Sunday Sermons – Audio

Sunday Sermon – February 08, 2026

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20 Salt and Light ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Christ Came to Fulfill the Law ¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

Not Abolished, But Fulfilled

• Illustration: The “Push Me Pull You” from Dr. Doolittle illustrates the tension many Christians feel—pulled between obeying God’s law and trusting in Christ’s grace.
• Jesus and the Law (Matthew 5):
  • Jesus did not abolish the Law; He fulfilled it.
  • God’s moral will, summarized in the Ten Commandments, still matters.
• The Law Reveals Our Need:
  • Jesus intensifies the Law, showing that sin begins in the heart.
  • No one can fully keep God’s commandments on their own.
  • The Law exposes our weakness and our need for salvation.
• The Gospel Brings Freedom:
  • Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law on our behalf.
  • Through His death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven.
  • Righteousness is received as a gift, not earned by rule-keeping.
• Living as God’s Redeemed People:
  • The Law is not a ladder to earn salvation.
  • Obedience flows from belonging to Christ, not from fear.
  • The Law becomes a guide for a life shaped by love.
• Good News to Carry With You:
  • We are not stuck between Law and Gospel.
  • In Christ, they move together—guiding us forward in faith.
  • Our hope rests not in our perfection, but in Christ’s completed work.

“We do not keep God’s commandments to earn salvation;
we keep them because salvation has already been given.”

————————————————————————————-

Sunday Sermon – February 01, 2026

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 The Sermon on the Mount 5 ¹ Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. The Beatitudes ² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. ⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you

Sermon Audio: Presented by Stewart Hervey

Sunday Sermon Summary

Boast In the Lord

In a world filled with noise, opinions, and competing voices, it is easy to lose sight of what true faith looks like. God reminds us through the prophet Micah that He does not desire empty offerings or outward displays, but a heart shaped by His grace:

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
—Micah 6:8

Our hope is not found in what we can give God, but in what He has already given us in Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul teaches that the message of the cross may seem like foolishness to the world, yet it is the very power of God:

“We preach Christ crucified…”
—1 Corinthians 1

Christ’s victory came not through worldly strength, but through His suffering and sacrifice for sinners. Therefore, we do not boast in our achievements, status, or accomplishments—we boast in the Lord alone.

Jesus also reminds us in the Beatitudes that God’s blessings often come through humility, mercy, and faithfulness:

• Blessed are the poor in spirit
• Blessed are the meek
• Blessed are the merciful
• Blessed are the peacemakers
• Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake

As Christians, we are called to invest our lives in what is eternal, living in gratitude for God’s love and pointing others to Christ.

Let us walk humbly with our God, trusting in the Savior who has first loved us.

Amen.

————————————————————————————-

Sunday Sermon – January 25, 2026

Church will be canceled on January 25 due to Freezing Weather Conditions.

————————————————————————————-

Sunday Sermon – January 18, 2026

Gospel: John 1:29-42 Behold, the Lamb of God ²⁹ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me. ³¹ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” ³² And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³ I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” Jesus Calls the First Disciples ³⁵ The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶ and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ^j“What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹ He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. ⁴⁰ One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). ⁴² He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

He Ran to Tell Good news is meant to be shared. From the angels of Christmas to John the Baptist, Andrew, the Samaritan woman, and Mary Magdalene, God’s salvation is announced again and again through ordinary people who encounter Christ and simply tell others. The Gospel spreads not through arguments or pressure, but through invitation: “Come and see.” Our mission field is close—our homes, workplaces, daily routines, and the people right beside us. We share the good news, and we trust Christ to do the rest.

————————————————————————————-

Sunday Sermon – January 11, 2026

Gospel: Luke 2:39-52 The Baptism of Jesus ¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. ¹⁶ And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷ and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

He Comes To the Water for Us

As we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, we are reminded that Jesus did not step into the Jordan for his own sake, but for ours. Though sinless, he stood where sinners stand, identifying fully with humanity and beginning his saving mission.

At his baptism, the Father declares Jesus his beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit descends, revealing him as the promised Messiah. This moment marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and points ahead to the cross, where forgiveness would be won for all.

Jesus’ baptism also reminds us of our own. In baptism, God acts first—claiming, forgiving, and loving us. We are saved not by what we do, but by what Christ has done for us

————————————————————————————-

Sunday Sermon – January 04, 2026

Gospel: Luke 2:39-52 The Return to Nazareth ³⁹ And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. The Boy Jesus in the Temple ⁴¹ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. ⁴³ And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵ and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. ⁵¹ And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

Scripture Focus

• Gospel account of Jesus at age 12 in the temple (Luke 2:41–52)

Opening Perspective

• The preacher relates personally to the story through years of experience working with middle school students.
• Emphasizes that Jesus is an adolescent in this story—still learning, growing, and communicating like a 12-year-old.
• This perspective helps listeners avoid reading the story too harshly or superficially.

The Journey to Jerusalem

• Mary and Joseph travel annually from Nazareth to Jerusalem for Passover.
• The trip typically takes 4–5 days with children.
• Years of tradition create familiarity, routine, and trust.
• This year, Jesus is old enough to move independently among relatives and friends.

Jesus Goes Missing

• After the Passover celebration, Mary and Joseph begin the journey home.
• They assume Jesus is with relatives or friends.
• After a full day of travel, they realize Jesus is not with them.
• Panic, fear, guilt, and anxiety set in as they recognize they have lost their son.

The Search

• Mary and Joseph search for three days.
• The emotional weight is heavy: worry, silence, and “what if” thoughts dominate.
• The search reflects both parental fear and the gravity of having lost the Son of God.

Finding Jesus in the Temple

• Jesus is found calmly teaching and learning among the rabbis in the temple.
• He demonstrates wisdom beyond his age.
• Mary confronts Jesus with a mixture of relief, fear, and frustration.
• Jesus responds simply: “Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?”
• His response reflects both his humanity and his divine identity.

Growth and Obedience

• Mary and Joseph do not fully understand Jesus’ response.
• Jesus returns home with them.
• He continues to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people.
• The family remains in a process of learning and faith.

Meaning for Today

• The story is not only about parenting adolescents.
• It speaks to anyone who feels they have lost track of Jesus in their life.
• Drift happens gradually through busyness, routine, and distraction—not intention.
• People often search for meaning in:
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Social media
  • Activities and routines
• These good things cannot replace Jesus.

Where Jesus Is Found

• Jesus is found where he has promised to be:
  • Scripture
  • Prayer
  • Worship
  • Fellowship with believers
  • The Lord’s Table
• Faith is grounded not in feelings, but in Christ’s faithful presence.

Good News of the Gospel

• Jesus was never truly lost.
• God remains faithful even when we wander.
• When we return, we do not find judgment or shame.
• We find:
  • A calm Savior
  • A present Savior
  • A faithful Savior
• Jesus welcomes us home, just as he did Mary and Joseph.

Closing Message

• When life feels overwhelming or faith feels distant:
  • Return to God’s Word
  • Return to the body of Christ
  • Return to where Jesus promises to meet you
• Christ is exactly where he said he would be.
• Amen

————————————————————————————-

Sunday Sermon – December 28, 2025

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23 The Flight to Egypt ¹³ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ¹⁴ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt ¹⁵ and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Herod Kills the Children ¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. ¹⁷ Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: ¹⁸  “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” The Return to Nazareth ¹⁹ But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, ²⁰ saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” ²¹ And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ²² But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. ²³ And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

Christmas Fulfilled: From Slavery to Sonship

• The sermon centers on Galatians 4:4–7
• Emphasizes that Jesus fulfills God’s promises for all people
• Moves the congregation from the manger to the meaning of belonging, redemption, and adoption

1. The Fullness of Time

• “When the fullness of time had come” is intentional, not filler
• God’s plan of salvation:
  • Was never rushed or improvised
  • Began immediately after the fall in Genesis
  • Was always Plan A, not a backup
• Jesus’ birth occurred at the exact moment:
  • History was prepared
  • Hearts were ready
  • God chose to act

2. God Sent His Son

• The word “sent” shows Jesus:
  • Did not begin in Bethlehem
  • Existed eternally with the Father
• Bethlehem marks:
  • The moment Christ entered time and space
  • God choosing to come as one of us, not as an idea or rule, but as a baby

3. Fully Human, Fully Under the Law

• Jesus was:
  • Born of a woman → fully human
  • Born under the law → fully subject to its demands
• He:
  • Lived in our broken world
  • Experienced human weakness and suffering
  • Stood under the same law that condemns us

4. Redemption Through Christ

• Purpose of Christ’s coming:
  • To redeem those under the law
• Redemption means:
  • “To buy back”
  • Freedom from slavery to sin and condemnation
• Jesus:
  • Took the judgment we deserved
  • Became the condemned so we could be forgiven
• Justification described as:
  • “Just as if I had never sinned”

5. Adoption as God’s Children

• God’s work goes beyond forgiveness:
  • Forgiveness wipes the slate clean
  • Adoption gives us a permanent place
• Believers are:
  • Claimed by God
  • Written into His family
  • Given a new identity as sons and daughters

6. The Gift of the Holy Spirit

• God sends:
  • The Spirit of His Son into believers’ hearts
• The Spirit enables us to cry:
  • “Abba, Father”
• Christmas is not only:
  • God with us
  • But God claiming us
• The Spirit:
  • Assures us we belong
  • Comforts us in fear and loneliness
  • Reminds us we are loved and wanted

7. From Slaves to Heirs

• Final declaration:
  • We are no longer slaves, but children
  • And if children, then heirs through God
• Christian life is not:
  • “Do more, do better”
  • Bargaining or earning God’s favor
• Because of Christ:
  • We are already home
  • We sit at the family table
  • All believers belong equally

Closing Promise

• God’s promise over every believer:
  • You are no longer a slave
  • You are a child
  • Nothing—past, fear, or failure—can take that away
• Response:
  • Thanks be to God. Amen.

————————————————————————————-

Sunday Sermon – December 21, 2025

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Christ ¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). ²⁴ When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵ but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

1. Introduction: A “Very Bad Day”

• The sermon opens with a personal story about a deeply frustrating, exhausting day.
• The day began well with prayer, devotion, and Scripture (2 Samuel), but quickly unraveled.
• The pastor reflects on the tension between human faithfulness and failure, and God’s promises continuing forward regardless.

2. First Pastors’ Meeting: Disappointment and Hurt

• Attended a first pastors’ meeting in Dimebox with hope for encouragement, worship, and mentorship.
• Though worship was meaningful, the meeting left the pastor feeling disappointed and hurt.
• Acknowledges no ill intent, but the experience required humility, patience, and future clarity.

3. Congregational Work and Shared Weariness

• Contact with church members packing boxes revealed exhaustion, generosity, and perseverance.
• The pastor felt regret for not being physically present to help during a demanding moment.
• Highlights the quiet faithfulness of people serving despite being short on help.

4. Dogs, Chickens, and Loss of Control

• The day escalated when the pastor’s dogs escaped, disrupting church and community members.
• Church members intervened generously to secure the dogs.
• The situation forced a change of plans and triggered anger, frustration, and a sense of failure.

5. Apology, Accountability, and Grace

• The pastor apologized to a neighbor whose chickens were killed.
• The neighbor responded with unexpected grace, offering help instead of anger.
• Ultimately, a difficult decision was made to re-home one dog, demonstrating costly responsibility and mercy.

6. Perspective Shift: Small Struggles vs. World Pain

• The pastor reflects on global violence and heartbreak occurring at the same time.
• This perspective reframed the frustration of a personal bad day.
• God’s presence became evident even in moments of failure and disappointment.

7. Turning to Scripture: Mary and Joseph

• The sermon shifts to the Gospel reading and Advent reflection.
• Mary’s fear and loss of control are acknowledged alongside her courageous “yes” to God.
• Joseph’s quiet faithfulness becomes the central focus.

8. Joseph’s Steady, Costly Love

• Joseph is described as righteous, faithful, and obedient rather than dramatic or loud.
• Faced with shattered plans, Joseph chose compassion and obedience.
• Without arguing or demanding proof, Joseph trusted God and acted faithfully.

9. Love That Shows Up and Stays

• Joseph’s love is contrasted with romanticized notions of love.
• True love is portrayed as steady, obedient, costly, and present.
• Joseph models trust when control is impossible and outcomes are uncertain.

10. Emmanuel: God With Us

• The sermon emphasizes the meaning of Jesus’ name: Emmanuel — God with us.
• God is present not only in holy moments but in exhaustion, imperfection, and mess.
• God’s love enters broken situations and remains there.

11. The Candle of Love and Advent Hope

• The lighting of the Advent candle symbolizes love that arrives in the middle of chaos.
• The angels announced not a solved world, but a Savior.
• God promises presence, not ease.

12. Closing Affirmation

• God’s love continues to meet people in imperfect leadership, hard days, and human limits.
• Even on days that feel like failure, God is present and sufficient.
• The sermon concludes with assurance: God’s love is already here, and He is enough.

Amen.

Sunday Sermon – December 14, 2025

No sermon recording today. Had a Children’s Christmas Play.

Sunday Sermon – December 07, 2025

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist Prepares the Way 3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ² “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ³ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” ⁴ Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

From Isaiah 11 and the theme of Advent Peace

1. The Seven Gifts of the Messiah

• Gift of Counsel – shows the way forward.
• Gift of Might – does what is right even at great cost.
• Gift of Knowledge – knows the Father’s heart and purposes.
• Gift of Fear of the Lord – puts God’s will, word, and glory first.
• Gift of Delight in the Fear of the Lord – loves to obey the Father.
• These gifts equip the Messiah to save God’s people and rule with justice, righteousness, and faithfulness.

2. The True Shape of Peace

• Peace is not the absence of conflict.
• Peace is the presence of a King who rules with justice, mercy, and incorruptibility.
• This King brings wholeness and salvation.

3. Isaiah’s Picture of the Messiah’s Kingdom

• The poor and meek receive mercy and justice.
• Wickedness is removed, not rewarded.
• Righteousness and faithfulness are His daily clothing.
• The kingdom transforms not only society but all creation:
  • Wolf with lamb
  • Leopard with goat
  • Calf and lion together
• Imagery of a world with no fear, no predators, no exploitation.

4. “A Little Child Shall Lead Them”

• Leadership comes not from a warrior, politician, or executive.
• A child, Jesus, leads with humility.
• He carries:
  • All gifts of the Spirit
  • Heaven’s wisdom
  • God’s compassion
• Advent peace arrives through humility and divine strength in weakness.

5. The Peace That Fills the Earth

• Isaiah’s promise: “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
• Not just a small stream of faith, but global fullness—God’s presence as natural as breathing.

6. Hope in a World of “Stumps”

• Our world often feels cut down:
  • Loved things lost
  • Dreams reduced
  • Churches in exile
  • Families divided
  • Hope chipped into mulch
• Isaiah reminds us: God does His best work in the stumps.
• Peace begins small, like a tiny green shoot—quiet, ordinary, unexpected.
• Jesus is the shoot; His fruit is salvation.

7. Call to Notice the New Life

• Don’t despise the stump.
• Look closely for emerging life, even when tiny.
• God’s kingdom is already sprouting; Christ’s peace is already growing.

8. Closing Prayer Themes

• God brings life from stumps and hope from endings.
• Root us in the peace of God’s coming kingdom.
• Let peace take root in us—stronger than fear, anxiety, or brokenness.
• Send us out with God’s peace that reconciles and restores.
• Blessing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Sunday Sermon – November 30, 2025

No sermon recording today.

Sunday Sermon – November 23, 2025

Gospel: Luke 23:26-43 The Crucifixion ²⁶ And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. ²⁸ But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ ³¹ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” ³² Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ³³ And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine ³⁷ and saying, “If you are ^fthe King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” ³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

1. Opening Prayer

• Invokes Christ to be near, bring hope, steady mercy, and draw listeners close.
• Asks Christ to reign with compassion and courage in His people.

2. Christ the King Sunday: Expectations vs. Reality

• Childhood image of a grand, royal celebration—carriages, crowds, golden throne.
• The Gospel reading (Luke) presents a very different coronation:
  • Jesus receives a crown of thorns, not gold.
  • His cross is His throne.
  • His proclamation is one of forgiveness, not pageantry.
• Christ is a king who stands with us in suffering, not far away on a distant hill.

3. Pastor’s Reflections From Visiting the Congregation

• After visiting many people, the pastor felt overwhelmed and exhausted.
• A short Emily Dickinson poem, “Hope is the thing with feathers,” came to mind and illuminated God’s message that day.
• The poem’s imagery parallels the Gospel story.

4. Emily Dickinson’s Image of Hope

• Hope is pictured as a small bird (imagined as a chickadee) singing through life’s storms.
• This hope asks nothing of us; it is a gift and a gentle presence.
• The pastor connects this image to Luke’s portrayal of Christ.

5. Christ’s Compassion on the Way to the Cross

• Despite being beaten and carrying His cross, Jesus notices the weeping women.
• Shows Christ as:
  • Compassionate
  • Present in suffering
  • Not indifferent or distant
• Hope (like the poem’s bird) begins to “circle” even during the march to Calvary.

6. The Mocking of Jesus

• Religious leaders, soldiers, and a criminal mock Jesus: “If you are the King, save yourself.”
• This echoes the wilderness temptation.
• Jesus chooses not to save Himself so that He can save humanity.
• This reveals a strong, unbreakable hope—“a hope that never stops at all.”

7. The Penitent Criminal

• One criminal recognizes:
  • His own brokenness
  • Jesus’ holiness
  • Jesus as King
• His plea: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
• The pastor says this is a prayer used throughout their own day.

8. Jesus’ Kingly Response

• Jesus replies: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
  • “Today,” not “someday.”
  • Paradise is defined as being in the presence of the King.
• Jesus extends mercy before it’s deserved or neatly expressed.
• Hope “sings from the cross.”

9. What This Means for Us

• No matter our roles (family, work, community), we do not create hope—we receive it from Christ.
• We carry Christ’s hope into places where others cannot yet hear that song.
• We’re not called to:
  • Be strong
  • Fix everything
• Instead, we’re called to:
  • Be present
  • Embody Christ’s mercy
  • Remember our king

10. The Nature of Christ the King

• Christ is crowned in love, reigns with forgiveness, and rules by:
  • Remembering the forgotten
  • Lifting the broken
  • Gathering the lost
• His hope is:
  • Stronger than death
  • Deeper than despair
  • A hope that “never stops at all”

11. Closing Message

• We stand before a crucified king, not a distant monarch.
• Jesus promises:
  • Paradise to thieves
  • Hope to the hopeless
  • Life to the dying
• This is our King. This is our hope. Amen.

Sunday Sermon – November 16, 2025

Gospel: Luke 21:5-36 Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple ⁵ And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, ⁶ “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” ⁷ And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” ⁸ And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. ⁹ And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, and in various places ^rfamines and pestilences. And there will be ^sterrors and great ^tsigns from heaven. ¹² But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³ This will be your opportunity to bear witness. ¹⁴ Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. ¹⁷ You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will gain your lives. Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem ²⁰ “But ^jwhen you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, ²² for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ²³ Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. ²⁴ They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. The Coming of the Son of Man ²⁵ “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶ people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” The Lesson of the Fig Tree ²⁹ And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰ As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. ³¹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Watch Yourselves ³⁴ “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

1. Introduction to Malachi – From Ashes to Healing

• Malachi contains four short but powerful chapters, summarizing major Old Testament themes.
• His message: call God’s people back, correct their wandering, and promise restoration.
• Malachi represents the final words of the Old Testament before a 400-year period of “silence.”

2. God Was Not Truly Silent

• Although no Scripture was written for four centuries, God was still present, working and walking with His people.
• Malachi affirms: the story is not over; the best is yet to come.

3. Imagery of Judgment

• Malachi describes the fate of the:
  • Arrogant
  • Wicked
  • Sorcerers
  • Adulterers
  • Liars
  • Oppressors of workers, widows, orphans, and foreigners
• God will be a swift witness against them.
• These are pictured as being cast into a burning oven/furnace on the Day of the Lord.
• Pastor shares a childhood memory of a foundry furnace—beautiful yet terrifying—as a vivid comparison.

4. Imagery of Hope: “Sun of Righteousness”

• Malachi shifts dramatically to a beautiful picture of healing.
• The “Sun of Righteousness” rises with healing in its wings—likened to a falcon’s wings glowing in sunrise.
• This represents God’s comforting, strengthening, restoring presence.

5. Joy of the Righteous

• The righteous (made righteous through Jesus) will leap like calves released from a stall—full of joy and freedom.
• Pastor relates this to the joy of her puppies greeting her after she’s been gone.

6. Warning Against Complacency

• In today’s world, it is easy to:
  • Slip into cynicism
  • Treat faithfulness lightly
  • See godliness as outdated
• Society often claims righteousness “doesn’t pay off”—but this is the oldest lie in the book.

7. Remember the Furnace

• The judgment scene serves as a sobering reminder:
  • We don’t want to face that furnace, and
  • We shouldn’t want anyone else to face it either.
• Pastor jokes briefly about Psalm 21:9 during frustrating moments, but the Holy Spirit corrects that attitude.

8. Our Calling: Proclaim the Good News

• Jesus commands His people to:
  • Proclaim the gospel
  • Share God’s kingdom
  • Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28)
• There is a lot of work to be done to keep others from destructive judgment.

9. A Practical Challenge

• Think of one person who needs to hear the saving grace of Jesus.
• Hold their name in mind.
• Pray for them and for yourself:
  • For the Spirit to fill you
  • For boldness
  • For loving, fearless speech

10. Closing Hope

• On the Day of the Lord, the prayer is that we will all be there together,
  • Leaping like calves,
  • Dancing like puppies,
  • And the furnace will not be needed at all.

Sunday Sermon – November 09, 2025

Gospel: Luke 20:27-40 Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection ²⁷ There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, ²⁸ and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. ³⁰ And the second ³¹ and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. ³² Afterward the woman also died. ³³ In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.” ³⁴ And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, ³⁵ but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, ³⁶ for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. ³⁷ But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. ³⁸ Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” ³⁹ Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” ⁴⁰ For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Illustration – “Are We There Yet?”

• The sermon opens with a humorous and relatable story about children on a road trip repeatedly asking, “Are we there yet?”
• The pastor recalls her own childhood trip to Astro World, describing the excitement and impatience along the way.
• This image becomes the central metaphor for the Christian life — a journey of waiting, faith, and trust.

1. The Question of Waiting – “Are We There Yet, Lord?”

• Like children on a long trip, believers often ask God:

“Lord, are we there yet? When are You coming? When will things be made right?”

• In times of confusion, division, and suffering, Christians long for Christ’s return and for peace.
• This mirrors the same anxiety that the Thessalonian church faced in the New Testament.

2. Context: 2 Thessalonians – False Teachings and Fear

• The believers in Thessalonica were worried and confused:
  • Some were teaching that Jesus had already returned and they’d missed it.
  • Others spread lies that shook their faith.
• Paul writes to reassure them:

“Don’t become easily unsettled or alarmed… the day of the Lord has not come.”

• The message: Christ has not forgotten them — He is still Lord, present, and faithful.

3. Christ’s Truth Never Changes

• The pastor shares a personal moment of grief — sitting under the stars after her husband’s death and asking, “Where are You, Lord?”
• She found comfort in realizing that Christ’s truth isn’t an idea or emotion — it’s a person, unchanging and alive.
  • Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
• His truth doesn’t shift with feelings, politics, or opinions; it stands forever.

4. Paul’s Instruction: “Stand Firm and Hold Fast”

• Paul urges believers to keep their eyes on Christ:

“Stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you.”

• The sermon emphasizes:
  • Don’t be distracted by the noise of the world.
  • Don’t fixate on yourself or your fears.
  • Keep your eyes on Him — He is the constant amid chaos.
• Even when the road is long and uncertain, Christ knows the destination and leads the way.

5. The Temptation to Give Up

• The pastor compares faith to a long road trip: we start out excited but grow weary waiting for answers.
• Examples of discouragement:
  • Prayers that seem unanswered.
  • Medical diagnoses that don’t change.
  • The world’s growing hostility and hopelessness.
• The reminder: when exhausted or distracted, pause, breathe, and remember who leads you.
  • Faith means walking forward even when the path isn’t visible.

6. Christ’s Gentle Response: “Almost There”

• When believers cry, “Are we there yet?”, Jesus’ response is not silence — it’s comfort:

“We’re almost there. Hold on. I’m right here with you.”

• Christ walks the road beside His people, guiding, teaching, and protecting them.
• Like a parent on a journey, He doesn’t turn back; He keeps moving forward with us until we reach home.

7. Faithful Waiting – Active, Not Passive

• Paul’s call to “stand firm” is not about idle patience but faithful action:
  • Keep loving even when it’s hard.
  • Keep serving even when tired.
  • Keep forgiving even when it hurts.
  • Keep hoping even when the world feels dark.
• Christian perseverance is hope in motion — living faithfully while trusting God’s timing.

8. God Holds Time

• Reflection on the Old Testament:
  • When God freed Israel from Egypt, one of His first lessons was teaching them how to mark time — Sabbaths, festivals, and holy days.
  • This showed that God holds time, not humans.
• The same is true today: even when life feels slow or uncertain, God controls the clock.
  • Our calling is not to understand His timing, but to trust the One who holds it.

9. Living in the “Almost There”

• Believers are called to live in the light of what will be, even while still “on the road.”
• The church is called to be:
  • Truthful in a deceitful world.
  • Hopeful in a weary world.
  • Grace-filled in a graceless world.
• The journey may be long, but the destination — eternal life with Christ — is certain.

10. The Final Promise

• Christ is the compass and true north of our lives.
• The road may seem endless, but one day the answer will finally be:

“Yes — we’re here.”
And that “here” will be home with Him.

Closing Prayer

• Thanksgiving for Jesus, the truth that steadies and the love that leads us home.
• Petition for:
  • Patience when we grow restless.
  • Faithfulness in waiting.
  • Gentleness and hope as we follow Christ.
• Affirmation of trust:

“Keep us firm in faith, steadfast in hope, gentle in truth, until the day we see You face to face.”

• Amen.

Sunday Sermon – November 02, 2025

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 The Sermon on the Mount 5  ¹Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. The Beatitudes ² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. ⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Intern Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Context

• Marks the first Sunday with a new pastor or leader.
• The preacher describes the day as “holy ground” — not because of people, but because God has brought the congregation together in grace.
• Jesus’ ministry began not with commands or institutions but with blessings — the Beatitudes — which reveal what God’s people are meant to be.
• Central theme: “We are blessed to belong.”

Main Message: The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12)

Each beatitude is explained as both a spiritual truth and a guide for the church’s shared life.

1. Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit – Dependence on God

• Jesus begins by blessing dependence, not strength.
• To be poor in spirit means realizing we cannot live, lead, or love well on our own.
• “We are all learners at the feet of Christ.”
• The congregation’s shared ministry begins with the prayer:
  “Lord, this is yours. Teach us to depend on you.”

2. Blessed Are Those Who Mourn – God’s Comfort in Brokenness

• Mourning means grieving over sin—our own and the world’s.
• Sin creates distance between us and God and among people.
• At the cross, Jesus entered into human sorrow and overcame it with forgiveness.
• The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, meets us in mourning and restores and strengthens us.

3. Blessed Are the Meek – Strength Under Control

• Meekness is not weakness, but freedom from anger and vengeance.
• A meek heart rests in God’s justice rather than trying to strike back.
• Jesus embodied this strength by choosing the cross over power.
• In church life, meekness looks like:
  • Listening first,
  • Forgiving quickly,
  • Trusting God’s Spirit to handle what anger cannot.
• When the church lives this way, peace becomes its native language.

4. Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness – Desire for God’s Presence

• The church’s hunger is not for programs or prestige, but for God’s presence.
• The true longing is for righteousness to dwell among us.
• Christ already satisfies this hunger through His sacrifice, filling believers with living water.

5. Blessed Are the Merciful – The Heartbeat of the Gospel

• Mercy is at the center of the cross and the gospel.
• Jesus offered mercy that no one deserved or could repay.
• The same mercy must define the church:
  • There will be misunderstanding and failure,
  • But “mercy says grace still stands.”
• The Spirit moves most freely where mercy is practiced.

6. Blessed Are the Pure in Heart – Growth by Grace

• Purity is not perfection, but grace-formed growth through the Spirit’s work.
• As believers learn humility and love, their hearts beat in rhythm with God’s.
• God’s love in us becomes God’s love through us.
• A pure heart begins to see God everywhere—in people, nature, and daily life.

7. Blessed Are the Peacemakers – Children of God

• Peace begins at the cross; Christ reconciled heaven and earth.
• Peacemakers carry that cross-shaped love into every relationship and disagreement.
• They do not avoid conflict; they walk through it with grace and truth.
• The same Spirit that raised Jesus gives power to bring new life into any situation.

8. Blessed Are the Persecuted – Sharing in Christ’s Suffering and Victory

• Jesus knew discipleship would lead to misunderstanding and sacrifice.
• Yet His Spirit ensures that believers are never alone.
• When facing hardship for doing right, Christians stand in the shadow of the cross and the light of resurrection.
• The Holy Spirit gives courage not just to endure, but to rejoice.

9. The Beatitudes as a Whole

• They are not a checklist, but a portrait of redeemed people.
• Christians are blessed not because life is easy, but because God is present.
• The Holy Spirit continues forming believers into the likeness of Jesus.
• The church stands at the foot of the cross, under grace, filled with the Spirit, and blessed to belong to God and one another.

Closing Prayer

• Thanksgiving for:
  • The cross, where mercy triumphed over justice.
  • The resurrection, where life conquered death.
  • The Holy Spirit, who binds believers together in love.
• Petition:
  • Teach us to live the Beatitudes, not merely recite them.
  • Let this congregation be a place where mercy flows, peace is practiced, and love abides.
  • May our shared life become a living Beatitude—a witness to God’s grace and glory.

All Saints’ Day Observance

• Moment of silence to honor the saints who have gone before.
• Candles and flowers for Evelyn Levy and Joyce Tanner.
• Three white carnations for the Holy Trinity; one red rose for each of the two remembered saints.

All Saints’ Prayer

• Thanksgiving for the communion of saints — those who have finished their race and rest in God’s peace.
• Gratitude for Evelyn and Joyce, whose faith and kindness reflected God’s mercy.
• Acknowledgment that God’s kingdom is built not by power but by humble, loving hearts.
• Request for continued growth in grace and love, that God’s Spirit may bring comfort, peace, and hope to others.
• Celebration that Evelyn and Joyce now see God face to face, and confidence that believers will one day join them.
• Closing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sunday Sermon – October 26, 2025

Gospel: (John 8:31-36)The Truth Will Set You Free ³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ³³ They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵ The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Sunday Sermon – October 26, 2025

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Request for God to hear His people and show mercy.
• Prayer for the Holy Spirit to fill believers with joy in everlasting life.
• Desire to reflect Christ’s light to others so they too may find joy in Him.
• Closing dedication: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”

Main Message and Themes

1. A Personal Story Revisited

• Pastor shares one of his earliest and most meaningful ministry stories — used as a fitting message for his retirement.
• The story took place early in his ministry in Deanville.

2. The Call from the Funeral Home

• A man named Donnie Woods called requesting help with a funeral for an indigent man who had died on the streets of Houston.
• The deceased’s brother asked for a Lutheran pastor to officiate.
• The funeral was arranged in Caldwell, where the brothers had grown up.

3. The Brother’s Perspective

• The deceased (called John Doe) had lived a troubled life:
  • Raised and baptized in the church.
  • Became addicted to alcohol and drugs after high school.
  • Couldn’t hold a job and lived on the streets for 40 years.
• The wealthy brother described him as a failure and disgrace, embarrassed by his addiction and lifestyle.
• Despite multiple attempts to help him, John continued to steal and relapse — until the brother cut off contact.
• Fifteen years later, the brother received a call from police identifying John’s body.

4. The Unexpected Visitors

• The brother expected only himself and his two sons at the funeral.
• But during visitation, the chapel filled with people — strangers to the family.
• These mourners were men and women who had also lived on the streets.
• They told the pastor how John had ministered to them:
  • Shared his meager food and resources.
  • Carried a tattered Bible and shared the Gospel with others in need.
  • Preached the love of Christ from a cardboard box under an overpass.
• For the last 10 years of his life, John had become a missionary to the forgotten — a preacher among the homeless.

5. Transformation and Grace

• John’s life demonstrated true reformation — a total turnaround by God’s grace.
• He remained poor and homeless but rich in spirit, living out faith where it was most needed.
• The pastor emphasizes:

“Our God loves us and pursues us. He doesn’t give up on us, even when others do.”

• Grace is not something earned — it’s given freely, even to those deemed worthless by the world.

6. The Ripple Effect of a Changed Life

• The next morning, even more people came to the funeral.
• Many had driven from Houston, bringing others from the streets to pay respects.
• The chapel was filled to capacity — a testimony to one man’s quiet impact.

7. The Brother’s Realization

• After the service, the wealthy brother sat and wept uncontrollably.
• His grief was filled with guilt for abandoning his sibling.
• He realized he had never known the redeemed version of his brother — the man God had transformed.
• Reflection: God’s timing and mercy work beyond human understanding; sometimes “tough love” becomes the moment of change.

8. Lessons from John Doe’s Life

• God’s Pursuing Grace:
  • God never stops seeking His lost children.
  • Even in failure, His Spirit calls people back.
• The Power of Witness:
  • The way we live influences others — for good or for harm.
  • Each life, no matter how broken, can reflect Christ’s love.
• Human Impact:
  • We deeply affect those around us — family, friends, and even strangers.
  • “Your life matters — to God and to others.”

Closing Reflections

• Rejoice in God’s Grace:
  • God sent His Son so all may have everlasting life.
  • Even one transformed soul can bring light and joy to many others.
• Final Thought:

“When we live in Christ, we bring joy to others. Without Him, we bring great sadness.
Rejoice in the Lord always, for He is good.”

• Benediction:
  • Celebration of God’s unending grace and the transforming power of Christ Jesus.
  • Amen.

Sunday Sermon – October 19, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 18:1-8) The Parable of the Persistent Widow 18 ¹And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. ² He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. ³ And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ⁴ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. ⁷ And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? ⁸ I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Prayer for God to hear His people and have mercy.
• Request for strength in faith and love.
• Petition for forgiveness and for the ability to live with love, compassion, and forgiveness.
• Desire that others experience Christ’s presence through the church community.
• Concluding prayer: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable unto Thee, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Main Message and Themes

1. “Watch Me!” – The Human Desire for Attention

• Illustration: Children constantly calling out, “Mommy, watch me!” or “Daddy, watch this!”
• Parents get distracted, children get louder when ignored.
• Comparison: We, too, call out to God — longing to be seen, noticed, and cared for.

2. Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1–8)

• Three main figures:
  • The widow – represents persistence and faith.
  • The adversary – stands for evil or opposition.
  • The unjust judge – self-centered, neither fears God nor respects people.
• The judge only responds because he’s tired of being bothered — not because he’s just.
• Jesus uses this unlikely character to reveal something deeper about God’s faithfulness.

3. Understanding the “Adversary”

• In Hebrew, the word adversary translates to Satan.
• Satan is the liar, deceiver, and accuser — spreading doubt, fear, and hopelessness.
• He cannot create or give life; he can only distort and destroy.
• The adversary tries to convince believers that:
  • God doesn’t exist, or
  • God doesn’t care about them.

4. Story: The Sick Boy and the Praying Church

• Pastor recounts a true story:
  • A young boy diagnosed with cancer in 6th grade.
  • Church prayed fervently; the boy was healed.
  • Two years later, cancer returned — and the boy died before finishing 8th grade.
• People questioned: “If God cared, why didn’t He heal him again?”
• The pastor read the parable of the persistent widow at the funeral — to remind the congregation of faith’s endurance and trust in God’s justice despite pain.

5. The Adversary’s Lie vs. God’s Truth

• Satan whispers that suffering means God is absent or unloving.
• Reality: God is love and the source of life.
• Evil, death, and disease cannot erase God’s promise of eternal life.
• The devil uses tragedy to plant doubt; faith declares that life in Christ conquers death.

6. Jesus as the Source of Life

• Example from Luke 7: Jesus raises a widow’s son from death.
• Shows that Jesus has power over life and death — even before His own resurrection.
• Christ’s miracles foreshadow the ultimate promise of resurrection and everlasting life.
• Even though physical death comes, life continues in Christ.

7. Hope and Assurance

• Believers can rest assured that death is not the end.
• The “King of Kings,” the “Source of Life,” has promised resurrection.
• When Satan says God doesn’t care — reject the lie.
• God’s promise is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Closing Reflection

• Remember, even in grief and loss:
  • Jesus remains the source of everlasting life.
  • Faith in Christ ensures resurrection and reunion.
• Final message:

“Even though you may die, you shall rise again and have a newer, better life than you’ve ever experienced here.”

• Ending blessing: “Remember that Jesus is the source of life — the everlasting life of grace in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Sunday Sermon – October 12, 2025

No Sermon recording this Sunday.

Sunday Sermon – October 05, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 17:1-10) Temptations to Sin 17 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! ² It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. ³ Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, ⁴ and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Increase Our Faith ⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” ⁶ And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Unworthy Servants ⁷ “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? ⁸ Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? ⁹ Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Thanksgiving for salvation and belonging to God’s family.
• Prayer for the Holy Spirit to remain active and strong within believers.
• Request for strength to live in a way that reflects God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness.
• Commitment that words and thoughts be acceptable to God, our Redeemer.

Main Points

1. Faith Heritage and Family Influence

• Paul’s letter to Timothy highlights the faith passed down from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice.
• Notably, no mention of a father or grandfather — the faith lineage emphasized through women.
• Message: Faith often continues through generational example and nurture.

2. Saved by Grace, Not Works

• God saved us not by our deeds, but by His purpose and grace through Christ Jesus.
• This grace was planned “before the ages began.”
• Each believer’s name was written in the Book of Life before birth.
• Christians belong to Christ, though we often fail to live accordingly.

3. Hypocrisy and Witness

• The preacher shares a personal story of coworkers doubting his Christianity based on his behavior.
• Message: Actions must reflect faith — hypocrisy damages the witness of the church.
• Christians have “earned their reputation,” both good and bad.
• Yet, through God’s mercy, there is always hope for light and renewal.

4. Conforming Faith to Culture

• Question raised: Is there danger in conforming our profession of Christ to fit the world’s expectations?
• Answer: Yes.
• Warnings against “progressive Christianity” that reshapes Scripture to suit modern values.
• The Word of God remains living and true, unchanged by time or culture.

5. Misunderstanding Who Jesus Is

• Some view Jesus as a CEO-type leader—successful, powerful, influential.
• But Scripture reveals Him as a suffering servant who came to save, not to dominate.
• Many prefer a softened, “cotton candy” image of Jesus instead of the bold, uncompromising Savior who offended and challenged.

6. The Cost of Discipleship

• There is a social cost to truly following Christ.
• Being a Christian can bring rejection, mockery, or suffering.
• Example: A seminarian’s joy was met with scorn when announcing his call to ministry.
• Being faithful often means being unpopular or misunderstood.

7. Real-Life Example – The Christian in China

• A Christian student studying in China lived among Muslims and others during the Gulf War.
• Faced suspicion and tension due to nationality and faith.
• A Muslim man from Yemen later sought him out—not to harm him—but because he trusted Christians to help.
• The student wrote a respectful letter in Chinese for the man’s family petition — a small act of faith and kindness.
• Lesson: Sometimes we fail, but sometimes we get it right, and others see Christ through us.

8. Call to True Discipleship

• Salvation is free, but discipleship carries responsibility.
• Christians are soldiers of Christ—called to share His grace and reflect His light.
• The world needs to see Christ through believers’ compassion, forgiveness, and love.

9. Forgiveness and Christ’s Example

• Jesus commands forgiveness even when wronged repeatedly (seven times a day).
• God Himself models perfect forgiveness toward us.
• Followers of Christ must live out that same mercy.

Closing Benediction

• Reminder: Christ is Lord, Savior of all.
• Believers are to walk in His light, bringing His presence to others.
• Gratitude for a God who always forgives and renews.
• “May the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.”

Sunday Sermon – September 28, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 16:19-31) 16  The Rich Man and Lazarus¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. ²⁰ And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹ who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, ²³ and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. ²⁴ And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ ²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ ²⁷ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— ²⁸ for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ ²⁹ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ ³¹ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening

• Prayer of thanksgiving and forgiveness.
• Request for God’s Spirit to strengthen faith.
• Commitment that words and meditation be acceptable to God.

Main Themes

1. Church as Institution vs. Faith Community
   • Early church lacked structured leadership.
   • Over time, institutionalization sometimes overshadowed simple faith in Christ.
   • Example: debate over clergy marriage shows how institutions can drift from Scripture.
2. Warnings from the First Reading (Prophet’s Message)
   • Condemnation not of wealth itself, but of selfishness and indulgence.
   • Prophetic rebuke aimed at those living in luxury while ignoring others’ needs.
   • Riches are not sinful—self-serving hearts are the issue.
3. Wealth as a Gift, Not Self-Made
   • Everything we possess, including ability and intellect, is a gift from God.
   • Danger in believing we earned everything solely by ourselves.
   • Contrast between people who share vs. those who hoard blessings.
4. Gospel Lesson – The Rich Man and Lazarus
   • Wealthy man blind to Lazarus suffering at his doorstep.
   • Example of indifference and lack of compassion.
   • True problem: a heart condition, not possessions.
5. Self vs. God’s Call
   • Human tendency to put “self” as number one despite claiming God first.
   • Often give leftovers (“fat from the steak”) instead of true sacrifice.
   • Golden rule often twisted to mean self-preservation before service.
6. Grace and Salvation
   • Despite failures, Christ offers forgiveness and salvation.
   • Salvation is by Christ’s work, not our own.
   • The Law exposes sin, but the Gospel brings hope.
7. Call to Action
   • Share God’s blessings, not hoard them.
   • Step out in faith even when it feels risky.
   • Show compassion to “Lazarus” figures in our lives.
   • Trust that God provides when we give generously.

Closing

• Reminder: salvation comes only through Christ’s sacrifice.
• Prayer for hearts of mercy, compassion, and willingness to share God’s gifts.
• Encouragement to live in confidence that God cares for His people.

Sunday Sermon – September 21, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 16:1-15) The Parable of the Dishonest Manager 16  ¹He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. ² And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ ³ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. ⁴ I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ ⁵ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ⁶ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ ⁷ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ ⁸ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. ⁹ And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. ¹⁰ “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. ¹¹ If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? ¹² And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? ¹³ No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Law and the Kingdom of God ¹⁴ The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. ¹⁵ And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

• Opening Prayer
  • Asking God to stir up the Spirit within believers.
  • Prayer for compassion, forgiveness, and walking in His light.
  • Reminder that Christ came for all to receive everlasting life.
• Theme of the Sermon
  • Last week’s reading emphasized: “The aim of our charge is love.”
  • This week: focus on prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving “for all people.”
  • Prayer and intercession are visible results of love.
• Call to Pray for All People
  • Repeated emphasis on the word “all” (appears four times in text).
  • Includes rulers, leaders, and all nations.
  • God desires all people to be saved; Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all.
  • Prayer is not limited to those we agree with politically, socially, or culturally.
• Illustration: Republicans, Democrats, Independents
  • Fictional story about neighbors divided by politics but all going to church.
  • Emphasizes that heaven is not exclusive to one group.
  • Warning: true prayer is not about wishing opponents’ downfall, but asking God to work in their lives.
• Application of “Pray for All”
  • Believers should pray not just for U.S. and Israel, but also for nations often seen as enemies (Iran, Iraq, China, Russia, etc.).
  • Genuine prayer is intercession, not destruction.
  • Christians are called to love and pray for even those they dislike.
• Second Half of the Reading – Gender Roles
  • Scripture mentions men praying with holy hands and women adorning themselves modestly.
  • Often debated passage about women’s role in the church.
  • Key point: much has been lost or distorted in translation from Greek to English.
• Greek Grammar Insight
  • Presence of “the” (article) in Greek signals identity.
  • Absence of “the” shifts meaning toward character or class.
  • In text, “the men” = all men are included.
  • “women” (without “the”) = refers to a particular group of women, not all women.
• Context of Women with Braided Hair & Jewelry
  • In that culture, elaborate hair and gold indicated high social status.
  • Paul was addressing wealthy/status-driven women who carried pride into worship.
  • Message: social rank should not dominate the church—listen and learn humbly.
• Adam and Eve Reference
  • Eve sinned by being deceived (lack of knowledge).
  • Adam sinned knowingly (deliberate disobedience).
  • Raises questions about leadership and responsibility.
• Takeaway
  • Scripture must be studied carefully, with attention to context and translation.
  • The true message is not silencing all women, but warning against pride and status disrupting the church.
  • Central truth: Jesus Christ came so that all may have eternal life.

Sunday Sermon – September 14, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 15:1-10) The Parable of the Lost Sheep 15  ¹ Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” ³ So he told them this parable: ⁴ “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. The Parable of the Lost Coin ⁸ “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ ¹⁰ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Thanksgiving for the freedom to worship without fear.
• Request for boldness in a world that resists Christ.
• Petition to remain in God’s light so others may see Christ through believers.

Context

• Paul’s letter to Timothy addresses problems in the early church.
• Even the first Christians faced division, false teaching, and persecution.
• Some were tempted to return to Judaism to escape persecution.

The Cost of Discipleship

• Salvation is free through grace, but following Jesus carries a cost.
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship highlighted last week’s theme.
• We must not confuse salvation by grace with living self-centered lives.

Grace vs. Legalism

• Some early Jewish Christians reintroduced law and rituals as requirements.
• Paul reminds the church: salvation is only in Christ, not in works or rituals.
• Salvation cannot be earned; it is already secured by Jesus.

Saint and Sinner Reality

• Believers are both saints and sinners.
• Even as saved, we fall short in thought, heart, and action.
• Grace covers our sins, but does not give license to live selfishly.

Living as Chosen People

• Salvation is not a “ticket to heaven” for personal comfort.
• Believers are chosen to be lights, living testimonies of Christ.
• Our calling is to share the Good News so others may know Christ.

Paul’s Example

• Paul, once an enemy of the cross, was transformed by Christ.
• His salvation was God’s initiative, not his decision.
• God pursues and chooses us through baptism and His Word.

Daily Struggles & Grace

• Christians still stumble in weakness, anger, or selfishness.
• God forgives every failure through Christ.
• Paul calls himself “foremost of sinners” even as a leader in the church—showing ongoing reliance on grace.

Closing Assurance

• Believers are chosen, forgiven, and secure in Christ.
• The call is to carry this hope to others.
• Salvation, forgiveness, and grace are meant to be shared

Sunday Sermon – September 07, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 14:25-35) The Cost of Discipleship ²⁵ Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, ²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. ²⁸ For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? ²⁹ Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ ³¹ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³² And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. ³³ So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Salt Without Taste Is Worthless ³⁴ “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? ³⁵ It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Meloni Puishes

Sunday Sermon Summary

• Opening Theme:
  • Jesus often gives us “hard words” like a loving parent does.
  • These words are necessary, though not always what we want to hear.
• Context of the Gospel Reading:
  • Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem with large crowds following.
  • People followed Him for food, healing, or hope of political change.
  • Jesus instead prepares them for sacrifice, not earthly gain.
• Lesson of the Frog Story:
  • Childhood memory of receiving a frog charm meaning “look before you leap.”
  • Today, “FROG” also means “Fully Rely on God.”
  • Ties into Jesus’ teaching: disciples must count the cost before following Him.
• Radical Call of Discipleship:
  • Jesus said one must “hate” family and self compared to their love for Him.
  • Meaning: love for Christ must be supreme, even over closest relationships.
  • Example shared: missing granddaughter’s concert due to a church commitment.
• Bearing the Cross:
  • In Jesus’ time, the cross meant shame, suffering, and rejection.
  • To the crowd, His words were shocking since crucifixion was despised.
  • For us, the cross is also a symbol of obedience, humility, and sacrifice.
• Personal Challenge:
  • Following Jesus may mean:
    • Public witness despite ridicule.
    • Choosing service over convenience.
    • Prioritizing prayer, obedience, and surrender.
  • True discipleship costs comfort, reputation, and sometimes relationships.
• Encouragement for Believers:
  • We live with the knowledge of Easter—victory through the cross.
  • Grace, forgiveness, and salvation are already secured.
  • Each day can begin anew through faith in Christ.
• Practical Application:
  • Rely on God’s strength, not self.
  • Live humbly and obediently.
  • Deny anything that comes before Christ.
  • Stay nourished daily in God’s Word.
• Closing Call:
  • Don’t follow Jesus for social reasons or convenience.
  • Follow Him with full reliance, every moment.
  • Transformation from “Look before you leap frog” → “Fully Rely on God frog.”

Sunday Sermon – August 31, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 14:1-14) Healing of a Man on the Sabbath 14 ¹ One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. ² And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. ³ And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” ⁴ But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. ⁵ And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” ⁶ And they could not reply to these things. The Parable of the Wedding Feast ⁷ Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, ⁸ “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, ⁹ and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. ¹¹ For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The Parable of the Great Banquet ¹² He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

1. Opening Prayer
   • Thanksgiving for God’s daily blessings and the gift of His Son.
   • Request for strength to live as loving, compassionate, caring people.
   • Prayer for words and meditation to be acceptable to God.
2. Context: Hebrews Chapter 13
   • Previous chapters: encouragement to persevere through persecution as a badge of honor for being Christians.
   • Transition into practical instructions for Christian living.
3. Six Key Instructions for Christian Living
   • Brotherly Love: Love one another, not just those we like or agree with.
   • Hospitality to Strangers: Welcome outsiders, avoid exclusivity in communities and churches.
   • Care for Prisoners and Suffering: Show compassion and provide for those in need, not judgment.
   • Marriage: Keep it pure and undefined; a serious covenant with consequences if broken.
   • Contentment: Avoid envy; be satisfied with what God has given, trusting in His presence and provision.
   • Remember Leaders: Respect and give thanks for past and present spiritual leaders who shaped faith.
4. Examples & Illustrations
   • Early Christian community sharing possessions.
   • Modern struggles with cliques, exclusion, and lack of hospitality.
   • Personal reflections on envy, discontent, and the challenge of contentment.
   • Reminder that angels or God-sent leaders may come in the form of ordinary people.
5. Important Clarification
   • These six instructions are not a checklist for salvation.
   • True forgiveness and righteousness come only through Jesus Christ.
   • God, as a “consuming fire,” ignites these virtues in believers’ hearts.
6. Closing Emphasis
   • Live out love, hospitality, compassion, purity, contentment, and gratitude.
   • Acknowledge imperfection but rest in Christ’s forgiveness through His blood.
   • Salvation is in Christ alone, not in works.

Sunday Sermon – August 24, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 13:22-30) The Narrow Door ²² He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³ And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, ²⁴ “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ²⁵ When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, I do not know where you come from.’ ²⁶ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ ²⁷ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ²⁸ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. ²⁹ And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Thanksgiving for being called as God’s children and part of His church.
• Request to live compassionate, loving, and forgiving lives.
• Reminder: good works are not for salvation, but because salvation is already ours in Christ.

Gospel Reflection – Luke 13:23–30

• Question posed to Jesus: “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
• Jesus’ answer: Yes, few will be saved — the way is narrow.
• Implication:
  • Christians will be hated for confessing Christ as the only way.
  • The world rejects exclusivity of salvation in Christ.
  • Even within the church, some deny Christ as the only Savior, teaching “all gods are the same.”
• Assurance: Believers in Christ are the chosen few, saved by His blood and forgiveness.

Historical Example – Ambrosius Ruder (1520s)

• Early Lutheran follower in Leipzig, imprisoned for his faith.
• Escaped prison using bedding as a rope, injured his ankle, and followed a pig through a wall to freedom.
• Even disguised himself and unknowingly rode with soldiers searching for him.
• Returned safely to Wittenberg, lived a long life.
• Lesson: Belief in Christ often puts us at odds not only with the world but even with parts of the church.

Hebrews 12:4–13 – Struggle Against Sin

• “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”
• Key point: suffering often comes not from our personal sin, but from the sin of the world.
• Christians face hostility because they belong to Christ.
• Persecution is not a curse but a badge of honor — evidence of being God’s chosen children.

False Teachings Refuted

• Prosperity preachers claim faith ensures a trouble-free life.
• Scripture teaches the opposite: suffering is expected for those who follow Christ.
• Faithfulness often increases hardship rather than removes it.

Call to the Church

• The community must lift each other up, not tear one another down.
• Gossip and criticism harm the body of Christ.
• True correction comes only from love, compassion, and care, not self-righteousness.
• Assurance of Salvation
• Believers are chosen not by works but by Christ’s sacrifice.
• “I hope I never get what I deserve” — because what we deserve is judgment, but we receive mercy.
• Salvation rests solely on Christ taking the world’s sins upon Himself.
• Closing Exhortation
• Rejoice in being the chosen few.
• Live with gratitude, giving glory to Christ.
• Encourage and love one another, standing firm in faith even when hated or opposed.

Sunday Sermon – August 17, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 12:49-56) Not Peace, but Division ⁴⁹ “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Interpreting the Time ⁵⁴ He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. ⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

• Opening Prayer
  • Thanksgiving for God’s grace, blessings, love, and Spirit.
  • Petition for strength to walk in faith and live out the good news of Christ.
  • Request that words and meditations be acceptable to God.
• Old Testament Reading
  • Warning about adversaries and false prophets.
  • False prophecy comes from human desire and flesh, not from God.
  • Such deception undermines hope in God’s promises.
• Gospel Reading
  • Jesus states He came to bring division, not peace.
  • Division arises when disciples face opposition from family and friends.
  • Modern parallels:
    • Families or peers holding people back from God’s will.
    • In some nations (especially under Islam), conversion to Christianity brings persecution, disownment, or death.
  • Faithfulness to Christ inevitably causes division.
• Epistle Reading (Hebrews)
  • Call to look where the faithful of old looked: God’s promises fulfilled in Christ.
  • Sermon illustration: “Looking for love in all the wrong places” → Christians often look for God’s love in wrong places.
  • Many treat God as if He should fit their own expectations (itemizing who God should be).
  • Danger of basing assurance on works rather than faith.
• Examples from Hebrews
  • Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac.
  • Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau.
  • Jacob blessing Joseph’s sons.
  • Joseph’s faith in Israel’s future exodus.
  • Moses’ preservation and leadership, crossing the Red Sea.
  • Israelites at Jericho and Rahab’s faith.
  • Key theme: “By faith” each one acted—faith was the foundation, not human works.
• Faith vs. Works
  • Works are the result of faith, not the basis of salvation.
  • Looking to people’s works misses the point; we must look to Christ, the founder and perfecter of faith.
  • Salvation is by grace alone, not earned by deeds.
  • Faith is a gift from God, not self-generated or increased by human effort.
  • Believers’ names were written in the Book of Life before birth.
• Closing Exhortation
  • Keep eyes fixed on Jesus.
  • Don’t seek God’s love through works, rules, or human expectations.
  • Salvation is already finished in Christ—“It is done.”
  • Live in that assurance and let faith strengthen daily walk with God.
  • Promise of everlasting life through Christ Jesus.
  • Amen.

Sunday Sermon – August 10, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 12:22-40) Do Not Be Anxious ²² And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁶ If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. ³⁰ For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. ³² “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. You Must Be Ready ³⁵ “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. ³⁸ If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! ³⁹ But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Thanksgiving for life, grace, mercy, and forgiveness through Christ’s blood.
• Request for strength to live faithfully and witness to Christ daily.

Focus on the Second Reading (Hebrews 11)

• Theme: Faith — its meaning, examples, and challenges.
• Noting that people define “faith” differently.
• Observes that even in a declining Christian church, faith is abundant — but often misplaced.

Examples of Everyday Faith

• Setting an alarm clock — trusting it will go off.
• Driving on the highway — trusting others to stay in their lane.
• People also place faith in astrology, horoscopes, or the occult.
• Even atheism requires faith — belief that the universe “just happened” without a Creator.

Illustration with an Atheist Conversation

• Comparing belief in a designed building versus believing the complex universe formed without a designer.
• Point: The issue is not lack of faith, but where faith is placed.

Historical Context of Hebrews 11

• Written to Jewish converts to Christianity facing persecution.
• Judaism was legally accepted; Christianity was not.
• Temptation to return to Judaism, which had visible rituals (circumcision, Sabbath, festivals, sacrifices).
• Christianity required trusting in the unseen.

Examples of Faith from Scripture

• Abel — offered acceptable sacrifice but was murdered by his brother.
• Enoch — one of two people in Scripture who never died (the other is Elijah).
• Abraham — left his homeland by faith, trusting God’s unseen promise.

False Views of Faith

• Refuting “prosperity gospel” teaching that faith guarantees a trouble-free life.
• Example: Abel was faithful yet suffered death.
• True faith does not exempt believers from hardship.

Reliability of Testimony

• Scripture writers recorded what they saw, over centuries, by multiple witnesses.
• Parallel with scientific belief in atoms:
  • Most people have never seen one, but believe based on recorded testimony.
  • Similarly, we can trust the testimony of those who saw Christ’s works.

Definition of Faith (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

• Hope in Scripture = certainty of future fulfillment, not wishful thinking.
• Faith involves trusting God’s promises despite lack of visible proof.

Encouragement to Believers

• Do not abandon the faith for something more tangible.
• Our spiritual forefathers hoped in the Messiah before He came.
• Jesus Christ fulfilled that hope through His death and resurrection.
• Faith remains steady even amid hardship, anchored in Christ’s finished work.

Closing Message

• True faith is grounded in Christ alone.
• Life may bring suffering, but God’s kingdom reigns eternally.
• Hold fast to the blessed assurance of forgiveness and eternal life.

Sunday Sermon – August 03, 2025

No sermon recording today. We welcome and thank Meloni Puishes for leading our worship service this morning.

Sunday Sermon – July 27, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 11:1-13) The Lord’s Prayer  ¹Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ² And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. ³  Give us each day our daily bread, ⁴  and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” ⁵ And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, ⁶ for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; ⁷ and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? ⁸ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. ⁹ And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; ¹² or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Thanksgiving for grace, the Holy Spirit, and guidance in faith.
• Request for continued strength and for the church to be a light to others.
• Desire to reflect Christ through words and actions

Reflection on the Second Reading (Colossians 2)

• Paul urges believers to continue in what they were taught.
• Pastor reflects on how church life and Christian education have changed drastically since his childhood.

Decline in Biblical Literacy

• Childhood church memories: full Sunday school classrooms, scripture-based upbringing.
• Present-day challenge: modern youth (e.g., confirmation students) often unfamiliar with basic Bible stories and figures (e.g., Moses, Abraham, David).
• Implication: The Church must adapt to engage a generation that lacks biblical background.

Engagement Requires Relationship

• People today often:
  • Feel alienated by Christians.
  • Perceive Christians as judgmental or uncaring.
• Evangelism is ineffective without relationship or compassion.
• Emphasis on listening, caring, and connecting before preaching.

Personal Challenge: Compassion and Frustration

• Honest admission: it’s hard to deal with needy people who seem ungrateful or always want more.
• But perspective matters—many live with very little, and we must reflect Christ’s compassion even when frustrated.

Faithfulness to Scripture

• Pastor affirms commitment to Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”)—core to Lutheran belief.
• Critique of “progressive Christianity” when it dismisses or picks parts of scripture.
• Encouragement to base belief on what scripture actually says, not just on tradition or comfort.

Communion and Tradition

• The pastor questions the tradition of limiting communion to church settings.
• Scriptural basis: Jesus’ own words—“This is my body… this is my blood.”
• Suggestion: If Jesus is truly present in communion, why can’t it be practiced at home?
• Challenges:
  • Tradition says clergy must distribute communion.
  • Scripture does not directly teach this limitation.
• Suggests that grace should be available in homes, not just behind the altar.

Law vs. Grace

• Key gospel truth: our debt is canceled through Christ, not through our actions.
• Salvation is by grace, not performance.
• Question: If you died today, would you go to heaven?
  • Wrong answer: “I hope so, if I’ve been good enough.”
  • Right answer: “Yes—by the grace of God, through the blood of Christ.”

Final Charge

• Believe fully in what you confess.
• Let your faith be whole—mind, heart, and soul.
• Go into the world as light-bearers.
• Though we fail, Christ never abandons us.
• Bring His light, love, and hope to others.

Sunday Sermon – July 20, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 10:38-42) Martha and Mary ³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Thanksgiving for God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love.
• Gratitude for the Holy Spirit and prayer for continued guidance.
• Request to be faithful disciples and witnesses to Christ’s resurrection.

Martha’s Sin: A Closer Look

• At first glance, Martha’s “sin” seems unclear—no blatant wrong like:
  • Murder (5th Commandment)
  • Adultery (6th)
  • Theft (7th)
  • False witness (8th)
• These “middle” commandments are often easiest to identify and judge.
• But Martha’s issue is spiritual misalignment—anxiety and distraction.

Rethinking the Ten Commandments

• The First Three Commandments are often neglected:
  1. No other gods.
  2. Don’t take God’s name in vain.
  3. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
• Martha’s real issue: she broke these top commandments:

• Made hospitality her god—put it above Jesus (1st).
• Tried to manipulate Jesus using His name (2nd).
• Failed to rest in His presence (3rd).
• These sins are subtle, but frequent in daily life.

Anxiety as Idolatry

• Martha’s anxiety became her focus—the task over the Savior.
• Even good things (like serving) can become idols when they distract from God.
• The church itself can become an idol if ministry overtakes true worship.

Mary’s Example

• Mary sits peacefully at Jesus’ feet.
• She models devotion and rest—prioritizing God over duties.
• She keeps the first commandments by honoring the presence of Christ.

Sabbath and Priorities

• We often break the Sabbath commandment out of busyness.
• Our culture normalizes skipping rest and worship for “more important” things.
• The gospel challenges us to evaluate what we truly prioritize.                                        
• The Nature of Sin and Salvation

• Many take pride in avoiding “big” sins (murder, theft, etc.).
• But the gospel reveals that we are all sinners by nature.
• Even seemingly small sins (like misplaced priorities) are still rebellion.

Law and Gospel Message

• The Law shows that none are righteous—not even Martha.
• The Gospel proclaims that salvation comes not by works,
  but by what Christ has done on our behalf.
• We are saved by grace alone, despite daily failings.

Final Message

• Don’t minimize spiritual sins just because they are less visible.
• Keep God first in heart, worship, and priorities.
• Remember: Everlasting life is a gift from Jesus—not a reward for performance.

Sunday Sermon – July 13, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 10:25-37) The Parable of the Good Samaritan ²⁵ And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” ²⁷ And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸ And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” ²⁹ But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ³⁰ Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. ³² So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ ³⁶ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” ³⁷ He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

Opening Prayer

• Gratitude for God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, life, family, and community.
• Request for continued blessings and guidance.
• Dedication of the speaker’s words and heart to God.

Tragedy and the Question of God’s Goodness

• Reflection on recent disaster in the hill country.
• Common objection: “If God is good, why do disasters happen?”
• Response: Sin entered through humanity (Adam and Eve), altering creation itself—introducing death and disaster.
• Tragedies are the consequence of human sin, not evidence against God’s love.

Human Nature and Sin

• Claim: Humanity is not inherently good—we are all sinners.
• People are not naturally inclined to do good; sin is deeply rooted.
• Biblical evidence from God’s instruction to the Israelites: be unlike Egypt and Canaan (places of moral corruption).

Law as Declaration and Transformation

• The Ten Commandments are not only commands but declarations of how God’s people should live.
• God’s laws reflect the expected behavior of His people, not fear-based compliance.
• True obedience flows from a transformed heart, not mere obligation.

Generosity and Compassion in the Law

• God instructed Israelites to leave behind part of their harvest for the poor.
• A lesson in generosity: do not hoard—share from your abundance.
• God’s law teaches deliberate compassion and intentional care for others.

Psalm Reflection on Betrayal

• Even close friends can betray us—common human experience.
• Betrayal highlights humanity’s brokenness and sinfulness.

Parable of the Good Samaritan (Gospel Reading)

• Priest and Levite (religious leaders) failed to show compassion.
• A Samaritan (social outcast) showed mercy and sacrificed resources.
• Lesson: Titles do not make one righteous; actions of compassion define true godliness.
• Personal confession: Even the preacher fails—acknowledges ongoing human sinfulness.

Vengeance and Trust in God

• Scripture: “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”
• Honest struggle: Wanting personal revenge instead of trusting God’s justice.
• God’s mercy is difficult to accept for others when we desire retribution.

The Gospel Message (Second Reading)

• Salvation is not earned by good deeds but is a gift from God.
• We are qualified for inheritance not by our works but by Christ’s work.
• God has delivered us from darkness and placed us in His kingdom.
• Christians are to glorify God and proclaim Christ through both message and lifestyle.

Final Exhortation

• Actions matter—they reflect God to the world.
• Aim: That others may see Christ in us and be drawn to the message of salvation.
• Summary plea: Live in a way that reflects God’s love and points others to Christ.

Sunday Sermon – July 06, 2025

Gospel: (Luke 10:1-20) Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two  ¹ After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. ² And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³ Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. ⁴ Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵ Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. ⁸ Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. ⁹ Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ ¹² I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. Woe to Unrepentant Cities ¹³ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴ But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. ^16 r“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The Return of the Seventy-Two ¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” ¹⁸ And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Sunday Sermon Audio: Presented by Pastor Terry Bage.

Sunday Sermon Summary

1. Opening Prayer:

• Praise and thanksgiving to God for grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
• A plea for the Spirit to stay within us, helping us walk in the light and share the Good News.
• A call for hearts of love, compassion, and mercy.

2. Main Theme: Dependence on God vs. Human Nature for Independence

• Reflection begins with the word “karma” from the second reading.
• Karma is not a Christian concept; it’s derived from Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Christians often confuse karma with the biblical principle of “you reap what you sow,” but the contexts are different.

3. Independence vs. Dependence

• Contrast between celebrating national independence (July 4th) and the Christian call to dependence on God.
• As humans, we resist dependence – a trait visible since Adam and Eve.
• Human nature defaults to blame-shifting and selfishness (e.g., Adam blaming Eve, Cain killing Abel).

4. Human Nature and the Need for Redemption

• We are born into sinful nature and live in it.
• The Ten Commandments are valuable, but cannot save us.
• We must recognize our sinfulness and our total dependence on the blood of Christ for salvation.

5. The Danger of Self-Righteousness

• No matter how “good” we believe we are, we are all sinners.
• Dependence on Christ is essential, not comparison with others.
• Our nature inclines us to hold grudges and seek revenge (“wanting karma”), rather than show mercy.

6. The Call to Love and Responsibility Toward Others

• Paul emphasizes living by the Spirit, not the flesh.
• We’re called to love, uplift, and pray for those who hurt or offend us.
• Harboring unforgiveness places us in the role of God, which is spiritual pride.

7. Christ’s Commandment

• Jesus’ final command: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
• This love is sacrificial, as demonstrated by Christ’s death on the cross.
• Christians are not defined by moral perfection but by love and compassion.

8. Closing Encouragement

• The Church is alive when Christians practice Christ like love.
• Salvation is already given through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• Live every moment in this truth—fully forgiven and fully loved in Christ