Mercy Gate Church: Recent Episodes
Mercy Gate Church
Here you can find sermons from our regular Sunday gatherings.
Join us in person on Sundays at 10:30am at 6035 Walker Street, Philadelphia PA!
Part 1 of our Advent series, Come Lord Jesus.
In this parable, Jesus begins to answer 2 questions:
1) When will "these things" take place?
2) What will be the signs of your coming and the end of the age?
Part 1 of membership expectations and relational commitments - active submission to Jesus
Taking a brief aside from our series in Galatians to address some questions and conversations from our church family regarding the direction of Mercy Gate Church
This passage lays the foundation for the rest of the epistle to the Galatians: the gospel is LEGIT and the gospel is the only way to true freedom!
The resurrection of Jesus was the foundation of Paul's ministry and preaching. He calls us all to examine our heart response to the gospel -- are we holding fast to Jesus, or have we believed in vain?
The disciplines of rest are all about propelling the Christian to a place of humble listening before the Lord.
The lifestyle of Jesus is a lifestyle of self-sacrifice. He calls his followers to the same lifestyle, but he provides the grace and strength to endure sacrifice with joy.
It seems like much of the time we’re in a rush to get to the next thing. However, Jesus had a habit of slowing down to do ministry and to display God’s glory when others would have rushed past those opportunities.
The problem of “not enough time” for Jesus is closely related to having “too much stuff.” A wholehearted disciple seeks the Kingdom of God first and lives an outward lifestyle of material simplicity.
The practice of sabbath has been largely abandoned by the modern church, yet it was something created and blessed by God to benefit his children.
In order to live a life that is unbusy and unhurried, we must implement a lifestyle that emulates the Lord Jesus. Typically we refer to this lifestyle as one of spiritual discipline. The next few weeks we will examine several of these spiritual disciplines that will help shape us into Christians who are not bogged down by unhelpful busyness, anxiety and spiritual oblivion.
Although distracted busyness is a problem that plagues our society, the Christian life is supposed to be one of "much serving." The Christian life should be busy, but the question is, "With what?"
The story of Mary and Martha lays the foundation as we begin to examine what it means to be "too busy."
This sermon examines how the Lord loves to work at a "disadvantage" to prove his power by accomplishing his plan through weak and finite humans.
In Christ we did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but the Spirit of adoption as sons and daughters. The Spirit-led life is one that produces freedom as the Spirit leads us into fellowship with God’s perfect love.
The Spirit-led life does not add Jesus to a mixture of worldly solutions to life challenges. The Spirit-led life makes Jesus the central priority who fills all in all.
To be in Christ means that we are free from trying to change ourselves through legalism and secularism
Those who are in Christ are no longer debtors to the flesh, but are now instruments of righteousness to bear abundant fruit.
This is the second part of last week's message on the things that keep us from our potential in Christ.
The Spirit-led life is characterized by a Spirit-led mind. Those who exist in the flesh without God’s Spirit cannot please God and need to be regenerated by the Spirit unto life and peace.
The Spirit-Led Christian must reject the lies that we are “good enough” or that “God owes me because I’ve suffered". We were deserving of condemnation but in Christ we are free from it!
The Spirit-led Christian matures as the Holy Spirit illuminates the depths of our sin but the glories of Christ
Brother Larry brings a message from Ephesians 4 on the equipping and ministry of the local church
With the Holy Spirit, there is nothing that can separate you from God’s love -with the Spirit you need nothing
-with the Spirit you cannot be condemned
-with the Spirit your suffering proves God’s love
The Holy Spirit gives voice to those who are suffering and works good for the glory of Christ
The Spirit actively produces patience in those who are suffering -Spirit-produced patience is not naive
-Spirit-produced patience does not mean that I have to like my suffering
-Spirit-produced patience keeps Gospel mercy central
To experience true transformation we must get out of the “I” of Romans 7 into the “Spirit” of Romans 8 -The Spirit sets us free from the death of performance
-The Spirit supplies life and peace to those who set the mind on Him
-The Spirit draws us into deeper relationship with the Father
The last vision in the Revelation repeats the same theme as the rest of the book - it’s a call for the church to endure in hope and holiness. The city of Jerusalem, God’s beautiful redeemed Bride, stands in stark contrast to the city of Babylon. Christ redeems, adorns, protects and purifies his Bride and will sustain her with everlasting life!
The book of Revelation ends with an unobscured view of heaven. Heaven is a topic that most people think about or talk about at some point in life, yet there are many misconceptions and false ideas about what it is. A right view of heaven is meant to fuel our endurance and our every good work for Jesus here and now.
What is the 1,000 year reign of Christ? Is it a literal period of one thousand years prior to Christ’s final return, or is it a symbolic period of time when the church walks in the power and authority of Christ? No matter where you land on your interpretation of The Millennium, it’s essential that you remember the power of Christ and your position and progress in him!
Today we baptize 6 individuals and spend some time discussing the meaning and importance of baptism in the Christian’s life
In a world driven by educated guesses, statistical probabilities and safe bets, the text gives us the basis for reasoned faith in the certain victory of Jesus over his enemies once and for all. He is merciful and loving, but he is also the Just Judge who will conquer his enemies and redeem his people. Are you for him or against him?
What is worship and how does it relate to the activities of our daily lives? The book of Revelation, ultimately, is all about worship. It’s about the faithful, redeemed people of God being united with him in worship for all eternity. The call of Revelation is for you to find your satisfaction and joy in Christ alone and to worship him alone forever!
In the midst of the final judgment visions from chapters 15-16, an angel reveals to John a particular judgment on the immoral woman named Babylon. Who is Babylon and how will God bring judgment upon her? More importantly for the church, how should we respond to this prophecy of the coming collapse of our current world system?
Here again the text of Revelation plunges into intense, graphic descriptions of God’s wrath against the wicked. These images stir up within us a sense of urgency and a very important question: IS GOD’S WRATH RIGHT?
On the back end of an exciting and successful VBS, we spent some time to hear testimonies of God’s grace throughout the past week and to consider the woman’s beautiful act of worship in anointing Jesus’ feet in Mark 14.
In preparation for a week of VBS and gospel outreach to our friends and neighbors in Wissinoming and beyond, we circled back to Hebrews 13 to reiterate the necessity of following Jesus “outside the camp” to sacrifice our lives for his kingdom and name.
After the vision of the two terrible beasts that war against the church, Chapter 14 reveals the victorious Lamb standing on his mountain! The Lamb is surrounded by his worshipers who declare his triumph, and his messengers go out across the earth to echo the truth of his final victory. The church stands in victory and rests in the blessings that Christ has won
The image of the dragon from last week progresses into the development of two additional characters: the beast from the sea and the beast from the land. These characters reveal the tactics of the dragon as he makes war against God’s people. The primary tactics of the enemy are to bring persecution and oppression, or deception and seduction. This is a call for the church to have wisdom and discernment to endure and overcome these attacks!
Chapter 12 begins a series of visions which take a deeper look into the evil opposition of God’s witnesses. The dragon is introduced as the devil and Satan, that ancient serpent from the garden, who furiously pursues the followers of Jesus. Through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension the devil’s been dethroned and he’s raging in revenge.
As John’s vision of the mighty angel continues, he begins to see the Temple and is told to measure it for protection. A voice from heaven explains to John that Jesus’ witnesses will be trampled by the enemy for a temporary period of time, but then it will be vindicated. God’s eternal place of worship is protected, and your earthly place of witness is dangerous, but the church’s prophetic witness about Jesus is effective!
Just as the text pauses before the judgment of the 7th Seal, here again John’s vision is pulled away for a moment of relief before the 7th Trumpet. His gaze is drawn to a mighty angel figure in the clouds who commands him to take the scroll and eat it. This fascinating imagery compels us as Jesus’ followers to remember that God is unlimited, we are limited, and God will not delay!
The intimidating and dramatic imagery of the armies unleashed with the 5th and 6th Trumpets points to an undeniable reality — there is a spiritual enemy of God seeking to steal, kill and destroy. Spiritual warfare is not only a reality, but it is never outside of God’s control and it actually ends up serving God’s sovereign purposes in the end!
John’s vision now turns to the opening of the Seventh Seal and the unveiling of God’s final day of judgment. What the text reveals is that the prayers of God’s people actually work to pull down God’s judgment upon the earth. However, as the text progresses to the Trumpet judgments, it becomes clear again that before that final judgment occurs, God continues to send partial, reserved judgment to mercifully draw people to repentance!
As the seals of judgment are opened in the previous chapters, this section of the Revelation begs the question: Who can stand? Who will be able to survive the comprehensive tribulation that falls upon the earth? The answer is found in a strange community of worshippers who have assembled in blood-drenched robes around the throne of the Lamb. It is only those who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit who will stand to the end!
As the Lamb continues to open the 7 Seals, the suffering of the persecuted church comes into view, and more broadly, the overall difficulty of living as an “exile” in this world. The reality for followers of Jesus is that persecution and opposition will arise when they are bold witnesses. The consolation from Jesus himself to those who are suffering is that they don’t give up and don’t give in! Jesus will return to expose the deception and emptiness of all those who have come declaring to be "the Christ," and he will vindicate his faithful witnesses.
The heavenly throne room scene in Chapters 4-5 sets the stage for righteous judgment to unfold upon the earth as the Worthy Lamb begins to open the scroll. As Jesus begins ceremoniously breaking the Seven Seals, he sovereignly appoints rebellious spiritual authorities to release limited, foreshadowing judgments on the earth. These judgments bring punishment upon real evil, but their limited scope is designed to lead sinners to repentance!
As the heavenly throne room scene continues, the focus turns towards the Lamb who was slain. The heavenly glory that fills chapter 4 is just the backdrop to the glory and splendor of the worthy Lamb who takes the scroll from Him who is seated on the throne. In order for us to endure through the trials and changing perspectives of our day, we must lift our gaze to the heavenly throne room and behold the Lamb who was slain for us.
Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation provide a glimpse into the heavenly throne room while the church endures earthly exile. It is John’s vision of the Ancient of Days and the Lamb that was slain ruling on the throne which provides the theological foundation for the unfolding judgments as well as the church’s encouragement to endure. He is worthy!
As we consider how to boldly press on in our mission as a church to make followers of Jesus, it’s important to remember that Jesus is for your joy. He is pleased when we find joy in him. He is glorified when we are satisfied in him. Not only does he love when his kids rejoice in his goodness, but he increases our joy when we tell others about him!
Jesse and his family moved from Pennsylvania to Queens in 2019 to serve as missionaries with International Project which exists to initiate church-planting movements through unreached people groups living outside their homelands. Jesse shares an update on what God is doing in Queens as well as a sermon from Luke 7.
Covenant Mercies exists to serve orphans in collaboration with indigenous local churches in the developing world. Their vision is to see orphaned children rise above poverty, and become positive stewards of their gifts and resources to the glory of God. Doug has been serving faithfully as CM’s executive director since 2002 and is on the pastoral team at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills.
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apologies for the distorted audio during this recording
What can we say in light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? The reality of his resurrection is packed with incredible implications for humanity! Through the Resurrected Christ we have Indestructible Life, Undeniable Provision, and Unalterable Acceptance!
Through the story of the Woman at the Well, we’ve seen how the Father is seeking wounded sinners to worship him in spirit and in truth. He’s calling us to bring all we are to all HE is, through Jesus who is the way, the TRUTH and the life. Worship is to be the context in which we wrestle with our wounds until our wounds become the ground of our worship. For Good Friday and Easter we’ll continue this theme, but today we will largely conclude by examining Spirit’s help in our sufferings, specifically through the gift of tongues.
How do we find hope and healing from our deep wounds and traumatic experiences? Our Heavenly Father is “seeking people to worship him in spirit and in truth.” The journey towards hope and healing begins with this fact that God already knows you and is seeking relationship. The only criteria for wounded sinners is acknowledgement and asking.Once the healing journey begins, there are a variety of tools that God has given to us to continue the healing process which we examine in today’s message.
This sermon adds practical terminology from the clinical world to help us identify the nature of our inner wounds. Sometimes we feel off, disjointed or unsettled or even hyperalert, and we’re not sure why. The fact is that our bodies are spiritual as much as physical. Spiritual wounds have profound impact on our whole self. But Jesus makes it clear that he is not only able, but very willing to heal us from those crippling wounds so that we may worship him in spirit and truth!
Jesus intentionally went out of his way to find and rescue a woman who had been carrying deep wounds. He stepped across stark social boundaries to demonstrate his love for her and to set her free from the bondage of past hurts that kept her from worshiping in spirit and truth. Our Heavenly Father continues to seek true worshippers who meet him spirit to spirit and turn past wounds into a platform for worship!
Paul refers to our inheritance as “all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places.” Christ has won this inheritance, but we live here on earth to apprehend it. That inheritance is not just something we will receive one day when we arrive in glory. It’s something to be contended for now and apprehended now. That’s why Jesus tells us to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” We’ve received the seal of the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of our inheritance — the resurrection power that empowers us to fill all in all with authority of Christ. In that sense we are called to apprehend our inheritance! To see Christ’s kingdom realized in greater measure.
To continue growing in our faith, we must turn believed truth into action. When it comes to our mission as a church, we must act upon the reality that Jesus went “outside the gate” to bear reproach on our behalf. When we follow him in going outside the gate to bear reproach for his name, we will experience companionship with him that results in a sacrifice of praise welling up from a heart that acknowledges his name.
In light of the heavenly nature of God’s community, how do we go about cultivating holy ambitions that align with our heavenly citizenship? The bedrock truth is that Jesus, our Great High Priest, has made a way for us to boldly approach the throne of grace, despite our “not-yet” status as sojourners on earth. We must hold fast to Christ and his word together and stir one another up to love and good works that are worthy of our heavenly calling!
Often we become so focused on the intensity of the “here and now,” both in good times and in bad times. But the reality of God’s community is that it goes far beyond what we can see or touch. The community of God is centered in the Heavenly City of the Living God, and the people of God assemble around the throne of the Risen Lamb. The people of God belong to a community that can never be shaken and we must be filled with gratitude and a desire to be holy!
While our outlook for 2021 is to be a people of steadfast faith like Caleb, it’s important that we make practical connections and have “feet” for that faith to walk on. Our desire is to examine our values in light of what biblical faith is and to consider how faith as described in Hebrews should compel us to live out our values as a church family. In this section we tackle the question: what does faith look like when it comes to vulnerable communion with God?
Caleb was a man who endured decades of uncertainties and challenges, yet he was commended by God for his steadfast faith. He believed that God would be faithful to fulfill his promises, despite the circumstances that seemed to derail those promises. As we look out into a new year with new challenges, it is essential that we anchor ourselves to the truth of our God and his promises and act in a way that demonstrates our belief in that truth.
What does it mean to be lukewarm? This is an idea that many Christians have thought about at some point in their lives. This is the accusation that Jesus brought to the church in Laodicea that made him want to spit them out. Jesus desires his church to be people that are effective in their witness for his name. To be lukewarm is to be ineffective which is a dire problem that requires earnest repentance.
Do you feel powerless when you consider the world’s opposition to the name of Christ? The church in Philadelphia had little power, yet Christ promised to use that “powerless” church to accomplish his all-powerful, undefeatable plan of saving his enemies. The key to the open door is to trust and represent Christ faithfully by his power and authority.
The church of Sardis had a great reputation — people thought their church was alive. But Jesus had a different take on the way things were in Sardis. Even though things appeared to be thriving, the church in Sardis did not boldly represent the name of Christ. The church that withholds the name of Jesus and does not bear witness about him is at risk!
The ends justify the means…or do they? The church in Thyatira, though commended for its giving and service, unfortunately fell prey to the unchecked false teaching of a prophetess in their midst who encouraged their compromise. Rather than conquering through faithfulness to Christ, the church in Thyatira was conformed to the immorality and paganism that swirled around them.
The church has been established in a hostile environment “where Satan dwells,” and Christians are constantly tempted to compromise their obedience to Christ. This letter commends the confession of Christ, but corrects anyone whose conduct for Christ does not align with their confession.
The church is in the middle of a spiritual war. That spiritual wrestling against evil will result in persecution of many varieties for the faithful Christian. Yet Jesus encourages his followers to remain faithful through tribulation and persecution because he knows your troubles, he allows your testing, and he rewards your faithfulness!
Our devotion to Christ must be attended with passion for Christ. Our devotion to the truth of Jesus Christ must be attended with a passion for the person of Jesus Christ. It’s all about the relational substance. Truth and devotion must never be an end in itself. They always must flow from and point to a passionate relationship with Jesus.
The assurance that we need to faithfully endure the intense spiritual darkness of this “already-not yet” Kingdom rests on the Living One. How can we face tribulation, spiritual opposition, physical pain and the threat of death? With Jesus who holds the keys to Death, who is with those who cling to him! Fear not because he died and is now alive forever.
The source and completion — the foundation and culmination — of all that is contained in the Book of Revelation is Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the ruler of kings on earth. He is the beginning and the end and to him alone belongs THE GLORY forever and ever. To receive the blessing of the words of Revelation, we must bow to the King of Kings.
‘The Revelation’ has been written to a church under attack. What the Revelation will make expressly clear is that the church is being actively opposed! This battle is not unique. In fact this is the significance of John’s writing to the 7 churches. The 7 churches are representatives of the church over the generations. And therein they represent the real kinds of battle and vulnerabilities that the church will inevitably face throughout the ages. So what is necessary for the church under attack, and specifically for the weary Christian, for the apathetic soul? What can supply help? What can stir up spiritual zeal? The answer is that God must be elevated in the hearts and minds!
The Revelation was intended to be understood — even through its imagery! And it was intended to be understood in light of the entirety of God’s revealed words in all of Scripture. But the Revelation to John was also intended as a prophecy to benefit the church under attack. It was intended to strengthen and encourage, but also to call the church to account — to awaken repentance. But above all, the Revelation was intended to exalt Jesus Christ.
The book of Revelation is not some code to crack. It’s not intended for banners and timelines that predict the end of the age! The purpose of the book of Revelation in all of its stunning imagery is to stir the church, even shock the church, toward an enduring hope and holiness in her sovereign victor Jesus Christ so that she might overcome!
Just as we must receive the seed of the gospel with a heart of faith and obedience, our daily walk with the Lord by His Spirit must work in the same way. To grow as a church in our dependence on the Spirit and his filling, gifts and empowering, we must step out in faith-filled, fruit-bearing obedience. Our fruitfulness as a Gate of Mercy and Living Waters will be determined by the extent that we use what we’ve been entrusted with.
The church that is distinguished by God’s empowering presence is a church that is continually filled with the Spirit. What did Paul mean when he commanded the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit as opposed to drunk with wine? What does it look like to be filled with the Spirit, and what does this have to do with our corporate worship gatherings?
The mission of Mercy Gate is to make followers of Jesus. How does the Holy Spirit empower us to carry out this mission? In addition to the miracle of regeneration, there are a variety of ways in which the Spirit of God powerfully bears witness about the Risen Christ to us and through us. When we eagerly pursue and participate in the Spirit’s mission of building up Christ’s body, he is eager to empower every member of his church to collectively carry out that mission!
How does our church name inform our mission? It often seems that something is missing from the 21st-century Western church, but what is it? Martyn Lloyd-Jones suggests that, “The great need of the church from every standpoint is a great visitation of the Holy Spirit, and it is only as she receives this will she be enabled to understand again, to grasp and to preach to others, the saving message of the gospel of the Son of God...nothing is more vital.” The presence of God must empower the mission of the church.
Thirsty for Jesus, Part 3
What is to distinguish us as the people of God? How are we to be distinct from the world? We see demonstrated in Ezekiel 47, as it looks back through the Old Testament and forward into the New, that God’s presence is to be the distinguishing characteristic of God’s people! Will Mercy Gate Church be known as a group of people where God is clearly present among us?
Jesus boldly declared during an ancient religious ceremony that HE was the fulfillment of what that ceremony was intended to represent — that HE was the living water that would satisfy the thirsty soul. Even today, HE is the source of living water that flows to us and through us through the outpouring and ministry of his Spirit.
Installation of James Wolstenholme as a pastor at Mercy Gate Church. Guest speaker Andrew Kalvelage from Sovereign Grace Church in Marlton, NJ.
As we continue to dig into a deeper understanding of God’s love, it’s necessary that we consider God’s heart for his people despite their ups and downs. We must understand the steadfast, unbreakable nature of his love for people who have deeply grieved his heart. This section of Ezekiel describes in graphic detail just how far we’ve gone in forsaking our loving God, yet how faithful he is to restore us and to show mercy!
Greatness and love are words that may seem subjective or relative in today’s culture. Who’s the greatest basketball player? I love this food. But when it comes to God’s love, these words mean something that we can take confidence in. God’s great love is steadfast—everlasting—foundational. Romans 5 tells us just how great his love is in that Christ died for us while we were still sinners! And he died for sinners so they could enter into a renewed relationship with God!
Have you ever been criticized for being too generous? This section of Jesus’ teaching in Luke reveals a heart of religious critique, driven by self-righteousness, that is offended by the reality of God’s generous love to sinners. The fact is that God extends his love to those who have run from him. He comes after us. He gives us a new identity. He invites all. God’s love is generous — it goes beyond what is expected or deserved. Have you received this love?
Everyone thinks they’re a pretty good person, but are you really? What does God say about who we really are in light of who he is? In order to properly understand the extent of God’s love, we need to first understand who we really are — dead rebels. But God went to extraordinary lengths to restore us from our depth of brokenness to a place of honor, acceptance and love within his family. He saved us to continue demonstrating his kindness to us forever!
What are the implications of the fact that Jesus laid down his life to save and unify one flock of people? He is the true Good Shepherd who is radically committed to the well-being of his sheep. He paid the ultimate price to unify us into profound, seamless relational oneness. Yet in the midst of that oneness, there is incredible diversity represented by all the cultures of God’s created tribes, tongues and nations. When it comes to unity and diversity, how can the church honor the Good Shepherd who laid down his life to unite such brilliant diversity?
Biblical Justice, Part 6 -- Dan Birkholz
How should the church do biblical justice when it comes specifically to racial reconciliation? What does the Bible say about ethnic diversity and spiritual unity? How has the “dividing wall of hostility” shaped the American church, and what can we do about it? The fact is that Jesus has paid the ultimate price to create ONE NEW MAN in himself for his glory. That new man, the church, cannot be defined by only one of its parts, yet it does not lose its diversity in its unity!
Biblical Justice, Part 5, Dan Birkholz
Closing Song: Jesus Paid It All
The recurring theme of justice throughout Scripture often specifically mentions God’s concern for the poor and oppressed. As we continue to look into how we should do justice, we must accurately diagnose poverty from a biblical perspective. Who are “the poor?” What is the underlying cause of poverty in the world? How should a Christian move forward in treating the poor, oppressed and marginalized with godly justice?
Series: Biblical Justice, Part 4, Dan Birkholz
Closing Song: Goodness of God
How do we begin to “do justice?” Is it something that we can just decide to muster up? The fact is that the dynamic power mentioned last week must come from the transformation of a saving relationship with God. Biblical justice must come as a result of God’s mercy poured out on us in a way that reorders our identity and our responsibilities.
Series: Biblical Justice, Part 3, Dan Birkholz
As we begin our series on justice, it’s important to start with a biblical definition of justice. We all have our own internal sense of right and wrong, but sadly that varies from person to person. God’s idea of justice is far different from ours — his is the only perfect, unchanging and pure justice. That is the foundation for our understanding of how to seek justice on the earth as Christians.
Biblical Justice, Part 1
This sermon wraps up our Bondage Breaker series by looking at the crossroads between the way of wisdom and the way of folly. As we consider the various parts of this series and how the Bible addresses the problem of addiction, this message brings us to a point of decision. Will you choose the freedom of the way of wisdom that Christ has won, or will you head down the path of folly which brings sure destruction?
How does a church full of addicts make it to the end? Is it possible for a person battling addiction to lose their salvation? The fundamental point of this passage is that the mark of a true Christian is not confessing faith, but persevering faith.
Instead of asking “When did you profess to know Jesus?” we should be asking “What are you doing with Jesus right now?” Find out how to press on to the end in the midst of others whose hearts are constantly tempted to go astray.
Bondage Breaker, Part 6
Dan Birkholz
In the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers last week, this sermon addresses the underlying issues of oppression and injustice that have led to this tragedy. Does God see, hear and care? Will he do something about injustice?
After months of planning and preparation, we've officially renamed our church Mercy Gate Church. This episode gives some insight to the heart, vision and meaning behind the name change.
When it comes to addictive behavior, why do we always take back our will? Why do we continue to do the things that are blatantly opposed to God’s will? How does pride relate to addiction?
Bondage Breaker, Part 5
On today's episode we take a further look at the biblical perspective of shame. What does the Bible say about it and how should we deal with it as Christians?
Last week we saw that Zacchaeus was a little man who out of his sense of shame sought power through wealth, even the expense of his own people, to satisfy his heart's desire for meaning, significance and worth. He had to have money to silence his shame and to be significant. But then Zacchaeus has an encounter with Jesus and suddenly we see a heart overhaul. The fundamental needs of his heart had been satisfied. Meaning, significance and security had been satisfied, guilt was gone, shame was covered.
This week dives deeper into the problem of shame. Shame drove Zacchaeus' vindictive pursuit of power and wealth. It’s shame that fueled this worship disorder. The strongest and most destructive addictions at core have been those that are driven by a deep sense of shame. So what is shame? How does it drive addictive behavior? And what can be done about it?
Bondage Breaker, Part 4
Today's Care & Prayer is a recap of Sunday's sermon from the story of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus in Luke 19:1-10. When we long to break the chains of addiction, we must realize that Jesus sees us as we are and he comes after us! He's not appalled by us, he's not disgusted, he's not put off. He comes after us while we are still in darkness and sin, and he is willing to go the distance to save us. When we encounter him, he desires that we are never the same again.
A true release from the bondage of addiction seems impossible. But can the impossible be made possible? Can true lasting change be experienced? Let's consider how Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus might answer that question.
Bondage Breaker Part 3
Dan Birkholz
What does it mean to live before the face of God? How do we keep him before us at all times?
The problem of addiction is a problem of the heart. We were created to serve something, to be mastered by something, to build our lives upon something. Yet each of us has exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and we’ve turned to worship created things, rather than the good and perfect Creator. The object of your worship is the foundation of your life, and when storms of life arise you will stand or fall depending on what you’ve put your trust in.
Part 2 of Bondage Breaker, by Dan Birkholz
Why is quiet time important? What does it mean to wait on the Lord in silence? Should we devote ourselves to regular times of silence?
This morning we welcome Mark Prater (elder at Covenant Fellowship and director of Sovereign Grace Churches) to encourage us from Isaiah 41.
How should we understand and walk through "solitude" and "wilderness" experiences? Take a listen!
Addictions come in all shapes and sizes. What is the spiritual/heart condition that underlies any addiction? How does the Bible view addictions? Sin, disease or both?
Jesus tells us that it’s all an issue of worship. While chemicals, psychology, circumstances and triggers all play a powerful role in the battle with addiction, the rock bottom of the issue is the object of your deepest affection and worship.
Bondage Breaker, Part 1
by Dan Birkholz
This Easter sermon stares death in the face by asking the questions, "Why is death a reality?" and "Where can hope be found?"
During the great COVID-19 stay-at-home order of 2020, we've started these Thursday Care & Prayer times as another opportunity for us to stay connected as a church family. Our desire is to provide as much connection as possible during times of isolation, and we want to continue teaching Scripture and praying together. We started recording by the 4th episode, but the first 3 are available on YouTube.
This episode takes a somewhat brief look at how we should understand the "problem of evil."
This sermon finishes up our series in the book of Ruth by examining how the Lord is constantly at work in our lives
What does Jesus have to say about anxiety and fear, especially when it comes to basic physical needs and provision?
This week we look at how Boaz portrays Jesus in the role of the redeemer. He blesses us, gives us a new name, a new reputation and becomes our breakthrough!
When God’s people live by faith according to his promises and purposes, God meets that faith with his grace. Sometimes that grace comes in the form of physical blessing, and other times it comes with his power or his presence. In this section we find that one of the primary rewards God gives to his people is REST. Not just physical rest, but the idea is that of having a place of belonging — having a family and security. In other words, God rewards us by providing a home.
This week is a continuation of last week's topic regarding God's favor upon those who obey in humble faith. Again we look at the interplay between walking by faith and finding favor with God and what that looks like in the Christian life.
How do we see from Ruth's example the connection between growing in favor with God when we obey in faith? What does it mean to seek and find favor? What is the role of faith and humility?
As Naomi decides that it is best for her to return home to the land of God's people, Ruth makes a personal decision to cling to her and return with her, despite Naomi's attempts to leave Ruth behind. This section of Ruth gets at the importance of repentance. What does repentance look like and how should it become part of our lives?
Series: Redeeming Ruth from February 16, 2020
Speaker: Dan Birkholz
Closing Song: Boldly I Approach
This sermon is an introduction to the book of Ruth which we will be working through over the next 2 months. Right from the beginning of the text, we see the painful reality of suffering and the consequences of compromising God's call and promises. We must see God's promises through the difficulty of suffering, and press into his goodness without compromising what he has promised in an effort to bring relief to our weary hearts.
Series: Redeeming Ruth
Speaker: Dan Birkholz
Closing song: Be Thou My Vision
Today wraps up our series on prayer and intercession as we examine the role of faith in being true intercessors. How do faith, favor and blessing relate to each other? Does God manifest his presence in greater and lesser ways? How do true intercessors understand the presence of God?
Series: House of Prayer
Speaker: Dan Birkholz
Closing song: Jesus Paid It All
This week's sermon is part one of two on intercessory prayer. What is intercession and why should we participate in it?
As part two of our mini-series on prayer, this week we examine the idea of contending for the blessings that God has for his people.
This is the first sermon in a mini-series on prayer. We begin by looking at Jacob and his wrestling, or contending, with God. God desires communion with you on a heart level, and the reality is that we must contend for that communion. God wants us to seek him with our whole hearts, not just on the surface.
Closing out 2019 and our missions series, James shares some thoughts on Isaiah 58 and how it relates to missions. In this text, God makes it very clear that his people must be bearing the fruit of healthy trees that are rooted in Him. This type of fruit looks like ministry that is concerned with releasing the bonds of wickedness, both spiritually and physically.
Speaker: James Wolstenholme, from December 29, 2019
Closing Song: Boldly I Approach by Rend Collective
Continuing our mini-series on missions, this sermon discusses the important reality of sacrifice and suffering in the Christian life. What does it mean to "fill up what is lacking in Christ's suffering?"
Speaker: Dan Birkholz, from December 22, 2019
This sermon circles back to the beginning of Colossians where we started our series several weeks ago. However, this time we look at the text through the lens of Global Missions. The main point of this sermon is that God's work on this earth is to reconcile all things to himself, and that he accomplishes this through the missional work of his people.
Last week we suddenly lost a dear friend and family member of our church. We took a break from our missions series to meditate on this question -- what do we do in moments of loss? How should we view God? How do we move forward as Christians when tragedy strikes?
This is an unplanned, emotional message from Dan, addressed to those who have lost someone they love. Following the Scripture meditation, there are a few testimonies, prayers and encouragements from our church members to the family.
Jesse Goins (Goins to the Nations in Queens, NY) kicked off our Advent Missions Emphasis series this past Sunday. He begins with a mission update and follows it up with a sample "discovery Bible study" that you could use in any context to help others discover who Jesus is through the Bible.
Jesse serves with International Project which exists to initiate church planting movements through diaspora unreached people groups. You can follow what God is doing through Jesse and his family at https://www.facebook.com/GoinsToTheNations/
Andrew Kalvelage, associate pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Marlton, NJ joined us this Sunday to close out our series in Colossians. This text is a seemingly random bunch of people and greetings, yet it speaks loudly of the beauty of gospel partnership and the glory of Christ on display when His people serve well.
Series: God Over All -- A Series in Colossians
Text: Colossians 4:7-18
How should the kingdom of God affect our day-to-day struggles at home, in the workplace and in our neighborhoods? This week's sermon takes a detailed look at how God's people are to live out the gospel in these three places.
This sermon expands on last week’s discussion of Christ and Culture. What are the steps we should take to live as Christians who consistently seek the "things above"?
Continuing our series in Colossians, this week's sermon gives a broad view of how Christians should approach living in a worldly culture that opposes Jesus' rule and reign.