Rosewood Church Online: Recent Episodes
Rosewood Church
Welcome to the Rosewood Church Online, we are a Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan. Our mission as a church is to be a church empowered by Christ to reveal his love and reach our communities. As a church value equipping one another for spiritual growth, welcoming our neighbors with joyful hospitality, and serving through acts of compassion and generosity. We pray you are blessed by the content you find here. In-Person Services + Livestream Sundays at 9:30AM via our Youtube Channel! For more information on our church visit Rosewoodchurch.org
What are we really trusting to bring us security and peace?
In the first message of our Never Enough series, we look at Jesus’ warning in Luke 12 about the quiet danger of believing that “just a little more” will finally be enough. Through the story of the rich fool and the widow’s offering, we discover that being “rich toward God” isn’t about how much we have, but where our trust is placed.
Join us as we learn what it means to live with open hands before the God who is truly enough.
What if following Jesus wasn't about finding a hidden map, but following a compass? Check out this week's sermon, "The Main Thing," and discover how Jesus simplifies life to one powerful direction: love God and love people.
What if we’ve made following Jesus harder than He did?
We have a habit of adding to what God has already said and creating our own “thou better nots.”
Pastor Lindsey led us this morning teaching us the difference between God’s truth and the fences we build around it, and the freedom Jesus offers.
Forgiveness doesn’t change what happened, but it can change what keeps happening in you. It’s one of the hardest things Jesus calls us to, yet one of the most freeing.
Sabbath isn’t about getting everything done. It’s about trusting the One who holds everything together.
In a world that tells us our worth is found in what we produce, Jesus reminds us that rest is a gift. We don’t rest because there’s nothing left to do. We rest because we belong to God.
This week we started a new sermon series called Summer Break. Pastor Howard kicks off the series with his message “What are You Really Chasing?”. He focuses on Matthew 6 to challenge us to not let worry steal our peace.
We all carry weight too important to drop, but too heavy to carry alone. In today’s message Pastor Austin uses the story of Jairus to help us examine what it is to share our burdens with Christ.
Today in our Swords and Thrones series we looked at King Hezekiah and how the patterns we establish reveal who is truly on the throne of our lives, because more is caught than taught.
Is Jesus on the throne of your life, or is He just in the room?
We usually don't drift from God when life falls apart...we drift when life is going well. Pastor Austin continues our series on Hezekiah.
When life gets chaotic, don't default to "button mashing" and panic. True power looks like the calm, unbothered control of a God who works in the whispers. Today Pastor Lindsey continues our series on Hezekiah.
Following God doesn’t guarantee an easy path, sometimes life gets harder. This week, we explored how King Hezekiah faithfully led his people back to God, only to face an immediate invasion. Centuries later, Jesus faced a similar trial when the Spirit led Him from His baptism straight into the wilderness to be tempted.
Missed the kickoff of our brand-new series, Swords and Thrones? In today’s message, "Good to God," we looked at how easily a good thing can turn into an idol when we trust the method instead of the Maker. God is moving, but we cannot keep up if we are holding onto safety blankets or managing things that pull us away from Him.
Pastor Austin shared a beautiful reminder this Mother’s Day: your worth isn't found in how much you can carry or how much you are needed, but in how deeply you are loved by God. You don’t have to be the savior of your family or hold every piece together because Jesus already does.
Pastor Austin wrapped up our series, Thessalonians Pt. 2, with his final message: "The Meantime Matters." If you've been feeling burnt out or just going through the motions, this message is for you.
Pastor Lindsey Burkey this morning shares how the Gospel provides the "spoilers" we need to stay steady. When you know the story begins with God’s love and ends with Christ’s glory, the middle doesn't feel so overwhelming.
Don't let your "middle" moments hide what God is doing.
Don’t let the gap between “what is” and “what if” become a playground for fear and rumors. If you missed this Sunday’s message, “Don’t Fall for the Hype,” join us on this podcast to learn how to test every message against the peace of Jesus. Link in the comments.
We’re back in Thessalonians! This morning, Pastor Austin kicked off 2 Thessalonians by looking at God's relentless pursuit of us even when life isn't fair. We tackled hard questions about justice and evil, landing on the beautiful reality of God’s character: His patience is the greatest evidence that He is not only just, but good.
"The resurrection isn’t just a happy ending to a sad story; it’s the verdict on whether Jesus is who He claimed to be."
In Piero della Francesca’s The Resurrection, we see a powerful divide: lifeless trees on the left and vibrant, green trees on the right. Jesus stands at the center, the transition point from death to life.
The war is won, the tomb is empty, and the victory is ours.
This week in our Spiritual Renaissance series, we looked at Da Vinci’s Last Supper to discover a life-changing truth: Jesus isn’t asking you to "act" like a Christian or fix your life before you show up.
He’s simply inviting you to trust Him the merciful God who loves you even when you feel you have nothing to offer.
Rembrandt painted The Return of the Prodigal Son near the end of his life, capturing the raw essence of forgiveness. This week, Pastor Austin uses this iconic work to remind us that God’s grace is bigger than our biggest mistakes.
If you’ve been lowering your expectations of what God can do because of where you’ve been, this message is for you!
What can a 500-year-old painting teach us about God’s timing?
Today, Pastor Lindsey walked us through Da Vinci's The Annunciation as part of our Spiritual Renaissance series. It was a compelling look at Mary’s courage and faith.
New Series: Could seeing the story of Jesus in new ways change how you see God? We’ll look at some of the most famous works of Renaissance art to uncover fresh truths, because when you begin to see the beauty of God’s story differently, it just might spark a spiritual renaissance in you, too.
This week we look at The Creation of Adam with Pastor Austin.
Pastor Austin wraps up our series dedicated to 1 Thessalonians. Looking at the last chapters of the book of 1 Thessalonians.
“Heaven is the future, but the world is your present. Don’t retreat or wage war on culture. Be a faithful presence no matter what.” Pastor Austin continues his sermon series on Thessalonians digging into Chapter 4.
“When Paul says, ‘I was afraid, so I sent Timothy,’ he was reflecting the heart of God, because at the core of the Christian faith is that God loves up close. And because God loves us up close, we move towards others in love, and sometimes it is your heartfelt worry that prevents us from sliding into apathy.”
Pastor Austin continues the Thessalonians sermon series this week looking at 1 Thessalonians 3.
Today Pastor Lindsey continues our Thessalonians series focusing on Chapter 2 of 1 Thessalonians.
Today we begin a new series in Thessalonians. Join us as we explore these letters and discover their powerful message for the church today.
Depending on God and others isn’t the problem. It's the solution. Pastor Austin messages focuses on our dependence on God and not on ourselves.
Pastor Lindsey continues the Self-Insufficient sermon series with a focus on community and our faith.
Pastor Austin continues the Self-Insufficiency sermon series. He focuses on God's strength above our own. He pulls his message from Corinthians 12:7-10.
Today, we’re starting a new series titled Self-Insufficient. For the month of January we are holding a mirror up to our culture which celebrates independence as strength and freedom. Self-sufficiency is a dominate and growing value.
Pastor Austin challenges us to find Jesus in our everyday lives, in the ordinary and quiet of life. What routine in your life feels small, but could become sacred if you invited God into it?
Pastor Austin continues the Advent sermon series: Unexpected King. Today he focuses on Joseph’s response to Mary becoming pregnant and his unexpected response.
Pastor Lindsey preaches week 2 of Advent on the unexpected choice God makes in choosing Mary to bring Jesus into the world.
Remember that your gratitude reflects the heart of God, who doesn’t just feel love for you, but expresses it through the gift of the resurrection and new life.
The same God who showed up so unexpectedly in a manger will show up for you. It may not be when you expect, but it will be when it’s right. Join us for our Advent series: An Unexpected King.
What if you stopped waiting for everything in life to line up to give thanks?
What if instead you began to anchor your gratitude in the one thing that never changes – the love of God for you in Jesus?
Join us for our new sermon series that will lead us into Advent, Gratitude Changes You.
Today Pastor Lindsey continued our sermon series on Forgiveness. She dives into Genesis 41 following Joesph and his journey of forgiveness.
Success Is a test that will tempt you to forget everything you learned in the school of hard knocks. Success is a test that will threatened who you have become and challenge you whether life’s lessons created within you superficial change or lasting transformation. Quite literally, success can cause you to forget who you are. Pastor Austin challenges us in this sermon… How do we react when things are going well? How did Joesph react?
When you feel like your world is closing in and when you’re consumed with your own problems, step into someone else’s. You’ll be amazed how lifting another person’s burden changes the weight of your own. This week Pastor Austin continues his sermon series “Plot Twist” as we learn about Joseph.
Where is God calling you to protect your integrity? Join us as we follow Joseph’s story in our sermon series Plot Twist.
Today we are starting a new sermon series called Plot Twist. We will follow Joseph’s story and the last sections of Genesis.
To be a church that truly reflects the heart of God is to be a church that takes heat, especially from other Christians. Because Jesus wasn’t crucified for fitting into people’s expectations. Today Pastor Austin wraped up this sermon series: Criticizing Jesus. If you missed it or want to hear more check out our playlist on YouTube with the whole series: https://shorturl.at/5RCRx
As a whole, though, the Messiah was expected to be political, nationalistic, and militaristic. This was the mold…. The cross wasn’t what anyone expected. But it was exactly what the world needed. Pastor Austin continues the “Criticizing Jesus” sermon series with a look at how we want a different Jesus than who we need.
This week, Pastor Austin continues his series, Criticizing Jesus. He examines Jesus' divinity and how we can question it today.
Jesus didn’t come to break God’s rules (law), but he is more than willing to break yours.He came to tear down every barrier we built on top of his law that needlessly separates people from God and the love of his Church.
Grace isn’t fair and that’s the beauty of it. By grace, God gives us what we don’t deserve and withholds what we do.
This Sunday, Pastor Austin is kicking off a brand-new sermon series: “Criticizing Jesus.”
Together we’ll explore the criticisms people had of Jesus and the ones we sometimes find ourselves wrestling with too.
Pastor Eric Peterson from Benjamin's Hope preached this week. We celebrated possibility Sunday at Rosewood.
This morning Pastor Austin concludes the sermon series “Soul Care” with his sermon on repentance. Repentance restores what sin broke…repentance isn’t just something we do when we feel guilty, it is what we are supposed to do as we live our lives.
Pastor Lindsey preached about the intentionality of praise. Because Praise Requires Intentionality. David is telling his soul to praise. He’s not just swept up in an emotional high or caught up in a whirlwind of energy and excitement. He’s making a choice. It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, soul - get in line. This is what we’re doing."
This week Pastor Austin started a new series entitled: Soul Care. Self-care often considers spiritual health a lifestyle add-on, but the soul isn’t an accessory; it’s at the core of who you are.
Don’t wait to start pouring out. Don’t wait for the perfect outcome before you start doing something with your overflow. Start today. Trust him today. Lindsey Burkey continues the Ruth series.
Today Pastor Austin started a new series on Ruth. We hope you will join us this summer as we’re discover the truths Ruth’s story has to offer us.
Pastor Lindsey finished us our Titus sermon series with a sermon on community. Who are you investing in? Who are you encouraging? Who are you inviting to serve alongside you…not just so you can step away, but so the work of the Kingdom continues to grow beyond just you?
Full Service Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/QwLFvoimVbU?feature=shared
In the face of your faults and sin, God doesn’t just say, “I forgive you.” In grace, God also says, “Let me help you.” This week Pastor Austin continues the Titus sermon series.
Believing that God wants you act right before you can be right with him keeps curious seekers feeling like they can’t measure up. It causes lifelong Christians to doubt their salvation as the end of their life is approaching. It fuels hateful rhetoric against people who don’t fit a prescribed church mold.
God doesn’t begin with rules. He begins with relationship.
To hear more from Pastor Austin's Sermon series on Titus check out our YouTube channel or other episodes in our series.
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@rosewoodchurch1831?feature=shared
The gospel went from Jesus ➡️ to Peter ➡️ to Paul ➡️ to Titus … ➡️ to you.
And now, the question is, Who’s next? What are you going to do with it?
This week Pastor Austin kicks off a new series on Titus!
“Be angry and do not sin.” - It’s possible. But not by willpower. By the grace and power of God in us. Pastor Austin continues his sermon series “Auto Response”.
Salvation isn’t the story of us flagging God down as we lie on the side of the road, it’s the story of God’s mercy seeking us out in the pit of sin, lifting us up, bandaging our wounds, and healing our hearts so that we, in turn, can extend compassion to others.
This week, Pastor Austin continues the “Auto Response” sermon series, challenging us to wake up, recognize the needs around us, and take action.
God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear. Fear is not your identity. You are not a slave to fear. You are a child of God. This week Pastor Lindsey continued the sermon series "Auto Response" with her sermon on fear.
This morning Pastor Austin kicks off a new series called "Auto Response." Life has a way of lulling us into auto-pilot. Decisions get made without a second thought. But if we look more closely, our auto responses may just show us where we have fallen out of step with God.
When Jesus met Thomas in his doubt, he didn’t reject him because of it. There’s no shame to be heaped upon Thomas because he was a holdout. After Jesus tells Thomas to touch his hands and side to give him the empirical proof he is desperate for, Jesus says to him:
"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
This is the final message in our Easter Peeps series.
Peter was trapped in shame and despair, but the resurrected Savior released him into a new beginning. A restart to live a life unashamed of Christ. Pastor Austin continued his Easter series, He examines Peter's journey of redemption.
Your story isn’t over, so your hope isn’t gone, because Jesus is alive, and that changes everything. Today's sermon explores how Cleopas and his friend respond to hearing about the resurrection from Jesus.
Cleansed. Committed. Commissioned.
That’s Mary’s story. And if we’re paying attention, it might just be our story too. Pastor Lindsey Burkey's sermon on Mary Magdalene kicks off our Easter series "Easter Peeps".
Growing in faith, then, is not just getting better at Bible trivia, nor is it just doing what God wants, it’s trusting he is who he says and will do what he has promised. And as your confidence and trust in him grows, so you grow in faith. This is the last message in Pastor Austin's series " I AM".
Like Jesus we are called to seek the hurting and disenfranchised and be their friends. Our love is to be like the love Jesus showed in service to his friends. Pastor Austin continues the "I AM" series this morning, check out the rest of the series in our other podcasts labeled " I Am"
A faith that doesn’t grow up cannot stand up to the rigors of life in a broken world. This morning Austin continues the "I AM" series with I am the resurrection and the life.
You and I were in Jesus’ mind when he said this. Unless you’re an ethnic Jew from Jerusalem, you and I are the sheep of other pastures that have been welcomed into the flock of Christ. Pastor Austin continues his series on the book of John and Jesus "I am" statement.
"The purpose for miracles comes down to revealing Jesus’ identity as God. So, it’s not about ‘look at what I can do!’ but ‘Look at who I am!’ He was showing who He was, not showing off what He could do." Pastor Austin continues the series " I am" with Jesus as the gate.
And it’s not because we’re so great. It’s not because we have it all together or because we’ve figured everything out. It’s because he is in us. His light in us is what makes us shine. Pastor Lindsey continues the "I AM" series this week.
Maybe you have already received the Bread of Life, but you've become distracted. You are so busy thinking about your next opportunity to feed on the Word of God. When was the last time you really hungered for time with Jesus? Maybe the Holy Spirit is calling you to come back? Pastor Lindsey kicks off our new series from the book of John called I AM.
Perhaps the most regrettable decision we can make is to allow our pride to double down on regret by refusing to repent when we realize we applied part of all our life to something that wasn’t true. This is the final part of Pastor Austin's series.
The more you understand who God is, the more you understand his will (or desire) for his creation, and the more you understand his will, the more you understand the line between wisdom and foolishness. Pastor Austin continues his series Should’ve, Could’ve, Would’ve with his sermon called "Foolish Regret."
If you are experiencing a tension, pay attention. Because that tension, that pause, that red flag, that feeling that something’s off, may very well be God protecting you from a very regretful decision.
In fact, he doesn’t just understand your heart, he took every deceitful thought and regretful decision upon himself on the cross. Will you and I still experience consequences in life for bad decisions – absolutely. But thanks to Jesus we are separated from the eternal consequences of our sins. Pastor Austin started his new series called "Should’ve, Could’ve, Would’ve" with this sermon.
What does God have prepared for you and for this church that will require you to pre-decide to trust God? To follow in the footsteps of Mary and Joseph from the highs of Jesus’ birth to the lows of fleeing for their life.
The kingship of Jesus, announced by the angels prior to his birth and confirmed by the wisemen, made no sense until the resurrection. Pastor Austin finises his Advent series with the Jesus as king of kings.
When it comes down to it, as Jesus offered his life as the ultimate act of sacrificial love, so we offer ourselves to the need of others. Pastor Austin continues his Advent series with Jesus as priest.
Jesus is the Prophet, which means that when you remember the Christmas story, it’s not just the story of a baby but of a prophet who would call the world to repentance, challenge us to live for the kingdom and kingdom values, and become the Word made flesh to show us what truth really is.
The mystery of the gospel - God’s incredible plan for us through Christ - far exceeds anything we could imagine. Jesus is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or expect.
God’s grace and continued acceptance of you is not the product of an if/than contract, it is a cut covenant where God does all the heavy lifting. By faith – not works, not the law, not your parents – but by faith – that you grafted into the bloodline of God.
Today Pastor Dan Eisnor continues the "Bloodlines" sermon series focusing on Kind David.
Jesus was born out of a line of kings, but also prostitutes, swindlers, human traffickers, and manipulators. Before Jesus’ story even begins, God’s story was one of turning messes into miracles through his grace. Pastor Austin starts a new series called Bloodlines.
Tithing and living for something eternal are closely related. Tithing breaks our gaze from the things that are temporary to look towards things that are eternal. This is the final sermon from Pastor Austin's series on Malachi.
Today we live in an era of hope. Not hope in the world, but hope in Jesus. We remain susceptible to the refining judgement of the Lord, but through faith not the punitive judgement.
NEXT WEEKS NOV 4 PODCAST WILL BE DELAYED A WEEK.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rosewoodchurch1831
You are bound to act in self-indulgence and break the covenant order with God and others. But thanks be to Jesus who died in your place because “he remains faithful,” and he will not disown you. The promises you share with God are not bound together by your faithfulness, they are held together by God’s faithfulness in Christ.
Pastor Austin begins a new series on Malachi today. Malachi’s message ultimately is to return to the Lord, but what you see over and over is that God’s love isn’t given after his people turn towards him, but before.
This week we had a guest Pastor from the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf where we will be taking a mission trip next Summer. He brings a message from James.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Pastor Austin continues his series on discipleship.
If Jesus is what you seek, you will find yourself present with people you didn’t expect. That’s what discipleship should do – move you from distant to present, just like Jesus moved towards you by grace to save you through faith.
Worship is the act of surrendering every aspect of our lives to the God who is worthy of everything we have and everything we are. When we meet together on Sunday mornings in this room to sing, pray, and study the Word together, it can be worship, when the words we read and pray and sing truly reflect the posture of our hearts.
Watching what God is doing in others isn’t bad. It’s encouraging to hear the testimony of others. And you can’t do everything, or be everything to every person. But don’t settle for someone else’s faith by being a watcher of Jesus. Be a follower.
Jesus is giving you an invitation, not a command, to treasure him and be his student, or his disciple. Jesus is likable, but don't settle for just liking him.
That in Christ, you are a beloved child of the God who freely adopts you by grace. That’s your identity. And it’s the most freeing position to be in. You’re no longer bound by an obligation to act obediently and be a good person. Instead, out of the pleasure of your position, you and I serve God and serve others.
As we fight against anxiety in our lives, we’re promised not just the peace of God, but that the God of peace will be with us. The God of peace is with you as you surrender, as you release your iron grip and bring your needs before Him. The God of peace is with you as you praise Him in the midst of the pain and the struggle. The God of peace is with you as you focus on the good, as you look for the ways He is working in the world. And the God of peace is with you as you practice peace, as you follow His leading one step at a time. The God of peace will be with you.
When we find ourselves in the midst of the storm, can you embrace the storm and ask the "how" not the "why" question? How is God using this storm to teach me? Pastor Newhouse brings us his message from Acts. Let your mess be your message of God's purpose.
He is all about lost things. That’s why Jesus came, that’s why he died, and that’s why he rose again. Because we couldn’t find ourselves without his grace. Whether you’re a prodigal son or an older son, God loves you and misses you. Jesus is the friend of all, not the faultless. Pastor Austin finishes his 3-week sermon series on the lost parables of Jesus.
At this point, you can see that whether you believe all this or not, it doesn’t affect God’s love for you. God’s love of you is not contingent upon your love for him. That’s why he misses what is lost. He misses you. Pastor Austin continues his series on the Lost Parables.
If you asked the son to tell the story, he’d tell you about all the bad things he’s done and all his regrets. If you were to ask the father to tell the story, he would tell you, “My son is back! I’m throwing a party!” Pastor Austin starts his new series on the lost parables today.
Your propensity towards sin should frustrate you, but don’t let it condemn you. Because God is a God of grace who makes a way so that imperfect people like you can have a vibrant life with him. Pastor Austin preaches on one of his favorite passages from the Bible, Romans 7.
Do your kids have questions about heaven? Today Pastor Austin finishes his series of answering kids' questions about God. Check out our next series on the Lost Parables of Jesus starting July 7.
Follow Jesus daily. Engage in prayer, Scripture, and community. Take aim at knowing Jesus, not just about Jesus, and you also will learn to distinguish his whisper from amongst the noise. This week Pastor Austin helps us answer the question if God still speaks to us.
Many parents are stumped on how to talk about the Trinity with their kids. Part of the problem is as adults we aren’t too sure ourselves about the Trinity, so how can we help our kids when they ask questions?
We often think of God in the Old Testament God as an angry judge, and in the New Testament as loving and compassionate. However, if we see God as a loving parent with boundaries between right and wrong, we can understand some of these questions about God "behaving badly".
It’s important to recognize that for many of us, death isn’t something we’re comfortable with, much less talking to a child about it. Death is taboo. Death is uncomfortable. And death is mysterious. But here’s what you can do to help answer questions with your kids about death: You can help them feel safe, sad, and glad. Today Pastor Austin continues our sermon series where we help you answer kid's questions about God, the church, and the Christian faith.
Today Lindsey Burkey starts our series called "You Asked For It." This series was inspired by conversations that we’ve been having with parents around the tough questions Rosewood kids are asking. And we want to embrace these tough questions.
This week Pastor Howard concludes our series "To My Friend Who Left the Faith..." he focuses on grief and suffering. We cannot truly appreciate the resurrection of Jesus if we don’t spend some time at the looking at the cross and watching Mary witness the cruel death of her son. “Sometimes, it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.” But then, in the midst of our grief in the graveyard, comes the earthquake of the resurrection.
Note this sermon focuses on the loss of a child.
Thomas followed Jesus faithfully. He was there for Jesus’ teachings, and he witnessed amazing miracles. But I want you to see it is absolutely possible to faithfully walk with Jesus for years and still walk through a season of doubt. Pastor Austin brings us this message on doubt and questions.
Today Pastor Greg Brower continues our series "To my friend who left the faith."
He focuses on science and the importance of understanding what the Bible says vs a literal historical or scientific interpretation of the Bible.
Lindsey Burkey preaches a sermon entitled To My Friend Who Left the Faith: Because of Moralism.
We can sometimes think of our Christian faith as a system: a series of inputs and outcomes. The more good you put in, the more God that comes out. We bring our kids to church, pray before dinner, and avoid using any four-letter words in their presence. We teach them to dress appropriately, speak respectfully, do their homework, and get home before curfew. And if we do it ‘right’, we expect the desired outcome: kids who obey, don’t get in trouble, and - eventually - raise their own kids the same way.
But genuine faith is not the same as following a list of do’s and don’ts...
Pastor Austin starts a new series called "To My Friend Who Left The Faith." So all that said, to my friend who left the faith because of other believers, I believe you left your church for good reasons, but what if you left faith unnecessarily? What if you’re right about all your critiques but wrong about what you did with them? If you could rediscover the sacrificial, loving, and good God in Scripture as revealed in Christ, could you come to believe in him without agreeing with other Christians?
The new life of Easter is that our God lives, and by grace through faith so do you. Not by what you do, but by what God says about you. Our Easter message was brought to you by Pastor Austin.
Pastor Austin finishes up his series on James. God is patient with you and he never grows tired of walking with you through your imperfection. May we all be blessed to extend the same mercy to one another.
Pastor Austin continues his series in James this week. You can receive from God, enjoy what God has given you, and still love the God who gives more than what he gives. But the only way for this to be possible is through the discipline of generosity.
Pastor Austin continues his sermon series on James. God loves people, so you can’t hate that which God loves and claim to be okay with God. Everyone is someone Jesus died for. Your love for God is affirmed and authenticated by your love for others, and the greatest test of our corporate sincerity of this truth is through the test of conflict. Conflict is hard, but it is an ideal litmus test of your love of God.
So given how important and common words are to us, it’s shouldn’t be surprising that God’s word has something to say about your words. And James has already touched on this back in chapter 1 when he said we should be quick to listen and slow to speak, but now in chapter three he devotes a good deal of time addressing God’s design for our words. Words are powerful because they can bless and curse.
Maybe you’ve been convinced that you could pull yourself up to God by your own human effort. The bad news for you is that you can’t. You can’t ever reach high enough to get to God on your own. But the good news for you is that right here, right now, the Lord is reaching out to you. The good news for you is that Jesus’ work on the cross is the only work you need to be saved. God is calling you to put your faith in him, not just your cognitive knowledge, but the trust of a child who falls willingly into their father’s arms.
Pastor Austin continues his sermon series on James. He brings us his message from chapter 3 verses 13-18. Spiritual knowledge without the love of Christ is dangerous. Spiritual knowledge without the love of Christ is how we have ended up with Christian endorsements of things counter to the kingdom.
A moralistic faith is wisdom detached from Jesus – advice without sovereignty. Works without faith. I do believe the Bible has a great deal of good advice that would make your life better whether you’re a believer or not, but if you miss Jesus you miss the whole point of the Bible
This week Pastor Austin continues his series in James with chapter 1:9-18.
God honors the fight, so keep fighting. Daily. Doubt is the first fight that we have to be ready for in trials, and there’s one more...the fight of comparison.
This week Pastor Austin starts a new series on the book of James. James says trials will come. And other Biblical authors like Paul and Peter echo James’ claim, and Jesus says it all before they do. Trials will come.
Sorry for the delay, there were technical problems this week.
From the beginning of Jesus’ life, he had a destination and he was unwavering in that direction. Pastor Austin brings us his message from Genesis 37 – 45.
God is, God was, God will be with you. Emmanuel! This is the final Sunday of Advent and the end of the series on Christmas carols. Pastor Greg Brower steps in for Pastor Austin this week.
Don’t fall into one of the many lesser versions of life with God, many of which we named today. Live a fully surrendered life. And what is a fully surrendered life? Not a Sunday Christian. Not a convenience driven Christian. But fully given over to the redemptive plan of God in you and in the world.
It’s almost like you could rewrite this song and have it say “O come, all ye sinners, weary and burdened.” God will call you as you are, but you won’t stay that way. Pastor Austin continues his Sounds of the Season series with O Come All Ye Faithful.
Christmas brings a thrill of hope that the help you’re seeking has been born. Your hope has been born. But that hope remains outside of you until you surrender to the will and presence of Christ. The help you’re seeking has been born, and this is the celebration of Advent and Christmas. Pastor Austin starts his Advent series with O Holy Night.
It’s a season spent with the people we love, but what if this year it was about the people who were hardest to love? What if this was the year when your salvation through grace was not just a gift to receive but a gift to give to the last person you’d expect? Pastor Austin finishes his series on Jonah this week with his final message.
Nineveh is important to God, even if it is not important to Jonah. If you understand this you understand the book of Jonah. Pastor Austin brings us his message from Jonah 3 this morning.
Jonah could not escape his own prejudice toward the Ninevites. Or one other way – as one of the core truths of Scripture reminds us that we too are prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love. We are the runaways. Pastor Howard continues our Runaway series on Jonah with Jonah chapter 2.
When God confronts us with our own sin, he creates an opportunity for us to respond to his mercy. God is mercifully pursuing you today, and I want to invite you to ask the Holy Spirit for His help in receiving God’s radical mercy in your life today.
This week we had our Fifth Sunday, which is a time when our whole congregation, kids and all worship together. The sermon is much shorter than usual because there were other parts too it. If you would like to see the whole thing check out the service via our Youtube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B45JNCnf0bM
We carry a light burden because we are free from the weight of performance religion and through Christ are given the gospel of grace that we are saved by the work of Jesus rather than our own. Pastor Austin continues his sermon series "Weird".
Wisdom from foolishness and strength from weakness are not just features of the gospel, they are the gospel. This week Pastor Austin continues his series called Weird.
When the Bible speaks of an honoring love towards God, it is not about passionless worship or just some vague preference for God over other love alternatives. It is an encounter with a living God who so faithfully loves that that he was willing to die in your place so you could have a place with him. Love and fear are not opposites. Fear of God is, in the words of the theologian Charles Spurgeon, “the sort of fear which has in it the very essence of love, and without which there would be no joy even in the presence of God.” This week Pastor Austin starts his new series called "Weird".
This week Pastor Austin wraps up his series on Habakkuk as he looks at what it means to come out of the valley, and the primary lesson we learn from God through Habakkuk is that we remember.
A believer can have questions and faith simultaneously. You can believe God and still be a little unsure. Pastor Austin continues his series in Habakkuk this week.
Pastor Austin starts a new series called Habakkuk: When God Doesn't. So Habakkuk is struggling to reconcile what he sees verses what he believes, and God’s response is, “Hey, you know those awful Babylonians? They will be the means of my punishment against my own people.”
The world says if you have power you should us your power to gain more power for yourself, but Jesus flips privilege of power on its head not just through his teaching but by his action.
There is a time for watching. There is always a time for learning. But a renter mentality will keep you watching your whole life. A spiritual renter lives vicariously through spiritual owners.
This morning Pastor Greg Brower brings us a message from Ephesians 4 in our current series "Your Part Matters".
But whoever you are, your part matters. When the body is missing parts, the other parts will always be working overtime to make up for it. God has uniquely gifted you to perform a function in the body of Christ that only you are best suited to perform. Lindsey Burkey preached this week a sermon entitled Missing Parts, her sermon focuses on I Corinthians 12:12-21;27.
Imagine if a church fully grasped just how integral they are in the faith of the next generation? I believe that over time, with intention, and through some experimenting and grace, we can be that church.
Pastor Austin starts a new series called "Your Part Matters."How might your life change if you came to believe that small was big? What might happen if you broke free from the rut of personal comfort? The entire New Testament is an answer to these questions. We’ll see Christ made famous through people willing to see their life as a means to an even greater end.
This week we had our first Fifth Sunday, a service designed to engage all ages. Due to the unique service all parts were included in the podcast. To watch the service check out our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/2gce7Ad_RYg?feature=share
Pursuing godliness includes putting to death the ways that are not consistent with the gospel. It will take work and our only hope that it’ll work is in the grace of God, but that grace doesn’t neglect your involvement. Pastor Austin continues his Summer series in Colossians.
Pastor Austin continues his series in Colossians. As an imperfect person, when you try to manage your behavior under your own strength rather than by letting God press you into the mold of Christ and consequently be exposed to your need for a Savior, you may find success is eliminating bad habits.
This week's sermon comes from Pastor Dan Eisnor. He brings us his message from Colossians 2:8-19 and other passages.
Pastor Austin brings another message from his series in Colossians. When we try to understand suffering without a gospel mindset like this, we end up with shallow platitudes, dismissive, or with a version of faith that cannot withstand any pressure. Paul’s relationship to suffering is that suffering has a purpose bigger than you. Suffering has purpose, but also has limits that God will not give you more than God will sustain you through.
When you are grounded in the hope of the gospel: that you are saved by grace in Christ, (Ephesians 2), then you can embrace the next line: We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Every church has a lifespan. Not a single church Paul wrote to, including the church in Colossae, existed forever. Churches come and go, but the kingdom keeps moving forward because the Jesus is the head of the whole body of believers.
This morning Pastor Austin starts his new series on Colossians called "The Supreme Life". We will be studying Paul unfolding the identity of Christ and the implications of his identity on our identity as followers.
Lindsey Burkey brings us a sermon from James 3:9-1. But often the experiences that break us are the most powerful tools that God uses to shape us. The great Potter will allow us to go through things in life that put pressure on us, that squeeze us and allow us to be more fully formed into the image of Christ. James says in chapter 1 to “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).
And because of this One, one day, our mourning will be no more. Death itself will die and sin will be defeated. As prophets predicted, nation will no longer rise up against nation. Tools of war will become tools of prosperity. And all things will be in harmony with our God.
Simplicity will require a merciless rooting out of the patterns in your life that are depleting you and leaving you so overwhelmed that there is no more room in your life for God’s will to be realized.
Pastor Austin brings us his second message from his series The Content Life. Simplicity will require a merciless rooting out of the patterns in your life that are depleting you and leaving you so overwhelmed that there is no more room in your life for God’s will to be realized.
Generosity is cyclical with contentment. When you choose to live generously with an open hand to give and be taken from, you are consciously telling yourself that you won’t be controlled by the scared, greedy, scarcity mindset that has controlled you in the past. And as you become more content with the goodness and provision of God, you become less prone towards greed and become even more generous. Pastor Austin starts his new series called The Content Life. His first message focuses on generosity.
But Peter, in his final words to these churches facing growing persecution, wants to remind them and teach us that what the world can do to you is only a fraction of the harm the devil can do to you. The world can kill your body. The world can make your heart stop. But the devil can kill the soul, and the way he kills our soul is through deception and making you forget the truth of the gospel and your identity as a child of God. This is the ending message to the Shadows series on 1 Peter from Pastor Austin.
We receive grace from God, so we give grace to others. We receive mercy from God, so we give mercy to others. We receive forgiveness from God, so we extend forgiveness to others. Pastor Austin continues his sermon series on 1 Peter, with a message called Defined by Daily Doing.
Austin returns to his series called Shadows. We wait for someday when the beautify of heaven will meet earth and restore what is to what ought to be. To chase away every shadow of evil and death. He is Lord of all, even when life is not what it ought to be. But don’t stop, keep going, keep waiting, because your waiting doesn’t mean God is finished.
Pastor Austin brings us his Easter message from Luke 23:13-16, Mark 15:6-7, Luke 23:18, 24-2. We don’t know how Barabbas responds or how his story played out, but yours is still being written. How will you respond?
This week Pastor Howard Moths brings us his sermon from Matthew 21:1-11. Sometimes the best prayer is most simple one, like the thief on the cross: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) Recall your story; Realign your faith, Renew your commitment, or confess your faith for the first time, like the thief on the cross.
Guest Pastor Billy Norden brings us a message entitled Promises in the Unknown from Matthew 6:25-31. To hear his sermon check out our Youtube and podcast.
This week Lindsey Burkey gives a one off sermon from Ephesians 3. Lindsey is the worship leader at Rosewood, she is going through the commissioned pastor program through the RCA.
This week Pastor Austin continues his series Shadows with his sermon "In Order" based on chapter 3 of 1 Peter. Peter is writing to people who are, as we’ve been saying all along, beginning to face social marginalization but are about to suffer much worse as the heavy hand of Nero and Rome comes down on them as scapegoats.
This week Pastor Austin continues his sermon "Different and Equal" from the series Shadows. He focuses on 1 Peter 3:1-7. They may hate what you believe, but they will love what you do and some will come to love what you love. And because living with resentment and bitterness is hard and so is forgiveness and submission, choose the hard that brings redemption.
Pastor Austin continues his sermon series Shadows with his sermon from 1 Peter 2:11-17. Peter is imploring you to live holy lives in the midst of secular chaos, and let God take care of the final results. Do not separate, but let your good deeds and good will show so that even when people hate what you believe they will love what you do.
By the death and resurrection of Christ, we are living stones, and that’s where Peter will take us next week. Pastor Austin brings us his sermon from 1 Peter 2:1-2.
Pastor Austin continues his sermon series "Shadows" this week bringing his message from 1 Peter 1:13-25). However you define it, having hope has the incredible power to buy us time. Hope empowers people to hold on for more time for their preferred future to come. Hope is extraordinarily powerful, but that brings with it a serious problem: as hope buys time it also wastes time when our hope is grounded in a hopeless authority.
The command of the first century churches is the same as the 21st century churches. Choose your hard – and choose the hard that leads to a reward. Today's sermon comes from Pastor Austin and begins his new series Shadows on 1 Peter.
“Forgive each other, just as in Christ God forgive you.” (Ephesians 4:32) It is inevitable that forbearance will fail, offenses will occur, feelings will be hurt, and lines will be crossed. That doesn’t make them always excusable, but they are inevitable. But the evidence of gospel community that seeks to live as Christ lived is not perfection, but rather ability to forgive our imperfections.
Those who were meant to dispense justice at the gate took bribes and those who actually sought to bring justice were punished. The system was broken, it filled the pockets of the greedy, silenced those who were righteous, and turned away those in need.
People form their opinions about Jesus and the Church and faith based on what they see and experience in other Christians. If all you have are bad experiences with Christians, you’re going to assume Jesus is like them. And you won’t want to be a part of that.
Your actions have the capability to tell more people about your identity than your words. People will more often see you than hear you. What do your actions communicate about Jesus if you’re in it for the label?
In silence, God isn’t leaving you, he’s letting you. Just like Jesus let his disciples go for micro missionary journeys independent of his supervision so they could practice living faithfully in the real world.
Due to illness and weather Rosewood was unable to have the church service in person. We hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.
Do you want to know what God is like? Then look at Jesus. Immerse yourself in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to know him and know the eternal life found in him.
If you want to know how God reacts to people, look at how Jesus react to people.
If you want to know what God thinks of you, look at how Jesus relates to people.
If you want to know what God loves, look at who Jesus loves.
If something you think or have heard is in contradiction to what Jesus taught and how he acted, then we know it is not of God.
Jesus is the sword that separates the allegiances of your heart. It is an inner conflict that resists a change from living for ourselves and letting our hearts rule to putting our lives and trust in Christ alone.
Pastor Austin continues the Advent season with his sermon "But Where’s the King?". The human heart is its own kingdom and king, which is why Jesus’ claim of authority over us can make us defensive. It’s why we try to neuter the message of the gospel to morality and ethics. Because then we can do religious things without having to give up the sovereignty of our hearts.
This morning we start our Advent series: A Joyful Hope. Pastor Austin brings us his message entitled "The Light Has Come". Before the Messiah was given a name and his identity revealed, the people of God were waiting for the promised king through whom God would rescue his people. Breadcrumbs were provided through the prophets to prepare the people to know him when they saw him, and one of the symbols used by both Old and New Testament authors was light.
This week we were led by Pastor Greg Brower with a sermon from Galations 2:11–21. If we are going to be focused on Jesus, we have to not only ask if our lives point to Jesus, but also are we moving toward him.
Today Pastor Dan Eisnor brings us his message, "Forgiveness and Math", from Luke 15:11-32 the story of the prodigal son.
Being a part of a church means more than sitting and facing the same direction for an hour once a week – you are a tool of the Holy Spirit to deliver peace, value, and encouragement to other Christians. And at times, you’re the one who needs to receive from others.
Pastor Austin continues his series "Weary". When faith is about winning, we lose. Faith in Christ is about losing everything so you can be found in him. And when we are in Christ we are in service to others through the outward disciplines of service, generosity, and hospitality.
This week Pastor Austin continues his series, "Weary" with a sermon on Prayer. Prayer is a gift to us from God, yet so many people are afraid of praying. In this sermon, we are reminded that prayer is more than just communication, it is communion with God.
This week Pastor Austin continues his series, "Weary" with a sermon on Scripture. Scripture can be a blessing to the broken rather than a burden of achievement and work, because though Scripture, God reminds you of who you are.
This morning Pastor Austin continues his series "Weary" with a sermon on rest. The Sabbath has to be protected – because it is made for us and we have to protect it from ourselves.
Pastor Austin began his new series this morning called Weary. Spiritual disciplines are means of God doing what only God can do. They are a form of recovery work for our souls to move from where we are to a life of peace with Jesus.
Pastor Austin brings us his message of grace from Lamentations chapter 5. The testimony of God through the hardships of Jeremiah and God’s people in Lamentation is that pain and difficulty will come, and when it does we should lament and not remain silent before the Lord.
Pastor Howard brings us his message from Lamentations 3. God has been faithful in the past, God is faithful in the present and God will continue to be faithful till the end of world. So when you are ready to collapse, Lament, Repent, Remember, and Wait
This morning Pastor Austin continues in Lamentation with his series "Collapse". God is good to forgive, but true repentance means also changing our ways. And repentance, like hydrogen peroxide on a wound, can hurt. But it’s necessary to escape the cycle of sin that keeps you captive.
This week Pastor Austin starts his new series on Lamentations called Collapse. God’s love cannot be contained or controlled, either. Meaning that in the uncontainable, uncontrollable mystery of God, there is a love, mercy, goodness, and grace that is so great it also cannot be contained or controlled.
Pastors Austin and Howard spend an hour talking about TV, patriotism, and mushrooms, and how all these points and more provide contemporary applications of the Council at Jerusalem’s decree for Jewish and Gentiles Christians to compromise for the good of church unity.
Pastor Austin delivers a bonus sermon from his Summer Acts series. He finishes the outcome of the council at Jerusalem from Acts 15. What if we valued being right with one another over being right? Might that in fact draw us closer to the call of the church to be a witness of God’s love and grace
On Sunday August 21 we had an event during our usual service time partnering with 20Liters a non-profit that provides water filters for people in Rawanda called Sunday of Service. I left Chip's (from 20L) talking about 20L so you can get a sense of what we did and about the organization. If you would like to donate towards 20L check out our website under giving or their website.
To give before Aug 28, 2022: https://rosewoodchurch.breezechms.com/give/online
To give after Aug 29, 2022: https://20liters.org
Pastor Austin finishes our Summer series on Acts with his sermon "Grace on the Line". Acts 15 is the affirmation and confirmation that holiness is the result of salvation, not the way to salvation. If tradition impedes this, then there’s a problem. So also, if innovation impedes this, we have a problem. Because We should not make it difficult for Gentiles who are turning to God.” (Acts 15:19).
Pastor Austin continues in Acts focusing on chapter 14. In his message "Failure?" he reminds us that as Christians no matter the unmet expectation we face. No matter the outcome of faithfulness. No matter whether we are on the mountaintop or the valley, we know how the story ends.
Pastor Austin continues in Acts referring to chapters 13 and 17. He leaves us with this question: How would you talk about Jesus without quoting the Bible?
We welcomed guest Pastor Jack Doorlag this week. He continues the series in Acts with chapter 10. Whenever we feel inadequate, God is more than adequate.
We welcomed guest Pastor Dan Eisnor, he brought us a sermon called "Practice Total Hospitality" he focuses on Roman 12:9-21. As a church and Christian we are called to practice hospitality to everyone all the time. Allow yourself to be open to others and to embrace others.
Pastor Austin continues in Acts with his sermon "Finding Philip". The Bible should be savored together. Don’t limit yourself to solo reading because your interpretation will be confined by the limits of your own experience.
Pastor Austin continues in Acts focusing on chapter 7 and the story of Stephen. The beautiful thing about God is that even as the story progresses, he never changes.
Check out our Sunday Leftovers to hear more about Stephen.
Pastor Austin continues in Acts with his sermon "Jubilee Joy". We aren’t perfect, but we can be honest, and this is a shift in the church. This isn’t a place where we should have to lie to feel like we fit in.
Pastor Austin continues in Acts with his sermon "Ordinary Courage". God is on the move. He was before you were born, he is now, and he will be after your time. Let’s not sit around asking God to move when we’re the only one not moving
Pastor Austin continues in Acts with his sermon entitled "Constitution of the Church". No one could have said, “The Bible says to do these things.” Because the New Testament hasn’t been written yet. They are doing it because the gospel has made them a community.
Guest pastor Eric Peterson continues the Summer series on Acts. He focuses on Acts 2:1-21
Pastor Austin starts our new Summer series on the book of Acts!. Following the unstoppable motion of a relentless God.
Pastor Austin continues the Out of The Margins sermon series with his sermon: Thirsty for Sand. As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, “God has set eternity in the human heart.” Embedded in our nature is a thirst for something bigger than us that can put all the pieces together and turn chaos and pain and joy into meaning.
Pastor Austin continues his series "Out of the Margins" with his sermon "Nothing for Scraps". The Canaanite woman shows us that in the light of everything Jesus has done for us through his death and resurrection, there is no “if-then” expression of faith that can satisfy God. It is only by grace and surrender that God is impressed and calls our faith “great.”
Pastor Austin preached on Mary mother of Jesus with his sermon "Mary Didn't Know". Mary was a woman with awareness. Something about the way she led her life prepared her to receive from God wherever and whenever.
Guest Pastor Karen brought us a message on Ruth. Who we love shapes who we are… May our relationships be grounded in our experience of the perfect, sacrificial love of God. Let hesed lead your way.
Pastor Austin starts his new series this morning called "Out of the Margins". This week he focuses on Rahab the "prostitute" and "mother of kings". The world operates by condemning labels because the kind of forgiveness and acceptance that comes with following Jesus is not natural. Our nature is to let our past define us and to define others by theirs. But in Christ we have redemption because redemption is God’s reputation.
Pastor Austin Easter sermon, "Taking the Lord’s Name", reminds that Jesus came to give you a new identity, not a new to do or not to do list. Jesus doesn’t want you to change your behavior, he wants to give you a whole new identity. And as you grow to love and understand your identity as a forgiven child of God, behavior will follow.
Jesus’ lowest point of popularity was when he needed people the most. Spiritual abandonment continues to be a temptation, yet even when we turn away to save ourselves or our reputation, Jesus remains faithful.
Check out our Sunday Leftovers podcast for a special Good Friday message from Pastor Austin!
Pastor Howard continues "The Great Betrayal" with his sermon "Judas, the One Who Betrayed Jesus". When they hung Jesus on the cross, he looked down at the crowd and cried out to heaven, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” If Judas had waited to hear those words, maybe he could have accepted the forgiveness of Jesus (just like Jesus forgave Peter).
Check out our Sunday Leftovers podcast if you want more about the sermon! It drops every Wednesday.
Pastor Austin begins his new series with “Doubt and Deconstruction”. Peter turned his back on Jesus, but he wasn’t the only one. Judas did, too. But the two are not the same – Peter came back, Judas gave up. Peter doubted, but Judas didn’t believe.
Check out our Sunday Leftovers podcast if you want more about the sermon! It drops every Wednesday.
This morning Pastor Austin sermon comes from Luke 19:1-10, "God of the Undeserving". You are not saved by your effort, but by grace. You are saved by Jesus' effort. But every effort we make to see Jesus, Jesus will make more of an effort in return to have a relationship with you.
If you would like to hear more than just the sermon check out our podcast Sunday Leftovers, new episodes drop every Wednesday!
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Pastor Austin sermon comes from Luke 18 with his sermon "Budging in Line".
If you would like to hear more than just the sermon check out our podcast Sunday Leftovers, new episodes drop every Wednesday!
Pastor Austin continues his series in Luke focusing on chapter 15. The parable of the lost sheep shows Jesus obsession with finding the lost and saving them.
Check out our other podcast for more on this sermon: https://sundayleftovers.buzzsprout.com/
Pastor Austin continued his series on Luke focusing on Luke 9:59-62. Our measurements and feelings of love cannot contain the love God has for you. And because he loves you this much he refuses to share your love with something else.
check out our other podcast for more on this sermon: https://sundayleftovers.buzzsprout.com/
Pastor Austin continues his series on Luke, with a sermon entitled "Who are you?" from Luke 7:36-50. Part of what accounts for the way we see the same Jesus in such different ways begins with another question, “Who do you say you are?
We would love to hear from our listeners. Here is a survey to help us better know what you want from us online. https://forms.gle/Wb8VL21b66SL26g4A
Check out or new podcast every Wednesday called Sunday Leftovers - it dives deeper into the sermon each week. https://sundayleftovers.buzzsprout.com
Pastor Austin continues his series on Luke. He preached from Luke 7:1-10, the story of the centurion Spiritual entitlement leads us to acting like bouncers in a club. Spiritually entitled people will think life with God is their club and will see it as they’re job to decide who gets in and who gets out.
We would love to hear from our listeners. Here is a survey to help us better know what you want from us online. https://forms.gle/Wb8VL21b66SL26g4A
Check out or new podcast every Wednesday called Sunday Leftovers - it dives deeper into the sermon each week. https://sundayleftovers.buzzsprout.com
This week guest Pastor Jim Goldschmeding continues the series on Luke focusing on Luke 5:27-32. If you used to and, in despair, gave up, by all means get back at it confident our God is in the business of changing lives.
Pastor Austin starts a new series entitled Luke: Jesus for Everyone. Jesus was confident in Peter and the disciples not because of what was in them or what they could do, but because he knew what was in himself and what he could do with a person who is open to his teaching.
Check out our new podcast called Sunday leftovers on Wednesdays for all the things that didn't make it into the sermon this week.
This week in Pastor Austin's sermon "Empathy" he focused on John 11, the story of Lazarus death. Jesus lived in fallen, cracked, broken world where disease, death, tragedy, and heartache were just a part of life. In his humanity, your Savior feels disturbing human emotions deep in his soul. He feels the weight of the grief his friends feel, even as he knows he can do something about it.
Pastor Austin continues his series on "The Emotions of God" with "Love". You can’t hate a person and also say you share in the love of God because, as we’ve seen, God’s greatest love is people. And you can’t hate that which God loves and think you’re good with God. Every person is a person Jesus died for. So love one another as Jesus has loved you.
Guest Pastor Leonard McElveen from Mel Trotter Ministries continues the series on "The Emotions of God" with mercy.
Pastor Austin starts his new series "The Emotions of God" focusing on anger this morning. Rambo Jesus would never have let the soldiers put him on the cross. Weak Jesus wouldn’t have been enough of a threat to evil to be condemned to the cross.
Pastor Vern Hettinga brought us a message from Jeremiah 1:1-12. Life isn't fair, but from God's perspective a good life isn't necessarily an easy one. God wishes to strengthen us through difficult times so that we are prepared for future struggles.
The Christmas Eve service was special service with music, readings, and short sermon. This week the whole service is included.
In Pastor Austin's last sermon for Advent he pulls from various texts within the Bible to focus on King Harod. Today, King Herod and his empire are ruins, while Christian churches are in nearly every city and town in every country across the world. Today, King Herod’s capital city is the capital of Christianity. Today, King Herod’s speeches are forgotten, while Jesus’ words have been translated into over 1200 languages. Today, King Herod is a forgettable footnote in the unforgettable story of Jesus.
This sermon was part of a special Christmas Sunday musical celebration. If you would like to check out the music from this Sunday visit our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVyAjxyLCvk
This is the 3rd message in Pastor Austin's Advent series, Unforgettable Christmas. The focus of this message is on the passage from Matthew 2:1-12. They were as pagan as pagan could get, yet the Magi understood something right off the bat that many people today never understand. They understood that Christmas is about worship.
Pastor Austin continues his Advent series with the Unforgettable Cousin Once Removed pulling from Luke 1:5-20. When God speaks into your life, it’s uncommon that he will rise above the volume of the world around you. Or even the volume of your own inner voice. God still speaks quietly because here’s the thing about listening to a whisper. If you want to hear someone whisper, you have to be really, really close. God whispers to draw us close.
This episode is the beginning of our Advent series Unforgettable Christmas. In this series Pastor Austin will explore some of the lesser noticed characters of the Christmas story.
In Advent and Christmas, we celebrate the incarnation – that God took on flesh and lived among us. God was no longer located solely in the temple – Christmas means God has gone mobile. He has left the sacred space of the temple to dwell in the hearts of every person embracing God’s final sacrifice for sin.
Pastor Howard finishes the series on Nehemiah, with his sermon "The Need to Celebrate". It hurts to hear about our sin and be corrected, but scripture also creates a feeling of celebration and joy.
The Christian life is not a playground, it is a battle ground. You will face opposition and enemies who oppose God’s restorative work in the world because the welfare of others threatens them.
This week we begin a study of the book of Nehemiah - a story of God working through a broken heart. What if what makes your heart break isn't just a burden, but a divine gift from God?
Pastor Austin preached on the passage of Ephesians 4:22-24. When we come to Christ, we come as we are. Salvation by grace means that You are accepted before you act acceptable. You don’t have to pretend to play the part to get the part.
This weeks sermon was a special sermon by Eric Peterson from Benjamin's Hope in Holland Michigan. He was part of our Possibility Sunday service. Enjoy learning more about this special church.
Pastor Austin continues his series on Ephesians. Focusing his sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10. Continuing to preach on the importance of God's grace and our need for it, even when we may not think we may not realize it.
Pastor Austin starts a new series called "Ephesians: From Death to Life". In his message "Unconditional Election", he concludes with the notion of being elected or chosen may naturally drive a person to pride, but God’s election pushes us towards humility because election is a demonstration of grace that we aren’t just supposed to just enjoy for ourselves or marvel at, but live out in your ordinary, everyday life.
Pastor Vern Hettinga concludes the sermon series "Grace Alone". He focused on Luke 7:36-50, Jesus seeking out Simon the Pharisee.
Pastor Howard continues the series "Grace Alone" with his sermon "Grace Leads to Gratitude". Gratitude is a choice we make and when we do we are truly able to worship God.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pastor Austin continues his series "Grace Alone". He focused on suffering in his message "Grace in Suffering". If you’re a believer, you know how the last chapter ends. And if you know that your story ends with victory and restoration in Christ, then how does that change your perspective of present sufferings?
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
We’re saved by grace alone, but what happens to grace after that? Today we start a new series on grace. Today's sermon by Pastor Austin comes from various texts of the Bible.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In Pastor Austin's sermon "Joshua is Chosen" today he finished his series on the book of Numbers. Sometimes we make ourselves irreplaceable on accident because we don’t even think about what comes after us. Other times it’s more intentional because of our pride.
Pastor Howard Moths continues the series on Numbers. He focused on Numbers 21:4-9, The snake on the pole story. Nicodemus looked up at Jesus and saw his Savior, the Messiah. He risked everything to defend Jesus at his trial; he showed up at the cross after the disciples had fled; and he was one of two who buried Jesus purchasing aloes and spices fit for a king’s funeral. What would happen if you had a conversation with Jesus this morning? All of us would have questions, and perhaps a few complaints. But what would happen if you looked in his eyes?
This sermon was the beginning of a new series on the book of Numbers entitled “Preparation for Promise”. God prepared a home for his people, but after 400 years in Egypt his people were not prepared for their home. The book of Numbers shows us how God uses times of waiting to craft us into the people we need to be for what’s next. It was preached by Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer a guest pastor.
Pastor Austin finishes his 2 part sermon "Wide Reach, Strong Roots." The church is the catalyst for Jesus in our communities. There is no plan B, we are the plan.
Pastor Austin preached part 1 of a 2 part sermon series called "Wide Reach, Strong Roots." Do you want to grow in your faith? Do you want to flourish spiritually? Do you want to multiply yourself? Then remember that you are a seed, and a seed only grows when it’s planted.
This week Pastor Austin concludes his sermon series "Cautionary Tales" with a sermon on Judas. So many people exercise a version of faith that is all too similar to Judas by confusing spiritual people, places, and practices with faith. The rest of the world says that you have to behave in order to belong. But being a Christ follower is completely opposite. As a Christ follower, you behave because you belong.
This week Pastor Austin continued his new series, Cautionary Tales, today's episode focuses on King David. Regardless of… What you’ve done. How far you’ve walked away from God. How long it’s been since you’ve prayed. What you’ve been told or how you feel… grace is greater than your sin.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This week Pastor Austin started a new series, Cautionary Tales, today's episode is entitled "Cain and Abel" which focuses on Genesis 4:1-16. Many Christians have conveniently forgotten that Jesus tells us to holster our weapons, turn the other cheek, and seek peace through radical love. Many of us know the story about Jesus forgiving his killers on the cross but leave out that we are called to do the same. We all love to enjoy our forgiveness, but are apprehensive to offer it to others.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The last of a series on Mark entitled " Come Follow Me" by Pastor Austin Vondracek. This sermon " Temple Tantrum" focuses on Mark 11:12-21 . We will never be perfect on this side of heaven. What if the church saw itself as honest sinners? There’s nothing deceptive about that. We aren’t perfect and we don’t want to be a lying hypocrite, but we can be honest sinners.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The continuation of a series on Mark entitled " Come Follow Me" by Pastor Austin Vondracek. This sermon "Insecure Security" focuses on Mark 10:17-2. Pastor Austin imparts the beauty of God's grace – life with Christ isn’t a performance or a contest. We are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works. Jesus is going to challenge man towards good works, but it comes from a place of unconditional love, not our performance of the good works. We will lack in this life, but Jesus loves us no matter our lacking.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The continuation of a series on Mark entitled " Come Follow Me" by Pastor Austin Vondracek. This sermon "Who Forms Who?" focuses on Mark 8:22-33. It’s human to have the tendency to try to domesticate Jesus – we put him within the confines of our rules, our culture, our desires, our goals, and our expectations. We need to give up forming Jesus into an appealing hero and yes-man of our own design and spend more time allowing ourselves to be formed.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The continuation of a series on Mark entitled " Come Follow Me" by Pastor Austin Vondracek. This sermon "Beyond Amazed" focuses on Mark 6:45-52. Jesus had no interest in amazing people with miracles, but instead to reveal his divinity as our Messiah.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Guest Pastor Ben Kampmeier joined us this morning preaching a sermon entitled "Small Beginning, Big Becoming" as he continued the sermon series on Mark . The sermon focused on Mark 4:30-32. God can take small things like a mustard seed and make them big for his kingdom.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The second of a series on Mark entitled " Come Follow Me" by Pastor Austin Vondracek. This sermon "The Mind of Christ" focuses on Mark 2:23 – 3:6. All of God’s commands, are gifts for our good, the good of our communities, and the good of our life with Christ. Any interpretation that strays from the heart of God has missed the point.
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The first of a series on Mark entitled " Come Follow Me" by Pastor Austin Vondracek. This sermon "Come and See" focuses on Mark 1:1-12. Jesus didn't have a minute to waste, do you? Too many people slip through life without a passion for God, but God is still on the move today. And as we follow the life of Jesus through Mark’s gospel we will see more and more what it means to live with purpose as partners with Christ in ministry now. Immediately!
Music: Sillyfolkboy, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons