weekly sermon series, devotionals, and book reviews.

Our 175-year history reminds us that ... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church:

How many episodes does Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church have?

The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.

Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church episodes:

November 30, 2021 Awaited and Ready with Aaron Klein
Grumbling seems to be a favorite pastime of humanity, and Jesus-followers are not exempt. We see it in the way God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt and provided for them in the desert, yet they complained! We see it in the New Testament when God’s people grumbled regularly enough that the apostle Peter had to say, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). And James added, “Don’t grumble against one another...or you will be judged” (James 5:9).

That’s why Thanksgiving is a great time to put aside a grumbling attitude, to pause, and to think of God’s many blessings. Instead of complaining, we can turn our attention to God’s provision, providence, protection, and plan. Thankfully, that ultimate provision and plan are made evident as we turn our attention to the season of Advent this week. It is a season of hopeful expectation when we reflect on our need for a Savior, celebrate His coming, and watch for His triumphant return.

That’s why we’re starting a new series entitled “Awaited” this week. Not only is it a time when we wait and prepare for the Christmas season, but also when we are reminded that we are to live in expectation and anticipation of Christ’s second Advent. It is a season when we await in hope.

What are you awaiting this season? What are you awaiting in your life? What are you awaiting personally? Professionally? Spiritually? Relationally? Where do you need hope? This Sunday as we begin the Advent season, we do so by lighting the candle of hope. We are reminded that, throughout history, the people of God have looked to the Person of God to fulfill the promises of God. Advent reminds us that it’s all found in the Person and power of Jesus Christ.
...more
39min
November 23, 2021 Give Thanks in All Circumstances with Aaron Klein
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When we think about the “big” questions in life, what are some that come to mind? “What does God want from me?” Or, “What does God want for me?” Those are some big-picture questions.

What about the ones that are a bit smaller? “What career should I pursue?” “Where should I go to school?” “Whom should I marry?” These are certainly big questions, but they might not be the ultimate issue questions.

And then of course you have the small, day-to-day questions. “What book should I read?" “What game should I play?” “What should I have for dinner?”

Here’s what Paul says when it comes to the questions, decisions and results of life: In every situation and in every decision, we are to rejoice and give thanks. Not sometimes. Not when we feel like it. Always!

If we’re honest, the adverb “always” trips us up. How is it possible to rejoice “always?" How can we give thanks when we are sick or worried about inflation, or when we get a poor grade or lose a friend? It must be possible, or God would not will it for us.
Here’s where I think Paul tells us the answer. In verse 18 he says, “In Christ Jesus.” Note that he’s not saying that we give thanks for all circumstances, but that we can give thanks in all circumstances. No matter what questions we ask or face, no matter what happens to us in life, no matter how we feel about things in the moment, we can still give thanks.

As we approach this Thanksgiving, may we pause to give thanks for all of God’s many blessings. May we see His faithfulness and goodness regardless of our questions or circumstances. Finally, may we know what it means to be “in” Christ Jesus. Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
...more
38min
November 16, 2021 Sheep, Shepherds, and Shalom with Andrew Morton
This sermon wraps up our "Foundations" sermon series. Over the past several weeks, we have surveyed a variety of foundational beliefs, teachings, and practices of Christianity, including the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the importance of a relationship with Jesus. This week, we will turn our attention to another foundation of the Christian life, the task and calling of shepherding the family of God.

The Bible repeatedly uses the metaphor of a shepherd and the sheep to describe God's relationship with His people. In fact, Jesus described Himself as the "Good Shepherd" to highlight His role as our caretaker and king. Even though He is the ultimate shepherd, He has delegated much of the everyday work of caring and leading to human shepherds such as pastors, elders, and deacons. As we prepare to enter into a season of nominating and electing church officers for 2022, this message will remind us how foundational and beautiful these callings are. As beloved sheep of the Good Shepherd, Jesus longs for each one of us to be part of His family where we can be challenged, encouraged, and equipped to flourish in our faith, care for each other, and love Him more.
...more
45min
November 09, 2021 Praying the Kingdom
Growing up in the south suburbs of the city of Chicago, we always talked about the congestion, the traffic jams, and the aggressive drivers. It was an inconvenience and a frustration. There is a certain level of attraction to the big city, but I never realized how much it bothered me until I lived in a place like Warsaw and have to go home to visit family. Throughout high school and college, I’d avoid driving downtown as often as I could. It felt like a hassle.

But as I’ve gotten older and have had the opportunity to take my own children to see the John Hancock Center or the Willis (it’ll always be Sears to me) Tower, I’ve had a newfound sense of appreciation for it, despite the traffic. From street level, all you see is the chaos. But from the observation deck, the traffic flow seems peaceful and orderly in its grid-like system; and the view of Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, and other attractions helps you appreciate the city in a new way. The view from 1000 feet is different from the ground floor.

Often, our prayers resemble that when they are focused on the anxiety of the “street level” in our lives - our health, finances, relationships and decisions. Thankfully, Jesus cares about the chaotic troubles of this world; but he also invites us to see the world from God’s perspective. That’s what prayer does; and specifically, that’s what the Lord’s Prayer does. Whenever we pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done," we are praying with a view from 1000 feet; and that perspective helps us to see things differently.

Don't forget to check us out on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe_2AehISj4kLpvR-sEWJLw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warsawpresby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warsaw_presby/
Our Website: https://warsawpresby.org/
...more
39min
November 02, 2021 Sin Boldly with Aaron Klein
As we continue in our “Foundations” series this week, we’ll be looking at the difference between religion and relationship, between works of the law and grace in Jesus Christ. What I hope we discover is that we stand on the foundation of the finished work of Christ on the cross and His grace alone. If you know of anyone else who needs to be reminded of this good news, then make sure to reach out to your friends and neighbors and share the podcast with them.
...more
39min
October 26, 2021 From Party Crasher to Life of the Party with Aaron Klein
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” (NLT)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (ESV)

I love the way both of those translations talk about Hebrews 10:23…Holding fast to what we affirm - to our confession - and to do it without wavering. In what we discovered together last week, the Apostles’ Creed is a beautiful and inspiring summary of what we affirm. Even John Calvin said in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, the Creed “furnishes us with a full and every way complete summary of faith, containing nothing but what has been derived from the infallible word of God.” In other words, if we want to stand on a firm foundation in our faith, we need to stand on the Scriptures and how they are summarized in the Apostles' Creed.

We left off last week with Jesus' descent to the dead. It seemed like the enemy had won. But then we read, “On the 3rd day He rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven…” Those words remind us of something that is both wonderfully simple and astoundingly great: Jesus has gone bodily to be in the very presence of God!

But what does this mean? What is the significance of this belief? That Jesus, who rose from the dead after dying to pay for all our sin, now lives and rules with God the Father in heaven. And yet Jesus is also with us always— through the Spirit of God, who comes to live and work in our hearts. Jesus’ ascension made all of this possible.

This week we get to study the fact that Jesus was the ultimate “party crasher” who is the “life of the party.” His defeat of death, resurrection to eternal life, and giving of the Spirit assures us of so many heavenly blessings that a few minutes on a Sunday morning can’t do it justice; but we’ll certainly give it a try!
...more
31min
October 19, 2021From Designer Genes to Satan's Schemes
What do you believe? This question can apply to any number of things:
What do you believe about the weather?

What do you believe about the Chicago Bears this year?

What do you believe about politics?

What do you believe about what so-and-so is doing?

What do you believe about __________________?
You get the picture.
Why is that important? It’s important because you and I constantly make choices and decisions based around what we believe. Whether we realize it or not, we each live by a personal credo statement. It’s the foundation on which we stand.
This raises a few questions. Will the foundation on which you stand be a solid rock or sinking sand? Where do you go when your spouse and you are constantly arguing and you feel like you’re on the verge of divorce? Where do you go when you find out that you have cancer? Where do you go when the news comes that you need surgery? What provides your anchor? What is your foundation?
In the coming weeks we’re going to be spending some time together in a new series called “Foundations.” The purpose of this series will be to provide us with a common starting place no matter where we are in our faith journey. We’ll start with a look at the Apostles' Creed, follow with a study of the Lord’s Prayer, and finish up by learning about the scriptural foundation that led to the Reformation.
What do I stand on? Where do I go? Thankfully, we can rest in the God who created us, who loves us, and who has given us His Son. Since this will be a great series for people who have questions about faith, life, and the church, let’s use this as an opportunity to invite our friends and neighbors.
...more
45min
October 19, 2021 I Am Clothed in the Armor of God
This week we come to the end of our series that has seen us journey through the letter to the Ephesians. In a way, we are bidding “farewell” to an old friend who we’ve come to love so well. Hopefully, we keep the truths of Ephesians deep within, and we wear them well like a coat of armor.
Speaking of armor, because so much of our time will be spent Sunday on The Armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-20 (something we could easily spend weeks on alone), we won’t have much time for Ephesians 6:21-24, Paul’s farewell blessing. This, too, could easily have been its own message, so why don’t we take a few minutes and address it here.
You and I use greetings like “hello” and “goodbye” often when we are in conversation. They are words of civility, but they can often become ordinary and impersonal. However, expressions that offer a blessing are much more meaningful and powerful.
If you think about it, Paul began his letter to the Ephesians with, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” then he ends it with, “Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” I love the fact that Paul didn’t just sign his letter, he brackets it with prayers for grace. His desire for the church is that they would experience the reality of God’s grace in their lives.
There is a lesson in this for all of us. Yes, it is a reminder that we should be thoughtful and meaningful as we wish people well. However, it is also a reminder that, in everything we say and do, we are to be a people of grace. In between the beginning and ending verses, he says that God raises us from the spiritual grave by grace (2:5), that God made him a minister by grace (3:2, 7-8), that spiritual gifts of grace were given to every member of the church (4:7-8), and that we should use our words to “give grace” to those we speak to (4:29). Ephesians is about grace through and through.
To be sure, having God’s grace-filled presence does not mean that we will be perfect in our conduct or that everything will always go our way. But by knowing that our sovereign God is in control of all things, it gives us the ability to see how, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). That’s grace!
So as we close out this letter this week, I pray that you may lift your eyes to the One in whom we have hope, and the One in whom all things hang together - Jesus Christ! I pray that we may be a people of grace - saved by grace through faith, living in grace towards one another, and showing God’s grace to our community around us. It is for that reason that I end correspondence with the beautiful reminder and blessing...
...more
52min
October 05, 2021 I Am a Person With a Positive Work Ethic with Aaron Klein
We all work for somebody. You may be a 9-5 hourly employee. You may be a CEO who reports to a board. You may be a board that is concerned about your investors. However, no matter what your state of employment is, Ephesians 6 reminds us that we are all working for God!
Yet there’s more. Many of us have people who are responsible to us: we may be district managers, business owners, stay-at-home parents, or teachers. Paul reminds us that how we use or abuse our power in the workplace says a great deal about how we grasp the gospel.
In a time when it was assumed that masters could treat their servants with indifference at best and cruelty at worst, the gospel of Jesus leveled the playing field. Under the care and authority of Jesus, master and servant stood on equal footing because both were in fact fellow servants of Jesus Christ.
In today's world, Ephesians 6 teaches us that Christian employers are called to treat their workers with dignity and kindness. Furthermore, workers are called to give their best, knowing that they are ultimately serving Christ. All of our service is an expression of our gratitude for God’s grace shown to us in the redemption we have received through Christ.
...more
15min
September 28, 2021 I Am a Person with a Beautiful Family Portrait with Aaron Klein
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” Colossians 3:20-21
At some point along the way, nearly every family experiences a conversation that goes something like this: A student is having a chat with a parent about some disagreement, and the parent says, “So long as you are living in my house and under my roof, you need to follow my rules.” The child responds, “I don’t have to listen to you just because you are my parent...I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”
Sound familiar? That's because there is, in many families, a wrestling match that takes place between parents and children over independence and authority, over who should be listened to and what the expectations are. Children want to be treated like adults, and adults want their children to grow up to be respectable members of society. If you are a Christian parent, you want your children to live like Jesus.
How do we do that in harmony? First, children are to submit to their parents. And, parents, we are to raise our children up lovingly and in the Lord. How do we do that together, and what does that look like in our daily lives?
...more
43min

FAQs about Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church:

How many episodes does Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church have?

The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.