Calvary Church

Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on December 29th, 2024.

In this message, we explore the differences between receiving a gift like a book and the gift of Jesus! We find that the gift of Jesus is both costly and supplies all wisdom and knowledge. The lordship of Jesus is not just for one part of our life but grows to have authority over every part of our life. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Colossians 2:6 This was recorded live in...

What does it mean to be a serious Christian? To answer this question, we turn to Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. Solomon shares four instructions on how to be a serious Christian. These instructions are to guard your steps, listen to God, watch your mouth, and keep your promises to God. In all this, we are reminded of the importance of having a healthy fear of God. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson...

In this message, we see that the lie of the “Sigma Male” popular in our current culture is that it romanticizes loneliness and replaces our need for genuine companionship with something else. Instead we find that the truth of the Gospel is that we were created for meaningful relationships with God first and then with others. If you are feeling the sting of loneliness, during the holidays or whenev...

In this message, we receive four encouragements to help us to take our focus off of others, so that we don’t end up in either envy-fueled ambition or quitting on life. Instead we learn we are to focus on surrendering to God, trusting that His choices are better than ours. When we do this we can experience the blessings of contentment. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesias...

In this sermon, Jim preaches on Ecclesiastes 4:1-3. We are reminded of how oppression is very present in the world. We discover that our call as a church is to draw attention to cases of oppression, to call people to repentance, and to comfort the oppressed. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 17th, 2024.

This sermon explores Ecclesiastes 3:18-22, where Solomon reflects on the similarities between humans and animals. However, Pastor Jim emphasizes the distinction of humans from animals by explaining what it means to be made in the image of God. We realize that humans are made for relationship, dominion, and to be indwelled by God. As we walk by the Holy Spirt, we understand the privilege of what it...

In Ecclesiastes 3:15-17, we see Solomon distressed about injustice in the world. Pastor Tom teaches that we find hope in the midst of injustice, by remembering that God is the ultimate judge. We find that our call to love leads to significant change. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:15-17 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 3rd, 2024.

In Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 and John 1, Pastor Jim explains how the eternal God places eternity in our hearts. Everything God does lasts forever, and that includes the endurance of our souls. We recognize that our response to Jesus is directly linked to how we spend eternity. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October...

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Solomon points out the many different seasons of life. Through this teaching, we discover the importance of discerning what season we are in, how to accept the season, and when to ask God to change our season. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 20th, 2024.

In this message from Ecclesiastes 2:12-26, we find that the best legacy is living a life that is pleasing to God. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 13th, 2024.

In this sermon, we find that obedience to God and the fear of God are the solution to a spirit of accumulation. We discover that this is the path to experiencing fullness of joy. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 6th, 2024.

This week’s message explores the theme of true happiness and satisfaction, using the biblical story of Solomon from Ecclesiastes. We reflect on how people often seek happiness in temporary pleasures—such as wealth, laughter, projects, or relationships—but find them unfulfilling. We find through the scripture that lasting happiness can only be found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ!...

In this message we study Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. We read that Solomon finds wisdom to be burdensome. We are reminded that just like our inability to obey the law, we are also unable to walk out our wisdom. We are invited to experience the wisdom of God through daily communion with Christ. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 This was recorded live in Grand Rapid...

In Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Solomon declares that he feels like everything is meaningless, a sentiment we can all resonate with. As explore this passage together, Pastor Jim helps us see that God is always doing something new, he meets us where we are, and he wants to transform our lakes into rivers. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 This was recorded live in Gr...

In this message, Pastor Jim began a new sermon series on the book of Ecclesiastes. The story of Naaman and Elisha, found in 2 Kings 5, is used to reveal the message of Ecclesiastes. Through this passage, we find that true meaning for our lives is found in faith and obedience to God. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Second Kings 5 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on S...

Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Acts & Ephesians 2:11-19 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on September 1st, 2024.

In this message, we look at how Jesus demonstrates for us true love for neighbor, which asks what is the most that I can do for someone and still meet the other obligations that I have. Pastor Jim walks through multiple examples in the life of Jesus that show how he loved his neighbors with regard to race and ethnicity. As we leave, we are encouraged to go and do likewise. Speaker: Minister & Seni...

In this message, we have the opportunity to be able to see how in God’s grace he allows obedience in the present with regard to the issue of race and ethnicity to bring healing for injustices in the past. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Second Samuel 21 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on August 18th, 2024.

The Bible testifies to the truth that God absolutely hates racial oppression and is always at work to overcome it. In this message, we see that He was at work in Joseph’s life amid great suffering. And He was at work in the nation of Israel amid even greater suffering. And He is at work today in all the racial oppression that has happened and is happening throughout our world. Ultimately, this ser...

This sermon begins a five-week series on a Biblical Theology of Race and Ethnicity. Through passages from Genesis to Revelation, we see that God’s plan for humanity to diversify, allows us to collectively reflect His image more fully. Through this series, we are called to align our thoughts and actions with God’s heart for multiethnic unity and to build relationships that reflect His diverse creat...

In our last sermon in the gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus giving his disciples the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. These are Jesus’ last words to his disciples in the closing section of the gospel of Matthew. In these words, Jesus assures us of his power, he explains the commission, and he promises his presence. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 28:18-20 This was...

In this sermon, we look at Matthew 28:16-20, what is commonly known as the Great Commission. We hear the answer to this question: What does it actually mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Through examples from the original disciples and passages throughout Scripture, we learned some of the distinguishing characteristics of a disciple. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 28:16-...

In this sermon, we see what God has to say in Matthew 27:62-66 regarding the Pharisee’s false claim that Jesus’ real, physical resurrection was alternatively deception. We considered some of the responses to refute this false claim and some of the evidence of the real, physical resurrection of Jesus. We are reminded that what you believe about Jesus’ resurrection is crucial. Speaker: Minister & Se...

Death is a reality of life in this world. What is our response to it? As we see in this message, through Jesus death is defeated. However, we must decide if this is a fictional story we disregard or a historical event that changes our lives forever. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Matthew 27:27-66 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 7th 2024.