Sermons – East Charlotte Pres: Recent Episodes

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Sunday Worship

August 2nd, 2026

“The Unknown God”

Acts 17:22-34

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Does Things Different
2. Dirt

Reflection Questions:

1. Would you say that in every way, you are a VERY religious person? Why or why not?
2. What are 3 significant ways Jesus does things differently than the way you do things?
3. When was a time you thought God would have your back, but He didn’t? (see Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 16:22-23; Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Samuel 7:1-17)
4. How do you feel about the fact that God insists on comparing you with sheep and children? How do you feel about the fact that your ancestry is Adamah?

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Sunday Worship

July 26th, 2026

“Noticed V. Seen”

Acts 17:1-9

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Coping Strategies
2. Christ Strange

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you in love with being noticed, but afraid of being seen?
2. Will you hurt anyone who gets too close, but also anyone who will not look?
3. Which way do you lean: epicureanism or stoicism?
4. How have you personally experienced the STRANGENESS of Jesus Christ?
5. How do you feel about Jonah’s extremely unflattering post about himself? (see Jonah 4:1-3,9)
6. What do you make of the utterly enigmatic invitation found in John 4:29?

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Sunday Worship

July 19th, 2026

“The Bullies & The Bereans”

Acts 17:10-15

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. The Bullies
2. The Bereans
3. The Body

Reflection Questions:

1. When (and how) have you been a bully?
2. When have you been preoccupied with a particular brand of Christianity (or theology), and/or the celebrity appeal of a certain personality?
3. When have you personally and profoundly wrestled with the Word of God/Jesus of Nazareth? When have you experienced and enjoyed Jesus as bridegroom and palpable boss of your life?
4. What is one of your best memories of belonging to, and fully participating in, the body of Christ?

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Sunday Worship

July 12th, 2026

“Jesus Consequences”

Acts 17:1-9

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Changes the Trajectory
2. Cripples the economy
3. Caught in His Current

Reflection Questions:

1. What is your favorite disruptive and/or controversial thing Jesus says in the Bible?
2. When have you engaged Jesus in a specific follow-up conversation about a point of emphasis where you felt He was being a bit too extreme?
3. What are 2 primary and personal implications ofActs 17:2-3 (“Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to SUFFER and to rise from the DEAD)? …see also John 3:14, 5:39; and Luke 24:27, 44.
4. How do you currently participate in the market for respectability, validation, and achieving control through fear? …Deep dive? Dabble? Disrupt?
5. What if just one of the unflattering stories about David was true of you, and what if God published that story? Would you rage against God for shaming and dishonoring you? OR would you invite everyone to joyfully come and meet a God who exposes everything you’ve ever done?
6. When was a time you experienced the real consequences of believing in Jesus of Nazareth (it wasn’t mere philosophy, or theological knowledge, or abstract theories)?

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Sunday Worship

July 5th, 2026

“How the Law Works in Our Lives”

Romans 7:7-13

Rev. Bailey Wagner

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. The Law Reveals Sin
2. The Law Results in Death
3. The Law Reorients us to Jesus

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Sunday Worship

June 28th, 2026

“Patience & Power”

Acts 16:16-40

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Punishing
2. Patience
3. Power

Reflection Questions:

1. What kinds of punishing situations have you experienced? For example, being followed around by someone with a spirit of divination – repeating one sentence of accurate information about you for days many days? Or being seized and dragged and falsely accused by people who are upset with you because you threatened their wealth?
2. When was a time you chose to be patient and endure hardship because it was a way to experience fellowship with Jesus (Philippians 3:10), and fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions (Colossians 1:24), and partner with the body of Jesus in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus (Revelation 1:9)?
3. When was a time that you chose to be patient and endure evil in order to give stubborn people time to repent (2 Timothy 2)?
4. When was a time you sang Psalm 2 in the face of injustice?
5. When was a time you chose to be “absurdly” confident in God, while being in an explicit position of weakness?

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Sunday Worship

June 21st, 2026

“Our Designs, God’s Direction”

Acts 16:6-15

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Frustrated
2. Fellowship
3. Fruit

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time God frustrated your good plans? How did you feel about that?
2. How have you experienced deeper fellowship with the spirit of Jesus when you have been forced to wait and wonder what’s going on?
3. How have you personally experienced hopeful groaning (supernaturally assisted by the Spirit of Jesus)?
4. When was a time you experience something unexpectedly exceedingly joyful and fruitful?

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Sunday Worship

June 14th, 2026

“What You CAN Do”

Acts 16:1-5

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Where & Who
2. Do
3. Emphasize

Reflection Questions:

1. Where (and who) do you regularly & joyfully choose to be (with)? What do you specifically and substantially enjoy about that particular environment (and community)? How does that setting (and society) help you to see and savor Jesus?
2. When was a time you shrewdly overlooked (or bypassed) something controversial or problematic in order to focus on something emphatically, essentially, and preeminently joyful?
3. Based on your most honest reading of Scripture – what is the emphasis of the Bible?

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Sunday Worship

June 7th, 2026

“Startled in the Wilderness”

1 Samuel 23:14-29

Rev. Sid Druen

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

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Sunday Worship

May 31st, 2026

“Groaning & Growth”

Acts 15:35-41

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Sharp Disagreement
2. Strengthening Churches

Reflection Questions:

1. When you read that Paul & Barnabas have a sharp disagreement (and they stop working together), how does that make you feel? Do you feel ho hum about it? Or do you feel panicked and unsettled?
2. What passages of the Bible have you most thoroughly imaginatively immersed yourself in? What are some specific (and deeply personal) thoughts and feelings you have about those stories and scenes of Scripture?
3. How do you feel about God’s habit of sharing VERY sensitive information about people?
4. How have you experienced God being VERY present with you in your groaning?

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Sunday Worship

October 12th, 2025

“Relapse”

Galatians 4:1-20

Rev. Sid Druen

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Our Situation
2. God’s Solution
3. Styles of Relating

Reflection Questions:

1. What are you adopting and practicing to get acceptance and approval? And what do you feel about people who don’t do “it” (parent, pray, date, etc.) the way you do or the way you think you should?
2. What result do you think will give you happiness and self-worth? And what do you blame when you don’t achieve “results” in your life?
3. Sinclair Ferguson says, “You are to others exactly what you believe God has been to you.” What do you believe God has been to you? What does the way you practice relationships with others tell you about what you believe about God?

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Sunday Worship

October 5th, 2025

“Offering The Emphasis”

Acts 7:39-60

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Meekness
2. Marriage
3. Mercy

Reflection Questions:

1. Why did the Israelites reject Moses and thrust him aside? Did it have anything to do with the fact that Moses was a meek, raggedy, octogenarian, with a speech impediment? (see also 1 Corinthians 2:1-8).
2. What kind of leaders and movements are most enamoring to you? Be honest – are you mostly drawn to things that seem popular, or politically relevant, or quantifiably impressive?
3. Read Luke 9:57-58. Be honest… do you think Jesus is making it TOO DIFFICULT for this guy? Really imagine Jesus saying this to YOU! Honestly, how would you feel if Jesus said this to you?
4. Read the saga of Hosea, and then seriously recognize that God is inviting you to see yourself as Gomer, and Him as Hosea …and then honestly ask yourself, “Do I want to emphatically embrace this as my identity and the chief narrative of my life?”
5. In what ways have you experienced (and perhaps settled for) transactional, surfacy/status-quo, arrangements with people and/or gods?
6. What are 3 specific ways your life would look different – if you were FULL of the Holy Spirit (and being positively distracted by Jesus reigning and laughing in heaven [see Psalm 2:4 and Acts 7:55]), instead of being full of offense and outrage?

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Sunday Worship

September 28th, 2025

“Running to God with Everything”

Psalm 42

Rev. Andrew Goyzueta

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Run to God with your Thirst
2. Run to God with your Tears
3. Run to God with your Turmoil

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Sunday Worship

September 21st, 2025

“The Route”

Acts 7: 17-38

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Wrongness
2. Wilderness
3. Weakness

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time you thought something would ‘work,’ but it didn’t? …perhaps you had prepared, and you had everything you needed for success, but things did not go the way you wanted them to?
2. When was a time you supposed someone would understand that you were trying to help them, but they didn’t?
3. When have you found yourself in an awkward, uncomfortable, and/or powerless position …and you were confident that it was exactly where God wanted you to be?
4. Read Exodus chapters 3-6 and underline every instance where you think Moses felt an intense aversion to weakness and foolishness.

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Sunday Worship

September 14th, 2025

“Priorities & Values”

Acts 7: 1-16

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Affection
2. Authority
3. Aim

Reflection Questions:

1. What is a custom that you cherish? What if someone disrupted that custom?
2. When was a time that someone spoke the truth to you and you hated them for it?
3. Have you ever disrupted a custom that other people fiercely cherish? …What are some church customs nowadays that Jesus of Nazareth might want you to disrupt?
4. How have you actually experienced the Word of God as being ultimately and absolutely authoritative in your decision-making?
5. As you read through the stories and poems of God’s Word, what do you keep encountering as reoccurring and relentless points of emphasis?
6. When was a time that God guided you into a situation that made you feel small, insufficient, and powerless? What stories in Scripture seem to promote this theme?
7. When was a time that you sincerely embraced and acted-on the priorities and values of Jesus of Nazareth?

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Sunday Worship

September 7th, 2025

“www.s&soj.org”

Acts 6:8-16

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Full Of Grace & Power
2. Violent Opposition
3. Worth Dying For

Reflection Questions:

1. When you hear the phrase “full of grace and power” what (or who) do you vividly, personally, and particularly think about? Is the person(s) and/or particulars rule-oriented, reputable, and reasonable; OR is the person(s) and/or particulars wild, weird, and weak?
2. What story and style are you intensely invested in these days?
3. How have you personally felt opposed to something Jesus said or did? Did you get wrestled into a posture of joyful submission by God? …or did you decide to stay opposed to God for the long-haul?
4. How do you feel about the fact that God put Stephen in a position to be mistreated so severely? Do you think that ‘the main thing’ in life should be to guarantee that no one ever gets mistreated like this ever again?

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Sunday Worship

August 31st, 2025

“Growing Pains”

Acts 6:1-7

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Complaints
2. Central
3. Caretaker Criteria

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you feel about the fact that Hellenist widows suffered neglect in the church!? Why do you think the Hebrews were neglecting the Hellenist widows? …Do you think the Hebrews would agree with the allegation that they were neglecting the Hellenist widows?
2. How do you feel about the HEAVY emphasis on sharing the Word of God with people in Acts 6-8? e.g. Acts 6:2,4; 7:2-53; 8:30-35.
3. Based on the characters God commends in Scripture (e.g. Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Esther, Jesus, Paul, etc.) what does it really mean to be ‘full of the spirit and wisdom’?
4. What do you make of the fact that all the deacons mentioned in Acts 6 have Greek names (see v.5)?

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Sunday Worship

August 24th, 2025

“Bold”

Acts 5:17-42

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. How Scared Should We Be?
2. How Sneaky & Satirical Is God?
3. How Bold Can We Be?

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time you truly felt like someone was ‘out to get you’? Did this person(s) have influence, resources, ‘principled arguments,’ intense jealousy, etc.?
2. What are your Top 5 favorite examples of God being sneaky and/or satirical?
3. What do you like about Gamaliel’s boldness? How might you emulate G-man’s boldness in your life in August 2025?
4. In what way(s) do you absolutely feel compelled to obey God (even if it means defying governing human authorities)?
5. When was a time you rejoiced that you were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus of Nazareth?

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Sunday Worship

August 17th, 2025

“Esse Quam Videri”

Acts 5:1-16

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Honestly
2. Honor

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways do you ardently want to seem, but you don’t actually want to be? (e.g. patient, repentant).
2. When was a time you got called out? (see Matthew 16:23; Luke 10:41; Luke 7:23).
3. What parts of Scripture unsettle you? What are 5 things that God says that you don’t instantly or easily agree with?
4. Does your paradigm and paragon of honor and greatness align with God’s? (see Luke 10:41-42; Mark 10:44).

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Sunday Worship

August 10th, 2025

“One”

Acts 4:32-37

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. The Commitment
2. The Compulsion
3. The Care

Reflection Questions:

1. When have you experienced being of one heart and one soul (and having everything in common) with others?
2. What are 5 differences between riding a roller coaster and whitewater rafting?
3. What is of FIRST IMPORTANCE to you? Look up 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Do you honestly receive this as ‘of first importance’? If you answered, “Yes,” then provide robust evidence that your answer is true.
4. When was a time you received super tangible help? When was a time you provided super tangible help?

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Sunday Worship

August 10th, 2025

“Our Exciting Purpose”

Matthew 28:16-20

Rev. Trent Thomas

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Why Where Matters?
2. Why Who Receives it Matters?
3. Why Who Gives it Matters?

Reflection Questions:

1. How does it matter where Jesus told them to go? What is the significance?
2. Do you believe it is OK to have doubts in your faith, or should you have full assurance? How does Jesus bring comfort to this question in the Great Commission?
3. What do you think you would have focused on if you had been on that hill about to hear the resurrected Lord speak his last words before his ascension?
4. Read Colossians 1. What does it say about the one who gives the Great Commission?
5. Read Matthew 4:7-10. What does Matthew 28:18 prove in light of the Matthew 4 Passage?
6. What is the main command of Jesus in this passage?
7. How do we know we can and should do it?

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Sunday Worship

August 11th, 2024

“Madness”

Nehemiah 2:17-20

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. The Call
2. The Critics
3. The Confidence

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time that someone invited you into a mission that felt like madness?
2. In Isaiah chapter 8 God says, “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, let Him be your fear, and let him be your dread. He will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to, and many shall stumble on it; they shall fall and be broken.” What about Jesus do you find offensive, or irrational, or ‘too crazy’?
3. In what ways are you ruled by fear? How does Jesus’ confrontational observation resonate with you, “You are anxious and troubled about many things?”
4. Jesus says, “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Does this inspire robust confidence in you? Why or why not?
5. What kind of pressure do you feel these days? Pressure from the world? Pressure from the church? (e.g. Woke pressure? Victim pressure? Materialism pressure? Cautious-ism pressure? Consumerism pressure? Efficiency & success pressure? Etc.).
6. Do you feel pressured to EMBRACE Matthew 10:16, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and John 4:29?

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Sunday Worship

August 4th, 2024

“And So It Begins”

Nehemiah 2:9-16

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Bad Secrets
2. Good Secrets

Reflection Questions:

1. Go to biblegateway.com and search “Eliashib” and notice all the references to this guy in the book of Nehemiah. Do you trust this guy? How do you feel about him in chapter 3? How do you feel about him in chapter 13?
2. Who is like Eliashib in your life in 2024—someone you’re close to, but clearly they have bad secrets and you can’t really trust them?
3. How do you feel about the shrewdness and secrecy of Jesus of Nazareth?
4. How do you feel about the most powerful secret of all? …The secret power, and unparalleled freedom, of embracing John 4:29 and Matthew 9:13?

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Sunday Worship

July 28th, 2024

“Not Safe But Good”

Nehemiah 2:1-8

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Seen Sadness
2. Honesty
3. Asking

Reflection Questions:

1. How has the good hand of God guided you into dangerous situations?
2. When was a time you were sad or upset, but it felt dangerous to let your sadness be seen?
3. What are ten examples of seen sadness in Scripture? (e.g. Romans 9:2; Mark 14:72; John 11:35; Luke 19:41)
4. What is something that you are scared to be honest about? Why?
5. How do you feel about the fact that ASKING for assistance (i.e. feeling needy and receiving help) is what God wants for you? (see Matthew 18:1-4).

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Sunday Worship

July 21st, 2024

“Responding to Problems”

Nehemiah 1:5-11

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Who’s In Charge?
2. Accountability
3. What Does God Want?

Reflection Questions:

1. What’s your typical response to problems? Find someone to blame? Complain? …or Fixate on Jesus?
2. Imaginatively inhabit the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50). What problems did Joseph face? How do you think Joseph dealt with those problems? What do you make of Genesis 50:20?
3. In light of the fact that Nehemiah is clearly ‘a victim’ (i.e. by no fault of his own, he was born and raised in exile), how do you feel about the fact that he confesses to being a villainous, corrupt, disobedient, evil man?
4. How do you feel about God wanting you to be needy and desperately dependent on Him; and how do you feel about the fact that He desires to mire you in His mercy?

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Sunday Worship

July 14th, 2024

“God Comforts”

Nehemiah 1:1-4

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Down and Dirty Details
2. Deep Down
3. Do What?

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time you experienced strange comfort? (i.e. something that doesn’t seem like it would comfort actually brought you much comfort).
2. How have you truly felt the down and dirty details of Scripture (e.g. David’s affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband)? How has this prompted you to truly wrestle with the down and dirty details of your life?
3. How do you feel about the fact that God leads you into places of deep darkness (e.g. Psalm 88:18)?
4. How do you feel about God’s mysterious and confounding plan for producing comfort and fruitfulness (see John 12:24)?

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Sunday Worship

July 14th, 2024

“God’s Prized Possession”

I Peter 2:4-10

Mr. Tennant Brastow

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. The Promise Of The Church
2. The Power Of The Church
3. The Privilege Of The Church

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever felt the pull of belonging to a lot of different groups (professional, neighborhood, kids’ activities, hobbies, etc)? What makes it so easy for us to prioritize our role in other things over our place in God’s church?
2. Of the metaphors Peter uses in verses 4-10, which one speaks to you most about the extraordinary value of being part of God’s church?
3. What in this passage compels you to play the role God’s given you in this community?
4. What in this passage compels you to proclaim God’s excellencies to those outside (and inside) of this community?

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Sunday Worship

June 30th, 2024

“Jesus Comes To Us As A Gift Of Grace”

John 1:1-18

Rev. Bailey Wagner

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Jesus Gives Us Life
2. Jesus Comes Down To Us
3. Jesus Gives Us What We Truly Need

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Sunday Worship

June 23rd, 2024

“Who are They?”

Philemon 23-25

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Delighted
2. Disappointed
3. Devoted

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you feel about all the lists of names in the Bible?
2. How has God forged enduring, edifying, friendships in your life through nitty-gritty life experiences?
3. How have you experienced disappointment or discouragement in your effort to care for other people?
4. How has God compelled you to hope for restoration and robust edification amidst of the wreckage of broken relationships?

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Sunday Worship

June 16th, 2024

“Under Pressure”

Philemon 17-22

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Receive
2. Debtors
3. Prepare a place

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time you received a very warm and robust welcome? Were you worthy of such a welcome (did you merit such a robust reception)? Or was the welcome mostly marvelous mercy?
2. Who has wronged you? Who owes you? What are you gonna do about it? Will Philemon 1:18 influence your course of action? (see also Luke 6:27-31 and John 13:34).

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Sunday Worship

June 9th, 2024

“I Want You To Want To”

Philemon 8-18

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Paradox
2. Practicality
3. Personal Favor
4. Ponder

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time God wanted you to do something extremely weak and foolish— AND God really wanted you to WANT to do it?
2. Have you ever been nervous to share a deep heartfelt desire with someone? Did your instincts tell you to “hide” or “keep things superficial” because you feared dismissal, downplaying, rationalizing or rejection?
3. What’s a social norm that feels stifling and unfitting to you? Where have you experienced the freedom of finding a better fit (e.g. not attending college in favor of a trade; or rejecting religious decorum in favor of working with ‘dirty Samaritans’)?
4. Have you ever wanted to do something lavish or audaciously generous for someone because you really enjoyed that person?
5. When was a time you wanted to do something because it put you closer to the ACTION of God’s profound and risky workmanship (e.g. think of Esther or Ruth)?

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Sunday Worship

June 2nd, 2024

“Eye Contact”

Mark 10:46-52

Rev. Sid Druen

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Imagining The Need
2. Seeing Faith
3. Following Mercy

Meditation Quotes:

We all are born into the world looking for someone looking for us, and we remain in this mode of searching for the rest of our lives. Curt Thompson

There’s no greater agony than bearing an untold story. Zora Neale Hurston

Reflection Questions:

1. What about Bartimaeus and his needs feels harder for you to identify with?
2. What about Bartimaeus and his needs feels easier for you to identify with?
3. If Jesus asked you today what do you want for me to do for you, how would you answer?

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Sunday Worship

May 26th, 2024

“Good Infection”

Philemon 4-7

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Revel
2. Request

Reflection Questions:

1. What are 2 or 3 ways you will practice and express gratitude daily?
2. Make a list of 20 things that come to mind when you heed the command of Philippians 4:8.
3. What does effective faith look like (see Philemon 6)?
4. Who is characteristically and consistently loving, hospitable, and kind?
5. What do you make of the reckless generosity of the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8?

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Sunday Worship

May 19th, 2024

“All Up In Your Business”

Philemon 1-3

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Prisoner
2. Fellow Workers & Soldiers
3. The Church In Your House

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t hide? You couldn’t pretend to be someone you weren’t?
2. Have you ever been in a situation where you really needed help, and you had to inconvenience others in order to get the help you needed?
3. What are some joys and struggles you’ve experienced working with others?
4. What are some regular joys and struggles of life in your house?

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Sunday Worship

May 12th, 2024

“A Song Of Ascents”

Psalm 121

Mr. Pedro Pollorena

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Who Yahweh Is
2. Protector Even In Small Details
3. Always Aware
4. He Is Near To You
5. Protects & Fights For You In A Fallen World

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Sunday Worship

May 5th, 2024

“Life Together”

Colossians 4:12-18

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Prayer
2. Production
3. Pioneers

Reflection Questions:

1. How have you experienced the rigors and JOY of wrestling with God in prayer (e.g. Genesis 32:22-31)?
2. How have you dared to intensify your prayerful love and care for people, while simultaneously intensifying your commitment to NOT cajoling, controlling, or fixing people; or solving their problems?
3. How do you feel about the LACK of formal policies, programs, events, and solemn structure in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth?
4. Who is a tried and true, trusted, friend and companion in your life? Send them a message or call them today and let’em know!
5. Which pioneer leader do you follow? Do they lead you into rustic, risky, homespun experiences?

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Sunday Worship

April 28th, 2024

“Difficult Friendships”

Colossians 4:10-11

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Substantial Differences
2. Shared Suffering
3. Admit You’re Wrong
4. Being a ‘Nobody’

Reflection Questions:

1. Read through Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia. Underline all Paul’s comments about “the men from James” or “the circumcision party,” and notice how intensely Paul disagrees with them. What group do you intensely disagree with like this? Do you have any friends who belong to that group?
2. Do you think people subscribe to algorithms that simply reinforce what they already think, and tell them what they want to hear? Do you think you do this?
3. Have you ever experienced unity with someone (specifically someone you disagree with) through shared suffering?
4. When was a time you enjoyed the exhilarating freedom of admitting you were wrong?
5. When was a time you enjoyed the substantive shalom of being “a nobody?”

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Sunday Worship

April 21st, 2024

“Trusted & Cherished Friend”

Colossians 4:7-9

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Entrusted With His Story
2. Entrusted With His Son
3. Gratitude & Longing

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you feel about the fact that people are talking about you when you’re not present? Who do you trust to facilitate a conversation about you when you’re not there to offer explanations, clarifications, or nuances regarding your choices and circumstances?
2. Have you ever personally known someone who was facing charges or an impending trial? Did they want people to rigorously consider the details of their story, or were they okay with a reductionistic survey of their story?
3. When was a time you entrusted someone with a person (or a thing) that was extremely close to your heart?

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Sunday Worship

April 14th, 2024

“Walk In Wisdom”

Colossians 4:2-6

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Unnecessary Risks
2. Uncomfortable Community
3. Unorthodox Wisdom

Reflection Questions:

1. How has God influenced you to take ‘unnecessary risks’?
2. How has God allowed you to experience ‘uncomfortable community’?
3. Paul says, “in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God …Jesus of Nazareth has become to us wisdom from God …we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God.” Are you on board with this? Really? …Really?
4. How has God ‘opened a door for the Word – for you to declare the mystery of Christ’ to people?
5. What do you think it means to “declare the Word/the mystery of Christ clearly”? How does Jesus off clarity to the people (including the ‘Bible experts’) of His day? [see Matthew 13:13-15]
6. Based on the life and leadership of Jesus of Nazareth …what does it look like to ‘make the best use of the time;’ and to ‘let your speech always be gracious, and seasoned with salt’?

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Sunday Worship

April 7th, 2024

“Loving Your Role”

Colossians 3:18- 4:1

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Content
2. Cherish
3. Christ

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways have you historically attempted to apply Colossians 3:18-4:1? How has that worked out for you?
2. Are you content in your role as wife, husband, child, parent, employee, boss (whichever role[s] apply to you)? Why or why not?
3. Have you ever experienced THE JOY of something incredibly complicated and strenuous?
4. How is it helpful to see yourself as Jesus’ understudy in your role as submitter, lover, authority, servant, master (whichever role[s] apply to you)?

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Sunday Worship

March 31st, 2024

“The Kingdom Of Christ”

Colossians 3: 12-17

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Armor And Weapons
2. Let The Peace Of Christ Rule
3. Let The Word Dwell Richly

Reflection Questions:

1. What’s your vision of God’s Kingdom prevailing on the world? Do you honestly think God’s tactics of deploying sheep into a world of wolves will pan out?
2. How confident are you about the armor and weaponry God has outfitted you with (the weapons and armor of compassion, kindness, meekness, and patience)?
3. Russell Moore says, “We don’t persuade our neighbors by mimicking their angry power- protests. We persuade them by holding fast to the Gospel, and by serving the world and our neighbors around us.” Do you agree?
4. When was a time that Jesus overruled your complaint with His peace? (see Luke 10:38-42)
5. How will you LET the peace of Christ RULE your life in the month of April 2024?
6. How will you LET the Word of Christ DWELL IN YOU RICHLY in the month of April 2024?

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Sunday Worship

March 24th, 2024

“Christ Is All In All”

Colossians 3: 5-11

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. How Not To Interpret and Apply This Passage
2. Healthy For The Whole World
3. He Is All In All

Reflection Questions:

1. How have you put putty and paint on the rotten wood issues in your life? In other words, what superficial and/or simplistic strategies have you employed in your “fight” against selfishness, greed, and unhealthy indulgence?
2. How have you dismissed, or given up on, the fight against your flesh? Why have you decided not to fight?
3. How have you (specifically) experienced the anguish of Romans 7:18-19?
4. How have you experienced the freedom of being able to admit what Paul’s publicly sharing about himself in Romans 7:18-19?
5. Read Romans 8. Read Romans 8 again. Read Romans 8 a 3rd time. After personally and repeatedly immersing yourself in the stunning realities of this chapter of Scripture… how are you now ready to joyfully wage war against your deceitful flesh?

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Sunday Worship

March 17th, 2024

“Seek The Things Above”

Colossians 3: 1-4

Rev. Tennant Brastow

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Four Heavenly Realities
2. Finding Your Life In Christ

Reflection Questions:

1. What earthly things threaten to take control of your mindset (your ideas, behaviors, plans, etc.) in everyday life?
2. When you think of the heavenly realities in verses 1-4, what makes them so astounding that if you believe them, you will be different from anyone around you who doesn’t? How do they impact you?
3. Verse 4 says that, “Christ… is your life.” What else (besides Jesus) threatens to “be your life?” What would it look like to tell that idol, “You are not my life. Only Jesus is my life?”

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Sunday Worship

March 10th, 2024

“Dying With _____ To _____”

Colossians 2:20-23

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Old Habits
2. Righteous Rejection
3. Freedom Of Forgiveness

Reflection Questions:

1. What words would you put in the blanks “Dying with __________ to __________?” In other words, what are you seriously committed to, and subsequently what are you rejecting or cutting yourself off from?
2. What superficial customs do you follow because they have the appearance of wisdom? What do you do to feel in control?
3. What human precepts would you like to NOT SUBMIT to anymore?
4. In what ways have you experienced freedom via walking and dying with Christ? In other words, how has the extremely enigmatic WAY of Jesus changed you?

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Sunday Worship

March 3rd, 2024

“Shadow Vs. Substances”

Colossians 2:16-19

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Stuck In The Shadows
2. Savoring The Substance

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways are you stuck in the shadows of legalism, religious observances, self- disciplinism, preoccupation with “principle issues,” and worrying about “important biblical doctrines”?
2. How do you regularly savor the substance of Jesus? What are the major points of emphasis for Jesus? …How do you habitually join Jesus in those points of emphasis?

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Sunday Worship

February 25th, 2024

“Bold”

Colossians 2:8-15

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. Bold Confrontation
2. Bold Commendation
3. Bold Clarification

Reflection Questions:

1. What captivating philosophies enslave you? What empty, deceitful, human traditions enslave you?
2. When was a time you boldly confronted a very real problem? (to determine whether or not something is a ‘very real problem’ you must see Jesus of Nazareth clearly and emphatically confronting it as a problem in the Gospel accounts).
3. Have you ever wondered what God truly, and most emphatically, commends? How does the life and teaching (both the substance and the style) of Jesus of Nazareth help you answer that question?
4. How does fixating on Jesus, and especially on being FORGIVEN (in Christ alone) clarify what truly matters? (e.g. consider how the apostle Paul wielded the CLARITY of forgiveness and freedom in Christ alone in his dramatic letter to the church in Galatia).

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Sunday Worship

February 18th, 2024

“Christian Maturity”

Colossians 2:6-7

Rev. Tyler Dirks

Sermon Audio

Sermon Outline:

1. As You Received Christ
2. Rooted, Built Up, & Est. in the Faith
3. Abounding In Thanksgiving

Reflection Questions:

1. How did you first receive Jesus? When you first received Jesus how prominent was your sense of desperation and neediness?
2. What’s your picture of a “Mature Christian”? What was the prevailing assumption regarding “religious maturity” in Jesus’ day?
3. How has Jesus continued to force you to feel vulnerable and desperately dependent (to keep you from becoming conceited, and to perfect His power in you)?
4. How GRATEFUL are you on a weekly basis for the ROOT system of Jesus’ forgiveness and eccentric discipleship?

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Sunday Worship September 10th, 2023 “The Sign Of Samson” Judges 15:9-20 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Spoil The Status Quo Wreck The System The Sign Of Samson Reflection Questions: How have you chronically complied with, and cozied up to, an unhealthy status quo? See Mark 7:6-9; 8:36; 1 Timothy 6:10; […]

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Sunday Worship September 9th, 2023 “Stranger Things” Judges 15:1-8 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Foolish Genius Conclusive & Alone Reflection Questions: Rigorously reflect on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. Dwell on this paragraph the way you dwell on your issues with people who have offended you and hurt you. Make this paragraph […]

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Sunday Worship August 27th, 2023 “The True Spectacle” Judges 14:10-20 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Feeling Threatened Fighting For Control Fixation Reflection Questions: When was a time you felt threatened? Why did you feel threatened? How did you react to “the threat”? How did you cope with feeling insecure? How […]

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Sunday Worship August 20th, 2023 “Signs & Hungers” Judges 14:5-9 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Signs Hungers Reflection Questions: How have you been deeply & profoundly impacted by God’s miraculous signs? *Specifically the signs Jesus talks about in Luke 12:24, 27? Read Ephesians 6:12. In what ways has God sent […]

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Sunday Worship August 13th, 2023 “The Prevailing Purposes Of God” Judges 14:1-4 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Our Preferences Pushback God’s Purposes Reflection Questions: Imagine the pain and disappointment Samson’s parents felt when their son was adamant about marrying a Philistine lady. When was a time that someone else’s preference […]

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Sunday Worship August 6th, 2023 “Are You Listening?” Judges 13:15-25 Mr. Austin Cassel Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Clear Communication The Pleasing Offering The Arrival Reflection Questions: What does communication with God look like for you? What about your communication changes when you face uncertainty? Read Matt. 6:5-14. What is easy/hard/exciting/scary to pray […]

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Sunday Worship July 30th, 2023 “The Intrusion of Grace” Judges 13:1-14 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Desensitized Desiring Grace Reflection Questions: How have you personally encountered and experienced the action and intrusion of grace in your real life? Read Flannery O’ Connor’s short story entitled “Revelation.” In what ways are […]

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Sunday Worship July 23rd, 2023 “Modest Monuments” Judges 12:8-15 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Shrewdness Gentle Strength Servant Hearted Reflection Questions: Where is God inviting you to practice shrewdness and diligence these days? How is God inviting you to practice modesty, meekness, and gentle strength these days? How will you […]

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Sunday Worship July 16th, 2023 “Pride & Punishment” Judges 12:1-7 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Audio Sermon Outline: Pride Punishment Reflection Questions: Read the following quote and then write a letter to a friend wherein you cite this quote and briefly share how it resonates with (and reflects) you… “A man who lies to […]

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Sunday Worship July 9th, 2023 “Costly Grace” Judges 11:29-40 Mr. Bailey Wagner Sermon Outline: Pagan Understandings Pagan Vows Pagan Consequences

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Sunday Worship July 2nd, 2023 “Offering Truth” Judges 11:12-28 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: The Truth Explained The Law of Truth Truth’s Warning Reflection Questions: When was a time someone offered you the truth, but you rejected it? What are 5 things that God has given you, that you need to be […]

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Sunday Worship June 24th, 2023 “A Strange Answer to A Desperate Plea” Judges 11:1-11 Mr. Austin Cassel Sermon Outline: An Overwhelming Problem An Attitude of Desperation Transformative Trust Reflection Questions: What digital data is immensely valuable to you? What does this indicate about your deep-rooted values? When you feel desperate, where do […]

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Sunday Worship June 18th, 2023 “Who Will Lead Us?” Judges 10 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Simple Leaders Seductive Leaders The Good Shepherd Reflection Questions: Who influences you? Who do you actually follow? How fixated are you on this person? How deeply do you consider their ways? How rigorously do you strive […]

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Sunday Worship June 11th, 2023 “God At Work” Judges 9:22-57 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Says So Subterraneous Satire Reflection Questions: When was a time you really doubted that God was at work, but then you were sincerely shocked to discover that HE WAS!? How has God’s Word been of supernatural assistance […]

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Sunday Worship June 4th, 2023 “The Bramble” Judges 9:1-21 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: A Promised Son A Provocative Parable Preasure to Reflect Reflection Questions: In what ways do you feel entitled? Or in what ways do you feel like you’ve been promised things that fuel your greed How have you fallen […]

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Sunday Worship

May 28, 2023

“The Appearance of Godliness”

Judges 8:22-35

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/pysofgz59vn5vac/ECPC-Worship-20230528.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. False Humility
2. Focused on The Wrong Thing
3. Forgetting

Reflection Questions:

1. In 2 Timothy 3 Paul says, “People will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, not loving good, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness but denying its power.” …Write out a one or two examples of how you have embodied each of these characteristics. Keep in mind that this exercise is not intended to make you feel bad about yourself, but rather it is aggressively aligned with your progress and joy in the faith of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:25).
2. What are the premiere snares of superficiality, consumerism, materialism, greed, and gluttony nowadays? (don’t think about what ensnares others, think about what ensnares you).
3. What has an appearance of godliness, so you think, “This is really good! I’m gonna make this my main thing!” But – like the ephod in Gideon’s story, or circumcision in Paul’s letters – it become an unhealthy obsession for you?
4. How are you specifically resolved and excited to forget what lies behind (your sins of forgetting God), and strain forward to what lies ahead – pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? (Philippians 3:13-14)

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Sunday Worship

May 21, 2023

“Vengeance”

Judges 8:10-21

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/dwvup4txbbk9uf8/ECPC-Worship-20230521.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Robbing the Real Maestro
2. Flawed Reasoning
3. All-Consuming

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time you took vengeance into your own hands?
2. Why is it better to defer to God when it comes to vengeance (be very specific)?
3. What do you really, deeply, passionately WANT for the people who have wronged you? Repentance or wrath? (see James 2:13)
4. Read Romans 12:14-21. How will you let go of your vengeance vows, and instead make vows to overcome evil with goodness? (be very specific)
5. How will you go nuts with Romans 12:14-21? How will you embrace it not merely as an option, but as your obsession (as the all-consuming WAY of Christ!)? [*Psalm 69:9]

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Sunday Worship

May 14, 2023

“Powder Keg”

Judges 8:1-9

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/79i6zl3ffsmqgty/ECPC-Worship-20230514.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Complaints & Accusations
2. Exhausted & Unsupported
3. Response

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever chosen to feel offended and get dramatic and shrill about blaming others?
2. Have you ever been fiercely accused of something you didn’t do? How did that make you feel?
3. How do you feel about the fact that it takes next-to-nothing to trigger your insecurity and inner-volatility?
4. How have you made use of flattery and people-pleasing to placate people
5. When was a time you should’ve paused to process how you were feeling, and rest, and perhaps solicit some help; but you just powered through and kept going?
6. Have you ever felt exhausted and unsupported? How did you cope with that?

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Sunday Worship

May 7, 2023

“God At Work”

Judges 7:19-25

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/7oqgqagwkcxu7ts/ECPC-Worship-20230507.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Front Row Seat
2. See God Work
3. Invited & Involved

Reflection Questions:

1. What’s something you will not allow to become peripheral in your life; something you insist on having a front row seat for it?
2. Read John 6:28-29. Why is this exchange so important? Should you ever allow yourself to loosen your grip on Jesus’ answer? Why or why not?
3. Think about where you choose to be most of the time… are you putting yourself in a position to see Jesus work (hint: you will need to be where Jesus likes to be in order to watch Him work. Jesus likes to be in Samaria [i.e. with outcasts]; Jesus does not like to be with comfortable, homogenous, critical, religious people; Jesus likes to be around kids; Jesus likes to be with sinners [Matt.9:10-13]; Jesus likes to be with sojourners, refugees, widows, and orphans; Jesus likes to be in eclectic communities [like East CLT]; etc.).
4. How has your AWE of Jesus subsequently led to you taking action with Jesus? Like you’re following Him, and all of sudden you’re laboring alongside Him amidst the dangerous and harrowing work He loves to be about?

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Sunday Worship

April 30, 2023

“Cultivating Confidence”

Judges 7:9-18

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/plq9brw32s8nel3/ECPC-Worship-20230430.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Moving Toward The Fear
2. Listen For What God Says
3. Worship & Walk In His Way

Reflection Questions:

1. If you were counseling a fearful person, how would you go about building their confidence?
2. When was a time you moved toward your fears?
3. Who has God put in your life to simply be with you as you face your fears?
4. Read Luke 16:27-31. When it comes to building up people’s confidence in the power and personal care of God, what do you think would be more effective: (a) supernatural visitations of resurrected members of the community? or (b) reading the Bible?
5. When was a time God used something small (or silly) to significantly boost your confidence?
6. When was a time you were sincerely and thoroughly geared up and giddy about doing something GOD’s WAY?

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Sunday Worship

April 23, 2023

“What God Wants”

Judges 7:1-8

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/3drs8xnl7mxcre3/ECPC-Worship-20230423.mp3

Sermon Outline:

1. Honesty
2. First Love Affection
3. Weakness

Reflection Questions:

1. How have you experienced the freedom of being honest about the fact that you’re scared, while simultaneously experiencing the freedom of not being dominated and defined by fear?
2. Ponder the breadth and depth of this motif (being honest about fear, but not dominated by fear) in Scripture (e.g. Joseph, son of Jacob; Moses; Ruth; King David; Esther; Daniel; etc.).
3. What is your favorite story of wholehearted love and joy in the Bible? …Are there robust themes of dying to self and God’s power perfected through weakness in that story?
4. Undoubtedly you invest a lot of time thinking about what you want. Take 10 minutes to rigorously ponder the question, “What does God want?”

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Sunday Worship

April 16, 2023

“Assurance”

Judges 6:33:40

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/pzh2mgbqtzcdoi0/ECPC-Worship-20230416.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. The Process of Believing
2. The Patience of God

Reflection Questions:

1. When have you been following Jesus, and subsequently you found yourself in a precarious position?
2. When was a time you desperately asked God for assurance?
3. How do you feel about the fact that God is in no way obligated to be patient with you? (e.g. Matthew 8:9-10; Luke 7:7-10).
4. How do you feel about the fact that God is outrageously patient with you? (e.g. Acts 13:18; Genesis 18:22-33; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 9:16)?
5. 2 Peter 3:15 says, “Count the patience of our Lord as salvation.” How is your life dominated and defined by God’s exceedingly merciful patience? How do you see the patience of God producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in your life?

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Sunday Worship

April 9, 2023

“Perceiving The LORD is Peace”

Judges 6:19-32

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ogut9vi6z6n3oh5/ECPC-Worship-20230409.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Incredulous
2. Intimidated
3. Intense

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time you were incredulous toward God? (e.g. Luke 24:11).
2. When was a time you encountered God, and you thought that such an encounter would kill you? (e.g. Judges 6:22-23; Isaiah 6:5).
3. Are you surprised by the fact that being at peace with God will make you an extremist?
4. Jesus is the prince of peace, which makes Him the most intense person in history. What are some ‘intense Jesus moments’ in the gospels that really stick out to you?
5. When was a time you were invited to participate in God’s boldness and intensity? (e.g. Acts 7:54-60).

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Sunday Worship

April 2, 2023

“God’s Presence”

Judges 6:1-18

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/vmh1kqqlote5aua/ECPC-Worship-20230402.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Our Problems
2. Our Pessimism
3. God’s Presence

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Sunday Worship

March 26, 2023

“Celebration Song”

Judges 5

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/02dv73m6syem7nz/ECPC-Worship-20230326.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Be Enthusiastically Invested
2. Embrace the Extremely Unlikely Hero
3. Immerse Yourself in the Story

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Sunday Worship

March 19th, 2023

“Stories of Salvation”

Judges 4:17-24

Bailey Wagner

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/nbtbd7dh8xh9f2o/ECPC-Worship-20230319.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Inescapable Judgment
2. An Unlikely Deliverer
3. An Unforgettable Acts of Salvation

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Sunday Worship

March 12th, 2023

“Good Intention”

Judges 4:1-16

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/7dvheb366tnz9cq/ECPC-Worship-20230312.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. External Pressure
2. Entrenched Passivity
3. Edification & Passion

Reflection Questions

1. What’s something that you’re so passionate about you would continue to do it even if everyone else stopped?
2. Read Luke 14:16-24. What is your FIRST LOVE? (see Revelation 2:4 and Matthew 22:37).
3. Why does God tell us the names of Deborah and Jael’s husbands?
4. Why does God so often station His prophets, judges, and kings in the wilderness (e.g. John the Baptist, Deborah, Elijah, David, etc.)? Why not station them in bustling malls, and markets, and Hollywood, and court rooms, and theme parks, and thronging cities?
5. What sort of daunting, costly, endeavor is God inviting you to participate in these days?

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Sunday Worship

March 5th, 2023

“More Than Conquerors”

Judges 3:26-31

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/63x7bs5sarub5zu/ECPC-Worship-20230305.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Who Are They
2. What Do They Have

Reflection Questions

1. Think of someone who is not impressive to you. Now, whoever you are currently following on Instagram, stop following them, and follow this unimpressive person instead!
2. Reflect on the story of Moses and consider how nobody wanted to follow him in his prime (see Exod. 2:14); and even after the plagues and miracles, people still didn’t respect or trust Moses (see Exod. 17:3). Now think of someone you don’t like, whom God has put in leadership, and wrestle with God regarding how much this bothers you.
3. What meager resources has God given you to wield as a more than conquering participant in His world domination agenda? Are you super excited to exercise this paltry provision as God’s kingdom agent? If not, then wrestle with God about how much this bothers you.

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Sunday Worship

February 26, 2023

“Satire & Salvation”

Judges 3:12-25

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/dumn9dmnrzns4mp/ECPC-Worship-20230219.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. A Big Problem
2. Satire
3. The Savior

Reflection Questions

1. What big problems are you currently facing?
2. How have you seen God address your problems?
3. What’s your favorite scene of salvation satire in Scripture? (e.g. 1 Samuel 5:4; Numbers 22-24; Esther 6:6-11; 1 Kings 18:27; 1 Corinthians 15:55; etc.)
4. If you were in charge of getting Judges 3:12-25 produced as a movie who would you get to direct the film, and who would you cast to play Eglon & Ehud?
5. Check out Psalm 2:4; 37:13; 52:6; 59:8. Do you feel like these episodes of laughter are inappropriate?
6. What are 5 specific ways you envision John 3:30 playing out in your life? Think, specifically, about what it actually looks like for Jesus to increase (according to His style and points of emphasis in Scripture).

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Sunday Worship

February 19 2023

“Mysterious Mystery”

Judges 3:7-11

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/l1aqazcbggpuxsy/ECPC-Worship-20230219.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Why We Forget God
2. Why God Gives Us Over
3. Why God Responds To Our Cries

Reflection Questions

1. What are 3 things that you NEVER FORGET? Why do you obsess about, and so highly value, these things?
2. What is it (specifically) about God, that makes you feel like He is unworthy of your ceaseless and obsessive remembrance?
3. Why do you think God chooses to give us over to the unhealthy lusts of our hearts? (e.g. Romans 1:24)
4. Why do you think God insists that we be fanatically in love with Him? (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
5. Do you think God is being reckless and/or wasteful by choosing to save His people over and over and over and over and over again, and again, and again, and again, and again? (see Romans 10:21)
6. Do you think that God’s decision to marry such a chronically faithless woman is cosmically

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Sunday Worship

February 12, 2023

“Learning War”

Judges 3:1-6

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/6zf0kn7tjyedur2/ECPC-Worship-20230212.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Discernment
2. Discipline
3. Delight

Reflection Questions

1. Read Deuteronomy 30:15,19 and Jeremiah 21:8. How do you feel about the fact that God puts us in situations where we are tested?
2. What are some examples of things you’re enticed by, but they’re not good for you? When have you experienced a hard test?
3. How, specifically, has God authored discernment and discipline in your life? What are 3 instances of discernment and/or discipline in Moses’ life?
4. How have you come to discover JOY through tests, discernment, and discipline?

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Sunday Worship

February 5, 2023

“Undeserved Faithfulness”

Judges 2:16-23

Bailey Wagner

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/scqlg2vk76k0vy2/ECPC-Worship-20230205.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. God is faithful in our present situation
2. God is faithful to destroy our idols
3. God is faithful despite our disobedience

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Sunday Worship

January 29, 2023

“NO NOMINALISM!”

Judges 2:6-15

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/o2d0arq1o2y09w2/ECPC-Worship-20230129.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Knowing God
2. Knowing About God
3. Unquenchable Joy OR Terrible Distress

Reflection Questions

1. When was a time you really got to know God (as opposed to merely knowing about Him)?
2. Are there any people in your life who earnestly participate in the rigors of a real relationship with God, and actually rely on God to such an extent that they take risks? Who? How will you go about imitating them, and becoming like them?
3. What do you most evidently worship (i.e. you’re clearly engrossed in, infatuated with, and defined by this thing)?
4. When have you been terribly distressed? What was the root cause of your terrible distress? Was it your circumstances, or was it some version of spiritual cancer?
5. Read Philippians 4:4-7, Hebrews 10:34, and 2 Corinthians 12:10 and have a heart-to-heart conversation with God about these passages.

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Sunday Worship

January 22, 2023

“Real Repentance?”

Judges 2:1-5

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/38tr2r2stt5nfbl/ECPC-Worship-20230121.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Confrontation
2. Contrition
3. Change?

Reflection Questions

1. What’s been your experience with confrontation?
2. What’s your criteria for confrontation?
3. What’s one thing you feel bad about, but you don’t actually repent of it?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-11. When was a time you experienced godly grief producing repentance and eagerness to clear yourself, healthy indignation and fear, and longing and zeal for Jesus?
5. How have you experienced the expulsive power of a higher affection? In other words, how have you actually seen yourself change because of Deuteronomy 6:5 love for Jesus?

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Sunday Worship

January 15, 2023

“God’s House”

Judges 1:22-36

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/fott1u3vmrpmopt/ECPC-Worship-20230115.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Bethel
2. Zeal For His House

Reflection Questions

1. How do you feel about the fact that God isn’t satisfied with you merely believing in
   Him, but He is zealous to make His abode with you!?
2. Just as the tribes of Israel decided to integrate with the abominable practices of
   Canaan, how do we integrate with the abominable customs of MATERIALISM and
   STATUS?
3. Read Mark 7:1-13 and make a list of 10 ways you forsake God’s paradigm of
   success in favor of your paradigm of success. (E.G. we think a big “church” facility is
   a sign of “success”; but using this criteria the vagabond preacher approach of Jesus
   “isn’t successful”. Or consider how we mostly highly esteem PhD theologians; which
   means we would – most likely – completely dismiss the 12 apostles).

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Sunday Worship

January 8, 2023

“Confidence and Fear”

Judges 1:8-21

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/t357nmx4pucy41v/ECPC-Worship-20230108.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Confidence
2. Fear

Reflection Questions

1. How have you personally experienced Christ-centered confidence (as opposed to ‘foolish confidence’ [see Psalm 49:13])?
2. When was a time someone challenged you to boldly trust and obey God, and pursue something radical because of your confidence in Christ?
3. When was a time you were pressured into doing something difficult and good?
4. When was a time you unashamedly & audaciously asked people to give money to (or help with) something?
5. How have you seen fear & timidity erode your confidence in Christ? (see Matthew 14:30)
6. Have you ever had a friend offend you for your own good? (see Matthew 11:6 and Luke 7:23).
7. How have you personally experienced the REALITY of 1 John 4:18?

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Sunday Worship

January 1, 2023

“The Gospel According to Judges”

Judges 1:1-7

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/2cbrywzkjizf7gj/ECPC-Worship-20230101.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Relationship
2. Reliance
3. Risks & Righteousness

Reflection Questions

1. How have you personally experienced God’s intensely jealous desire for a completely monogamous, exclusive, and totally devoted relationship?
2. What is the most regular and substantial way you practice real reliance on God?
3. When was a time you participated in a very real, risky, and collaborative mission with a fellow follower of Jesus?
4. What is the ultimate commentary on all the violence, wrath, and bloodshed in the Old Testament? What is it most fully and finally pointing us to?

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Sunday Worship

December 25, 2022

“Christmas”

Matthew 2:1-12

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/u9ffsn0bh9cmuw4/ECPC-Worship-20221225.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Distraction
2. Obsession
3. Danger

Reflection Questions

1. Read Mark 4:19. What’s distracting you these days?
2. Read John 12:42-43. How is fear of man hindering you these days?
3. What are you so obsessed with that you use all other things to get you closer to this
   thing?
4. How have you found Scripture to be absolutely vital to your obsession with Christmas/
   the redemptive mission of Jesus?
5. How has God awakened you to the reality that you are living in a war zone? How has
   God enlivened and emboldened you to participate in the war effort?

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Sunday Worship

December 18, 2022

“God’s Showed Up”

Luke 2:8-20

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ep7eebvyukgib6g/ECPC-Worship-20221218.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. God’s Excitement
2. God’s Society & Sign
3. God’s Promise

Reflection Question

1. What is something you know for a fact God is excited about? How will you join God in
   His excitement for that thing this upcoming week?
2. As you reflect on all the various stories in Scripture, who – would you say – are God’s
   peeps? What kind of society does He prefer to keep? Is God’s preferred society
   compatible with your preferred society?
3. When was a time “God really showed up” in your life?

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Sunday Worship

December 11, 2022

“God’s Agenda”

Luke 1:39-45

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/mqqzf2k58v1bl97/ECPC-Worship-20221211.mp3Sermon Outline:

1. Disruptive
2. Supportive
3. Awesome

Reflection Question

1. When was a time God disrupted your life and recruited you to participate in something mysterious and surreal?
2. How has God provided specific support for you in a time of need?
3. When was a time you were truly awed by God’s agenda?

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Sunday Worship September 25, 2022 “The Language of the Holy Spirit” Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-13 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Conceit Constraints Christ Crucified Reflection Questions In what ways do you have an unhealthy commitment to feeling superior and choosing sameness What kind of caring constraints has God put in your life to restrict […]

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Sunday Worship September 18, 2022 “The Society of the Holy Spirit” 2 Samuel 23:1-4 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Servants Psalmist Sunny Types Reflection Questions: In Matthew 20, Jesus says that the greatest members of society are the servants and slaves. How do you apply this truth to your everyday life? The Psalms are […]

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Sunday Worship September 11, 2022 “Compelling Authority” 1 Samuel 19:18-24 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Our Authority Our Affection Our Acquiescence Reflection Questions: In what specific area of life do you most crave control? What do you obsessively monitor and manage? How do you spin your over-controlling tendencies, and seek to justify yourself? How […]

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Sunday Worship September 4, 2022 “The Instructing and Sustaining Spirit” Nehemiah 9:16-21 Bailey Wagner Sermon Outline: The Holy Spirit Instructs and Sustains Stubborn People The Holy Spirit Instructs and Sustains Unfaithful People The Holy Spirit Instructs and Sustains Needy People

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Sunday Worship August 28, 2022 “The Creativity Of The Holy Spirit” Pslam 104:1-4, 24-26, 30-31 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-08-28 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Power Personality Priority

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Sunday Worship August 21, 2022 “Anger & Pity” Jonah 4:9-11 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-08-21 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Angry About the Absence of Mercy Pity for Beastly People Reflection Questions What are 7 instances in Scripture where God is angry over the absence of something good? (e.g. Mark 3:5) When was […]

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Sunday Worship August 14th, 2022 “Make Them See” Jonah 4:4-8 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-08-14 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: The Model For Misery The Priority For Mercy Reflection Questions When was a time you got life on your terms and it made you miserable? Have you ever experienced the acute misery of […]

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Sunday Worship August 7th, 2022 “An Angry Prayer” Jonah 4:1-4 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-08-07 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Our Emotion Our Evil God’s Response Reflection Questions Have you ever vented to God? How do you think God felt about that? Which of your emotional muscles have atrophied? How will you go […]

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Sunday Worship July 31st, 2022 “The Mercy Pitch” Jonah 3:6-10 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-07-31 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: You’re Not The Boss Life Through Death Gotta Be All In Reflection Questions When have you attempted to be the boss of your life, and had it come back to bite you? When […]

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Sunday Worship July 24th, 2022 “It’s The Craziest Thing!” Jonah 3:1-5 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-07-24 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: God Is Still Employing Jonah Jonah Is Lukewarm The Ninevites Are Receptive Reflection Questions As you reflect on church history (including your life), when was a time where you wondered, “Why is […]

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Sunday Worship July 17th, 2022 “The Sign of Jonah” Jonah 2 Mr. Bailey Wagner 2022-07-17 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Assured Salvation Irreverent Longings Misplaced Mercy

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Sunday Worship July 10th, 2022 “The Sign of Jonah” Jonah 1:17 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-07-10 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: What You Get What You Want Reflection Questions When was a moment where you realized that it would not be healthy for you to get what you wanted? In Luke 11, Matthew […]

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Sunday Worship July 3rd, 2022 “Prevailing Mercy” Jonah 1:7-16 Mr. Tyler Dirks 2022-07-03 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Feeling The Fact That You’re Small Your Strategies Fail Embrace The Shocking Sign Of God’s Mercy Reflection Questions When was a time God forced you to feel insufficient in your area of expertise? How […]

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Sunday Worship June 26th, 2022 “Competing Priorities” Jonah 1:4-6 Mr. Bailey Wagner 2022-06-26 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Mercy Pursues Us Mercy Wakes Us Up Mercy Is Our Only Hope Reflection Questions What do we learn about God when he throws the wind onto the sea? What are ways that God has woken […]

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Sunday Worship June 19th, 2022 “Competing Priorities” Jonah 1:1-3 Rev. Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Jonah’s Patriotism Jonah’s Pride Jonah’s Priority Reflection Questions In what ways is your earthly patriotism and prosperity distracting you from bigger priorities? When have you conflated God’s goodness with your earthly ease, comfort, and prosperity? When was a […]

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Sunday Worship June 12th, 2022 “The Lord of Peace” 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Prevails Upon You Involves People Like Paul Reflection Questions How does God’s title “Lord of Peace” resonate with you? Have you experienced God GIVING you peace at all times and in every way? What would be an […]

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Sunday Worship June 5th, 2022 “Labor of Love” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 Tyler Dirks Sermon Outline: Avoid The Idle Imitate The Active Encourage The Unwilling Reflection Questions What do you love to work hard at? When was a time someone hindered you from working as hard as you wanted to work? How have you […]

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Sunday Worship May 29th, 2022 “All In” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Tyler Dirks 2022-05-29 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Ask Active Author & Perfecter Reflection Questions What, in your opinion, are the critical components of being all-in on God’s Kingdom and following Jesus? How do you feel about being completely dependent on God, and always […]

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Sunday Worship May 22nd, 2022 “Assurance in Thanksgiving” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 Bailey Wagner 2022-05-22 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: God’s Call Our Response Reflection Questions Why do we need assurance of our salvation? What are some ways we can know that God has accomplished our salvation from beginning to end? What does standing firm […]

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Sunday Worship May 15th, 2022 “Don’t Worry” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Tyler Dirks 2022-05-15 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: What We Worry About Why We Worry It’s No Big Deal Why We Don’t Worry Reflection Questions What are you easily alarmed and worried about? Do you live as if worrying is actually helpful? Do you […]

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Sunday Worship May 8th, 2022 “What’s Really Happening?” 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 Tyler Dirks 2022-05-08 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Pain Perseverance Prayer & Providence Reflection Questions In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul talks about being harassed by a messenger of Satan, and pleading with the Lord to make it stop. How have you personally grappled […]

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Sunday Worship May 1st, 2022 “Revel” 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 Tyler Dirks 2022-05-01 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: In Access Increasing & Enduring Reflection Questions What do you revel in? Read Eph.2:8-10 and revel for 20 min. Read Psalm 23 and revel in each specific benefit of belonging to Jesus [5 min. for each benefit]. […]

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Sunday Worship April 24th, 2022 “God’s House” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 Tyler Dirks 2022-04-24 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Gonna Be Great Gotta Get Along God’s Word Diet Reflection Questions Think of a time when God’s commitment to “sanctifying you completely” felt ‘extreme,’ ‘scary,’ or ‘unnecessary.’ How, specifically, do you practice “self-protection” and “relational cautiousness” […]

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Sunday Worship April 17th, 2022 “Hold Fast To What’s Good” 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 Tyler Dirks 2022-04-17 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Reacting To Evil Relishing Good Reflection Questions How have you let evil become bigger than the mystery of God’s redemption? How have you allowed evil to rob you of joy? Read 2 Timothy […]

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Sunday Worship April 10th, 2022 “Peculiar Family” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 Tyler Dirks 2022-04-10 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Esteem Your Leaders Be At Peace Among Yourselves Be Patient Toward Everyone Reflection Questions When was a time you were admonished? How did you feel about it? Think of a leader who labors among […]

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Sunday Worship April 3rd, 2022 “In Light of That Day” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Tyler Dirks 2022-04-03 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Fully Aware Fight Free To Be A Fool Reflection Questions How do you preach counterfeit “peace” and “security” to yourself these days? How do you envision the sufficiency of Christ eclipsing and […]

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Sunday Worship March 27th, 2022 “Assurance of Things Hoped For” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Tyler Dirks 2022-03-27 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: Grieve Sleep & The Second Coming Caught Up & Encouraged Reflection Questions Jesus is identified as “a man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3). If you are a follower of Jesus, how (specifically) […]

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Sunday Worship March 20th, 2022 “Abounding In Love” 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Bailey Wagner 2022-03-20 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: How Love Grows How Love Withers Away Reflection Questions How has God taught you to love others? Do you think that loving others is particularly difficult for you? What would it look like […]

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Sunday Worship March 13th, 2022 “The Will of God” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-03-13 Worship Guide Sermon Outline: 1. Abound In Receiving 2. Real Life Sanctification & Sin 3. Rich Regard Reflection Questions 1. How have you personally experienced the desperation and delight dynamic of receiving Jesus? Think about when […]

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Sunday Worship March 6th, 2022 “What I Like About You” 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Rev. Tyler Dirks 2022-03-06 Worship Guide Children’s Sermon Notes Sermon Outline: 1. Hungry For The Truth 2. Walking In the Truth 3. Abounding In Love Reflection Questions 1. Why is it MIRACULOUS that the Thessalonians always remembered Silas, Timothy, and Paul […]

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Sunday Worship

February 27th, 2022

“Gotta Have Faith”

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/5p334wnml5iykca/ECPC-Worship-20200227.mp3 2022-02-27 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Necessity

2. Opposition

3. Labor

Reflection Questions

1. How has the church compelled you to actually make weighty life decisions based on the assurance of things hoped for, and the certainly of things unseen? Give 3 examples.

2. Do you agree, and tangibly accept, that the primary mission of the church is promoting and pushing you to live by faith? Why or why not?

3. How have you personally and powerfully experienced the miracle of 2 Corinthians 1:24?

4. Imaginatively immerse yourself in Acts 14:19-23, and honestly answer the question: how do you feel about what happens to Paul, and his nonchalant reaction, and his matter of fact statement (see verse 22)?

5. When life gets ‘REAL’ (i.e. heavy, scary, grim, etc.) what do you turn to? (e.g. insurance, money, connections/network, self-pity, substances, social media, etc.)?

6. How have you labored and fought for FAITH?

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Sunday Worship

February 20th, 2022

“The Church: What It Truly Is”

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/htt46s05uhl13jy/ECPC-Worship-20220220.mp3 2022-02-20 Worship Guide

Sermon Outline:

1. Crave

2. Combat

3. Crown

Reflection Questions

1. What is your first love? What do you so greatly desire that you will do whatever you gotta do to make it happen?

2. When was a time you were torn away from, or hindered from being with, someone (or something) you greatly desire?

3. How have you personally experienced Satan’s hatred of God’s mercy, and Satan’s intense opposition of the church?

4. How have you found the armor of God (Eph.6) to be inescapably linked to life together with other believers?

5. In what specific ways do you embrace and esteem your church family as your joy and crown of boasting?

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Sunday Worship

February 13th, 2022

“The Word Of God: What It Truly Is”

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/m0ap3dghm06c82v/ECPC-Worship-20220213.mp3 2022-02-13 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Integrity

2. Impact

3. Ingraft

Reflection Questions

1. Do you embrace the Word of God for what it truly is? If so, what does that look like (be specific)? If not, explain why.

2. Is it possible to embrace the Word of God for what it truly is in an easy/domesticated way?

3. When was a time you were convinced that the Word of God was what you most desperately needed? (e.g. Matthew 4:1-11) …A time when the WoG wasn’t mere information, but powerful formation?

4. How have you experienced persecution because you insisted on mercifully serving sinners?

5. What do you make of the fact that those who reject God’s decision to show lavish mercy to sinners are filling up the measure of their sins, and God’s wrath will come upon them?

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Sunday Worship

February 6th, 2022

“Good Work”

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/t4djw3s0h528kr6/ECPC-Worship-20220206.mp3 2022-02-06 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Recognize

2. Roots & Reason

3. Requirements

Reflection Questions

1. What do you love to call attention to? What, in your opinion, is exceedingly worth remembering? What do you think is really really good?

2. When was a time that you worked extremely hard on something as the joy set before you? You didn’t care about getting credit, or receiving payment; you simply poured yourself out for something because it was your delight to do so?

3. When was a time you personally experienced the good life as defined by Jesus in Acts 20:35?

4. Are you super clear on what The Gospel is, and how have you been specifically, and perhaps even radically, motivated by The Gospel?

5. How have you experienced the rigorous requirements, and blessed burdens, of love? (see, for example, Matthew 11:29)

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Sunday Worship

January 30th, 2022

“The Joy Set Before Him”

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Mr. Bailey Wagner

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/nfvuik0s7nwupcc/ECPC-Worship-20220130.mp3 2022-01-30 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Jesus Suffered For Us

2. Jesus Gives Us Approval

3. Jesus Cares For Us

Reflection Questions

1. Do you ever wrestle with the fact that Jesus suffered greatly for your sin?

2. What are some things you look to in order to gain the approval of others?

3. Why do you think we often forget about the reality that Jesus covers sinners like us with his righteousness?

4. Do you think that Jesus truly cares for you right now, in this very moment? Why or why not?

5. What are some ways you have seen Jesus’ active influence in your life?

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Sunday Worship

January 23rd, 2022

“The Love of Your Life”

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/a3d97osgw62xuh1/ECPC-Worship-20220123.mp3 2022-01-23 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Impacted

2. Invested

3. Infatuated

Reflection Questions

1. What shapes your life? What influences, and controls you the most? What has made the most indelible and manifest impact on you?

2. Where do you receive approval, hearty acceptance, and enthusiastic support?

3. Who are you emulating these days? What kind of person do they prove to be?

4. What’s something you do regularly, even though it involves pain and hard work? What’s something that you’re so obsessed with that you would keep doing it amidst much affliction?

5. How have you personally and irrevocably committed to turning from idols to serve God, and wait for Jesus to return (because Jesus’ crucifixion & return is your obsession)?

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Sunday Worship

January 9th, 2022

“Love Letters”

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/xwpwa8bgqcf9t3x/ECPC-Worship-20220109.mp3 2022-01-09 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. From

2. To

3. About

Reflection Questions

1. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2:7-12. How have you personally experienced the transition from being enslaved to something, to receiving robust familial affection?

2. As a member of the family, how have you experienced ingrafted belonging and being deeply valued (in accordance with Isaiah 55:8), as opposed to the superficial paradigm of ‘trying to FEEL like you fit in’ (see John 12:43)?

3. We are very very very preoccupied with what WE want. How might you enjoy life WAY MORE by becoming obsessed with what Jesus wants (see John 17:20-24)?

4. What difference does it make (to the way you navigate anxiety, or battle low self-esteem, or struggle to make decisions) to know that God refuses to merely tolerate you in His family, but rather He DEMANDS that you accept the fact that He treasures you as His inheritance/heritage?

5. In what specific ways have you acquired a robust taste for the WEIRDNESS of the church family? For example, how have you personally participated in the extremely BAZAAR LIFESTYLE of Living by Faith (as opposed to by sight)? Or involved yourself in the rigorous labors of love? Or clung to the assurance of things hoped for, even to the extent that you’ve hoped against hope?

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Sunday Worship

January 2nd, 2022

“True Greatness”

Esther 10:1-3

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/etm3oynv2b3hobg/ECPC-Worship-20220102.mp3 2022-01-02 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Greatness in Weakness

2. Greatness in Strength

Reflection Questions

1. How do you honestly perceive true greatness? What seriously impresses you, and why?

2. Read through the Gospel accounts and answer the following questions, “What impresses Jesus (Luke 21:1-4)? What makes Him marvel (Matthew 8:10)? What does Jesus command us to rejoice, and not rejoice, about (Luke 10:20)?

3. How have you personally experienced God orchestrating greatness through weakness (Luke 18 [the entire chapter])?

4. In what way(s) has God made you strong? How will you use that strength to serve the household of God in 2022?

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Sunday Worship

December 26th, 2021

“Celebrating Redemption”

Esther 9:1-19

Mr. Bailey Wagner

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/6fd9i5wsywzg3rd/ECPC-Worship-20211226.mp3 2021-12-19 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Remembering God’s Provision

2. The Irony of Control

3. The Promise of Purim

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways has God provided for you?

2. How can you celebrate God’s provisions for you in a way that you are not the focus of the celebration?

3. How is God in control of the events in Esther?

4. What are some ways that you avoid feeling helpless and, as a result, avoid depending on God’s sovereignty over your life?

5. Do you find yourself dwelling on God’s promises? If not, what would that look like?

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Sunday Worship

December 19th, 2021

“The History Behind the Holiday”

Esther 9:1-19

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/nl6p0ppl2kziwqy/ECPC-Worship-20211219.mp3 2021-12-19 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Enemies of God

2. Instruments of Holy War

3. A Holiday

Reflection Questions

1. How have you allowed Christmas to become too tame? As you force yourself to rigorously remember the history behind the holiday, what specific scenarios of the conception, birth, and early years of Jesus’ life rattle you?

2. According to God, what is the most emphatic and important truth about sinners?

3. What accusations are you harboring toward people?

4. What affections are you currently developing for people?

5. Imaginatively inhabit the final scene of Jonah, and consider how you oppose God’s decision to have mercy on sinners.

6. Does God’s Holy War bother you? Why or why not? How might you become a more robust celebrant of God’s war against people who refuse to love the truth?

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Sunday Worship

December 12th, 2021

“Eucatastrophe”

Esther 8:9-17

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/2l24ii8k11w4ql5/ECPC-Worship-20211212.mp3 2021-12-12 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Reversal

2. Rejoice

3. Relationship With God

Reflection Questions

1. What was a time you experienced an improbable, and delightful, turn of events?

2. What is an example of coerced hatred that you have been personally influenced by and participated in?

3. When have you experienced the enhanced health and nourishment of God’s special concern for sojurners, widows, and orphans?

4. Read Esther 8:17 and answer the following question: in what healthy way(s) is the world supposed to experience the fear of God’s people in 2021 & 2022?

5. How do you need to embrace the confidence that comes with having a relationship with an all-powerful being who prefers to traffic in eucatastrophe?

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Sunday Worship

December 5th, 2021

“Irrevocable Wrath”

Esther 8:3-8

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/bo7r4m71cbu39od/ECPC-Worship-20211205.mp3 2021-12-05 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Awareness

2. Appalled

3. A New Edict

Reflection Questions

1. What’s a problem that you don’t allow yourself to look into, because you know it will disrupt your comfort, happiness, and/or addiction to convenience and productivity? (e.g. Revelation 3:17; Luke 10:30-42)

2. How have you experienced Jesus joining you in your sorrow, and thoroughly acquainting Himself with your grief (Isaiah 53:3)?

3. What do you find appalling? Does God display the same degree of outrage about that thing?

4. How would you explain the irrevocable wrath of God to a kindergartener? How would you explain the mystery and marvel of the lamb who was slain!? (John 10:18; Mark 12:11; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 4:1; John 19:30; Revelation 5:6, 12).

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Sunday Worship

November 21st, 2021

“Trading Places”

Esther 7:7 – 8:2

Rev. Tyler Dirks

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/mgrhl7z0r1umcrc/ECPC-Worship-20211128.mp3 * + Sunday Live Stream’s will be offline for at least the next 6 weeks, and until renovation to the sanctuary is complete. An audio recording of the sermon will be uploaded to this page (or if you follow the RSS/Podcast feed) either by Sunday or Monday evening.

2021-11-28 Worship Guide

Children’s Sermon Notes

Sermon Outline:

1. Bowing & Begging

2. Cursed & Condemned

3. Place & Position

Reflection Questions

1. We see the lust for preeminence in the character of Human. In what way(s) do you experience this lust inside yourself?

2. What particular stories have provoked you to see that the lust for preeminence lives inside of everyone (even ‘really nice’ people)?

3. Read Mark 10:17-22, and then answer the following questions, “Why does Jesus pause to clarify ‘true goodness’?”, and “Why does Jesus insist that this man do something that he will most certainly fail at?”

4. What was a time you couldn’t earn your spot, and you were faced with the decision to simply receive your status? Were you scared? Did it bother you? Why is desperate dependence so bothersome us, and so non-negotiable to God?

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