Ankeny Gospel Church

In Matthew 12.22-37 Jesus argues with the Pharisees.

"More critical than the gift is how we handle the gift." This is true of many things, including Sabbath. In Matthew 12, we find Jesus criticized by the Pharisees for "breaking" the Sabbath. But what's the purpose of the Sabbath? And what does it mean that Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath? Listen and learn!

Jesus invites us to take up his easy yoke, because he knows that the burdens of this world are heavy, but his yoke is easy! Will you humble yourself and relax into Jesus and his light burden?

Many people in Jesus' home towns saw, but didn't change. They saw the goodness and power and authority of Jesus, but just shrugged their shoulders. Because of this, in Matthew 11.20-24, Jesus condemns those towns where most of his miracles were done. What is your response to seeing Jesus? When you see God's mighty deeds in your life, do you change?

In Matthew 11.1-19 John the Baptist doubted. But the question is HOW did he doubt? What expectations did he have of Jesus that weren't met? Listen in as we see how we can also have our own expectations of Jesus and learn what to do with them.

Love is the measure, and we love because God loved us. In this sermon we explore the four stages of love and common reasons we resist the love of God in our lives.

True Christian joy is as hard to define as it is hard to come by. What makes a person joyful? Why is joy to be celebrated in Advent each year?

In Ephesians 2, Paul says that Christ Himself is our peace. What does that mean? Listen in as we discuss how unity is only accomplished through peace.

Each year we enter into the story of redemption through Advent. As we remember Christ's first arrival, we hope for Christ's second arrival, knowing that one day "everything sad will become untrue."

Matthew 10 is the Mission Discourse. What comes to mind when you hear the word "mission"? In today's sermon, we learn that mission is simply participating with God for the renewal of all things. We are empowered by Jesus Himself to say what he said and do what He did! When we do, our lives will never be the same and we will experience the presence of God and the power of the Spirit right here, rig...

Jesus promises persecution from the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. He also promises that He Himself will be with us, because he experienced the same thing His disciples will experience!

Jesus gives His disciples authority to do the exact same thing He Himself has been doing!

In Matthew 9.35-10.4 Jesus has a pattern: Proximity, Seeing, Compassion, Prayer. Will we follow Jesus in this same pattern?

Jesus enters our pain, our brokenness, and our sin. How will we respond?

"Go and learn what this means!" In Matthew 9.9-17, Jesus has an interaction with the Pharisees who understood the text without understanding the text. Are we much different than they?

In Matthew 8 and 9 we Jesus perform miracles to show us what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. In this sermon, we explore how there is no fear in the Kingdom because Jesus loves us and all things are in His hands.

In Matthew 8.18-22, Jesus calls himself the Son of Man when two disciples are counting the cost of following Jesus. However, this passage is less about the cost of following Jesus and more about the reward of following Jesus. In what ways do you look at what you have to lose, more than what you have to gain in your discipleship to Jesus?

Jesus' first encounter after the Sermon on the Mount is with the leper, the centurion, and Peter's mother-in-law. He is not intimidated by their sin, brokenness or uncleanness - he enters into their pain and carries their diseases...and He does the same for you.

Our vision is to become disciples of presence, formation, and mission-- who seek the presence of God, are formed into the image of Jesus, and live on mission for the renewal of our city. Today, mission. Why? Why are we here? What is our purpose, our mission? And what does it look like to live on mission for the renewal of our city?

We're always being formed. Spiritual formation is the process by which we become like Jesus. Are we being formed by "this age", or by the renewing of our minds through truth, community, and practices?

Our vision is to become disciples of presence, formation, and mission-- who seek the presence of God, are formed into the image of Jesus, and live on mission for the renewal of our city. What kind of disciples are we becoming? In this sermon, Parker traces the theme of the presence of God through the scriptures, calling us to continually seek Him. We're always seeking something - who or what are w...

We end this series by look at the last way we flourish - becoming people of hope. Listen in as Tom talks through Psalm 146 and shows how God's faithfulness transforms us into people of hope.

What does it mean to fear the LORD? And how is that related to my flourishing?

Happy are those who...consider the poor? How can that make one happy? Listen in as we trace the Scriptures and learn God's heart for the poor.