Woodside Bible Church White Lake: Recent Episodes
Woodside Bible Church White Lake
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Today, we begin a new sermon series, Thy Kingdom Come: His Reign in Our Lives, as we seek to learn how Jesus’ reign brings heaven to earth. In the excitement of Jesus' arrival, He calls out His twelve disciples. They were called out from the crowd, they spent intentional time with Jesus, and they were given authority to proclaim and serve. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares Part 1 of our series titled, The King is Here.
Elijah needs no introduction. He is a prophet in the Bible who is associated with one of the most jaw-dropping acts of God's power and glory. And yet, Elijah still was a man who faced circumstances that seemed hopeless. Join us as we continue in our series, Elijah, reminding us how the same God Elijah served can use us to live a life of impact for His Kingdom. When we face times of self-pity or defeat, or find ourselves full of sorrow, we can look to God to give us strength. Just as God conquered Elijah's self-pity, he can conquer ours as well. Listen to our newest message in the series, Conquering Self-Pity, and be reminded of the courage God gives us.
Join us as we continue our message series Elijah: A Man Like Us. In the life of Elijah we see that through many struggles and oppositions, Elijah was a man of faith and served God well. Though there were times he fell into depression and wanted to give up, God still used him to make a huge impact. When we feel like God doesn’t hear our prayers, we will hear some truths that will fuel us with hope to have faith in our prayer life. Listen to our latest message in the series, The Prayer of a Righteous Person, and hear that the prayer of a righteous person is effective and powerful!
What does Scripture say about false gods? How does idolatry impact our lives? Join us as we continue our series, Elijah; A Man Just Like Us, reminding us how the same God Elijah served can use us to live a life of impact for His kingdom. In 1 Kings 18, we are at arguably the highest point of Elijah’s life and ministry. We witness an awesome triumph, a spectacular demonstration of God's presence and power, and a remarkable confirmation of who the true and living God is. Listen along in our series and realize the Lord is the only God who gives life.
In our new series, Elijah; A Man Just Like Us, we are reminded how the same God Elijah served can use us to live a life of impact for His kingdom. In Elijah's day, God's people have lost their way and it's a unique and dangerous time to be a faithful follower of God. In the face of danger, Elijah lives a life of faith, trusting God and taking him at his word. Join us as we take a closer look and see what a life of faith truly looks like. Listen to our first message of the series, Elijah, A Life of Faith, and see how a life of faith is a life of trusting God and taking him at his word.
We all have questions, but sometimes, finding the answers is difficult. In our series, Asking for a Friend series, we’ll answer tough questions and provide gospel-centered answers that you can share with a friend. Many of us have encountered parts of the Old Testament that make us cringe and question if God is really loving while comparing it to Jesus in the New Testament that wants to love rather than condemn. It doesn’t seem to line up. Why does the God of the New Testament seem so different than the God of the Old Testament? Listen to our newest message and understand that the God of the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament.
We all have questions, but sometimes, navigating the answers to cultural issues through the lens of the Gospel can be challenging. In our series, Asking for a Friend, we’ll answer hard questions and provide you with gospel-centered answers that you can share with a friend. Jesus' teaching on prayer helps us wrestle with the answered and unanswered prayers of God. Why does it seem like God sometimes answers our prayers, and other times he seems absent? Listen to our newest message, Why Doesn’t God Answer Prayer?, and believe that God answers prayer for our good and his glory.
Today, we concluded our message series, Revelation: All Things New. As we look at Revelation 22, we’ll see a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom that is to come. But we must consider that if what John writes is truly the destiny for all who believe in Jesus, then how should we prepare for it? How should we live in anticipation? Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, The Great Return, to learn how we can live each day in eager anticipation of Jesus’ return!
Today we continue our message series, All Things New, we’ll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. Do you think often about heaven? In Revelation, we’re not given a “they lived happily ever after” fairytale description of heaven. Rather, we are introduced to a glorious picture that will satisfy a deep longing within us to be in God's eternal presence. Listen to our newest message of the series, The True Eternal City, and long for and live to enter the city of God!
In part 5 of our series, Revelation: All Things New, we’ll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come! We find the magnificent conclusion of Christ’s work in Revelation Chapter 21, which reveals to us that through Christ, God will bring restoration to everything! While life in our world may be good, it's nowhere near what God ultimately has prepared for his people. Pastor Rob Bentz explains in our latest message, All Things New.
If someone were to ask you what the word “father” means to you, your answer would likely be vastly different than the person next to you. Our world has deeply impacted our view of being a father. The question we must consider is if this has impacted our view of our Heavenly Father? In a special Father’s Day message, we examine a portion of Psalm 103 to answer the question; how does God care for his children? Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Looking Up to Our Father, as we discover how God shows us how a father cares for his children.
We continue our message series, Revelation: All Things New, as we find that the forces of evil have wrought tragedy after tragedy after tragedy throughout human history. We may wonder, how does God deal with the forces of evil? John's vision described in Revelation 20:7-15 provides some answers. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message,The End of Evil, to see how God gets the final word on sin and evil!
In part 3 of our series, Revelation: All Things New, we’ll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. The Apostle John shares a revelation he received while a prisoner to encourage churches facing increasing pressure and persecution from their surrounding Roman culture. John writes to encourage them to overcome by providing them with a clear vision of what is and what will ultimately come when God makes all things new. Listen to our latest message as Pastor Kevin Pobursky helps us see how Christ will reign forever!
Today, we begin our Christmas series, Fulfilled: His Promise Kept, Our Longing Met, where we will discover multiples ways that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to us. The book of Matthew provides the narrative to see how Jesus has fulfilled the signs of Isaiah’s prophecy. Listen to the first message in our series, A Surprise Arrival, as Pastor Rob Bentz teaches from Matthew 1 to help us see how in Jesus, God comes to be with us!
Do you ever wonder if you have what it takes? If you're ready for all that will come your way on journey ahead? In the conclusion of our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, we reflect on Jesus' concluding message that aims to answer the question, “Do I have everything I need?” As we conclude, we’re going to see how he equips and prepares us to walk with courage. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Walking in the Way.
We live in a world that is always seeking to find “happiness”. We want to pursue the things that will ultimately make us happy. We want to be happy. But how often do we try to find happiness in the fleeting “things” of this world? In part nine of our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, Jesus speaks of something more significant than happiness--Jesus speaks of a joy that cannot be taken away! Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Making a Way to Eternal Joy, and unravel the way of Jesus leads to fullness of joy!
In part seven of our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, we read that followers of Jesus will face challenges and strong opposition in the world. Why? Because the world hated Jesus. He gives his followers this warning, and then a word of encouragement that God will help all believers through this hostility and the persecution. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message to see how Jesus guides his disciples along the way.
Relationships. Friendships. We pursue them from the time we're children. Yet they often seem hard to find, and even harder to keep. Did you know that Jesus shared a lot about genuine community with the apostles? In part 6 of our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, we'll turn to the chapter 15 of John's gospel to learn two significant ways that Jesus shapes life in community. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, The Way of Love, and see how walking in the way of love in community looks far different than we imagine.
Have you ever noticed that in the Bible fruit is frequently used in parables, stories, or symbolism? As we continue our sermon series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, we follow Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in “The Farewell Discourse.” In John 15:1-11, we see several key aspects of what true discipleship looks like; helping us navigate the question, “How do we bear fruit in our lives?” Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz gives our latest message, Abiding in the Way, as we learn how disciples of Jesus produce fruit!
Throughout the world, people know about Jesus and many of His stories. Similarly, God The Father is also known throughout the world. But there’s one person of the Trinity that seems to be more of a mystery--the Holy Spirit! We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, by diving into the Scriptures to we find the active role the Holy Spirit has in our everyday life as a believer? When you think about your days, is the Holy Spirit an active participant in your day-to-day life? Listen to our latest message of the series, A Helper for the Way, as Pastor Kevin Pobursky helps us find comfort for our journey.
Many people are worked up because their belief in things like power, self, and politics is letting them down. As we reach part 3 of our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, we consider current statistics that suggest more people are looking for those answers outside of God--striving to find answers in these things or in something else. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Jesus, The Way, and see why believing in Jesus is still the only answer only way!
Do the people around you know who you follow? The things that interest us tend to take priority in our lives; our children, our job, favorite sports team, a hobby, or even favorite series of books. As a Christian, can those around us also see that we are followers of Jesus Christ? We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, as we reflect upon Jesus and His last hours with His disciples in the Gospel of John. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message Which Way?
What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Have you ever been unsure of what comes next, where to go, or how to get there? For as many people as you ask that question to, you will probably hear as many different answers. Yet Jesus didn’t leave that question unanswered. In his final hours, Jesus told his disciples what he cared about most. We find the details in the Gospel of John in a section known as “The Farewell Discourse.” Jesus gives his disciples, and us, a trail guide of sorts to bring clarity and direction. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares the first message of the series, The Jesus Way, to learn how Jesus paved the way for us to follow!
All of the movement within, or away from, the American church is largely influenced by our consumer-driven culture--more than it is the Scriptures. In his sermon, Being the Body, Pastor Rob Bentz takes us to a familiar passage, 1 Cor. 12, to see the key role of each and every member of God's church.
In a popular culture that is filled with things that are not always as it seems, it's not easy to discern what's true and what isn't. This is why finding truth, amidst a sea of lies is so important. In his first letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul helps us discern wisdom from foolishness. Join us as Pastor Rob helps us see how the difference is found in the truth of the gospel!
In a culture divided in so many important ways, how can we experienced unity? In spite of the "Us vs. Them" mentality that is expressed on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and social media posts, God's people are called to pursue unity in our fractured world. Join us for part 3 of our series, as we examine how the Apostle Paul addressed this exact issue. Pastor Rob helps us see how Jesus changes the entire narrative.
It seems people are polarized over every possible issue in our culture today. Every division is only growing deeper and more isolating. In the face of this division, we are called to represent Christ in a splintered society. God’s Word addresses this exact issue in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Welcome to the first episode of our new series, Divided: Seeking Unity in a Fractured World, where we're looking to 1 Corinthians 1 to discover the unifying power of Christ. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares the first message in our series, Come Together, and find the answer to the question, "What does it mean to be called together in Christ?"
Today, we begin our Summer sermon series, Habits: Ancient Practices for Today's World. This brief three-week series will examine some of the church's most time-tested spiritual practices of the historic Christian faith. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz helps us discover the purpose and benefits Scripture Meditation.
All families have issues. While this is certainly true, do you ever wonder if your family has more the most? To consider this question, we turn to the familiar Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers. Student director Nic Staels leads us through Genesis 37 and 39 to help us see clearly the importance of God's providential control over all of life in our latest message, Is my Family too Messy?
Do you ever have any tension between family members? Long-lasting tension that leads to long-term dysfunction? This is what we see in the addressed directly and honestly in Genesis. it is through the brokenness and dysfunction of families--not avoidance--that we see the way God brings reconciliation. Learn more as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, When Dysfunction Meets Grace.
Most of us often go through life convinced that we've got it all right. Problem is, we often find out that we've missed something. As we continue our sermon series, Family...Why Bother?, we look to the story of Isaac, his servant, and Rebekah to understand the amazing reality of God's providence. Pastor Rob Bentz helps us see how God's provision links with our own faith story.
Promises. Some are kept, many are broken. Do you struggle to believe them? Parents, friends, coaches, employers all told you one thing but didn't deliver. As we continue our message series, Family...Why Bother?, we're looking at the story of Abram and Sarai to see what happens when God's people lose faith in the promises of God. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz guides us through Genesis 12 in our latest sermon, The Trouble from Not Trusting.
Pride has often been called the root of all other sins. Pride blinds us. Pride can't see itself because it justifies itself. This is why it wreaks havoc on so many relationships. As we continue our sermon series, Family...Why Bother? Pastor Rob Bentz looks at Genesis 4 to explore how impacts us personally and influences our relationships in the sermon, Family after the Fall.
Do your relationships feel like a double-edged sword? As much as we need each other, people hurt, disappoint, betray, and even abandon each other. Sadly, family is no exception. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, reveals all sorts of family dysfunction. The good news is that God used these broken families to unleash blessings on the entire world. As we continue our sermon series, Family...Why Bother?, Student Director Nic Staels will explore how the effects of sin have altered the way God designed for us to live in unity. Listen to our latest message, The First Family Conflict, as we discover together the power of Jesus to renew hurting people.
Do you have a perfect family? Your marriage is perfect, your kids have no issues, and everything is great with your in-laws...is a story told by nobody! Thankfully, family struggles have been going on for a very long time. In fact, the first book of the Bible, Genesis, reveals all sorts of family dysfunction. The good news is that God used these broken families to unleash blessings on the entire world. As we begin our new sermon series, Family...Why Bother?, Pastor Rob Bentz will help us see why humans are uniquely designed for dignity!
- Note: The first segment of the message, including the introduction and reading of Genesis 1:26-31, was lost due to a power outage on campus.
As we conclude our sermon series, Send Me: When God Calls Us to Go, Pastor Rob Bentz helps us understand how the glory of God and His gift of undeserved forgiveness compels us to share Him with others. We'll look at Isaiah 6, once again, as we consider how to listen for God's leading in our lives--and how to respond when He does. Listen to our latest message, You Can't Not Go! as we embrace how God's calling compels us to move!
It's easy to come up with a long list of reasons why we shouldn't talk with our neighbor about Jesus isn't it? Perhaps we're asking the wrong question... Maybe the better thing to consider is why we must talk with our neighbor about Jesus! Today, we continue our sermon series, Send Me: When God Calls Us to Go as Pastor Rob Bentz takes us to Isaiah 6 to find one undeniable reason that all believers should be compelled to share Jesus with others--His forgiveness!
We conclude our sermon series, Soul Food: When a Meal with Jesus was More than Food, on Easter Sunday. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz helps us see the significance of the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples detailed in Luke 24. It was a meal that changed the way they viewed Jesus--and it just might do the same for you!
As we continue our sermon series, Soul Food: When a Meal with Jesus was More than Food, we read the story of Jesus interaction with some 1st Century power brokers--Pharisees and lawyers. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz teaches us about challenge that Jesus gives to this group of pride-filled religious and cultural leaders as described in Luke 14 as Jesus exposes the sin of pride.
As we continue our sermon series, Soul Food: When a Meal with Jesus was More than Food, we examine a familiar and powerful story of how Jesus shows us that He is truly enough for our deepest longings. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz teaches us about Jesus' miraculously feeding of 5,000 men as described in Luke 9.
Multiple times in Luke's Gospel, we read stories of Jesus spending time around the table with friends, strangers--even his opposition. As we continue our sermon series, Soul Food: When a Meal with Jesus was More than Food, we’ll see what Jesus models for us when a sinful woman lavishes Jesus with honor in the presence of a Pharisee. Listen as Pastor Scott Crosby teaches us about Jesus' meal described in Luke 7.
Multiple times in Luke's Gospel, we read stories of Jesus spending time around the table with friends, strangers--even his opposition. As we begin our new series, Soul Food: When a Meal with Jesus was More than Food, we’ll see what Jesus models for us when he enjoyed a meal with Levi. Listen to our latest message as Pastor Rob Bentz teaches us about Jesus' meal described in Luke 5.
Is God too compassionate? Too gracious to sinful people? That was Jonah's opinion! As we conclude our sermon series, Jonah: At Odds with God, we examine chapter 4 to see the amazing depth of God's compassion. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz helps us see why the immense compassion of God should impact our daily lives.
What is Repentance? Is it just saying, "I'm sorry" and moving on? Or does repentance include something deeper? We continue our sermon series, Jonah: At Odds with God, looking at the significance of true repentance in the lives of sinful men and women. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz guides us through Jonah 3 as we see the impact of true repentance in our own lives.
For those who view God only as love and gentle goodness, to suggest He would bring corrective discipline on His people might seem absolutely foreign. "God wouldn’t do that, would He?" As we continue our series, Jonah: At Odds with God, we begin to understand God as a loving Father who disciplines His children through what we'll call "severe mercy." Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, The Kindness of Severe Mercy, to learn how the goal of God’s discipline is to pursue, awaken, and ultimately save us!
The Old Testament book of Jonah is a small in volume but huge in impact! This week we kick off our new sermon series, Jonah: At Odds with God, as we encounter a prophet named Jonah who heard a word from God, yet defied God’s mission. Join us as Pastor Rob Bentz considers one of the toughest questions that Jonah faced--am I angry with what God is asking of me? Jonah challenges us to consider our own defiance.
The Epistle of James is a call to counter-cultural living. No portion of his letter speaks to the issue more directly than the second half of James 2. In part 5 of our sermon series, Live the Truth, Pastor Rob Bentz shares the latest message, Faith in Action, with a deep diving into the importance of living our faith every day as we conclude our look at James.
When you look out at the world - when you meet other people - what do you see? How do you measure the people in your life? Far too often when we see someone we make a judgement call. As we continue examining the letter of James in our sermon series, Live the Truth, we are challenged to measure people by God's standards rather than our own. Listen to our latest message, Seeing with the Eyes of Faith, as Pastor Ben Hixson helps us recognize that a mature faith shows no favoritism, but sees others through God's point of view!
Do you have enough money? Do you have enough stuff? Or is life more about how we interact with what we do have? The New Testament book of James is a call to counter-cultural living. The kind of living that rejects the latest “feel good” message for a mature faith. In part 3 of our sermon series, Live the Truth, Pastor Rob Bentz shares the latest message, God over Money, as we discover how a mature faith places possessions in their rightful place.
We’ve all been there--that moment when we need to make a decision and don't know what to do. Some decisions have easy answers, while others cause us to wonder which choice God wants us to make. We pray and wonder, “How can I know what God wants me to do?” As we continue through our Live the Truth sermon series, we're encouraged in the truth that God's wisdom is available to us! Pastor Rob Bentz explains in our latest message, Wisdom for Life.
In a culture preaching the power of whatever feels right to you, it’s time to set aside positive vibes for a Truth you can stand on. The New Testament book of James is a call to counter-cultural living, the kind that rejects the latest “feel good” message for a mature faith. Join us as we kick off our six-week series, Live the Truth. Pastor Rob Bentz shares our first message, Surviving Seasons of Suffering, as we discover how only a mature faith can survive the intense trials that life brings.
As we begin a new year, Pastor Rob Bentz and Worship Arts Director Jacob Masen offer the White Lake church family a biblical vision on the importance of worship. Three important New Testament texts (John 4, Colossians 3, and Ephesians 5) reveal how corporate worship has two important directions.
In part five of our Christmas series, Eyewitness: Finding Your Christmas Story in Theirs, we turn to Luke's Gospel to read of a couple very important people who are rarely included in the telling of the Christmas story--Simeon and Anna. Both lived faithful lives before God while waiting for the promised Messiah. Pastor Rob Bentz will help us see how their faithfulness in waiting offers us guidance on how we can navigate our own seasons of waiting.
Part four of our Christmas series, Eyewitness: Finding Your Christmas Story in Theirs, looks at three responses to the birth of Jesus found in the second chapter of Matthew's gospel. Pastor Rob Bentz will guide us as we examine the responses of the Scribes, of King Herod, and of the Magi. How they responded to the birth of the Messiah gives us guidance for how we can respond to the coming of the Christ, today!
In part three of our Christmas series, Eyewitness: Finding Your Christmas Story in Theirs, we'll examine the life of the shepherds who were drawn to see the amazing thing that God has done in the birth of a baby! Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares our latest message Seeing the Good News from Luke's Gospel.
Have you ever had a time in your life where things didn’t go as planned? And you found yourself asking God, "Why?” This week, we turn to the book of Matthew to engage with the powerful story of a quiet young man named Joseph who had every right to have questions. In part two of our Christmas series, Eyewitness: Finding Your Christmas Story in Theirs, we'll examine the faithful life of Jesus' earthly father and why his life is so important for people of today. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message Quiet Joseph, and discover how trust and obedience in God’s plan bring about amazing results!
Christmas is often said to be the most wonderful time of the year. As followers of Jesus, this is not just due to the Christmas festivities but because it’s the celebration of the Messiah’s birth. Can you imagine what it was like for those who got to witness that miraculous event firsthand? Through our Christmas sermon series, Eyewitness: Finding Your Christmas Story in Theirs, we invite you to watch the events of Jesus’ birth unfold through the eyes of the men and women who were there that first Christmas. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our first message of the series, Believing the Impossible, as we look through the eyes of Mary, the mother of Jesus, to discover that nothing is impossible with God!
What in life are you sure about? Here in part 5 of our sermon series, Unstoppable: Bound in His Love. Freed by His Spirit, the Apostle Paul closes out Romans 8 by helping believers see what they can rest in and be sure! Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson offers our latest message, The Triumph of God's Love.
Have you ever wondered if you would make it to the end? Join us for part 4 of our sermon series, Unstoppable: Bound in His Love. Freed by His Spirit., as we venture through Romans 8 to uncover God’s invitation into an infinitely better perspective. Perhaps you’ve had a season of doubt or difficulty fighting sin and are wondering whether you’ll get to heaven? Maybe you don't understand why you're in a deep valley? Maybe you're even on the verge of giving up? Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares our latest message, (pre)Destined for Glory!
What are you hoping for today? Is it merely a wish, or is your hope based upon a confident expectation? In the apostle Paul's writing to the believers in Rome, he helps us see that hope has a different meaning for the follower of Jesus Christ. Join us for part 3 our sermon series, Unstoppable: Bound in His Love. Freed by His Spirit, as we journey through Romans 8. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, A Cosmic Glory.
Identity is a hot topic in our world today. Why? Because it hits each one of us so personally. Connected to why we even exist, it begs the question, "Who am I?" If you've ever considered this question, join us for part 2 our sermon series, Unstoppable: Bound in His Love. Freed by His Spirit, as we journey through Romans 8. Here, Paul is addressing the identity of the believers in Rome, reminding them that In Christ--they have a new identity! Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, The Great Reversal, to hear how you can experience the incredible truth that believers are no longer slaves but heirs with Christ.
These days, most of us live in a constant state of busyness and distraction. Maybe you feel desperate for something to change. Perhaps you're longing to live the life you were created for, instead of the shallow, overly-stimulated existence of today. Join us for our new series, Unstoppable: Bound in His Love. Freed by His Spirit., as we venture through Romans 8. This is where we are confronted with God's power to completely transform your life. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares the first message of the series, No Condemnation!
From the beginning, laws have been an important part of society. Yet as we examine history, it's difficult to rely on the laws of this world to bring true hope and freedom. As we conclude our New-ish sermon series, we turn to Romans 7:7-25 where Paul contrasts the laws and practices of man against the law of God. Only God’s law is perfect, pure, good, holy and righteous. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, The Law Can’t Deliver, as we discover that where the law fails--Christ prevails!
The Gospel tells us all have fallen short of the glory of God and, because of our sin, deserve death. Yet, by God's grace through our faith the story doesn't end there! In Jesus, God has given us the gift of eternal life and the opportunity to bear fruit for His glory. Listen to the latest message in our Newish sermon series, A Fruitful Marriage, as Pastor Rob Bentz helps us see the importance of Paul's teaching in Romans 7:1-6.
Freedom is a hot topic in our world today. There are countless opinions on what true freedom is and how it should look in our world. And, as our culture considers freedom, we're also wrestling with painful realities of slavery. Both of these buzzwords run so deep in our culture because each one of us is engaged in a spiritual battle between freedom and slavery. Join Pastor Ben Hixson as we continue our series, New-ish?: Everything's Changed. Have You?, as The Apostle Paul reminds us that everyone is a slave to sin, but through Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, Christians are free!
According to Scripture, baptism is an important step of obedience once you've placed your faith in Jesus Christ. Join us as we continue our series, New-ish?: Everything's Changed. Have You?, as we turn to Romans 6 where Paul uses the symbolism of baptism to remind us how we are to walk in our faith--dying to sin and experiencing new life in Christ! Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, The New Life of Grace, as we learn that our walk should match our baptism!
Do you ever wonder why things seem so messed up in our world? Or, in your own life? Today, we continue our sermon series, New-ish?: Everything's Changed. Have You? Join us Pastor Rob Bentz shares the message, May Grace Reign, as we examine Romans 5:12-21 together to see the clear distinction between our first representative, Adam, and the grace that is found through faith in our new representative, Jesus.
Today, we begin our new sermon series, Newish?: Everything's Changed. Have You? We're examining the reality that in Christ, we've been given a new life! The question is; are we living it? Join us as we read Romans 5:1-11 to uncover the truth about the salvation God's made available to us through Jesus Christ. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our first message in the series, Only Sinners Welcome.
Throughout the Smoke & Mirrors sermon series, we’ve examined different places our culture tells us to look for fulfillment in this world. Like the writer, we hope to leave a lasting mark, enjoy the best this life has to offer, and accumulate the greatest knowledge and possessions we can in our lifetime – and we find ourselves forever hungry for MORE. Today, we come to our final question: Does anything in this world truly matter? Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares our latest message, Fallen Purpose: Nihilism, as we return to the pages of Ecclesiastes to discover that God is life!
In a culture flooded with newer, better versions of everything, we've all fallen victim to the desire for more. Today, we continue our message series, Smoke & Mirrors: Deciphering Truth in a World of "truths," by looking at what it looks like to have it all, but realize it still isn't enough. Listen as Pastor Rob shares our latest message, Fallen Demand: Materialism, as we seek to enjoy the generosity of the God as His People.
Why don’t the accomplishments of this world ultimately satisfy us? Today, we continue our message series, Smoke & Mirrors, as we consider what happens when we look for meaning in our personal success--apart from God. Listen to our latest message, Fallen Ambition: Individualism, as Pastor Rob Bentz explains how God gladly shares His victory with His people!
With the powerful impact of social media, we are bombarded with everyone else’s experiences, successes, and opportunities, leaving us with a deep desire for more and more! Today, we continue our message series, Smoke & Mirrors: Deciphering Truth in a World of "truths," by looking to the book of Ecclesiastes' teaching on earthly pleasures. We'll come to terms with the fact that the pleasures of this world are short-lived, but God’s goodness is unending! Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares today’s message, Fallen Appetites: Hedonism, as we celebrate that God is good and His well never runs dry!
We live in a society of information overload! Resources are endless. Yet we find that, more often than not, more knowledge leads to even more questions. Today, we continue our message series, Smoke & Mirrors: Deciphering Truth in a World of "truths", by looking to the book of Ecclesiastes to see that a “perfect” understanding of life will always be out of reach. Where does this leave us? To trust in God! Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Fallen Mind: Intellectualism, as we encounter the wisdom of God and realize only He is all-knowing!
Culture is flooded with the newest “quick fix” to all our problems. Many have started to believe happiness is just a click away. Truth is; behind that product or program lies empty promises and disappointments. Today, we conclude our sermon series, Habits: Ancient Practices for Today's World, where we have been refocusing on God's time-tested truths! Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson helps us re-discover the importance of simplicity in our lives.
Culture is flooded with the newest “quick fix” to all our problems. Many have started to believe happiness is just a click away. Truth is; behind that product or program lies empty promises and disappointments. Today, we continue our sermon series, Habits: Ancient Practices for Today's World, as we refocus our lives on some of the church's most time-tested spiritual practices. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz helps us re-discover the purpose and benefits of Sabbath.
Culture is flooded with the newest “quick fix” to all our problems. Many have started to believe happiness is just a click away. Truth is; behind that product or program lies empty promises and disappointments. Today, we begin a new sermon series, Habits: Ancient Practices for Today's World, where we'll refocus on God's time-tested truths! Listen as Pastor Jeremy Writebol of Woodside Plymouth helps us re-discover the age-old practice of confession.
Have you ever wondered if God is still control when walking through a season of grief, pain or suffering? Today, we conclude our series, Good Mourning: Taking Your Sorrow to the Savior. In chapter 5 of Lamentations, God's people are invited to turn our gaze from the rubble of our brokenness to the Redeemer--even in the midst our pain. Listen as Pastor Rob shares the message, What to Do When You’re at the End.
Today we continue our message series, Good Mourning: Taking Your Sorrow to the Savior, as we examining what happens to God's people when they reject God. As we begin Chapter 4 of Lamentations, we'll get a glimpse of the streets of Jerusalem where God's people face the consequences of their destructive choices. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, On the Streets of Ruin.
We live in a world full of hurting people who hurt people. In Part 4 of our sermon series, Good Mourning: Taking Your Sorrow to the Savior, we continue in Lamentations 3, where we're reminded of the heart of God and learn to wait with hope for His justice to be fulfilled. Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares the message, How to Lament Injustice, and helps us recognize lament as a means to grieve with those who grieve.
Do you know what it feels like to lose hope? To believe you'll never make it out of the darkness, the brokenness, the pain? I The question is, where do we go from there? In Part 3 of our series, Good Mourning, we continue to look at the poetic book of Lamentations. We've read the first two chapters and understand that God's people are suffering under the weight of their sinful choices. As we get to Chapter 3, the author of Lamentations has a change of heart. Listen as Pastor Rob explains, The Turning Point, and how lament actually helps God's people hope again.
Often when we talk about God we focus only on His love, mercy, and grace; forgetting that God is also holy and righteous--traits that cause Him to exercise judgment over sin. In Part 2 of our sermons series,Good Mourning: Taking Your Sorrow to the Savior, we continue our journey through the poetic book of Lamentations. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz helps us examine God's righteous anger in response to our sinfulness and discover what to do When God Becomes the Enemy.
After a year filled with so much loss--there's no way to avoid the reality that we're all grieving. Today, we begin a new sermon series, Good Mourning: Taking Our Sorrows to the Savior. Throughout the six-week series, we'll explore the Old Testament book of Lamentations. As we study, we’ll be taken back to Jerusalem when the city was invaded, destroyed, and its people carried off into exile. Listen with us as Pastor Rob Bentz shares Why Lament?, to discover the powerful, yet unfamiliar, spiritual discipline of lament.
How do believers become more Christlike in our giving? As we continue our message series - Overflow: From Him, Through Us, For All - the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9 urge us to trust the sufficiency of what God has given us and pursue the deeper fruit of giving! Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares the final message in our series, Giving & Ability, as celebrate that we can give because God gave first.
Do you give out of obligation? Does it take a lot to convince you? Or do you find yourself giving freely and cheerfully in response to God's goodness? In part 4 of our Overflow sermon series, we continue our look at 2 Corinthians 8-9 by seeing why our faithful, cheerful giving is used by God to advance His Kingdom. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Giving & Ministry, as he helps us see that being generous isn’t just about the money--it’s about ministry!
As we continue our message series - Overflow: From Him, Through Us, For All - we are again encouraged by Paul on the importance and the practice of giving! Listen with us to our newest message, Giving & Partnership, as Pastor Rob Bentz speaks to the importance of Giving & Partnership. We'll discover why we should eagerly give to others and wisely choose where we give!
We continue Overflow: From Him, Through Us, For All, sermon series by returning to 2 Corinthians 8 to see the power of excelling in our generosity! Listen with us to our latest message, Giving & Love, as Pastor Rob Bentz teaches us how exceptional giving displays God’s grace, genuine love, and ultimately the truth of the Gospel!
Have you received God’s grace in your life? This is the big question we're asking through our newest message series: Overflow: From Him, Through Us, For All. The evidence that we've received that gift of grace is seen in how it overflows throughout all aspects of our lives regardless of our circumstances, beyond our limitations, and as a giving of our very self to God. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our first message, Giving & the Gospel.
We examine the powerful events that took place at three key destinations following the death and burial of Jesus. Pastor Rob Bentz shares why these events, detailed in Matthew 28, continue to so important in the lives of believers today and throughout human history.
We examine the events of the final hours of Jesus' life as detailed in Chapter 27 or Matthew's Gospel. Experience the intensity, the questions, and the drama in our four-segment Good Friday worship experience featuring reader Mike Klier and Pastor Rob Bentz.
In the closing words of Jesus' final teaching before His crucifixion, He paints the picture of a shepherd separating sheep from goats. This is to teach us a critical lesson: our faith reveals our identity and determines our ultimate destination. Our current series, What Now: How Tomorrow Shapes Today, concludes with a hard look at our own faith in the anticipation of Christ’s return. Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares Part 7, The Shepherd King, as we prepare for that glorious day!
Jesus frequently used parables to teach His people important lessons. In our latest message, we examine the Parable of the Talents. This will help us see what it' like to multiply – or squander – the gifts God’s given us. Listen as we continue in our series, What Now: How Tomorrow Shapes Today Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Being Ready Means Being Diligent.
Last week we posed the question, “Are you Ready?” This week we challenge you, by asking the question once again--with a twist. In part 5 of our series, What Now: How Tomorrow Shapes Today, we look to Matthew 25 to examine whether our following of Jesus is authentic or superficial--and what this means about our preparedness for His return. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, "Really, Are You Ready?" .
Are you ready? That question alone is enough to put us on edge. Today we continue through our series, What Now: How Tomorrow Shapes Today, by examining whether we're truly ready for the long-awaited day when our Savior returns. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, "Are You Ready?", as we dig deep into the words of Christ about the last days before His return.
In the difficult times we find ourselves, many of us have found ourselves asking, “What could possibly happen next?” Yet, in the midst of the unknown, God invites us to hold fast to His unchanging nature and steadfast promises. Part 3 of our series, What Now: How Tomorrow Shapes Today, helps God's people see that while the things of this world will always change, the Words of Jesus never will! Listen with Pastor Ben Hixson in our latest message, God’s Forever King, as we grow in our hope and confidence in the promises of our coming Savior!
No one likes to suffer, but the extremes many take to stay comfortable has become an idol to many. In Part 2 of our sermon series, What Now: How Tomorrow Shapes Today, Pastor Rob Bentz addresses the hard truth that suffering in this life is inevitable--especially as Christians. Listen to our latest message, Don’t Be Surprised When Suffering Comes, as we look at what Jesus teaches His followers in Matthew 24.
Today, we begin our new message series, What Now: How Tomorrow Shapes Today based upon Jesus words from the Olivet Discourse. Together, we'll unpack some tough questions about what Jesus calls His followers to consider in light of tomorrow. Listen with us as Pastor Rob Bentz shares the message, Not So Breaking News, as we explore how the Gospel should and WILL be proclaimed throughout the world regardless of the circumstances of our day!
In our culture, we've come to relate the idea of birth with a new beginning, a fresh start, a grand renewal. In the final part of our series, The Forgotten Virtue: Learning to Love Again, we unpack what it means that our new birth in Jesus Christ to make us a child of God. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our latest message, Born into God’s Family, to discover how 1 John 5 reveals that when we become a child of God, we believe in Jesus, love others, and have overcome the world!
In Part 5 of The Forgotten Virtue: Learning to Love Again, the words of the Apostle John in his first letter reveal that to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior is to know God’s love! Listen as Pastor Rob shares our newest message, What’s Love Got To Do With It?
- Also in this episode, Pastor Rob interviews worship team member Jen Bowers *
Has loving the people around you ever felt like a chore? Like you're running on an empty tank? In the next part of our series, The Forgotten Virtue: Learning to Love Again, 1 John 4 teaches us God is our ultimate, enduring source of love because He IS love! Listen with us as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, Love Defined, to discover how love begins, manifests, and is perfected through the Trinity!
It wouldn’t take much searching to find harsh, hate-filled words being spoken in the name in our culture today. We may even contribute to these damaging conversations ourselves. In part three of our series, The Forgotten Virtue: Learning to Love Again, the words of the Apostle John reveal how seriously God condemns hatred--to the point of equating it with murder! Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares our latest message, A Tale of Two Loves.
We often hear that God is love--and He is! But our world has a way of twisting something God created into a thing He never intended it to be. And our understanding of love is no exception. In our misunderstanding of God's love. Today, we continue in our series, The Forgotten Virtue: Learning to Love Again, by looking to 1 John 2:12-17 for the truth about love. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, The Love God Hates, as we compare the love God intended for us with the love of the world that surrounds us.
When we face trials, we can easily lose sight of what it means to really love. Today, we begin our new sermon series, The Forgotten Virtue: Learning to Love Again. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, The Old (New) Commandment, as we discover how truly knowing God transforms our understanding of love.
At the end of an incredibly difficult 2020, Pastor Rob Bentz offers the White Lake church family biblical encouragement from the promise of God's peace found in Philippians 4. The truth of this promise is important for today--and the year ahead!
Our Advent sermon series, Gift Wrapped, concludes with a look at the amazing new covenant in Jesus Christ. The prophet Jeremiah helps believers see the new covenant that believers have in Christ is a far better gift than we could ever imagine! Here on Christmas Eve, Pastor Rob Bentz shares from Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Whether depicted in movies, books, or even in our imagination, when we see a king they're typically being catered to many servants. Between royalty, wealth, or status, those in authority seem to have many at their disposal to serve their needs and wants. This week we continue our series, Gift Wrapped: From Longing to Lavished, where we will unpack the covenant that God made with David in the book of 2 Samuel. We'll learn about God's promise of a Messiah King to His people. Jesus Christ came to earth to serve us! Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson shares our newest message, The King Who Serves!
As each new unprecedented update fills our news feed, we can’t help but wonder “Why?” This week we continue our series, Gift Wrapped: From Longing to Lavished, where we unpack the covenant that God made with Moses and His people in the book of Exodus. Listen with us as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, Bearing the Family Resemblance, to see how meets us in the unexpected!
When reading the promises of God in Scripture, our minds are stirred to wonder: Will God keep these promises? Can I really trust God to do what He says? This week we continue our series, Gift Wrapped: From Longing to Lavished, by answering these lingering questions. Together we'll examine the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 15. What we'll find is a promise that God is still keeping with us today! Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, Believing in an Unseen Home.
This week we start a brand new series called Gift Wrapped: From Longing to Lavished, where we will examine the covenants God has made with His people. Today, we start with the covenant God established with Noah in Genesis 9. In this covenant, God promises never destroy the earth and life on the earth by a flood giving Noah, and us, stability and grounds to trust the works of God. Pastor Rob Bentz helps us see about how this promise still impacts us in the message, A New Beginning!
In this trying season of our lives it might seem more difficult than normal to give God thanks. Pastor Ben Hixson takes us to the Old Testament book of Lamentations to see how it's not only possible--but helpful--for our soul to give thanks amidst hardship.
When we walk through suffering, what do we focus on? Often, it's on ourselves and our situation. This week, Pastor Rob Bentz encourages us that instead of dwelling on the “why” of suffering, we can ask different questions that will allow us to grow deeper in our faith and accept God's amazing grace! Listen to our latest message, Suffering for Good!
It’s time to rethink what it means to be a citizen in this country. Too often we allow politics and opposing parties to dictate how we behave and treat others around us. This week we continue our series, Unshakeable: Steadfast Hope in an Unpredictable World, as we discuss how we are supposed to live as temporary citizens of this world but eternal citizens of heaven! Listen with us as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, One Nation Under God.
All our lives are witnesses to something and someone every single day. Our passions and priorities are evident to those who get to know us. As Christians, there is nothing greater, more glorious calling than being used and empowered through the Holy Spirit to make disciples for the glory of God! This week we continue our series, Unshakeable: Steadfast Hope in an Unpredictable World, we discuss how internal and external spiritual battles must be fought so that our lives can point others to Christ. Listen as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, Exiles Within The World.
We all have times where we question who God is and who we are. Many are searching for their identity and purpose in life. This week we continue our series, Unshakeable: Steadfast Hope in an Unpredictable World, where our examination of 1 Peter 2 reminds us who we are, why we are here, and what God has done for us! Listen with us as Pastor Rob Bentz shares our newest message, God's Kinda People.
Tragically, church culture gets transformed into a spectator sport. It is something we consume once or twice a week, but then go home to live life apart from what God is calling us to do as His beloved children. Our whole lives should be built upon God, our foundation! This week we continue our series, Unshakeable: Steadfast Hope in an Unpredictable World, where we examine 1 Peter 2:4-8 where we see that each of us has a place in the house of God.
Sometimes we hear the word "love" and imagine that deep feeling of affection or romance. But love shouldn't just be a feeling. God intends for it to be so much more! Love is active, ongoing, and a daily choice. This week we continue our series, Unshakeable: Steadfast Hope in an Unpredictable World, by analyzing how the source to great love is truly knowing God and growing in our faith in Him. Listen as Pastor Ben Hixson helps us see that Love is a Verb.
This week we are starting a brand new series, Unshakeable: Steadfast Hope in an Unpredictable World! Hope seems to be a word thrown around when our circumstances seem, well, hopeless. In this series, we look to 1 Peter, to find the unshakeable hope of a scattered group of Christians facing exile and persecution from the culture around them. We see that hope is active and are encouraged to praise God for the security we can find only in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Even if we are experiencing great suffering, we know that Jesus is our hope. Hear Pastor Rob Bentz with the message, Hope Has a Pulse.
Amidst our trying and turbulent times, what are followers of Jesus Christ to think? How are we to respond in the midst of cultural chaos? Pastor examines three passages of Scripture (Philippians 3:14-21, Psalm 111:10, and Romans 12:2) to help us see the importance of a Christian Worldview and why it matters in the daily lives of believers.
Labor Day weekend provides a natural time to pause, reflect, and assess the state of our soul. Pastor Rob Bentz explains how Psalm 27 gives believers a solid framework to take the personal inventory--whatever the season of your soul.
As we wrap up our series, Built for More, we conclude by looking at what God desires to do through His people. We were built for more than simply living in community together--God has given His people a purpose. Discover this purpose in our latest message as Pastor Rob explains why we are Blessed for the Nations.
If we asked people what they have been most fearful of during this time, we may get many different answers; from COVID-19, social injustices, the unknown future, or even the safety of their family. Thankfully, we have good news. Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, there is hope! Because our God is the greatest and most powerful. And for believers, God is on our side! Discover with us in our newest message, Imagined Disaster, how when God is with us and how this reality reminds us that we have nothing to fear.
Unity seems very hard to come by these days. And we’ve all felt the harsh effects of what disunity causes. The Psalmist tells us of an eternal remedy - spiritual unity! God has given us the precious gift of a spiritual family. Discover with Pastor Rob Bentz in his message, The Goodness of Unity, how we can find the ultimate harmony in our Lord and Savior.
When one testifies in a courtroom, it’s usually to present evidence or because they witnessed something important. When we witness God’s goodness and power even during trials of life, we cannot help but testify!! We invite you to discover more on this message, Collective Testimony.
Has worship ever seemed like just a tradition you are supposed to do before a Sunday service? And now, worship seems less inspiring over a TV or computer screen? In Part 3 of our message series, Assembly Required, we are discussing the importance of praising God in every season. Worship is the key to unlocking blessings that we may have never realized. So what does happen when we praise God? Discover more in the message, Ever-Present Praise, from Pastor Rob Bentz.
Have you ever had to forgive someone who wasn’t really sorry? Not the easiest thing to do and ultimately that relationship will never be the same. Without repentance there is rarely a restored relationship. It's the same with God (and it’s not His fault). God wants nothing more than to have a relationship with us, with YOU! If our sin earns us God’s displeasure and separation from us, how is it possible to be restored to relationship and joy? Let's find out together as we discuss the Joy of Confession.
How do you know what your priorities really are? We prioritize what we delight in. The things that give us the greatest joy, we tend to meditate on. The same is true for the church when we gather. What we delight in most, what we value most, is what we prioritize, even when we gather as a church body. We should be asking the question, do our revealed delights match what we declare as a priority while in church? Discover more in this sermon, We Are What We Love.
Through the Parable of the Great Reversal, Jesus points our focus inward, inviting us to reflect on our own posture toward the Word of God. At the same time, he guides our attention to what’s to come, revealing to each one of us how our posture today determines our position in eternity.
When he told the Parable of the Qualified Sinner, Jesus revealed two ways people approach God. The meaning behind this story is as relevant to us today as it was to those listening when Jesus spoke it. Come away understanding how the heart matters when we approach God, and what may just be the matter with your heart.
As we study the parable Jesus told of the Open-Invite Banquet, we’ll discover what it looks like when we live as if the Kingdom of God has an open invitation. Parables are stories with intent, with the power to reveal truth we wouldn’t otherwise see. This parable asks us to stop treating Gospel invitations like an invitation to a social party and to truly consider, who are you inviting to the Kingdom?