Sunday Sermons

“How much longer will the exile last?” This was likely a question Daniel asked himself as he read Jeremiah’s words once again. Given the two visions already shown to him, Daniel needed to make sense of God’s complete control over all things and the hardship still facing God’s people. How do you respond when confronted by God’s word? Daniel turns to the LORD in a prayer of repentance—not just for h...

Think about everything Daniel has faced. From being dragged out of his homeland at a young age to be indoctrinated in Babylonian culture to being thrown to the lions. Through many transitions of kings and empires, Daniel experienced so much hardship, all the while growing into a most trusted leader. Time and again, God proved himself faithful to Daniel, just as he would be faithful to all his exil...

On this holiday weekend, many will take time to celebrate the freedom that we have in our country having been set free from the tyranny of an unjust king. While this is certainly part of our identity as Americans, it runs counter to our identity as followers of Christ. The portrait painted in this psalm introduces us to the LORD’s king that will bring forth salvation to all God’s people and will a...

All too often, people stop reading the book of Daniel after chapter six because the book takes a dramatic turn. Gone are the stories of how the exiles remained faithful despite the great challenges posed to them by the various kings. Instead, we now read about visions, beasts, and an everlasting kingdom. Because Daniel saw fit to include these visions in his book, we can be confident that the visi...

Where does the story of Daniel and the lion’s den rank as one of the Bible’s most popular stories? This chapter of Daniel is recounted in virtually every children’s Bible, yet when we get down to the nitty-gritty, this isn’t a very kid-friendly story. Once again Daniel finds himself in the crosshairs of those who do not worship and honor the most high God of Israel. Does Daniel take the easy way o...

King Nebuchadnezzar made sure everyone in his kingdom heard that the Most High God—the God of Israel—was who was truly in control over all creation and that he could give this rule to whomever he wishes. However, not all who sat upon that throne kept the same convictions. Belshazzar, who reigned sometime after Nebuchadnezzar, turned away from the faith that his ancestor once proclaimed to all peop...

How easily we forget that each and every conversion—the transformation from life to death through faith in Christ—is truly a miracle. While we know this is true, there are those stories of conversion that seem more obviously miraculous. When we hear of someone who seemed so far from God coming to faith, we cannot help to give credit to anyone but God. For the first three chapters of Daniel we have...

The reign of Nebuchadnezzar was marked by great demonstrations of power and superiority. Further, Daniel 3 displays that it was marked by an expectation to worship and serve him as the leader of the world’s superpower. How would the Israelite exiles respond? Would they hold fast in their resolve to not defile themselves? Would they keep the LORD’s command to have no other gods, not bending their k...

What keeps you up at night? The weight of the world? The stresses of life? If so, you’re not alone. This was King Nebuchadnezzar’s situation. After a troubling dream, he needed answers, but couldn’t find them anywhere resulting in a deadly decree for all the wise men—even Daniel and his committed companions. How does their precarious situation get resolved? And does Nebuchadnezzar get the answers...

The opening verses of Daniel paint a grim picture for the people of God. Having their country besieged by the world’s ruling superpower and vessels taken from the temple, many Israelites found themselves living in a foreign land with foreign people worshiping foreign gods in a foreign culture. Their situation certainly seemed bleak. Where is God in all this, and what in the world is he doing? Ulti...

Our vision as a church is To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. But how does this happen? What is our strategy for helping someone move from not knowing Christ to becoming someone actively engaged in making Christ known to others? This four-week series will focus the four primary stages of the disciple-making process: Engage, Explore, Establish, and Equip. Each week will focus on each step’s im...

Our vision as a church is To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. But how does this happen? What is our strategy for helping someone move from not knowing Christ to becoming someone actively engaged in making Christ known to others? This four-week series will focus the four primary stages of the disciple-making process: Engage, Explore, Establish, and Equip. Each week will focus on each step’s im...

Our vision as a church is To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. But how does this happen? What is our strategy for helping someone move from not knowing Christ to becoming someone actively engaged in making Christ known to others? This four-week series will focus on the four primary stages of the disciple-making process: Engage, Explore, Establish, and Equip. Each week will focus on each step’s...

Our vision as a church is To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. But how does this happen? What is our strategy for helping someone move from not knowing Christ to becoming someone actively engaged in making Christ known to others? This four-week series will focus the four primary stages of the disciple-making process: Engage, Explore, Establish, and Equip. Each week will focus on each step’s im...

Now what? After the initial appearances of Jesus to Mary and the disciples—and the initial excitement of Easter morning—now what? Even though Jesus’ crucifixion marked the climax of John’s Gospel with the resurrection marking the triumphant overcoming of death, John didn’t stop writing. There is still more for us to hear. Jesus has more to say. He feeds the disciples, displaying his shepherd’s hea...

Message from Pastor Mike Matheson on April 4, 2021

Good Friday

John the Baptist declares Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” who takes away the sin of the world. How could Jesus, the God-man who came down to earth, willingly accept this title? Because it was, believe it or not, for this purpose that he came to earth—to die a sacrificial death to pay for sin. While each Gospel portrays Jesus differently, John’s Gospel uniquely portrays Jesus as the Passover Lamb who,...

John 18 marks a significant transition in this Gospel. For the previous seventeen chapters we have heard Jesus speak about “the hour” that was coming. Over twenty times John has recorded mentions of this hour: the hour when he would surrender himself unto death. The question presented throughout John’s Gospel has been, “Who is this Jesus?” When we read of his being bound, betrayed, and denied, we...

Where do you turn when you’re in real trouble? Where can you find refuge when you’re in the thick of hardship? David knew the right place to go—to the LORD. David makes his needs known to God, seeking his mercy and deliverance from his destructive enemies. Psalm 57 clearly displays David’s confidence in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. The psalm also gives direction for how we should re...

Imagine overhearing the prayers of someone specifically praying for you. How would you be impacted? What would it tell you about that person’s hopes for you? How might that affect the way you even pray for yourself? Now imagine if you were invited to listen to that person’s prayers for you. Now the requests he makes of God are no longer private but instead are made known to you on purpose. Jesus’...

Over the last three chapters, Jesus has been giving his final instructions and encouragements to his disciples before he is arrested. In this section, he is letting them in on the immense sorrow that they are about to experience; but not without assuring them of the joy that will follow. It is a lesson to them and us of the courage he intends to put in our hearts based upon his completed work.

Jesus had already promised the coming of the Helper to the disciples earlier in his teaching. However, now he makes clear to them that the disciples will be better off once he goes away! How could he make this bold statement? It is because of the work that the Helper will do when he comes. He will bring conviction in relation to sin, righteousness, and judgment. In other words, the Spirit will do...

With his departure drawing ever closer, Jesus wants to make sure his disciples know what to expect after he is gone. They can anticipate the world hating and persecuting them—just as he was hated and rejected. However, he makes clear that their rejection isn’t personal; they will be hated because of him. That is why he is sending the Helper: to bear witness about him through the disciples. Why doe...

Jesus’ declaration that he was soon going away from them dramatically impacted the disciples.. Their leader, teacher, and friend. How would they continue on in his absence? How would they remain faithful to walking in the teachings he had instilled in them? In the previous section Jesus promised that a Helper, the Holy Spirit, would soon be sent to them. Now, Jesus will teach them how and why they...