Wawasee Bible Sermon Audio: Recent Episodes
Wawasee Community Bible Church
Pastor Josh discusses the story of Abram (later known as Abraham) from Genesis 12:10-20. Abram faces a life-or-death decision that tests his faith in God’s promises. Instead of trusting God, twice he chooses fear and self-preservation, leading him to lie (or at least not be entirely truthful) about his relationship with his wife Sarai. Despite Abram's lack of faith, God remains faithful and protects Sarai from Pharaoh. It was entirely God's goodness, not Abram's or Sarai's that caused God to rescue them and keep his promises. What risks are you afraid to take in faith as you follow Jesus?
This week we start a new series tracing the life of Abraham. Abraham (then Abram) was called by God to leave his familiar surroundings and embark on a journey to an unknown land. His life serves as a foundation for understanding faith, obedience, and God's promises. Like he did Abram, God often calls individuals from the familiar to the unknown, providing fuzzy details but big promises. Abram's faith and actions exemplify a life of trust in God, though not one without mistakes and heartache. His faith looked forward to the promises God had made not only to him personally but all the way back in the Garden to provide a savior from our sin (Genesis 3:15). God called Abram, and Abram followed; the only question now is, will you?
By 2030 the people of Wawasee Bible will engage in 10,000 Gospel Conversations and establish an Enduring Local Presence in at least two surrounding communities by meeting practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people in the Greater Wawasee Lakes Area. Toward that end, our goal for 2024-2025 if “Enduring Courage”. In order to see God use us to realize our 2030 Enduring Reach vision, we’re going to need to take some big risks, which will necessitate faith-fueled courage. In 2024-2025 the people of Wawasee Bible will take three faith-filled risks in the areas of evangelism, financial giving, and comfort. By God’s grace we will grow in courage and faith as we trust the Lord’s lead in our lives and our church!
Numbers 13-14 gives us a glimpse of the courage of a man named Caleb. He was one of twelve men who spied out the Promised Land before Israel was about to take it. However, only Caleb and Joshua brought back a good report. The other ten failed to believe in God, and rather than step out in faith and courageously take it, they convinced the people it was a lost cause. God disciplined their lack of faith with spending the rest of their lives in the wilderness. Similarly, when we choose a lifestyle of murmuring (complaining, coveting, criticizing, doubting, rebelling), we will spend our lifetime in the wilderness. Let's be like Caleb! Caleb was full of courage because he believed the Word of God and not the fear of failure.
God’s Word was written to specific people, in specific places, at specific times. And is was written FOR us. For our good, for our joy, for our life. This week Pastor Josh looks at Isaiah 43 where God writes to his people, Israel. He promises to be with them in their coming trials, but also to eventually rescue them as well because of his great love for them. In the same way Jesus rescues us to be witnesses to the only one who can save. As we go through life, we can “remember forward”. Remembering the past so that we can trust God in the present and for the future.
Most believe that Paul was eventually released from his imprisonment in Rome after 2 years (Acts 28:30-31). It’s likely that Paul made a 4th journey after his time in Rome, and Clement seems to indicate that he may have even made it to Spain. During this time, he writes letters to Timothy and Titus. This week we look at his second letter to Timothy, whom he left to pastor the church in Ephesus. 2 Timothy is the last remaining words we have of Paul before his execution at the hands of Nero. He leaves Timothy with some final instructions on how to live, lead, and be faithful in the midst of an environment that’s growing more and more hostile toward Christians. Paul charges Timothy to be courageous, insist on the Gospel, and finish well. May the Spirit help each of us to do the same!
Most believe that Paul was eventually released from his imprisonment in Rome after 2 years (Acts 28:30-31). It’s likely that Paul made a 4th journey after his time in Rome, and Clement seems to indicate that he may have even made it to Spain. During this time, he writes letters to Timothy and Titus. This week we look at his letter to Titus, whom he left in Crete to care for the church there and bring some order. Crete was a rough culture in antiquity and universally seen as such. Paul instructs Titus to bring order to the church, encouraging them to embrace sound teaching and God’s grace, which leads to godly living.
Most believe that Paul was eventually released from his imprisonment in Rome after 2 years (Acts 28:30-31). It’s likely, then, that Paul made a 4th journey after his time in Rome, and Clement seems to indicate that he may have even made it to Spain. During this time, he writes letters to Timothy and Titus. This week, we look at Paul’s letter to Timothy. It’s likely that Paul dropped Timothy off in Ephesus on this journey and left him in charge of the church there. Paul writes to encourage and instruct him as a young pastor. His charge to Timothy (and for us) is to pursue sound doctrine, sound leadership, and sound living.
As far as we know the Apostle Paul never visited the church in Colossae. By the time of Paul the city was no longer a strategic hub. However, God still had big plans for Colossae. During his time as a prisoner in Rome Paul learns of the church there from the guy who likely planted it—Epaphras—and writes a letter to them. In it he encourages them to look for fullness not in the false teachings, philosophies, or rituals that appeared to be prevalent among them but in Jesus Christ. Verses 1:15-20 contain one of the best and most suscient theologies of Jesus Christ ever written. Paul emphasizes Jesus’s preeminence and full deity throughout the letter, encouraging the Colossians to put off their old self with his sinful deeds and put on the new self, walking with Christ by faith (just as they received him). Jesus is supreme and sufficient, so cling to him and pursue him in all things.
The book of Acts ends somewhat abruptly. What happened at Paul's trial? What came next for the early church? What about Peter and the others? In his wisdom, God chose not to tell us any more than he did but left the story without a clear ending. And because it hasn't ended, God's story keeps going today as the Spirit moves in and through the Church to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Acts, we've seen all kinds of obstacles in this endeavor for Paul, Peter, John, and others. Today, we continue to have similar obstacles. But despite those obstacles, our lives and ministry can flourish just as theirs did. God's work is not hindered by our limitations.
Acts 28 begins with Paul and the others having reached the beaches of Malta after a treacherous journey across that Mediterranean. For over two weeks they found themselves in rough weather and lost as sea. By God’s grace they made it through, and he brought them toward Malta—the same island they would have likely gone to anyway as it was part of the main trade route from Myra to Rome. Throughout their crazy circumstances, God was in control and he kept them. He does the same for us. On the island, Paul continued to live a missional life, recognizing that God had sent him to Malta, even, to love people and invite them to follow Jesus. Whatever the circumstances God has sent you to love people and invite them in the same way—first to relationship and friendship, and ultimately to follow Jesus with you.
After two years in Caesarea, Paul finally begins his journey to Rome—not as a free man, but as a prisoner. Under the supervision of Julius, a centurion, Paul begins the journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Rome. Along with Paul are other prisoners, as well as his friends Aristarchus and Luke. They board a commercial ship to Myra. In Myra they change to another, larger ship and begin their way further west, making their way to the island of Crete. And ill-advised decision to press further west along the southern coast of Crete ended in disaster. A strong storm drove them out to sea, resulting in over two weeks of peril and near death. Life’s storms come for many reasons, and when they hit, where we drop our anchors will determine how we make it through.
Our lives are full of problems. Some are external and the result of the hardship of life, or maybe due to someone else, and sometimes problems even come about because of living out our faith. Other times the storm we’re going through gets inside of us and our problems become internal, or they’re due to our sin. The good news is that while life is full of problems, God’s promises are greater. Paul experienced this in Acts 25-26. His problems seemed to keep coming, but he anchored his hope in God’s promises.
In Acts 22 through 24, Paul's plans are upended by the circumstances he faced. Curiously in 23:11, Jesus made it clear to Paul that Paul's desire to make it to Rome would be fulfilled—in fact, it was God's will as well! But the way Paul had planned to go to Rome was not the same way God had in mind. God accomplished his plan to get Paul to Rome in a way Paul would have never expected, and in the timing he would have never chosen. He does the same with us. So as you plan—do it it pencil, let God be God. Delight yourself in Jesus and trust with open hands as he leads and accomplishes his will in, for, and through you.
In Acts 22:24-23:11, Paul confronts the Sanhedrin, triggering a conflict with accusations and disputes. Despite facing intense opposition and turmoil, he skillfully navigates the situation, using his knowledge and rhetorical abilities to provoke a conflict and divide his opponents while conquering the Sanhedrin's accusations against him. In all of the chaos, Paul finds peace and encouragement in a vision from Jesus, strengthening his resolve and reminding him of God's plan.
On his way to Jerusalem at the close of his third church planning (missionary) journey, the Apostle Paul is warned multiple times about what awaited him once he got there. The warnings were dire, and those accompanying Paul pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Paul's heart and mind were set, though, convinced that that's what God had for him. After making it to Jerusalem with a large financial gift from the Gentile churches, Paul was maligned and beaten by those who took issue with Gentiles Paul's ministry to them. It became so severe that Roman officials stepped in and Paul was arrested. If you choose to follow Jesus, be warned. It won't be easy, and you will suffer. When it does get hard, love those God has sent you to, even when it hurts.
After John tells us about Mary finding the empty tomb and Peter and John's foot race to it in chapter 20, he records three encounters Jesus had with people who had some doubt and confusion after his resurrection: Mary Magdalene, the Disciples, and Thomas. Sometimes we might assume doubt is the opposite of faith, but it's not—disobedience is. The key is what you do with your doubt. The good news is that God welcomes our doubts as we bring them to him. Jesus’s resurrection is often met with doubt, but he graciously meets us in it and left us strong evidence! Pastor Josh ends by listing a number of evidences worth considering as it relates to Jesus's resurrection.
Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. Everyone has experienced dissatisfaction in life. It's because this life is not all there is, and it's because our lives are broken with sin. Jesus gets our dissatisfaction. He understands our wanting and longing for something more. In fact, he's the one who put those longings and desires in each of our hearts to begin with when he created us. And he knows what will truly fill them and satisfy them, because he designed them. Our desire and dissatisfaction in life is a good thing as we recognize who it's actually pointing to and pursue more of Christ.
Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. One of the human experiences Jesus knows well is grief. Grief is intense emotional suffering caused by a loss. It's the painful emotion of sorrow caused not only by a loss but even an impending loss of anyone or anything that has deep meaning to you. We often associate it with death, but grief also strikes with the loss of a friendship, a job, health, and more. We all grieve in response to loss in our life, and we must all face it. No one is immune. Where there is loss, there is grief. And like an unwanted guest it comes knocking at the strangest of times. Our best response is to open the door, let it in, give it what it wants, then send it on its way until it comes knocking again. The problem arises when we either refuse to grieve (don't open the door) or when we let ourselves sit with it for too long (never sending it on its way) and begin to find our identity in our suffering. Pastor Josh wraps up this week with a metaphor of a tree, and the knots in a piece of wood. Even with the hardest grief, life does go on, and thankfully Jesus shows us the way through.
Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. This week Pastor Dave opens up John 8:1-11 to see how Jesus understands guilt. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that Jesus—who knew no sin—became sin for our sake so that we could be forgiven and made righteous. There's a difference between true guilt and unnecessary self-condemnation. Jesus' approach to guilt, being both gracious and truthful, is seen in his interaction with the adulterous woman, highlighting the balance between acknowledging sin and receiving forgiveness. Pastor Dave suggests practical steps for dealing with guilt including embracing grace over works, standing firm on God's verdict, and seeking reconciliation and healing through confession and prayer. Guilt came with the fall. People use guilt against each other. Jesus comes with grace and truth. Bring your guilt to God.
Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. In his humanity Jesus experienced and understands fear and anxiety, and he models a way through it to trust and rest in God's love, grace, and control. Often anxiety boils down to just that, not having control. Thankfully God deeply loves us, is near, and is always in full control. When anxiety and fear set in, we should first pause and recognize it. Name it. Then reflect on what our root fear is and on what is actually true (i.e. God's love, control, and nearness), identifying and rooting out lies and any potential sinful causes of our anxiety. Finally we still need to live our lives, but to reengage with Jesus in the middle of everything. This will be a pattern we need to repeat continually as we seek to pursue Christ even in our anxiety. (It's also noted that for some, anxiety is flat-out debilitating and to overcome it we should seek professional biblical counseling and help.)
Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. In his humanity Jesus experienced long days, weariness, even sleepless nights when he dreaded what was coming the next day. Jesus understands exhaustion, and he also understands and offers the way through it. Jesus calls us to simply come to him, to take on his yoke and learn from him. He offers the best pace and best fit for us as we follow him. His way is kind, and the load he puts on us is light—because he's with us in it every step of the way. Life is demanding & leaves us exhausted, but Jesus is gentle and lowly—come to him.
Jesus is not only fully God, but became fully human. Because of this truth he understands us better than anyone else. Not only did he create us, he lived as a one of us. And he gets us. In Luke 15 Jesus tells 3 parables that all go together. They show clearly that all of us are known by Jesus, greatly valued by Jesus, and joyfully welcomed by Jesus when we turn to him. Even though we might feel and/or be overlooked, lost, hiding, afraid—we're known by God, he pursues us, and we can run to him. All of us feel insecure, but God seeks us because of our unspeakable worth to him! Jesus meets our insecurity with surety, mercy, grace, and love.
In Acts 20 Paul is wrapping up his 3rd church planting (missionary) journey, leaving the city of Ephesus for the last time. Six years later he writes a letter to the church in Ephesus (as well as the surrounding region). His letter can be neatly divided into two halves. The first half is Paul reminding them of who they are in Christ, and their new identity. The second half is all about how they should then live because of who they are and Whose they are. Our default is to work hard to get it all right, get enough likes on Instagram, climb the corporate ladder, act a certain way, attain a certain status, or please enough people to achieve our desired identity. But the Gospel turns that all on its head. The truth is that we receive our identity, we don't achieve it. Identity first, then activity follows.
Toward the end of his third church-planting (missionary) journey, Paul spends a few months in Corinth (Acts 20:2-3), likely the winter months (1 Corinthians 16:6). While he's there, he writes to the believers he longs to visit—those in Rome. Paul would not make to Rome on his own terms, but as a prisoner (Acts 28:16). It's possible that he was unsure if he'd ever make it, and that's why he writes ahead of time to at least give them in written form all he hoped to teach. In Romans we likely have the "Cliff Notes" of what Paul taught in all of his stops. Romans is a book of "doctrine rightly applied"—it's what to believe and how to behave in light of it. This week Pastor Josh gives a summary of Romans: We’re all sinners who deserve God's wrath, but Jesus took it for us so we can have and choose new life.
In Acts 20 Paul is wrapping up his 3rd church planting (missionary) journey. We see him visit Corinth, Macedonia, Troas, Ephesus and other places for the very last time. He'll leave this region—and the people he dearly loves there—for the last time, never to return, and he knows it. So what does he do? Like Paul, each of us will leave some things in our wake. Some good, some bad. But what will we leave that actually lasts? As C.T. Studd is famous for writing, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." The greatest legacy we leave for those we love is to point them to Jesus who loves them even more.
The city of Ephesus was the third largest in the Roman Empire. It was a major commercial port on the Aegean Sea and home to many artisans, beautiful architecture, as well as the capital and religious center of Asia Minor. At the center of life in Ephesus was the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It brought in much wealth, tourism, and renown for Ephesus. After three years of ministry there, Paul was about to move on when a chaotic event happened. The Gospel was having such a profound affect on people's lives that the greater culture of Ephesus was feeling it. As people began following Jesus, they naturally became less interested in Artemis, and the craftsmen who profited from the sale of shrines and other goods surrounding the worship of Artemis began to feel the effects in their pocketbooks. This lead to a near riot that required the mayor of Ephesus (a city of 250,000 at the time) to step in and calm things down. Curiously, he knew the followers of Jesus not for their antagonism toward Artemis, but evidently for their love of Jesus. We're sent out with good news that truly changes lives and must be known by who we're for, not what we're against.
On his 3rd church-planting (missionary) journey, the Apostle Paul spent about 3 years in the city of Ephesus. For about two years he taught daily in the Hall of Tyrannus, teaching about Jesus and reasoning with people. Paul's influence was so great that at one point people were taking his sweat rags and work aprons (from tent-making/leather-working) and taking them in faith to those who were sick and/or tormented with evil spirits, and people were healed. But all of this wasn't due to power in Paul or any of his possessions, but due to God's power. It wasn't about Paul, but God delighted to work through Paul, just as he does us. It wasn't a magic formula but faith in Christ that brought change. The key for us to unlock God's power and change in our own lives is through confession and repentance.
In between Paul's second and third church planting journeys, we're introduced to a man named Apollos. Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, and he grew to have a great impact on the church in Achaia (Corinth) and become an important partner in the Gospel with Paul over time. Apollos never stopped seeking to grow to know Jesus, and while he was a skilled and eloquent speaker, he was humble enough to receive instruction from others. Apollos used his gifts to build up the church in Corinth and share the good news of Jesus with many. But the key wasn't Apollos, it was God working. As Paul would later write, he planted, Apollos watered, but God provided the growth. What will your 2024 look like? May it be one where you, like Apollos, keep growing and sharing the good news, trusting God to provide the growth!
Dave Bruemmer wraps up our Advent series, "Bright Light", looking at Jesus coming as the light of the world!
The consistent theme of Scripture is that God loves to be with us. He was with Adam and Eve in the Garden, and when they sinned God intervened with a plan to restore everything to his original plan, so that he could be with us forever. The story of the Bible is tracing the promise God made in Genesis 3:15 to make this happen, and eventually we learn that it will all happen through Jesus! Because God loves to be with us, Jesus—the true Light—came to reveal and explain God to us, and to make it possible for us to be with him forever.
Christmas is often full of family gatherings or other gatherings around food. They can be full of joy, but can also be full of angst, anger, and frustration. When Jesus comes at Christmas, his light shines full of grace and truth toward those who come to him, and enables us to do the same, even in the hardest of relationships. Jesus's very nature, God's default, is to be slow to anger, full of mercy, grace, and truth. The Son of God became one us, perfect in grace and truth, grace and truth for you and through you. How will you shine Jesus's light of grace and truth this Christmas?
The craziest trade in the history of the world is recorded in the Bible. It's an offer of God's grace that's made to everyone. God's grace is given in two ways. First, God's generic grace (common grace, general grace) is given to and received by everyone everywhere. But his specific grace, which offers salvation and righteousness through Jesus, while offered to everyone, is only received by some. It's offered as a trade, where Jesus would take all of our sin and failure and gift us his perfect righteousness and life in return. The only way to accept this trade is through faith in Jesus. Jesus came with an offer to make a trade that's not too late to accept! — But you can refuse it. What will you choose?
This year for Christmas we're looking at the first 18 verses of John's Gospel as he describes the incarnation of Jesus by saying "the true light…was coming into the world." In John 1:1-5 we see that Jesus is eternal and fully God in every way. In fact he was there at the beginning and Jesus is the Creator through home everything was made. He is the source of light and light, and believing Christ is the only hope for true life. God's plan from the very beginning was to send Jesus—the Light—to overcome our darkness.
As Paul leaves Corinth we get a glimpse into his attitude toward God and life. It was an attitude of thankfulness. Thankfulness to Jesus for keeping his promise to keep him safe (surely among many other things). It's also demonstrated in how often Paul exhorts us to be thankful people, as thankfulness is a God-honoring attitude. Understanding the active and passive sides of God's will helps us even be thankful in the hardest circumstances (like Job). Paul's life demonstrates how hard life in this sin-tainted world can be and is. And while many of the difficulties and hardships we face are totally out of our control, the thing that is in our control is our response. Our attitude. Will you choose an attitude of complaint, critique, and grumbling? Or will you choose an attitude of thankfulness in everything?
About a year after this first letter, Paul writes again to the church in Corinth. Paul had already written three letters to the Corinthians (two are now lost). In 1 Corinthians (the second of these letters), he used strong words to correct and teach. Most of the church had responded in the right spirit; there were, however, those who were denying Paul’s authority and questioning his motives. So Paul writes again to defend his ministry, and a recurring focus of his is both a recounting of the hard circumstances he's faced, the comfort God gave him during them, and the encouragement and hope God gave him for the future. In life's hardest circumstances God gives comfort. This is hope, and that hope is Jesus.
In Acts 18, Paul spends 18 months getting the church started in Corinth. Corinth was a decadent, wealthy, and licentious place. A few years after leaving Corinth, Paul writes a series of letters to the church there. In one of those letters, 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to address some divisions in the church and answer questions the had about how to live as Christians in their culture gone mad. Paul addresses numerous issues in the church and culture of that day that could just as well have been written to the Church in America today. Pastor Josh also shares the "3 Circles" method of explaining to the Gospel. — In summary, Paul teaches that the Church's sanity in a world gone crazy is the Gospel.
As Paul gets to Corinth, he's spent a lot time in multiple conflicts and on the run due to his commitment to the Gospel. It's likely he was in need of some encouragement, and God provides it in multiple ways. In Corinth he finds Aquila and Priscilla, works along side them (vocationally and in ministry), and stays with them. Later Silas and Timothy arrive as well. When faced with conflict again from the Jews, God encourages him with people coming to faith in Christ (including multiple Synagogue leaders) and a word of encouragement from Jesus in a dream. We see Paul's obedience and Jesus keep his promises. Like Paul, we can find encouragement from each other, from pursuing God's mission together, and from Jesus himself as we do!
After having to leave Philippi, and then flee both Thessalonica and Berea, Paul makes his way to Athens. When he sees the lostness of Athens Paul is saddened. So he enters into the culture, engages with the people of the city, and shares the message of Jesus Christ and the resurrection. During his time in Athens Paul demonstrates what a good Gospel Conversation might look like, and how to pursue one. He starts with friendship, asks good questions, and keeps it simple! When you share God's story, you don't need all the answers—just your own answer.
The church in Thessalonica was facing lots of struggles and persecution because of their faith. Paul lived it first hand in Acts 17:1-9. After escaping Thessalonica and then Berea, Paul took off for Athens and then Corinth. During his time in Corinth he sent two letters back to the church in Thessalonica over approximately 6 months. In both he expresses his concern for them, and encourages them to keep going in their faith, even though life had gotten so hard for them. In 2 Thessalonians Paul gives instruction about Jesus's return and to not be a lazy Christian. Keep going; Jesus will return, so keep working until he does!
In the days and weeks after Lydia came to faith in Philippi, the Gospel continued to take root there in dramatic ways. The influence of darkness was (and is) real. Paul casts a demon out of a young slave girl who had been following them around for days. After being beaten with rods, Paul and Silas are then thrown into prison for disrupting the status quo. However, rather than complain about their suffering they sing and pray in the midst of it, astonishing the other prisoners. God provides a miraculous earthquake to free them, but ends up bringing salvation to their jailer. Paul's example teaches us to prioritize God's purposes over our own personal rights. Ultimately, the influence of darkness and the pressure of culture are no match for the power of God.
God's providence was at work in leading Paul and his crew to Philippi. By providence, we mean that God is continually involved with all created things at every moment. "Circumstances in our lives are not determined by mere chance (randomness) or impersonal fate (determinism) but by God who is the personal yet powerful Creator and Lord." (–Wayne Grudem) This plays out in numerous ways as the Gospel arrives in Philippi. This week we see Lydia come to faith in Christ, and the church in Philippi takes root. God coordinates, we follow (going through the doors he opens and opening our mouths), Jesus saves (he changes hearts).
We're back in the book of Acts after taking the summer off. After a review of where we've been, we pick things up at the end of Acts 15 (Acts 15:36-16:10). Paul and Barnabas make plans to go back and visit the churches they planted years prior on their first trip, but before they head out some conflict arises. Barnabas wants to bring Mark along again, but Paul isn't interested as Mark had deserted them on their first journey. As a result Barnabas and Paul part ways. Barnabas heads to Cyprus with Mark, and Paul heads west through modern-day Turkey with Silas. It seemed like a big setback for the growth of the early church, but God used it to set-up even greater expansion of the church. On the way Paul recruits Timothy and Luke to join him. God can turn every setback into a set-up as we surrender to his will.
We wrap up our vision series this week by looking at God's call to "remember". Every time God’s Word tells us to “remember” it is with the present and future in view. By God's design there is never any going back in time, but only moving forward. We're only commanded to remember the past in so much as it reminds us of who Jesus is and what he is able to do in the present and future! When I remember God's faithfulness in the past (through good and bad), I'm encouraged to trust his faithfulness today and tomorrow. When I remember my sin in the past, I'm reminded of God's grace and I want to avoid that sin today and tomorrow. As we embark on our 7-year Enduring Reach vision, we remember God's goodness to us as a church in the past, and we lean into his continued faithfulness in the future as we obey him and follow Christ.
God loves to paint pictures of where he wants to take his people, then guides our steps as we plan and follow the lead of the Spirit. This week Pastor Josh paints a picture of where we believe God is taking us as a local church over the next 7 years. By 2030 the people of Wawasee Bible will engage in 10,000 Gospel Conversations and establish an Enduring Local Presence in at least two surrounding communities by meeting practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people in the Greater Wawasee Lakes Area. Wawasee Bible will be known as a church that not only preaches but lives the truth of the biblical Gospel. The people of our communities will know that they are loved by Jesus and loved by us, and we will be known as a church with a passion for meeting the greatest spiritual needs of every person in our circle of influence.
This week we look at our unique identity as a local church. We like to use the metaphor of a picture frame when we talk about it. The sides of that frame include our mission, our core values, our strategy/pathway, and the outcomes we want to see growing in every believer in our church. Those four things are who we are as a local church, and they "frame up" where God is taking us. (To read more about this paradigm, read "Church Unique" by Will Mancini. Pastor Josh borrows much from that book in his message this week.) We're sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us.
Because we are loved, we're sent to love. As we start a new series and begin to roll out our vision for the year 2030, it's important to remember that all of this is motivated by God's goodness and his love for us. We live in a world that's broken, hurting, searching, and longing to be loved like we are loved. God, in his sovereignty, has sent each of us and all of us to a specific place and a specific people. We want those around us and among us to know that they're loved by Jesus, and they're loved by us.
Tom Speicher preaches from Psalm 103. Psalm 103 is a call to worship with three parts: 1) An internal call to worship. 2) An external call to worship. 3) A universal call to worship.
In Psalm 100 we see that we're not to be a half full or half empty person, but totally full! It's a Psalm of joy in Christ, tell us what to do and why to do it. Will you choose joy?
Sunday, July 23, 2023Jesus: My God in the Psalms | Part 5: It's All About Jesus, My Shepherd (Psalm 23:4-6)Psalm 23 is among the most known and loved of all Bible passages. Pastor Dave preaches through the second half of Psalm 23 this week, verses 4 though 6. Valleys & Shadows? Keep walking, for you are never alone. Jesus saves you now, Jesus saves you forever.
Psalm 62 is a song written by David. David had numerous times where he found himself in danger, even surrounded by enemies who sought to destroy him. We're not sure which event he's writing about here, but we do see his unwavering trust in God alone to protect and save him. David waits in silence (quietly, still) for God to speak and act, repeatedly emphasizing that God alone is able to save. He alone is who we should wait on, trust, and seek. God ALONE is our refuge and fortress. On this side of the cross we know that the one who is our refuge, fortress, and salvation is Jesus. Rely on God alone, every other refuge will fail, but his power and love endure forever!
Psalm 24 is a song of praise and celebration that acknowledges God's kingship and authority over all creation. "The earth is the Lord's"…"the earth and all who dwell therein." Everything belongs to God, he created it all—including us! We should be his also. "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?" David asks. The answer is those who are righteous, and that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. The end of the Psalm asks who the King of glory is—and the New Testament answers that it's Jesus! "The earth is the Lord's"—so we should be his also, and give him glory!
Psalm 146 reminds us of the unwavering faithfulness and goodness of God and all it motivates us to do. First it motivates us to praise him. We need to remind each other to praise God, and even to remind our own souls to praise him. There's days we may not feel like it, and we encourage one another with our praises. Second we're motivated to wholeheartedly trust Jesus, rather than in human beings, institutions, worldly circumstances, our own abilities. Jesus alone can save! Last we're motivated to make Jesus alone our hope. Psalm 146 lists 12 characteristics of God (which parallel descriptions of Jesus in Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18-19; 7:22-23). These give us reasons to make Jesus our hope, trust him, and praise him!
Psalm 23 is among the most known and loved of all Bible passages. This message will cover the first 3 verses. Psalm 23 begins with "The Lord is My Shepherd...." and reveals the deep personal connection between us and the Lord. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the performer of his promises and the life-giver and will never fail us. We want to return his love and faithfulness by listening to his voice, following him, obeying him, and trusting him. He will always provide. He restores our souls. No one knows or understands your soul as Jesus does. We want to "return" our souls to Jesus as He alone ultimately is the one who repairs and restores our soul. The Lord makes clears there are only two paths in life and everyone is on one or the other, so by God's grace we follow Jesus who keeps us and guides us on the paths of righteousness for his glory and our good.
After returning from his first journey with Barnabas, Paul learned of legalism creeping into the newly formed churches in Galatia. He was angry at whoever brought it upon those churches, but also frustrated with how quickly the people there had turned away from the Gospel of grace. We learn all of this from the letter Paul wrote to those churches, the New Testament book of Galatians (which he likely wrote sometime in between chapters 14 and 15 of Acts). This week we dip out of Acts to give an overview of the letter Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia. He was clear that we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone all of God's grace alone! We're free from the law and religion. But saving faith never stays alone. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers as the walk in step with the Spirit.
Acts 15 marks a pivotal moment where it is affirmed that Gentiles do not need to become Jewish or adhere to the rituals of the Law in order to be a Christian. Acts 15 teaches us that there is a danger of adding to the gospel to preserve our cultural identity. The Gospel is for all! In fact, the Gospel should be contextualized to the cultures it is brought to. Never adding to or taking away from the truth of the Gospel which would result in a false gospel. As we follow Jesus' mission, we must together seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be rooted in the Word of God. Furthermore, as Christians we must loving give up our own preferences for the advancement of the Gospel and the unity of the Church. At Wawasee we express this in our fifth core value and our commitment to have No Sacred Cows. Dr. Brett Gleason of the EFCA Great Lakes District is our guest this week.
Acts 14 records the heart of Paul and Barnabas's first journey to spread the Gospel. After being run out of Antioch, they head to Iconium where once again there is fruitfulness as they share the Gospel along with opposition to it. When a plan to mistreat and stone them surfaces, they move on to Lystra. In Lystra a crippled man is healed at Paul's word. After witnessing the miracle, the crowds believe Barnabas and Paul to be Zeus and Hermes. When Paul and Barnabas insist they are not gods but mere men chaos ensues. Paul is stoned and dragged out of the city, assumed dead. After the disciples gather around him he rises, reenters the city then heads to Derbe the following day. Paul and Barnabas were ministering in a culture deeply divided, chaotic, and often opposed to the Gospel—not unlike our own. When the world is full of chaos, opposition, & division, our job is to be faithful and point people to Jesus, leaving the results to God. Pastor Josh also gave a helpful paradigm of "Receive, Reject, Redeem" for us to use as Christians as we interact with our culture.
Acts 13:13-51 records the one of the longest sermons of Paul in Acts. We can assume it forms the basis for every sermon Paul preaches in Acts as he enters different synagogues in each city he visits to share the Gospel. Paul takes the opportunity given him to share God's story, and how the Old Testament all points us to Jesus! The question of everyone's lifetime is what they'll do with Jesus. Pastor Josh briefly covers just 8 claims Jesus made of himself that require everyone to decide if he's a liar, crazy, or truly God. As followers of Christ we're sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us. Pointing people to him. God sends us to everyone, and while only some will accept the delivery there's great joy for those who do!
In Acts 13:1-12, the Holy Spirit directed the church in Antioch to commission Barnabas and Saul (Paul) and send them out. Barnabas, Paul, and Mark set said for Cyprus where they spread the Gospel across the island. In Paphos they encountered a magician named Bar-Jesus who opposed them. But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked the magician, causing him temporary blindness. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, witnessed this and believed in the teachings of the Lord. This week we looked at how to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit, and how to share the Gospel in a practical way. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, boldly share Jesus and trust God's power to do the work.
Everything recorded is Scripture is there for our benefit, and each narrative is there to serve as an example to us, whether good or bad. Acts 12:20-25 tells of the downfall of King Herod Agrippa I. Herod serves as an example to all of us of the negative aspects of pride. Pride is especially self-worship, specifically ascribing a mis-calculated worth to ourselves (whether too high, or too low). Pastor Josh borrows from Gavin Ortlund's excellent book, Humility, offering 10 ways to kill our pride and seek joy by cultivating humility. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, so kill your pride and get true joy!
In Acts 12:1-19 Peter finds himself in an impossible situation. King Herod had imprisoned Peter after murdering his friend James, and now Peter was heavily guarded why awaiting his own execution. However, the church prays for Peter's release, and God sends an angel to free him. Peter was sleeping so soundly, trusting God, that the angel had to physically wake him up be fore leading him out past a number of guards and into the city. We too can have faith and trust Jesus's heart toward us in the most trying circumstances. In the face of the impossible, God is always able to intervene and do the impossible!
Money, money, money! When Jesus transforms us, saves us, makes us born again, it also means our wallets and resources are born again, too. God is a generous God and when his Spirit comes into our hearts God moves us to be more generous as he is generous. Yet God won't force us or pry open our grip on our stuff, he allows us to choose to be generous. God desires for us to be cheerful givers not duty givers. Our money and resources are a gift from God to serve him. At the end of Acts 11 we again see the first Christians living out their faith in Jesus in a natural way which includes the church in Antioch taking up a voluntary offering to send to the church in Jerusalem. This is one of many mentions of money and generosity in the Book of Acts. You see, Christian fellowship is not talking about the weather and drinking coffee in the church foyer... it's worshipping together, prying together, getting into the Bible together, and sometimes giving each other money and resources!
The first place that God's people were called "Christians" was in the ancient city of Antioch. Antioch was a great city, the 3rd largest in the Roman Empire at the time, and the early church has such an impact that they earned a nickname—"Those Christ-ones..." The center of Gospel mission shifted from Jerusalem to Antioch as the gospel spread beyond the Jews to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit was at work, and Jesus's Church was growing. We're called and sent to share the Gospel with all people—in whatever way and place God has sent us, overcoming any bias we carry so that ALL would know Jesus. We're also called to encourage all like Baranbas did so well, and bring others along with us.
On the morning of Jesus's resurrection, Peter and John raced one another to Jesus's tomb. John won the race, but Peter was the first to go inside. John followed him, and when he saw all of the burial garments laying there, John believed, even before he understood it all. Jesus's resurrection is central to Christianity. Peter was coming off his absolute lowest moment when he denied even knowing Jesus, and then watched him get murdered. But thanks to Jesus's grace, he bounced back and Jesus restored him. Covering everything. Forgiving everything. He does the same with us, and anyone who'd believe. The empty tomb moves us to believe and be restored with new life and purpose!
On the morning of Jesus's resurrection, Peter and John raced one another to Jesus's tomb. John won the race, but Peter was the first to go inside. John followed him, and when he saw all of the burial garments laying there, John believed, even before he understood it all. Jesus's resurrection is central to Christianity. Peter was coming off his absolute lowest moment when he denied even knowing Jesus, and then watched him get murdered. But thanks to Jesus's grace, he bounced back and Jesus restored him. Covering everything. Forgiving everything. He does the same with us, and anyone who'd believe. The empty tomb moves us to believe and be restored with new life and purpose!
The Apostle Peter was a remarkable figure in the Bible, and may have been the most relatable Christian leader in Scripture. He was among the three men (along with James and John) who spent more time with Jesus than anyone else during his ministry. On his worst days Peter was giving orders to Jesus and denying ever knowing him. Yet on his best days he was the first to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, preached powerful sermons, wrote books of the Bible, and was ultimately crucified for his unwavering faith in Jesus. God chooses unlikely people to follow Jesus and build the Church.
Peter stays and continues doing ministry in Joppa for a while after the healing of Aeneas in Lydda and the raising of Tabbitha. While waiting on his lunch one day, God gives Peter a vision of something like a sheet lowering from heaven, full of "unclean" animals that were not permitted to be eaten according to Jewish dietary law. When a voice from heaven tells Peter to kill and eat, he refuses. But he's then rebuked, "Do not call common what God has made clean." Shortly after this, men arive from Caesarea on behalf of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. God had also been working in his life, sending an angel to have Cornelius send for Peter. Peter comes, and while he's teaching about Jesus many believe and the Gospel moves beyond the ranks of the Jews to the Gentiles. Peter laid his bias and partiality aside, once he realized God shows no partiality. And since God shows no partiality neither should we—the Gospel is for all.
Two hard situations, two miracles, one savior. God calls us by name, and God is always near whether it appears so or not. Jesus heals and saves by grace and grace alone, we never earn it. In this message from Acts 9:32-43 Peter is used by God in two miracles. God's love for broken and hurting people is evident as Peter seeks out a paralyzed man named Aeneas to show him the love of Jesus. In the second miracle Jesus again shows why he is our resurrection and life. God is never about beating us down but always rescuing, forgiving, redeeming, and raising us up.
After Jesus revealed himself to Saul, we begin to see the outworking of his grace in Saul's life. Saul is radically changed from a persecutor of Christians to a powerful evangelist for the Gospel. God's grace revealed Jesus to Saul and gave him the opportunity to start anew (just as he does for us!). Saul leaves Damascus for a time shortly after his conversion and travels to Arabia (many seem to think to Mt. Sinai) where he likely spent time studying, meditating, processing, and preparing for what God had destined for him. In his grace God used all of Saul's past and this time of waiting as preparation in Saul's life (just as he does ours!). After 3 years Saul heads to Jerusalem where he's befriended by Barnabas. Just as it was with Saul, God's saving grace changes us, prepares us, and sends us!
Acts 9 gives a shocking turn of events in the story of the early church. Saul, who had witnessed and approved of Stephen's murder (Acts 7:58-8:3), was chasing down Christian refugees who'd fled Jerusalem due to persecution. On his way to find, confront, arrest, and extradite believers in the city of Damascus, Saul himself is dramatically confronted by Jesus. After a few days of blindness, Saul repents and turns to Christ in one of the most dramatic conversions in history. Saul will go on to be one the greatest catalysts for the spread of Christianity. God can change anyone at anytime by the power of the Gospel!
Philip's ministry was going good in Acts 8. God was working miracles, the Gospel was advancing, and many were coming to faith in Jesus and getting baptized. But God had plans to move Philip on. He sent an angel to nudge him to leave, and Philip obeyed. Following the Spirit's lead, Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch on his way home after coming to Jerusalem to worship. Philip finds him reading from the prophet Isaiah, the helps him understand that it was about Jesus. The eunuch ends up believing in Christ, getting baptized, and heading back home rejoicing. He was one of the marginalized of society, but who now is fully accepted by God. Just as he did with Philip, God has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time to be his witness.
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Part 14 - SERIES: ActsStephen is the first person recorded to have given their life for the sake of the Gospel. After being arrested and tried due to his faith, he gives a brilliant testimony that traces God's work in the Old Testament to Jesus. Luke (the author of Acts) tells us that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. Much of what Luke records about Stephen's words and actions reflects those of Jesus. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered Stephen, he empowers us to be gracious yet firm with the gospel and to forgive our enemies.
Part 13 - SERIES: ActsThe early Christians often found themselves in trouble due to their faith. Pastor Josh spends some time at the beginning of the message reviewing the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages of Scripture. This week's passage starts off with Luke describing some of the incredible ways God was at work among the early Christians in Acts 5:12-16. However, their testimony got them into trouble with the Jewish leaders who were jealous of what God was doing, and zealous to put a stop to this "Jesus Movement". When your testimony gets you in trouble you can still boldly and joyfully proclaim Jesus because God is with us!
Part 12 - SERIES: ActsIn Acts 4:32 and following, Luke gives us a brief summary statement of the good things happening in the early church. It was a time of God pouring out his grace to provide for this people and his power to protect them. There was great unity among them. Luke gives two examples, one good and one devastating, as these things played out. Barnabas showed great authenticity as he followed the Lord and encouraged believers. Ananias and Sapphira, however, aimed to deceive others—even God—with their inauthenticity. God gives grace and power through the Gospel to purge spiritual deception and nurture authenticity! As you follow Jesus, pursue him honestly, knowing you have nothing to prove because he's proven it for you.
Part 11 - SERIES: ActsActs 3-4 is the chronicles a crazy 24-48 hours for Peter and John, and all the believers. We read about Peter and John going to the Temple to pray. En route they heal a man, then later get arrested for preaching about Jesus and are forced to appear before the Sanhedrin council. The council–due to fear of the people–lets them go but sternly threatens them not to speak of Jesus any more. After they're released, Peter and John go to their friends—the other believers, tell them everything that happened, and they all respond by praying to God. Their prayers express great trust in God while facing the struggle of the reality they're in (rather than just living in the fantasy that God would keep them from any struggle). When life gets crazy (and when it's not!) pray real prayers and watch God work!
New Years Day | Press OnFounding Pastor Tom Speicher preaches from Philippians 3:12-14 and shares his heart for Wawasee Bible in the new year. Life is full of changes. We're instructed to make the most of every day and press on as we follow Jesus.
Light of the WorldJesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He announced this during the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual feast celebrating and remembering how God had led his people from Egypt, through the wilderness, and home into the Promised Land. God did this with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night to light the way. In the same way Jesus is leading us home through the wilderness. He's the Light of the World, sent to light our way home.
Part 5 - SERIES: Mary's ChristmasWe wrap up our series turning our attention toward not only Mary but Joseph. Joseph’s biggest claim to fame is who he wasn’t. We just know him as “not the real dad” of Jesus. Did you also realize that he never speaks a word in the text? In any case, Joseph and Mary both were facing a lot, and God men them in all of it. Christmas reminds us that no matter what we're facing, Almighty God is with us!
Part 4 - SERIES: Mary's ChristmasThe night of Jesus's birth was an intense one for Mary and Joseph. They had just traveled 70 to 100 miles on foot (or possibly with an animal for Mary to ride on) from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was a hard journey in general, but especially for someone nine months pregnant. Then there was no place to stay, so Jesus's birth happens in a stable (likely a cave) and he's laid down in a feeding trough to sleep. Then a group of shepherds shows up (maybe with their sheep in tow) and interrupts Mary's rest. But Luke tells us Mary "treasured up these things in her heart". She remembered God's goodness, as he was orchestrating everything to fulfill his plans of good for all peoples everywhere. What are you treasuring up in your heart? Your griefs & grievances, or God's goodness & grace?
Part 3 - SERIES: Mary's ChristmasMary was an exceptional young women, a great example to us in her obedience and faithfulness to God. But her saying yes to God was also saying yes to struggle and suffering. This week we see Mary & Joseph's obedience affect Jesus's. While he was young they had him circumcised and dedicated to the Lord according to the Law. Their obedience as parents would affect his future obedience. But it also lead to their own struggles. Mary would face many heartaches due to following God, however she kept going and God was faithful in his goodness to her. It's the same for us. Obedience and faithfulness to God will bring struggle in this broken world, so keep your eyes on the destination!
Part 2 - SERIES: Mary's ChristmasWe’re looking at the biblical account surrounding Jesus’s birth through the eyes of Mary. Mary was a teenager when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced (all because of God’s grace) that she would give birth to the Son of God. In Luke 1:39-56 we see Mary travel to visit her relative Elizabeth whom God also blessed with a child in her old age. Mary then sings a song of praise to God that seems to be highly influenced by the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Mary believed God, was blessed by God, and praised God! What’s on your list to praise him for? He’s done great things for you, too!
Part 1 - SERIES: Mary's ChristmasNo one had an experience of the first Christmas like Mary did, and no one else will. This Advent season we’re looking at the biblical accounts of Jesus’s birth through the eyes of Mary. We’ll see her faithfulness as a model for us to follow. This week she’s visited by the angel Gabriel who reveals God’s incredible call on her life. In the face of all kinds of risk and danger and surely fear… with great courage, Mary says “yes” to God’s plan for her. Where do you need to courageously say “yes” to God?
Part 10 - SERIES: ActsIf you choose to become a Christian and follow Jesus, life will get better… but it probably will not get easier. When we obey and follow Jesus, opposition is always waiting to discourage, derail, and if possible sabotage our faith. The Apostle Paul wrote to a young pastor, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus says to us, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” In Acts 4, Peter and John are following Jesus, sharing the gospel, even experiencing the Holy Spirit heal people through them! But they also begin facing some real opposition. In the midst of it, we see them trust God, obey him, and choose joy, praising him! We can do the same. Because if you follow Jesus expect opposition—but know God will give you what you need to boldly live & proclaim what he wants!
Part 9 - SERIES: ActsRepentance gets a bad rap. Often in our culture we think of repentance as a bad thing... a weakness, admitting a wrong done, finding nowhere else to turn after an epic failure. But Biblically, repentance is actually a very good thing. A refreshing thing, even. After the Holy Spirit used Peter and John to heal a man who had been crippled since birth, he then empowered Peter's speaking. Peter proclaimed that it was all because of Jesus, and that turning to him (repenting) would bring true, refreshing, renewing life. The kind we all long for. Repentance is when I recognize my sin, see it the way God sees it, turn to Jesus, and receive forgiveness and renewal!
Part 8 - SERIES: ActsDo you believe in miracles? Acts 3:1-10 record a miracle where Peter and John bring healing to a man lame from birth in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Miracles are anchored in the twin truths that God cares about you and God has limitless power. Miracles are rooted in the historical Jesus Christ of Nazareth who went to the cross for us and rose from the dead. Believers live not in despair or resignation but in trust and joy that whether or not we see a "miracle" today God will carry us one day at a time and eventually heal us completely.
Part 7 - SERIES: Acts In Acts 2:42-47 Luke gives a summary of what was taking place in the Church in its earliest days. This passage (like much of Acts) is descriptive rather than prescriptive, meaning it simple tells us what happened. To apply it, then, we must pull out principles to apply to our own life and context, not simply mimic exactly what they did. God gives much freedom in how each local church functions, but clear principles that should exist at its core. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church and their devotion to God's Word and to one another!
Part 6 - SERIES: Acts After the Spirit’s descent, Peter gives the first Christian sermon in Acts 2:14-41. Preaching was what God used to grow the church. On the surface preaching seems a bit foolish, but God has chosen the proclamation of his Word to be at the center of his work in and through the Church. Peter (who had been cowardly afraid of some middle-school aged girls only 50 days earlier) stands up with courage to boldly preach to everyone on that Pentecost morning. He explained everything that was going on from Scripture, how it was all about Jesus and how we all need him!
Part 5 - SERIES: Acts In Acts 2 we see the Holy Spirit descend and empower his people. This week we step back to explore what "spiritual gifts" are. In short, they are God-given and Spirit-empowered spiritual abilities given to every believer in Jesus, according to God's grace, to help them fulfill their God-given personal purpose as part of the Church. God gives common gifts to everyone (common grace) and spiritual gifts to each one who receives Christ—for Jesus's glory, others' good, and your joy!
Part 4 - SERIES: Acts In Acts 2, God's people are celebrating Pentecost (the Festival of Weeks). As part of it, they are remembering God's provision and how he came in power to Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19-20ff and gave the Law. While all this is going on, God shows up again in a history-changing way. Rather than descend on a place in power, the Holy Spirit descends upon a people in power as the Church begins. When someone becomes a Christian, they are baptized with the Holy Spirit (he indwells them). This happens one time in each believer's life at the moment of conversion. Additionally, though, Christians are to be filled with the Spirit, empowered by him. Filling happens multiple times as we abide in Christ. God sends his Holy Spirit to empower us with good news that some receive and others reject.
Part 3 - SERIES: Acts Before Jesus left, he told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them. In Acts 1:12-26 we see them waiting and making a big decision about who would replace Judas on the team. From their process we can discern some principles for making decisions ourselves that honor God. One thing not to miss as we keep going through Acts is that Acts is not about super-Christians, it's about Jesus using messed up people (like us) to build his church.
Part 2 - SERIES: Acts As Acts begins, Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before they do anything. All through the book of Acts we’ll see the Holy Spirit at work in powerful ways. This all begs the question, who is the Holy Spirit? Before we go any further in Acts, we should be sure to understand who the Holy Spirit is. Jesus calls him the “Helper”, even going so far as to say that we’re better off with him leaving so that he can send the Spirit. Pastor Josh unpacks a brief theology of the Holy Spirit from John 16:5-15, John 14:15-29 and other passages of Scripture. Jesus didn’t leave us alone, he sent the Spirit to help us and empower us for his mission.
Part 1 - SERIES: Acts We begin a new series through the New Testament book of Acts. Pastor Josh covers some helpful background info on the book and works through the first 11 verses of the book. Jesus left us with a mission, but to do it we need his power—we need the Holy Spirit!
Habakkuk | A Prophet with a Problem Habakkuk was an Old Testament prophet with a problem. Specifically, a problem with God. He was troubled both with God's silence and his actions. Yet as we read the book of Habakkuk, we see him discover the solution of living by faith, trusting God to prevail, assured he would come through. We can trust God in the same way through the midst of our own struggles and doubts. (Tom Speicher is the founding pastor of Wawasee Bible.)
Part 14 - SERIES: Parables In Matthew 25, Jesus tells "the Parable of the Talents", giving more instruction on how we should wait for his return. A talent is simply a measurement of weight, and it was often used of money. In his parable we learn that we should wait for Jesus as servants who are commissioned to increase his assets. Following the sermon is a presentation leading into our Annual Meeting for 2022.
Part 13 - SERIES: Parables We’re in the midst of waiting for Jesus to return, and he will. But how are we supposed to wait? On the one hand he says he could return at any moment, and on the other he tells us it could be a long time. Jesus gives a series of vignettes and parables in Matthew 24-25 that are intended to answer these questions. We look at three of them this week.We should wait ready for Jesus’ return so that we’re not surprised when he comes—knowing that we’ll give an account to him, even if his coming is long delayed.
Part 12 - SERIES: Parables In Matthew 24 Jesus’s disciples ask him about the end times, when Jesus will set up his Kingdom on earth and reign as king. Jesus replies with some details around what will take place before his second coming, things we should pay attention to so we’re ready. But it’s important to remember that the purpose of prophesy in Scripture is not so that we can sit around and predict the future, but so that we would recognize God’s hand when things take place. The purpose of prophecy, then, is recognition, not prediction. For every prophecy about Jesus’s first coming, there are approximately 8 more that deal with the end times and his second coming. Every prophecy about his first coming was fulfilled perfectly, and we can have confidence that every one about his return will be as well. Jesus includes a short parable about a fig tree as he encourages us to pay attention to the times—not with fearful hearts but with great hope!
Part 11 - SERIES: Parables Pastor Dave Winters teaches from Matthew 21:28-32 and Jesus's Parable of the Two Sons. Following Jesus means honesty, a change of mind, and obedience.
Part 10 - SERIES: Parables Pastor Craig Clapper preaches from Luke 10:25-37 on the Good Samaritan. The term "Good Samaritan" is used in many places today, but often different than in Scripture. The Samaritan didn't just show compassion and mercy to anyone, but to his enemy. The reactions of the priest and Levite were radically different than that of the Samaritan. Their religiosity became a roadblock to truly following God, and it can be the same today. Religion can be a roadblock to true Christianity. What motivates you to show mercy even to your perceived enemies?
Part 9 - SERIES: Parables Pastor Collin Seitz preaches from Luke 15:1-7 on the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who diligently seeks us and then carries us back to God. We should be like him. Not isolating ourselves from the world, but being sent into it to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us. Jesus himself is the narrow road that leads to true life, whereas the wide and easy road leads to destruction. Which road will you choose? And which will you help others find?
Part 8 - SERIES: Parables Jesus was at a banquet at the home of a ruler of the Pharisees when he told a parable about another great banquet. Everyone has been invited to God's party, but many will make excuses not to come. What's your excuse? But those who respond and simply come will be greatly rewarded on that day. In the mean time, they're sent out to invite others to join them.
Part 7 - SERIES: Parables In Luke 12 Jesus teaches the Parable of the Wealthy Man, often known as the Parable of the Rich Fool. He reminds his listeners (and us) to guard their heart from idols. Idols can be any good thing that becomes a “god thing” (and that’s a bad thing!). Anything can become an idol in our lives, from items, to duties, to others, to longings, even sufferings. The Rich Fool idolized his stuff and his comfort, finding his security there—until God revealed to him that he would die that night, and that he was a fool for trusting in his idols rather than being rich toward God. His primary hope was entirely in what was stored away in his barn instead of in God. Where is your primary hope? What’s your barn filled with? Are you rich toward God? Guard your heart from idols, they deal in lies and false hope, but Jesus deals in true hope.
Part 6 - SERIES: Parables Parables | Part 6: God's Fair v. Our Fair Have you ever felt like God was unfair? Sometimes it can certainly feel that way, and in some ways you might argue it's a good thing that he is. Jesus's parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard addresses this head on in Matthew 20:1-16. God may appear to be unfair, yet God is just and generous—so we are called to be just.
Part 5 - SERIES: Parables In the Parable of the Weeds of the Field, Jesus gives instruction on how to live life as his followers in a world that's broken with sin. We're sent to love people—all people—and invite them to follow Jesus with us. No matter who they are, what they believe, what they've done, their ethnicity, their age, their intellect—no matter who they are every human life bears the image of God and is full of eternal dignity, value, and worth. This world is filled with weeds, so keep planting wheat and wait for the harvest.
Part 4 - SERIES: Parables Luke 15:11-32 is often referred to as the "Parable of the Prodigal Son", but when Jesus begins the parable he says it's a parable about two sons, not just one. The younger son demands his inheritance from his father, then takes off, wastes it all, and returns to a forgiving father. But it's a grave error to think that this story is only about one son. It's actually a tale of two sons, one younger and one older. Both want their father's things but not their father. One repents, and one we're left wondering about. Some of us are like the younger son and others are like the older son—both need to repent. Repentance is (1) recognizing I'm going the wrong way, (2) changing my mind (the word "repent" literally means "a change of mind"), and (3) turning around to go the other way (this is the fruit of repentance). The greatest prodigal in this story (the one who is most lavish and extravagant with his resources) is not the younger son, but the dad.
Part 3 - SERIES: Parables Where is your confidence? In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14, Jesus draws a stark contrast between those who trust in their own goodness and those who trust in Jesus's goodness. To the shock of those listening, Jesus proclaims that only those like the tax collector who put their trust in Jesus's goodness will get true and eternal life.
Part 2 - SERIES: Parables Parables are simply stories intended to illustrate and teach. Jesus often taught about the Kingdom with parables in order to help people remember his teaching. He used parables to conceal truth from some, and reveal truth to others. In the Parable of the Soils in Matthew 13:1-23 we see different types of reactions to the Gospel, and we're challenged to tend the soil of our own hearts.
Part 1 - SERIES: Parables Pastor Dave kicks off our new series, Parables, with the Parable of the Hidden Treasure in Matthew 13:44.
Part 4 - SERIES: Bookends God created everything and therefore is the one who assigns meaning to everything, including you. Your identity is received from God, not achieved by you. Satan, on the other hand, is always working in reverse, trying (ultimately in vain) to unravel all that God has woven together. In the end Jesus wins and Satan is crushed. God creates and Satan counterfeits—but not forever!
Part 3 - SERIES: Bookends The first chapters of Genesis and the final chapters of Revelation form strikingly parallel bookends to God’s Story. In this series we’re comparing the two, seeing how God began everything and how he’ll ensure that his original intentions will come to fruition in the end. This week we see that God’s story is bookend by weddings! The very first wedding in history was a small, private, outdoor, garden wedding in Genesis 2. The final wedding in history will be a massive, public, urban wedding in a huge modern city, followed by a big reception complete with great food and dancing! See Revelation 19 for some of the details. God created us lacking and intended marriage (one man + one woman for one lifetime) to vividly illustrate his commitment to us.
Part 2 - SERIES: Bookends The first chapters of Genesis and the final chapters of Revelation form strikingly parallel bookends to God’s Story. In this series we’re comparing the two, seeing how God began everything and how he’ll ensure that his original intentions will come to fruition in the end. This week we look at God planting the Garden in Eden with the intention of Adam & Eve growing it into a City where God would forever live among his people. As we wait for this City, Jesus exhorts us to choose our treasure. For wherever we find our treasure, our hearts and lives will follow.
Part 1 - SERIES: Bookends The first chapters of Genesis and the final chapters of Revelation form strikingly parallel bookends to God’s Story. In this series we’re comparing the two, seeing how God began everything and how he’ll ensure that his original intentions will come to fruition in the end. This week we look at creation, and God’s plan to go from Creation to New Creation. All of it begs the question, “How big is your God?” If he’s big enough to speak the universe into existence, and if he’s big enough to ensure everything will go as he’s planned in the end, is he big enough for you to trust in the day to day chaos and struggle of your own life?
Easter 2022 | Eyes Opened On the afternoon of his resurrection Jesus took a walk with a couple of his disciples. But it wasn't until they made it to their destination that they recognized who he was. On their 2+ hour journey, Jesus explained to them how all of the Old Testament points to him. Then, finally, their eyes were opened and they realized who he was. In the same way Jesus encounters us to prove who he is and open our eyes!
Part 3 - SERIES: Famous Last Words Famous Last Words | Part 3: Jesus's Famous Surrender We're in a short series looking at some of Jesus's final words before his death on the cross. This week we see his famous surrender when he said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," just before he breathed his last. Pastor Dave leads us to see that like Jesus we can run to the Father and put our life in his hands, no matter the circumstances. And we should remember that just like Jesus, after surrender comes resurrection and new life.
Part 2 - SERIES: Famous Last Words Famous Last Words | Part 2: Jesus’s Famous Pardon A person's last words matter, and are often some of their most remembered words. It's no different with Jesus. In this short series we're looking at some of his famous last words. In Scripture there are 7 phrases recorded that Jesus uttered from the cross. This week we look at 4 of them and will see that God’s forgiveness is costly, but given freely and completely to any who would turn to Jesus in faith.
Part 1 - SERIES: Famous Last Words A person's last words matter, and are often some of their most remembered words. It's no different with Jesus. In this short series we're looking at some of his famous last words. This week Tom Speicher leads us through Jesus's prayer the night before he was crucified in John 17. We see him pray for himself, pray for the apostles, and pray for us—his church.
Part 10 - SERIES: Grounded We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Part 9 - SERIES: Grounded We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Part 8 - SERIES: Grounded We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Part 7 - SERIES: Grounded We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Part 6 - SERIES: Grounded We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
Part 5 - SERIES: Grounded We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. Pastor Josh teaches through the Day of Atonement from Leviticus 16.
Part 4 - SERIES: Grounded Grounded | Part 4: Grounded in Christ We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
Part 3 - SERIES Grounded Grounded | Part 3: Grounded in Despair We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Part 2 - SERIES: Grounded We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
Part 1 - SERIES: Grounded Grounded in God There's a number of things in life we can take for granted. In the same way, we can take for granted some of the essentials of our faith and spiritual lives. In this 10-week series we're using our Statement of Faith as a guide as we dig deeper into the essentials of what we believe and why they matter to everyday life. We begin by looking at who God is.
Part 5 - SERIES: Generous God's generosity includes his forgiveness, and God is the most generous forgiver of all time. Forgiveness is an act of generosity that's free to the recipient, but always costly to the giver. Because God has so generously forgiven us, we must learn to forgive each other. Pastor Josh walks through 3 things forgiveness is NOT and 3 things forgiveness IS that he learned from another pastor, and have proved to be helpful.
Christmas Eve 2021 "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Jesus was born to save you, heal you, rescue you, and preserve you from your sins and their affects.
Blue Christmas 2021 Blue Christmas is a special service for anyone struggling with loss or loneliness during the holidays. This year Pastor Josh leads us in a devotional, acknowledging the hard things in life, while trusting that God can and will use them to create beauty in the future, much like the knots in a tree.
Part 4 - SERIES: Generous God is incredibly generous to us, it's his very nature. He's also created us in his image, to mirror him in the way we live—including being generous ourselves! Every good thing we have is a gift from God, and our giving (and overall generosity) begins with how we receive good gifts from him. Do we really recognize that all we have is his? Am I a "sponge" with the good gifts he gives, always trying to hold on to as much as I can, or a "hose" that operates as a conduit, receiving his blessings so I can bless others? Giving begins with receiving and reveals your heart, setting the stage for God's blessing.
Part 3 - SERIES: Generous No matter how much we get, it's never enough—unless it's Jesus. We're hardwired "wanting" and lacking. God did this so we'd long for him, he's the only one who makes us whole, complete, and content. When we search for happiness we're usually longing for contentment which is in Jesus, not stuff.
Part 2 - SERIES: Generous When we speak of who God is, we’re speaking theologically of his attributes or his character. We often talk and teach about God’s love, sovereignty, infinite power, and holiness among his other attributes. And rightly so, because he is all of these things! But we don’t always consider his generous nature. God’s attributes can be thought of in two categories: incommunicable and communicable (those he does not share with us and those he does). Generosity is one of his communicable attributes, one he shares with us. God’s very nature is to be generous and give good gifts.
Part 1 - SERIES: Generous God so loved the world that he… gave. Our God is lavish in his generosity and during this Advent season we’re taking time to consider his generosity. At Christmas, we remember that God gave. He gave his Son, and Jesus gave his life—all out of love for us. Ephesians 2:1-10 shows us that God’s generosity saves us from eternal danger, saves us by Jesus, and saves us for good works. How will you image Jesus be generous yourself this Christmas season?
Part 5 - SERIES: The Heart of Christ Jesus is our advocate, and when he ascends to be with the Father he promises to send another Helper. The Holy Spirit is that helper. Many struggle with their understanding of the Spirit, thinking him to be an impersonal force or thing. But the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and is a person. He is a person who helps us in many ways, including experiencing the heart of Jesus in both rational and relational ways. The Spirit, in all that he does, glorifies Jesus Christ. He does not and will not and cannot lead or act in a way that is contrary to the heart of Jesus and the Word. The Spirit helps us experience Jesus’s heart and the Father’s heart toward us. (This series is based in large part on insights from the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund.)
Part 4 - SERIES: The Heart of Christ Have you ever stopped to consider what Jesus is up to right now? Functionally, we might tend to think that following his ascension Jesus doesn’t have much to do but wait around for his glorious return. Scripture says otherwise. Jesus is as engaged, interested, and invested in our lives today as ever. Romans 8:34 reminds us that he is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that he lives to intercede for us! 1 John 2:1-2 says he even advocates for us when we sin. Jesus has accomplished our atonement, justification, and redemption through his death, burial, and resurrection. He is now applying it to our lives through his intercession. Jesus saves to the uttermost by interceding and advocating for us! (This series is based in large part on insights from the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund.)
Part 3 - SERIES: The Heart of Christ Our default is to think that Jesus will eventually grow tired of us. That his love for us is somehow conditional upon us and is in danger of running out. This is because that's how WE are. But thankfully Jesus is not like us! We see in John 6:37 and elsewhere that he will not forsake his own. In a world of rejection, Jesus will NEVER cast you out—so you can always run to Jesus! (This series is based in large part on insights from the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund.)
Part 1 - SERIES: The Heart of Christ Much like our ancestors Adam and Eve, our default when we sin is to hide from God, not to run to him. But in the Gospels we see that Jesus’s deep desire is for us to come to him. That he doesn’t hold us at arms length in our sin, but draws near so that he can rescue us from it. Because of his deity he has the power to forgive and save us, and because of his humanity he can sympathize with us and suffer with us. In other words, he gets it. We’re in Hebrews 4:13-5:2 this week. Jesus can deal gently with us and delights to—COME TO HIM! (This series is based in large part on insights from the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund.)
Part 1 - SERIES: The Heart of Christ We start a new series based in large part on insights from the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund. Who is Jesus at his core? What is the essence of his heart toward his own? In the Gospels there is only one time when Jesus describes his heart in his own words. In Matthew 11:29 he tells us that he is gentle and lowly in heart. We explore what Scripture means by our “heart”, and then begin to unpack what it means that Jesus’s heart is gentle and lowly. He calls us to come to him, take on his yoke, because he is gentle and lowly in heart and he proves it over and over.
Part 5 - SERIES: PEARL Most Christians don’t feel up to or able to share their faith and engage in evangelism, but a simple five-step strategy makes it possible for everyone! In our final installment of this 5-part series, we look at the essential nature of love. Loving people tangibly is key to their receptivity of the Gospel. Jesus demonstrated this in profound ways like his death on the cross and in simple acts of friendship and service, like washing the disciples feet. We close the series by studying the reactions to Paul's presentation of the Gospel in Acts 17, noting that we often face similar reactions today. When we share the Good News, we also can expect various reactions—but God will keep working so we must keep loving!
Part 4 - SERIES: PEARL Most Christians don’t feel up to or able to share their faith and engage in evangelism, but a simple five-step strategy makes it possible for everyone! In part 4 of our series through this strategy, we look at the principle of revealing your story and God's story. By God's design, story is a powerful tool in communication and relationship. All of us are natural story tellers and story seekers, and the reason is that every good story is ultimately an echo of God's story. Are you able to share God's story of redemption in Jesus? And are you willing to share your story of relationship with Jesus? Stories are powerful, so be able to share God's story and ready to share your story! Pastor Josh offers some tools to help you do just that in this message.
Part 3 - SERIES: PEARL Most Christians don’t feel up to or able to share their faith and engage in evangelism, but a simple five-step strategy makes it possible for everyone! In part 3 of our series through this strategy, we look at the principle of asking questions. Jesus was the master at this. Jesus asked questions 307 times in the Gospels compared to only 8 times where he gave answers. Rather than be “preachy” with people far from God, Jesus asked questions to learn their story, and their heart, and get them to think about spiritual things. We see Paul do something very similar in Acts 17 with the Areopagus. Good questions engage others by showing genuine interest in them, learning their spiritual journey, and encouraging them to think deeper.
Part 2 - SERIES: PEARL Most Christians don’t feel up to or able to share their faith and engage in evangelism, but a simple five-step strategy makes it possible for everyone! In part 2 of our series through this strategy, we look at the principle of eating with people. Jesus did this often. He ate with those close to him and those far from him. He was deliberate to spend time with those far from God. We also see this in the life of the Apostle Paul. Jesus himself said, "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking…" Jesus used meals to connect with people and let them see who he really is. It was a brilliant strategy that slowed people down and allowed Jesus to engage in genuine friendship with those far from God. We'd be wise to follow his lead!
Part 1 - SERIES: PEARL There is simply no greater gift than helping someone find eternal life and reconciliation with God. Most Christians don’t feel up to that task, and yet a simple five-step strategy makes it possible for everyone! We start by looking at the step 1 of this strategy—Pray. Evangelism is helping people find Jesus, and it begins by praying.
35th Anniversary | Not Done Yet! We celebrate 35 years this morning as a church! Pastor Josh interviews two of the founding couples of Wawasee Bible and a handful of brand new couples. Then we look at Philippians 1, and God's promise to finish the work he's began in us as a church. He's not done yet—and it's all because of Jesus' grace!
Part 4 - SERIES: It's All About Jesus! Willy Tops is our guest this morning. If you are in Christ, you are no longer a sinner saved by grace, but a saint saved by grace. No longer a sinner who sometimes does good things, but a saint who sometimes sins. Your primary identity, after becoming a Christian, is that of a saint.
Boat-In on Lake Wawasee | September 5, 2021 A couple times each summer Pastor Josh preaches at Boat-In Worship on Lake Wawasee. This time we got a rough recording as Josh preaches from Matthew 28:20. Have you ever wondered if God is really near? Jesus promised he would be, and he keeps all his promises. Pay Attention! Jesus is with you, always, to and through the very end!
Part 3 - SERIES: It's All About Jesus! In Part 3 of our short series through Colossians 1:15-23, we see that life—real life, true life, abundant life—is all about Jesus! Do you long for that type of life? To experience it, you must first be reconciled to God. Jesus reconciles us, he restores a friendly relationship between you and God, and you and other people. While you were far off and deserving of God's wrath, Jesus paid your debt and drew you near! Will you be reconciled to him and become a friend of God? When you do, you get true life—and it's all about Jesus!
Part 2 - SERIES: It's All About Jesus! In Part 2 of our short series through Colossians 1:15-23, we look at the fact that the Church is all about Jesus! What is the church? It's both local (some of God's people in a particular location at a particular time) and universal (all of God's people in all places throughout all time). We also consider a handful of things the church is not. When we say "It's All About Jesus!", are we neglecting the other persons of the Trinity? The Father and the Spirit? Jesus is the head of the Church, the Senior Pastor of the Church, and in the end the Church exists to worship Jesus, love Jesus, and help others know Jesus. The Church is all about Jesus!
Part 1 - SERIES: It's All About Jesus! Colossians 1:15-23 contains one of the most eloquent descriptions of Jesus ever penned. We kick off a short three-week series through this passage titled after our first Core Value: "It's All About Jesus!" Jesus is God. He's Lord of all and must be FIRST in everything. Yet in our sinfulness we're experts at pushing him out of the way and making ourselves first. Is Jesus first in your life? Are you quick to repent and turn, yielding first place back to him when you try to take it for yourself? That's our focus this week, because it is ALL about Jesus!
Part 11 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Pastor Dave speaks about true friendship according to Proverbs.
Part 10 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Pastor Rick Thompson, Superintendent of the Great Lakes District of the EFCA is our guest this morning. Rick takes us through the different fools of Proverbs, encouraging us to avoid the pitfalls of each in our lives by the Spirit's power.
Part 9 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Pastor Dave looks at multiple Proverbs and asks, "What are you pursuing?
Part 8 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Proverbs has a lot to say about our relationship to others, especially our neighbors, including those we work along side, live alongside, and the communities we live in. God's consistent call on his people is to love our neighbor. Jesus said that next to loving God it's the second greatest command. Pastor Collin Seitz is our guest this week and give us some of the pitfalls Proverbs exhorts us to avoid with our neighbors, while encouraging us to practice being good neighbors according to God's Word. We are sent to love people, especially our neighbors, and invite them to follow Jesus with us!
Part 7 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Proverbs 12:25 tells us, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Intense anxiety can weigh down the heart. It can lead to spiritual depression and psychological depression. Thankfully, God has prescribed a cure for a heavy heart. While anxious thoughts weigh down the heart, encouraging words cheer up the heart — especially the Word of God! We can confront anxious thoughts with God’s inspired promises, with his prophetic word, and prayer. Certainly there are times when the need for professional counseling and care is welcome and essential, but all of Jesus’ followers—professional counselors or not—can use timely, encouraging words and God’s Word to encourage one another and battle anxiety in their own hearts.
Part 6 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Certain formulas are helpful to memorize in life, and one that is essential as we celebrate our freedom as a nation relates to our happiness. God gives us some instruction on how to attain true gladness and happiness in his Word. It begins with finding true freedom in Jesus Christ. After we have this freedom, if we'll live in dependence on God, we'll gain true, abiding hope, gladness, and happiness. Freedom + Dependence (on God!) = Happiness.
Part 5 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Proverbs speaks more about our speech than anything else. More than money, more than sex, more than family and relationships. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that there is the power of death and life in the tongue. This week we look at the negative power we wield with our words. Illustrating Proverbs 18:21, James gives us three vivid metaphors of how powerful our tongues are in chapter three of his New Testament book. Words have power, so watch what you say—it will reveal your heart. What do your words reveal about your heart?
Part 4a - SERIES: Word to the Wise This year for Father's Day we swapped pastors with our sister church, Community Gospel Church of Bremen, Indiana. Wawasee Bible and Community Gospel share a long history together and both of us are now part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Pastor Jordan Muck preached at Wawasee Bible and Pastor Josh went over to Community Gospel for the day. This is Pastor Josh's message recorded at Community Gospel.
Proverbs 4 is Good Advice from our Good Dad. It records the words of a father to his son, and ultimately it's our Heavenly Father's instruction to us. Above all else he says to get wisdom and insight... do you want wisdom? Then you need to get Jesus and you'll get life. We see Jesus described as wise and associated with the wisdom of Proverbs all throughout the New Testament. We're presented with a choice in Proverbs 4—a choice that will repeat itself millions of times throughout our lives. We can choose death or we can choose life, so pay attention to your heart.
Part 4 - SERIES: Word to the Wise This year for Father's Day we swapped pastors with our sister church, Community Gospel Church of Bremen, Indiana. Wawasee Bible and Community Gospel share a long history together and both of us are now part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Pastor Jordan Muck preached at Wawasee Bible and Pastor Josh went over to Community Gospel for the day. This is Pastor Jordan's message recorded at Wawasee Bible.
Proverbs 4 is a Father's Wise Instruction to his son. Ultimately it's our Heavenly Father's instruction to us. Above all else he says to get wisdom and insight. Not just knowledge and a head full of facts, but wisdom—knowing how to apply those facts to life, and to actually apply them! He goes on to exhort us to flee from wickedness and avoid the way of the wicked, but to choose the paths of the righteous. Above all, guard your heart because life flows from the inside out.
Part 3 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Wisdom is calling out to you, to everyone. Will you answer its call? The Lord's wisdom is personified as "Lady Wisdom" in Proverbs. And when we get to the New Testament we read that in Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, even that Jesus became the wisdom of God for us—his wisdom with flesh on. Jesus himself even seems to directly associate himself and his wisdom with Lady Wisdom. This week in Proverbs 8 we see a description of wisdom that parallels many descriptions of Jesus in the New Testament. If you want to get trust wisdom, get Jesus and get life.
Part 2 - SERIES: Word to the Wise Wisdom is offered to all of us, but it's not automatic. God's wisdom and the knowledge of the depth of his love for us is part of his grace that's conditional. It's conditional on us searching for him with our whole heart. It's not "search for me and I'll love you more", it's "search for me and you'll know me for all that I am!" The reality is that as believers we're sitting on a gold mine, and if we're willing to do some digging and really get after knowing God, we can know him for all of who he is and gain wisdom. Search hard for wisdom and bury it in your heart so you'll know every good path.
Part 1 - SERIES: Word to the Wise We kick off a new series in the book of Proverbs, where we’re looking for God’s wisdom for life. Pastor Josh gives an intro to the book covering the who, what, and why of Proverbs. Written primarily by Solomon, Proverbs is a collection of short, pithy statements that teach practical wisdom about life. A proverb expresses what is generally/normally true, not universally true. Sometimes there are exceptions. It’s important to remember that a proverb is not a promise. However, most of the time they represent what is true about gaining and living a life of wisdom. Wisdom begins with a right relationship with/to God which is only possible through Jesus!
Part 19 - SERIES: This Exile Life Peter wraps up his first letter exhorting his readers to stand firm in the true grace of God, referring specifically to the things he's written to them. All of God's word is trustworthy and true. This week we take some time to look at some of the evidence that the Bible is true and trustworthy. The Bible is God's true word of his true grace so we can know true peace.
Part 18 - SERIES: This Exile Life Followers of Jesus have an adversary who seeks to destroy them. And we’re especially vulnerable to his attacks during times of suffering or anxiety. So Peter tells us to stay alert in the midst of our weakness and resist the enemy. To stand firm in our faith. That only happens as we stay close to Jesus and close to other Christians. Stay alert in your weakness and close to Jesus. In your suffering remember you’re not alone and it’s not forever.
Part 17 - SERIES: This Exile Life Do you struggle with fear, anxiety, and worry? Everyone does to varying degrees. Fear, anxiety, and worry aren't necessarily sinful, Jesus himself struggle with anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane. The issue at hand is what you do with your fear, anxiety, and worry. Peter gives us good instruction to cast it upon Jesus, knowing he cares for us. Left to themselves our anxieties can be too much to handle and easily get away from us. Instead, we must anchor them to the truth of God's word. Rest under God's care by giving him your anxieties, he loves you.
Part 16 - SERIES: This Exile Life As Peter begins to wind up his letter he addresses the elders who are leading the churches he’s writing to. He exhorts them to shepherd the people under their care and lead them. While Peter’s exhortation is directed at leaders in a church setting, the principles he lays out apply to leadership in any setting. Good leaders think like a shepherd, and any good shepherd will provide for, protect, and guide their sheep. We can see God doing the same with us as our Shepherd in Psalm 23. Good leaders/shepherds also think more about the people they lead than themselves, serving willingly, eagerly, and leading by example in humility. Are you leading anything? Think like a shepherd who loves their sheep and knows they’re a sheep themselves.
Part 15 - SERIES: This Exile Life Once again Peter reminds us that as exiles we can expect to suffer in this life. In fact, he tells us not to be surprised if and when we do suffer—as if it were something strange or out of the ordinary! We live in a world that is broken by our sin and thus suffering is a reality for everyone. As Christians, we can expect not just the suffering of living in a broken world but suffering and persecution due to following Jesus. Peter tells us that this type of suffering (while hard) can be used by God to make us more like Jesus. We can rejoice when we suffer for his sake, knowing that we'll also share in his glory when he returns. When we suffer we can entrust our souls to the care of our faithful God, just like Jesus did when he suffered on the cross. Don't be surprised if you suffer, God is working (and in control!)—you can trust him.
Part 14 - SERIES: This Exile Life 1 Peter often seems to reflect one Peter's many encounters with Jesus. 1 Peter 4:7-11 is no exception where Peter writes about being alert as the end (Jesus' return) draws near. Jesus had told Peter something very similar in Matthew 26 the night before he was crucified. Peter reminds us that Jesus is coming so should be alert and care for each other—praying for each other, loving each other earnestly, showing hospitality to one another, and using our gifts to serve each other. We want to see every person who calls Wawasee Bible home do three things: 1) Gather regularly on Sunday mornings. 2) Grow by getting connected in a growth ministry (don't just show up, grow up!). 3) Go serve somewhere! How are you doing at each of these three things?
Part 13 - SERIES: This Exile Life It's better to suffer for doing good (if it's God's will) than to sin, but we need to get our head on straight and think like Jesus if we want to be able to live for God. But with the Spirit's help and others' help, we can put away our sin and idols. Idols are created in our lives when the good-thing God gives us becomes a god-thing, and that's a deadly thing. As we live for God some will simply not understand us, but thankfully Jesus does. And we should always remember that judgment is coming, but God is extravagantly patient with us, wanting us to turn to him.
Easter Sunday 2021 - Jesus Said What? Jesus made some pretty outlandish claims about himself. Claims that if untrue, leave him to be either a deceptive liar, or an absolute lunatic. Some of his claims include that he was not from earth, the he was perfect and without sin, and over and over that he was God. This Easter we look at these claims at face value, then are left with a choice... is he telling the truth, lying, or crazy? Ultimately that's the question of your lifetime. Who do you say that Jesus Christ is?
Part 12 - SERIES: This Exile Life If you're a human, the reality is you'll suffer. It's part of life in our broken world. And if you're a Christian, you'll also suffer to varying degrees simply because of your faith. But Peter reminds us to do good anyway. Not to fear people—what they might do to you or say about you—but to love Jesus, and he'll save you. 1 Peter 3:13-22.
Part 11 - SERIES: This Exile Life Peter gives us good instruction on what healthy, God-honoring relationships look like within the church in 1 Peter 3:8-12. There's unity of mind, sympathy for one another, loyal love, tenderness, and humility. Like Jesus, we grow to no repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but we bless others rather than curse them. Righteous relationships bless rather than curse and receive God's strength!
Part 10 - SERIES: This Exile Life What does a marriage that pleases God look like? Peter gives instruction in 1 Peter 3:1-7 to husbands and wives. God is pleased when both husband and wife submit to the lordship of Jesus. Wives should submit to and follow the lead of their own husbands (not all men, just their own husband) because it's honoring to God. Husbands must care for and honor their wives just as Jesus does the church. When he does this, a wife will gladly follow, honor, and respect him. Through it all, both must submit to and honor the Lord, and in doing so Jesus is honored and their marriage becomes a beautiful and joyful thing!
Part 9 - SERIES: This Exile Life Peter expounds on the call to live a holy life by giving instruction on how to live under authority in 1 Peter 2:13-25. God has given us authorities in government and work (and throughout life) for our good. Our perfect God uses imperfect people to carry out his will. Because of sin, some authorities act in unjust ways, but even then we're to honor them. We're to submit to authority unless it 1) forbids us to do what God commands or 2) commands us to do what God forbids. In those cases we appeal to Jesus as our higher authority and obey him. It's also important to recognize that submission does not mean blind obedience. If you're in danger or being abused physically, sexually, or in other ways, that is not a time to submit but to find help and flee to safety. Peter wraps up this passage by pointing us to Jesus who is our perfect example of God-honoring submission to authority. God calls us to submit and do good just like Jesus.
Part 8 - SERIES: This Exile Life 1 Peter 2:11 begins with Peter addressing his audience as "beloved". They're "loved ones". They're loved by Peter, and ultimately by Jesus. This is the primary identity of a Christian, they belong to Jesus and they are deeply loved. All of live should be lived from this identity. Because we're loved and have been made new, we're to abstain from sin, to kill it. Additionally, we're sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us. Because of who you are, be innocent of evil and excellent at what is good!
Part 7 - SERIES: This Exile Life In 1 Peter 2:4-10, Peter references an Old Testament metaphor that he'd heard Jesus use about himself in Matthew 21:42. Jesus is the cornerstone the builders rejected (Psalm 118:22). He's the foundation stone that's precious, chosen, tested, and sure (Isaiah 28:16). And to those who fail to trust him and believe, he's a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (Isaiah 8:14). Peter tells us about our corporate identity as God's peculiar people, the Church (capital "C"). Built on Jesus Christ, the Church is at the very heart of God's activity in the world.
Part 6 - SERIES: This Exile Life In Chapter 1 verse 22, Peter makes one of the strongest statements on loving one another in the New Testament. It nearly makes the case that love for one another is the goal of our conversion. Certainly love for others is an evidence of being truly born again, and along with a growing longing for Jesus and his Word we see two marks of those who possess real saving faith. If you've truly been born again you'll love others and long for more and more of Jesus.
Part 5 - SERIES: This Exile Life After you become a Christian you belong to God. You are set apart. You're different. The problem is we don't always live like who we truly are. In 1 Peter 1:13-21 Peter begins exhorting us to live out our salvation. To wholly live like the holy people we truly are. To be holy like our heavenly Father is holy. As followers of Jesus we're called to live a holy, set apart, different life. To live a holy life you must know who you are and keep reminding yourself of it.
Part 4 - SERIES: This Exile Life In 1 Peter 1:10-12 we'll take a fresh look at a familiar word: Salvation. Are you sure you know what it means? Have you put the right price tag on "Salvation?" A second key idea in 1 Peter 1:12 is that God calls you to live a life that is bigger than you. God doesn't intend for any of us to be the caboose at the end of the train but instead take someone with us to Jesus.
Part 3 - SERIES: This Exile Life Everyone falls into one of three categories. 1) You’re in the midst of a trial. 2) You’re coming out of a trial. 3) You’re about to find yourself in a trial. Trials are painful circumstances allowed by God to shape our conduct and our character. It’s important to distinguish between trials and consequences, though. Consequences are the natural outcome of my choices. What makes it hard is that in our sin both trials and consequences can get mixed together in the same circumstance. Peter is writing to a group of people who are “grieved by various trials”. But he reminds them that the trials we face all have purpose, so we can and should face them in hope!
Part 2 - SERIES: This Exile Life Peter aims the first comments of his letter not at addressing his audience’s difficult circumstances, nor at telling them how to conduct themselves while living in an evil world—there will be plenty of time for both of those things as the letter progresses—rather, Peter begins with praising God! In these opening lines of 1 Peter the tone is set for those who are living as exiles: set your hope on Jesus! The remedy for their suffering hearts is ultimately in blessing and praising God, turning their sights to the certain hope and unfading inheritance they have in Jesus Christ thanks to God's grace and mercy. Because of God alone we have hope that’s alive and cannot (and will not) fail!
Part 1 - SERIES: This Exile Life We begin a new series through the New Testament book of 1 Peter this week. Peter was a phenomenal character in the Bible, and maybe the most relatable of any Christian leader in Scripture. He was one of three men (along with James and John) who likely spent more time with Jesus than anyone else during his ministry. On his worst days Peter was giving orders to Jesus and denying ever knowing him. Yet on his best days he was the first to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, preached powerful sermons, wrote books of the Bible, and was himself crucified for his faith in Jesus. Peter writes his first letter to Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) who are living as exiles. In the same way every Christian is an exile on the earth, saved by grace to become and live like Jesus.
Hope for a New Year 2020 was a year no one saw coming, except for God. It was a year that many struggle to make sense of, but it’s possible. As we head into 2021 we look at Deuteronomy 11. Moses is giving instructions to the new generation that will be heading into the promised land, and he challenges them to consider their past. This is a generation that spent its entire life in the wilderness. A lifetime of hardship. Yet they had seen God at work over and over, so Moses tells them to consider those years. He would likely tell us the same thing as we enter a new year, consider 2020 (and the years before) and how you saw God at work. God often has us look back so we’ll trust him moving forward and know the best is yet to come!
Part 5 - SERIES: King Jesus During Advent this year we'll be looking at the kingly nature of Jesus. Isaiah gets the privilege of seeing Jesus seated on his throne as King. Jesus, THE King of the universe, is fully—100%—God, eternally existing. But at Christmas the miracle of his incarnation is celebrated. Jesus became human, yet retained his deity. He never ceased to be God in any way whatsoever. Occasionally Jesus even demonstrated his divine characteristics, but it was always to the benefit of others and not himself. He fully retained his deity while living fully in his humanity. Jesus humbled himself. He became poor for our sake in order to save us.
Christmas Eve - SERIES: King Jesus Have you ever wondered why we give gifts at Christmas? In the Bible we see people giving gifts to Jesus (the Magi in Matthew 2). We also see God giving a gift to us at Christmas in Jesus (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9). Becoming a Christian is a gift exchange with Jesus, the King of the Universe. We wrap up all of our junk, our sin, our despair, our hurt—and we give it to him, as ugly as it might be. In return, he wraps up and gives to us his perfect righteousness, peace, and salvation. He loves to receive our gift, and delights to give us his.
Part 4 - SERIES: King Jesus During Advent this year we'll be looking at the kingly nature of Jesus. Isaiah gets the privilege of seeing Jesus seated on his throne as King. All of us are in desperate need. Isaiah writes to a culture and a time with many parallels to our own. And like then, our culture finds itself in need of the Lord and in need of peace. We look for peace and wholeness in many different things, but what we need most is the peace that King Jesus gives. He himself is our peace.
Blue Christmas 2020 Pastor Dave Winters delivers a message at our Blue Christmas Service.
Part 3 - SERIES: King Jesus During Advent this year we'll be looking at the kingly nature of Jesus. Isaiah gets the privilege of seeing Jesus seated on his throne as King. Jesus, THE King of the universe, is fully—100%—God. Hebrews 1 tells us much about the deity of Jesus. To know who God is, look at Jesus! To know who you are, look at Jesus! Jesus is eternally existing, he didn't begin to exist at Christmas, he has always been. And he exists in resplendent glory. The glory of God is his character on display, and in Jesus is it always shining out. As we behold Jesus' glory, it changes us.
Part 2 - SERIES: King Jesus During Advent this year we're looking at the kingly nature of Jesus. Jesus perfectly fills three offices or roles that God ordained for the care of his people: prophet, priest, and king. Jesus is the perfect king of righteousness. God promised a savior as early as Genesis 3:15 to rescue us from sin and conquer evil. The rest of Scripture traces the fulfillment of this promise, which is in Jesus, the King of Righteousness. God promised a king who always does right and befriends his people. Jesus, the King of Righteousness, gives his righteousness to us.
Part 1 - SERIES: King Jesus During Advent this year we'll be looking at the kingly nature of Jesus. Jesus is the King, and he is our coming King. Thankfully he will not be elected, but rules and reigns with full sovereignty. He is the King of Kings. The King of Glory. The King of Nations. The King of Israel. So we should seek the King, worship the King, and honor the King.
Part 5 - SERIES: Life in the Age of Outrage As we wrap up our series, we’re reminded that nothing will change in regard to the culture of outrage we live in apart from personal, loving engagement. We’ve been sent as ambassadors of Jesus, to live and love as he would and as he does. The Father sent Jesus to almost exclusively small places—small towns and villages that seemed insignificant in many ways. Our big God put on flesh and moved into the neighborhood of a small town. In the same way he’s sent our church and our people into small towns. Small places that may seem insignificant, but are anything but. God has a track record of doing extraordinary places. We’re sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us, and it begins in the small places of our neighborhoods, homes, and workplaces.
Part 4 - SERIES: Life in the Age of Outrage We’re sent by Jesus as his ambassadors, and there’s not any area of life where we do not represent him—for better or for worse. A Christian’s only presence is as important as their physical presence. How are you doing at representing Jesus online? God is calling you—all of who you are—to do what Jesus commands online as it is IRL (in real life). Maybe before you post you should ask yourself, WWJT? (What Would Jesus Tweet?). We close with some principles of what it looks like to follow and represent Jesus online. As we interact with a world full of outrage—seen especially in online social media mobs—our goal must always be to win people over winning arguments.
Part 3 - SERIES: Life in the Age of Outrage What do you do when you've clearly been wronged? Or when you encounter a wrong in the world? As followers of Jesus we want to avoid worldly outrage, but what about right anger? There are things we must get angry about—the same things that anger God. What we get angry about will often reveal who or what we are worshiping. When it's right anger about things that anger God, it reveals our worship of him. But when our anger is simply worldly outrage, it's usually because an idol in our life has been threatened. Also, when we get angry we must always get angry in the same way that God does—because we're representing his kingdom. God's anger is always measured and under control, so the fruit of self-control is essential if we're to be angry in a right way.
Part 2 - SERIES: Life in the Age of Outrage Outrage and disgust seem to go hand in hand. We get outraged about something and it often leads to disgust in the person or group that we view responsible for whatever caused our outrage. Similarly, we’ll find ourselves disgusted with someone or some group and it fuels outrage within us. It’s a vicious cycle as the two play off one another. The problem with holding disgust towards someone (disgust, contempt, derision, bitterness — fill in your adjective here) is that it halts all engagement with them. Holding on to it reveals that we view our sin to be less than the sin of someone else. We mustn’t minimize our own sin and deceive ourselves, but remember that we too are sinners saved entirely by grace. This enables us to speak the truth in love, with humility and empathy—but harboring disgust toward others blocks our ability to love. The reality is that under whatever it is that might disgust us about someone else, there is a person who bears God’s image. A person who is longing to be loved like we are loved in Jesus Christ. Will you choose to love like Jesus?
Part 1 - SERIES: Life in the Age of Outrage We begin a new 5-part series called "Life in the Age of Outrage" this week. Inspired by the 2018 book from Dr. Ed Stetzer, "Christians in the Age of Outrage", this series will explore how, as followers of Jesus, we can bring our best to a world at its worst. After a lengthy introduction to the series, we dive into 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 and explore what it means to be an "ambassador" of Jesus Christ. We are sent by a King with a message of reconciliation to a foreign land. This earth is not our home, and as Christians we must live like it.
Good and Bad Anger Everyone gets angry sometime! What do you get angry about? Elections, pandemics, masks, slow drivers, fast drivers, or no one put a new roll of toilet paper on… What does the Bible say about anger? Anger may be destructive and self-centered or anger can be life-giving and God-centered and other times anger is just a necessary human response to life in a broken world where we experience pain, sorrow, injustice, sin, and death.
Part 9 - SERIES: Fruit of the Sprit Self-Control is the final fruit of the Spirit Paul lists in Galatians 5:22-23. In many ways it’s the capstone fruit, because as we grow in the others we naturally grow in self-control. However, self-control may not be exactly what you first think it to be. Self-control is not self-management. Rather, it is denying power to your old self and yielding control to your new self. It’s giving the Holy Spirit control over your “self”. If you’ve trusted Christ you have an old self (your old sinful nature) and a new self (your new identity in Christ) that are opposed to each other. Which “self” will you yield control to today?
Part 8 - SERIES: Fruit of the Spirit Gentleness is the characteristic of being even-tempered, tender, able to hold back, keeps passions under control, humble, measured. Often gentleness is equated with weakness and passivity, however true gentleness requires power and is powerful. Gentleness seems to be most visible in our words, in how we speak/write to and about people. A synonym for Gentleness is meekness which is power/strength under control. Humility is another, knowing your place. Our power is in Jesus (not ourselves) and he gives us a gentleness that is not weak and a strength that is not harsh.
Part 7 - SERIES: Fruit of the Spirit Faithfulness is being trustworthy, dependable, and steadfast over a long period time. No one is more faithful than Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and he wants us to be faithful like Jesus. Faithful to him and faithful to others. This week we look at God’s faithfulness and the example of Moses’ faithfulness to God and to the people around him. The only way to be faithful in this way is to stay close to Jesus, to keep your eyes on him, so that the Holy Spirit can grow the fruit of faithfulness in your life over time.
Part 6 - SERIES: Fruit of the Spirit Goodness is moral excellence. A close synonym is “righteousness”, which you might think of as “right-ness”. Jesus alone is good, and he is altogether good. His goodness is eternal and perfect! But what about humanity? Are we born “good”? And if not, where can we get true goodness and righteousness at the core of who we are? Jesus alone is good, and the great truth of the Gospel is that Jesus gives us his goodness. He imputes his righteousness to those who put their faith in him. But it doesn’t stop there, because he then insists that we live out this new identity and do good ourselves, bearing the fruit of goodness.
Part 5 - SERIES: Fruit of the Spirit Kindness seems to be increasingly rare in our culture, which makes followers of Jesus who demonstrate this fruit of the Spirit more and more attractive to those around them. Kindness is a general warmheartedness that is considerate, gentle, and sympathetic toward others, motivated by love. We’ll look at Ephesians 4:31-5:2 this week. As I put away my old ways (such as bitterness, wrath, anger, slander, malice) and stay close to Jesus, kindness grows and I become more like Jesus!
Part 4 - SERIES: Fruit of the Spirit Patience is a Fruit of the Spirit that grows in the life of a believer in Jesus over time. It includes endurance, steadfastness, long-suffering, and forbearance. This week we specifically look at patience in times of trial. To face trials patiently we should anticipate Jesus’ coming, recognize his judgment, follow the example of God’s servants, be confident in the Lord’s blessing, know God’s purpose, and remember the Lord’s character.
Part 2 - SERIES: Fruit of the Spirit How's your joy? Jesus is eternally joyful and offers us his joy as we stay close to him. Paul lists it as a Fruit of the Spirit. So what is Christian joy? It's a gladness of heart that comes from knowing God personally. It's produced by the Holy Spirit as he causes us to see Jesus' glory and beauty in the Word of God and in the world. Jesus offers you and even prayed that you might receive his own joy, and it will grow in you as you learn to stay close to him.
Part 1 - SERIES: Fruit of the Spirit Anyone who is truly a follower of Jesus is going to have increasing evidence of it displayed in their lives. The Bible often uses the metaphor of fruit to describe this. Jesus told us to “bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” in John 15:8. Additionally, Paul lists out the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. This fruit isn’t something you conjure up and work hard to put on display, rather it’s something that grows naturally in your life as you stay close to Jesus in his word and prayer. This week we look at the first virtue Paul lists: love. If anything can be said to be primary, central, and essential to being a Christian and becoming more like Jesus, it’s this. In 1 John 4:7-12 we see that God is the source of love, and he shows us his love through Jesus Christ, and sends us to imitate it by loving others.
Part 3 - SERIES: Summer at Wawasee Created to image God, we fell away - but can be restored!
Part 2 - SERIES: Summer at Wawasee We were created in the image of God, so we could image him to others! Pastor Knute Larson
Part 11 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty What amazes you? In Mark 6 we read about Jesus making a second return trip to his hometown of Nazareth. On his first visit after starting his ministry, Luke tells us the people there tired to kill him (Luke 4:16-31). On this visit, we read that Jesus was amazed by the people there. It’s one of only two times that Jesus is recorded as having been amazed in the New Testament—and both involved faith. He was amazed at their lack of faith, and in Matthew 8 at the Centurion’s confident faith. Faith is what unleashes God’s power to save us and to do mighty things in and through us. Would Jesus be amazed at your faith or your lack of it?
Part 10 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty In God's design, our dads play a huge role in every person's life, for better or for worse. Dads get the distinct privilege of having God share his name with them, "Father"—and maybe more than anyone else have a profound impact on the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of their kids, speaking and modeling powerful statements of identity into the lives of their children. No matter how good or how bad your earthly dad is/was, you have a Heavenly Father who loves you perfectly. In Jesus Christ, YOU ARE LOVED! True love is always received, it is never achieved.
Part 9 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty Christianity is a call to be set apart, not to blend in. And as we follow Jesus, we can expect that others are watching and you’re going to stand out. As you follow him you’ll surely face moments of decision, where you’ll need to choose to honor Jesus or bow to your idols, and it will be costly. However, no matter how hot the fire may be, Jesus promises to be with you. He may choose to save you from it, or he may simply carry you through it, but he will be faithful to his promises. Three men in the Old Testament found this to be true in Daniel 3, and Jesus showed up to save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Part 8 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty There’s nothing like a good pandemic to make you seriously think about life and death in ways you haven’t before—forcing you to come to grips with the fact that your very life is uncertain. Including what happens after you die! Followers of Jesus (Christians) do not have different experiences in life than non-Christians (we still experience sickness, suffering, and death), but we do experience life and death differently. Birth and death take place a total of 3 times in every person’s life. 1. Every human being is born/conceived/created once. 2. Every human being dies once. 3. You get to choose which of those two you’ll do a second time. Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.
Part 7 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty When Pilate questions him, Jesus makes no bones about the fact that his Kingdom is not of this world. Too often we look for the solutions to every social ill horizontally, on this earth, when the solution is not to the left or to the right, but above us. As followers of Jesus we are citizens of heaven, and it’s from THAT place we await a Savior, Jesus Christ. Where is your citizenship? Your residence may be on the earth, but your citizenship is in heaven. And Christians are ambassadors of Jesus, sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us.
Part 6 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty Matthew 7:7-12 is a passage of Scripture that most Christians struggle to truly believe. While we believe God is able to hear and answer, many find themselves uncertain (even if they won’t admit it) that he really does! God hears and answers prayer, so we must abide in him and keep on asking.The primary issue at stake in this passage is not how to pray… the primary issue at stake is my view of God. He's a good Dad who loves giving good gifts to his kids!
Part 5 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty As we prepare to return after COVID-19 we know that there will be many responses. Some positive, some negative, and everywhere in between. Additionally, we know that there will continue to be multiple responses to the truth of God’s Word and the Gopsel. In the Parable of the Four Soils, Jesus talks about the different responses to who he is and to the Gospel. What is the condition of the soil of your heart in these days?
Part 4 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty In Luke 12 Jesus teaches the Parable of the Rich Fool. He reminds his listeners (and us) to guard your heart from idols. Idols can be any good thing that becomes a “god thing” (and that’s a bad thing!). Anything can become an idol in our lives, from items, to duties, to others, to longings, even sufferings. The Rich Fool idolized his stuff and his comfort, finding his security there—until God revealed to him that he would die that night, and that he was a fool for trusting in his idols. Guard your heart from idols, they deal in lies and false hope, but Jesus holds the future!
Part 3 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty "Who do you say I am?" is the question Jesus asked of Peter and still asks of each of us. Christianity is unique among all religions in revealing the truth of how personal Jesus and how he calls people to a personal relationship with him as our Lord and friend. The main point of certainty is "Knowing Jesus is salvation, and knowing Jesus is knowing yourself." When we find out who God is, we find out who we are.
Part 2 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty In times that are uncertain all around, no one and no thing is more certain than Jesus Christ. Additionally, there is no one who faces uncertainty with more calm and resolve and wisdom than Jesus Christ. In Mark 4 Jesus is crossing the Sea of Galilee with his disciples when a sudden and intense storm threatens the boat and the lives of the disciples. Curiously, Jesus is the one who lead them out that night, and ultimately into the storm. But when the storm arose, Jesus was asleep. Sometimes God leads us into storms. So the problem isn’t being in a storm, the problem arises when the storm gets inside of us and we fail to trust Jesus through it.
Part 1 - SERIES: Uncertain Certainty We start a new series this week called “Uncertain Certainty”. In times that are uncertain all around, no one and no thing is more certain than Jesus Christ. Additionally, there is no one who faces uncertainty with more calm and resolve and wisdom than Jesus Christ. This week we look at Jesus’ parable of the Two Builders and examine our foundation. When trials come they expose the foundation of our life, showing us to be wise or foolish. Is your foundation certain?
Best Day Ever - at Home: Reach Out to Jesus In Mark 5 we’re introduced to Jairus, a man in need to someone to save his sick and dying daughter. His only hope is Jesus, and he reaches out to him. In the same passage Mark notes a woman who had suffered for 12 years who also reaches out to Jesus to heal her. In both cases Jesus responds and helps them. He will to you as well as you turn to him in faith.
Part 3 - SERIES: What's Good In the final part of our series through Micah 6:8, Pastor Josh reminds us what it means to walk humbly. Walking humbly with God helps us to embrace two truths: 1. I’m not in control, but Jesus is. 2. I’m going to die, but Jesus has defeated death. We’re called to walk humbly with God according to who he is and who he’s made us to be.
Part 2 - SERIES: What's Good In part two of our series through Micah 6:8, Pastor Dave helps us unpack the call to love mercy and kindness, just as God shows mercy and kindness to us. We’re called to love mercy according to who God is and who he’s made us to be.
Part 1 - SERIES: What's Good Micah 6:8 is in the middle of a courtroom drama between God and his people. They’ve rebelled, but they have no excuse because he has shown them what is good. We’re called to do what’s right according to who God is and who he’s made us to be.
Part 6 - SERIES: 20/20 Vision For Life In this series we have laid out a pathway on how to live our lives well every day. It starts by discovering our divine design. It continues by rejecting false versions of ourselves and returning to who God says that we are. It is a life driven by our calling and convictions. It is a life propelled forward by dreaming and planning with God, and investing accordingly. When we live out all these things daily, we create a lasting legacy. If you want to leave a lasting legacy with your life, connect your life with the greatest story every told so that your story will be one worth telling.
Part 5 - SERIES: 20/20 Vision For Life We could have the greatest dream and the greatest plan in the entire world, but if we don’t choose to invest in them, very few things will change in our lives. The future belongs to those who invest in it. That is why through this message, we challenge you to invest in your future. To live out God’s Dream for you, stop asking him to change your environment and start allowing God to change your investment—are you investing for God’s best?
Part 4 - SERIES: 20/20 Vision For Life In this message, we’ll talk about the power of two underused spiritual practices: dreaming and planning. God invites us to dream of what tomorrow could be like if we believe Him and He challenges us to plan based on where we are today. The connection between the reality we face today and the dream God gives us for tomorrow is important for us to understand as we discover clarity about our lives.
Part 3 - SERIES: 20/20 Vision For Life How would you articulate the one thing God has called you to do? There are many things you can do ... but what is the one thing you must do? By understanding both your calling and your convictions, you can begin to identify the one thing that is at the center of your unique mission from God.
Part 2 - SERIES: 20/20 Vision For Life There is a generic version of you that tempts you to settle for a generic life. But God has called you to more than that ... He has called you to something unique and powerful. It won’t be easy—and it will probably require things in your life to be broken and peeled back—but the end result is worth the journey. Jeremiah calls God’s people to turn from their sin, to break up the fallow ground, to return to him. The journey to uncovering your true, God designed, self requires a return to the Lord.
Part 1 - SERIES: 20/20 Vision For Life God has a dream for your life. Unfortunately, most people never find clarity about God’s dream for them and they settle for a life that is less than what God designed. You are God’s one-of-a-kind design, created with a divine destiny in mind. Are you willing to enter into it?
Part 3 - SERIES: Love One Another One of our Core Values at Wawasee Bible is that “We All Need Friends”. We’re looking at the Why, the What, and How of needing and practicing friendship. The New Testament has a lot to say about the “how”, we often refer to them as the “one anothers” of Scripture. To fulfill the “one anothers” we can focus simply on one, “love one another”. You can be a friend who loves at all times because you have been loved for all time.
Part 2 - SERIES: It's Worth the Mess. One of our Core Values at Wawasee Bible is that “We All Need Friends”. We’re looking at the Why, the What, and How of needing and practicing friendship. We all need friends—but friendships and relationships in general are messy. In fact, every relationship you have is messy to some degree. And the problem in your relationships is inside you, it’s rooted in your sin and how we wrongly relate to others. But the good news is that there’s a cure, and Jesus reconciles us to God and to others.
Part 1 - SERIES: We All Need Friends One of our Core Values at Wawasee Bible is that “We All Need Friends”. We’ll be looking at the Why, the What, and How of needing and practicing friendship the next three weeks. We all need friends—but we isolate ourselves, so God offers us family. There’s one aspect of bearing God’s image that is impossible for us to do by ourselves: We cannot image his relational nature without being involved in community. We were not designed to go through life alone. In fact, God created us lacking and needing relationship, even before the Fall. It is by his design that we all need friends!
Love The Lord With All Your Heart As we head into 2020, there’s no greater goal than to grow in our love for the Lord! Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind in Matthew 22:37-40 (quoting from Deuteronomy 6:4). He goes on to say the second greatest command is to love others, to “love your neighbor as yourself”. Loving God and loving others is a decision we must make, and it’s revealed by sacrifice. As you begin 2020, ask the Lord to give you more love for him and more love for others!
Closing Out 2019: He Crowns the Year As we close out 2019 we take some time to look back at God’s goodness to us as a church and as individuals in 2019. Psalm 65 is a Psalm of David that would have been sung around the end of harvest, thanking God for all the ways he provided for and blessed his people throughout the year, “crowning the year with his bounty”. Jesus deserves praise for his grace and his awesome deeds!
Part 4 - SERIES: In Excelsis Deo For Christmas this year we’re looking at the Christmas accounts involving angels. We began with an overview of who and what Angels are and what they do before opening up Matthew 1 and 2 where three times (maybe four) an angel appears to Joseph in a dream. In every case, Joseph demonstrated great faith from which we can all learn. Faith is beliving God’s Word and acting upon it (now matter how I feel) because God promises a good result. — And he keeps all of his promises!
Part 3 - SERIES: In Excelsis Deo For Christmas this year we’re looking at the Christmas accounts involving angels. This week we looked at the angels’ appearance to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. Shepherds were social outcasts at the time and yet that’s the group that gets to first annnouncement of Jesus being born! No matter who you are, Jesus’ birth is good news and your only hope for lasting joy.
Part 6 - SERIES: We Are Family: God's People. God's Mission. We’re part of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and as an extended family we exist to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people. This week we wrap up our 6-weeks series on the nature and mission of the church, and we’re looking at this idea of multiplication. Is it really a biblical thing? Multiplication? God designed his Family to be fruitful and multiply for his glory, others’ good, and our joy!
Part 5 - SERIES: We Are Family: God's People. God's Mission. God calls us to be a church for and among all people. We’re sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us. The Church is sent to reach everyone and embrace anyone. To do this we must check our prejudice at the door, recognizing that God shows no partiality—so all people matter. The example of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch is a powerful example of this truth lived out. As a church for all people, we're sent to love everyone anywhere.
Part 4 - SERIES: We Are Family: God's People. God's Mission. Part of being a transformational church means having a transformational influence on our community. We’re sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us. Part of that means we’re sent to love our community. We’re an outpost of God’s Kingdom, sent to proclaim and live out the message of the Gospel. We’re to be salt that confronts evil, and light that advances good.
Part 3 - SERIES: We Are Family: God's People. God's Mission. The Church is God’s Family. His people on his mission. We’re studying the nature and mission of the church. Wawasee Bible is part of the Evangelical Free Church of America, who’s mission is “to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people.” At the root of being a transformational church is being rooted in the Gospel. To be transformational a church must be rooted in the bible—recognizing it’s authority, teaching it faithfully, and applying it regularly.
Part 2 - SERIES: We Are Family: God's People. God's Mission. What is the church? It’s God’s family. His people on his mission. Many have wrong ideas about what the church is and how it should function, but God’s plan and design is for the church to be family, made up of people who are adopted into the family through the work of Jesus. We’ve been called out of the world to Jesus and sent into the world for Jesus.
Part 1 - SERIES: We Are Family: God's People. God's Mission. Mike Hanafee and Clete Bontrager from Restore Church in Detroit, Michigan are our guests today on EFCA Church Multiplication Sunday. Clete shares the story of Restore Church and Mike preaches from Revelation 7. Eternity is about God being glorified for his salvation by all peoples. Jesus wants this to happen now and gives clear marching orders to us to make multiplying disciples.
Part 21 - SERIES: Redemption Only a little over 40 days after God spoke the 10 Commandments in the hearing of all Israel, they had totally turned their backs on him, making idols and engaging in all kinds of sinful behavior. In Exodus 32 Aaron and Moses demonstrate two examples of what happens when we either listen to the “crowd” or listen to God. One leads to death—but God’s Word is life!
Part 20 - SERIES: Redemption In Exodus 20 God gives his people commands for how they are to live as his people in the Promised Land. The Ten Commandments first appear here in Exodus 20, not as commands for people to obey to receive God’s favor and salvation, but BECAUSE of him already giving them his grace, favor, and salvation. It’s good to remember that God’s commands are for our good. When God says “Don’t…”, what he’s really saying is “Don’t hurt yourself…” If you’ve trusted Jesus and become God’s child, you are faced with a moment-to-moment choice of obedience. Choose to obey, choose blessing. Choose to sin, choose to suffer. This week we give an overview of the 10 Commandments (just the first of 10 of 613 commands God gives Israel).
Part 19 - SERIES: Redemption In Exodus 19 and following, God shows up and reveals himself to his people, Israel. When God shows up it’s always an invitation to relationship with him. He loves us deeply and is continually pursuing us. After entering into relationship with him he calls us to obey him, and then continues to show us more and more of who he is as we do. How have you responded to his call to relationship? And how are you seeking him so that you might obey and know more and more of him?
Part 18 - SERIES: Redemption Moses was a great leader! In many ways, second only to Jesus. So what made him a great leader? In Exodus 18 we get a glimpse into some key leadership principles from Moses’ life. Great leaders are teachable, empower others, prioritize their family, set boundaries, and emphasize character over talent. (*As mentioned during the message, much of this week’s content originates with Pastor Larry Osborne’s teaching, writing, and preaching on Leadership & Exodus 18.)
Part 17 - SERIES: Redemption Before leaving Egypt (and as they were rescued) the Israelites never had to fight. God alone did all the fighting to save and rescue them, they only had to believe his word and follow. Once free and on their way to the Promised Land, though, they had to begin fighting... and to the degree with which they obeyed the Lord and trusted him in battle, it was to that degree that they had success and blessing. In this life trouble will come and require you to battle—do so depending upon Jesus!
Part 16 - SERIES: Redemption Once again the Israelites are faced with a choice. They were on their way to Mt. Sinai. God was directing them along the way when he again lead them to a place with no water in order to test them. They could choose to trust him in the face of their trial or they could choose to grumble against him. God will direct your life as you trust him. But often he will lead you to places you’d rather not go just as he did the Israelites, but Jesus will always go with you. Will you trust him?
Part 15 - SERIES: Redemption We pick up our series in Exodus again this week. God’s people have crossed the Red Sea and are setting out for Mount Sinai. Despite all that they’ve seen God do for them, the people begin to complain and grumble when things get difficult. They grumbled against Moses, but ultimately it was against God. God hears our grumbling, yet responds with grace so that we’d choose Jesus and obey. When we choose to obey, we choose blessing. But when we choose to sin, we’re choosing to suffer. The antidote to sinful grumbling is thankfulness.
Glenn Blossom - "Getting" from God This week our guest is Glenn Blossom. Getting from God. We learned in Luke 5:12-16 that the man with leprosy comes broken to Jesus, as we all do. Because of his belief in the healing powers of Jesus, he was made whole again. This is applicable to all of our lives as we come to Jesus with our broken selves but, him makes us whole as no one else can.
Rick Thompson This week we hear from Rick Thompson. The passage of Matthew 7:7-11 gives us three promises in prayer to counteract our human nature. The act of asking Jesus for our needs, with faith and according to his will, is an act of drawing near to God. Seeking and searching for the answer that seems hidden is against our tendency to wander. However, continuous knocking will open God’s door! What are you asking God to give you today? What are you seeking today? What is the door that you’re knocking on today?
Part 14 - SERIES: Redemption This week we wrap up the first half of our series in Exodus. In Exodus 15, after crossing the Red Sea, God’s people worship him. Moses writes a song of worship known as “The Song of Moses” that shows up at multiple times in the Bible, including Revelation 15. Our God is great and greatly to be praised! He is to be praised for what he has done, for who he is, and for what he will do!
Part 13 - SERIES: Redemption This week we get to one of the best known stories in all of Scripture, the crossing of the Red Sea. God miraculously parts the Red Sea to allow his people to escape from Pharaoh and then drowns Pharaoh’s army chasing behind them. God is working a plan. Yet (like the Israelites here) we often forget that fact when we should be exercising faith. Biblical faith is believing God’s Word and acting upon it, no matter how we feel, because God promises a good result—and Jesus always follows through on his promises.
Part 12 - SERIES: Redemption As God’s people are leaving Egypt, we get a glimpse into a unique aspect of how God leads us. God could have easily taken them the short route to the Promised Land, but instead he takes them the long way around. God’s way is often the long way, but he has purpose in it, and he is always with us!
Part 11 - SERIES: Redemption The Exodus is the defining act of salvation in the Old Testament, all of it pointing forward to Jesus. This week we look at the Passover and death of the firstborn. Jesus is the final Passover Lamb. Jesus takes God’s wrath for our sin. He takes away our sin. And Jesus leads us to freedom.
Part 8 - SERIES: Redemption Moses was God’s representative to Pharaoh. In fact, God literally told Moses that he would “make him God to Pharaoh” as Moses would be used powerfully as God’s representative. Similarly, we are all sent by Jesus to represent him to others. As Paul writes, we are Christ’s ambassadors. We represent Jesus to others—for better or worse—so do your best and leave the results to Jesus. Moses obeyed, did his best, and left the results to God.
Part 7 - SERIES: Redemption The Exodus gives us a vivid picture of how Jesus saves us, how he redeems us. Each step toward redemption in someone’s life is often met with greater affliction. It was for Israel in Egypt, and it is for us today. Religion/Oppression says, “It’s not enough! Work harder!” – implying that somehow if you do enough you will earn God’s love and favor. This week we see the Israelites forced to work harder to try and please their taskmasters. Jesus’ Gospel says, “You can never do enough… let me do it for you.” God’s favor isn’t earned, but it is a gift of his grace through Jesus. When you face affliction in the midst of following Jesus, remember that God can and will turn your troubles into triumph. Trust Jesus, and keep moving forward.
Part 6 - SERIES: Redemption Moses makes his way back to Egypt, but not without some difficultly. In one of the more bizarre passages of Scripture, we find God about to kill Moses for his disobedience. Jesus wants to use you (for his glory, others’ good, and your joy!), but requires repentance and obedience before he’ll accomplish his will through you.
Part 5 - SERIES: Redemption This week we pick up the story in the middle of Moses’ interaction with Jesus at the burning bush. Jesus calls everyone to repent and trust him. Those who respond, he then sends out on mission. And he promsies to go with everyone he sends. Moses was called, and sent to Pharaoh to rescue God’s people, and Jesus promised to go with and be with him. But Moses had his doubts. When Jesus sends you, it’s okay to raise your doubts—he is patient and willing to answer—but the sooner you obey and go the better!
Resurrection Evidences - Easter 2019 Jesus Christ, a man who was clearly dead, has risen from the grave. His life—and his resurrection in particular—stands center stage as the single most significant event in the history of the world. This year on Easter Pastor Josh unpacked some of the primary biblical and circumstantial evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. It cannot be dismissed or ignored. It demands each of us answer individually who we say that Jesus is. Who do you say that he is?
Good Friday Community Service - 2019 On Good Friday Jesus atones for our sin on the cross so that we could be made right with God. Jesus’ work on the cross is the only acceptable way we can enter God’s presence and be saved. In the Old Testament there is an annual event where God commanded his people to make atonement for their sin, giving instructions for the only way to enter God’s presence. This day is known as the Day of Atonement and the instructions for it are found in Leviticus 16. — The Day of Atonement foreshadowed Good Friday. Everything that happened on the Day of Atonement pointed forward to Jesus and was fulfilled completely by his work on the cross.
Part 4 - SERIES: Redemption Jesus does the same thing with every person who puts their faith in him and chooses to trust him with their life. First Jesus calls them to follow him, and then he sends them out on mission. We articulate this as a church family by saying we are sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us. In Exodus 3 we see Jesus call Moses to follow him (from a burning bush), then send him to Pharaoh to rescue the people of Israel, and finally Jesus promises to go with him as Moses obeys.
Part 3 - SERIES: Redemption The hero of the Exodus is Jesus. But this week we’re introduced to the secondary hero, Moses. Moses was born into a climate of great affliction and oppression towards God’s people. In the face of affliction, trust Jesus. He’s always working his plan—even in the midst of our failure. God’s plan was for Moses to deliver his people, and his plan continued even after Moses became a murderer and fled for his life. We see that God is always working his plan, even in the midst of our failure, and even while we’re waiting.
Part 2 - SERIES: Redemption The Exodus is the defining act of salvation in the Old Testament, pointing forward to Jesus’ work of redemption on the cross where he delivers, ransoms, and renews his people. Like the Israelites in Egypt, we are living in enemy territory under a taskmaster who afflicts us. Affliction is any problem or condition that produces suffering or pain. This includes things out of our control and things we’ve sinfully and/or foolishly chosen. Additionally religion is a major source of affliction for many Christians. But Jesus sees us and knows our affliction, and he ultimately rescues those who trust him.
Part 1 - SERIES: Redemption The Exodus is the defining act of salvation in the Old Testament. This week we set up the book of Exodus by covering the history leading up to, and the theme of Redemption. Redemption can be understood in three themes: Deliverance, Ransom, and Renewal, and Exodus must be understood through this lens of Redemption. Ultimately, it all points forward to Jesus, who is our redemption.
Worry Exposed Do not worry! We can be so quick to worry. Worry about the future. Worry about finances. Worry about our family. Worry about anything! Jesus instructs us to not be anxious about our lives. Worrying is unreasonable and unbecoming in our relationship with Jesus. He would like nothing better than to have us rely on him for our every need and believe that He will take care of us. God knows our every need and every worry. We just need to trust that He is good and will take care of us!
He Who Has Ears to Hear Our response to God's word has everything to do with our heart condition! The different conditions of our heart can sometimes make it difficult to respond and receive God's word. How we respond to God's word has everything to do with what we learn and how we reflect the love of Jesus!
Craig Clapper - Where to Find Rest: Part 2 Our guest speaker today is Craig Clapper. Matthew 11:28, 29 - 28 Then Jesus said: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Craig Clapper - Where to Find Rest Our guest speaker for this week is Craig Clapper. Jeremiah 6:16 - This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find Rest for your souls."
Craig Clapper Our walk through life can be made of many steps. Our walk with Jesus is not necessarily a walk in the park but, the destination is worth the journey. And because of that worthy destination, we have to walk worthy. We do that by walking as Jesus would and leaving our former self behind. We have to learn to walk in love and as a light as we see in Ephesians 5 by meeting the needs of others. By God's grace, we may be worn out by the end of our journey but, will be home with Jesus. This is the good news!
Kirk Barger Do you consider yourself a fan or a follower of Jesus? This Sunday, we examined what our focus is on. What do we look for? Focus on a complete commitment to Jesus rather than a casual company in our daily lives. Look for a fanatical faith rather than just a temporary filling food for the soul. That is what Jesus wants from us. You should be known by the results of this faith and the fruit that it produces! The intimate friendship that we can have with Jesus leaves us desiring more of Him. Are you a fan or follower?
Part 2 - SERIES: Pain During the new year, we continue our look at the pain that we all experience. Life can bring many questions. Questions such as: Why do the wicked prosper and why do the righteous suffer? Only God can answer these questions and only He can tell the future and what it holds for all of us. He has paid for our sins and when we put our trust in Him, our iniquities are covered with His righteousness! We must live by faith, not by sight and trust that our future and our portion is Jesus!
Part 1 - SERIES: Pain During the new year, we look at the pain that we experience. We experience this as a creation and on a personal level. This is because of the sinful nature of mankind. However, we have hope because we look forward to THAT DAY! We are children of God and all of creation has the hope of that day!
Part 5 – SERIES: Eternal Son At Christmas, we celebrate the first coming of Jesus, the Eternal Son, as a vulnerable baby. But one day soon, Jesus will return—but this time in glory and power. He will come in power as the Hero, the Righteous Judge, the King of All Creation, and the Lord of Heaven. When he comes again, he will be coming to fix everything, restoring it to God’s original intent. Jesus will unveil a new creation, he will heal hearts and wipe away tears, he’ll do away with death and sorry and pain forevermore! His first coming at Christmas is an assurance of his second. These things will come to pass, mark it down!
Part 4 – SERIES: Eternal Son At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Eternal Son. Jesus is God’s word to us. We have a God who speaks to his people, and he does it clearly through Jesus. This is because Jesus himself is fully God, co-equal with the Father and the Spirit as part of the Trinity. As deity Jesus is the initiator, eternal, owner of all things, creator of all signs, sustainer of all things, and is worthy of all praise! At Christmas Jesus became fully human in order that he might be our perfect mediator and save us.
Part 3 – SERIES: Eternal Son This Christmas season we’re looking at some of the descriptions of Jesus, the Eternal Son, who was born at Christmas—specifically some descriptions found in the New Testament letters. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:5-11 that we should live humbly, as Jesus lived. True humility is “to know your place”. We’re also shown that Jesus is the King of Glory! He’s fully God in every respect, and at Christmas Jesus added humanity to his deity, becoming fully human in every respect. As the King of Glory, It’s All About Jesus! — So we should confess him now of our own volition, because one day we will all confess him as Lord.
Part 2 – SERIES: Eternal Son As we head towards Christmas we're looking at different passages in the New Testament Letters that speak to who Jesus is. Many people know that on Christmas we celebrate Jesus' birth as a baby boy to Mary and Joseph, but few give thought to his existence before that, or to who exactly Jesus is. As we like to say at Wawasee Bible, it's ALL ABOUT JESUS! If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus, he's God. If you want to know who you are and who you're created to become, look at Jesus, he's the only one to ever live a perfect life. Jesus is the lord of all. The first over all creation. He's the creator of all things, the owner of all things, he's before all things, he's the sustainer of all things. Jesus is also first over the Church, he's the Senior Pastor. Jesus is the only one who is able to save us.
Part 1 – SERIES: Eternal Son As we head towards Christmas this year, we’re looking at different passages in the New Testament Letters that speak to who Jesus is. We begin with Galatians 4:1-7 where we see that God sends his Eternal Son. We were slaves, unable to save or redeem ourselves—but God sent Jesus to free us! At the right time Jesus was sent to become like us and make us like him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus didn’t just free us, he adopted us to be family. True sons and daughters with true and full family privileges.
Part 7 – SERIES: Life is Short As we wrap up our series in Ecclesiastes Solomon gives us his conclusion, “the end of the matter”. He says this, “Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.” The sooner you turn to Jesus the better—and not just with your head, but with your heart!
Part 6 – SERIES: Life is Short Life is full of seasons. Some are short, some long. Some are joyful, some are painful. Some are sweet, some are bitter. It’s important to know the season you’re in if you want to make wise decisions. Every season is being orchestrated by God in his sovereignty for his glory and our good. Because of this we can choose to enjoy life—even when we don’t know all of the details of what God is doing—and we can trust him.
Part 5 – SERIES: Life is Short Life is short and full of difficulty and frustration—much of which we have no control over. Solomon recognizes this and encourages us to “accept the way God does things” (Ecclesiastes 7:13). His sovereign will involves both and active hand and a permissive hand, whereby he works all things for his glory and our good. We’re not in control, but God is. The one thing we do have control over is how we respond. We have agency in our lives to choose our attitudes and responses. If we choose to sin we’re choosing to suffer. If we choose to obey Jesus we’re choosing blessing. This is very true for our attitudes. Rather than choosing sinful attitudes of complaining and criticism, we can and should choose an attitude of thankfulness!
Part 4 – SERIES: Life is Short Have you noticed that life isn’t fair? So did Solomon, and he recounts his conclusion multiple times in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Good things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to good people. It all seems so unfair and meaningless. But in the midst of it, Solomon rightly concludes that God is still good. He commends us to work hard, fear Jesus, and enjoy the life God has graciously given us. Are you enjoying life? It may have more to do with your attitude and trust in Jesus than your circumstances.
Part 3 – SERIES: Life is Short As Solomon writes Ecclesiastes, he often circles around to the same themes over and over. The meaninglessness of life “under the sun”, the fleeting nature of life, even the ways that life is unfair. One theme that seems to get missed, though, is his commendation of choosing joy. On many occasions he concludes that life is short yet meant to be enjoyed. By God’s grace we have agency to choose our attitudes. To enjoy his good gifts. To enjoy Jesus. And to choose to be joyful!
Part 2 – SERIES: Life is Short Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God has placed a longing for eternity in the heart of every person. We all know that there’s more than what we see “under the sun”, and so we long for it. In Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, Solomon concludes again that every pursuit in this life under the sun is meaningless. Wisdom, pleasure, work—it’s all fleeting. Therefore we must “play the long game”. Enjoy life now, but live for and in light of eternity!
Part 1 – SERIES: Life is Short We begin a new series in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is the wisest man (other than Jesus) to ever walk the face of the earth. His life includes great victories for God and great folly. Ecclesiastes is likely written at the end of his life as he looks back, examining life “under the sun” (this life on earth), and concluding that apart from Jesus all is meaningless. All is meaningless, he says, it’s a wearisome treadmill of futility—but not if your hope is in Jesus. So enjoy life and obey God’s commands.
Part 3 – SERIES: Vertical Way too often our primary day-to-day focus is horizontal, on the here and now. But we’re called to lift our heads, to keep our eyes on Jesus, to seek God’s glory, to get Vertical. The Word of God and the Gospel is contains must be our focus in preaching, in worship, and it is vital to saturate our lives with. We like to say "God Wrote it All Down", and we're to believe the Bible in all that it teaches, obey it in all that it requires, and trust it in all that it promises. Our focus must be on the Gospel because it brings God's power, so it’s the only thing we preach.
Part 2 – SERIES: Vertical Way too often our primary day-to-day focus is horizontal, on the here and now. But we’re called to lift our heads, to keep our eyes on Jesus, to seek God’s glory, to get Vertical. To worship means to express and ascribe worth to someone or something. We're commanded to ascribe greatest worth and glory to Jesus Christ! When we gather to worship as God's people, he is enthroned on our praises. This week we look at the freedom we can enjoy in our gathered worship of Jesus Christ, with our voices, our hands, and our posture.
Part 1 – SERIES: Vertical Way too often our primary day-to-day focus is horizontal, on the here and now. But we’re called to lift our heads, to keep our eyes on Jesus, to seek God’s glory, to get Vertical. When God gives us a glimpse of his glory it changes everything. This week we study Isaiah 6:1-7, where Isaiah gets a glimpse of Jesus Christ in his full glory.s
Part 3 – SERIES: We Are Sent "We are sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us." That's our mission as a church. This week we look at the fact that we are sent to invite. As followers of Jesus we're sent to invite people to friendship. We're sent to invite people to church. We're sent to invite people to Jesus.
Part 2 – SERIES: We Are Sent "We are sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us." That's our mission as a church. This week we look at the fact that we are sent to invite. As followers of Jesus we're sent to invite people to friendship. We're sent to invite people to church. We're sent to invite people to Jesus.
Part 1 – SERIES: We Are Sent "We are sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us." That's our mission as a church. This week we look at the fact that we are sent to love. Each follower of Jesus is sent by him after coming to faith in him. Just as the Father sent Jesus to love people, so we're sent to love people. (This week's message is short as we also celebrated the ground breaking of a new addition and renovation this morning.)
Part 6 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2018 Dr. Rock LaGioia of Grace Theological Seminary is our guest this week. Jesus is coming to judge the earth, and this truth should influence how we live our lives. We should praise the Lord with joyful singing. He has revealed his wonderful salvation. The Lord is reigning as sovereign king. And he will return as the righteous judge.
Part 5 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2018 Psalm 119: Learning & Living from A to Z, Pastor Kirk Barger
Part 4 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2018 Tom Speicher is our guest this week. The worshiper shares his bedrock emotion: I love the Lord! Then he shares his reasons: God has heard his cry, lifted him out of his pit of despair, and liberated him! Finally he shares his resolve: He will live right, believe right, pray right, perform right, and faithfully praise right. Praise the Lord!
Part 3 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2018 Rick Thompson, Superintendent of the Great Lakes District of the Evangelical Free Church, is our guest this week. Psalm 92 can be divided into two distinct parts. 1. It is good to sing praises to the Lord, for he is highly exalted! (v. 1-8). It’s good to praise him in the morning and the evening. It’s good to praise him with music. It’s good to sing praises to him in the presence of his enemies. 2. It’s good to sing praises to the Lord because he exalts his people! (v. 9-15). He gives us strength to face our foes (both within and without), and strength to face the future with hope.
Part 2 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2018 Pastor Glenn Blossom is our guest this week. The free life is the happy life lived in Christ alone, because happiness comes from being pure and clean. If you hide your moral failures God will make you miserable. If you cover them, he will expose them. However if you name your sins and confess them to God, he will make you happy! If you explode them, God will cover them! Intimacy with God is your only way of escape from your bondage. Don't be stubborn—look where it got David! Come clean to the Father, be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, the Son, and Sing, Sing, Sing in the Spirit of Our Lord—our Deliverer and our deliverance!
Part 1 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2018 Dr. Tiberius Rata of Grace Theological Seminary is our guest this week. Tiberius gives an overview of the function of the Psalms, different types of Psalms, and their value to us as followers of Jesus. Psalm 1 is a Psalm of Wisdom and serves as an introduction to all of the Psalms. Two ways of living and their two resulting destinies are contrasted in Psalm 1, and we're encouraged to choose the way of the righteous. The righteous separates themselves from wicked influences, saturates themselves with the Word of God, and thus prospers and is fruitful. In contrast, the wicked is ultimately useless and eternally judged. Choose the way of the righteous! True happiness begins with righteousness.
Part 12 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom What are you boasting about these days? Paul closes his letter to the Galatians with an exhortation of what to boast in and what not to. Your boasting reveals the heart of your worship. Boasting in anything other than Jesus and his cross is wasted breath. Paul declares that it’s his desire to boasting nothing except the cross of Jesus Christ. The thing(s) you boast in has power over you… but Jesus’ grace leads to freedom!
Part 11 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom In Galatians 5:26-6:10 Paul gives out some practical application for keeping in step with the Spirit. It begins with an admonition not to be conceited (having excessive pride in yourself, vanity). Pride can take the form of arrogance or low self-esteem, both are the result of people who are self-absorbed. The cure is living out our gospel identity in Jesus Christ. Only when we live this out can we truly love people. Those who have sinned. Those who are burdened. Those who lead and teach. All of those who come into our lives.
Part 10 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom For the Christian, there is an internal war taking place between the desires of our sinful nature and the desires of the Holy Spirit which is now within us. It’s a battle between sinful works of the flesh, and allowing Jesus’ Spirit to produce fruit within us. Three steps will help us produce fruit: 1) Remember you belong to Jesus. 2) Crucify your sin by identifying and tearing down your idols. 3) Keep in step with the Spirit.
Part 9 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom Jesus has freed you so that you may live in freedom. That’s the point of Galatians 5:1-15 (and really all of Galatians!). Jesus has freed you from guilt and from fear of condemnation before God, which frees you to love him with your whole heart! And to love others with that same freedom and selflessness. You have a choice to make. Choosing Jesus and him alone for your salvation, sanctification, and glorification is choosing freedom. But choosing religion or idolatry or anything other than Jesus is choosing slavery. Which will you choose?
Part 8 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom Galatians 4:21-31 is one of the more confusing passages in the New Testament for two reasons: 1) it relies heavily on a knowledge of some key Old Testament events, and 2) Paul uses allegory to make his argument (which can be a challenge to interpret!). Pastor Josh begins with a brief overview of allegory and how to interpret it, then goes back to unpack the events in Genesis that Paul is referencing so that we can interpret and understand Galatians 4:21-31. In the end we each have a choice to make. Choosing Jesus is choosing freedom. Choosing religion/idolatry is choosing slavery.
Part 7 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom Paul gives a “before” and “after” picture of knowing Jesus personally. Before knowing God through Jesus Christ, we were all enslaved and without hope. The essence of true salvation is being known by God. To be known by God means having a personal relationship with him where you are deeply loved by God. We look at three implications of being known by God: 1) You are free from legalism and all that enslaves, so flee your idols. 2) We must have no “sacred cows” and be willing to change anything (other than the Gospel itself) in order to bring others into relationship with Jesus. 3) We see in Paul’s suffering that our own suffering has purpose for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.
Part 6 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom Paul needs the Galatian churches to understand that the Gospel is not based on the Law but on God’s Promise. By way of illustration, he reminds them that God’s promises cannot be changed or annulled, and that receiving the promised inheritance/blessing is a matter of faith in Jesus Christ. Are you trying to earn God’s favor by your own works? If so, you’ll never make it! Paul tells us to simply believe God’s promise to grant salvation and blessing to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus—For all the promises of God find their yes in Jesus! (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Part 5 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom In Galatians 3, Paul gets to the heart of his argument with the Galatian churches. They must learn and remember that not only are they justified (declared righteous) by faith alone, they are also sanctified (made holy) by faith alone in Christ alone. It’s all God’s grace, and not based on any human effort! Adding human effort to the equation perverts the Gospel. The entirety of the Christian life (start to finish) is one of faith! – Believing God!
Part 4 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom The body of Paul’s letter to the Galatians can be divided into three parts: 1) A defense of Paul’s authority as an Apostle (1:10-2:21), 2) Paul’s defense of the Gospel, and 3) application of the Gospel. As we begin this first section, we see that it’s all grace! Paul exerts his authority to remind the Galatians that salvation is all an act of God’s grace, and that Paul received this gospel not from men but from Jesus himself. Pastor Josh unpacks our identity in Christ as a gift of God’s grace in the Gospel.
Part 3 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom In Galatians 2:1-10 we get a glimpse into a meeting between Paul and some of the leaders in the early church that affected the rest of church history. It yielded two key outcomes, 1 personally for each believer in Christ, and 1 corporately for the Church as a whole. The first is Freedom in Jesus Christ. The second is Unity in Jesus Christ, which must be intentionally protected within the local church.
Part 2 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom The body of Paul’s letter to the Galatians can be divided into three parts: 1) A defense of Paul’s authority as an Apostle (1:10-2:21), 2) Paul’s defense of the Gospel, and 3) application of the Gospel. As we begin this first section, we see that it’s all grace! Paul exerts his authority to remind the Galatians that salvation is all an act of God’s grace, and that Paul received this gospel not from men but from Jesus himself. Pastor Josh unpacks our identity in Christ as a gift of God’s grace in the Gospel.
Part 1 – SERIES: Galatians - The Sweetness of Freedom In this new series we're studying the New Testament book of Galatians. Galatians is a letter written by Paul to a handful of churches in the region known as Galatia (part of modern-day Turkey). Paul's tone is direct, even angry, as he confronts their straying from the gospel of grace. Salvation is all an act of Jesus' grace, and our sanctification is also entirely an act of Jesus' grace. None of it is about us, so that we have nothing to boast about except Jesus!. We're all in desperate need of rescue, being more sinful and wicked than we every feared. But thanks to Jesus' grace alone, those who put their trust in Jesus are more accepted and loved by God than they could ever dare to hope!
Part 3 – SERIES: The Pearl Jesus is a master of asking questions. He used them in evangelism strategically with people who were far from God, and we can learn from his example. He used them to learn people’s story, to discover their heart, and to cause them to consider spiritual things. Jesus asked questions to connect with people before he corrected people.
Part 2 – SERIES: The Pearl Luke tells us that “the Son of Man has come eating and drinking” (Luke 7:34). Jesus spent a lot of time with the lost, and his strategy of evangelism often centered around sharing a meal with people. God designed food and meals to be a centerpiece of human relationships. Meals show honor to people. They help relationships to deepen by forcing quantity time (which will often result in quality time). They also reveal the true nature of people as they spend time together. As you think about reaching out to those far from God, who are you inviting to share a meal with you?
Part 1 – SERIES: The Pearl Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls, who, upon finding one pearl of great worth, went and sold all that he had to purchase it. Evangelism is about helping other people score that priceless pearl. It's about helping them find Jesus! We're talking about evangelism for a few weeks using the acronym "PEARL". Pray for your lost friends. Eat with them (spend time with them). Ask questions and get to know them. Reveal your story. Love them tangibly no matter if they ever become a follow of Jesus or not. Join us as we seek to help others discover the Pearl!
Part 7 – SERIES: For the Life of the World What is your salvation actually for? It's for the life of the world. The Church lives out God's Kingdom on earth for the life of the world. Jesus' Kingdom is already present, but not yet fully here. As part of Jesus' Church, we live in the "overlapping of the ages", the "already / not yet". While the Kingdom is present, it's not yet fully realized and it won't be until Jesus' second coming. In the mean time, the Church is sent to live out what is present of Jesus' Kingdom for God's glory, others' good, and our joy! The Church maintains the hope of the "not yet" by living the Kingdom today.
Part 6 – SERIES: For the Life of the World In this series we examine the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" To live as an exile for the life of the world requires you to take time to slow down and behold God's beauty. It requires living a life of wonder and being transformed by God. God creates some things solely for the purpose of beauty. Are taking time to slow down and behold him?
Part 5 – SERIES: For the Life of the World In this new series we examine the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" This week we look at wisdom. Wisdom is "knowledge rightly applied." Wisdom begins with hearing the Word of God, then doing what we know. It's good to pursue knowledge, but it must be applied in wisdom to be of any value. Wisdom, then, moves us to serve others in love, with an active faith. Rightly acquiring and applying knowledge (i.e. wisdom) enables us to increasingly love and serve others.
Part 4 – SERIES: For the Life of the World God uses order and justice to help people flourish. God establishes order for the flourishing of the world. As Christians, we're to work with God to cultivate human flourishing by removing barriers for others. Micah 6:8 tells us to do justice, love mercy (kindness), and walk humbly with God. The start to helping human flourishing and justice on a personal levee is hospitality.
Part 3 – SERIES: For the Life of the World We're exploring the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" This week we look at God's plan as it relates to our work. Work was established for us as part of God's original design. It is a way that we image and imitate God. He gives us work to do for Jesus' Glory, Others' Good, and Our Joy. What is your vocation? Do you see it and know it to be part of God's plan and design?
Part 2 – SERIES: For the Life of the World God's design for the family is to be a gift we offer back to God for the life of the world. We look at God's plan and design to bless and redeem the world through the family of Abraham. God blesses and redeems us (as a family) to be a blessing to the whole world, and his promise to do so is generational in nature. Therefore all of life is investment. What family legacy (biological family and church family) are you leaving?
Part 1 – SERIES: For the Life of the World In this new series we examine the question, "What is our salvation actually for?" How does a Christian live in the world while not being of it? It begins with a new perspective, recognizing that our salvation is a call to live as exiles as we bless the world. We're sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us.
Part 2 – SERIES: Paradox of Power While we are totally inadequate in ourselves, there's a paradox at work in the fact that we are also totally adequate in Christ. Paul discusses a thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians 12, but that God's grace is fully sufficient for him in Christ. We all experience different types of thorns, and they can be useful for our growth and for God's purposes. There is strength in strengthlessness, because God's grace is enough. Your greatest weakness can be your greatest strength in Christ if we respond them them in the right way.
Part 1 – SERIES: Paradox of Power 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 God has more need of our weakness than our strength! The Apostle Paul struggled with anxiety and weakness, and so do we. Will we choose to respond like he did? Are we thankful for our weaknesses or do we grumble and complain? Do we trust God in ALL circumstances or do we doubt His work?
We need Training. A. Learn from the Past. B. Learn in the Present. 1. "Lay aside" 2. "Weight and Sin which ensnares us" 3. Know Your Regiment We need Endurance We need Motivation A. Focus B. Finish
Part 6 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! Every person on the planet longs to know their purpose. We all long and search to answer three big questions: 1) Why do I exist? 2) Does my life matter? 3) What on earth am I here for? The good news is you DO have a purpose and that it can be known.
Part 5 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! One of those needs is for peace. The Bible speaks of two types of peace. Peace with God, and the peace of God. It is utterly impossible to have the peace of God until you have peace with God. We looked at John 14:1-7, and then turned to Philippians 3:12-15 for some strategies on attaining the peace of God.
Part 4 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! One of those needs is for hope. Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 were likely one Psalm originally. They speak directly to our struggle with hopelessness and depression. The writer of these Psalms follows a pattern that we can follow to deal with our depression and begin the journey back to health. 1. He expresses his anguish and gets it all out before the Lord. 2. He remembers God's grace and goodness to him in the past, with a view to the present and future. 3. He preaches a sermon of this grace to himself, "Hope in God!"
Part 3 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! One of those needs is for protection. Psalm 91 reminds us that God’s protection is unassailable. That in his arms there is safety. His protection is 24/7/365, and it’s eternal. In fact, that’s the real promise—eternal protection from God’s wrath through faith in Jesus Christ. He protects us from much in this life, but from his wrath for eternity!
Part 2 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world" in John 8:12. He was declaring, in part, that he brings direction and guidance to any who would look to him. This week we make 4 observations on how Jesus provides guidance and fills our need for direction, looking at Psalm 23:3.
Part 1 – SERIES: More Than Enough We have a number needs we need met as human beings. The great news of the Gospel is that Jesus is More Than Enough to meet them all! We begin with our need for contentment. Paul gives 3 keys to finding biblical contentment in Philippians 4:10-13. 1) Get your eyes off yourself. 2) Get your eyes off your circumstances. 3) Get your eyes on Jesus! We also looked at John 6 where Jesus reminds us that the stuff of this earth perishes, but he satisfies completely.
Pastor Kirk Barger adds a supplemental message to the Five Solas series this week from Titus 2:11-14. Now that we've studied God's grace, how do we live in light of it? Pastor Kirk looks at 4 aspects of living in light of God's grace in Titus 2 — The appearance of God's grace, the teaching of God's grace, the hope of God's grace, and the work of God's grace.
Part 5 – SERIES: Five Solas Soli Deo Gloria affirms that all was accomplished by God’s grace and for God’s glory. The end game of Sola Christus, Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, and Sola Fide is God’s Glory. This is the culmination of all the other solas.
Part 4 – SERIES: Five Solas Sola Fide affirms that the gift of salvation and the benefits for being in God’s eternal family come through personal faith in Christ as savior, not by any personal good works, the merits of a human mediator, religious ceremonies, or institutional efforts.
Part 3 – SERIES: Five Solas Sola Gratia affirms that salvation is by God's grace alone. It is the free and unmerited gift of God to a sinful human world and is received solely by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. No human effort is sufficient to earn any portion of God’s favor for salvation. It is solely, completely, and exclusively a gift of God—wholly unable to be earned.
Part 2 – SERIES: Five Solas Sola Scriptura affirms that the Scriptures, not the institutional church, are the primary authority by which humanity must live and against which truth and error must be judged. “Where stands it written?” was a common response of the Free Church toward teaching and instruction that was based on traditions of men rather than Scripture. 2 Peter 1:16-21 is a clear passage on the authority and nature of Scripture. We should pay attention to God’s Word, it’s not from man, but breathed out by God himself! We must believe it in all that it teaches, obey it in all it requires, and trust it in all that it promises!
Part 1 – SERIES: Five Solas As we remember the 500th Anniversary this month of Martin Luther's 95 Theses that sparked the Reformation, we're studying the "Five Solas". The Five Solas are a summary of some of the key orthodox doctrines that were reaffirmed and returned to during the Reformation. This week we look at Sola Christus (Christ Alone). Sola Christus affirms that our salvation is secured by the work of Jesus Christ alone on the cross. There is nothing that can be added to it. And there is salvation in no one else. Jesus Christ is the lone mediator between God and mankind. Righteousness is a gift needed by all sinners and received by faith in Jesus.
Part 4 – SERIES: Old School This week we wrap up our four-part summary of the Old Testament storyline. We start be diving deeper into why and how the people were exiled (as well as a rabbit trail showing the historical accuracy of Scripture) before briefly looking at their return and the wait for a savior. Ultimately all of the Old Testament is pointing toward the coming of Jesus Christ as God's answer to Adam and Eve's sin in Genesis 3:15.
Part 3 – SERIES: Old School We begin this week with Israel in the wilderness, wandering because of their sin at Kadesh. After 40 years of wandering, a generation dies in the desert, and a new generation gets their opportunity to enter the land that had been promised to Abraham. This new generation finally trusts the Lord, and he blesses them! However, it's not long before another generation sins and the cycle of the Judges begins. After about 400 years Israel demands a king (ignoring the fact that God was their king), and he gives them Saul, then David, then Solomon. Due to Solomon's sin the kingdom is divided in two and eventually ends up in exile. For the second week in a row, we pause the story at a place where God's people find themselves outside of the Promised Land due to their sin (both in attitude and deed).
Part 2 – SERIES: Old School We're going to Old Testament School and learning the primary storyline of the Old Testament. In our second part of the storyline we see that Israel has multiplied greatly after 400 years in Egypt. A new king (Pharaoh) is now in power and he oppresses God's people greatly. They cry out to God and he raises up Moses to deliver them in a miraculous way and take to them to the land promised to their ancestor, Abraham. On the way God gives them instructions at Mount Sinai for how to live in the land once they arrive. Just before they were to enter the land, however, the people of Israel disobeyed God and refused to trust him and follow him in faith. Because of their sin, that entire generation would wander and die in the wilderness, rather than receive the blessing God wanted to give them.
Part 1 – SERIES: Old School We're going to Old Testament School and learning the primary story line of the Old Testament. It begins with God and him creating everything good. But in Genesis 3 Adam and Eve sin and create an enduring mess. Thankfully, before he even addresses their sin, God promises a fix (a Savior) in Genesis 3:15. The rest of the Old Testament is all about tracing God's Plan to fix Adam and Eve's (and our) sin.
Part 3 – SERIES: Gather, Grow, Go! At Wawasee Bible we ask 3 things of each person who calls Wawasee their church home. 1) GATHER with us regularly on Sunday mornings and in a 1:10 Group. 2) Don't just show up, grow up. Get connected in a supplemental ministry to help you GROW. 3) GO! Serve somewhere in the church and in the community. — We look at Paul's instruction to serve within the church in Ephesians 4 and Jesus' instruction to his followers to be his witnesses locally (THEN globally) in Acts 1:8.
Part 2 – SERIES: Gather, Grow, Go! At Wawasee Bible we ask 3 things of each person who calls Wawasee their church home. 1) GATHER with us regularly on Sunday mornings and in a 1:10 Group. 2) Don't just show up, grow up. Get connected in a supplemental ministry to help you GROW. 3) GO! Serve somewhere in the church and in the community. — There are two times that we grow spiritual: When we "need-to-know" and when we "need-to-grow". There are also two key ingredients for spiritual growth in those moments: God's Word and other Christians. We believe the best way to make sure you're ready for "need-to-know" and "need-to-grow" moments are by getting connected to a 1:10 Group.
Part 1 – SERIES: Gather, Grow, Go! At Wawasee Bible we ask 3 things of each person who calls Wawasee their church home. 1) Gather with us regularly on Sunday mornings and in a 1:10 Group. 2) Don't just show up, grow up. Get connected in a supplemental ministry to help you grow. 3) Go! Serve somewhere in the church and in the community. — In Hebrews 10:24-25 God gives us four commands as it relates to the church gathering together: Encourage one another; Stir each other up to love and good deeds; Gather together regularly; and we should especially do all of this as the Day of Jesus' return approaches!
Part 3 – SERIES: Jude - Contend Jude continues his letter to the believers by completing the profile of an Apostate. He even draws in specific traits from the Apostles’ experience. Jude then challenges the believers to walk worthy of their calling by employing 4 commands to encourage them. He concludes his letter with the hope of salvation through one of the most beautiful benedictions in Scripture.
Part 2 – SERIES: Jude - Contend Not everyone is always as they seem. However, to recognize a counterfeit, one must know the original well. Jude continues his exhortation to “contend for the faith” by addressing the true colors of apostates. He makes a note to himself about past and present apostasy, as well as the coming judgment of these apostates.
Part 1 – SERIES: Jude - Contend Pastor Dan and Pastor Kirk begin a short series through the book of Jude this week and contending for our faith. Faithfully contending for the faith demands a godly perspective. This requires us to focus on our true position. We are called, loved, and kept by God. We must also focus on true faith. We contend for the doctrine of God, the authority of Scripture, and the truth of the Gospel. Finally we must focus on our true enemy. Our true enemy is not the world nor those who doubt.
Part 13 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion We wrap up the book of James this week. Pastor Josh gives a review of the entire letter, then unpacks the closing two verses. James is very concerned that we live out our faith, that we put it in motion. In the closing verses he turns our attention toward helping each other in the church live out their faith and be faithful to Jesus. When someone in the church wanders from the truth, others must go after them to bring them back and save them from death.
Part 12 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In chapter 5 verse 7, James shifts gears into a more pastoral tone and gives some instruction on how to handle suffering. Christians are not immune from suffering, rather we can expect it due to our faith. But no suffering is without a purpose as God can sovereignly use all of it to make us more like Jesus Christ. So when you are suffering be patient, remain steadfast, trust the Lord, and pray!
Part 11 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion While we tend to only think of two categories of people was it relates to wealth (rich and poor), the Bible actually speaks of four: 1) Godly Poor, 2) Godly Rich, 3) Ungodly Poor, 4) Ungodly Rich. God doesn’t care about your net worth, but he does care about how you get it and what you do with it. As Randy Alcorn says, “You can’t take your wealth with you when you die, but you can send it on ahead.” God isn’t against you having riches, he’s against you misusing them. James addresses people who are misusing them in 3 ways: hoarding them, cheating others, and living in self-indulgence. The key to honoring God with your wealth is to keep Jesus at the center of everything in your life.
Part 10 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In James 4:13-17, James is confronting our natural tendency to handle life as if God really doesn't even exists. In these four verses James emphasizes what we should not say and do as well as what we should say and do in light of our future. He challenges us to not live like christian atheists.
Part 9 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In James 4:11-12 James addresses the issue of speaking evil against other believers. When I speak against others, I speak against God's Word... And when I speak against God's Word, I speak against God... and I put myself in the place of God. Instead I must be humble and know my place. We ended the message by looking at six keys to discerning and judging appropriately and not be judgmental.
Part 8 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In 4:1-10 James challenges us to quit "cheating on God". He makes it very clear that the problem isn't from without, or with other people, the problem is us. It's the sin and pride within us. Using some strong language, James tells us we must quit "cheating on God" and committing spiritual adultery. Ezekiel 16 and all of Hosea teach the same thing vividly in the Old Testament, and it's likely that James had Scriptures like these in mind as he was writing. Instead we must humble ourselves before the Lord. To be humble means "to know your place". We also briefly discussed how Christians should engage with culture through the filter of "receive, reject, or redeem".
Part 7 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion James 3:13-18 marks the hinge point of the entire book of James. It's here that we find James' main argument. There are two types of wisdom. Wisdom #1 is from below and is earthly, unspiritual, demonic, jealous, selfish, and vile. Wisdom #2 is from above and is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, full of good fruits, impartial, sincere, righteous. Godly wisdom is characterized by meekness (strength under control) and is sourced in five places: 1) Reverence for God; 2) Conversion to Christ; 3) Scripture; 4) Prayer; 5) the Holy Spirit.
Part 6 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion The tongue may be small, but it wields incredible power — both for life and death. James makes clear that the tongue isn't the problem, it's the heart of the person the tongue belongs to. All the tongue does is reveal the heart. Because of this it is small but power, a savage monster, and an impossible mixture of good and evil. The big question to consider is what does your tongue reveal about your heart?
Part 5 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion James 2:14-26 can be one of the most misunderstood and troubling passages in the New Testament. Some see a contradiction with Paul's writings, but nothing is further from the truth. James's main point in 2:14-26 is that faith that isn't shown isn't really known. In other words, true biblical faith results in good works. Faith without works is dead. True faith can and must be shown. These good works do not save you, rather they prove you. The first deed of faith is repentance. How are you stepping out in faith?
Part 4 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion James is very straightforward in his commands to the Church. In 2:1-13 he makes it clear that Christians shouldn't play favorites, as it's not consistent with who they are in Christ. He gives 3 reasons by way of illustration: 1) Playing favorites and showing favoritism is wickedness. 2) God doesn't play favorites or show partiality. Everyone is on equal footing before God. 3) God's Law doesn't play favorites, if you break any of it you're accountable for all of it. Finally, he ends by exhorting us: rather than play favorites, we should show mercy, just as God shows us mercy.
Part 3 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion In 1:19-27 James gives some very practical wisdom in how to live out our faith in Christ. In a nutshell, we should be quick and doubly slow. Using many practical and vivid illustrations, James instructs us to be slow to anger, putting away all moral filth. Instead we must receive and respond to God's Word. We should be quick to hear it, and then quick to put it into action in our lives, doing what it says. Finally, James encourages us to be slow to speak, knowing when (and when not) to open our mouths.
Part 2 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion It's said that wisdom is "knowledge rightly applied". For James, wisdom is "faith rightly put in motion". His letter is a continual comparison of wisdom from above v. wisdom from below, encouraging us to choose God's wisdom and rightly put our faith in motion. This week he addresses trials—painful circumstances that God allows to shape our conduct and character. Will you embrace your trial and let God use it as a test to shape you? If you will it leads to life! Or will you ignore the test and give in to temptation, which leads to death and more pain? It's your choice.
Part 1 – SERIES: James - Faith In Motion We start a new series through the book of James. While the book of James is beloved by many Christians, very few seem to know much about the man who wrote it. The writer of the book of James was Jesus' little brother (Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19), yet James remains humble and never mentions that fact. James was an incredible man of faith, and one of three men (along with Peter and John) to whom Paul defers and declares to be a "pillar of the church" (Galatians 2:2). He lead the church in Jerusalem and writes his letter to Jewish Christians scattered around the Middle East. Before diving into the text of his letter, take some time to learn about and from James!
Easter Sunday 2017 – John 11:1-57 Jesus declares himself to be the Resurrection and the Life. Only days or weeks before his own death and resurrection, Jesus gets word that his friend Lazarus has died. Curiously, Jesus answers a plea for help from Lazarus's sisters (Martha and Mary) with love—by DELAYING. Lazarus was sick, on the edge of death, and Jesus purposefully delays coming to help. In times of great devastation Jesus points us to himself. He responds to death with tears and outrage. In his love, Jesus has died for you, risen to new life, and given you new life. Do you believe this?
Palm Sunday – Matthew 21:1-11 Pastor Kirk (our Equipping Pastor) taught from Matthew 21:1-11 on Palm Sunday. When Jesus came to Jerusalem the people had a correct response (joy, shouting, excitement!) but it was for the wrong reason. They wanted him to save them from Rome, not from their sin. Jesus comes to you today, do you receive and follow him for the right reason or the wrong reason? Jesus didn't come to make you happy, but to make you holy.
Part 5 – SERIES: Heroic This week we move into the book of Haggai. Haggai is likely an old man when he prophesies to the people who have returned from exile. God uses him to stir his people out of complacency and back to action. Haggai challenges them to consider their ways and choose to obey. God does the same with us through Haggai today.
Part 4 – SERIES: Heroic Heroic faith is a repentant faith—continually turning back to Jesus. As the book of Ezra ends, it's a low point for God's people. They have seen him to incredible and gracious things for them, yet they have quickly forgotten him and turned away in sin. The people become faithless, but God remains faithful. He shows them incredible grace and mercy (just as he does to us), and it leads them to true repentance.
Part 3 – SERIES: Heroic Ezra was a brilliant scholar of God's Word and a gifted leader. He was also humble. In every instance of favor, rather than take credit due to his strong leadership (which he could have), he declared that it was because "the good hand of the Lord was upon me." He uses this phrase 6 times in Ezra 7-8. The good hand of the Lord is for all who would seek him. We see the evidence of the good hand of God in his provision, his sustaining power, him giving us courage, wisdom, and victory.
Part 2 – SERIES: Heroic Heroic faith is faith that honors the Lord and seeks Jesus’ Kingdom first, even in the face of adversity. Heroic includes trusting God’s Faithfulness, especially in the midst of life’s struggles and opposition to God’s work. When God is working in your life, expect opposition. But when God is working, he overcomes all opposition—so persevere! When you do persevere, Jesus gets great glory and you get great joy!
Part 1 – SERIES: Heroic We start a new series called "Heroic", working through the Old Testament books of Ezra and Haggai. Heroic faith is faith that honors the Lord and seeks Jesus' Kingdom first, even in the face of adversity. Heroic faith begins with seeing God's Providence—in the ways that he keeps his promises, provides for his work, and rewards heroic faith with joy.
Part 5 – SERIES: A Generous Life We close our series by looking at Psalm 65. Psalm 65 was written by David to be sung at one of the harvest festivals. It celebrates God's generosity made manifest in the harvest and trusts him for more provision in the future. In Psalm 65 we see that God is WAY better to us than we deserve. He forgives my sin, answers my prayers, provides for me, and prepares my future—all in ways that are better than I deserve!
Part 4 – SERIES: A Generous Life This week we look at examples of an Expanding Giver and an Extravagant Giver in God's Word. To become an Expanding Giver requires me to slow down, open my eyes, soften my heart, bend my back, and extend my wallet. We see a good example of this in the Good Samaritan. An Extravagant Giver is looking to invest in Jesus' Kingdom—long term, outliving themselves. Barnabas does this, as does the woman who breaks the jar of expensive perfume to pour it on Jesus. Our giving comes out of three buckets: Budget, Assets, and Future. Consider how you might be generous with your assets. Ask, "What do I have?", present it to the Lord in prayer, and see what he might do through you!
Part 3 – SERIES: A Generous Life We continue on the journey to live a Generous Life by looking at Abraham. Abraham demonstrates the 3rd type/level of giver on our journey: The Tithing Giver. The tithing giver is giving their first fruits (10% of their income) to the Lord. They count their blessings and cultivate a thankful heart. They practice the biblical principle of tithing, remembering that God's principles always work. They live for eternity while enjoying today.
Part 2 – SERIES: A Generous Life This week we look at the first two types of givers: the Beginning Giver and the Consistent Giver. A Generous Life begins with childlike faith. Zacchaeus is a great example of a Beginning Giver with childlike faith. A helpful tip to begin giving? Start giving! For an example of a Consistent Giver we look at Cornelius and also at a group of women following and supporting Jesus. The Consistent Giver is growing to give regularly at least once a month. Where are you at on the journey to live a Generous Life?
"You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9) — Because Jesus is generous, we should be generous with our time, talent, and treasure. Jesus isn't after our money, he is after our heart (our money and possessions just happen to reveal where our heart is!). All that I have to give is first a gift I receive from Jesus. All giving (good and bad) is heart-motivated, and the Lord loves a cheerful giver. Where are you at on the journey of being generous?
Today we officially launch the 30/30 Journey. During the message Pastor Josh lays out some of the vision for the coming facility renovation and expansion, as well as some of the spiritual aspects of the 30/30 Journey. We look at John 6:1-14 and invite everyone to join us on the journey of prayer and considering how the Lord might have you participate.
Dr. Rock LaGioia preaches from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. God's grace is sufficient for our every need, at every time, in every place, under every circumstance. God's grace provides us with Christlike humility and provides spiritual strength in any and every situation. Have you trusted Jesus and taken claim of his grace toward you?
Dr. Rock LaGioia preaches from Philippians 3:1-11 challenging us to have a VERTICAL view for the new year. True believers view their lives from a heavenly perspective. They place their confidence in Christ and not their achievements. They place their confidence in Christ's sanctifying power and in their future glorification thanks to Jesus' grace.
Part 3 – SERIES: The God Who Gives For God so loved the world that he GAVE... Our God is a generous God who freely gives abundant grace and mercy. In his grace we get what we don't deserve, and in his mercy we don't get what we do deserve. This week we see God give gifts to Mary, Joseph, & the Shepherd Boys. God gave Mary & Joseph just what they needed just when they needed it. He gave the shepherds a glimpse of his glory. And to everyone, all of us included, he gives great joy!
Part 2 – SERIES: The God Who Gives For God so loved the world that he GAVE... Our God is a generous God who freely gives abundant grace and mercy. In his grace we get what we don't deserve, and in his mercy we don't get what we do deserve. This week we see God give gifts to Mary in Luke 1:26-56. God gave her faith to believe and take a risk, encouragement to keep trusting, and a part in his story. He offers all of the same gifts to us.
Part 1 – SERIES: The God Who Gives For God so loved the world that he GAVE... Our God is a generous God who freely gives abundant grace and mercy. In his grace we get what we don't deserve, and in his mercy we don't get what we do deserve. This week we see God give gifts to Zechariah & Elizabeth: opportunity (after obscurity), joy (after sorrow), and honor (after dishonor).
Part 5 – SERIES: Learning to Pray Pastor Josh shares a couple practical helps for praying consistently that he's learned from others. Pray by letting God start the conversation, realizing that reading God's Word and prayer are two sides of the same conversation. Josh shares a method for this borrowed from Buddy Owens' "The Way of a Worshiper". Another idea is to use prayer cards to track prayer and answers to prayer, borrowed from Paul Miller's "A Praying Life". Finally, all of prayer should be with an attitude of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Part 4 – SERIES: Learning to Pray A key to learning to pray continually is to remember whose story you're living in. God is continually weaving his story of redemption, and we get to be part of it. This helps us learn to pray for the right things and wait in the right way. To pray "in the story": 1) Don't demand that the story go your way. 2) Look for the Storyteller, then pray in light of what he's doing. 3) Stay in the story. Don't shut down when it goes a different way.
Part 3 – SERIES: Learning to Pray We're learning to pray, and in learning to pray we're relearning to be like a child. This week we look at why we don't always ask our Father for things in prayer. Often, it is because at a root level we don't believe God is all powerful and we don't believe he is truly personal. Because we doubt his power, we don't ask for big things only Jesus can do. Because we doubt he is personal, we fail to ask for small things assuming God doesn't care. The antidote for both is to learn again to relate to our good father as a child would!
Part 2 – SERIES: Learning to Pray One of the great enemies of childlike prayer is cynicism. The opposite of a childlike spirit is a cynical spirit. We become cynical when skepticism becomes the attitude of our hearts. It affects not only my relationships with others but my relationship with the Lord and my ability to pray. This week look at 6 cures for cynicism and returning to a childlike trust in the Lord.
Part 1 – SERIES: Learning to Pray Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. Yet it can also be incredibly hard for many of us. As we learn to pray, the first key is learning to pray like a child. Asking like a child. Believing like a child. Helpless like a child. Prayer is not about approaching God in the right way with the right words according to the right method—it's about knowing and loving and talking to your good Dad who designed you for relationship with him.
Part 6 – SERIES: Wawasee Core Our final Core Value is No Sacred Cows. Jesus is sacred. God's word is sacred. But our opinions and traditions and preferences are not. We look at Scripture this week and identify 3 types of "sacred cows" we must guard against: 1. Loving tradition more than we love Jesus; 2. Following people before Jesus; 3. Choosing my preference over Jesus' mission.
Part 5 – SERIES: Wawasee Core Our fourth core value is We All Need Friends. We're not designed to go through life alone. In fact, God created us lacking and needing relationship, even before the Fall. There's one aspect of bearing God's image that is impossible for you to do by yourself: You cannot image his relational nature without being involved in community. Our need for friendship is rooted in the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Spirit have existed and continue to exist in an eternal loving friendship with one another. Are you pursuing friendship and biblical community? Or are you simply hiding and isolating yourself? We All Need Friends.
Part 4 – SERIES: Wawasee Core Our third core value is that All People Matter. To borrow a statement from another church, "All people matter to God; therefore, all people must matter to us." The bible is clear that all people matter to God. No matter their age, skin color, status, intellect—all people matter to God. This is because all people bear God's image, making humanity the crown jewel of God's creation. Because all people matter to God, they must matter to us. No matter who they are, where they're from, what they've done, or what's been done to them—All People Matter.
Part 3 – SERIES: Wawasee Core Our second core value is that God Wrote It All Down. God wrote a book. Everything we need to successfully live the Christian life and have joy is written down for us in the Bible. God has revealed everything we need to know about him and salvation in the Bible. Our Bible is reliable, authoritative, and sufficient. We are to believe it in all that it teaches, obey it in all it requires, and trust it in all that it promises.
Part 2 – SERIES: Wawasee Core Our first core value is this: "It's All About Jesus!" Why? – Because IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS! Paul makes it very clear in Colossians 1:15-23 that it's all about Jesus and that he must be first in everything. Our lives are to be all about Jesus. Creation is all about Jesus. The Church is all about Jesus. Salvation is all about Jesus. It is ALL about Jesus! Until Jesus is first in every area of my life, I will never experience the joy I was created to know.
Part 1 – SERIES: Wawasee Core We start a new series this week, "Wawasee Core", exploring the core of who we uniquely are as a church family. This week we begin by celebrating 30 years of God's faithfulness to our church and looking forward to the next 30. Pastor Josh introduces and unpacks our new mission statement: "We are sent to love people and invite them to follow Jesus with us." He also gives a brief overview of our new core values: 1) It's All About Jesus! 2) God Wrote It All Down. 3) All People Matter. 4) We All Need Friends. 5) No Sacred Cows. We'll be unpacking each value from Scripture over the next five weeks of this series.
Part 14 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 We wrap up our Summer Psalms series this week by looking at the last three Psalms: 148, 149, and 150. Each has as its focus the praise of Jesus Christ. Everyone and everything worships. The question is what/who do you worship FIRST? You were designed (and are commanded) to worship JESUS first. When you do, it yields great joy!
Part 13 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 Unity in the Church is a good and precious thing—but sadly all to rare. David declares how good unity is among God's people, then gives two pictures to communicate it. He wraps up by pointing out the blessing of unity—life! One of the keys to unity in a church is to view your church as family. We must also keep Jesus, not our own interests and agendas, front and center. He's the Senior Pastor, and it's his church!
Part 12 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 Psalm 93 is one of a handful of "enthronement" Psalms that celebrate God as King. This week we make some observations about God as King from Psalm 93. Jesus' kingdom is forever, is all powerful, and is unlike any other! Are you worshiping God as King?
Part 11 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 David writes Psalm 142 from the cave of Adullam. He was running for his life from King Saul, his jealous and insecure father-in-law. David had to wonder how he ended up in this place. God had chosen and anointed him to be king one day and used him mightily to save Israel in battle on multiple occasions. So why would God lead him here? Do you find yourself in a desolate cave wondering if God cares or even knows? Psalm 142 is for you.
Part 10 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 Psalm 111 is a Psalm of praise to the Lord. As we study it we're reminded that we must praise the Lord corporately, as his church! We must praise him for his great works. We must praise him for his sure word. And we must praise the Lord for his wise will.
Part 9– SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 When you face a "day of trouble" in your life, where is your trust? Do you find it in yourself? In things you can see? Or do you root your trust in the name of the Lord? That's the issue at hand in Psalm 20 — and it begs the question for you: Where is your trust?
Part 8 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 In some ways you could say that Psalm 104 is a note that the psalmist wrote to himself. He preaches to his own soul saying, "Soul, bless the Lord!" Then, working through God's creation, gives reasons to bless the Lord. Do you need to write a note to yourself? "Bless the Lord, o my soul!"
Part 7 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 Living a life that honors God and that is blessed ALWAYS begins with fearing and delighting in Jesus. Once we repent, turn to Jesus, and find our identity in him, then we begin to live a life honoring to the Lord and blessed by him. This week we look at four blessings of a life that fears and delights in Jesus: We leave a family heritage, we receive God's favor and guidance, we become generous and compassionate, and our hearts and faith become steadfast.
Part 6 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 In whatever situation you are in, God knows. All who have repented and turned to Jesus are adopted as God's own children. So not only does he know, but he cares—and you should trust him! You have a Father who is strong and you need not be afraid of anything. David begins this Psalm stuck in his fear, but ends it with confidence and security because of the strength of his Father.
Part 5 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven. What a truth! Transgression can be forgiven and our hearts set free from deceit. Spiritual contentment is only possible when you have repented and put your trust in Jesus Christ. Psalm 32 points us to Jesus, that we might experience his protection, preservation, proximity, peace, and praise.
Part 4 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 Every thirst we have is ultimately for God, whether we realize it or not. When we find ourselves down, we need to be honest about where we're at with God and with our friends. Then we need to lift our eyes off ourself and toward Jesus so that we put our hope in God. Remember that it's ok to be down and it's ok to be honest about it with God—but it's not ok to stay there! Put your hope in God!
Part 3 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 You need help. Without Jesus' help, every effort and ever endeavor of your life is a waste of time. You need Jesus' help to build your home, protect your home, and to make a living. Children are a particular gift of Jesus' grace and expression of his help to you. All of the Christian life is one of depending on Jesus' gracious help to you.
Part 2 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 Where do you look for help? When you face anxiety, depression, worry, anticipation... where do you go? Psalm 121 reminds us that all true help comes from the Lord, from Jesus. He is your keeper. He'll watch over you today and protect you throughout your life. And for those who have looked to Jesus and turned to him in faith, he promises to keep you forever.
Part 1 – SERIES: Summer Psalms 2016 The Psalmist identifies two ways to live. We choose to delight in Jesus (this is called the way of the "righteous"), or we can choose to delight in sin (this is called the way of the "wicked"). The righteous and the wicked are often contrasted and compared in the Psalms. Which way will you choose? Will you delight in Jesus and his word and be like a strong fruitful tree? Or will you choose the way of the wicked and be driven away like chaff by the wind?
Part 61 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus is said to be amazed on only two occasions in the New Testament. On one occasion he is amazed at the faith of the centurion in Matthew 8. On the second occasion he is amazed at the lack of faith of the people in Nazareth. This week we look at this second occasion in Mark 6. Biblical faith is believing God's Word, and acting upon it, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result! (And he keeps all of his promises!) Jesus is amazed by you as well... is it because of your faith? Or your lack of it?
Part 60 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus returns from the other side of the Lake of Galillee and a crowd is waiting for him. Working his way through the crowd is Jairus, the Ruler of the Synagogue in Cappernaum. His daughter is dying and he asks Jesus to come and heal her. Next a woman who had been sick for 12 years reaches out in faith to touch Jesus' garments and she is healed. In both Jairus and the woman we see faith put into action, unleashing God's power to save and heal. Have you reached out in faith to Jesus?
Part 59 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah After crossing to the other side of the lake, Jesus is met on the shore by a demon possessed man. It is impossible for believers to possessed by a demon, but they are open to demonic oppression. Christians can and should resist oppression by running to Jesus and trusting him to stand firm. After Jesus casts out the demons from this man and into the herd of pigs, he sends the man out to tell others of all that Jesus had done for him and how he showed mercy to him. We're sent to do the same.
Part 57 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah After a long day, Jesus tells his disciples to pack it up, get in the boat, and head across the lake of Galilee to the other side. On their way a great windstorm arises and the disciples are scared for their lives while Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat. He wakes up, calms the storm, then rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith. As we'll see this week, the real issue isn't being in the storm, the issue is the storm being inside the disciples (or us!).
Extra – SERIES: Lionman of Judah This week Simon Lissak was our guest. The son of Holocaust survivors, Simon is from London, England and spends much of his time helping orthodox Jews see how the Old Testament points clearly to Jesus as the Messiah. In this message Simon walks through the Jewish Passover and how all of it is meant to reveal and point to Jesus.
Part 56 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah This week we wrap up a series of parables Jesus told to describe his Kingdom, finishing with 5 short parables: The Parable of the Mustard Seed, The Parable of the Leavened Bread, The Parable of the Hidden Treasure, The Parable of the Valuable Pearl, and The Parable of the House Owner. The first two describe how Jesus' Kingdom grows, the second two describe the great value and worth of the Kingdom, and Jesus wraps up asking if the disciples (and us!) get it yet. Before unpacking the parables, Pastor Josh explains some of the common aspects of any Kingdom, and how they are manifest in Jesus' Kingdom.
Part 55 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus continues teaching the crowds about the Kingdom in parables. He divides people into two categories and compares one category to wheat and one to weeds (or "tares" in some translations). After explaining the parable to his disciples, he tells them another to drive home his point using the imagery of a fishing net and fishermen sorting their catch into two groups. At the end of the day, the question for you is which category do you find yourself in? There are only two. And only you can choose.
Part 54 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus tells a parable of a farmer going out to sow seed in his field. As he sows, the seed lands on 4 different types of soil. A hard path, rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil. Jesus compares the seed with his Word and the soil with our hearts. What kind of soil are you? Has the gospel truly taken root in your life? (This message also includes Jesus' interaction with his family just prior to his telling of this parable.)
Easter Sunday 2016 Jesus makes a number of claims about himself. This week we look at eight big ones, and challenge you to answer for yourself, "Who do you say that he is?"
Part 53 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus continues his interactions with the Scribes and Pharisees when they come looking for a sign from him. The only sign he offers is the "sign of Jonah". Jesus declares himself to be a greater prophet than Jonah, a greater king than Solomon, and earlier in chapter 12 a greater priest than any in the Temple. No one is greater than Jesus! Will you follow him?
Part 52 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus makes it clear that every sin and every blasphemy of men and women will be forgiven if they turn to him in faith. However, he also warns that there is one sin that will not and cannot ever be forgiven. Jesus then compares our spiritual lives to that of a tree, and we see that we can know whether or not we've truly been forgiven by him by looking at the fruit our lives produce. Do you want to produce good fruit? Don't hang it on a dead tree, turn to Jesus, be made alive, and then "tend the tree".
Part 51 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus’ ministry (and Christianity) has done more to advance the status and honor of women than anything else in history. This week we see Jesus serving alongside women in ministry. He is willing and excited to welcome and use anyone who would turn to him in faith.
Part 50 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah A Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus to his home for a meal. While they are there, a woman of the city shows up and begins weeping and anointing Jesus' feet with her perfume. While Simon displays contempt for the woman, Jesus recognizes her genuine love for him while noticing Simon's lack of affection for him. Like the woman, we have been forgiven much. When we remember this, it results in greater and deeper love for God.
Part 49 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus pronounces some intense warnings to those who would observe his ministry and miracles but never repent and trust him. Our response to his kindness should be repentance. Everyone is called to Jesus and called to repentance, but only some will respond. And those who do will enter into his rest.
Part 48 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus tells a short parable to describe the religious people of his day. Essentially, he said they were acting like spoiled brats. They were childish and rejected Jesus. True faith seeks Jesus in a childlike way in its trust, obedience, humility, innocence, and imitating Jesus.
Part 47 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus gives what amounts to a eulogy of John the Baptizer in Luke 7:24-30. He asks the people what they went into the wilderness to see when they saw John preach. In the same way, we're challenged on what we come to see every Sunday. Are you prioritizing your time with God and your church family? Do you come expecting to encounter Jesus and be changed by God's power?Jesus gives what amounts to a eulogy of John the Baptizer in Luke 7:24-30. He asks the people what they went into the wilderness to see when they saw John preach. In the same way, we're challenged on what we come to see every Sunday. Are you prioritizing your time with God and your church family? Do you come expecting to encounter Jesus and be changed by God's power?
Part 46 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Doubt is and always has been an issue for those who believe in Jesus Christ. In all but one case, every time the New Testament speaks of someone doubting God or their faith, it is speaking of believers. This week we'll look at John the Baptizer's doubt, and common causes of our own doubt. When you find yourself in doubt, what do you do?
Part 45 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah On his way to Nain, Jesus encounters a widow in the midst of a funeral procession for her only son. Incredibly, he demonstrates his power over death by raising him from the dead. In this encounter we see that Jesus sees our need, he cares about us deeply, and he initiates on our behalf for our ultimate good.
Part 44 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah There's only one person in the New Testament that is said to have amazed Jesus. Well, to have amazed him in a GOOD way! Many people amazed Jesus by their lack of faith and refusal to believe him, but this week we meet a man, a Roman Centurion of all people, who wowed Jesus in a good way – because of his faith. Your position, pedigree, people you know, and good works do not impress Jesus or earn you salvation. Only true faith does.
Part 4 - SERIES: Christmas According to Isaiah Martin Luther called it the "Wondrous Exchange", where we give Jesus our sin and guilt, and he gives us his righteousness and makes us clean. Since it's Christmas, this week we're calling it "the Gift Exchange" as we study Isaiah 53:1-12. We give Jesus our sin, he gives us his life. The only question is if you'll receive his gift.
Part 3 - SERIES: Christmas According to Isaiah In Isaiah 9:6-7 we get a glimpse into who this promised one is going to be. Jesus, the child born and the Son given, is fully human, fully God, and will fix everything.
Part 2 - SERIES: Christmas According to Isaiah God shows grace to those in darkness, through Jesus, without limit. Salvation is by grace alone, all God’s idea, and Jesus does it all! Isaiah 9:1-7
Part 1 - SERIES: Christmas According to Isaiah This year for Advent we're looking at prophecies about Jesus from the prophet Isaiah. This week we study Isaiah 7:14 and see that Jesus comes as a sign, in humility, and to be with us.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ stands securely upon four pillars found in Romans 1:16-17: Power, Salvation, Faith, and Righteousness.
Every human being has three universal needs of their heart. We all need to have a sense of belongingness, worth, and competence. All of these are fulfilled only in Jesus Christ.
Part 10 – SERIES: The Story In the new heaven and the new earth, we will live in perfect harmony and intimacy with our Creator—and with each other. Those who trust Jesus will one day see him face to face and be with God forever.
Part 9 – SERIES: The Story God’s story is written so that everything that was lost in the Fall has been redeemed for us through Jesus, the Promise Kept. The redemption we have today is in part, but one day it will be ours in full. One day, God will make all things new!
Part 8 – SERIES: The Story God’s people looked ahead for the promised Messiah, but never would they have expected for God to write himself into the story the way he did by putting on a body, moving into the neighborhood, and becoming a servant who would ultimately die for our sins. All God’s promises came to pass when he took on flesh and became human in Jesus Christ.
Part 7 – SERIES: The Story Even in the midst of darkness, God promised to make his purpose for creation possible again. God promised there would be an incredible rescue that would restore all that had been lost.
Part 6 – SERIES: The Story The consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience was a suffocating mass their hearts were not designed to bear. They are in desperate need of help on all fronts: spiritual, physical, emotional, relational, moral… and they have no way to help themselves.
Part 5 – SERIES: The Story After their disobedience, Adam and Eve no longer enjoyed peace and harmony. Their relationship was a mess, their peace with God was broken, and creation itself was unravelling. The consequences of their choice were dire.
Part 4 – SERIES: The Story Up until this point in the story everything has been great. Perfect peace, perfect harmony, perfect relationship. It all changed when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God's one rule for them and sin. This week we look at God's good command, the deception Satan directed at Adam and Eve, and their (and our) sin.
Part 3 – SERIES: The Story After God created everything that exists, he declared it to be very good. And it was. Everything that God created worked together in perfect harmony. Adam and Eve were in perfect harmony with God, creation, and each other.
Part 2 – SERIES: The Story God is the start of the story, and then he creates. Everything we see, everything cannot see, all of it was created by God. He simply spoke and it was. The universe displays the vastness of God's creation, the earth its majesty. At the pinnacle of it all is humanity, created in the very image of God.
Part 1 – SERIES: The Story Every good story is ultimately an echo of THE story: God's story as revealed in the Bible. This week we begin a new series through the plot line of the Bible. And it begins with and revolves around God.
Part 5 – SERIES: God Who Sends Jesus said, "Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." If you're a Christian, you are sent as a missionary, just like Jesus was. Your mission is to make disciples. Your motive is out of a love for God and a love for people. This week we look at the mission we're sent to accomplish, and a simple and practical way ("C.P.R.") to start doing it.
Part 4 – SERIES: God Who Sends Jesus Christ was the ultimate cross-cultural missionary. He was sent from a place of perfection and holiness into a world full of sin and corruption. Jesus was sent in humility; to save; as prophet; as priest; and as king. Just as the Father sent him, so Jesus sends us.
Part 3 – SERIES: God Who Sends Nehemiah was sent by God to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem. As we observe the sending of Nehemiah we see that Nehemiah's heart was first focus on God. This motivated his ministry and empowered him to obey, even in the face of opposition. Nehemiah is also an example in the way he loved his city, and his life challenges us to love our community.
Part 2 – SERIES: God Who Sends Encountering the Holy One is life changing. It certainly was for Isaiah. After encountering Jesus we become burdened over sin, burdened for service, and burdened for souls.
Part 1 – SERIES: God Who Sends We begin a new series looking at the sending nature of God. God the Father is a Sending God. In every instance, after he calls someone to himself he then sends them on mission. This week we see the sending of Abraham. Abraham (at the time Abram) was given a simple command: go. But obedience to it was hard, and to his credit, Abram obeyed God. You, too, are sent by God. Are you obeying?
Part 13 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] We wrap up our series in Philippians this week. Paul recognizes the generosity of the Philippian church and their partnership with him in We Gospel. Giving to gospel ministry (time, talent, & treasure) is an investment that yields a guaranteed return for us just as it did the Philippians. Are you giving generously?
Part 12 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] As Paul is closing his letter to the Philippians, he thanks them for their gift to him and references three keys to learning contentment. 1) Get your eyes off yourself. 2) Get your eyes off your circumstances. 3) Get your eyes on Jesus!
Part 11 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] When your life is defined by the grace of Jesus Christ it results in action and these things become true of you: you give grace, you are reasonable, you have God's peace, you focus on right things, and you experience God's continual presence in your life. Pastor Josh also addresses the Supreme Court's recent decision to legalize same-sex marriage.
Part 10 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] One of Paul’s sources of joy throughout Philippians is the church’s God-given ability to stand firm in the Lord. By choosing discipleship, guarding our kinship, and by living out Christ-centered citizenship we can stand firm in the Lord, and thus as one of the products of that standing firm, we can become agents of joy.
Part 9 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] Paul’s eyes are fixed on the prize of knowing Jesus. Are yours? Follow Paul’s advice to press on by forgetting what lies behind and keeping your eyes on Jesus. And continue to dwell on and remember God’s grace to you in Jesus, it supersedes any and every other thing!
Part 8 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] Paul often repeats the exhortation to "rejoice!" to the Philippians. In chapter 3, he calls it a safeguard for them. In fact, choosing to rejoice is the ultimate safeguard as we choose to dwell on God's grace, let it define our lives, reveling in it, because knowing Jesus and experiencing his grace supersedes any and every other thing!
Part 7 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] After laying out a number of principles and instructions for how the church in Philippi ought to live, Paul mentions that he is sending Epaphroditus and, later, Timothy to them. These two men serve as real life examples to the church (and to us!) of what it looks like to live the Christian life in humility, worthy of the gospel, with the mind of Christ, not grumbling or complaining, and choosing to rejoice.
Part 6 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] Paul gives the church in Philippi instructions to work out their salvation. What does that mean? They were to live out their identity in Christ. Live like true Christians who had been saved by Jesus! In the same way, we must choose to live out our salvation day by day. Doing good works not to earn God's favor, but because he has already show us favor!
Part 5 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] Based on his letter, it seems that Paul is noticing some cracks in the unity of the church at Philippi. Before things get ugly and division ensues, Paul encourages the church to refocus and be selfless and of the same mind. To seek and protect the unity of their church. There is no unity in a church where there is selflessness, and there is no unity in a church apart from Jesus Christ.
Part 4 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] Paul calls the Philippians to live lives "worthy of the gospel of Christ". The good news of the gospel is that we receive this worthiness from Jesus himself. Living lives worthy of the gospel, then, is simply living out our identity in Jesus Christ. This will yield unity in the church, be an encouragement to other believers, and serve as a witness to unbelievers. Remind yourself often that your identity in Jesus (and your worthiness of the gospel) is received not achieved.
Part 3 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] To rejoice is a choice. It's choosing to dwell on God's grace in Jesus Christ, letting it define my life. This week we see Paul letting God's grace define his life in such a way that he desires to honor Jesus in everything, making Jesus look great! As Paul says it, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Can you say the same about your life? It starts by dwelling on God's grace and letting it define your life.
Part 2 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] Paul often chose to rejoice in the midst of hardship and pain. Paul chose to rejoice and focus on God's grace rather than his circumstances. As a result, God used Paul's circumstances to make the Gospel more widely known, and to encourage others, making them more confident in their faith and more bold in their witness. Where is your focus?
Part 1 – SERIES: Philippians – Rejoice! [My Choice] Philippians 1:1-11 We begin a new series through the New Testament book of Philippians this week. Paul is writing from prison to a church he planted a decade earlier. Paul writes no other letter with such affection and such encouragement as he does Philippians. We see how true joy is rooted in grace, and how—like Paul—we can CHOOSE to rejoice, no matter our circumstances.
Part 10 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE Tom Speicher is our guest this week. Discovering your SHAPE is a great thing, but not if it just ends there. Jesus has fully completed our redemption, but he is still building and working on his Church. Are you letting him use you and your SHAPE to accomplish his mission? Or are you sitting passively on the sidelines?
Many people approach the Bible not knowing the whole story. They've heard parts of the story. They know some of the main characters: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus. And they know some of the stories: The Flood, Parting the Red Sea, David & Goliath, Jesus Dying on a Cross. But they don't know how it all fits together. Without knowing the plotline, the storyline, of the entire Bible, it's hard to understand any of it - especially Jesus' resurrection. This week as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection, we look at it in the context of the entire story of the Bible. It's God's story, and you're part of it.
Part 9 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE We finish up our series titled "Discovering Your Shape" this week by looking at a man the bible barely mentions, Shamgar. Now that you know your SHAPE, will you put it into use? If you're wondering how, follow the example of Shamgar by starting where you are, using what you have (your SHAPE!), and doing what you can.
Part 8 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE God uses every one of your experiences—good and bad, pleasant and painful—to shape you into the person he desires you to be. He never wastes your experiences—good or bad—when you yield to him. Rather he'll use them to conform you into the image of Jesus for his glory, others' good, and your joy!
Part 7 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE Your personal style is a unique gift from God. Sometimes referred to as your personality or your temperament, your personal style defines your behavioral needs and influences how you interact with other people and respond to life in general. Each of us is unique, but our personal style makes each of us predictable in how we react to people and situations. This week we look to help you discover your personal style, and learn how to best interact with, love, and serve those who are not like you. We also look at some people in the bible and how God wired them.
Part 6 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE God has given each of us unique skills and abilities. Much like Bezalel and Oholiab in the book of Exodus, God has called us to a unique ministry task and equips us for what he calls us to do. What abilities has God given you? More importantly, how are you using them to serve him and others?
Part 5 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE Your heart/passion is the God-given desire(s) of your heart to make a kingdom difference somewhere. It is given to you by God to glorify Jesus and edify others. Discovering your heart/passion will help you identify where God would have you serve, and enable you to serve with enthusiasm!
Part 4 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE This week we take the time to briefly unpack and describe 16 of the primary Spiritual Gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.
Part 3 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE If we want to know how to use and what to expect of Spiritual Gifts, we need to have a right understanding of the Holy Spirit who gives and empowers them. This overview of the person and work of the Holy Spirit helps set the stage for our understanding of and use of Spiritual Gifts.
Part 2 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE Spiritual gifts are the first part of a Christian’s “SHAPE”. They are a set of God-given and Spirit-empowered spiritual abilities given to every believer, according to God’s grace, to help them fulfill their God-given personal purpose as part of the body of Christ. This week Pastor Josh gives an overview of what spiritual gifts are.
Part 1 – SERIES: Discovering Your SHAPE According to the Apostle Paul, you are God’s unique masterpiece, his unique work of art! You have been precisely designed and created by Jesus to his exact specifications—individually shaped for Jesus’ glory, others’ good, and your joy. Join us as we launch a new series designed to help you discover your SHAPE and begin serving Jesus by serving others.
The Church I Want To Be A Part Of... Pastor Josh begins the new year by sharing his heart as it relates to our church and our future at Wawasee Bible.
Part 43 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus closes his “Sermon on the Mount” with a handful of short instructions that would each merit their own sermon. We’re covering them all at once, looking at the five choices Jesus lays out for us to make in these verses – the biggest of which is, “Will I put into practice what I’ve heard and be wise? Or will I ignore it and play the fool?”
Part 42 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus tells his followers to "ask", "seek", and knock", because those who do have a generous Father who delights to give good gifts to his children! It's said that God answers prayer in one of three ways: "yes", "no", and "ask again later." So what are some of the reasons he doesn't say "yes"? Learn to abide in the God who loves you and delights to be generous toward you.
Part 41 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus calls his people to be slow to critique others, never being judgmental or overcritical. We're still required to make judgments and correct brothers and sisters in their sin, but we should always examine our own lives first to be sure we're living lives of repentance ourselves. In all things, love should rule and motivate everything we do.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can experience victory over external trials and internal temptation as our faith is tested and we grow to be like Jesus.
Part 39 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus calls us to choose what's best in the way we live and order our lives. Which do you choose?
Part 37 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah After saying our righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 5:20 if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus uses six examples to show how the standard of righteousness God expects from us is higher than we ever imagined.
Paul describes the Church using the metaphor of a body in 1 Corinthians 12. It's one body with many parts, all interdependent upon one another. Each member with a role to play and part to contribute in unity together for Jesus' glory, others' good, and our joy!
Part 36 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah In Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus claims to fulfill the law and prophets, but also confirms the continued authority of the law. Because of this, he demands radical obedience. This points us to gospel-centered living, but Satan often tries to distort the intentions behind obedience.
Part 35 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus makes it clear that like him, his followers are not of this world, but they are sent into it. He declares his followers to be salt and light sent into the world to be and build his kingdom.
Part 34 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah This week we begin studying what may be one of the most well-known and highly-regarded discourses in all of human history, Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”. Jesus teaches about God’s counter-cultural kingdom, and most specifically about what it means to live as his kingdom people. The sermon begins with eight statements of blessing known as “the Beatitudes”. Each time a follower of Jesus finds themselves on the front end of these statements, it is an opportunity to live God’s kingdom on this earth.
Part 33 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah This week we look at the events that lead up to the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus confronts what may be the biggest enemy of the gospel: legalism.
To be prodigal means to be recklessly extravagant. Many speak of the prodigal son, but the star of this parable is not the son, it's the Father. God the Father is prodigal with his kindness, love, and grace which is meant to lead us to repentance.
For those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, this earth is not home, Heaven is. So how much do you know about your true home? Tom Speicher, one of the founding pastors of Wawasee Bible, shows us what the Bible teaches about our true home, Heaven.
Part 32 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus undeniably declared himself to be God over and over again. This week we see him make multiple claims to be just like his Father, i.e. to be God. In declaring himself to be God, Jesus declares that we can go to him for life. What is keeping you from turning to Jesus himself for life?
Part 31 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah You've heard it said, "God helps those who help themselves." The problem is, God never said that! In fact, the truth of the Gospel is entirely opposite. Jesus solely helps only those who are utterly and absolutely helpless. Are you willing to respond to his grace? God's grace in Jesus is your one and only hope.
Part 30 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah The message of the gospel will always remain "new" because it must be accepted and applied in every generation. Just as new wine demands a new wineskin, the new wine of the gospel will always need new methods to reach new generations. Hear about some of the changing wineskins at Wawasee Bible. The message of Jesus Christ and his gospel will never ever change, but how we do ministry is always up for change as we seek to introduce more and more people to Jesus and his grace.
Have you ever been disappointed with prayer? Wondered why God doesn't seem to listen or respond the way you hoped? Does prayer seem like a waste of time to you? Pastor Stephen addresses 3 reasons Christians are disappointed with prayer, and offers a few answers from Matthew 26:36-45.
Part 29 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus calls Matthew (Levi) the tax collector to follow him. Matthew demonstrates excitement and zeal to reach his friends and introduce them to Jesus as well, throwing a party and inviting them all over for dinner. Jesus calls us to reach out to sinners like he did, and like Matthew did.
Part 28 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah In our sin we all need Jesus’ touch on our lives to heal us and make us new. We’re also responsible to do what we can to help others experience his healing and forgiveness.
Part 27 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Up to this point Jesus has spent a year and a half or longer with these men. His relationship with them began with a call to “come and see” who he was (John 1:39). Then he called them to “follow me” and become like him (John 1:43). After about 18 months of following Jesus, these first followers demonstrate that they’re after more. And Jesus begins by calling four of them to not only “follow me”, but to “follow me and fish for men” (Mark 1:16ff). It’s a call to do something, to serve in ministry. And the ones Jesus targets for this call are those who are ”AFT’R” more. The four respond and follow Jesus throughout all of Galilee (Mark 1:39), but after a while they had made their way back to their regular profession. This week we see Jesus renew his call to them to follow him and serve in ministry.
Part 26 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Over a year and a half into his ministry, Jesus begins a transition. This week we see him begin calling some of his followers to be trained and serve along side him. We get a glimpse into a long day with Jesus, seeing his authority over everything spiritual and everything physical, and our need to continually take time to rest and connect with God.
Part 25 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth as God’s Spirit-Anointed Messiah. He has authority to release the humble and reject the proud.
Part 24 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus heals an official's son, and this man demonstrates real faith. He believes Jesus' word, he acts upon it, despite how he might have felt, because Jesus keeps every promise he makes.
Part 23 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus heads north to Galilee to avoid getting arrested by the Pharisees and passes through Samaria. While there he meets an woman bearing a lifetime of shame for things she had done and for things done to her. Jesus enters into her shame, offers life, and removes her shame forever.
Part 22 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah John the Baptizer is a great example of a man who had his identity rooted firmly in Jesus Christ. He understood who Jesus is, who he was, and what his role was (how to live) in light of that.
Part 21 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah While Jesus is in Jerusalem for Passover, Nicodemus (a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin) comes to him at night. Jesus challenges Nicodemus' religious orientation of life and confronts him with the simplicity of the Gospel and God's grace. To be saved you must be "born again from above", and this only happens by turning and looking upon Jesus.
Part 20 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus was passionate about and consumed with obeying his Father's agenda. So passionate, in fact, that on two occasions he clears out the Temple! It begs the question, what are you passionate about? What consumes you? Which are you more passionate about: your own agenda or Jesus' agenda?
Part 19 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus is very intentional about building relationships. He targets and invites people into his life, he listens and understands their life, and he shows genuine care, bringing joy into their life all so that they might know his love and put their trust in him. We'll see Jesus do that this week at a wedding. Who are you inviting into your life to see Jesus?
Part 18 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah The first challenge Jesus makes in his ministry is for people to "come and see". He invites people into his life to spend time with him, get to know him, and learn from him. It's a call to friendship. Who are you inviting to "come and see" Jesus in your life?
Part 17 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah John answers two questions that every one of us must answer: 1) Who are you? – Are you achieving your identity (religion) or receiving it (gospel)? 2) Who is Jesus? – Your answer to this questions will change your answer to the first question.
Part 16 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Satan, the "Father of Lies" attacks in two ways: 1) He causes us with a lie. 2) He tempts us to believe a lie. Jesus models for us the strategy to endure and overcome Satan's attacks: 1) Expose his lies with the truth of God's Word. 2) Believe and obey the truth.
Part 15 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah We get baptized to identify ourself with Jesus. Jesus was baptized to identify himself with sinners. At Jesus' baptism we get the clearest picture in all of Scripture of the Trinity. We're called to image God's Trinitarian nature by being in meaningful community with other Christians.
Part 14 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah John's message was powerful and came in two parts: 1) Repent. 2) Bear fruits in keep with repentance. Having repented, are you tending to your life so that you would bear much fruit? Or are you a fraud who's never truly repented and is simply hanging false fruit from your tree?
Part 13 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus said that John was the greatest of all the prophets. He was sent by God to prepare the way for and point people to Jesus. In the same way, each one of us is sent by God to point people to Jesus.
Part 12 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Do you know the story of John Mark? Mark was the author of the Gospel of Mark and was mentored by 3 of the most influential men in the history of the Christian Church: Peter, Barnabas, and Paul. Mark's life is one marked failure, repentance, obedience, and legacy.
Part 11 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Luke 2:41-52 shows that Jesus was already beginning to grasp his true identity and purpose as a 12-year-old. But it didn’t happen by accident. There were a number of things he did that helped him to discover God’s will for his life, and we can follow his example. .
Part 10 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Herod the Great was an insecure king with an ego that drove him to constant self-preservation, even to the point of slaughtering innocent children. Sadly, the slaughter of innocents continues today through abortion. Millions of unborn children are murdered by modern day "Herods" looking to preserve their own kingdoms and comfort. We resemble Herod to some degree or another, preserving our own comfort, and we all need to repent and turn to Jesus.
Part 9 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Jesus would have been a toddler at the time a group of “wise men” from the east showed up at his mother’s door to worship the boy born as King of the Jews. Their journey was costly and the gifts they brought were incredibly valuable. Herod the Great (appointed by Rome to rule in that region as “King of the Jews”) was troubled by their arrival when he learned that a threat to his throne had been born nearby. But Jesus’ mother, Mary, would have experienced their arrival as an incredible expression of God’s grace and steadfast love. (Matthew 2:1-12)
Part 8 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Joseph & Mary's obedience to God affected Jesus' obedience, just as any parent's obedience affects their children's obedience. When dedicating Jesus at the temple, they run in to Simeon and Anna, both full of the Holy Spirit.
Part 7 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is a foundational tenant of biblical Christianity. In it we see that 1. Jesus is like us, 2. Jesus is unlike us, and 3. Jesus came to make us like him.
Part 6 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah In the birth of John the Baptizer we see God's faithfulness in many ways. Most importantly in the fact that God keeps his promises. Every one.
Part 5 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Mary, a young teenage girl, demonstrates great faith when the angel Gabriel tells her she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the long awaited Messiah. With God, nothing is impossible.
Part 4 - SERIES: Lionman of Judah Zechariah & Elizabeth were righteous, aging, and had no children. And in the account of God prophesying their son John's birth, God shows that he is sovereign, answers prayer, hears our doubt, and takes away our reproach.
Part 3 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah In Jesus' family tree are prostitutes, noblemen, cowards, warriors, redeemers, murderers, and kings... and Jesus would be the Savior of them all. No matter who you are or what you've done, Jesus loves you, can save you, and will use you to build his Kingdom.
Part 2 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This is how John, possibly Jesus' best friend, describes Jesus.
Part 1 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah We intro our new series on the life and ministry of Jesus. We'll be studying his life from all four gospels. How real is your Jesus?
Psalm 67: Blessed to Bless In Genesis 12, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him so that he can be a blessing to everyone else. In many ways, Psalm 67 is Genesis 12:1-3 set to music.
Psalm 16: Set Yourself on Jesus Psalm 16 reminds us of what we can expect when we fix ourselves on Jesus.
Psalm 8: How Majestic The very purpose and meaning of your life is wrapped in the majesty of God, and apart from Jesus life is meaningless.
Psalm 2: Kiss the Son! You have two options with Jesus... Cherish or Perish. The author of Psalm 2 gives good advice, "Be wise... Kiss the Son!"
Message #7 of 7 - SERIES: What On Earth Am I Here For? Your calling is a very high calling. 2 Timothy 1:3-14.
Message #6 of 7 - SERIES: What On Earth Am I Here For? You were made for a mission. Just as the Father sent Jesus, Jesus sends you to make disciples.
Message #5 of 7 - SERIES: What On Earth Am I Here For? You were shaped to serve God. Part of fulfilling God's purpose for your life is giving generously of your time, talent, and treasure to serve Jesus and other people.
Message #3 of 7 - SERIES: What On Earth Am I Here For? You were formed to be part of God's family, the Church. To fulfill God's purpose for your life, you need to learn to love others.
Message #2 of 7 - SERIES: What On Earth Am I Here For? You are called to be loved by God. Our worship is a response to his love for us in Jesus. How will you respond to his love?
Message #1 of 7 - SERIES: What On Earth Am I Here For? Ever wondered what you're here for? Jesus created you, and he's the only one who can tell you. In fact, he even calls you to come to him, trust him, be saved by him, and learn from him.
Message #3 of 3 – SERIES: Haggai – A Theology of Stuff God calls us to give generously of our time, talent, and treasure.
Message #2 of 3 - SERIES: Haggai - A Theology of Stuff We can work hard in ministry and give generously because God's grace in the past proves to us that he'll be gracious in the future. Haggai 2:1-9.
Message #1 of 3 - SERIES: Haggai - A Theology of Stuff After the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem in 538 B.C., they began to rebuild God's temple, but it wasn't long before they were discouraged and gave up. Haggai the prophet (along with Zechariah) warned them of God's displeasure in their actions. Through Haggai God says to his people, "Consider your ways!" While his Temple remained in ruins, they had gone and built "paneled houses" of their own. God calls them and us to consider our ways, to examine our lives and get our priorities in check.
Message #6 of 6 - SERIES: Ruth - A Story of Redemption Pastor Josh casts vision for our church as we close out the book of Ruth. God's grace left a multi-generational legacy of faith in the wake of Naomi & Ruth's suffering through Boaz redeeming them. What legacy might he provide for your family as you trust Jesus? What legacy are you working to leave?
Message #5 of 6 - SERIES: Ruth - A Story of Redemption Redemption is costly. Thankfully Boaz and Jesus were redeemers willing to pay the price of redemption. Redemption is a legal transaction. Thankfully both Boaz and Jesus meet the requirements of a redeemer. Redemption is transformational. After being redeemed by Jesus, we're never the same.
Message #4 of 6 – SERIES: Ruth – A Story of Redemption Jesus is the one who initiates, accomplishes, and finishes our redemption. He is our redemption. Our only part in redemption is active faith. It's believing God's word and acting upon it, not matter how I feel, because God promises a good result.
Message #3 of 6 – SERIES: Ruth – A Story of Redemption God intricately planned not only Naomi and Ruth's redemption, but our own. He provided for us the perfect redeemer in Jesus, who is a better Boaz. As we see his plan and his grace to us in the past, it gives us hope for greater grace in the future.
Message #2 of 6 – SERIES: Ruth – A Story of Redemption Naomi and Ruth have both suffered the loss of their husbands, and Naomi has also suffered the loss of her two sons. Each respond differently to their trial. Naomi places her identity in her suffering, whereas Ruth's identity brings her through her suffering. It's ok if externals explain you, but they do not define you. Find your identity in Jesus, not your suffering.
Message #1 of 6 – SERIES: Ruth – A Story of Redemption The opening verses of Ruth give us the background to Naomi’s bitterness. Because of her husband’s choices, she was now left alone in a foreign land, widowed and childless. It sets the stage for God to reverse Naomi’s fortunes (to redeem her) in his kindness. Bitter trials and consequences prepare the way for the Lord’s kindness to us.
Message #17 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? We’re in a war and there are two sides: Jesus’ and the Enemy’s. Which are you on? If you’re in Christ, you’re on Jesus’ team. You were born on Satan’s team, but you’re born again to Jesus’ team. To win the war you must know your enemy, your King, and your weapons.
Message #16 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? Fathers have more influence for good and for evil than anyone else in their children's lives. As Paul speaks about authority in Ephesians, he gives strong instruction to Fathers in the home.
Message #14 of 17 - SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? Once we understand how Jesus loves us, it frees us to live the life God calls us to. One of the ways God intends for this to be demonstrated is in Christian marriage, which is between one man and one woman for one lifetime, where the man takes the greater responsibility in the home and in the church. You are loved.
Message #13 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? In Ephesians 5:1-21 Paul dishes out a "Do This" and a "Don't Do This" list to the church in Ephesus. The question becomes not what should I do, but how do I do it? It begins with understanding your identity in Jesus Christ as an adopted child of God.
Message #12 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? Are you bitter? If you’ve been sinned against, you have two choices: to remain bitter or to forgive. Paul gives six commands that help to end the cycle of bitterness. Who do you need to forgive, and who needs to forgive you? Forgive, because God in Christ forgave you.
Message #11 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? In Jesus Christ you are new. No longer are you alienated from God and walking in the futility of a darkened mind. The old is gone; the new has come. Put off the old self and put on the new self.
Message #10 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? Jesus is in heaven, serving the church and giving gifts. He gives us himself, the Holy Spirit, and other people. To each Christian he also gives spiritual gifts to be cultivated (1 Cor. 12; Rom. 12; Eph. 4; 1 Pet. 4). Some have multiple gifts and different levels of a gift. God gives gifts to equip the saints and build up the body of Christ. Your gift is not your identity, but how are you gifted?
Message #9 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? In Christ you are heard. From Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus, we learn that prayer is personal, relational, asking, yearning, expecting, and revealing.
Message #8 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? Being in Christ means you will suffer. You will suffer trials that God allows and consequences for foolish choices. How will you respond? Don't lose heart. Look to Jesus in your afflictions. God has three primary purposes for your suffering: Jesus' glory, others' good, and your growth and joy.
Message #7 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? In Christ you are reconciled. Hostility is replaced with friendship. Jew and Gentile are reconciled, you and God are reconciled, and you and others are reconciled.
Message #6 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? In Christ you are saved from eternal danger. From your sin, death, worldly living, Satan, yourself, and God's eternal wrath. This salvation is accomplished by Jesus alone, not by your own works. It's a gift of grace that results in good works for Jesus' glory, others' good, and your joy.
Message #4 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? In Jesus Christ you are immeasurably blessed. Blessed with holiness, obedience, predestination, adoption, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, grace, an inheritance, being sealed, and the Holy Spirit. And all of God's blessing is fully in, through, and about Jesus.
Message #3 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? If you are in Jesus Christ, your primary identity is "saint", not "sinner". Saint is your constant identity, sin is only your occasional activity. If you're a Christian, God says you're a saint.
Message #2 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians – Who Do You Think You Are? Every aspect of your God-given identity is rooted entirely in Jesus Christ.
Message #1 of 17 – SERIES: Ephesians - Who Do You Think You Are? Who do you think you are? God says that you're created and you're an image bearer. You're made to mirror Jesus. Therefore, your true identity is not yours to create. It's given to you by God. The real question you need to know the answer to is, "Who does God say that I am?"
Message #30 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Jesus makes a number of claims about himself, including this one in Revelation 22: "Surely I am coming soon!" We explore 8 other claims Jesus made of himself in Scripture on this Easter Sunday as we conclude our study through Revelation. (Unfortunately this recording starts about 2 minutes late, and suffers from poor quality.)
Message #29 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Heaven is a restoration of God's original plan in Genesis. There you will see Jesus face to face. There will be no pain, sorrow, or death of any kind. Everything will be eternally, continuously new. All of this and more is promised to those who have repented and trusted Jesus Christ. But those who do not turn to Jesus will never see it.
Message #28 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus In the end, God will fulfill all of his promises to Israel—literally and precisely—and Jesus will reign on the earth as King and judge. All those whose names are not found in the Lamb's Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire. Hell is furious, eternal, and very real.
Message #27 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus It's all because of Jesus. It's all about Jesus. It's all Jesus.
Message #26 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus This week Pastor Josh explains the imagery in chapter 17. In the second half of the message, he explains why the future effectiveness of the Church is dependent upon its ability to discern what to reject, receive, and redeem in our culture.
Message #25 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Do you believe that all of God's ways are good? Not just his grace and mercy, but his wrath? We look at all of that and more in Revelation 15-16 this week.
Message #24 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Have you taken hold of the Gospel as your own? Have you truly trusted the payment of Jesus Christ for your sin? What's the hold up?
Message #23 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus In Revelation 13 we see Satan imitating God with his own false trinity of the Dragon, the Beast (Antichrist), and the False Prophet. In the end they're all exposed as frauds. What about you? Are you a fraud? Or have you truly trusted Jesus Christ as Savior?
Message #22 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Revelation 12 begins a short parenthesis or side-story in John's writing. We begin to unpack this and examine the overall strategy of Satan throughout time.
Message #21 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Pastor Josh gives an overview of the prophetic conditions and events that need to take place before Daniel's 70th Week. Then we study Revelation 11:1-14 and the two witnesses.
Message #20 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus A second interlude takes place between the 6th and 7th Trumpet Judgments. God doesn't reveal everything to us, but what he does we must follow.
Message #19 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus God's wrath for sin continues in Revelation 9 with the 7 Trumpet Judgments. Trumpets 5 & 6 (the first 2 of the 3 "Woes") bring demonic plagues and death to those who do not turn to Jesus Christ. This text is a warning given to us by a God who loves us deeply. Today if you would hear his voice, do not harden your heart!
Message #18 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus In Revelation 8, Jesus opens the 7th Seal and God's Wrath begins with the first four of the 7 Trumpet Judgments. God's Wrath is measured, and his desire is that we repent and turn to Jesus Christ. Today if you would hear his voice, do not harden your heart.
Message #4 of 4 – SERIES: Generous In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, we are called to give generously and cheerfully… because God himself is generous with the inexpressible gift of grace in Jesus Christ!
Message #3 of 4 – SERIES: Generous In Malachi 3:6-12, God exhorts his people to quit robbing him, but rather to give generously and test him to see if he will be true to his Word to bless them.
Message #2 of 4 – SERIES: Generous Paul gives Timothy instructions on how he should teach the church to steward their wealth—both poor and rich—in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19.
Message #1 of 4 – SERIES: Generous We orient our lives around what we most love. What do you orient your life around? Are you a slave to your stuff or a steward of it? What do you love most?
Message #17 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Pastor Josh lays out the Prewrath Position on the timing of the Rapture, then preaches through Revelation 7. Have you washed your robe white by repenting and trusting Jesus Christ?
Message #16 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Our guest this week is Dr. Rock LaGioia of Grace Theological Seminary. Rock preaches through Revelation 7 from a pre-tribulational rapture perspective (Pastor Josh holds to a pre-wrath position), focusing on God's mercy to the elect in the midst of his wrath.
Message #15 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Revelation 6 begins the prophetical portion of the book. Chapters 6-19 describe Daniel's 70th Week (Daniel 9:24-27) in a circular fashion, and in chapter 6 we get our first overview of the entire 7 year period. Jesus is coming soon… Repent and turn to him!
Message #14 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus In Matthew 24, Jesus gives his disciples some insight into the end times. Teaching through Matthew 24 helps set up Revelation 6-19 for us in the coming weeks. But the most important thing is… do you know Jesus?
Message #13 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus If you want to make sense of Revelation 6-19, you need to understand the Old Testament, especially Daniel 9:24-27 and Daniel's Seventy Weeks. God fulfills all of his promises completely and precisely.
Message #12 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Pastor Stephen preaches this morning from Revelation 1:1-18; 4:1-5:14. Reviewing texts we've been studying, Pastor Stephen teaches on worshiping here on earth as it is in heaven… by faith.
Message #11 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Initially John weeps when there is no one found worthy to open the scroll… and then he sees the Lamb, Jesus, who is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals.
Message #10 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus After finishing the letters to the seven churches, the scene moves from earth to the Throne Room of God. John is given a fresh and spectacular vision of the glory of God which sets the stage for the remainder of the book of Revelation.
Message #9 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Jesus had nothing good to say about the church in Laodicea. Like the water there, they were lukewarm and repulsive to Jesus. Yet, in his steadfast love he reminds them that he is near (at the door, even!) and ready to fellowship with them again if they'd simply be zealous and repent.
Message #8 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Jesus had nothing bad to say about the church in Philadelphia. He praises it for its endurance and faithfulness. He exhorts it to be encouraged and take heart, for He is coming soon!
Message #7 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Jesus had nothing good to say of the Church in Sardis. Ouch. He calls them out as frauds who have the reputation of being alive but are dead. Jesus says wake up, remember the Gospel, and repent.
Message #6 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus The Church in Thyatira was too tolerant of sin. Jesus calls them to quit whoring themselves to idols, repent of their sin, and worship him.
Message #5 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus The church in Pergamum loved Jesus but failed to confront sin in their midst. They were too permissive. Jesus calls them to repent. Do you deal with sin in your life or just permit it?
Message #4 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus Have you ever suffered for Jesus? The Bible is clear that suffering is the norm for those who follow Jesus, and if we're not suffering now we should be prepared for it when it comes. Revelation 2:8-11 records some of what Jesus has to say about suffering.
Message #3 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus The letter to the church in Ephesus is the first of Jesus' seven edicts to churches in Revelation. Ephesus was all truth and no love. Jesus challenges them and us to connect our head to heart: Remembering our first love, repenting, and returning to the ways we loved at first.
Message #2 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus John addresses his letter to the seven churches of Asia, and gives a powerful description of Jesus Christ as he really is in glory and power.
Message #1 of 30 – SERIES: Revelation of Jesus We begin our series through the New Testament book of Revelation. This introductory message covers the first 3 verses and includes a recording of Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church, Seattle.
Dr. Rock LaGioia, director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Grace Theological Seminary was our guest. Rock taught from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Message #7 of 7 – SERIES: Rest In our final message of this series, we work through Hebrews 3 & 4. We consider Jesus, our ways, and entering God's final rest.
Message #6 of 7 – SERIES: Rest Do you want to learn to rest well and enjoy Jesus and enjoy Sabbath? Learn to fast.
Message #5 of 7 – SERIES: Rest There are two primary enemies and/or thieves of Sabbath that we struggle with: busyness and legalism. We key in on battling legalism (or religion) this week.
Message #4 of 7 – SERIES: Rest Psalm 23 is likely the most well-known and popular passage in all of Scripture. We look at its teaching about our Good Shepherd, Jesus, and how we can rest because he knows, feeds, leads, and protects us. He is in full control.
Message #3 of 7 – SERIES: Rest Jesus' interaction with Martha and her sister Mary in Luke 10:38-42 is instructive to us as we study God's design for work and rest.
Message #2 of 7 – SERIES: Rest In Mark 4:35-41 Jesus leads his disciples across the Sea of Galilee and calms a great windstorm that arose. The problem wasn't the storm they were in, but the storm in the disciples.
Message #1 of 7 – SERIES: Rest Pastor Josh introduces our new series on Biblical Rest (Sabbath).
Message #18 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day In his final farewell, shortly before his death, Joshua gives a final challenge to the people of Israel: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
Message #17 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day In the first of two farewell addresses at the end of his life, Joshua exhorts the leaders of Israel to "be very careful to love the LORD your God." (23:11) Remember God's faithfulness and love Jesus first.
Message #16 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day In Joshua 22, the Eastern Tribes of Israel cause an uproar when they build a monument to remind future generations of their identity as part of Israel. After initially wanting war, the Western Tribes demonstrate a godly means of pursuing peace. We look at some biblical principles of peacemaking.
Message #15 of 18 - SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Joshua 13-21 is the account of the Israelites receiving their inheritance. This week we trace the Israelites' inheritance back to a promise God made to Abraham. Similarly, the inheritance offered to Christians can be traced back to Abraham through Jesus Christ.
Message #14 of 18 - SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Joshua 13-21 is the account of the Israelites receiving their inheritance. In this first week on this passage, we look at the biblical teaching on our identity in Jesus Christ as image bearers of God. Our inheritance will be based on this identity.
Easter Resurrection Sunday – April 8, 2012 Pastor Josh preaches through eight unique claims that Jesus Christ made of himself. Who do YOU say Jesus Christ is? That is the most important and consequential question you will ever answer.
Part 11 – SERIES: Lionman of Judah Luke 2:41-52 shows that Jesus was already beginning to grasp his true identity and purpose as a 12-year-old. But it didn't happen by accident. There were a number of things he did that helped him to discover God's will for his life, and we can follow his example.
Message #12 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Dr. Tiberius Rata teaches on Joshua 11:1-12:24. The Power of God and the Faithfulness of His Servant.
Message #11 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Pastor Stephen C. James teaches from the interesting historical record of the sun standing still for Joshua and the armies of Israel. When faced with an impossible spiritual mission, we must respond with big prayers and big actions. Human effort combined with divine power creates and unstoppable force for positive change.
Message #10 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Pastor Tim Cressman teaches from Joshua 9:1-27. This narrative from God’s Word teaches that there is often opposition when God is at work. It gives us an example of what happens when godly leaders drop the ball. And it tells us that God’s heart is for those who are far from him.
Message #9 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day "The Fruit of Following God's Words" Chuck Warren teaches on Joshua 8:1-35. There are four important themes in the book of Joshua: The book is a lesson on the covenant faithfulness of Jehovah. It demonstrates the importance of the written word of God. It points out the utter failure of human effort apart from divine directives. And it is a commentary on God's holiness and His judgment of sin.
Message #8 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Ai defeats the Israelites, and Achan's sin.
Message #7 of 18 – SEREIS: Joshua: Choose This Day Before the battles begin, Joshua encounters Jesus, the Commander of the LORD's army. Jesus is First. Our command from Jesus is to make disciples (Matthew 28:16-20). Are you busy making disciples for Jesus? Or just making a point for Jesus?
Message #6 of 18 – SEREIS: Joshua: Choose This Day After crossing the Jordan River, the Lord commands Joshua to stop and circumcise all of the men. This had originally been commanded as part of the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 17, but the previous generation failed to obey this command after leaving Egypt. We discuss the meaning of circumcision in Scripture and its parallels with baptism, and learn from Joshua's obedient faith and his commitment to passing it on to coming generations.
Message #5 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Joshua gives instruction in Chapter 3 for Israel to cross the Jordan River. They are faced with three choices: Will they have faith? Will they obey? Will they remember what God has done?
Message #4 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Joshua sends two men into the land as spies to prep before the people cross the Jordan. In Jericho they meet a prostitute named Rahab who helps them with lodging and an escape from the city. In Joshua 2 God saves, redeems, and uses very ordinary people.
Message #3 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day In Joshua 1 we see a vivid example of how God expects spiritual authority to work among his people. In all things, God is our ultimate authority, just as he was Joshua's and all of Israel's. Joshua is a good leader who submits to God's authority, obeys him, and works to foster unity among the people he is leading.
Message #2 of 18 - SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day Moses is dead, and Joshua is in. After years of waiting, wandering, and suffering because of the sinfulness of a previous generation, Joshua is given the green light to enter the Promised Land with God's people. Joshua is to remember God's continual presence, he is to be strong and courageous, and most importantly he is to be obedient.
Message #1 of 18 – SERIES: Joshua: Choose This Day This message sets up the background for the Old Testament book of Joshua and the man Joshua. Joshua is a book about Jesus, and our continual need to choose him over our idols. Will Jesus be First or will you? Make a choice.
We're all image bearers of God designed to reflect and image Jesus. Just as a mirror can only reflect and image what it is focused on, the same is true for us. We only image and reflect what it is we point our lives at, that is, what we worship. What are you focused on? Will you worship and image Jesus, or worship and image your idols?
Sometimes it seems like a weird detail that Jesus, Joseph, and Mary escaped to Egypt to avoid Herod's insanity in Matthew 2, but the reason was to fulfill prophecy and to identify Jesus with his people. In the original Exodus of the Old Testament God redeemed his people from the captivity of Pharaoh. It all foreshadowed the new exodus where God redeems his people from the captivity of sin by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. (Matthew 2:13-15)
Jesus would have been a toddler at the time a group of "wise men" from the east showed up at his mother's door to worship the boy born as King of the Jews. Their journey was costly and the gifts they brought were incredibly valuable. Herod the Great (appointed by Rome to rule in that region as "King of the Jews") was troubled by their arrival when he learned that a threat to his throne had been born nearby. But Jesus' mother, Mary, would have experienced their arrival as an incredible expression of God's grace and steadfast love. (Matthew 2:1-12)
Matthew writes his gospel to a Jewish audience, and tends to focus on Joseph in his account of Jesus' first coming. The obedience of Jesus' adopted dad, Joseph, is a great example for us. He loved his wife Mary well and he was quick to obey God when God spoke to him. God speaks to us primarily through his written Word, and we, like Joseph, need to believe his Word and act upon it, no matter how we feel, because God promises a good result. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Why does God include genealogies in the Bible? In Jesus' family tree are prostitutes, noblemen, cowards, warriors, redeemers, murderers & kings… and Jesus would be Savior of them all. No matter who you are or what you've done, Jesus loves you, can save you, and will use you to build his Kingdom. (Matthew 1:1-17)
Part #12 of Membership Class: Why Should I Pursue Membership? – In this session we cover the mission of the church (Great Commission, Great Commandment); the structure of Wawasee Bible; why a person should consider church membership; and finally we walk through the Membership Covenant.
Part #11 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning Response and Eternal Destiny – In this session we cover the tenth article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Part #10 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning Christ's Return – In this session we cover the ninth article of our Statement of Faith: We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Part #9 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning Christian Living – In this session we cover the eighth article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Part #8 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning The Church – In this session we cover the seventh article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Part #7 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning The Holy Spirit – In this session we cover the sixth article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christlike living and service.
Part #6 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning The Work of Jesus Christ – In this session we cover the fifth article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
Part #5 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning Jesus Christ – In this session we cover the fourth article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus-Israel’s promised Messiah-was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
Part #4 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning The Human Condition – In this session we cover the third article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Part #3 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning The Bible – In this session we cover the second article of our Statement of Faith: We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
Part #2 of Membership Class: What We Believe Concerning God – In this session we cover the first article of our Statement of Faith: We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
Part #1 of Membership Class: Who We Are – In this session we cover the basics about Wawasee Community Bible Church and the Evangelical Free Church of America, of which Wawasee Bible is a part.
The crown of all the covenants is the New Covenant. The New Covenant is the Gospel. It is God's incredible grace and mercy given to us in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the New Covenant is a better covenant, founded upon better promises—because the one keeping both sides of the agreement is God himself, and God never breaks his promises.
God promises a Kingdom that will last forever to David in 2 Samuel 7. And the King who will reign and rule that Kingdom forever will come through David's lineage. And that King will be and is Jesus. As citizens of Jesus' Kingdom, now, and as a church that serves as an outpost of his Kingdom, we are to be all about honoring, serving, and loving our King. In short, it's all about Jesus!
We cover a very large portion of Scripture this week. Our focus in the Covenant series is to see God's pursuing love, his covenantal love toward his people. The story of Passover and the Exodus is one of the clearest demonstrations of this in all of Scripture, foreshadowing plainly the coming life, ministry, and work of Jesus. Multiple applications are spread throughout the message this week, and we wrap with a focus on forgiveness.
Tom Speicher re-preaches his sermon through Matthew @ Acts from the first service of Wawasee Bible in 1986.
This is an original recording of the very first sermon at Wawasee Bible. Tom Speicher preaches through Matthew & Acts.
Message #5 – SERIES: Covenant Abram was a sinful and idolatrous man for most of his life before meeting Jesus. God rescues him from his sin and calls him to follow him, leaving everything he ever knew at the ripe old age of 75. God would give Abram a son by the womb of his barren wife, Sarai. He changes their names to Abraham and Sarah and through their line in Isaac promises a coming Redeemer in Jesus. Though he was sinful and often full of doubt, God drew near to Abraham time and time again in covenant love as his protector and great reward.
Message #4 – SERIES: Covenant The story of Noah is the story of the Gospel. Noah is saved by God's grace, and his rescue foreshadows our own rescue by Jesus. God's covenant with Noah demonstrates his relentless pursuing love and his vow to keep his promises—both to those who trust Jesus and to those who reject Jesus.
Message #3 – SERIES: Covenant The covenant of marriage is a reflection of God's covenantal love with us. Marriage is God's idea. It is intended to be an unconditional and unbreakable lifetime commitment between one man, one woman, and God himself. Biblical marriage is the foundation upon which family, culture, government, and society is built.
Message #2 – SERIES: Covenant God's covenant with Adam can be found in Genesis 1-3. God promises a savior to redeem us and deal with our sin. During the first part of this message, Pastor Josh lays out our plan to revise and restructure Church Membership at Wawasee Bible in the Fall of 2011.
Message #1 – SERIES: Covenant As an introduction to our series on the biblical covenants, Pastor Josh gives an initial overview of and introduction to biblical covenants.
Message #4 of 4 - SERIES: Money: God or Gift? Jesus demonstrates both his compassion and his authority in this passage. While he desires to serve us, he requires we remain faithful. We are to wait ready for his return, stewarding our lives, our time, talent, and treasure until the Master returns. (And he is returning!) Would you live and give in the same way if you believed Jesus were returning tomorrow?
Message #3 of 4 - SERIES: Money: God or Gift? This week we look at Jesus' commands again anxiety, worry, and fear, as well as his exhortation not to set our hearts on "stuff". Instead, we should set our minds and hearts on eternal things, for "where our treasure is, there will our heart be also."
Message #2 of 4 - SERIES: Money: God or Gift? Jesus warns us against covetousness can calls us to be content. The example of the Rich Fool reminds us not to merely be rich toward ourselves, but to be rich toward God. For more on this passage, check out "The Parable of the Rich Fool" by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church, Seattle. You can download, watch, or listen to it here: http://goo.gl/Tsnlb Pastor Josh borrowed many insights from Pastor Mark's teaching in this message.
Message #1 of 4 - SERIES: Money: God or Gift? We begin a 4-week series on Jesus' parables in Luke 12 where he addresses the issue of material wealth. We start by examining our fears and discovering our idols.
For Fathers' Day 2011 we taught from Ephesians 6:1-4, encouraging all fathers to be their family's pastor. We also gave out a copy of the book "Pastor Dad" by Mark Driscoll to all of the men that morning. You can download a free PDF of "Pastor Dad" at theresurgence.com.
Message #22 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Our final message from the book of Colossians looks at some of Paul's instructions to individuals in Colossae, and takes some time to explore the restoration of Mark to gospel ministry with Paul.
Message #21 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First We wrap up Paul's corporate instruction to the church of Colossae in 4:2-6. Paul finishes up the implications of putting on the new self and putting off the old self, living lives of prayerful dependence, wisdom, and graciousness.
Message #20 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First In this week's study, Paul teaches on Jesus being First outside the home, addressing the relationships between a slave and their master. In our context, this will correspond most to our work place (be it a formal job, a volunteer position, or an informal job inside the home). Jesus is First at Work.
Message #19 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First In this week's study, Paul extends his teaching on living like Jesus to the home. We look at one of the powder keg issues of Scripture this week, studying biblical gender roles in the home. We explore what biblical submission is and is not, and what biblical headship is and is not as it relates to husbands and wives.
Message #18 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First This week we look at the other side of Paul's exhortation to "Dress the Part" as a follower of Jesus. Not only should we put off and kill our sin, but we need to replace it with something, and put on the new self.
Message #17 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First In Chapter 3, Paul goes into practical application as he compares the change that ought to take place in the life of a believer with a change of clothes. Off with the old, on with the new. We look this week at killing sin, taking off the old self, by "fighting pleasure with pleasure" (the fleeting pleasure of sin vs. the eternal pleasure of Jesus).
Message #16 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First This week we look at Paul's exhortation to "hold fast to the Head"—to hold fast to Jesus—in light of the false teaching that was affecting the Colossian church. FYI, our time was cut short this morning due to the "Seeking Things Above" presentation that preceded the message.
Message #15 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First On Easter Resurrection Sunday, we explore some facts concerning the resurrection, then dive into Colossians 2:13-15 where we see that the record of sin for which Jesus died was not his own, but ours. And by his death and resurrection, our record of sin can be set aside, cancelled, and forgiven as Jesus pays it in full!
Message #14 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First This week Paul encourages us to test everything according to Jesus and not be taken captive by empty, false teaching. This extends even to our understanding of who we are as believers and our identity in Jesus Christ. We are filled and made complete in Jesus.
Message #13 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Tim Cressman is our guest this week as he preaches from the book of Philemon. When Paul sent his letter to the church in Colossae, he included a personal letter for a man who lived in Colossae named Philemon. In the letter, Paul pleaded with Philemon to restore his relationship with Onesimus, demonstrating that Jesus is First. – If it’s true that Jesus is First, then it should have some bearing on how we live our lives! The simple truth of the preeminence of Christ should create some traction in every-day life. Philemon serves as a case-study: will the Gospel be enough to overcome ingrained social-structures and restore the broken relationships that could never normally be restored? Is Jesus really enough?
Message #12 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Paul's desire is for the people in Colossae to Learn Continually. We apply some Wawasee Bible vocabulary to Paul's teaching in Colossians 2:1-7: A Fully Devoted Follower of Jesus Christ is to LEARN CONTINUALLY about Jesus, and LEARN CONTINUALLY to image Jesus.
Message #11 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Paul is clear that his goal is to proclaim Jesus and present everyone fully mature on the last day. He has suffered, is suffering, and expects to suffer more for the sake of Christ, but it is all worth it because his focus is the last day.
Message #10 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week we see the reconciling work of Jesus Christ on the cross in 1:19-23.
Tom Speicher preaches on dealing with our inadequacy, looking at examples of those in Scripture who dealt with feelings of inadequacy.
Message #9 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week we look at the second half of verse 18 and how Jesus is First in everything. We derived the title for this series, "Jesus is First", from this verse. Also included this week is an audio clip from the late, S.M. Lockridge preaching on Jesus as the preeminent King.
Message #8 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week we look at verse 18a, "And he [Jesus] is head of the body, the church." It's Ecclesiology 101 this week as we examine the nature and function of the church under the authority of Jesus.
Message #7 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week we look at verses 15b-17 and Paul's clear statements on the deity of Jesus. His role in creation. His role in sustaining creation. And his role ruling over creation.
Message #6 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week we finish where we left off last week with Jesus as the perfect image bearer, and how he perfectly images God and perfectly models who we were created to be.
Message #5 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week compare Colossians 1:15a (Jesus is the image of the invisible God) with Genesis 1:26-27 (where all mankind is created bearing the image of God).
A brief overview of the Bible's teaching about baptism. This was recorded on Sunday, January 30, 2011. The "who what when why how" as we see it. There's a lot of varying views on baptism between different denominations and with the wide variety of backgrounds in our church, we take some time every now and then before baptisms to make sure everyone is on the same page. We recorded it this time and are posting it online.
Message #4 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week we backtrack a bit into verses 9-10 as well as 11-14. We look at the four things Paul prays for the church in Colossae (v. 9-12) and how all of it is rooted in a right understanding of our Gospel Identity. (v. 12-14)
Message #3 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week includes a discussion on the biblical process of discerning God's will and the five traits of a Fully Devoted Follower. We also spend time casting vision for the launch of our 1:10 Community Groups.
Message #2 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week includes the beginning of Paul's prayer for the church in Colossae in chapter 1. We focus on the truth, power, and fruit of the gospel.
Message #1 of 22 – SERIES: Colossians: Jesus is First Pastor Josh preaches through the book of Colossians in this 21-week series on the New Testament letter of Paul. This week includes primarily backrgound information on the letter, the city of Colossae, and the church in Colossae.
Message #2 of 2 - SERIES: Day of Atonement – To fully unerstand the cross of Christ, you must understand what is happening in Leviticus 16 on the Day of Atonement. Each goat, the sin offering and the scapegoat, point to what Jesus would ulimately accomplish as the Lamb of God as our propitiation and expiation. These two messages are from Pastor Josh's candidating services when being called to the role of Lead Pastor in the fall of 2010.
Message #1 of 2 - SERIES: Day of Atonement – To fully unerstand the cross of Christ, you must understand what is happening in Leviticus 16 on the Day of Atonement. Each goat, the sin offering and the scapegoat, point to what Jesus would ulimately accomplish as the Lamb of God as our propitiation and expiation. These two messages are from Pastor Josh's candidating services when being called to the role of Lead Pastor in the fall of 2010.
2 Samuel 9:1-13 | GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Tiberius Rata, Chair of Biblical Studies at Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana.
Titus 2:11-14 | GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Tiberius Rata, Chair of Biblical Studies at Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana.
Tom Speicher preaches from Romans 3:21-31 • Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010 About Tom Speicher: Tom and his brother Ned planted Wawasee Community Bible Church together on September 6, 1986. Tom continues to be a part of our church family, serves in ministry, and preaches occassionally.
Message #10 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're in 1 Peter 2, studying the Biblical command of submission. Pastor Josh celebrates 7 years at Wawasee Bible and shares his heart for the future.
Message #9 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're in Numbers 16, studying Korah's Rebellion and taking off a rebellious attitude.
Message #8 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're replacing a doubting attitude with an attitude of faith, studying from Hebrews 11 and the book of Matthew.
Message #7 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're in Numbers 13-14 and taking off a doubting attitude.
Message #6 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're replacing a critical attitude with an attitude of love.
Message #5 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're in Numbers 12 and taking off a critical attitude.
Message #4 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're replacing a covetous attitude with an attitude of contentment.
Message #3 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're in Numbers 11 and taking off a covetous attitude.
Message #2 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're putting off a complaining attitude and putting on a thankful attitude.
Message #1 of 10 – SERIES: Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late!) We're studying Numbers 11-16 while working through the book, "Lord, Change My Attitude" by James MacDonald. This week we're in Numbers 11 and taking off a complaining attitude.