If you would like to print a note sheet to use while listening to the most recent Audio Sermon, please click the link above. Note Sheets for earlier Sermons can be found as the last page of Bulletins for the corresponding date.
To listen to the audio sermon, click the play icon ► on the media bar below.UNCOMPROMISED: When it comes to adiaphora, we can compromise all day. But when it comes to the core teachings of Jesus, we must remain uncompromised.
EXILE ON MAIN STREET: God has good plans for us. Not to spoil the ending, but everything is going to be alright
REDUCING THE DARKNESS: The darkness in our lives is mostly our own doing. But we can always choose the light that Jesus wants to give us. Why not choose the light? The light is a metaphor for grace. We can’t generate it; we can only receive it.
CHANGING YOUR LUCK: Some of what happens to us, whether good or bad, has nothing to do with our behavior. But some of what happens we bring on ourselves. Bad luck can be reduced by doing what is good and running from evil.
NAPS AND DONUTS: The blues are the common cold of the soul. They come and go but we are never fully immune to them. When we experience them, it is good to remember that they are temporary and that God will send relief.
THE REFORMING CHURCH: The Reformed Church must always be reforming according to the Word of God.
HOW GOD MAKES CHOICES: In David, God chose a king with a big heart. As with David, he will create clean and willing hearts in us as we choose to do his work. It is better to be willing than it is to be worthy.
STOP TALKING AND LISTEN: God is speaking to you at this moment. Get quiet and listen. Not everything he will tell you is pleasant, but it all is for your good. Listen for his voice and you will be blessed. Invite him to speak to you and he will. (Based on 1 Samuel 3.)
GRUMBLING AND GATHERING: Don’t complain. All complaints are ultimately complaints against Jesus. Ask the Lord to help. Work with him and it will go well with you.
SEND ANYONE ELSE: When God calls us, he qualifies us. When we report for duty our lives are blessed beyond what we can imagine. So take a risk and experience the deep joy that comes from being a mess in God’s service.
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: God blessed Jacob even though he was a stinker. When he placed his calling in your life, he already factored in your flaws. Take comfort in that and move forward. The “house of God” is populated by stinkers.
THE BINDING OF ISAAC: today we take a new look at an old strange story from the early chapters of the Bible. What about this thing of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? Tune in to find out.
CREATION OR EVOLUTION: Is our existence meticulously planned and executed or did we just happen?EATION OR EVOLUTION: Is our existence meticulously planned and executed or did we just happen?
WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE? Heaven is a place where the curse of this world is removed. It is a place of healing, rejoicing and meaningful existence. Let’s not wait to tap into this eternal life.
THE BEAST AND THE DRAGON: Our Lord will see us through times of incredible difficulty. The beast and the dragon can hassle us but they will not win. We will pass the test.
Tough times don’t last. God’s people do.
THE FUTURE OF THE RCA: Eddie Aleman’s vision [Eddie is the general secretary of the RCA] for the RCA is based on Revelation 7 v.9. A vast crowd looking to report for duty to Jesus. Let’s go for it. It will be a struggle, but Jesus will wipe every tear from our eyes.
WHO IS WORTHY? The Lamb paid for our release and ransomed us with his blood. We are now his priests, representing him to a world that desperately needs him. It is our joyful purpose! The lion is in fact a lamb. We are worthy only because he is worthy.
OPEN DOOR TO HEAVEN: Jesus and human pride are not compatible. If we wish for heaven, we need to lay down our crowns.
A GANG OF PRIESTS: This passage and a few others of the New Testament make it clear that as followers of Jesus, we are all priests. The duties of a priest are teaching, caring for those down on their luck, praying for believers and unbelievers and representing Jesus in all that they do.
ALWAYS IMPROVING: God understands stupid. When he calls us, he has already factored our stupidity in. In spite of our foolishness, he is always working in the background to make things better. He gave us a new, simple covenant, written on our hearts. The New Covenant is the law of love.
RETURN TO NORMAL: Optimism in the face of devastation is possible when you realize God’s plan for you and surrender to it.
AFTER THIS, SOMETHING GOOD! Our foolish behavior has consequences. After the consequences have receded, God has plans for a future and a hope for us
PERVERSITY AND SIN: Remain teachable: there is much we can learn on this journey of life to build mature character in us.
THE POTTER AND THE CLAY: Jesus says, “Remain in me and you will have the best life possible.” Let’s remain in him and see what happens. He will make sense out of our messes
HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NOW: The Holy Spirit fills us with compassion and directs us in our treatment of others. He gives us peace through all of life’s challenges and even causes our character to grow. It’s a good deal.
We can learn to be content as followers of Jesus. We don’t have to be whiny little complainers like the rest of the world.
THE WORRY WACKER: Prayer and positive thinking faith will wack the worry of weeds out of your life. Use these tools and God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
CALM IN THE SOUL: The key to inner peace, to calmness in the soul, is obedience to the command of Jesus to love one another.
WHAT GOD CALLS CLEAN: Religion has no business trying to out-condemn God. We are called to love one another. Let’s be real disciples who accept everyone and love each other.
THE DOOR: The sheep rustlers want to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus wants to give real and eternal life to his sheep. Let him. He will protect you from the destroyer.
REDEEMED AND RESTORED: Every morning we get to start over. Jesus doesn’t ask about our past. He wants to know if we will follow him in the future. So let’s delete our past and wipe the slate clean.
DOUBTING THOMAS: You will be blessed because you choose to believe. So choose to believe.
WHY DO YOU WEEP? The Lord guarantees a bright future that will only get brighter, so why do you weep? Let’s live instead in gratitude for all he has done and will do for us.
THE STONES WILL SHOUT: It is time to welcome the rightful King. Too many bad rulers have gained control in our lives. It is time to make a change and stick to it. Go to the king who cares about you. He will give you healing and rest.
THE SCENT OF HEAVEN: We get the high privilege of living in the fragrance of heaven and spreading it to those around us. Where does the scent of heaven most need to be sent?
BETTER THAN I DESERVE: God always treats us better than we deserve. Let’s respond with gratitude. Life is better when we do.
TIME FOR A CHANGE: We can all find something for which we need to repent. We’re not getting any younger. The time for repentance is now. Let’s not put it off so we can enjoy the times of refreshment Jesus has for us.
OUTFOXING THE FOX: There are foxes always skulking around, trying to divert you away from Jesus by messing with your head. Don’t trust the foxes. Stay on track as Jesus did. He wants the very best for you. The fox wants to prevent you from living the life Jesus wants to give you.
PASSING THE TEST: The devil is always looking for a chance to test you to see if he can trip you up. Pass the tests and you will be stronger for the next one. All of life is a test, a trust and a temporary assignment.
LOSING YOUR RELIGION: Let’s dump all our religious preconceptions and focus on the high privilege of knowing Christ. We need to deconstruct our religious baggage and proceed in life toward the calling that comes from Jesus.
OBEYING THE DEVIL: We’re all born slaves to our sinful nature. But God saved us by grace. We can’t take credit for any of it. Now we’re all set to do the joyous tasks he has earmarked for us as we are relieved from the drudgery of serving our egos. Thanks be to God for this wonderful freedom.
NOT YET PERFECT: We will never be perfect. Trusting Jesus to save us is the only way we are right with God. Following rules doesn’t cut it.
THRIFTY AND GENEROUS: The responsible followers of Jesus take care of their financial needs in such a way to not be dependent on others. Make as much as you can, save as much as you can and give as much as you can.
God forgives and accepts losers, liars and lunatics. Let's be like God.
THE CRAZY KING: God is ultimately in control of crazy leaders, and he will put them in their place. He commands all leaders and followers to look after the needs of the down-and-out, which is the key to having a good life.
FRIEND OF GOD: We’re Christ’s representatives in a ministry of reconciliation between humans and God. We get to show people how to become friends of God. And we need to show people how to get along with each other.
BODY CONFIDENT: When we trust Jesus to save us, we are guaranteed a new, flawless body. We will be reincarnated, but not in the pagan sense. Let’s take comfort in the promise that we will be given new, recognizable and eternal bodies.
GOVERNMENT OF DEATH: The Government of Condemnation, as impressive as it is, becomes obsolete in Christ. In him, we, all of us, have a new government of affirmation.
EASY LIVING: Paul’s teaching on how to live the best life is very clear in this passage. The ironic thing is that it is easy. Love extravagantly, hope unswervingly, trust steadily in God.
REVERSING DISSIPATION: We have 1440 minutes a day to use at our discretion. What is the best way to use them?
WHEN TO HIT BACK: We are called to serve, not to draw attention to ourselves. Celebrate this as it is the best way to live. Replace evil with good in how you interact with others and with how you view yourself. YOUR JOB IS TO PUT GOOD IN EVERYTHING!
REPORTING FOR DUTY: When we report for duty we are no longer enslaved by the culture around us. The Lord wants to make our ordinary lives extraordinary and bring out the best in us. Let’s report for duty and watch as he makes our lives immeasurably better. Let’s make this Christmas extraordinary!
NOT GUILTY: You can’t out-sin God’s love for you nor his acquittal. We’re all sinners, equal at the foot of the cross. When we accept God’s verdict of “not guilty” by trusting Jesus to save us, we are made right with him. Dump your guilt and live in peace.