Sharpened by Love: The Role of Love in the Life of the Church
by Cara Erickson on April 25th, 2025
This article explores the foundational role of love in the life and mission of the church. Love is presented as the keystone of obedience, the means by which mission is accomplished both within and outside the church body, and the whetstone that sharpens and strengthens the people of God. Through Scripture and practical reflection, the article challenges believers to examine their personal and communal expressions of love and encourages a renewed commitment to embodying Christlike love that glorifies God and advances His kingdom.  Read More
Easter 2025: His Resurrection, Our Rest
by Sermon Recap on April 21st, 2025
This Easter, we're invited to explore a often-overlooked aspect of Christ's resurrection: rest. The sermon delves into Hebrews 3 and 4, revealing that true rest isn't found in vacations, retirement, or worldly pursuits, but in the finished work of Jesus. We're reminded that God wove rest into creation, and despite humanity's fall, He continues to offer it. The key is recognizing that rest is found in a person - Jesus - not a place. His resurrection provides the rest our weary souls long for. We're called to 'strive to enter that rest' - a paradoxical concept that invites us to actively trust in Jesus' completed work rather than our own efforts. This message speaks directly to our weary souls, offering hope and a new perspective on what it means to find rest in a restless world.  Read More
Palm Sunday: Your King Has Come
by Sermon Recap on April 14th, 2025
On Palm Sunday we reflect on the profound significance of Jesus as God's chosen king. The sermon takes us on a journey through Deuteronomy 17, where God lays out the qualities of the ideal king for Israel. Remarkably, Jesus fulfills every aspect of this description - chosen by God, faithful to the covenant, humble, and righteous. This Palm Sunday, we're called to receive Jesus as our true king, to revere Him with genuine adoration, and to rejoice in His coming. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem wasn't just a historical event; it was the fulfillment of prophecy and the revelation of God's perfect plan. As we contemplate this, we're challenged to align our lives under Christ's authority and to live with the joy that comes from knowing our king has come and is coming again. How might our lives change if we truly embraced Jesus as our king in every aspect?  Read More
Don't Listen to Liars
by Sermon Recap on April 8th, 2025
At the end Deuteronomy 12 and into 13 we're confronted with a timeless challenge: discerning truth from lies in our spiritual journey. Moses' warnings to the Israelites about false prophets and idolatry resonate deeply with our modern struggles. We're reminded that power, personal connections, or popularity don't validate a message – only its alignment with God's truth does. This passage calls us to be vigilant, not out of fear, but from a place of faith. It's a powerful reminder to store God's word in our hearts, as Psalm 119:11 suggests, so we can recognize deception. In our world of constant information and influence, this message urges us to anchor ourselves in Christ, the ultimate truth, and to let His Spirit guide us. It's an invitation to examine our lives, identify the 'idols' we might be unknowingly serving, and recommit ourselves to worshiping God in spirit and truth.  Read More
Worship God's Way
by Sermon Recap on March 31st, 2025
In this message we delve into Deuteronomy 12, uncovering the essence of acceptable worship to God. The central message reminds us that God alone is worthy of worship, and He alone defines what acceptable worship looks like. As we walk through this passage, we're challenged to examine our own hearts and practices. Are we worshipping God His way, or have we allowed cultural influences and personal preferences to shape our worship? The stark contrast between the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites and God's instructions for Israel serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of worshipping in spirit and truth. This message invites us to reflect on our own lives, considering whether our worship is truly God-centered, or if we've inadvertently made idols of our own desires and ambitions. As we contemplate these truths, we're encouraged to align our worship with God's covenant, recognizing that in Christ, we have the privilege of offering our entire lives as living sacrifices.  Read More
A Fork in the Road
by Sermon Recap on March 24th, 2025
In Deuteronomy 11, we're confronted with a fundamental choice that shapes our spiritual journey: the path of blessing or the path of curse. This passage reminds us of God's covenant with Israel, but it also speaks to our own relationship with God today. We're challenged to consider God's works, cherish His word, and commit to His ways. Just as the Israelites faced a crisis of faith before entering the Promised Land, we too face daily decisions that test our devotion. The message emphasizes that true blessing comes not from mere religious observance, but from a heart fully devoted to God. It's a call to remember God's faithfulness, to keep His commands at the forefront of our minds and hearts, and to live in obedience. This overview invites us to reflect on how we're choosing to live each day – are we truly walking the path of blessing by prioritizing our relationship with God?  Read More
What Does God Require?
by Sermon Recap on March 17th, 2025
In Deuteronomy 10:12-22, we're challenged to consider what God truly requires of us. The passage emphasizes that while we enjoy God's blessings through His grace, He still calls us to covenant faithfulness. This isn't about earning God's favor, but about responding to His undeserved love with wholehearted devotion. We're called to fear God, imitate Him, love Him, serve Him, and obey His commands - not out of duty, but from a transformed heart. The message draws fascinating parallels between Israel's covenant relationship with God and our own journey as Christians. Just as God called Israel to be His representation on earth, we, too, are called to reflect Christ's image in our daily lives. This teaching invites us to examine our hearts: Are we living out of genuine love for God, or merely going through religious motions? It's a call to embrace God's transformative grace and allow it to shape every aspect of our lives.  Read More
Can Truth Be Absolute?
by Corey O'Grady on March 10th, 2025
Is truth relative or is there an absolute truth? Can each person hold to their own truth? Who am I to tell someone they are wrong about what they believe? These are some of the questions we are seeking to answer in this post on truth.  Read More
A Stubborn People
by Sermon Recap on March 10th, 2025
In Deuteronomy 9, Moses confronts Israel with truth and grace. We see how God fought for Israel, forgave them, and fulfilled His covenant promises despite their stubbornness and rebellion. This narrative challenges us to confront our own shortcomings and recognize the depth of God's love and mercy. The parallel drawn between Israel's experience and our own spiritual journey is striking - we too are often unrighteous, stubborn, and rebellious. Yet, through Christ's intercession, we find forgiveness and redemption. This message encourages us to silence the inner voice that justifies our actions and instead embrace the transformative power of God's grace. As we reflect on this, we're invited to grow in our faith, understanding that our salvation is not based on our own merit, but on God's unwavering love and faithfulness.   Read More
Remember, Do Not Forget
by Sermon Recap on March 4th, 2025
In our study of Deuteronomy 8, we're challenged to remember God's faithfulness in both adversity and abundance. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness becomes a profound lesson for us today. Just as God led them through hardship, providing manna and protection, He leads us through our own trials. But the real test comes in times of prosperity - will we forget the Lord when life is comfortable? This message urges us to cultivate a devotion that transcends circumstances, reminding us that every season, whether difficult or blessed, is an opportunity to deepen our reliance on God. As we reflect on our own journeys, let's consider: Are we allowing adversity to strengthen our faith, or is abundance dulling our spiritual senses? This timeless wisdom calls us to a steadfast commitment to God, acknowledging Him as the source of all we have and all we are.  Read More
Wholly Holy
by Sermon Recap on February 24th, 2025
In this sermon, we delve into Deuteronomy 7, uncovering the profound call for God's people to live wholly holy lives. The central message reminds us that God's holiness is not just a lofty concept, but a transformative reality that should shape our entire existence. As we work through this chapter, we're challenged to consider how our lives reflect God's holiness in practical ways. The passage draws fascinating parallels between ancient Israel's call to be set apart and our modern struggle to live distinctly in a world that often opposes godly values. We're encouraged to cultivate an unwavering fear of God, not out of terror, but out of reverent awe that overshadows our worldly fears. This message invites us to examine our hearts: Are we truly living with undivided loyalty to God? How can we strengthen our unshakable faith in His promises? As we grapple with these questions, we're reminded that in Christ, God's commitment to holiness hasn't changed, but has been beautifully fulfilled, offering us grace and the power to live holy lives in an unholy world.  Read More
Worship God Alone
by Sermon Recap on February 18th, 2025
This sermon explores Jesus' encounter with Satan in the wilderness, focusing on the final temptation where Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. The pastor emphasizes the reality of spiritual warfare, the importance of God's Word in combating temptation, and the ultimate call to worship and serve God alone. The sermon highlights how Jesus' response to Satan serves as a model for believers in facing their own temptations and maintaining unwavering devotion to God.  Read More
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