Woodridge Community Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Woodridge Community Church
The official pulpit ministry podcast of Woodridge Community Church (New Berlin, WI)—where we glorify God by proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and treasuring Christ above all.
This psalm puts the Lord’s victorious reign before us. Here is a mighty song of praise that reminds the people of God that the LORD is King and that no one and nothing will defeat the Lord our God. There is also a messianic element to this psalm that points us to King Jesus, who conquered death and rules over all. May the truths of this psalm lead all who trust in Christ to rejoice and praise the God who reigns.
How are the righteous to respond when they and others experience evil because of the wicked? In such times, what are God’s people to do, say, and pray? What are we to sing? This worship song captures David’s response to Doeg, an evil man whose wicked words and actions caused great harm to many. Here, those who trust in the Lord are given an example of what to do, say, pray, and sing in response to the wicked.
Ever since Romans 1:18 the Apostle Paul has been laying out the bad news that all people, both Jews and Gentiles, have sinned, are unrighteous, and are deserving of the righteous judgement of God. Before Paul begins to lay out the good news of God’s grace for sinners in Jesus Christ, with this passage he summarizes the bad news that all are under sin so that all people would see their great need for Jesus Christ.
If, as Paul states plainly in Romans 2, that the genuine quality of Jewishness and circumcision is inward and spiritual, why did God institute and attach promises to physical circumcision in the first place? Was He mistaken? Did He change His mind? And how can He be trusted if He’s (seemingly) the one going back on His Word?
In Romans 3:1-8, Paul begins to answer these objections and sets the stage for the clearest vindication of God’s faithfulness — the good news of true life in the Lord Jesus Christ.
*** We had some technical difficulties for our normal video/audio recording this week. By God's providence, we are happy that we had a backup room recorder that we were able to use.
In the previous passage the Apostle Paul explained how it is that God will justly judge sinful Gentiles who do not have the law. In this passage Paul turns his attention to God’s judgement of sinful Jews who have the law but do not keep it. The reality of God’s righteous judgment of unrighteous Jews and Gentiles is to lead all of us to the reality of our great need for the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
In this portion of Romans, the Apostle Paul has been laying out the bad news regarding the sinfulness of all people and the righteous judgment of God. Building upon the previous passage regarding God not showing partiality, with these verses Paul explains how it is that God will judge Gentiles even though they do not have the law. In considering these realities we are all shown our great need for Christ.
For quite some time, the elders of our church have been studying and discussing the roles of men and women related to the diaconate, concluding that our church should no longer have deaconesses. This two-part sermon series will help our church family better understand why we are making this change and revisit God’s glorious design for men and women in Christ’s church.
In Psalm 119 the psalmist shows us the beauty and necessity of getting God’s word rooted deep down in our heart. This is essential to living a life on a godly path that is full of praise and purpose.
Proponents of baptismal regeneration will often cite 1 Peter 3:21, which plainly states that “Baptism saves you.” Is that the final nail in the Baptist coffin? Was Peter confirming that baptism is the instrument God uses to bring about the new birth in the lives of His people? Through an examination of 1 Peter's context, we come to see that the apostle is making a much different point about baptism and salvation in the life of the believer. Rest assured, even Baptists can confess the truth of 1 Peter 3:21.
While so many in our day believe they are wise and loving for accepting, affirming, and celebrating homosexuality, this passage teaches us the very opposite. Homosexuality and any act like it are destructive sins that can be traced back to idolatry and the foolishness of exchanging the truth for a lie. Here again we are reminded of God’s righteous wrath and our great need for Jesus Christ.
As Protestant Christians, we believe that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice because it is the very word of God. Despite what some seem to think, God’s word has much to say about the civil government and Romans 13:1-7 is a key passage. With another important election, it will benefit us greatly to consider what God says about his purposes for, the authority of, and our relationship to the civil government.
We cannot rightly understand the good news of the gospel unless we have a proper understanding of the bad news. This bad news has to do with our unrighteousness before the Holy God who made us and what we deserve from God because of our sin. In this passage the apostle Paul explains this bad news which should cause those not yet trusting in Christ to turn from their sin and trust in Christ and cause those who trust in Christ to give thanks to God for the good news.
These two verses provide Paul’s thesis statement in Romans. Here Paul declares that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe and that the gospel reveals the righteousness of God. These great truths explain why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel and why we should not be ashamed of it either.
In this passage Paul shares his heart for the Romans, gives thanks to God for their faith in Christ and tells them of his desire to preach the gospel to them. Here we are reminded of the great blessing it is to be with other Christians and how we can strengthen and encourage one another.
Paul’s letter to the church in Rome contains the most in-depth exposition of the gospel which explains why John Calvin described it as “the doorway to the treasure of all scripture”. Throughout church history God has used this letter to open eyes, change hearts and bring glory to Christ. Romans 13:13 played an important role in Augustine’s conversion and Romans 1:17 helped Martin Luther understand justification by faith alone which was the spark that lit the flame of the Protestant Reformation. These first seven verses provide us with helpful context and put before us the main focus of this magnificent letter which is the gospel of God.
When we are in desperate times and our heart is faint we are to call out to the LORD for help. David experienced many desperate times and in this psalm he provides us with a powerful example of what it sounds like when God’s people call out to the Lord Jesus Christ who is our rock and refuge.
Have you ever been accused of something knowing you are in the right? How have you dealt with that? Have you been able to forgive others while looking to The Lord for your strength? In today's Psalm we will see how David, when unjustly accused by others, looks to God for His strength and steadfast love, asking Him for vindication and testing as he walks on the level ground only The Lord can provide.
What type of worship do you like? Answers to this question often include instruments, types of music and various stylistic preferences. While all of these things matter, the most important question to ask is what type of worship does God like? To put it a better way, what type of worship does God deserve? Psalm 33 helps answer this most important question.
The Christian life is a long and arduous journey. Yet all the while, it is centered on a matchless God and supported by His Spirit-born people. Psalm 134 demonstrates these matters in the lives of God's Old Testament people — and points us to discover their every blessing as God's new covenant saints.
In this psalm David speaks of one generation commending God’s works and mighty acts to another. The idea of one generation praising God to another makes this psalm especially fitting for our church’s 35th anniversary celebration. May God use our time in this psalm to help us praise him for another 35 years!
This Psalm gives us a great depiction of the heart of a faith-filled believer in a season of crisis. It’s a prayer and a petition to the covenant keeping God, full of devout affection toward Him. In it we’ll see the holy desires for God to show favor upon His people, the ask for deliverance from enemies and troubles as well as the plea of grace needed for the repentance of sins, and what it looks like to continue trusting and waiting on the promises of God.
This psalm is a corporate song of lament and a plea for God to act in response to the wicked actions of those who oppose God and his people. What are we who trust in Jesus Christ to think and do when we suffer and God’s name is dishonored? This psalm captures the reality of such times and gives us words to pray and sing.
Psalm 50 speaks directly to the reality of God’s coming judgement over the earth. Although there are many who think that He keeps silent about sin, Psalm 50 is a reminder that God is just and sin will not be overlooked.
This psalm unashamedly declares the glorious reality of God’s rule over all of his creation. Hearing the truth of God’s rule over everything and everyone even as we see wickedness around us is to strengthen the faith of God’s people and lead us to rejoice in the LORD our sovereign God.
In this royal psalm King David describes a ruler who is greater than himself, one who is his Lord and will sit at the right hand of the LORD. In the gospels Jesus refers to himself as the one that David was describing in this psalm and other New Testament passages make the same connection. This is a powerful and prophetic song that directs us to the glorious rule, the priestly work and the total triumph of Jesus Christ.
We have all had times when we’ve prayed earnestly for a certain thing to be given to us or a specific outcome to happen, but our prayers have seemingly been met by a lack of action. What is happening? Is God not hearing us? In Psalm 28, David faced a similar dilemma. We can learn much from his response to the situation he found himself in so many years ago.
In our first week back in the Psalms for the summer, we will explore the big picture of the Psalms as a 5-movement cantata with a connected theme. We will spend time digging into Psalm 15, a short Psalm written by David that asks a very important question and packs a big punch to our pride. In these 5 verses, we will explore what the ideal worshipper looks like, answer the question posed in the sermon title and see if we measure up (spoiler alert, we don't!). Lastly, we will seek to understand how it connects us to the Godman, Jesus.
Solomon closes the book of Ecclesiastes with imagery that provides a powerful picture of the theme repeated throughout the book that “all is vanity”. Rather than lead Solomon to despair this reality leads him to a final great exhortation that will be applied by all who are wise.
Solomon was a wise, wise teacher — yet there was much he did not and could not know.
In Ecclesiastes 11, we see how one ought to respond when the winds and rains of life acquaint us with uncertainty. Will we assume the haughty spirit of the flesh? Or will we humbly worship the Sovereign in spirit and in truth?
This chapter gives us an opportunity to feast on wisdom in the form of proverbs that cover a range of topics. As we have seen throughout our time in Ecclesiastes, wisdom is to be pursued for our good, the good of others and the glory of God. With this in mind may we by faith in Christ joyfully feast on the wisdom that is placed before us in this passage.
We don’t know the future, but we do know that both good and bad things happen to the righteous and to the wicked. In this section of Ecclesiastes Solomon affirms this reality and tells us how the wise live “under the sun” in a world that is not always fair. Such an understanding will keep us from wasting our days and help us enjoy God’s gifts by faith.
In chapter seven of Ecclesiastes Solomon explained how wisdom grows. In chapter eight he will explain what wisdom gives. Understanding what wisdom gives the believer will encourage us to continue pursuing wisdom for our good, the good of others and the glory of God.
As we continue in our series working through the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon helps us realize how seeking wisdom and righteousness from above is the only way to fullness of life, and how our own human wisdom and righteousness leads to pharisaical death.
It’s been said (and sung) that everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die. Something similar could be said about wisdom, everybody wants wisdom but nobody wants to go through what it takes to be wise. In this section of Ecclesiastes Solomon uses proverbs to explain how the wise grow in wisdom through difficulties. Understanding this helps the Christian trust the Lord in times of adversity.
The Preacher continues his observation of life under the sun by pointing out another common problem in the world that he calls “a grievous evil.” People often seek out wealth, fame and status as their ticket to joy and happiness. But true satisfaction in this life can only come from the peace provided by Jesus Christ through the gospel.
Solomon describes the dissatisfaction that accompanies the one who lives their life for wealth. However, wealth isn't bad in itself when life is lived for a greater satisfaction than what money can buy.
In previous chapters Solomon made observations about the world, the vanity of life and the sovereignty of God. In this passage Solomon tells us how we are to live in light of these realities exhorting us to not be fools but to fear God. His exhortations remind us that God is God, and we are not.
Solomon’s struggle with life under the sun continues as he considers the misuse of power, the result of envy, the loneliness of greed and the cycle of politics. Contemplating these realities will help us think biblically about the world and help us enjoy God’s good gifts.
There is a time, a season and a purpose for everything that happens in this life and there is more to this life than what we can see. Considering these realities causes Solomon to contemplate and to struggle with the sovereignty of God.
In this portion of Ecclesiastes Solomon struggles with the reality that life is not fair. Both the wise and the foolish will die and be forgotten. All who work hard to gain wealth must leave everything they have to others who did not earn it. Contemplating these realities will lead some to despair and others to trust God and enjoy the blessings of this life.
Having remembered and given thanks to God for the sin-atoning death of Jesus Christ we will gather again on Easter Sunday to rejoice in the resurrection. For not only did Christ die for us, Christ was also raised from the dead for us. This glorious reality of Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee of our justification and promises our resurrection. May our hearts overflow with joy this Easter because Christ was raised from the dead!
On Good Friday we will gather together to remember and give thanks to God for the sin-atoning death of Jesus Christ. Because Christ died for our sins we have been forgiven and reconciled to God. How great is the love, the grace and the goodness of our God who sent Christ to save us!
This passage will have us considering the limits of wisdom and pleasure. Both can be blessings but neither will satisfy our heart’s greatest desire. In the end, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes tells us that the pursuit of wisdom and pleasure becomes a striving after wind.
We will begin this sermon series on Ecclesiastes by considering who the author is, his purpose for writing and his struggles with the futility of life under the sun. Though considered by many to be a difficult, even discouraging book, Ecclesiastes will challenge us to think more deeply about life and reinforce the importance of knowing and living for Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ has given his church two ordinances, or sacraments; baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In this fifth and final sermon in our series on corporate worship, we will consider how baptism and the Lord’s Supper are new covenant signs that allow us to see the word.
Of all the places prayer is offered, church seems most obvious. But perhaps you've never examined why church must be a place where God's gathered people raise their petitions together in prayer. In this sermon on the corporate praying of the Word, we'll see from Ephesians how God is pleased to fulfill His purposes through the righteous wrestling of His people.
In this third sermon on corporate worship, we will be focusing on singing the Word. We will go over the biblical reasons why we sing to God, how singing is formational in our hearts, helps shape our affections no matter our circumstances, and how God's Word should be the focus of what we sing corporately.
We believe that the Bible, which is the inerrant, infallible and sufficient Word of God is the ultimate and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. For this reason the Holy Scriptures are to be central in corporate worship. In this second sermon in this sermon series the focus will be on the reading and the preaching of God’s Word in corporate worship on the Lord’s Day.
Our life as Christians is meant to be lived in community with other Christians. This is evident with the biblical metaphors for the church, which consistently portray a multitude of believers together—not isolated individuals doing their own thing. When God's chosen race, royal priesthood, and holy nation gather for corporate worship, these individual precious living stones are built up into a spiritual house, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. Join us as we begin our series on corporate worship and explore why and how it serves as a primary means for accomplishing our church's mission to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel, making disciples and treasuring Christ above all.
In the closing verses of Paul’s epistle to Titus we find far more than travel plans and formal pleasantries. These final instructions reinforce the importance of godly leadership and good works, both of which have been Paul’s priorities throughout the letter. Paul’s concluding words also provide the church with practical examples of Christian love and the type of good works we are to be zealous for.
The apostle Paul has made it clear throughout the epistle to Titus that the gospel changes the way that Christian’s live. This emphasis on believer’s doing good continues throughout the last section of the letter as Paul instructs Titus “to insist on these things”. This passage also contains valuable instructions on how the church is to respond to those who are not devoted to doing good evident by the division they cause in Christ’s church.
In Titus 3:3 we are told what we all were before God saved us. We “… were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” In Titus 3:4-7 we are told how God saved us and who we are now that God has saved us. May these great gospel truths increase our joy and cause us to worship the God who saved us.
In the first two chapters of Paul’s letter to Titus the focus is mainly on the church and how Christians are to interact with one another. In these verses Paul’s focus shifts to how Christians should interact with those outside of the church, specifically, rulers and authorities in the civil government. This passage provides practical teaching and theologically reasoning behind such interactions.
In a culture where our actions are dictated by our feelings, God’s Word reveals that our actions should be dictated by truth. Join us this week as pastor Matt Jantz unpacks the connection between truth and godliness out of Titus 2:11-15.
For some time we have made it our practice for the last or the first sermon of the year to be connected to the doctrine of scripture. Along with being an opportunity to reinforce and strengthen understanding of the Bible this sermon is used to encourage daily Bible reading in the new year. With the last Sunday of 2023 being New Year’s Eve day, this sermon on the authority of the Bible will have us ending this year and beginning next year with the Word of God.
To help us joyously celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ we are spending three sermons considering the incarnation. Last week, Pastor Luke spoke about the humanity of Christ. In this sermon we will look at what Colossians 1:15-22 teaches us about Jesus’ divinity and why it is essential to our salvation.
To help us joyously celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ we will spend the next three sermons considering the incarnation. In this sermon we will look at what Galatians 4:4-5 teaches us about Jesus’ humanity and why it is essential to our salvation.
In part one of the sermon “What Christian Women Are to Be” the focus was on what Titus 2:3-5 teaches is to be true of the older women in the church who are to be training the young women. In part two, the focus will be on what this passage teaches is to be true of the young women in the church. At a time when so many, including many professing Christians, reject the important and unique role that God has given to women, it is imperative that the Christian church believes and applies what God’s word teaches about women.
Regardless of what the Lord has called you to in this life, you have an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a most-glorious thing. You—yes, you—can adorn the doctrine of God through a life of humble integrity.
Having previously considered what this passage teaches about Christian men, we now turn our attention to what this passage says Christian women are to be. As the culture around us increasingly opposes what God’s word says women are to be, it is of great importance that the church unashamedly teaches such things.
To all who know the weariness of working to control your every circumstance — and even God Himself — Scripture offers a better, more refreshing way: walking humbly with our God.
A terribly wicked and destructive false teaching has taken root in the minds of many today. This false teaching has left people unable (or unwilling) to understand something as basic and fundamental as what a man is and what a woman is. In such confused times it is of the utmost importance that Christ’s church understands and teaches not only what men and women are but what they are to be. In this passage Paul gives the church instruction on what older and younger Christian men are to be.
Our works are not the basis of our justification. However, justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone does not mean that our works don’t matter. Scripture teaches us that one’s works can be evidence of saving faith or of false faith. In these verses the apostle Paul explains that though the false teachers in Crete professed to know God their works denied God revealing that their faith was a false faith. Considering what these works were and how they denied God will help us avoid false teachers and their message today.
The nicest boys in church are often encouraged to be pastors. While being nice can make conversations with a pastor more pleasant, being nice is not a requirement for pastoral ministry. In fact, this passage teaches us that there will be times when a pastor cannot be nice, at least not a faithful one.
When churches use the world’s standards to choose their pastors instead of the Lord’s standards the result is often worldly and weak churches. These verses record more of the Lord’s standards for pastors in Christ’s church telling us the type of man an elder must be to lead in Christ’s church.
We will continue our expositional series in Titus in chapter one, verses five through six. In this text we will see that Paul's emphasis to Titus is to provide order to the church in Crete and the first order of business is to appoint elders. This appointing and the qualifications associated with it will begin here in our verses and continue in weeks to come, however we will be first starting off primary qualifications for these leaders within the church.
In the opening words of his letter to Titus the apostle Paul makes it clear who he is and his reason for writing. Paul calls himself a slave of God… a slave? Yes! He is a man who knows that he belongs to the LORD and does what he does for the sake of the faith of God’s elect. A title like slave of God reveals much about who Paul is and his apostolic ministry. In these first four verses we also get a sense of the focus of this pastoral letter and the type of relationship that Paul had with Titus.
This fourth and final sermon will build upon the foundations laid in the previous three sermons to answer some of the important questions regarding when children in our church family should be baptized. We will consider matters like false assurance, the role and authority of parents, and the connection between baptism and church membership.
In this third of four sermons on the purpose and practice of baptism we will consider what it means that baptism is an ordinance of the New Covenant as well as the benefits and blessings of this New Covenant ordinance appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the first sermon in this series, we considered the importance of baptism in light of Peter’s words at Pentecost and Jesus’ words in The Great Commission. In this second sermon we will consider what baptism is and why it is important in relation to the New Covenant.
In this first sermon in this four-part sermon series, we will consider what baptism is and why it is so important. May God use these sermons in the life of our church to increase our understanding and strengthen our joy in Christ.
There is no distinction; the troubles of this life come for everybody, even believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our response to those troubles is where an important distinction emerges, however. Do we respond in God-centered maturity, or do we respond in a self- and circumstance-centered way? Psalm 80 demonstrates the anatomy of a mature response to life's troubles — and even presents an indicator as to what extent we are believing the very gospel we claim to uphold.
This psalm begins and ends with a bold call for God’s people to give praise to the LORD. In between these unashamed calls for praise the psalmist proclaims truths about who God is and what God has done for his people. These truths are to lead all who know and fear the LORD to bless the LORD with praise.
When people are lying about us, and our reputation is wrongly being attacked, it can feel like we are surrounded by our enemies and there is no escape. In such cases what should we do? To whom should we turn? This psalm answers such questions.
We are called to praise God with our whole hearts. But what does that mean? In this Psalm, we will see what it looks like to praise God wholeheartedly and how remembering the Lord’s wonderful deeds gives us confidence to trust, praise, and thank Him for the future grace that will be supplied to those who know the name of the Lord. We will also be reminded and encouraged of God’s final verdict on the wicked and His glorious vindication of the righteous.
Many think that authority, whether it be in the family, in the church or in the state, is a necessary evil. However, such thinking doesn’t align with scripture. God created these institutions (or governments) and the Apostle Paul writes that “…there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). The evil is not that there are people in authority but that there are evil people in authority. What we should desire and pray for is that those in authority over us are good and Psalm 101 provides us with a picture of such a man.
In this very familiar and beloved psalm, David, through knowing and trusting in God’s character and His ways, brings us a better understanding of what it means to grow in confidence in Him, trusting Him for our protection, guidance, and sanctification no matter the trial or season.
Psalm 93 is a short psalm, only 5 verses. But what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in what it contains for it proclaims a glorious and great truth… the LORD reigns! With our time in Psalm 93 we will consider what it means that the LORD reigns and how this truth brings great joy and comfort to all who repent and trust in Christ.
For the follower of Jesus Christ, repentance is not a one-time thing. We have a continual need to repent of our continual sin. Repentance must be the framework upon which our lives operate. Psalm 143 gives us a glimpse into how this works out in the life of one who is pursuing godliness in the midst of trials.
Psalm 67 has been rightly described as a missionary psalm because of its focus on the nations praising God. This is a song that so wonderfully shows the connection between a believer’s joy in God and a believer's desire for the nations to be glad in God. As we make our way through this psalm, we are reminded of one of God’s reasons for blessing us and how our gladness in God is to extend out to others.
Psalm 29 was most likely written as King David reflects on the voice of the Lord in the midst of a great storm. The Psalm commands God's people to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name and in doing so, it speaks to a deep struggle that we all face. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Matt Jantz unpacks that struggle and points us to the only One who can satisfy our hearts.
This celebratory psalm was written by David to be sung by the king and his people to give thanks to the LORD for victory in battle. As the people of God, it is good and right to rejoice in the LORD and give him thanks for all that he has and will do for us. May this song of victory lead us to rejoice in and exalt the Lord Jesus.
In this royal psalm the king asks God to give him victory over his enemies. This godly king desires the Lord to bless him so that his people are blessed. What this psalm teaches us about a godly king and his people can be applied in various ways to all types of leaders and points us to our great King, Jesus Christ.
Heartache is a staple of the human condition. It is a consequence of the fall. Heartache can come for a wide variety of reasons and is borne out of any number of circumstances, but one thing is clear — we all experience it. What do you do when your heart aches? Where do you turn? Where is your hope found? Psalm 39 gives us some answers.
In the closing verses of the book of Obadiah the LORD promises to do two things; destroy and build. First, God promises to destroy Edom and all those who are wicked towards his people, this destruction will come by way of God’s judgment and is tied to “the day of the Lord”. Second, the LORD promises to build his kingdom, this glorious truth is how the book of Obadiah ends and it points us to Christ’s rule over all.
It's not enough to know what God's Word says. We must also understand why God says what He says in His Word. Obadiah's prophecy provides a fitting example. God’s charges against Edom are the clear what of verses 10-14, but why were these words recorded in Scripture and how do they apply to our lives today?
Pride deceives the wicked into thinking they are safe. But the LORD will bring down all who oppose him and harm his people. These are just some of the truths declared in Obadiah, a short but powerful book that is part of a collection of books known as the Minor Prophets. In this first of three sermons in Obadiah we will consider the background and context of this prophetic book and what God says about the pride of Edom which can be applied to many today.
As we finish our last paragraph in Luke's gospel, we will focus on the ascension of Christ into heaven. We look to His ascension as we celebrate His preordained accomplishments while here on earth and look forward to the promise of His return!
In these verses we find Luke’s account of the Great Commission. Here the resurrected Jesus Christ not only commissions his disciples, he also prepares and promises them provision. This preparation and provision will help them and all who follow in their footsteps proclaim Christ and his gospel to all the nations.
The disciples’ excitement continued to increase as word spread that Jesus was alive and appearing to people like Cleopas and his traveling companion. As they were talking about these things, they were surprised by Jesus who stood among them and greeted them with these wonderful words… “Peace to you”. However, thinking that they were seeing a ghost, rather than experiencing peace they were gripped by fear. Jesus proceeded to show them that he was not a ghost because he had been bodily raised from the dead. In this passage the Lord’s great patience towards his people is displayed and the importance of believing in Jesus’ bodily resurrection is reinforced.
In part 2 of 2 in our text describing Jesus walking with two of His followers on the road to Emmaus, we will be digging into the awe and excitement that must have been in their hearts as they walked together; with Jesus opening up the scriptures with them and even breaking bread together, ending with the joy of fellowship as they returned to Jerusalem to share in their exuberance. How similar do we feel as we gather in worshiping Christ together!
In this passage we find the exciting story about two people who unknowingly took a long walk with the recently resurrected Jesus. Sad, and struggling to understand Jesus’ death and to believe the reports of his resurrection, our Lord rebuked them and explained from the Old Testament how the scriptures foretold these things. This passage exhorts those struggling with doubt to believe the gospel and provides a great lesson in evangelism and discipleship.
Jesus had said that he would die and on the third day he would rise, it happened just as he foretold. But the women who first saw the empty tomb were perplexed, the disciples struggled to believe it, and Peter ran to the tomb and marveled at what he saw. He is risen! He is risen indeed! And this changes everything! Because Jesus was raised chaos will be put in order, destruction will end and death itself will die. All praise and glory be to the risen King!
Nothing is darker than sin. And when all of the sin committed by all of the people who have lived and will live throughout all time is concentrated in one place and placed upon one person, it creates a darkness that can be felt. That is exactly what happened in Jerusalem on a spring afternoon so many years ago. Jesus willingly took our sin upon himself so that we could be clothed in his righteousness and thus bring glory to God the Father.
The suffering of Christ continued when he was nailed to the cross and lifted up to die between two criminals. It is hard to comprehend the amount and the extent of the suffering that the Lord Jesus endured before he died to reconcile sinners to God. Along with recording more of this suffering, these verses reveal how Jesus’ crucifixion fulfilled scripture and provide us with a powerful summary of the two ways to respond to the crucified King.
Having been cleared of guilt but still sentenced to death Jesus was led to the place where he would be crucified. The severe beating Jesus had unjustly endured made it difficult for him to carry the weight of the cross piece of wood that he would be nailed to. Possibly motivated by impatience, pity or both, the soldiers seized a traveler who had come to celebrate the Passover and made him carry the cross to Calvary. This passage records more of the suffering our Savior endured for us, displays the providence of God and foreshadows the judgment that has and will come to those who reject Christ.
After several weeks of preaching on the christian family, our church will be returning to our focus on the book of Luke. In this passage we see God’s justice orchestrated in His perfect timing through injustices that were prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New. We will learn more of how God works through His people to accomplish His will, even in the midst of our sinfulness.
With the fifth commandment God commands children to honor their father and mother and makes a promise to children who keep this commandment. Having previously considered the role and responsibility of fathers (and mothers), in this fifth and final sermon in our series on the Christian family we will consider what it means for children to obey their parents in the Lord, why this is right, and the role and responsibility of children in a Christian family.
We continue our series on the Christian family by turning our attention to the role of parents with the focus being especially on fathers. In Ephesians 6:4 Paul gives fathers a negative command telling them not to provoke their children to anger and a positive command to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Paul’s instructions reveal the important role that God has given to fathers as well as sins that fathers are prone towards. This sermon will address how fathers follow these commands, how mothers can help fathers obey God’s word and what to do when there is no father.
In the previous sermon we considered both the importance of understanding that marriage is a covenant instituted by God and the instructions that Paul gives in Ephesians 5 to the husband to love his wife “as Christ loved the church”. In this sermon we will turn our focus to Paul’s instructions to the wife in Ephesians 5 to submit to her husband “as to the Lord” and what it means that the husband is the head of the wife “even as Christ is the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23). What God’s word teaches us about submission and headship is often controversial, even unacceptable to many Christians today. But if we are going to get the Christian family right, we need to understand these important things and then by faith obey God's word.
To get the Christian family right we need to get marriage right and getting marriage right requires that husbands understand and obey what God’s word instructs them to do. In this sermon we will consider the covenant of marriage, the instructions that Paul gives to the husband and what it looks like for Christian husbands to obey these instructions.
The Bible begins and ends with references to the family, teaches us where the family comes from, its purposes and how a family is to function. Simply put, God has much to say about the family! This first of five sermons on the Christian family will provide an overview of one of the most in-depth passages on the family, Ephesians 5:22-6:4. In this series we will consider what God’s word says about the family, how the current culture upholds or opposes what God’s word teaches us and what makes a family a Christian family.
For many today ‘thanksgiving’ is a yearly tradition, but not a daily practice. Most Christians know that the Bible calls us to be ‘thankful’, but we seem to miss that the Bible also calls us to ‘give thanks’. In this sermon we are going to do a short study on some of the New Testament passages that speak to thanksgiving to get a better grasp on the impact and significance of it in the Christian life.
In his book “Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global” Andy Johnson writes “It’s estimated that more than a million North Americans participate in short-term mission trips overseas each year, up from an estimated twenty-five thousand in 1980. During this same period, long-term missionaries from North America have only increased slightly, if at all. This trend prevails in other nations too. What are we to make of this massive shift of resources? Is it a good or bad thing?” In this fourth and final sermon in our missions and church planting series we will seek to answer these and other questions by looking at some of Paul’s closing instructions to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4.
The first sermon in this series established that the ultimate purpose of missions and church planting is the glory of God. This second sermon will focus on why planting churches is to be the priority in missions. As we consider our Lord's command in the Great Commission may our resolve be strengthened and our joy in Christ increase.
Many Christians recognize the importance of missions and the need for church planting. In this first of four sermons on our church’s vision for missions and church planting we will consider the ultimate purpose of missions and church planting. Recognizing, remembering, and rejoicing in this ultimate purpose will help fuel and sustain our missions and church planting efforts.
As we focus on prioritizing our lives in every way on Christ, and continue to realize the gift of living for Jesus is who we have become as believers, we will dig even deeper into our understanding of the sufficiency, inerrancy, and clarity of The Word, hopefully leading us all to have the desire to read it even more for all it’s worth and live by it on a daily basis!
We are told that when the shepherds made known to Mary what the angel had told them concerning Jesus Christ, she “treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” This Christmas we will gather on the Lord’s Day to do these same things, we will treasure up and ponder Jesus Christ.
Jesus' trial and eventual crucifixion was the greatest injustice this world has ever seen. He was innocent in every way and yet the people were determined to kill him. As Jesus stood before the Jewish council, Pilate, and Herod, their hard hearts were put on full display. The just Judge was being judged by unjust men. Join us this week as Matt Jantz walks us through how Jesus' trial exposes the hearts of wicked men.
Throughout his ministry Jesus foretold many things. In this passage we see one of the saddest of the Lord’s predictions come true. The disciple Peter, who had professed his willingness to die for Jesus publicly denies knowing Jesus three times. Abandoning Christ was one of, if not the most shameful things Peter ever did. However, the Lord did not abandon Peter in his shame showing us that there is hope for deniers.
A person's strength can be shown in many ways and on the night our Lord was betrayed his strength was on display. We can see the glory of Jesus’ strength in what he prayed, in what he said and in his refusal to backdown to the power of darkness. May all who have eyes to see be in awe of the glorious strength of Jesus Christ!
In this conversation that Jesus had with Peter, we are given unique insight on how Christ intercedes for and preserves his people; not even Satan can take the Lord’s people from him. Jesus then speaks of his substitutionary death and how it will impact the disciples and their ministry. There are truths in this passage that will strengthen the believer and there are challenging realities for us to apply.
Having just heard that one of them would betray Jesus, the disciples begin to argue over which of them is the greatest. It’s quite revealing that in the midst of the one who is truly the greatest of all time (the GOAT) and with the cross nearing when our great Savior would accomplish his great work of atoning for the sins of his people, the disciples were consumed with pride. From this passage we learn much about the sin of pride, Christian leadership and what it really means to be great.
We don’t often think of the significance of Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper. Not only was Jesus setting up a meal of remembrance, He was also doing away with the Old Covenant and ushering in the New Covenant. In this meal, everything changed. Join us this Sunday as Matt Jantz walks us through the significance of this meal.
As we continue in our text, immediately following the Olivet Discourse, we will focus on how Jesus prepares Himself as our sacrificial lamb for the Passover feast and meal, the last supper. To much of the surprise and dismay of the chief priests and scribes, their plan to kill Jesus is not only going to bring damnation on themselves, but as part of God’s plan, bring salvation to the world!
The last part of Jesus’ answer to the disciples' question about the timing of the destruction of the temple includes two warnings; watch yourselves and stay awake. These important warnings from our Lord are applicable to every generation of Christians and Christ’s church must heed them today.
In this portion of the Olivet Discourse Jesus uses a parable to help the disciples understand “when these things” will take place. While helping us better understand what Jesus has said previously these verses also remind us that God’s word will not pass away!
This portion of the Olivet Discourse is one of the more debated sections. Is Jesus describing events that have already taken place or too events that will happen in the future? Is Jesus speaking about his second coming? And what about the phrase “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” in the previous verse? In this sermon we will consider the different views on these verses and how these verses can be applied today.
Having previously explained what will happen before the temple is destroyed. In this portion of the Olivet Discourse Jesus answers the disciples’ question regarding how the temple will be desolated. God will use another nation to judge unbelieving and unfaithful Israel, justice will be done. This righteous judgment is a fulfillment of God’s word and a sobering reminder to both God’s holiness and our great need for God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
When answering the question about when the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed Jesus stated that there would be persecution. Within this portion of the Lord’s answer, he both prepares and promises his people. In this sermon we will consider how these preparations and promises impacted the disciples then and how they can be applied to us today.
After Jesus says the temple will be destroyed his confused disciples ask a question that the Lord will answer with the rest of Luke 21. His answer begins with a warning of what not to look for and what must first take place. All who desire to remain faithful to Christ and the gospel would be wise to consider and apply Jesus’ words in these verses.
In 70 AD the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, which was at the very center of Israelite worship, would be completely destroyed just as Jesus foretold in Luke 21. It’s difficult to overemphasize how shocking Jesus’ pronouncement was to those who heard it as well as the significance of the Temple’s destruction in salvation history.
Having called out the wicked hypocrisy among the religious leaders Jesus then notices a poor widow who he points to as an example of how his followers are to live and give. She is the anti-scribe teaching us valuable lessons as we seek to serve and treasure Christ our Lord.
God’s Word does many things, but sugar-coating the difficulties of life in this world isn’t one of them. So how do we walk through the significant suffering that awaits us without growing bitter, resentful, and unrighteously angry? Hear the prayer of Psalm 137—along with other exiles in Scripture—and see how God will establish your suffering steps on the paths of His righteousness.
Psalm 115 is a call for God’s people to ascribe all glory to Him and not to man; to trust solely in the Lord and not in the worthless idols of this world. We will be reminded that because the Lord has remembered His people, most notably in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can expect future grace and blessings. Therefore, for these reasons and many more, we are exhorted to praise the Lord now and forevermore!
This individual lament starts with David speaking of his suffering abandonment by God and ends in a worldwide assembly of God’s people bowing before Him in worship. In it, David reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His people and it points toward His ultimate deliverance through Christ, the perfect, sinless, innocent sufferer and sacrifice. We will ask ourselves how we are to trust God even in the most difficult of times filled with pain and anguish, and to be reminded that our ultimate answered prayer comes in knowing Him, receiving His forgiveness, and being with Him for eternity in heaven.
Our God is a glorious God who is worthy of all of our thanks and praise. This Psalm examines some of the things God’s people ought to thank and praise him for, while at the same time, revealing some insight into what our God is like.
Though you won't find Jerusalem on most lists of the ancient world's wonders, the city was rich with a glory and significance derived from God Himself. As Psalm 87 indicates, this not only made Jerusalem a wonder in its own day, it also anticipated the revelation of God's glory in our own. That—and much more—is what Jerusalem has to do with you.
Life is full of suffering. At times it can be difficult for us to think rightly about God and ourselves as we go through various struggles. Join us this Sunday as Matt Jantz walks us through Psalm 57 where we learn from David what it looks like to look to God in the midst of our suffering.
In this week’s psalm, we see the Psalmist being persistent in his prayer, lifting up the cup of salvation, calling on the name of The Lord and giving Him praise for who He is and what He continues to do for those who are loved by Him. Join us this week in learning how we are given the opportunity to do the same.
What does it mean to make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth? Does just "any noise" work or is there more that we should be doing? Why does the Psalmist call us to respond to God in the authoritative ways that he does in Psalm 100? It's almost as if God is our King or something? Join Pastor Drew as he digs into the truths of Psalm 100 and reminds us that God is our King, He is Good, and His steadfast love endures forever and that the implications of these truths are "life giving" as they apply to the church and future generations of Christians.
This psalm reminds the believer that their salvation is not in self or in other people but in God alone. For God is our mighty rock, our fortress, and our refuge, his love is steadfast and all who trust in the LORD will be saved.
David argues that those who have God as their refuge, greatest treasure, and source for wisdom need not fear death. For these, death is the portal to eternal pleasures with God. God wants His faithful people to enjoy the fullness of joy with Him forever. This is what Jesus purchased for you on the Cross. Does that make you want to shout for joy?
This psalm is part of the “Songs of Ascents” which were often sung by Israelites as they made their “ascent” up to Jerusalem for the various religious celebrations and festivals. This song teaches God’s people the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
In this community lament, we see the psalmist speaking to God in times when the people are weary, at first crying out in their low condition, then by reflecting upon God's works and character, is reminded of God's faithfulness and power. We will ask ourselves who and what we turn to in times of trouble and how our souls are served best by cultivating our minds on the Word of God through Jesus and His Gospel!
The psalms are songs that exalt God and capture the experience of his people. This psalm calls those who have tasted and seen the Lord’s goodness to give him thanks. It is also a song that teaches wisdom as it records the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord.
With this prophetic parable Jesus again confronts the wicked religious leaders who have wasted opportunities, ignored warnings and opposed God. From it we are reminded that God is patient, God's patience will not last forever and Jesus Christ is the only cornerstone.
The Jewish religious leaders responded to Jesus cleansing the temple by questioning his authority. They did not believe that Jesus had the authority to do what he did that day in the temple. Jesus answered their question about his authority with a question of his own. His response teaches us about the authority of Jesus Christ and the folly of playing games with the Lord.
God had a great purpose for the Temple in Jerusalem, but powerful religious leaders turned it into a lucrative business using it to rob the people. Only days before his death on the cross Jesus drives out those seeking to steal from those who have come to pray and worship God. His righteous response teaches us much about God, greed, and holy anger.
In Luke 9:22 Jesus foretold his death and resurrection stating that, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Jesus made many other statements like this in the Gospel of Luke about the necessity of his death and resurrection. This year for Good Friday and Easter Sunday we will take time to consider Jesus' statements in the gospel of Luke about why he had to die and why he had to rise. The aim of these two sermons will be to help us worship God and to increase our joy in the gospel.
In Luke 9:22 Jesus foretold his death and resurrection stating that, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Jesus made many other statements like this in the Gospel of Luke about the necessity of his death and resurrection. This year for Good Friday and Easter Sunday we will take time to consider Jesus' statements in the gospel of Luke about why he had to die and why he had to rise. The aim of these two sermons will be to help us worship God and to increase our joy in the gospel.
Jesus’ arrival in the city of Jerusalem on what is now called Palm Sunday was a significant moment in salvation history. The blessed King who comes in the name of the Lord had come to the City of David and many responded rightly to Jesus that day. As we consider the significance of the events surrounding Palm Sunday, we would do well to consider our own response to King Jesus.
With Jesus at the doorstep of Jerusalem there was much excitement in the air. The expectation of many was that Jesus' arrival in the holy city would usher in the kingdom of God resulting in a time of great blessing for God’s people. Rather than fan the flame of excitement Jesus told this sobering parable about servants giving an account for what they are given that teaches us not to waste what God has entrusted to us.
This scripture passage will have us looking at the beloved story about a small man named Zacchaeus who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. It is a heartwarming passage that records a surprising conversion, displays true repentance, and even includes a little humor. There is much for us in this story about a small man who was lost but found by a great Savior.
While traveling to Jerusalem, Jesus asks this question of a blind beggar he encountered along the roadside. We need to ask ourselves the same question - What do we want Jesus to do for us? Oftentimes, the things we ask from him do not address our deepest or most urgent needs.
In the previous passage Jesus said that we must receive the kingdom of God like a child. In this passage we find a man who does the very opposite. Jesus’ response to the man’s question “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” exposed the sinful condition of the man’s heart and helps us see our great need for the gospel.
In this passage Jesus uses a parable to expose the sin of self-righteousness and then uses children to teach us how we must receive the kingdom of God. This text reminds us that in the Kingdom of God the way up is down and the way in is for the small.
Are you tired, overwhelmed, heavy hearted, feeling discouraged? Jesus Christ knew that there would be times when his followers burdened by the sorrows of this life and the difficulties they faced would want to give up. In this passage Jesus tells a parable about a determined widow and an unjust judge to teach us about God and to exhort us not to lose heart but to continue in prayer.
The Pharisees wanted Jesus to tell them when the Kingdom of God would come. It was a good question. After all, Jesus does teach us to pray for the kingdom to come. Rather than respond with a specific date Jesus explains how God’s Kingdom will come and what must happen first. Jesus’ words in this passage can provide much help to those who trust in him and are a sobering warning for those who don’t.
What happened when ten lepers saw Jesus? While remaining at a “safe” distance they lifted up their voices to cry out loudly for mercy. They wanted Jesus to give them what they didn’t deserve… healing. In response, our merciful Lord showed them mercy by cleansing them of their leprosy. One of the ten former lepers wasn’t content with just returning to his “normal” pre-leprosy life, he turned back praising God with a loud voice and fell at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. In looking at this man’s response we find what is to be our response to God’s marvelous mercy.
When we became Christians, things changed; God gave us a new heart, we began to serve a new master, we now worship and enjoy God. In many cases our relationships and responsibilities have not changed. What has changed is that now our relationships are to be guided by the gospel and our responsibilities must be viewed under the Lordship of Christ.
To have healthy community groups that help us accomplish our church’s mission we need to have healthy community group leaders. In this fourth and final sermon in our community groups sermon series the focus will be on leadership discipleship.
In this third of four sermons in our community groups sermon series, the focus will be on how we are called to spiritually care for the people that God has in our church and how the structure of care and biblical counseling help focus us all on Jesus as we grow in Him.
In this second of four sermons in our community groups sermon series the focus will be on the great commission and how our community groups help us make (and grow as) disciples.
This first of four sermons in our community groups sermon series will focus on the big picture by laying down a biblical foundation for community groups, answering important questions and giving the ultimate purpose of our community groups. For those in a community group this series will serve as a reminder and help. For those not currently in a group, this series will serve as an encouragement to join and commit to a community group at Woodridge.
If joy is atop the list of your personal priorities, then the Word of God should be right there with it. The two are inextricably tied together, and that’s just one of many reasons why we must strive to get God’s Word right.
On the surface one might think Jesus is teaching that rich people go to hell and poor people go to heaven. However, Jesus often used parables to correct misunderstandings or misperceptions about God. He would put forward a common belief then proceed to turn it upside down. Parables are highly figurative stories designed to enlighten those receptive to God while at the same time blind those closed to God. We will seek to understand what Jesus is turning upside down in this teaching. The purpose of turning a common belief upside down is to shock us into action. Let's explore this parable to see what God wants to shock us into acting on.
All of us serve someone or something and we cannot serve two masters. Either God will be our master or someone or something else will be. With the parable of the shrewd or dishonest manager Jesus tells his followers not to waste what God has entrusted to them but to be faithful stewards for God their master. We cannot, fool God, the Lord knows our hearts, and we will give an account for how we use what God has given to us. Who do you serve? Who is your master?
Most know this parable as the parable of the prodigal son, but it could just as easily be known as the parable of the angry son. Because in this parable Jesus not only speaks of a younger prodigal son who after leaving his family and squandering his inheritance repents and returns to his father who joyfully receives his son. The parable also tells of an older son who refuses to join in celebrating his younger brother’s return and is angry at his father’s response. This parable about a father and his two sons can teach us much about God’s grace, true repentance, and the dangers of self-righteousness.
In response to the Pharisees’ grumbling about Jesus’ associating with tax collectors and sinners, our Savior relates three parables illustrating how important repentance is to the process of lost people being found and the joy and celebration that the repentance of one sinner brings to the halls of heaven.
Many have been told that all they must do is have faith, that being a Christian is easy. It is certainly true that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace accomplished by the work of Jesus Christ to be received by faith alone, but it is also true that this free gift will cost you everything. In this passage, Jesus tells those who are considering following him to count the cost of discipleship, because following Jesus is not cheap, it is costly.
Though the evils of the world are ever before us, those who belong to Jesus as not without hope. The gospel is sure, and all its mysterious depths have been revealed for the good of God's people—those He is pleased to call "friends."
We are often encouraged to be self-centered, to do what makes us happy, what is best for us, to put ourselves first. But in Philippians 2:3 we are instructed to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” In James 3:16 we read “where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” God’s word teaches us that selfishness is not good, it is sin, that we are to seek to put God and others first. However, self-centeredness can be hard to recognize and expose, especially in our own hearts. In this passage the Lord Jesus exposes self-centeredness and its consequences.
For God’s people the city of Jerusalem was the very center of political and religious life so one would think that with Jesus’ arrival Jerusalem would be full of spiritual life. But the reality was the very opposite. Under the authority of a pagan Roman Caesar an evil, corrupt, brutal man was ruling over the Jewish people. Instead of being a place of worship to the one true and Holy God the temple had become a for-profit business that served the greedy religious elite. In this passage the Lord Jesus demonstrates his commitment to and his confidence in God’s plan as he defies a tyrant and laments the spiritual state of Jerusalem.
What do a mustard seed, leaven, and a narrow door have in common? They were all used by Jesus to teach on a topic central in his teaching, the Kingdom of God. In this passage Jesus uses these three ordinary things to explain something extraordinary - what the Kingdom of God is like and who will enter it.
In this passage Jesus shows concern for a woman who was suffering. Jesus sees her, he calls her to come to him, he lays his hands on her and Jesus heals her. The woman’s response to being healed by Jesus is to glorify God. In this passage we also find a religious man who is so angry with Jesus for healing the woman on the Sabbath that instead of joining her in glorifying God the man tries to send people away. This passage displays Jesus’ heart for suffering people and shows us how to and how not to respond to God’s grace.
Continual repentance is a way of life for the Christian. We are sinners. We sin. But the one who repents and trusts Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of his sins will live. The one that does not will die. In this passage Jesus uses current events of the time and a parable to drive this message home.
Jesus Christ brings peace to all who turn from their sin and trust in him by reconciling his redeemed to God and to one another. But Christ also brings division between those whose hearts bow to the Prince of Peace and those who reject him. In this passage this division and reconciliation are on display as our Lord both prepares his people for one of the most difficult divisions we may experience because of him and calls those who are not yet reconciled to see their need to be reconciled.
Whether a student preparing for a big test, an athlete preparing for a big game, or a laborer preparing for a big job it’s important to be ready. In this passage Jesus calls all who follow him to be ready, to live our lives in such a way that we are always ready for Jesus Christ. There is no one more important to be ready for than the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you ready?
Life gives us many things to worry about. Money, relationships, our jobs. Jesus, however, gives us better reasons NOT to worry. Join us this week as Matt Jantz walks us through Luke 12:22-34 and Jesus’ command to not be anxious.
Within this Sunday’s scripture passage Jesus states “…the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” This statement has shocked, confused, and even caused some Christians to ask, have I committed the unforgivable sin? In this sermon we will consider what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit and look at the other important statements that Jesus makes in this passage regarding discipleship and the work of the Holy Spirit.
So much of our world today is wrapped up in materialism and the idols that develop in our hearts from greed. In this sermon we will see how, through an interaction Jesus has with a man within the forming crowd around Him, and through sharing a parable with His disciples, He addressed one’s heart surrounding the accumulation of wealth and how we are to live lives that are rich toward God.
After an intense meal with a group of Pharisees and scribes that included Jesus pronouncing judgements on both groups, we are told that the Pharisees and scribes wanted to provoke Jesus, and that they were lying in wait in order to catch him. With this meal, really this confrontation, fresh in their minds, Jesus turns his attention to his disciples to prepare them to press on in the midst of great opposition by way of warning them about some of the dangers they will face. These warnings from our Savior are just as important for the church today for we face the same dangers.
In Psalm 46 we see that the Lord is with us and is our refuge in a world full of disease, natural disasters, and violence. And that's not all.
When we see or hear something amazing our eyes focus on it, our ears hone in on it. If what we see and hear is especially amazing, wonderful, or awesome we will tell others and invite them to come see and hear. This is what the psalmist does in Psalm 66. He invites everyone to come and see what God has done, to come and hear about the awesome God who saves and to respond by joining him in worshiping God. This psalm serves as a great example for Christians to follow, for we have also seen and heard and now we are to tell others. We are to invite everyone to come see and hear about what God has done and to join us in worshiping our awesome God who saves.
Despite what we've come to expect from sitcom storytelling, the pains of life in a fallen world can’t be resolved in 30 minutes or less. Debilitating despair is a grim reality, even among believers in Jesus. Yet in the midst of our laments, the gospel sustains the hearts of those who long to know the favor of the Lord. Through weakness, tears, and sleepless nights, the lips of God's people can still sing His praise—because His steadfast love can always be trusted.
God is truly good to his people, rescuing, providing for, and protecting those who “fear him” and “hope in his steadfast love”. This psalm was written to remind us of God’s goodness and call us to respond rightly to God by singing his praises. Each section of the psalm contains a call to worship God followed by reasons to sing God’s praises that are to fuel our worship. May God use our time together in Psalm 147 to remind us of his goodness and to cause us to sing his praises.
This psalm provides profound insight into how sin can affect us physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. In making our way through this psalm we will be warned of the sorrows that can come from our sin, shown what true repentance looks and sounds like, and pointed to our faithful God who does not forsake us when we sin but disciplines us out of love and for our good. Sin is heavy and lonely, but God is strong and near.
Throughout history, the Lord has been faithful in delivering his people. He often achieves this victory by means of judgement on the enemies and adversaries who plague them. In Psalm 18, David recounts the day when the Lord delivered him from his enemies and from Saul, by way of defeating David’s foes. For the Christian, there is no greater or more glorious deliverance than the victory at the Cross of Christ as Jesus defeats the adversary and frees his people. Psalm 18 helps us, as David did, look back at all the Lord has done, praise him for it, and be confident that future grace will be supplied.
We sometimes forget things like where we put our keys, parked our car, or even why we walked from one room into another. Forgetting these types of things might cost us time, make us late, or cause us and others to be frustrated. Likewise, we can be spiritually forgetful, forgetting important things like who God is, what God has done and said, who we are and what God has called us to do. Forgetting these important truths is spiritually dangerous and leads to sin. For this reason, there is a repeated call in scripture for God’s people to remember. Psalm 78 teaches us to practice the spiritual discipline of remembering so that we don’t repeat the same sins of previous generations who went before us.
Many long for unity but seek it through worldly, secular, and sinful means. Psalm 133 is a song of ascents that speaks of the unity that comes only in and from the Lord. This Sunday, when we gather with our brothers and sisters from Waukesha City Church, we will consider the joy and blessing of our unity in Christ.
There is always a good story behind a good song and the best songs tell the best stories. The story behind this song (Psalm 72) is a glorious one with multiple layers. It was originally written to capture hopes, prayers, and blessings for a new king at the beginning of his reign. These hopes, prayers and blessings would be repeated for many kings who would come after. But every time this song is sung or read it points God’s people to the greater King who is the fulfillment of our hope, the answer to our prayer and is our greatest blessing.
This psalm has as its central theme a celebration of God’s attribute of Omniscience. God knows everything. He knows everything about everything. From the largest galaxy to the tiniest atomic particle, God knows it all, inside and out. But on a personal level, He also knows YOU. He made you. He knows everything about you. He knows more about you than you know about yourself. This can either be a scary, horrifying thought or a supremely comforting thought, depending on what your relationship to God is like. Join us on Sunday as we sort this all out, offering up our worship to the great and holy, all-knowing God!
This psalm is a universal call for all people everywhere to sing praise to the King who rules and reigns over all. In it the psalmist not only calls us to worship God but instructs us on how and why we are to sing praise to the God who is King. May our time together in Psalm 47 be used to increase our joyful praise to God our King!
Many of the psalms are prayers sung to God. Psalm 5 is a believer’s prayer for the wicked. It is not a prayer asking God to grant the wicked repentance but a plea for God to judge the wicked. What are we to think of such a prayer? Can we who were wicked, who still struggle with sin, but have been declared righteous by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ pray such a prayer? We will consider these things when we gather on Sunday to worship our Holy God.
In this final sermon in the gospel of Luke before we turn to the Psalms for the summer Jesus pronounces six woes that confront a legalistic and hypocritical heart. In making our way through this passage we will see the foolishness of trusting in self and our desperate need for Jesus Christ.
The generation in which Jesus conducted His earthly ministry was an extremely moral and religious generation. And yet, Jesus describes them as evil. Join us this Sunday as Matt Jantz preaches through Luke 11:29-36, showing that Jesus isn’t concerned primarily with moral or religious behavior, but instead, with matters of faith.
In this passage we find a man oppressed by a demon who is freed from this oppression by one who is stronger than the demon, Jesus Christ. Rather than rejoice and praise God, some of those who witnessed this miracle began to accuse Jesus of being evil. Jesus’ response to this accusation reveals much about humanity’s weakness, Satan’s strength, and that Jesus is indeed… the stronger one.
In many ways, disciples are called to follow in the footsteps of someone great and admirable. It's a weighty call—and it feels even weightier when the one we're following is Jesus. In grace, however, Jesus gives us all we need to walk according to the ways of His kingdom. We simply need to ask...and recognize our need in light of His omnipotent provision.
It is good and right for those who know and love the Lord to serve Christ and others. However, if we are not careful our serving can become more about us than about Christ and others. In this passage we learn from two sisters signs of a heart serving for the wrong reasons and how treasuring Christ is the answer.
This week’s passage contains one of Jesus’ most well-known parables, the parable of the good Samaritan. Jesus will use this parable to do far more than answer a lawyer’s question about who his neighbor is or to help him understand what it means to be a “good” neighbor. Jesus will use this parable to expose the man’s sinful self-justifying heart and show him (and us) our great need for God’s mercy.
For the one who has been chosen by God for salvation in Jesus Christ, there can be nothing that brings greater joy than knowing that your name is written in heaven. The Christian has been granted protection as he does what God has called him to do and his eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit to wondrous truths, but his greatest joy comes from the knowledge that his name is written in the Book of Life.
Matt Erdman is preaching on Mark 10:32-45. It addresses a theology of the cross vs theology of glory. We don't come to or abide in Jesus asking "What's in it for me?" We submit ourselves to Him as King, even knowing that the way he established His kingdom is through suffering.
Jesus knew that it would be in the city of Jerusalem where he would be betrayed, arrested, crucified, and then die to atone for our sins. But instead of avoiding Jerusalem, Luke tells us twice that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem… why? Why would Jesus be determined to go to the very city where he would suffer and die? Because Jesus Christ valued something and someone more than he valued comfort, safety, even his own life. All those who follow Jesus must do the same, we must value something and someone more than comfort, safety, even our own life.
Jesus’ death and resurrection are at the very heart of the Christian gospel. Without the substitutionary sin atoning death of Jesus Christ we would all be condemned to eternal death and without his bodily resurrection when we die our bodies would forever remain in the grave. While recognizing and rejoicing in what Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished for us, this Good Friday and Easter Sunday we are going to focus especially on what Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished for God. To say this another way, we will be considering how God was and is glorified in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May our hearts rejoice in God as we gather together this Good Friday and Easter Sunday to worship our glorious God!
Jesus’ death and resurrection are at the very heart of the Christian gospel. Without the substitutionary sin atoning death of Jesus Christ we would all be condemned to eternal death and without his bodily resurrection when we die our bodies would forever remain in the grave. While recognizing and rejoicing in what Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished for us, this Good Friday and Easter Sunday we are going to focus especially on what Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished for God. To say this another way, we will be considering how God was and is glorified in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May our hearts rejoice in God as we gather together this Good Friday and Easter Sunday to worship our glorious God!
During two short interactions with Jesus, the disciples' self-importance and pride comes bubbling to the surface. Through Jesus' gentle answers to the disciples' clear desire for greatness and exclusivity, we learn that following Christ requires a reorienting of our natural framework. Greatness in God's Kingdom is the antithesis of pride and self-interest. The Gospel of Jesus Christ not only models the humility that should mark us as Christ-followers but also empowers our desire and ability to be humble.
In this passage we are told of a man who brought his tormented son to Jesus to be healed. Jesus healed the man's son, gave him back to his father and all who witnessed this miracle were astonished at the majesty of God. There is much for us to gain from this astonishing miracle. It is another display of Jesus' great compassion and power. It serves as a reminder that the great task of Christian parents is to seek to bring their children to Jesus. Finally, it exhorts all who follow Christ to not be afraid of God's plans.
Jesus is glorious, he is the one that all things were created through and for. He is the glorious Christ! This passage records an amazing event (the transfiguration), when three blessed disciples were able to see Jesus’ glory like never before. After seeing his glory, God the Father tells them to listen to him, to listen to his Son. For all who see Jesus' glory must listen to him.
Jesus is The Christ of God, the long promised Messiah sent to save us from destruction and reconcile us to God. For this reason and so many others there is no one better for us to follow than Jesus Christ. But, following him will not be easy and in this passage Jesus prepares us for the high cost of discipleship.
With so many opinions in our culture surrounding who Jesus is, it might seem like this is a complicated question. Yet for those who believe in the testimony and authority of Scripture, we have a very clear answer. Join us this Sunday as Matt Jantz preaches through Luke 9:18-22 and answers the question, “Who is Jesus?”
What would you do if people came to see you and their visit ran into the lunch hour? If you had enough food, you might offer them something to eat. If not, you might suggest going to a restaurant to continue the visit or end the visit so that everyone could find something to satisfy their hunger. In this passage we see what Jesus did in such a situation. Christ miraculously fed thousands of people. He satisfied their hunger. As we look at this miracle, we will consider the importance of believing that it was true, that it really happened. We will learn something important about following Christ, and we will savor a glorious truth about our Savior - Christ is the one who satisfies our soul.
Jesus spent a lot of time training his twelve disciples to do the important ministry that he called them to do. In this passage Jesus sends the apostles out on a short-term mission trip to prepare them for future gospel ministry and from it we learn valuable lessons that apply to serving Christ today.
This passage tells the amazing story of Jesus saving a man who had been tormented by demons. It is a story that displays the power that Satan can have over a person, the power that Jesus always has over Satan, and what happens after a person who was enslaved by evil is rescued by Jesus.
In last week’s sermon on the parable of the sower (or the seed and the soils) Jesus taught about how the word of God is like a seed that brings life and produces fruit. In this week’s sermon passage Jesus teaches us how God’s word is also like a light that reveals the truth and shows us how we are to walk. In doing so, Jesus calls us to hear and to do what God’s word says.
Jesus used parables to help those who follow him better understand spiritual truths and to keep them hidden from those who reject him. In this parable, often called the parable of the sower, Jesus explains the different responses that people will have to the word of God. After making our way through this passage we should ask ourselves, how am I responding to God’s word? He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Jesus was committed to proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. This commitment to proclamation led Jesus and his disciples from city to city and village to village which required food and lodging. In this passage we learn how Jesus and his disciples were able to do full time ministry without a regular income.
While a guest in the home of a Pharisee, Jesus receives an unexpected gift from a woman who abruptly intrudes on the party. He, in turn, presents her with the most wonderful and unexpected gift of all -- forgiveness of her sins.
Join us as we celebrate the incarnation of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. God made flesh who has come to dwell with us, living a perfect life and dying the death we all deserve. Hear the good news of this miraculous birth, and the message of hope Jesus gives us all.
In his last days, John the Baptist was imprisoned for preaching what is true about God and the coming Messiah. Jesus reassures us that John was the forerunner who came to prepare the way for Him and is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
For good or for bad, whether we like it or not, all of us are under authority. We may find ourselves under a number of lesser authorities, some of whom may be indifferent or unkind. But Jesus Christ who has all authority is also compassionate and, in this passage, we see both his authority and compassion.
In the closing of his sermon on the plain Jesus explains what happens when we treasure him and calls all who hear his words to do what he says.
We live in a world that condemns any form of judgment. Yet we do not often look to what the Bible has to say about these things. Join us this Sunday as Matt Jantz looks at what Jesus has to say about judging others from Luke 6:37-42.
It's easy to see the world around us through eyes of angst and bitterness. But there is a strength that sustains God’s people and fans the flame of genuine thanksgiving. Paul knew it, and so do you... if you’ve tasted and seen the unfathomable grace of God in Christ Jesus.
If someone tells you that it is easy to follow Jesus, they are either lying or they haven’t read the Bible! In this sermon we will consider one of the hard things about following Jesus - his call for those who follow him to love their enemies.
Jesus is not just another prophet or teacher, Jesus is Lord. In this passage the Lord Jesus promises blessings to those who receive him and woes (or curses) to those who reject him. Will you be blessed, or will you be cursed? It all depends on your response to Jesus.
In this final sermon in our Black & White series we will consider what Christians are to be doing about racism and matters of injustice in light of the mission that Jesus Christ has given to his church.
Under the banner of justice many are crying out for and demanding societal change. But it’s important that we Christians understand that there are movements, organizations, and worldviews behind and within the social justice movement that oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ and will divide Christ’s church. In this third sermon in our “Black & White” series we will consider these things in light of Colossians 2:8-10.
The conversation surrounding racism can be a difficult conversation to have with so many definitions and uses of the term racism within our culture. Matt Jantz looks at what the Bible has to say about racism.
In this sermon series we will consider current events and movements related to racism and justice. Though there seems to be a lot of grey, when it comes to the gospel and the mission of the church the Bible is black and white.