Westbrook Community Church: Recent Episodes
Kevin Sharpe
Westbrook Church. Whoever you are. Whatever your story. Learn more about our church, located in Chaska, MN: https://www.westbrook.cc/
Kevin asks us to connect with God's presence in our lives and the power that obedience brings
Nate explores how as Christians we can be honest about our doubts and still grow in our faith
Kevin interviews Jessica who explains how the links in her life have led to family ministry focused on improving lives in Africa
Kevin interviews Becky who recounts the people in her life who helped her strengthen her faith
Kevin asks us to cut through the distractions in our life and focus on where the Holy Spirit is guiding us
Nate illustrates how the Bible and the Holy Spirit work together to paint the whole picture of God's will for our lives
Pastor Kevin shares heartfelt reflections on the thriving state of Westbrook Community Church, highlighting the strong staff and volunteer base that contribute to its success. He expresses gratitude for the congregation's generosity and growing membership. An announcement is made regarding his retirement by the end of 2025, a decision that involved deep personal struggle and a significant shift in perspective about his role in the church. Through this process, Pastor Kevin gained a clearer understanding of his place within Christ's church, recognizing that his contributions are valuable but not essential to the church's mission, which is built and sustained by Christ himself. The pastor's journey underscores a humbling realization of his role in supporting the church's growth while acknowledging the divine foundation of the community. The pastor's message, while addressing his own future, also touches on the essence of ministry and the non-essential role of any single individual in the larger work of building the church..
Nate discusses the story of David and Goliath in the Bible as a metaphor for the importance of courage. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating courage in one's life amidst the fear of repeating past experiences. Nate encourages the audience to consider their own fears and the courage they need to cultivate..
Kevin emphasizes the importance of staying connected to Christ for true spiritual growth. He uses the passage from John 15 to illustrate how Jesus instructs his disciples to remain in him, not to grow on their own, but to remain connected to him. He suggests that spiritual practices such as prayer, Bible study, and journaling can help in this process..
Kevin discusses the significance of Jesus Christ in Christian and secular circles. He highlights that despite his humble origins and lack of significant accomplishments, Jesus is considered a significant figure. He also references the Book of Hebrews, which was written to Jewish believers during their persecution, and emphasizes that Jesus is superior to all other figures in the Jewish faith. The speaker concludes by suggesting that while many people may desire a king in their lives, they also often prefer to be their own king and invites us to accept Jesus as our King instead.
Nate talks about the passion and excitement of angels towards God and his works. He uses the story of Joseph and Mary, who were engaged but not officially married, as an example of how angels might interact with humans and different ways they have announced the Good News.
Kevin's sermon touches on the biblical depiction of angels, emphasizing their primary role as worshippers of God..
Kevin discusses the concept of angels and their role in our lives. He compares the hidden Mickey Mouse images found in Disney theme parks to angels, which can be missed if not noticed. He emphasizes the importance of being aware of angels and their presence in our lives. The sermon also references Billy Graham's book "Angels", which discusses the concept of Angels and their role in the Bible. He emphasizes that angels are created beings created to serve God, not be worshipped themselves..
Kevin discusses the importance of internal rather than external appearances in the pursuit of faith. He then shares a story about Pastor Max Lucado, who uses a metaphor of a rotten freezer to illustrate the importance of honesty and self-reflection in the pursuit of true faith. He draws parallels between this story and cleaning up the inside of one's life, which is the core of who we are.
Kevin interviews Ryan O'Leary from the First Peoples Initiative which has been focusing on the needs of the first people groups in North America. O'Leary emphasizes the importance of indigenous leadership in the ministry, and has worked with young indigenous leaders to develop their leadership skills..
Nate discusses how we can miss the spirit of God's commandments even when we follow them literally. He uses the example of the Old Testament Jewish ritual of the tithes, arguing that the scribes and Pharisees missed the bigger picture by focusing on the minutiae like the weighing of spices. The sermon then shifts to the topic of the Sabbath, with Jesus explaining that the Sabbath was made for man to rest and connect with God, and that hypervigilant judgement of those who were perceived to do work on that day was misguided.
Kevin discusses the concept of missing the point in following God's word. He mentions that the Pharisees, a sect of the religious faith during Jesus' time, were passionate about knowing God and were aligned with Jesus' theological views. However, he criticizes them for over-indulging in rules and regulations, which he believes detract from the spirit of the law. He highlights a verse where Jesus criticized the Pharisees for shutting the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces..
Kevin emphasizes the importance of community in shaping one's identity and growth. He references a book by Sociologist Robert Putman, "Bowling Alone," which discusses the decline in social capital in American society and its impact on mental and physical health. Sharp also cites a report by the Surgeon General, "The epidemic of loneliness and isolation," which warns that such isolation can lead to mental health challenges and premature death. He emphasizes that God uses community to form individuals and that encouragement and challenge are crucial for spiritual growth..
Kevin discusses the importance of responding to God's grace through service. He emphasizes that while we are blessed by God, we are not to keep it in our possession but to share it with others. He cites biblical passages to support this perspective, including a covenant with Abraham where God promised to bless him and make him a blessing to others. He emphasizes that this is the way of life, and that God wants us to be a pipeline for his blessings and share them with others.
Kevin emphasizes the importance of remembering who we are in Christ for spiritual growth and development. He shares his personal areas of challenge and areas of growth, and a biblical passage from Ephesians 1, where Paul the Apostle emphasizes the concept of being in Christ. He emphasizes that being in Christ means putting trust and faith in Christ, and understanding that your are a beloved child of God. He also shares an overview of a novel called "The Shack", which he found to be a powerful metaphor for how God views us..
Kevin describes how to stay open to the Spirit's influence in our lives.Kevin discusses the importance of openness to divine intervention in our lives, using the example of President James Garfield's assassination in 1888. He explains that the germ theory, a belief in the role of germs in infections, was dismissed by US doctors until Garfield's death from an infection caused by doctors' improper handling of the bullet wound. The speaker suggests that the same transformation in medical practice could be applied to spiritual growth, suggesting that Christians need a vision for how God could transform them.
Kevin tells us how obeying God and staying aligned with his will can keep us on the right path
Pastor Kevin discusses the importance of walking along with Christ in our faith journey
Pastor Kevin speaks to us about creating the best environment around us to grow in our relationship with Christ
After Jonne shares his faith story, Kevin goes into the message about the Resurrection and why it's important to our faith as Christ followers.
Luke 21:5-28
We can be our best when the world’s at its worst. How?
- By relying on Jesus’s promise of his ______________.
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By relying on Jesus’ promise of _____________ ______________.
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By relying on Jesus’ promise of His ________________.