February 22 was “Freedom Sunday,” a day in which churches from many different denominations joined forces to learn, pray, study, think, and act about the problem of human trafficking in today’s world. The evils of this industry make us wonder if God is aware or capable of doing anything about it. But Psalm 10 speaks a louder truth: God is King of the universe and will bring about justice for the oppressed. Listen in to Pastor David’s message on this special day!
What Good is This Gift?
“In God We Trust” – or do we? Once, Jesus sat in the temple and watched people put money in the offering plate. He praised the poor widow who gave her last two coins, rather than the rich who gave much more money. What good was her gift? Listen in to Pastor David’s message on Mark 12:41-44, the last in our series on tithing and stewardship.
A Day in the Life of Jesus
This Sunday we heard testimonies from the men of Mid-Michigan Teen Challenge – tremendous stories of transformation in Christ! Pastor David then gave a short reflection on the sermon text for the day, Mark 1:29-39, a day in the life of Jesus, in which he answers the question of why he exists. Maybe his answer can help us with the same question!
Who Then Can Be Saved?
Two stories in Luke 18–19 illustrate how hard – yet how possible – it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. One character “gets it,” while the other walks away disappointed from Jesus. What does this have to do with our tithes and offerings (and other tangible acts of service)? Listen in to Pastor David’s message:
Are We To Spend That Much?
A huge crowd had full hearts but empty stomachs. Jesus asked his disciples to feed the thousands of guests. But they complained: “Are we to spend that much?” Maybe, just maybe, that was the wrong question to ask. Pastor David helps us explore the issue of stewardship in this sermon on Mark 6:30-44.
How Do We Rob You?
The second message in our series on tithing and stewardship is based on Malachi 3:6-12, a passage in which God accuses his people of robbing him and urges them to return to him. What does this have to do with giving to the church? Listen in to Pastor David’s sermon:
You Want Me To Do What?
When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, the stakes were incredibly high. What does this have to do with our church’s offering plate? Listen in to Pastor David’s message based on Genesis 22:1-19.
Peace on Earth?
Christmas Eve 2014 was the 100th anniversary of the spontaneous ceasefire along the Western Front at the beginning of World War I. That night was, unexpectedly, a “silent night.” How do we reconcile a violent world with the angels’ proclamation of “peace on earth” at Jesus’s birth? Listen in to Pastor David’s message:
Jesus’s World: The Outsider
What does the surprising prophecy in Isaiah 9:1-7 have to do with the world into which Jesus was born? And how should it affect our lives? Listen in to this sermon by Pastor David – and give thanks that God has invited us into his kingdom.
Jesus’s World: The Oppression
Rich/poor. Strong/weak. Male/female. White/black. We use words to divide people into “good” and “bad” categories. But Jesus came to eliminate all forms of oppression, as prophesied in Isaiah 61. Listen in to Pastor David’s sermon on how the work of Jesus can influence our lives today.