Sermons · New Bethlehem First Fellowship Church

Thankful in the Waiting: God's Blessings Bloom in His Time

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows · Luke 17:11–19

In “Thankful in the Waiting: God’s Blessings Bloom in His Time,” Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows reflects on Luke 17:11–19 and the invitation to trust Jesus, notice His mercy, and return with thanks. While we wait for answers, we can take faithful steps and recognize the blessings God has already placed in our lives.

Luke 17:11–19: “And as they went, they were cleansed.” (NIV, verse 14)
Additional Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1; Philippians 4:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Isaiah 40:31.

Waiting can narrow our attention until all we see is what has not happened yet. We pray for healing, restored relationships, or relief from financial strain, and wonder whether God has forgotten us. In this message, Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows asks a question that reaches into those unfinished places: “Can I trust God’s heart when I cannot understand his schedule?”

Luke’s account of Jesus healing ten men with leprosy offers three questions to carry into our week: Will we keep walking? Will we notice? Will we come back?

The ten men approached Jesus from a distance and cried out for mercy. They brought their need, without impressive achievements or polished prayers. Jesus heard them and sent them to show themselves to the priests. Their healing happened as they went. They took the next step before they saw the change.

Our next faithful step may look ordinary: making an appointment, offering an apology, asking for help, or keeping a promise. Waiting on God can include caring for the responsibilities and people He has already placed before us.

Pastor Gordon illustrated this with a tightly closed rosebud. Pulling its petals apart would damage the flower. A gardener can water and tend it, but cannot force it to bloom. Likewise, comparing our lives with someone else’s can distract us from tending our own garden. This does not mean every disappointment has an explanation we can discover or every wish will come true. We can entrust our unfinished lives to God while caring for what is before us today.

When one man noticed his healing, he returned to Jesus, praising God and giving thanks. His attention became action. The Samaritan, someone often regarded as an outsider, became the example of a grateful response to grace.

That response invites us to examine what we now take for granted. A friend’s concern, a meal, or strength for a difficult day may be an answer to a prayer we have stopped remembering. Philippians 4:6–7 brings requests and thanksgiving into the same prayer, pointing us toward God’s peace even when circumstances remain unresolved.

Returning to Jesus also reminds us that gratitude does not earn a miracle. As Pastor Gordon said, “Grace came first. Gratitude was his response.” All ten had already been cleansed. Our thanksgiving cannot purchase the answer we want, but it can express trust in the living Savior. Because our hope rests in His death and resurrection, “tears and thanksgiving can share the same prayer.”

The main point is simple: trust God in the waiting without overlooking the blessings already in your care. Each morning this week, name three specific blessings. Bring one unfinished concern to God and choose one faithful action you can take. Before the day ends, thank someone by name and explain why their kindness matters. Keep walking, keep noticing, and keep returning to Jesus with thanks.

There's a Price to Pay

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Carol Brown · Acts 6:1–9; 7:2; 51–60

God Can See in the Dark

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Don Jeffers · Psalm 91:1–11

When the house is quiet but our worries keep us awake, God is right there with us. In “God Can See in the Dark,” Pastor Don Jeffers reminds us to trust His care and share Christ’s light with someone facing a difficult day.

Most of us know what it is like to lie awake with a worry we cannot put down. The house is quiet, but our thoughts keep going. What if the news is bad? What if I lose my job? What if things do not work out?

In “God Can See in the Dark,” Pastor Don Jeffers spoke to those familiar fears. He recalled being a boy sent to fetch a bucket of rock salt after dark, hurrying between the light poles and hearing every noise along the way. We may outgrow that childhood fear, but uncertainty can still leave us feeling just as vulnerable.

Psalm 91 meets us there. It pictures God as a shelter where we can rest, a refuge we can trust, and a faithful protector who holds us close. Its invitation to stop fearing the terrors of the night reaches into the worries we carry long after the lights go out.

Pastor Don reminded us how easily “what if” crowds out “what is.” We spend hours imagining what might happen and forget who is already with us. As he put it, “God is in our dark room with us.”

He knows that struggle himself. When his wife Sue underwent surgery and they waited for answers, Pastor Don was overwhelmed with worry. “I wasn’t practicing what I’m preaching to you today,” he admitted. At the appointment, Sue shared that Jesus had already reassured her in the hospital about what she was facing. While he had been wrestling with uncertainty, she had found comfort in His presence.

The road through illness and treatment was still difficult. Along the way, Sue searched God’s Word and gathered verses about His power, love, and care. She began sharing them with others facing hard things. The encouragement that helped her became something she could place in someone else’s hands.

That is the hope Pastor Don kept bringing us back to. God knows what we cannot know. He has power we do not have. He is present wherever we are. Psalm 91:11 describes His care through angels He commands to guard His people. Even when the waiting feels long, we can keep bringing our concerns to Him.

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Pastor Don encouraged us to follow that light in everyday life by reading God’s Word, trusting Him, and doing what He teaches.

Then Jesus turns to His followers in Matthew 5:14 and says, “You are the light of the world.” Verses 15–16 remind us to let that light shine through good deeds that bring glory to our Father. A hospital visit, a helping hand, or a conversation about Jesus can bring encouragement into someone’s darkest day.

God can see in the dark, and we can trust Him with what we cannot see. This week, bring Him the worry that keeps returning. Spend time in Psalm 91, remembering that He is your refuge. Then reach out to someone who needs encouragement. Make the call, offer the help, or share a Scripture that has strengthened you.

From Panic to Peace

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. John Phillips · Philippians 4:1–9

In “From Panic to Peace,” Rev. John Phillips explores how prayer, restored relationships, graciousness, and thoughts shaped by God’s truth help us live in His peace. Philippians 4:1–9 invites us to rejoice in the Lord and put our faith into practice amid everyday worries.

Philippians 4:1–9: Paul calls believers to unity, rejoicing, gentleness, prayer with thanksgiving, and thoughts centered on what is good. As they put these things into practice, he assures them that God’s peace will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace touches both our personal worries and our relationships with one another. Writing from prison, Paul urged a church he loved to live out the joy and reconciliation they had received through Christ. His circumstances were difficult, yet his words pointed toward a life sustained by God’s presence. In “From Panic to Peace,” Rev. John Phillips invited us to practice that same trust in our everyday lives.

Paul’s appeal began with a broken relationship within the congregation. He asked fellow believers to help Euodia and Syntyche find agreement in the Lord. They needed others to come alongside them with love and encouragement. When resentment divides a congregation, its witness suffers. Praying instead of taking sides, offering forgiveness, and helping people reconnect strengthen the unity that supports the church’s mission.

Rejoicing in the Lord is part of that shared life. Joy can remain present through trouble because its source is the Lord. When we gather for worship, we have opportunities to encourage one another and find fresh strength. Paul’s repeated invitation to rejoice asks us to give that joy a deliberate place in our lives, even when circumstances give us plenty of reasons to worry.

Peace also takes shape through consideration and graciousness. Jesus showed us how to put the Father’s will first and extend grace to others. We are called to practice that same kindness, including when it is neither appreciated nor returned. Remembering those who have been patient with us can help us offer patience to someone else. As Rev. Phillips put it, “It takes practice to be a faithful Christian.”

When anxiety begins to crowd our hearts, Paul directs us toward prayer. “Pray more, worry less,” Rev. Phillips encouraged. We can bring every concern to God with thanksgiving, trusting Him with what lies beyond our control. Prayer also helps us face responsibilities we have postponed. Sometimes the next faithful step is to do the thing we have been avoiding, with confidence that God will help us.

What fills our minds matters, too. We can acknowledge painful circumstances while looking to God’s power and promises. Dwelling on what is true, right, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise shapes both our speech and our response to difficulty. As we give our attention to these things, we make room for encouragement to influence how we treat others.

We grow secure in God’s peace as we practice unity, graciousness, joyful faith, prayer, and thoughts guided by the Holy Spirit. This week, pray specifically about one recurring worry and thank God for His care. Take one step toward reconciliation or offer someone patience. Complete a responsibility you have delayed, and deliberately give your attention to something true and praiseworthy.

Please Listen

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Carol Brown · Matthew 25:1–13

In “Please Listen,” Pastor Carol Brown reflects on Jesus’ parable of the ten bridesmaids and the difference between appearing ready and having a heart prepared for Him. She encourages us to nurture our own relationship with Christ, remain faithful while we wait, and help others hear His invitation.

Matthew 25:1–13: Jesus tells of ten bridesmaids waiting for a bridegroom. Five bring extra oil and are prepared when he arrives; five are away buying oil when the wedding feast begins. The parable closes with a call to watch, because we do not know the day or hour.

All ten bridesmaids carried lamps. All waited for the bridegroom. From the outside, they appeared equally prepared. Yet when the announcement came, only five were ready to enter the wedding feast.

Pastor Carol Brown used this sobering parable to ask a question that reaches beyond appearances: If Jesus came today, would we be ready?

Church attendance, prayer, worship, and ministry matter. But participating in the same service does not mean everyone shares the same spiritual condition. We can follow familiar traditions while neglecting the relationship those practices should nurture. As Pastor Carol urged, “Don’t be satisfied with looking like a Christian. Make sure your heart belongs to Jesus.”

That invitation calls for honest reflection. Is our relationship with God growing? Are we obeying His Word? Are we living in repentance and faith? Readiness begins with a heart that belongs to Christ, rather than an outward appearance that reassures others.

The extra oil points to another essential lesson: personal preparation cannot be borrowed. A parent’s prayers are a blessing, and a pastor’s teaching can guide us, but each of us must respond to God personally. “You can’t live on yesterday’s spiritual experiences and neglect your relationship with God today,” Pastor Carol reminded the congregation.

Spiritual life needs attention before a crisis arrives. We should not wait for trouble to begin praying or for temptation to decide whether we will obey. The invitation is to seek God now and build a relationship that sustains us through whatever comes.

The bridegroom’s delay also matters. Both the wise and foolish bridesmaids fell asleep, but the wise had prepared for the wait. Pastor Carol connected that waiting to seasons when prayers seem unanswered and hoped-for changes do not come. “Faithfulness isn’t just how you begin. It’s how you continue while you wait.”

An unexpected arrival leaves no room for assuming we can respond later. Referring to James 4:14, Pastor Carol reminded listeners how brief life is and urged them to answer Christ’s invitation today.

Yet the message also turned our attention toward those we love. Thinking about the closed door, Pastor Carol asked what it would mean if a sister, child, or best friend were outside. Her concern became a call to share the message of Christ and help others understand His invitation.

The main point is clear: readiness means knowing Jesus personally and remaining faithful to Him. This week, make time for prayer before problems arise, examine your heart and priorities, and look for an opportunity to serve or speak about your faith with someone you love. As Pastor Carol encouraged, “Don’t live in constant fear. Live with confidence.” Keep your heart fixed on Christ, and help others hear His call.

Remember and Receive: The Heart of Communion

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows · 1 Corinthians 11:26–28; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; John 13:34–35

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows reflects on the heart of communion: remembering Christ’s sacrifice with gratitude, receiving his grace honestly, and sharing his love. His World Communion Sunday message invites us to carry that love into the week through one prayer, one person, and one act of love.

1 Corinthians 11:26–28; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; John 13:34–35: These passages call us to remember Christ’s sacrifice, examine our hearts, recognize our shared life as one body, and love one another as Jesus has loved us.

“What do we carry away from Christ’s table?”

That question guided Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows’ World Communion Sunday message. A memorable meal often stays with us because of the people, the conversation, and the love we experienced. At communion, a small piece of bread and a sip from the cup remind us of Christ’s immeasurable love. What we receive there should shape how we live afterward.

The first response is gratitude. When we share the bread and cup, we proclaim that Jesus gave his life for us. We remember the cost of our forgiveness and look forward with hope to his return.

Paul also calls us to examine ourselves. In Corinth, some ate while others went hungry, contradicting the self-giving love they were proclaiming. Remembering Christ’s sacrifice asks us to face our own selfishness honestly, repent, and depend on his mercy. Gratitude should reach into everyday encounters, softening our words when someone tests our patience.

Rev. Barrows offered a simple morning prayer: “Jesus, thank you for giving yourself for me.” Taking one quiet minute to pray those words allows gratitude to have our attention before the demands of the day do.

The second response is an open heart. Receiving help can be uncomfortable. When someone brings a meal during an exhausting week, we may instinctively insist that we are fine. Accepting the gift means admitting that we need it.

We can bring that same reluctance into our relationship with God, trying to prove that we have everything under control. Yet his grace is freely given, received through trust rather than earned through effort. Christ knows the burdens we carry, and we can bring them honestly before him.

“Help me trust you with what I’ve been trying to carry alone,” Rev. Barrows prayed. He encouraged listeners to name one need before Christ and ask a trusted Christian friend, “Would you pray with me?”

The third response is love made visible. Communion draws us into a shared life. On World Communion Sunday, that fellowship stretches across languages and nations, while also calling us to notice the person beside us.

A simple invitation, “Come sit with us,” can change someone’s experience of belonging. Someone new, someone who has been absent, or someone facing a difficult week may be waiting for us to notice. Following Jesus means learning his way of loving people and meeting their needs.

The heart of communion is to remember Christ’s sacrifice, receive his grace, and let that love shape our care for others. This week, begin with the invitation Rev. Barrows gave: “One prayer, one person, one act of love.” Bring one burden to Christ each morning. Write down the name of someone to contact. Then make the call, offer a ride, or listen without looking at your phone. Carry the love received at Christ’s table into an ordinary moment where someone needs it.

The Beautiful Feet People

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Don Jeffers · Isaiah 52:1–11

Pastor Don Jeffers reminds us that “beautiful feet people” carry the good news of Jesus through encouragement, compassion, and practical acts of love. Every Christian can help others discover that hope, help, and healing are available through Christ.

Isaiah 52:1-11 (NIV):
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.”

We hear plenty of bad news. Stories of conflict, suffering, division, and fear surround us, leaving many people discouraged and searching for hope. In Isaiah 52, however, a messenger arrives with good news: God reigns, His people are being restored, and salvation is being proclaimed.

Pastor Don Jeffers calls those who carry this message “beautiful feet people.” They are the people we are glad to see coming. They bring hope and encouragement, listen when someone needs to talk, pray for those who are struggling, and remind others that they are not alone.

One story Pastor Don shared involved an older man who was still working as a delivery driver at age 87 because he needed help paying for medicine and other expenses. A woman in his neighborhood noticed him, took time to learn his story, gave him money so he could take the rest of the day off, and began raising funds to help him retire.

“She cared, she shared, and she acted in love,” Pastor Don said. Those three actions offer a simple picture of what beautiful feet people do. They notice the needs around them and respond with the love God has given them.

Beautiful feet people also inspire others. Pastor Don remembered counseling people overcoming alcohol and drug addiction. When someone returned to share exactly how long they had remained sober, their progress became a source of joy and encouragement. Their lives showed that hope, help, and healing are possible.

Carrying good news does not mean we can solve every problem or force someone to believe. As Pastor Don explained, “I can’t save them. Only God can. But I can tell them about it.” Our responsibility is to care, speak, serve, and love, even when someone rejects what we offer.

Pastor Don also recalled washing the feet of a man who was ashamed of how they looked. Afterward, he reminded the man that God had not created him to be ugly or unworthy. There are people all around us who carry that same kind of shame. A compassionate word or act can remind them that they are loved by God and valued by others.

The sermon’s main point is clear: every Christian can become a beautiful feet person by carrying the good news of Jesus into someone else’s life. This week, check on someone who may feel forgotten. Listen without rushing, pray with them, share your time or resources when you can, and remind them that they are not alone. In Pastor Don’s words, we are called to “care, share, and do acts of love.”

For today’s bulletin, online giving, ways to connect with NBFFC, and more helpful Sunday links, visit nbffc.org/sunday 🔗

The Human Struggle with Trusting God’s Will

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. John Phillips · Matthew 16:21–28

Trusting God’s will can be difficult when His plans do not match our expectations. Through Peter’s struggle with Jesus’ path to the cross, Rev. John Phillips reminds us that following Christ requires surrender, faithfulness, and a willingness to let God be God.

Matthew 16:21-28 (NIV): “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Jesus also asks, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Peter had just made one of the greatest declarations of his life. He recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Yet almost immediately, Peter found himself struggling with what Jesus said would come next.

Jesus explained that He would go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and be raised to life. Peter could not accept it. His response was immediate: “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!”

Peter believed in Jesus, but he did not yet understand the path Jesus had to take. As Rev. John Phillips explained, this reveals a struggle that is deeply human. “The human problem with the divine will of God is we don’t always agree or understand what the will of God is.”

At the heart of that struggle is control versus surrender.

Like Peter, we often approach life through our own emotions, expectations, experiences, and limited understanding. We may believe we know what God should do, how a situation should turn out, or which difficulties should be avoided. When God’s direction does not fit those expectations, trusting Him becomes harder.

Peter’s desire to protect Jesus may have sounded loving, but it placed Peter’s wishes in opposition to the Father’s purpose. Jesus responded strongly because Peter was trying to stand between Christ and the work He had come to accomplish.

The same danger exists for us. We can become so convinced of our own understanding that we begin placing conditions on our obedience. Yet, as the sermon reminded us, “Sometimes we may not fully understand what God’s wanting, but if we obey Him, He’ll eventually bring it to our understanding or help us to accept it.”

Jesus then turned the conversation toward discipleship. Following Him means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following His way rather than insisting upon our own. This is more than agreeing with Christian beliefs. It is a daily surrender of our plans, preferences, pride, and need for control.

Rev. Phillips illustrated that commitment through the story of Arthur Blessitt, who spent decades carrying a large wooden cross throughout the world as a visible witness to Christ. Most believers will never be called to carry a literal cross across continents, but every Christian is called to live under the direction of Jesus wherever our feet, hands, and lives take us.

The question is one of faithfulness. “Are we able to lay aside the things of mankind, human beings, and let God be God?”

The main point of the sermon is clear: trusting God’s will requires surrendering our own control and faithfully following Jesus even when we do not completely understand the path ahead. This week, examine where you may be resisting God’s direction. Pray without attaching conditions to the outcome. Choose obedience in one area where fear, pride, or personal preference has been leading you. Then ask yourself each day, “Am I following Christ, or am I asking Christ to follow my plans?”

Teaching to Live By

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Carol Brown · Exodus 20:1–20

Pastor Carol Brown reminds us that the Ten Commandments are more than rules to follow. They teach us how to put God first, love others well, and imagine a world shaped by faithfulness, truth, peace, gratitude, and the love of Christ.

Exodus 20:1-20 (NIV)
God gives His people the Ten Commandments, calling them to worship Him alone, honor His name, keep the Sabbath holy, honor their parents, respect life, remain faithful, live honestly, speak truthfully, and resist coveting what belongs to others.

1 John 3:23 (NIV): “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another.”

In “Teaching to Live By,” Pastor Carol Brown reminds us that sometimes we need to hear familiar truth again. The Ten Commandments may be well known, but their purpose still speaks directly to the way we live today.

Our natural response to commandments can be resistance. We do not always like being told what we must or must not do. Yet Pastor Carol challenged us to see God’s commands differently. “The commandments in Scripture are not simply requirements and regulations. They’re tools for dreaming.”

Each commandment points toward a life centered on God and shaped by love.

Putting God first means examining what receives our greatest attention and devotion. As Pastor Carol asked, “Do I seek God first?” God should not receive the leftovers of our lives. Nothing, including money, possessions, careers, relationships, or popularity, should take His place.

Honoring God also means carrying His name faithfully. If we call ourselves Christians, our lives should reflect Christ. Sabbath rest reminds us that life cannot be only about producing, achieving, and accumulating. God gives us a rhythm of work, worship, reflection, and rest.

The commandments also shape the way we treat one another. We are called to honor family, protect human life, remain faithful in relationships, act with integrity, speak truth, and live with contentment. Pastor Carol reminded us that integrity means “doing what is right even when nobody’s watching.”

Truth matters too. Before speaking, we can ask three simple questions: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it loving? Gossip and dishonesty can damage relationships, families, and churches, while truthful and loving words can build others up.

The command not to covet challenges the comparison that so easily steals our gratitude. When we constantly measure our lives against someone else’s, we lose sight of what God has already given us. Contentment allows us to receive His gifts with gratitude instead.

None of us keeps God’s standards perfectly. “We all sin. We all fall short of the glory of God.” That is why the commandments ultimately point us toward Christ. Jesus provides salvation by grace, gives us new hearts, and teaches us to live differently.

Pastor Carol invited us to imagine what life could look like if these teachings shaped our homes, churches, communities, and world. Imagine people putting God first, respecting life, keeping their commitments, telling the truth, choosing peace, and being content with what they have. The commandments become not only rules for obedience, but a vision of “a brighter and a holier future, a brighter and a holier present.”

The main point is simple: God’s commands teach us how to love Him and love one another. This week, put God first each morning, make intentional room for worship and rest, choose honesty when no one is watching, guard your words before speaking, forgive rather than hold onto bitterness, and practice gratitude instead of comparison.

More Than a Paycheck: What Are You Working For?

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows · Matthew 20:1–16

Our work is about more than a paycheck. Through Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard, Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows reminds us that God gives dignity to our work, permission to rest, and salvation through grace.

Matthew 20:1-16 (NIV)
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

Labor Day gives us an opportunity to think about work, but Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard invites us to consider a deeper question: What are we really working for?

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows challenged us to look beyond our jobs, titles, paychecks, and productivity and consider where our identity and purpose truly come from. Whether we are working full time, raising a family, attending school, volunteering, looking for work, or enjoying retirement, the message of Matthew 20 speaks to every season of life.

The first truth from the vineyard is that God gives dignity to work. Throughout the day, the landowner continued searching for workers and inviting them into the vineyard. Each person was wanted and given an opportunity to contribute.

Work itself is part of God’s design. Genesis 2 shows that meaningful work existed before sin entered the world. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we were created in Christ Jesus for good works, while Colossians 3:23 calls us to work wholeheartedly for the Lord.

That changes the question we bring into our daily responsibilities. Instead of asking only what we are receiving from our work, we can ask, “Whom am I serving?”

The second truth is that God gives permission to rest. Eventually, the workday in the vineyard came to an end. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that there is a rhythm of work and rest. God rested after creation, and Exodus 20 calls His people to remember the Sabbath.

Sometimes trusting God means getting up and doing the work. Other times, trusting God means putting the work down.

As Rev. Dr. Barrows reminded us, “Your value does not come from your productivity.” Our paycheck, job title, accomplishments, and ability to keep going do not determine our worth. Even when work changes, retirement comes, or circumstances shift, our identity remains secure in Christ.

Finally, God gives salvation by grace. At the end of the day, the workers who arrived last received the same wage as those who had worked from morning. The landowner asked, “Are you envious because I am generous?”

Jesus was not giving a lesson about payroll. He was teaching about grace.

We cannot earn salvation by working enough hours, serving long enough, or building an impressive spiritual record. As the sermon put it, “Grace is not wages. Grace is a gift.” The landowner kept going out and inviting workers, even late in the day. In the same way, God continues calling people to Himself.

The main point is simple: work faithfully because God gives dignity to work, rest faithfully because God gives permission to rest, and trust Jesus completely because salvation comes by grace.

This week, ask God who you can serve through your work. Set aside intentional time to rest, pray, worship, and enjoy His goodness. And when you are tempted to measure your worth by what you accomplish, remember that your identity rests in Christ, not in your productivity.

II Samuel 11 & 12

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Randy Neiswonger · II Samuel 11 & 12

David’s story in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 shows how quickly sin can grow when we try to hide it instead of bringing it before God. Yet even after serious failure, genuine repentance is met with God’s forgiveness, though our choices may still carry lasting consequences.

2 Samuel 11–12 (NIV)
Nathan confronted David with the words, “You are the man!” Later, David responded, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Samuel 12:7, 13).

The account of David and Bathsheba is familiar, but it still speaks clearly about temptation, sin, repentance, forgiveness, and consequences.

Second Samuel 11 begins at a time when kings normally went out to battle, but David remained in Jerusalem. One evening, he saw Bathsheba and began asking about her. He learned that she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of his soldiers, yet David continued down a path he knew was wrong.

What began with desire grew into adultery. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David tried to cover what he had done. He brought Uriah home from battle, hoping Uriah would return to his wife and make the pregnancy appear to be his. But Uriah refused the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers remained in the field.

David then went even further. He sent Uriah back to battle carrying instructions that would lead to his own death. Other soldiers died as well. David had moved from coveting to adultery, deception, and murder.

The sermon reminds us of something we can easily recognize in ourselves: when we sin, our first instinct may be to fix the situation ourselves or hide what happened. As Randy said, “We want to fix it ourselves. We want to hide it from God.”

But nothing was hidden from God.

After Bathsheba became David’s wife and gave birth to a son, the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront him. Nathan told David about a rich man who took a poor man’s only lamb instead of using one from his own large flock. David was outraged by the injustice.

Then Nathan told him plainly, “You are the man!”

God reminded David of everything He had given him and exposed the seriousness of what David had done. At that moment, David stopped making excuses. He simply confessed, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

Nathan’s response reveals the heart of the message: God forgave David.

David’s forgiveness did not erase every consequence. Trouble followed his family, and the choices he made brought lasting pain. As the sermon emphasized, “We may have to pay the consequences, but God will always forgive us.”

That distinction matters. Forgiveness does not mean sin is insignificant. It means that when we genuinely repent and turn back to God, our failure does not have to keep us separated from Him.

The main point of this sermon is simple: no sin should keep us from returning to God in repentance. This week, examine your heart honestly, stop trying to hide or manage sin on your own, confess what is wrong, and receive the forgiveness God offers. Then choose obedience today rather than allowing one wrong choice to grow into another.

Overwhelmed By Joy

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Don Jeffers · Isaiah 61:1–4, 10–11

Joy grows when we remember who we are in Christ, give thanks for what God has done, and refuse to let the past define us. Pastor Don Jeffers reminds us that through God’s grace and forgiveness, we can live each day overwhelmed with joy.

Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11 (NIV)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” Later, Isaiah declares, “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.” These verses picture God bringing comfort, restoration, salvation, righteousness, and renewed joy to His people.

In “Overwhelmed By Joy,” Pastor Don Jeffers reflected on the kind of joy that comes from knowing what God has done for us. Isaiah 61 describes people who have experienced brokenness, mourning, and loss, yet God promises beauty in place of ashes and praise instead of despair. That transformation gives us a reason to live differently.

Pastor Don put it simply: “Joy is rooted in the soil of gratitude.” When we begin remembering God’s goodness, His forgiveness, the people He has placed in our lives, and the ways He has carried us, gratitude begins to change our perspective. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy is not merely a pleasant feeling. It becomes part of the strength God gives us for daily life.

We also reclaim joy when we remember our identity in Christ. Pastor Don encouraged us to listen first to what God says about us rather than allowing other voices, or even our own past failures, to define us. Through Christ, we are forgiven and precious to God. His Word becomes the foundation for understanding who we are and how we are called to live.

That means we cannot allow yesterday to control today. “We’ve become defined by now, not then,” Pastor Don said. Psalm 103:12 describes God removing our sins as far as the east is from the west. If God has forgiven us, we should not continually return to what He has already taken away. Our past may be part of our story, but it does not have to determine how we follow Christ today.

Finally, joy must be cultivated. “We cultivate joy by being joyful.” Pastor Don compared joy to something that must be rooted and tended. As we stay rooted in God’s Word, worship Him, share what He has done, and put our faith into action, joy becomes visible in the way we live. People need to see Christ in our actions as well as hear about Him in our words.

The main point is simple: God calls His people to be overwhelmed with joy because of His salvation, forgiveness, and continuing work in our lives. This week, practice gratitude by naming specific things you thank God for, spend time in Scripture remembering who you are in Christ, refuse to rehearse forgiven failures from the past, forgive others without repeatedly bringing their wrongs back up, and look for one practical way each day to show the joy and love of Jesus through your actions.

The Right Road, The Wrong Direction

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Bud Davis · Revelation 2:1–7

Revelation 2:1-7 challenges the church to examine whether faithful activity has replaced the call to openly witness for Christ. Pastor Bud Davis reminds us that being on the right road is not enough if we are moving in the wrong direction.

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4-5, NIV)

It is possible to be on the right road and still be headed in the wrong direction. That simple picture shaped Pastor Bud Davis’s message from Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus.

The Ephesian church had much to commend. Jesus recognized their hard work, perseverance, discernment, and endurance. They had remained faithful in important ways. Yet something essential was missing. Pastor Bud focused on Jesus’ warning that they had “left your first love,” explaining it as a call for the church to recover its commitment to witnessing to the world about Christ.

Revelation, he reminded us, was written not simply to describe future events, but to encourage faithful churches and awaken churches that were drifting from their calling. The letters to the seven churches still challenge believers today to consider whether we are following Christ faithfully and serving as His witnesses.

That makes Jesus’ words to Ephesus especially searching. A church can be busy. It can have strong ministries, loving relationships, and good work happening throughout the community. Yet Pastor Bud asked a more personal question: “Are you witnessing for Jesus Christ?”

He illustrated that challenge through a memory of encountering a distressed waitress at a restaurant. He and his daughter stopped, spoke with her, and prayed for her. Looking back, however, he realized he had missed an opportunity to speak directly about Jesus. The experience became a reminder that compassion is important, but Christians are also called to share the hope behind that compassion.

Witnessing does not require everyone to preach a sermon. Pastor Bud described two basic ways believers can witness. We can share our testimony, telling others how Christ has worked in our own lives, and we can share the gospel, explaining who Jesus is, what He has done, and the salvation He offers.

Jesus gave that calling to His followers in Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, and Acts 1:8. It is not reserved for pastors or a select group within the church. As Pastor Bud emphasized, Christ calls His people to be His witnesses wherever He has placed them.

The message also carried a serious warning. Jesus told the Ephesian church to remember, repent, and return to what they had done at first. Pastor Bud urged the church to hear those words personally and to consider whether our ministries and activities are truly helping us point people toward Christ.

He closed with a statement that had deeply challenged him: “A witnessing church is a persecuted church.” Faithful witness may not always be comfortable or welcomed, but the church is still called to speak about Jesus with courage and faithfulness.

The main point is clear: we can be doing many good things and still lose sight of our calling to witness for Christ. This week, pray for courage, identify one person who may need encouragement or hope, look for a natural opportunity to share what Jesus has done in your life, and ask God to help your words and actions point clearly to Him.

Journey or Destination

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Carol Brown · Exodus 13:17–22

God cares deeply about our destination, but He also uses the journey to shape our faith, character, patience, and trust. Pastor Carol Brown reminds us that as we walk with God, His presence is not only waiting for us at the end, it is guiding us every step of the way.

Exodus 13:17-22 (NIV)
“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way.”
Supporting Scriptures: Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:2-4; Exodus 33:14-15; Hebrews 11:8; Luke 24:13-35; Philippians 1:6

When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not take them by the shortest road. Instead, He led them through the wilderness, staying with them through a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Their destination mattered, but so did everything God was doing in them along the way.

That raises an important question: Is life about the journey or the destination?

Pastor Carol Brown reminded us that the destination is crucial, especially for believers whose final home is with Christ. But Scripture also shows us that God does some of His greatest work while His people are still traveling.

We often focus on the next milestone, whether it is graduation, marriage, financial security, retirement, a vacation, or an answered prayer. We can begin to think fulfillment will finally come when we arrive. Yet the journey itself is often where God shapes us.

Trials can become classrooms. Delays can prepare us for what comes next. Difficulties can develop perseverance and spiritual maturity. As Pastor Carol put it, “Gold is refined through fire, not comfort.”

The Israelites had to learn to trust God’s presence in the wilderness. Abraham had to leave home without knowing exactly where God was leading him. His faith meant “walking before seeing,” trusting before understanding, and obeying before receiving. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples discovered that Jesus was already walking with them before they reached their destination.

The same is true for us. God is present while we wait, while we struggle, while plans change, and while we take the next uncertain step. We should not become so focused on receiving God’s blessings that we forget to seek God Himself. As Pastor Carol said, “Success without God is still failure.”

The journey is also where our hearts are prepared for what God has ahead. If every prayer were answered immediately, we might receive what we wanted without developing the faith, patience, humility, and dependence needed to carry it well.

The main point is simple: God cares about where He is taking us, but He also cares about who we are becoming on the way. “God isn’t taking you somewhere. He’s making you someone.”

This week, ask what God may be teaching you in your present season. Trust Him even when you cannot see the entire path. Look for His presence in delays and difficulties, spend time in prayer and Scripture while you wait, and choose obedience with the next step you can see. The destination matters, but the journey is where faith grows and character is formed. Make the journey count.

One Step Closer to Christ

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows · Matthew 28:19–20; John 13:34–35; 1 Corinthians 3:6–9

Jesus calls us to help others take one step closer to Him through faithful prayer, Christlike love, patient listening, and consistent living. We plant and water the seeds, trusting God alone to bring spiritual growth.

“Go and make disciples of all nations.” Jesus also commands His followers to “love one another” as He has loved us. Paul reminds us that one person plants and another waters, “but God has been making it grow.”

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows opened his message with a question worth carrying into every part of our lives: “Whose life is one step closer to Jesus because God placed you in it?”

The answer is not measured only by how often we attend church, how many Bible verses we know, or how many ministry activities fill our calendars. Those things have value, but discipleship reaches deeper. The real question is whether anyone is growing closer to Christ because of the way we pray, love, speak, serve, and live.

Matthew 28 gives every believer a mission to make disciples. Jesus did not call us to create spectators or occasional church attendees. He called us to help people follow Him. That work often happens through ordinary relationships, not from a pulpit. Our mission field may be a kitchen table, a workplace, a hospital room, a front porch, or a conversation over coffee.

We do not need to have every answer. We need to know Jesus, love people, and be willing to walk alongside them. A practical place to begin is by choosing one person. Write down that person’s name and pray regularly for opportunities to listen, serve, and share what Christ has done in your life.

John 13 shows us how to carry out that mission. Jesus said people would recognize His disciples by their love. That love is patient, sacrificial, forgiving, and sincere. It does not treat another person like a project or turn every conversation into an argument.

Sometimes sharing Christ begins by speaking less and listening more. We can ask thoughtful questions about a person’s experiences, struggles, or beliefs. We can also ask, “Is there anything you would like me to pray about?” Then we must listen with genuine care.

“The greatest sermon that you will ever preach may never be delivered from a pulpit.” It may be lived at home through patience, humility, kindness, forgiveness, and consistency. Someone may take a step closer to Christ because they saw His love reflected in the way we responded during difficulty.

First Corinthians 3 reminds us that the results belong to God. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God produced the growth. We cannot force another person to believe, change a heart, or save someone we love. Only Jesus saves.

Still, trusting God does not mean putting down the watering can. We keep praying, loving, inviting, encouraging, and walking with people, even when growth is not immediately visible. “Faithfulness is never wasted in the hands of God.”

The main point is simple: our mission is to make disciples, our method is Christlike love, and our confidence is that God gives the growth. This week, choose one person, pray for them daily by name, listen to them, perform one intentional act of love, and offer a gentle next step toward Jesus. Keep walking with them and trust God with the outcome.

Spiritual Unity

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Don Jeffers · Philippians 2:1–13

Spiritual unity does not require everyone to agree on everything. It grows when believers follow Christ’s example by serving others, communicating with grace, welcoming people without judgment, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape their attitudes and actions.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

Spiritual unity is a beautiful thing to see in the church, but it does not happen automatically. As Pastor Don Jeffers explained, unity does not mean that Christians will always share the same opinions. “We should all be together,” he said, “but I did not say we should all agree all the time.”

In Philippians 2, Paul calls believers to love one another, work together with a common purpose, reject selfish ambition, and follow the humble example of Jesus. Christ did not cling to His position or privileges. He humbled Himself, became a servant, and obeyed the Father completely. That same attitude should shape the way believers treat one another.

Spiritual unity begins when we serve God instead of ourselves. Receiving Christ’s forgiveness and grace is the first step in our walk with Him, not the final one. As we grow, we learn to put aside selfishness and take a genuine interest in others. Pastor Don reminded the church, “Showing genuine interest in others is a positive step forward in maintaining unity among believers.”

That interest must extend to everyone. People come from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and struggles, but all are created by God. No one is greater or more deserving of grace than another. The church should be a place where those who are hurting, struggling with addiction, or carrying the weight of past mistakes can experience the love of Christ. Instead of turning people away, believers are called to welcome them, pray for them, and walk patiently beside them.

Unity also requires honest and gracious communication. Trust develops when people know they can speak openly without immediately being judged or dismissed. Our words, expressions, and actions all affect the people around us. Even a brief conversation can reveal the character of Christ when it is filled with kindness and respect.

There are also times when believers must set aside their right to correct someone immediately. Knowing what the Bible says is essential, but wisdom helps us understand when and how to speak. Pastor Don encouraged the church to “know your audience” and find common ground so that others can hear about Jesus without feeling condemned before a relationship has been formed.

Finally, Christians are called to set the standard high and shine brightly for Christ. When someone falls, the church should continue loving, praying, and helping that person begin again. Grace does not lower God’s standard. It reflects the patience God continually shows to us.

The main point of the sermon is clear: spiritual unity grows when we train ourselves to think like Christ and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit. This week, look for someone you can welcome, listen to, encourage, or forgive. Speak with grace, resist selfishness, pray for those who are struggling, and choose love even when you disagree.

Paul’s Prayer for Us

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. John Phillips · Ephesians 3:14–21

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church reminds us that spiritual strength, a deeper knowledge of Christ’s love, and renewed life in the church all begin with earnest prayer. Rev. John Phillips challenges us to move beyond distracted prayer and seek the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul kneels before the Father and prays for the church. He does not ask first for easier circumstances, greater comfort, or freedom from his own imprisonment. He prays that God’s people will receive spiritual strength, understand the vast love of Christ, and be filled with the fullness of God.

Rev. John Phillips reminded us that prayer was not a minor part of Paul’s life. “Paul took prayer seriously.” It was a source of spiritual power, personal discipline, and faithful service to Christ.

Paul’s own life had been transformed through an encounter with Jesus. Once an enemy of the church, he became an apostle of the risen Lord. That transformation drove him to his knees. God accomplished in Paul what Paul could never have accomplished for himself.

The sermon emphasized two requests within Paul’s prayer. First, Paul asks that believers be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit in their inner being. Rev. Phillips described this as a kind of spiritual “dynamite,” a power that only God can place within us. Physical strength receives a great deal of attention, but our hearts, minds, and souls also need care. That strength grows as we continually engage with Christ through prayer and the disciplines of Christian life.

Prayer cannot remain a ritual, a line in the bulletin, or something we expect someone else to do for us. “Don’t let somebody else do your praying,” Rev. Phillips urged. Personal prayer and united prayer help the church seek God’s will, address conflict, confess sin, and place Christ back at the center.

The Ephesian church was later warned that it had left its first love. Its routines continued, but Christ no longer held first place in the hearts of the people. Prayer shines light on the places where we may be hiding from God and invites us to return to wholehearted devotion.

Paul’s second request is that believers grasp how wide, long, high, and deep the love of Christ truly is. God desires a church that is full, not merely in attendance, but in holiness, grace, truth, and love. Jesus came full of grace and truth, and his people are called to reflect both with compassion.

Paul closes his prayer by praising the God who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. This is the hope of the church. We do not depend on our own persuasive ability, resources, or carefully arranged plans. We depend on God’s power working within us.

The main point is clear: the church is renewed when God’s people return to serious, Christ-centered prayer. This week, read Ephesians 3:14-21 and John 17, set aside intentional time to pray, ask God to strengthen your inner life, bring unresolved struggles honestly before him, and pray with other believers whenever the opportunity is available.

Done With Authority

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Carol Brown · Mark 1:27–34

Jesus does not merely possess power. He carries the authority of God to teach, heal, forgive, and transform, and through him we are equipped to resist evil and serve a hurting world with grace.

“The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching, and with authority!’” (Mark 1:27). Later, Paul describes the struggle within every person: “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15).

Early in Jesus’ ministry, he entered the synagogue in Capernaum and began to teach. Mark does not tell us exactly what Jesus taught that day. Instead, he draws our attention to the way Jesus taught. The people immediately recognized that he was different from the religious teachers they knew. Jesus spoke with authority.

That authority became even clearer when a man troubled by an unclean spirit cried out. Jesus commanded the spirit to be quiet and leave the man, and it obeyed. The people were astonished. They had witnessed more than persuasive words or an impressive display of power. They had encountered the Holy One of God.

Pastor Carol explained that power and authority are not the same. A person or institution may have the power to make decisions, control resources, or affect someone’s life without possessing the moral authority to do what is right. History offers many examples of people who gained tremendous power and used it destructively.

Jesus’ authority is entirely different. It does not come from a title, social position, or human institution. His authority comes from God and is revealed through truth, grace, healing, and freedom. As Pastor Carol said, “What is important is his teaching is authoritative because of who he is.”

After leaving the synagogue, Jesus continued using his authority to serve others. He healed Simon’s mother-in-law and cared for many who were sick or oppressed. His authority was not used to elevate himself. It brought restoration to people who were suffering.

We also face a struggle between good and evil within ourselves. Paul honestly admitted that he sometimes did the very things he hated. Pastor Carol illustrated this struggle with the story of two dogs fighting within a person, one pulling toward what is right and the other toward what is wrong. “The one you feed is the one who will win.”

We cannot overcome that struggle through our own strength. We must be fed by Scripture, prayer, worship, confession, and the grace of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we meet the One who can call evil out of us, forgive us, and transform us.

The authority Jesus gives his followers is not permission to control others. It is a calling to speak truth, live faithfully, resist evil, bring healing, and care for a hungry and hurting world. “We have hope, we have grace, and we have authority and power from above.”

The main point is clear: true authority comes from Jesus and is meant to bring grace, healing, and transformation. This week, feed what is good within you by spending time in Scripture, confessing where you have fallen short, resisting one harmful habit, speaking a word of truth and encouragement, and finding one practical way to help someone who is hurting.

Freedom That Lasts Forever

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows · Galatians 5:1, John 8:26, 2 Corinthians 3:17

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows reminds us that while national freedom is a blessing worth thanking God for, the deepest freedom is found only in Jesus Christ. In Christ, we are called to stand firm, live free from old chains, and follow the Spirit into a freedom that lasts forever.

Galatians 5:1, John 8:36, and 2 Corinthians 3:17 remind us that Christ sets us free, the Son makes us “free indeed,” and “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (NIV).

On this Fourth of July weekend, Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows invited the church to look beyond fireworks, flags, and national celebration to a deeper question: “What good is it to live in a free country if our hearts are still living in chains?” National freedom is a blessing, and we should be thankful for those who have served, sacrificed, led, and prayed for our country. But the sermon pressed us to remember that political freedom, as precious as it is, is not the deepest freedom a person can know.

The central truth was clear: “America’s freedom is a blessing, but Christ’s freedom is eternal.” Fireworks fade, celebrations end, and circumstances change, but the freedom we have in Jesus cannot be canceled by storms or shaken by the uncertainty of life.

In Galatians 5:1, Paul calls believers to stand firm in the freedom Christ has already won. Dr. Barrows reminded us that believers can be set free and still keep walking in old patterns. “The chain is gone, but the pattern remains.” Sometimes shame remains after sin has been forgiven. Sometimes fear keeps us sitting in a cell even after Jesus has opened the door. The call of the gospel is not to earn freedom, but to live in the freedom Christ has already provided. As the sermon put it, “We do not stand firm because we are strong. We stand firm because Christ is strong.”

John 8:36 teaches that true freedom comes from the Son. It is possible to look free on the outside while still being bound on the inside. A full calendar, a public smile, or a stable bank account cannot give the kind of freedom Jesus gives. Christ does not set us free from joy, He sets us free for joy. Sin promises happiness, but it leaves people weary, ashamed, and empty. Jesus gives freedom that reaches the heart.

Then 2 Corinthians 3:17 reminds us that Christian freedom is life with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not simply open the prison door and leave us alone. He guides, convicts, comforts, strengthens, and transforms us. Dr. Barrows made an important distinction: “Conviction is not condemnation. Condemnation says you are hopeless. Conviction says come home.” That is the liberty of the Spirit, freedom to stop pretending, confess honestly, grow faithfully, and become more like Jesus.

The main point is clear: America’s freedom is a blessing, but Christ’s freedom is eternal. This week, stand firm in what Christ has already done, name the old patterns that still try to pull you back, stay daily connected to Jesus, listen when the Spirit reroutes you, and practice freedom by loving, forgiving, serving, and obeying God with a surrendered heart.

Don’t Miss His Glory

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Don Jeffers · Isaiah 6:1–4 / Hebrews 13:5

Pastor Don Jeffers reminds us that God’s glory is not far away or reserved for rare moments. Through Isaiah’s vision, we are invited to trust God’s presence, bring Him our fears and failures, and learn to see His glory in everyday life.

Isaiah 6:1-4 (NIV) gives us a powerful picture of God’s holiness and glory: Isaiah saw “the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne,” while the seraphim called out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.” Hebrews 13:5 reminds us of God’s faithful promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Pastor Don Jeffers opened this message with a simple story about a dog whose graying face was affectionately called a “sugar face.” The picture was tender and personal, and it pointed to the heart of the sermon: we need to let God take our faces in His hands, draw our attention back to Him, and remind us that we are completely His.

Isaiah’s vision shows us the glory of God in a way that is holy, powerful, and overwhelming. The Lord is seated on the throne, the train of His robe fills the temple, and the voices of the seraphim shake the foundations. Yet Pastor Don reminded us that God’s glory is not only something Isaiah saw long ago. “We are surrounded by the glory of God,” he said. The challenge is learning to recognize it, especially when life feels heavy.

We need God’s glory when we are afraid, disappointed, hurting, ashamed, or confused. We need it when we have prayed and still find ourselves asking, “God, why?” Pastor Don was honest that even mature believers can miss the evidence of God’s glory. Fear, failure, shame, and pain can cloud our vision. That is why we must learn to trade fear for reassurance, failure for forgiveness, shame for acceptance, and brokenheartedness for healing.

One of the important places we experience God’s glory is in a safe place with Him. Sometimes that means being alone in prayer. Sometimes it means being with trusted believers who can pray, listen, and walk with us. Pastor Don reminded us that “lone ranger Christians are not the best thing in the world.” We need godly people around us, people who offer not only sympathy, but empathy, encouragement, healing, and hope.

He also reminded us that God’s glory is seen in answered prayer, in worship, in Scripture, in the encouraging words of a friend, and even in the beauty of creation. Sunrises and sunsets can become reminders that God is still near. His glory fills the earth, but we must slow down and look for it.

The main point of the sermon is simple and strong: do not miss God’s glory. This week, take time to look up to Him and say, “God, I am totally and completely yours.” Bring Him your fear, your failure, your shame, and your hurt. Find a safe place to pray, surround yourself with godly people, thank God for the prayers He is already answering, and hold tightly to His promise that He will never leave you or forsake you.

Father Abraham … Has Many Children

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. John Phillips · Romans 4:1–5, 13–25

This Father’s Day sermon reflects on Abraham’s faith, a father’s influence, and the grace of God that saves us through Jesus Christ. Through Scripture and personal memories, we are reminded that real faith trusts God’s promise, leads the home with love, and stands firm without compromise.

Romans 4:1-5, 13-25; Romans 5:1-2. Paul writes that “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3, NIV). He also reminds us that Jesus “was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25, NIV), and that through faith “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1, NIV).

On Father’s Day, this message turned our attention to Father Abraham, not only as an important figure in Scripture, but as a spiritual father whose faith still teaches us today. Abraham was called by God to leave what was familiar and trust a promise he could not yet see. God promised him a family beyond counting, “outnumbering the sand on the seashore and the stars of the heavens,” and Abraham believed.

That faith is at the heart of Paul’s message in Romans. None of us can earn righteousness before God. As the sermon reminded us, “As much good as we try to do every day, you’ll never be able to save yourself.” Salvation is not a reward for impressive works or religious effort. It is the gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

The sermon also reflected warmly on the importance of earthly fathers. “Fathers are important,” we were reminded. Earthly fathers are not perfect, but they have a powerful role in shaping faith, character, and courage in their children. Through memories of a father who worked hard, showed up, prayed, sang, washed little hands, kept his word, and led his family toward Christ, we saw how everyday faithfulness leaves a lasting mark.

Abraham’s life also teaches us to keep faith without compromise. He was not perfect, but he continued trusting God. Even when the promise seemed impossible, “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed.” His faith was not based on easy circumstances, but on the character and power of God. He was “fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised.”

That is the kind of faith families need today. We need fathers, mothers, grandparents, and believers of every generation who will stand up for Christ without shame. We need homes that pray through trials, teach children the way of the Lord, and say with conviction, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

The main point is clear: we are made right with God not by our work, but by faith in the promise fulfilled through Jesus, and that faith should shape the way we lead, love, and live. This week, trust God’s grace instead of your own effort, thank God for the faithful people who helped guide you, encourage a father or spiritual father in your life, and take one intentional step to lead your home or your relationships toward Christ.

Just One More Bite

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pastor Carol Brown · Luke 4:1–13

Pastor Carol Brown’s “Just One More Bite” reminds us that temptation is serious, common, and often begins with small compromises. Through Jesus’ victory in the wilderness, we are reminded that God gives us strength, forgiveness, and a way out.

Luke 4:1-13 (NIV): Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led into the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. When tempted to turn stone into bread, take worldly power, and test God’s protection, Jesus answered with Scripture, choosing faithfulness to the Father.

In “Just One More Bite,” Pastor Carol Brown spoke honestly about temptation, not as something distant or rare, but as something we face every day. “Temptation is a very serious matter,” she said. “There’s nothing funny about it.” It can come through ambition, appetite, excuses, comparison, guilt, or the small thought that one wrong choice will not really matter.

Pastor Carol reminded us that temptation is not new. From the garden of Eden to the wilderness where Jesus was tested, the question often begins the same way: Did God really say that? The enemy’s voice invites us to look, touch, taste, and then take “just one more bite.” What seems harmless in the moment can lead us further than we intended to go.

Using everyday illustrations, Pastor Carol showed how temptation often appeals to our weak spots. Like bait in a trap, it draws us in by promising pleasure while hiding the consequences. She reminded us that we all have an “Achilles heel,” some area where we are more vulnerable than we want to admit. None of us are beyond temptation, and none of us should be quick to judge someone else while ignoring our own struggle.

The good news is that our future does not have to repeat our past. Jesus understands temptation because he faced it himself. After forty days without food, he was tempted with bread, power, and testing God’s care, yet he answered with the Word of God. Pastor Carol put it plainly: “God knows what temptation is. Claim Christ’s victory over sin and temptation.”

Temptation’s goal is to shake our faith in God. It tries to make us justify what we know is wrong, delay obedience, or believe God cannot forgive us after we fall. But God’s mercy is greater than our failure. When we have opened the door to temptation, we can turn back to God immediately, give him our guilt, and trust that he will help us walk again.

The main point is clear: temptation is real, but God gives his children strength to resist it, forgiveness when they fall, and power to live differently. This week, name the temptation you are facing, stop excusing it, bring it honestly to God in prayer, lean on Scripture as Jesus did, and look for the way out God provides.

More Than a Meal: The Sacredness of Communion

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows · 1 Corinthians 11:23–30 (NIV)

In “More Than a Meal,” Rev. Dr. Gordon V. Barrows reminds us that Holy Communion is more than a routine observance. The bread remembers, the cup proclaims, and the heart examines as we pause to receive “the gospel in our hands” with reverence, gratitude, and renewed faith.

1 Corinthians 11:23-30 (NIV): “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Paul reminds the church that whenever we eat the bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

In “More Than a Meal: The Sacredness of Communion,” Rev. Dr. Gordon V. Barrows invited the church to look again at something familiar and recover its wonder. Communion can become routine if we are not careful. We may think about lunch, schedules, or the next part of the day, while missing the sacred gift placed before us. But the bread and the cup are not ordinary reminders. They point us to Jesus Christ, who gave his body and shed his blood so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life.

The sermon centered on three truths: “the bread remembers, the cup proclaims, and the heart examines.” The bread calls us to remember Jesus himself. He did not say, remember a building, a denomination, or a tradition. He said, “Remember me.” The bread reminds us that salvation was costly, that the Creator stepped into creation, the King became a servant, and the sinless one died for sinners. As Dr. Barrows said, “The bread reminds us that Jesus gave us everything so that we might be saved.”

The cup proclaims the story of grace. It looks back to the cross, looks around to the family of God, and looks forward to Christ’s return. Communion is a quiet sermon, with “no microphone required, no pulpit needed.” Every time we receive the cup, we remember that Jesus established a new covenant, a new beginning, a new life, and a new hope. Yet the sermon also made this clear: “The cup itself does not forgive sins. The bread itself does not save us. Only Jesus saves.” Communion points us to the Savior, but it never replaces the Savior.

The heart examines. Paul’s instruction is personal: let a person examine themselves. Communion is not the time to inspect someone else’s life. It is a time to bring our own hearts before God. Are there sins to confess? Is there someone to forgive? Is there someone from whom we need to seek forgiveness? Have we treated holy things casually? These questions are not meant to push us away from Christ, but to draw us closer to him.

The main point of the sermon is that communion is more than a meal. It is a sacred reminder of the gospel in our hands. This week, slow down before holy moments. Remember Christ’s sacrifice with gratitude. Confess honestly. Forgive quickly. Worship reverently. Come to the Lord with fresh eyes, and do not let familiarity steal the wonder of grace.

Walk in the Light of Christ

Sun, 31 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Randy Neiswonger · Luke 23:26–37

In Luke 23, we see Jesus walking toward the cross with love, mercy, and forgiveness even as He is mocked and condemned. This sermon reminds us that Christ could have saved Himself, but He chose the cross so our sins could be taken away.

Luke 23:26-37 (NIV): As Jesus is led away to be crucified, Simon of Cyrene is made to carry the cross behind Him. Jesus speaks to the grieving women of Jerusalem, is crucified between two criminals, and prays, “Father, forgive them,” while soldiers mock Him.

In “Walk in the Light of Christ,” Randy Neiswonger takes us to Friday morning, the day of the crucifixion. Jesus has been arrested, falsely accused, brought before Pilate, and condemned, not because Pilate found Him guilty, but because the crowd demanded His death. As Randy said, “They want Jesus dead, and they will be satisfied with nothing else.”

Luke tells us that as Jesus was led away, Simon of Cyrene was pulled from the crowd and made to carry the cross behind Him. Jesus had already been scourged and beaten, and His body was weakened under the weight. The cross was meant for the condemned man to carry, but Jesus had been beaten so badly that Simon was made to bear it after Him.

Along the road, a great multitude followed. Among them were women who mourned and wept for Jesus. Yet even in His suffering, Jesus turned His attention toward them. “Do not weep for me,” He told them, “but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Randy reminded us that Jesus knew what was coming for Jerusalem, and His words were full of compassion and warning.

Then Jesus came to Calvary. There He was crucified between two criminals, fulfilling what Isaiah had said, that He would be numbered with the transgressors. The physical suffering was terrible, but the words Jesus spoke from the cross reveal His heart: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

That forgiveness reached toward the soldiers, the religious leaders, Pilate, the crowd that cried “crucify Him,” and even those who nailed Him to the cross. Randy put it plainly: “Jesus says, Father, forgive them.” The mockers told Jesus to save Himself, but they did not understand who He was. He could have called legions of angels. He could have ended the suffering in a moment. But He stayed.

Why? Because, as Randy said, “Jesus had to die on that cross to save us from our sins.” The blood of sacrifices in the Old Testament covered sin, but the blood of Jesus takes sin away. It is gone, forgotten, and removed “as far as the east is from the west.”

The main point is this: Jesus chose the cross so we could be forgiven. This week, remember the cost of that forgiveness. Ask the Lord to search your heart, receive His mercy with gratitude, forgive others as Christ has forgiven you, and walk each day in the light of the Savior who stayed on the cross for you.