Pastor Lonnie: Recent Episodes
Rev. Dr. Lonnie Richardson
Rev. Dr. Lonnie Richardson (Pastor Lonnie) Is the founding and senior pastor of Fox River Congregational Church in Pewaukee Wisconsin.
Life can crash unexpectedly—plans fall apart, emotions spiral, and nothing seems to go right. But faith isn’t built in comfort; it’s shaped in chaos. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we’re reminded that God uses life’s messes to strengthen our faith. True joy isn’t pretending everything’s fine; it’s trusting that God is still at work, even in the broken pieces. With practical steps and real-life applications, this message shows how to pause instead of panic, find purpose under pressure, and see every trial as training for stronger faith.
The tragic death of Charlie Kirk has left many grieving, fearful, and overwhelmed. In his message, Pastor Lonnie urges the church to face this pain honestly while grounding our response in the gospel. In a world quick to speak and quick to divide, we are called to slow down, listen carefully, and use our words to heal rather than harm. While grief is heavy and real, hope in God is greater because one day every broken thing will be restored. Until then, we pray, allow ourselves to grieve, resist hatred and despair, and live as lights shining in the darkness because Christ is greater than the darkness.
In Built to Last: Storm-Proof Faith, Pastor Lonnie draws from Matthew 7:24-29 to show that resilience and the ability to withstand life’s storms come not from intentions or appearances, but from obedience to Jesus Christ. Like the wise and foolish builders who faced the same storm, our lives stand or fall depending on where we build: on the solid rock or shifting sand. Storms are inevitable, but they don’t have to be destructive. When our foundation is in Christ, we can endure with strength, recover with hope, and live with lasting faith that no trial can destroy.
Pastor Lonnie's message addresses the common struggle with worry through Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19–34. The sermon explains that worry stems from uncertainty—we only stress over what we don’t know. If we knew what the future held or trusted in God’s provision and outcomes, we wouldn’t worry. Jesus offers a way to overcome this anxiety by realigning our hearts and minds with God’s promises in the Bible. The message highlights three steps to move past worry and emphasizes that worry is not just an emotional issue but a spiritual one. When we feel anxious, we should check if our priorities are right, if we trust God, and if we are living in the present. Jesus’ message is clear: seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything else will fall into place.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie emphasizes how Jesus encourages us to redefine what spiritual authenticity means. While He calls us to let our light shine publicly through acts of service (Matthew 5), He also teaches that personal spiritual practices—such as giving, praying, and fasting—are most effective when done privately, away from the spotlight (Matthew 6). The message makes it clear: public good involves reflecting God to others, but private devotion is about a genuine connection with God, not impressing people. Giving should be generous yet discreet. Prayer should be sincere, not performative. Fasting should be humble, not theatrical. Ultimately, Jesus reminds us that we don’t need an audience to be seen—God already sees, and He rewards what’s done in secret.
Pastor Lonnie's message reminds us that while it’s easy to notice flaws in others, Jesus calls us to approach people with humility and grace. His command in Matthew 7:1 isn’t about ignoring wrongdoing; it’s about avoiding judgment that isn’t ours to make. Before we try to fix someone else, we must first address our own faults, live with integrity, and lead by example. When we speak into someone’s life, it should be an act of loving intervention, not meddling interference, always leaving the final judgment to God.
This message by Pastor Lonnie challenges the idea that spiritual life is about simply following rules or performing religious duties. Jesus calls us to a righteousness that goes beyond outward appearances by not just doing more, but by transforming from within. He shifts the focus from external actions to internal attitudes, showing that contempt, anger, and arrogance are just as serious as murder in God’s eyes. A healthy spirituality isn’t about keeping score; it’s about nurturing a heart that reflects God’s love. Jesus doesn’t just want better behavior; He wants hearts that have truly changed. Reconciliation is more important than religious rituals, and being at peace with others proves that our relationship with God is genuine.
This message by Pastor Lonnie explains Jesus’ call for his followers to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. It encourages us to live out our faith beyond the church walls—intentionally, relationally, and authentically. Salt represents our influence, adding value and preserving goodness in the world, but only when it leaves the shaker. Light symbolizes hope and truth, breaking through darkness to guide us on our path. Using humor, real-life stories, and examples like those in Grace on Wings, the message inspires us to utilize our gifts, love across differences, and reflect Jesus in everyday life—not with loud religion, but with a quiet, powerful presence.
Pastor Lonnie's message introduces a series on the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing that Jesus’ main message is about spiritual transformation rather than just religious deeds. It urges us to move beyond feelings of defeat and despair into a life filled with spiritual abundance, joy, and purpose. Focusing on Matthew 5:1-12, it explains the Beatitudes and illustrates how happiness often arises from unexpected qualities: humility, mourning, meekness, a hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and enduring persecution. These traits, although often conflicting with cultural norms, reveal a deeper joy and meaning.
This message by Pastor Lonnie unpacks the often-overlooked “other prayer” of Jesus—the one He prayed the night before His crucifixion, found in John 17. Unlike the familiar Lord’s Prayer, this one is deeply personal and revealing. Jesus isn’t asking for safety or success for His followers—He’s asking for unity. Real, sacrificial, love-driven unity. The message challenges us to see that unity isn’t about agreeing on everything, but about being united in Christ. It’s not something we build, but something we protect. And when we live that out, the world sees who Jesus really is. Through humor, relatable stories, and honest reflection, this message invites us to live out the kind of love that makes the gospel believable.
This message reflects on America’s journey as a free nation, emphasizing how young the country still is in the scope of world history. The message illustrates how freedom is a fragile, hard-earned gift that is passed down through just a few lifetimes. Drawing from the words of John Adams and the sacrifices of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the message underscores that political freedom has always come at a steep price—suffering, loss, and unwavering resolve. It then shifts to a deeper, spiritual freedom—offered not through war, but through Jesus. Citing John 8:31-32, it reframes freedom not as personal license but as the result of discipline, truth, and obedience to God’s Word. Real freedom is found not in doing whatever we want, but in becoming who we were meant to be, grounded in truth and love. True freedom—national or spiritual—is never free. It demands sacrifice, discipline, truth, and above all, love.
This Father’s Day message speaks to all parents, grandparents, and influencers of the next generation—not just fathers, but anyone shaping young lives. The core idea is that simple, heartfelt words, accompanied by action, hold the power to form a child’s identity and shape their soul for life. The message centers around four life-giving phrases that every child or person needs to hear consistently. These words are not merely one-time statements but ongoing seeds that develop into a person’s inner voice. The message challenges us to reflect on how we use our words and encourages us to communicate with intention, grace, and faith, regardless of age.
This message from Pastor Lonnie challenges us to trade safety for faith. Using vivid personal stories and Matthew 14:22-33, it illustrates that transformative faith requires risk, just like Peter stepping out of the boat into a raging storm to walk toward Jesus. While Peter sank, he at least tried—unlike the others who stayed safe but missed the miracle. The core message is that comfort zones may feel secure, but they stunt spiritual growth. Jesus is still calling us to “Come,” to step out even if we might fall—because He’ll always catch us. Faith doesn’t grow in the boat; it grows on the water, and if you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.
In this personal reflection, Pastor Lonnie sets aside a preplanned sermon to share a pivotal turning point in his spiritual journey—the moment he chose to leave behind comfort and control to follow a risky but divine calling. Sparked by an unexpected invitation to plant a church and solidified during a powerful sermon in San Diego about the story of Peter walking on water, he felt a deep, inner shift. The message—“If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat”—became a defining call to faith and action.
The story explores his fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability, while also highlighting his determination to step out in faith with his wife, Mercedes. It’s more than just a personal testimony; it’s a challenge for others to confront their comfort zones and have enough trust in God to take genuine risks. Through raw honesty, the author urges readers to stop spectating and start walking—because true faith begins when you leave the safety of the boat.
This message by Pastor Lonnie invites us to see our lives as more than a series of tasks or routines—we are chosen, sent, and deeply loved by God for a greater purpose. We are called to live with intention, courage, and compassion through everyday moments and ordinary places. Drawing inspiration from saints past and present, we’re challenged to live our lives with meaning and mission. It’s a call to reflect, respond, and remember that where we are is where God can work through us. In a world that often forgets what matters, we are reminded your life is not random—it’s on purpose.
This message by Pastor Lonnie challenges us to embody the life and love of Jesus in practical, tangible ways. Using the imagery of Jesus’ feet, hands, mouth, and spine, it highlights how He walked toward the outcast, touched the untouchable, spoke words of peace, and stood with unwavering persistence. The message calls modern-day Christ-followers to live out their faith by going where grace is needed most, serving others with compassion, speaking life, and remaining steadfast in a world that often resists true love. It’s an invitation to not just believe in Jesus, but to move like Him.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie celebrates the sacred calling of motherhood by blending heartfelt truths with relatable stories. It reminds us that mothers—biological, spiritual, and even the Church—are God’s instruments of love, nurture, and grace. From changing diapers to shaping souls, moms reflect God’s heart in everyday ways. Though imperfect, they deserve honor for the life, faith, and care they’ve given. Drawing on biblical examples like Mary and spiritual mentors like Lois and Eunice, the message encourages gratitude, grace, and reverence for the women who helped shape our lives.
This sermon challenges the myth that ministry is only for pastors or spiritual “pros” and reminds every follower of Jesus they are called to serve. Drawing from Matthew 20 and Matthew 25 shows how Jesus’ most powerful moments often came from interruptions. It encourages us to trade perfectionism for availability, reminding us that God uses flawed people to do faithful things. With humor, biblical examples, and real-life application, the message invites believers to stop, be present, and step into a life of serving others—not someday, but now. Ministry isn’t about having the right resume, but showing up.
In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we celebrate the core truth of our faith: Christ is risen! We explore how the resurrection isn’t just a historical event but a life-changing reality for our modern, often skeptical lives. Through the story of Thomas — famously known as “Doubting Thomas” — we see that doubt isn’t the enemy of faith but can be a doorway to more profound belief. Jesus doesn’t shame our questions; instead, He meets us gracefully, just as He met Thomas with precisely what he needed to believe. Doubt, when brought honestly to Jesus, can lead to powerful transformation, bold faith, and unstoppable witness. We are reminded today that our doubts don’t disqualify us — they can draw us closer to knowing the truth that truly sets us free.
This Easter message centers on the foundational truth of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It opens with the global celebration of Easter, highlighting that the church’s power and reach aren’t rooted in tradition, behavior, or even Scripture—but in the empty tomb. The message by Pastor Lonnie dismantles common assumptions by emphasizing that Christianity didn’t start with a book or a movement—it started with a person. Jesus didn’t just teach a message—He was the message. His followers didn’t continue on after His death because of His ideas but because they saw Him alive after the crucifixion. Easter isn’t merely a holiday or a tradition—it’s a personal call to know Jesus, to believe in Him, and to let His resurrection become your own turning point. He is risen. He is the message.
This Good Friday message invites us to stand in awe at the foot of the cross, where God turned the world’s understanding of power and wisdom upside down. Drawing from Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians, Pastor Lonnie reveals the paradox of the cross: what appeared to the world to be weakness and foolishness was, in truth, the very power and wisdom of God.
Once a symbol of fear and shame, the cross became the doorway to salvation, love, and hope. The message emphasizes what God did through the cross, He longs to do within us. Our brokenness, weakness, and shame are not obstacles to God’s work but the canvas upon which He paints His redemptive power.
This is not a call to admire a decorative symbol of faith but to embrace the transforming reality of the rugged cross—a cross that confronts our pride, shatters our self-sufficiency, and calls us to surrender. When we do, God brings beauty from our brokenness and strength from our surrender. In this holy paradox, we find the path to true life. The cross still works, the cross still saves, and the cross still redeems.
This Holy Thursday message centers on the powerful and intimate moment when Jesus, knowing His death was near, chose not to grasp for power but to kneel in service. Instead of issuing a final command or performing a grand miracle, Jesus picked up a towel and washed His disciples’ feet—an act reserved for the lowest servant.
The sermon by Pastor Lonnie unpacks this stunning reversal of expectations: the Teacher becomes the servant, the Master takes the lowest place, and love is expressed through humble action. It calls us not just to admire this moment but to live it out—serving others without thought of reward and embracing the towel as a symbol of Christlike love.
Through acts of kindness, compassion, and humility, we reveal Jesus to a watching world. The towel is more than a prop—it is an invitation. As Jesus washed feet, so we are called to embody His love, laying down control and stepping into the posture of a servant. The basin is still full. The towel is still waiting. Will you pick it up?
This Palm Sunday message by Pastor Lonnie invites us to reflect on Jesus’ final, symbolic entrance into Jerusalem. As the crowd shouted “Hosanna!” and laid palm branches before Him, Jesus deliberately chose to ride a colt—fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy and declaring Himself a King who comes in peace. Yet beneath the celebration, Jesus saw the misunderstanding in their hearts. They expected a political liberator, not a suffering servant.
Jesus wept, not for Himself, but for a people who could not see beyond their hopes for revolution to embrace the transforming power of love. The message challenges us to recognize Jesus in our midst today—not merely as a Savior we worship in joy, but as a humble King who calls us to peace, compassion, and sacrificial love. As we begin Holy Week, we are invited to follow Jesus—not just through the crowd, but to the cross and onward to resurrection life.
Persistence is one of the most powerful expressions of faith. Life often challenges our resilience, tests our patience, and pushes us to the brink of despair. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will discover what it means to persist in faith, especially during the most difficult times. No matter how challenging the road ahead may appear, God's grace grants us the strength to keep moving forward.
Waiting is one of life’s toughest challenges, especially when it extends beyond minor frustrations like traffic or long lines into deep, painful seasons of uncertainty—waiting for healing, purpose, restoration, or long-overdue answers. In this message from Pastor Lonnie, we are reminded that throughout Scripture, God often calls His people to wait—Abraham, Israel, Moses, the disciples, and all of creation groans and hopes as they wait. However, biblical waiting is not passive or resigned; it is an active, disciplined, expectant trust in God’s character and timing. Waiting on the Lord is the hardest work of hope because it demands that we cling to God when life doesn’t go our way and may never resemble what we envisioned. God often uses waiting not just to provide what we long for but to shape us into who He wants us to be. Through waiting, we learn perseverance, character, and a deeper, more courageous hope. Ultimately, we are encouraged to trust that what we are waiting for is worthwhile because the One we wait for is faithful.
This message from Pastor Lonnie will examine the idea that problems and trials are unavoidable and often crucial for spiritual growth. Pastor Lonnie will highlight Bible passages that illustrate how circumstances, including suffering, can serve a greater purpose. The Christian journey acknowledges the refining effect of challenges. With God's presence, even pain can become significant, and every hardship can act as a catalyst for transformation.
Jesus begins the Beatitudes with a profound truth: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). To be poor in spirit means recognizing our deep need for God, acknowledging our spiritual poverty, and fully depending on Him instead of ourselves. This attitude of humility and desperation for God leads to true happiness—not the fleeting kind based on circumstances, but the deep joy that comes from knowing and trusting in God. In a world that values self-sufficiency, Jesus invites us to surrender, embrace our neediness, and find our greatest fulfillment in God’s presence.
Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it’s about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.
Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it’s about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.
Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it’s about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.
Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it’s about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.
Generosity is about far more than money. Generosity is about taking your entire life - everything you are and everything you own - and using it to bless the people around you. Generosity is for everyone. You don’t have to be rich to be a giver. You don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to be generous—the requirements for generosity center on Identifying an opportunity, taking action, and trusting God to bless the act of generosity.
What prayer have you been praying that you fear God is not answering? Why are some prayers answered and others not? Is it just a roll of dice, luck, or coincidence? In this message, Pastor Lonnie will take us to a deeper understanding of the mystery of unanswered prayer and the silver lining there when we pray.
A profound challenge confronts us daily—how to live as Christians in a world that often feels anything but Christian. We live in times when society’s values frequently contradict biblical truths. So, how do we remain faithful to Jesus Christ when the world around us may seem indifferent, hostile, or simply uninterested? In this message, Pastor Lonnie details how living as a Christian in a non-Christian world is not easy, but it is our calling. We are to be salt and light, reflecting the love, truth, and grace of Jesus in all we do.
Disagreements are a normal part of life, whether in relationships, workplaces, or even within the church. How we handle disagreements says a lot about our Christian faith and character. In this message, Pastor Lonnie shows how the Bible gives us clear guidance on navigating conflict in a way that honors God and promotes unity.
In a world filled with diverse religious beliefs, Christianity stands out through its distinctive message of grace, forgiveness, and relationship with God. This message by Pastor Lonnie will explore five key aspects that make Christianity unique, focusing on the person of Jesus Christ as central to the faith.
There are thousands of ways in which we are disappointed and discouraged in life. An expectation didn't happen, or something we hoped would happen didn't quite make it, and we get frustrated with others and ourselves and even discouraged with God. But discouragement can become an opportunity to make life better. In this message, we will learn what the Bible says about maintaining a grip on hope and the four action items that can bring hope in times of discouragement.
In the Christian faith, human weakness reflects our vulnerability, limitations, and need for God’s grace. The Bible acknowledges that all humans have weaknesses, but it also offers guidance on how to respond to them in a way that glorifies God and strengthens our faith. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will learn about four action items that will help you gain strength when you are weak and vulnerable.
Each of us has a unique role, and every role is important for the church to reach its full potential. When we support one another and work together for the common good, we reflect the unity and diversity of the body of Christ, which brings glory to God and draws others to the faith. Consider how you can use your gifts to serve the body of Christ. Reach out to someone who may be struggling and offer them your support. As we commit to building a community that values and honors each person, a reimagined church that honors Jesus evolves before us.
Lonnie's talk at the new Center for Christian Learning, Leadership, and Fellowship dedication on September 8, 2024.
Life can be full of challenges, distractions, and competing priorities, leading us far from God. However, the key to navigating these challenges with peace, purpose, and direction is to keep our Christian faith at the core of everything we do. This message by Pastor Lonnie emphasizes that Jesus is not just a part of our lives; he is the foundation upon which our lives can be built. We align ourselves with his will, purpose, and strength by making him our foundation. The message will challenge us to examine our hearts, to remove anything that competes for first place, and to live each day with the assurance that with Jesus at the center, our lives are anchored, purposeful, and filled with his peace.
If God is all-powerful and all-loving, why does God allow pain, suffering, and human hurt in our world and lives? A perspective on this question can be found in three parables of Jesus that give us a glimpse of the value system that God is carrying on in our lives. It is found in a value system that can only reciprocate gracious love voluntarily. Without it, we are lost.
What will heaven be like? At his crucifixion, Jesus promised the criminal who was sentenced to death next to him that he would be with him in paradise. Picture this word. It is how we may imagine heaven and eternal life. We are not destined for some misty, disembodied experience in some faraway galaxy. Instead, we will live and find community with our creator and fellow creatures in a place of great beauty filled with color, sound, life, and meaningful activity. It will be like the dawning of the Garden of Eden.
Pastor Lonnie speaks on the power of prayer and how it establishes a deepening relationship with God. Ongoing prayer defines and refines significant issues we are praying for.
In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will learn how Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan is an example of how love is giving and caring.
When you read the stories of Jesus, are you reading fairy tales or facts? Can the Bible be trusted? In this message, Pastor Lonnie gives three reasons why you can trust the Bible and offers seven action items you can do to integrate the inspiring message of the Bible into your life.
Romantic love is a gift from God to be cherished, pursued, and enjoyed in God-honoring ways. When we do that, it becomes a sacred means by which God meets us, blesses us into the couple God created us to be, and leads us into the relationship God has designed for us. In this message, Pastor Lonnie will explore a collection of love songs, celebrating the mystery and delights of romantic love found in the Old Testament book of Song of Songs.
We often talk about our feelings. Have you ever said, "There's something about this that just doesn't feel right?" or "I have a good feeling about this?" Our feelings bring our intuitions to light. Have you ever stopped to think that God has feelings, too?
The Bible clearly states that God is emotionally involved in our lives, just as loving parents are emotionally involved in their children's lives. This third message in the series aims to piece together the tapestry of what the Bible says about God by exploring God's feelings of grief and delight.
Deep within, we long for a certain kind of God of love, mercy, compassion, and tenderness. Those longings find fulfillment in the God who created us and much more. These messages by Pastor Lonnie are about the God who cares and offer insight into the nature of God, showing from a scriptural viewpoint, a God who is at once all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing and teach us how we can know God in a personal way. Message two.
Deep within, we long for a certain kind of God of love, mercy, compassion, and tenderness. Those longings find fulfillment in the God who created us and much more. These messages by Pastor Lonnie are about the God who cares and offer insight into the nature of God, showing from a scriptural viewpoint, a God who is at once all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing and teach us how we can know God in a personal way. Message one.
A message for Confirmation Sunday to encourage young Christ-followers in their journey in the Christian faith.
In this series of five talks, Pastor Lonnie will embark on a journey of discovery, inspiration, and transformation. Being a Light in a Dark World will delve into the timeless truths of Scripture to uncover practical wisdom and guidance for navigating the complexities of our modern world. Through this series, we will explore the profound meaning of living with purpose and intentionality, even in the face of adversity. Despite our challenges, we can create a tangible impact in our communities, workplaces, and families. We will be reminded of the transformative power of love, kindness, and compassion, which can overcome even the greatest obstacles, making us instruments of God's peace and vessels of sacred love in a world that desperately needs it.
This is the second message by Pastor Lonnie in his series on Being a Light in a Dark World
In this series of five talks, Pastor Lonnie will embark on a journey of discovery, inspiration, and transformation. Being a Light in a Dark World will delve into the timeless truths of Scripture to uncover practical wisdom and guidance for navigating the complexities of our modern world. Through this series, we will explore the profound meaning of living with purpose and intentionality, even in the face of adversity. Despite our challenges, we can create a tangible impact in our communities, workplaces, and families. We will be reminded of the transformative power of love, kindness, and compassion, which can overcome even the greatest obstacles, making us instruments of God's peace and vessels of sacred love in a world that desperately needs it.
There is a city we tend to think of as within us. It is the city of our inherited patterns and ways of doing things. It is the dead weight of our habits, our unreflective living, and our assumption that life is the way we see it and nothing else. Here is a city within that cries for deliverance. Do we dare to enter this city as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Will we enter our inner city triumphally?
We often associate the gospel with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But there's another gospel being written every day—one that doesn't come from parchment or ink but in our daily choices, the relationships we nurture, and how we navigate the world around us by our actions and words. There is a fifth gospel, and that is the gospel according to you. In this message, Pastor Lonnie will show how the gospel, according to you, is still being written and the significance of the gospel-inspired life we live can significantly influence others.
If there ever was a need to rediscover the wonder of Christmas, it is now. Many of the alarming situations of today’s culture were present in first-century Palestine. There was a hunger for hope then as there is today. To rediscover Christmas, we need to listen again to the principal players in the first Christmas drama. John the Baptist wants to prepare us for something better that is coming; Mary has a vision for her son, and Joseph must pay attention to a dream. The world changed because they were willing participants in God’s plan. Do we need that today? Can the power of Christmas do it again in our time? In these messages, Pastor Lonnie guides us to a fresh visit and understanding of the key events that take us to the Christmas manger and the Christ.
If there ever was a need to rediscover the wonder of Christmas, it is now. Many of the alarming situations of today’s culture were present in first-century Palestine. There was a hunger for hope then as there is today. To rediscover Christmas, we need to listen again to the principal players in the first Christmas drama. John the Baptist wants to prepare us for something better that is coming; Mary has a vision for her son, and Joseph must pay attention to a dream. The world changed because they were willing participants in God’s plan. Do we need that today? Can the power of Christmas do it again in our time? In these messages, Pastor Lonnie guides us to a fresh visit and understanding of the key events that take us to the Christmas manger and the Christ.
If there ever was a need to rediscover the wonder of Christmas, it is now. Many of the alarming situations of today’s culture were present in first-century Palestine. There was a hunger for hope then as there is today. To rediscover Christmas, we need to listen again to the principal players in the first Christmas drama. John the Baptist wants to prepare us for something better that is coming; Mary has a vision for her son, and Joseph must pay attention to a dream. The world changed because they were willing participants in God’s plan. Do we need that today? Can the power of Christmas do it again in our time? In these messages, Pastor Lonnie guides us to a fresh visit and understanding of the key events that take us to the Christmas manger and the Christ.
If there ever was a need to rediscover the wonder of Christmas, it is now. Many of the alarming situations of today’s culture were present in first-century Palestine. There was a hunger for hope then as there is today. To rediscover Christmas, we need to listen again to the principal players in the first Christmas drama. John the Baptist wants to prepare us for something better that is coming; Mary has a vision for her son, and Joseph must pay attention to a dream. The world changed because they were willing participants in God’s plan. Do we need that today? Can the power of Christmas do it again in our time? In these messages, Pastor Lonnie guides us to a fresh visit and understanding of the key events that take us to the Christmas manger and the Christ.
If there ever was a need to rediscover the wonder of Christmas, it is now. Many of the alarming situations of today’s culture were present in first-century Palestine. There was a hunger for hope then as there is today. To rediscover Christmas, we need to listen again to the principal players in the first Christmas drama. John the Baptist wants to prepare us for something better that is coming; Mary has a vision for her son, and Joseph must pay attention to a dream. The world changed because they were willing participants in God’s plan. Do we need that today? Can the power of Christmas do it again in our time? In these messages, Pastor Lonnie guides us to a fresh visit and understanding of the key events that take us to the Christmas manger and the Christ.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie provides helpful insights on how we can discern the will of God for our lives.
Things are broken, but there is a way to peace. Jesus led the way by modeling peacemaking. Peacemaking is not a passive characteristic. The language Jesus uses is active. In this message from Pastor Lonnie, you will explore Jesus' method of making peace and four insights into getting along in a broken world that longs for lasting peace.
Disciple-making is the mission of Jesus for the church. It involves establishing and equipping persons to enter into relationships to help people trust and follow Jesus. Disciple-making doesn’t just happen because a church exists and people show up. It is a deliberate process.
Disciple-making is the mission of Jesus for the church. It involves establishing and equipping persons to enter into relationships to help people trust and follow Jesus. Disciple-making doesn’t just happen because a church exists and people show up. It is a deliberate process. These messages by Pastor Lonnie will serve as a springboard as Fox River begins a congregation-wide review of our ministry and organization and how it could be more effective ahead.
Disciple-making is the mission of Jesus for the church. It involves establishing and equipping persons to enter into relationships to help people trust and follow Jesus. Disciple-making doesn’t just happen because a church exists and people show up. It is a deliberate process. These messages by Pastor Lonnie will serve as a springboard as Fox River begins a congregation-wide review of our ministry and organization and how it could be more effective ahead.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie takes a popular children’s Sunday school song and applies it to the feet, hands, heart, mouth, and determination of Jesus. The message explores where Jesus went with his feet, how he used his hands to serve others, and how he used his mouth to speak about the presence of the peace of God.
Not all decisions in life are easy. In this concluding message from his series on Powerful Contradictions, Pastor Lonnie shares some practical self-reflective questions to help you discern your path when confronted with a gray area of complicated decision-making.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie dives into the principle Jesus taught, Give and you will receive. It is a reminder that we are interconnected and that our actions have far-reaching consequences. In giving, we open ourselves up to receive the blessings of a more abundant life and a more profound sense of purpose.
In this message from his series on Powerful Contradictions, Pastor Lonnie shows how Jesus is making a case that by letting go of self-centered desires and attachments and submitting to God’s higher purpose, there can be a deeper and more meaningful life experience.
This is the second message in the series by Pastor Lonnie on Powerful Contradictions. In this message, Pastor Lonnie explores an understanding of fairness from the teaching of Jesus from the parable of the workers in the vineyard and the effect of the lavish love of God on justice.
Powerful contradictions often invite critical thinking and introspection, challenging us to explore complex issues and make difficult decisions. Acknowledging and navigating these contradictions through the lens of the Christian faith can lead to growth, learning, and more nuanced perspectives.
Powerful contradictions often invite critical thinking and introspection, challenging us to explore complex issues and make difficult decisions. Acknowledging and navigating these contradictions through the lens of the Christian faith can lead to growth, learning, and more nuanced perspectives.
In this message, pastor Lonnie discusses the significance of expecting great things from God while we attempt great things for God. God is given room to work when we give ourselves to a humanly impossible cause.
Pastor Lonnie continues his message series on Living Our Faith in this sermon about the gracious love of God we encounter through the actions and message of Jesus.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie shows how God’s power will not save you from tough times but how God’s power can get you through it.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie will show how scripture doesn't just want to be understood. It longs to be put into action. We deceive ourselves into thinking we have done the faith when we merely listen, reflect, ponder, and agree. According to the Bible, belief must be embodied and enacted to be real. The world is quite right in judging the gospel's truth based on the sort of lives the gospel can produce. Do our lives reflect the God whom we praise on Sunday morning? Your life can, and that is your sermon.
Healthy doubt can be the beginning of great faith because doubting is not the same as unbelief. Doubt is uncertainty. It's that murky area between belief and unbelief where nothing is decided and nothing is committed to. In this message, Pastor Lonnie uplifts two important questions to ask when we doubt that can help settle the disruptions of doubt to a vibrant Christian faith.
Easter is God's guarantee that the values of life worth preserving will be preserved and cannot be perversely destroyed. That life has the last word over death. Love is the victor over hate. Truth lives in place of falsehood. Tenderness lives in place of brutality. Good lives in place of evil. It was not a metaphor or some vague hope when Jesus said he was the resurrection and the life. It means that death has no power to take you from the arms of the Father. Whatever bad news you face. You have a resurrection coming.
On Palm Sunday, it becomes clear that when God enters our lives, he not only blesses, heals, teaches, and leads but also confronts and disturbs us. There is a city we tend to think of as within us. It is the city of our inherited patterns and ways of doing things. It is the dead weight of our habits, our unreflective living, and our assumption that life is the way we see it and nothing else. Here is a city within that cries for deliverance. Do we dare to enter this city as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Will we enter our inner city triumphally? We enter our inner city triumphantly when we discover and hear that God has not entered our lives to help us do our work but has come to call us back to do His work as fully devoted followers of Jesus.
During times of spiritual dryness, Pastor Lonnie shows why we must patiently rely on the promises of God and not on emotions to realize that God is taking us to a deeper level of maturity. In this message, you will learn how Job worked through times when God seemed absent, which took him to the extravagant gracious love of God.
We can get stuck in life, and there comes a time when we must take action and leave the secure comfort of the familiar. For Peter, it meant trusting Jesus to get out of the boat and walk on water. The challenge of leaving the boat, with all its security and particular messiness, is terrifying. Still, if you don’t take the leap of faith, you will never experience walking on a surface never before imagined. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will get a grip on some truths to nudge you out of the boat.
God has taken an enormous risk entrusting the future church to us. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will learn that through the power of the Holy Spirit and with confidence in God's provisions, the church will not just survive but will prevail. The church's future is in our hands.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie shows how Psalm 96 encourages us to sing to the Lord a new song. When we sing a new song inspired by our walk following Jesus, our neighbors will see the Christian way of life that inspires faith and belief. The strength and conviction of our singing vertically will reverberate horizontally into the world.
The Christmas message is a message of great Joy from something that has happened. We cannot create this sacred joy but can only receive it as a gift.
How do you react when a wrong has been done to you? It is possible that this very trial could strengthen your faith. In this message from Pastor Lonnie, we learn how Joseph worked through the news of Mary’s pregnancy and trusted his future to God’s plan.
This stewardship message from Pastor Lonnie emphasizes how we need live in a cycle of receiving and giving to be healthy.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie outlines three factors in our prayer life that determine how our prayers are answered.
Faith is not a possession; it is a decision. In this message, Pastor Lonnie shows how practical faith looks and where faith in Jesus can take you.
Waiting when God seems silent is the most challenging work of hope. It is more than something we must do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of becoming what God wants us to be. In this message, Pastor Lonnie shows how what God does in us while we wait is as important as what we’re waiting for.
In this contemporary revisit to the most prayed Christian prayer, Pastor Lonnie will show how the true test of solitude and prayer is not whether a person gets what they ask for but the effect on life from a habit of talking with and trusting our lives to God.
Dr. Richardson continues his messages outlining a Congregational Church's essential characteristics. In this message, he gives a personal testimony of the journey that brought him to the Congregational Way.
Amid all the interest in contemporary models for worship and ministry, there’s a ministry style and strategy that dates back to the very beginning of the church. In this message, Pastor Lonnie will highlight three aspects of the early church that are as relevant today as it was then. The sermon will also show how we complement the style of the early church in our congregational way.
Pastor Lonnie begins a series of messages outlining the essential characteristics of a Congregational Church and will show how the essential elements in the organization and practice of a Congregational Church parallel the faith life of the early church.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie will show how prayer is not a matter of waking up God or making God pay attention to us. God is always with us. God’s presence pervades the universe, and that presence is personal. We will learn how the prayers that God answers on earth is the prayer that begins in heaven.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie will talk about the power of prayers of courageous determination and the significance of implementing them into our spiritual disciplines. The sermon will explore this type of prayer and the necessity to do what is consistent with courageous prayer.
The phrase, His face, is used more than a dozen times in the New Testament. Matthew depicted the brightness of the face of Jesus, and Luke portrayed his determined look. The Bible describes how his face gave a vision of hope to those who would open their eyes to see it. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will see how coming face to face with the biblical image of Jesus can be a tool to draw us closer to Christ and have a clearer vision as followers of Christ.
Some people feel like damaged goods. Whatever the reason, things they've done or things beyond their control have made them feel bent out of shape and crushed. Pastor Lonnie contends that the Christian walk starts with a healthy sense of our brokenness and sinfulness. The most basic level of the good news that Jesus brought is that God is eager to be in a relationship with us, and God has initiated a way of reconciliation. The healthy Christian faith hinges on the understanding that Jesus came to show us the nature of God, and the nature of God is forgiving, gracious love, and receiving such love, will enable us to turn around and give it away to others.
When we experience God’s forgiveness, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But what happens when someone has done a wrong against us? How do we respond when someone says something behind our back or when someone takes advantage of us? Even with a deeply rooted Christian faith, It can be tough to be merciful and forgive. In this message, Pastor Lonnie gives four powerful insights on forgiving that bring scripture and common sense into the process of wholeness.
Some think happiness is contingent on when something desired happens. We permit too many opportunities for happiness to slip by us because we labor under the delusion that we shall be happy when we arrive at a certain destination. In this message, Pastor Lonnie outlines how happiness is a state of mind rather than a state of affairs. Jesus wanted people to be happy and tried to get them to see that joy lay in the simple satisfaction of honoring and serving God. You don't find happiness…you create it out of what life gives you.
Being human is difficult because life is complex, and we are vulnerable and imperfect. We live best when we accept our humanity and come to terms that we are being made and are not complete. In this message, Pastor Lonnie explores the earthiness of Psalm 42 and how this psalm takes us to a higher place of living beyond raw hurtful feelings.
In this sermon, Pastor Lonnie discusses freedom as outlined in the message of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. We can be a part of the freedom by choosing to live the faith in the actions we take.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie will discuss basic Christianity and the unique place it has in world religions. The essential characteristics of a Christian will be outlined, and why this fortress of faith has endured through the ebbs and flows of civilization.
The parenting we experience does a lot to shape our lives. In this message, Pastor Lonnie outlines three powerful things gleaned from the Bible that we can say to our children and youth that will establish a positive impression on the next generation and make you a better person of influence.
We live in a world of surprise and uncertainty. Sometimes pleasant, sometimes not. Thunderstorms happen. Accidents happen. Blizzards happen. Car wrecks happen. Thievery happens. Drought happens. And mass shootings happen. This pushes the question many ask: If God loves us and is powerful and in control, how could God let this happen?
In this message, Pastor Lonnie outlines four popular responses to why bad things happen and how these responses often fall short of satisfying answers. Pastor Lonnie will explain how God’s power is not a power to protect us from all that might go wrong. Rather, it is a power that walks with us when things go wrong and is a power that meets us amid our suffering and tribulations.
Honoring loved ones and military heroes is about remembering. Memory! What a wonderful gift! Without it, we would stumble through a world of confusion, unable to profit from anything we had learned before. How will you be remembered? What memories are you creating today that will make a difference? In this message, Pastor Lonnie outlines two insightful questions to ask while making memories for tomorrow.
In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we learn how the Bible can teach us about difficult times and how to face life's devastating defeats. The message will contrast two biblical characters who experienced failure and came to different places from it. We experience failure, but it’s not where we have to live or define who we are.
In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we learn of the difference between being an admirer of Jesus and being a follower of Jesus.
In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we learn how doubt is not the same as unbelief. Doubt is uncertainty. It's that murky area between belief and unbelief where nothing is decided and nothing is committed to. Pastor Lonnie will uplift two tools to help you work through doubts and enter the Christian faith with insightful integrity.
In this Easter message by Pastor Lonnie, we learn how the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus motivated the early Christ community to share the good news of the gospel. Jesus was the message, and when he was resurrected, the church became alive.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie details how God took the cross, a symbol of weakness and death, and turned it into a symbol of strength. What God did for the cross, He can do for us if we trust God enough to let our weaknesses be His strength.
This is the Palm Sunday message from Dr. Lonnie Richardson. The message was delivered on April 10, 2022.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie explores three primary ways to discern God’s guidance in your life.
All of us get beaten up, bruised, and damaged in the course of life. We need to believe that that does not define us. We may be misunderstood and mishandled, we may even lose our way for a time, but God has created us with purpose. We may have to learn some things, and God is with us in the learning. In this message, Pastor Lonnie highlights why we should never surrender the leadership of our lives to what is or what has been and the importance of making decisions not based on our ability but God’s ability.
Who is this God we long to connect to? While mortals may not know all there is about a holy God, one thing we do know is that God knows us and wants to connect to us. In his messages for Lent, Pastor Lonnie explores the dynamics of God’s reach in affecting our lives and the difference walking with Christ can make in living together on planet earth. In this message, Pastor Lonnie looks at the inner battles we face and how we can claim victory and happiness in our inner spiritual selves.
In his message this Sunday, Pastor Lonnie shows how we can be confident in knowing that even in difficult times, God is with us and cares about us so much that the tapestry of our lives, meaning all events - good and bad, are being woven together into a blanket of God’s love and protection.
The is the Christmas Eve message from Pastor Lonnie. The message was delivered on December 24, 2021
In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we see how God acts through ordinary human beings, everyday people who trust God to undertake extraordinary missions beyond their capabilities or imaginings. The Virgin Mary is a model of amazing trust that the surprise happenings in our lives have the potential to be a marvelous act of God.
In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we see how Joseph shows that we can encounter God amid the painful and challenging circumstances of life, and through obedience to the Word of God, we can live lives of trust. God does not give us dreams to torment us; God gives us dreams to follow.
In this Thanksgiving message by Pastor Lonnie, we are reminded of the power of giving thanks to God and to others;
What Are You In Line For? is a Christian stewardship message from Pastor Lonnie. Included in this podcast is a solo by Carmen Nickerson titled, Closer
In this message, Pastor Lonnie explores the unique role of the church to provide spiritual care and the significance of giving as a means of growing in Christ.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie explores two illusions that can drive our lives to regret by losing sight of the importance of what really matters. By coming to terms with what matters most, our lives can be richer.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie talks about the challenge of making a positive difference in the world. Knowing the right thing to do can have nothing to do with doing the right thing. We will learn two vital questions to ask to help us make the stretch from knowing to doing.
In this message by guest speaker Rev. Jacquie Quirk, we learn how to overcome worry in our lives by embracing the five ways God provides what we need most in our lives. Pastor Jacquie is the minister of congregational care at Fox River Congregational Church in Pewaukee Wisconsin
In this message, Pastor Lonnie takes up the vital question of why God allows us the freedom to make unwise decisions that can cause pain and suffering and how this freedom teaches us something about the uniquely human condition and the love of God.
Guest speaker Hal Blank, the CEO and Chief Pilot of Grace on Wings, presents an update on the ministry of sharing the love of Christ through aviation.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie talks about the value of the gift of time and offers ways to make the most of time by understanding how time is a gift from God, the difference between the important tasks and urgent tasks that consume our time.
In this message, Pastor Lonnie talks about how our Christian faith can give us the strength to overcome our fears of death and dying. This is the fifth message in his series. Faith That Conquers Fearful Living. The messages are focused on working through the fears that keep us from realizing all we can become in Christ.
This is the fourth message by Pastor Lonnie in his sermon series; Faith That Conquers Fearful Living. The messages are focused on working through the fears that keep us from realizing all we can become in Christ.
This is the third message by Pastor Lonnie in his sermon series; Faith That Conquers Fearful Living. The messages are focused on working through the fears that keep us from realizing all we can become in Christ.
This is the second message by Pastor Lonnie in his sermon series; Faith That Conquers Fearful Living. The messages are focused on working through the fears that keep us from realizing all we can become in Christ.
This is the first message by Pastor Lonnie in his sermon series; Faith That Conquers Fearful Living. The messages are focused on working through the fears that keep us from realizing all we can become in Christ.
Some failure is inevitable. We are human, and mistakes happen. We are going to fail at times. What we do with failure makes all the difference. No matter your sin or how bad you think you have failed God or others, you should know that God never gives up on you. God is always there to give you another chance! In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will learn how we are a can-be people because God is a can-do God.
Small things are a part of heaven’s bigger picture. Small things count! You count by the small things you do every day more than you know. Look for the opportunities already there; every day with the people you know and come across each day. Know that God is using you, your life, your words, your smile, your kindness. Ask him to help you see the opportunities and pray that God will help you know the significance of what you often think is small and unimportant. Remember, those small things can have a significant result. The tipping point will come, and heaven will celebrate.
If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat. This is one of the most daunting statements you will ever hear. The challenge to leave the boat, with all its security and particular messiness, is terrifying. Still, if you don’t take the step in faith, you will never experience walking on a surface never before imagined. You may sink after a few feet, but to follow Christ is to walk a road less traveled. In this anniversary message by Pastor Lonnie, you will get a grip on some truths to nudge you out of the boat.
This is the 4th of July message by Dr. Lonnie Richardson titled The Price of Freedom. The message was delivered on July 4, 2021.
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as a model of service. It is the method of service that Jesus invites us to engage in. Toward the end of his life, Albert Einstein removed the portraits of two scientists—Isaac Newton and James Clark Maxwell--from his wall. He replaced those with portraits of Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer. Einstein explained that it was time to replace the image of success with the image of service. Shape yourself from the model of Jesus to serve others. What feet can you wash? Do it!
Throughout his ministry, Jesus used simile, metaphor, and parable to interpret his astonishing proposal that the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus saw it as a present reality and a future hope. What difference does it mean to us that the kingdom of God is at hand? That question will be explored in this timely message by Pastor Lonnie.
The mission of Jesus is for us to know God and to make God known. Because he is the way, the road is cleared to negotiate the challenges of life through the eyes of the possibilities of faith. As we come to know Jesus, we come to know God.
Making Sense of Nonsense. This is the Easter message from Dr. Lonnie Richardson. April 4, 2021
The story of Palm Sunday reveals that Jesus didn't come to Jerusalem to sit on a throne but came to Jerusalem to hang on a cross. Bearing the cross is also a task for the Christ-follower. Jesus made this clear when he said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) In this sermon by Pastor Lonnie, we will see how Palm Sunday's message is a message of victory even in today's challenging times.
Every day of our lives, we face decisions, great and small. Should I take that job offer? Should I strike out and try to realize some dream I have always had? Should I go to college or back to school? Which college? What major? What should I do about that problem at work or home? Where can you go for direction, for trustworthy guidance? In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will see there are reliable tools to make crucial decisions that honor the Christian faith and values.
Jesus talked about the problem with trying to put new wine in old wineskins. (Matthew 9:16-17) Sometimes we get stuck in an old wineskin way of thinking. Are you hindering something new and exciting that God wants to do in your life because you can't let go of an outdated way of thinking? In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will learn about how a little adjustment to our thinking can make a big difference.
A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure. We all go through the pressure of difficult times, but difficult times can be a diamond in the making. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we see how difficult times cannot separate us from God’s ultimate love or destroy the kind of happiness from living a fuller life in Christ unless we allow them to.
Mark Twain famously said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why. In other words, What is your why? Jesus is very clear that we are created for servanthood. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will explore the threat of ego in realizing our God-created purpose and what can be done to put ego in its place.
The Bible is full of valentine messages from God to us. From the very beginning, God has expressed and manifested a great love. In this message from Pastor Lonnie, we will see that to love someone means to see them as God intended.
One of the significant problems in our world is getting along with each other. Dealing with difficult people and overcoming resentment toward people we don't like is a challenge we all have. The Bible is not silent on this matter. Jesus suggests the real test of Christian discipleship is not how well we get along with our friends but how adept we are at, a particular understanding of loving our enemies. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will learn how we can get along better with the difficult people in our lives.
There is a difference between living on the past and living in the past. Those who live on the past build lesson upon lesson, utilizing former failures and successes, learning from trials and errors. Those who live in the past have no vital present.
The Bible speaks about the vital present always before us. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will learn how we can live on top of our worries and trust God with the unchangeable past and the uncontrollable future.
There’s something special about the first Sunday worship of the year. It evokes the prospects of a new beginning with renewed opportunities. It is an occasion of seeing things from a different perspective. In that light, we will explore what the bible says about Jesus being the life and light of the world and our hope upon entering a new year.
Everything was in place to make the birth of Jesus happen and how the significance of his birth could be known. It was a fullness of time happening. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will explore the importance of the setting for the birth of Jesus and why WE are the reason for the season.
Entrusting our lives to God can be difficult when the unexpected comes close to home. The Bible is filled with people who learned to trust God in rough times. One of them is Mary, the mother of Jesus. In this message from Pastor Lonnie, we will learn how she came to trust God with her future and became an inspiration to many.
Dr. Richardson discusses how we all matter to God and are called to serve others in the name of Jesus.
If you keep going the way you are going, will you get too where you want to be? If you’re unsure, there is something you can do about it. In this message from Pastor Lonnie, we will be looking at how an announcement from John the Baptist can help us get to where we want to go in life and two things we can do to keep us on course.
Be thankful there is the local church, your church, a community of Christ- followers who are dedicated to know Christ and to make Christ known. The quality of our Christian stewardship and thankful giving determines our ability to continue the pilgrim spirit.
The ultimate test of Christian discipleship is what we do about Jesus. In concrete terms, how does our relationship with Jesus affect the way we conduct our lives? How does our relationship with Jesus affect our relationships with others? How do we demonstrate our love for Jesus in the specific, nitty-gritty, down-to-earth events of our lives? Turning on the power of Christian faith and letting the Holy Spirit have its way in our lives is the place to begin.
We maximize our effectiveness, our strength, and our worth from one another. Because we are connected to one another, we recognize that we are equals. In recognition of this equality, we strive for reconciliation while breaking down the barriers that keep us apart. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, he will highlight the benefits of doing life together because the church is not something you go to; it’s a family you belong to.
Our lives are to be an authentic example of the goodness of God. In this message by Pastor Lonnie from Paul's writings in Ephesians, we will discover how the factor of grace can affect our lives in three significant areas to bring greater peace and nurture hope in the world around us.
None of us are exempt from tough times. We all have seasons of emotional ups and downs but we are not hopeless. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will learn how God's power will not save you from suffering, but God’s power will get you through it.
It has been said that life is not a problem to be solved but a story to be lived. We can either look at our existence through the lens of problems or opportunities. The opportunity before us in these times is to choose to live in harmony with God’s intended purposes. It is an adventure, not a problem. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will look at the benefits of realizing God intentionally had you in mind when you were born.
Jesus gave a stern warning about condemning others. One of his most well-known sayings is: Do not judge, or you too will be judged (Matthew 7:1). This is also one of his most misunderstood sayings. We will look at the relational minefields in recklessly judging others in this message by Pastor Lonnie
It's midnight, and it's hard to make sharp distinctions. Colors do not stand out. Outlines are blurred. A path or even a roadway may be difficult to follow. It's midnight, and it isn't easy to make sharp distinctions.
The inability or our unwillingness to make sharp distinctions is the cultural, religious, and moral situation in which we find ourselves right now in our society. There is a midnight of difficulty in discovering where the lines are to be drawn.
Jesus asks: "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight?"
You are between those who are hungry for the bread of life and the house of bread prescribed by Jesus Christ, our Lord, who said, "I am the bread of life." This message will explore being a mediator between the hungry and the source of supply.
Pandemics affects our mental, spiritual, and physical health. What is the healing role of spirituality and hope? How can we have hope when faced with an illness? Pastor Lonnie will discuss five ways healing can come into our lives, and hope can be reclaimed in this message.
Psalm 139 tells us that God knows us in a personal way. With him we are not a number or merely a face in the crowd. Our relationship with God is just as personal as our fingerprint--and we can know God in a personal way.
Waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be. The positive dynamics that can come when we wait with patience and expectancy will be explored in this message by Pastor Lonnie titled, While We Wait.
There are two persons Jesus regarded as having great faith. What is the stuff of great faith? We will learn about the faith that impressed Jesus in this message from Pastor Lonnie.
There is a difference between believing God can do something and believing God will do something. We all know that God can do anything because God is omnipotent, but the crucial question is: as you bring your requests to God, do you believe that God will do something about it? The asking aspect of prayer will be explored in this message by Pastor Lonnie.
In this message by Dr. Richardson, we will visit the instructions from Jesus on praying in Matthew 6 and the tools we can use to develop a consistent prayer life.
Most of us regularly pray the Lord's Prayer. It's interesting that this is not an actual prayer of Jesus. It is really the disciple's prayer because Jesus taught them this in answer to their request to teach them how to pray. There is another prayer in the Bible Jesus prayed for us. What he prayed for us is stunning and maybe surprising. The prayer of Jesus for us will be explored in this message by Dr. Richardson.
God wants us to be in this life for others. That's why we are alive. The Bible has a word for this, and it’s called ministry, and the Bible says every single believer is a minister. Not every believer is a pastor, but every believer is a minister. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we will take a look at how Jesus cared for others and how following his example will help us do a better job at caring for others.
The idea of seeking God's will is an intimidating prospect because we’re not sure what to expect. The fact is that God's will is not all that mysterious, and it's not all that complicated. Simply put, God wants what is best for you. It's nothing to be afraid of, and it's nothing to dread because God cares for you more than you care for yourself, and God wants what is best for you, and what's more, God is willing to help you get it. We will explore the subject of discerning God’s will in this message from Pastor Lonnie titled, God’s Will For You.
Memory! What a wonderful gift! Without it, we would stumble through a world of confusion, unable to profit from anything we had learned before. In this message, Pastor Lonnie details the importance of attitude when we remember.
We are a divided country. Politics is at war with science. Economic prosperity is contentious with who lives and who dies. Wearing a mask and physical distancing is at war with reason and rights. What would Jesus do and say in this pandemic of opinions?
Romantic love is a gift from God. It was God’s idea—not Shakespeare's or Hollywood's. Romantic love is something to be cherished, to be pursued and enjoyed in God-honoring ways. In this message, Pastor Lonnie walks us through a biblical love letter that connects sacred love to the love of a husband and wife.
As a youngster, we would play the board-game called Life. In many ways, life is a game, and how we play it makes a difference. Game rules matter, and without them, there could be no clear understanding of what it takes to win. The Bible talks about how we were born for more than playing a game. We were born to be a game-changer. We will learn more about being a faith-driven game-changer in this message from Pastor Lonnie.
There is a popular expression; “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This statement seems to be a conviction of Jesus. Imagine what it would look like to relate to others as Jesus did. We will explore some ways to do that by considering three probing questions in this message.
One of the major problems in our world is getting along with each other. What is war, but the consequence of large groups of people who find it difficult to get along with each other? What is internal discord and strife but the consequences of conflicting interests of people within a nation? What is the cause of most of the personal unhappiness in our lives, but the result of refusing to get along with others? This causes resentment, and the problem we confront at every turn is the problem of getting rid of our resentments.
Jesus has a challenging and straightforward solution for this that Pastor Lonnie will be discussing in his message titled Hope When We Disagree.
Mothers are special. It could be that they are the most obvious human example of the love of God. In this Mother's Day message from Pastor Lonnie, we will learn what the Bible says about the special love of a mother and how it relates to the kind of love God has for us.
Life has its times of discouragement. We all have expectations that didn’t happen. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on tomorrow. Today, we will learn what the Bible has to say about maintaining a grip on hope when we are discouraged.
Doubt is not the same as unbelief. Doubt is uncertainty. It's that murky area between belief and unbelief where nothing is decided, and nothing is committed to.
Thomas wasn't afraid to ask questions when he didn't agree or understand something. Jesus never put him down for it or anyone with an honest doubt or question. For such a person is seeking to believe. They want integrity in their faith.
To be without any questions or doubts at all is to block us off from the blessings of growth and the discovery of truth and ideas. Thomas had questions. He asked them because he wanted to understand. Doubt, to Thomas, was simply faith seeking understanding.
Hope is not a what, or a when, or a why. Hope is a who. Hope is always embodied in a person. Hope is a “who.” Somebody wise enough, strong enough, good enough, to get us to a better place. Hope is a who and the who to take us to God is Jesus.
There is a city within that cries for deliverance. Do we dare to enter this city as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? He enters triumphantly when we discover and hear that God has not entered our lives to help us do our work, but that he has come to call us back to do his work.
Whenever something threatens our well-being, jeopardizes our normal existence, or thrusts us into an unexpected, unplanned, and unwanted direction, the natural result is fear. But we don’t have to reside there. God wants us to trust him not only with our salvation, but also with our relationships, our resources, and our futures. God wants to see our professed faith in action and wants us to put our trust in him for every detail of our lives.
The woman at the well thirsted for far more than the water of that well. She thirsted for the love, forgiveness, and friendship of God. Jesus initiates a conversation that changed her life. Her new life began by giving Jesus a drink. Will you give him a drink?
To be born again is to receive and trust what has been done for us by Jesus on the cross. It’s not about what we do but about what God has already done. Our spiritual selves become alive through this grace. Pastor Lonnie goes into detail about the conversation of Jesus with Nicodemus and what it meanas to be born again.
Temptations will come. They will always show us the barren wildernesses in our lives where love is thin or perhaps non-existent. The wilderness will always ask us to face reality and make our response. Often, the process will feel evil to us. It will seem that way because the choice between our preferences and the possibility of grace is so plain.
In this talk, Pastor Lonnie shows how the body of Christ is dynamic, unified, and organic and how these attributes empower the church to make a positive difference in the world.
This is the night when God sent out a love letter of cosmic proportions. It was a night that changed everything. You could say Christmas is the beginning of a classic love story with all the right ingredients: infatuation, pursuit, risk, and relationship. In all relations of love, there does have to be the first meeting, doesn't there? A crossing of paths where we find the Christ of God intersecting with humanity! And it is a meeting with God who has desired us from the very beginning. If it weren't for Christmas, we might never have known the intensity of the love that God has for us.
When a deep disappointment comes your way, remember how Joseph handled Mary's news that she was pregnant. Joseph took his hurt to God and allowed his walk with God to lead him to understand what was happening. Whatever it is that has your heart tied in knots; it is possible that this very trial could strengthen your faith so that God could use you for a more significant part in the redemptive story than you ever imagined you could play. This is what God did with Joseph, and God wants to do with you.
God acts through ordinary human beings like you and me, ordinary people that trust God enough to undertake extraordinary missions beyond their capabilities or imaginings. The Virgin Mary is a model and reminder that Christmas is a time to prepare for the Holy Child to be born in you.
God is hidden in the ordinary routine events of life – our practice of giving thanks will bring God into the center of our being and in so doing, bring to others and ourselves a better world.
When I’m searching for answers to the tough questions of how to give and whether my extra effort of giving will make a difference in this world, it always comes back to just this: I think of how grateful I am that this church is here. I’m grateful to be able to come here and renew myself in faith, to embrace God’s presence and guidance in my life.
I’m grateful that the church is here for my family. I’m grateful that we try to be of help to each other. I am grateful for the care our ministries provide. And I am grateful that we reach out beyond our immediate circle to others in need in the community and to the world through the opportunities provided by this church. The truth is, if we didn’t give, this church wouldn’t be here. It needs to be here. This kind of giving is joyful and it pleases God.
Life is not about possessions; it is about relationships. It doesn’t consist of what we have but who we are and what we have given to God and others.
Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be, also." notice that your heart follows your treasure, not the other way around. What we do with our money not only reveals the condition of our heart, it determines the condition of our heart. That's why this is such an important issue in the life of the Christ-follower. It's not just about money; it's about our hearts. Malachi offers a challenge to return our tithes and offerings to God, and in so doing, the floodgates of heaven will shower blessings upon us. Will we take Malachi up on his challenge and test God for the blessing?
We can live authentic lives of faith as sinners saved by grace. We can pray for others, dialogue about tough questions, and find ways to serve the people around us. When we do, we open the door to God’s unexpected adventures and the opportunities he orchestrates for us to be sacred salt and light to others. Our role is this: to be ready and willing—because God is always able. After all, we’re merely the tools he uses to fulfill his mission of showing love to the world, one person at a time.
Have you ever felt far from God or feel you’ve walked away from God emotionally? Some people have a strong sense of urgency that they desperately need to get back to God, but they’re not sure how to do it. In this podcast, Returning Home, we will see that coming to God is like receiving a gift while treasuring the price that was paid for that gift.
The question of whether or not Jesus rose from the dead is the lynchpin of Christianity. If the evidence for the resurrection stands, then the Christian faith stands; but if the evidence falls, then so does Christianity. The evidence for the resurrection of Jesus will be explored in this podcast.
Are there any facts to back up our faith? Can the Bible be trusted, or is it possible that the resurrection was only a myth, and the stories of the life of Jesus are filled with legends and tall-tales? This series takes a look at the evidence for the Christian faith. Following Jesus is not a leap into the dark; it's a leap into the light!
Invite! Showing people that we care about them is the most effective way to reach them for Christ and grow His church. There is no record of Jesus walking up to someone and announcing: I am the messiah and then beginning to show his care for them. He showed his care first and then he revealed himself to them. Be relevant. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care and you care by inviting.
Is God fair? If so, what leads you to believe God is? If not, why? Could God be about something other than fairness? Pastor Lonnie explores this vital question in this podcast.
Pastor Lonnie continue his series of messages on the relevant and vital church in today’s challenging landscape. This message will reveal what research shows that draws people to church and keeps them there.
Pastor Lonnie will begin a series of messages for the church that wants to be relevant and vital in today’s challenging landscape. The first message is a snapshot on the Christian church in America. Who is and is not attending and why. The second message, on August 25 will be what research is showing us that draws people to church and keeps them there. The final message on September 8, Pastor Lonnie will present a strategy and plan for church growth based on current research.
Dealing with anger is tough work. Sometimes the right thing to do with our anger is to speak it and name what's wrong so it comes to light. Sometimes the right thing to do is to channel it into a positive and productive response to what's wrong. Sometimes the right thing to do with our anger is to release it, by forgiving whoever has wronged us. That last one can be the hardest, but sometimes it's the only thing we can do. God can show us which one is right in any given situation, and only God can give us the grace to do them.
It's amazing the long-term impact small things can make in our lives. Jesus used the mustard seed to illustrate how a little amount of faith can make a big difference. Small things, like a kind word to a friend, a helpful attitude with a colleague, a quick prayer for a neighbor, playing a game with the kids...they are all being used by God to make a difference and to spread God’s love.
I want to encourage you to look for the opportunities that are already there; everyday with the people you know and come across each day. Know that God is using you, your life, your words, your smile, your kindness. Ask God to help you see the opportunities and pray that God will help you to see the significance in what you often think is small and unimportant.
As Christians, we are to relate to people of other faiths as Jesus related to them: with respect and love, knowing that they are beloved children of God. From what I've seen, most people do not believe in Jesus, not because they think Jesus is a fraud, but rather because they see so little of Jesus in the lives of those of us who profess to be following him! Consider the question: How does my life -- in the way I go about the world, in the manner in which I relate to others -- how does my life demonstrate that Jesus really is the Christ, the Son of the living God?"
Jabez was a living testimony to the goodness of God despite his birth and circumstances. His life contradicted his name. God heard the cry of this lone outcast and granted his prayers. His destiny was changed, his heart healed, and he stands as a memorial to the grace and mercy of the God who hears the cries of the brokenhearted.
We tend to think of the church as an institution instead of a mother. That's because we don't take our teaching on baptism seriously enough. If baptism represents a new and heavenly birth, then in baptism we have God as our father and the church as our mother.
The church is the womb in which we are conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the water of holy baptism. The church nurses infant faith with the pure spiritual milk of the word. She cares for Christ's little ones and consoles them. She teaches and cares. She bandages wounds and gives hugs. She prays for her children.
In the church we all are parenting. Each time a child is baptized, the church promises to nurture that child. We promise to surround them with a community of love and forgiveness that they may grow in service and love to God and others. Where we take our children...where does the adventure ultimately go? Consider this: The only thing we take to heaven is our children!. Will you take them there?
If you should find yourself in a tough place right now, have the courage and honesty to stay in that place and invite Christ to meet you there. If you should know someone in such a place right now, someone who’s dealing with pain, disappointment, or loss—share hope with them. Ask them how they’re doing. Listen to them. Be with them. Pray for them. And when the time is right, point them toward Jesus. Because life has a way of killing dreams, but Jesus has a way of bringing them, and us, back to life! Mary had the courage and honesty to hang around the tomb for a while. I encourage you to do the same.
There is another city. It is a city we tend to think of as within us. It is the city of our inherited patterns and ways of doing things. It is the dead weight of our habits, of our unreflective living; of our assumption that life is the way we see it and nothing else. Here, is a city within that cries for deliverance. Do we dare to enter this city as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Will we enter our inner city triumphantly?
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
We do not have problems, we have decisions to make. In his collection of teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly presents the options we have to make decisions for the blessed life. The coming series of messages by Pastor Lonnie will detail the teachings of Jesus and why the decision for a blessed life makes sense.
Salt in a shaker can do no good. It can have all the flavor in the world, but if it never contacts food it doesn’t do any good. The same is true for the local church. A church that never gets out of their four walls can do no good. It has to get out and connect with others.