Church at Bergen - Sermons

This sermon focuses on the healing of a man born blind from John chapter nine, emphasizing that this miracle is a sign revealing the spiritual blindness inherent in all of us. Pastor Mike explains that while we may recognize our imperfections, we often fail to see the true depth of our sinfulness without the illuminating grace of Jesus. This spiritual sight is crucial, it leads to genuine recognit...

Pastor Mike continues the "Signs" series by highlighting the significance of Jesus' miracles as revelations of His glory, particularly focusing on the story of Jesus walking on the wavy sea. He emphasizes that moments of darkness and absence of Jesus' presence are a normal part of the Christian life and serve to deepen one's experience of Jesus' glory. While trials an...

Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of self-discovery through faith, urging believers to recognize their inherent need for Jesus rather than relying on their own confidence. He discusses how Jesus' miracle of feeding 5,000+ reveals His capacity to provide for all needs, drawing parallels to God's provisions in the Old Testament. Instead of merely desiring Jesus for physical sustenance,...

Pastor McKinney emphasizes the significance of the miracles in John's Gospel, referring to them as signs that reveal the glory of Jesus. In his sermon, he focuses on the story of a man paralyzed for 38 years, showcasing how Jesus offers true healing and rest that transcends the limitations of self-help superstitions and religious legalism. It is illustrated that genuine rest comes from a rela...

In this sermon, Pastor McKinney discusses the second sign from the Gospel of John, where Jesus heals a royal official's son, highlighting the value of the soul over physical health. The transformation of the man's faith, moving from seeking a mere miracle to trusting in Jesus' words, illustrates the essence of true belief. Pastor McKinney encourages listeners to recognize that even...

Pastor McKinney introduces a seven-week series exploring the "signs" or miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John, emphasizing that these miracles are meant to reveal the glory of Jesus and strengthen faith. He discusses the first sign where Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding, illustrating that this miracle speaks to deeper spiritual truths about Jesus' future sacrifice and the...

Pastor Peter Ochoa emphasizes the importance of truly listening to the Word of God by exploring the parable of the Sower from Mark chapter four. He highlights four types of soil representing different responses to the Gospel: the hardened path represents those who are unresponsive to God's message, the rocky soil illustrates those with temporary faith who falter in trials, and the thorny soil...

Pastor McKinney concludes our series in Titus, emphasizing the significance of good works in the Christian life as a response to salvation rather than a means to achieve it. He outlines four key truths: good works result from being saved, should define a disciple's life, can be hindered by distractions, and require the church's collective contribution. Pastor McKinney warns against getti...

Pastor McKinney emphasizes that the Gospel is not only about achieving eternal life but also about shaping how we live our lives today. In his sermon, he points out that while many may agree doctrinally with kindness and respect towards others, the real challenge lies in the motivation to act this way, especially in difficult circumstances. He discusses how the transformational power of God’s grac...

In this sermon, Pastor Mike discusses Paul's letter to Titus, emphasizing the importance of living a life shaped by the Gospel while navigating the challenges of work. He highlights how a Christian’s attitude in the workplace (specifically being submissive, well-pleasing, and trustworthy) can effectively reflect the worth of Jesus and attract others to Him. The notion of adorning the doctrine...

In his sermon, McKinney emphasizes the importance of self-control for young men, rooted in the teachings of Paul in Titus. He highlights that self-control is not just a matter of discipline, but a reflection of a man's relationship with God and how the gospel shapes his life. Pastor McKinney urges young men to grapple with their sinful desires seriously, viewing them as threats that can destr...

Pastor McKinney discusses the critical role of healthy individuals in building strong churches, as outlined in Paul's letter to Titus. He emphasizes that while culture may push contrary views, the biblical design for women is to love their husbands and children, maintain purity, and foster self-control, which aligns with The Gospel's teachings. Pastor McKinney encourages younger women in...

In this sermon, Pastor McKinney delves into the teachings from the Book of Titus, focusing on the gospel as a transformative blueprint for life. He emphasizes the importance of older men and women embodying godly characteristics like sober-mindedness, dignity, and self-control, aiming to set a Godly example within the church community. By reflecting on their own behaviors and attitudes, he encoura...

In this sermon, Pastor McKinney revisits the Book of Titus, focusing on how the Gospel serves as a blueprint for life. He shares the background of Titus, explaining that Paul wrote this letter to guide him in establishing a strong church on the island of Crete, amidst a culture that contradicted the message of Jesus Christ. Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and urges the chur...

In the final sermon of our Advent series, "Hope", Pastor McKinney discusses how we typically respond to bad news, focusing on the progression from fear and detachment to doubt and ultimately despair. He emphasizes that doubt is a natural part of faith, but this doubt must remain in the passenger seat and faith must stay in the driver's seat. Pastor McKinney presents three truths: re...

In this sermon, Pastor Mike discusses the theme of hope during the Advent season, focusing on our human responses to bad news, such as fear, hiding, and numbing ourselves. He emphasizes that the pain we experience is a natural part of life and that while it's tempting to seek quick relief, numbing prevents us from experiencing the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Mike likens our...

Pastor Mike discusses the Advent season as a time to reflect on the significance of Christ’s coming amid the world's suffering and pain. He emphasizes that the brokenness of life should not be ignored but acknowledged, as it reveals the need for salvation and cultivates a longing for future glory. Using Romans 8, Pastor Mike contrasts current sufferings with the glory to come, highlighting th...

Pastor Mike McKinney emphasizes that Advent is a time to reflect on the hope brought by the arrival of Jesus Christ, particularly in the face of bad news that we often encounter. He uses Psalm 112 to underscore that the righteous, who trust in the Lord, will not be shaken by life’s uncertainties and challenges, but will remain steady and unafraid. Bad news is inevitable, but the true strength lies...

Associate Minister Dave Levesque Jr emphasizes the need to confront false teachings within the church, comparing it to addressing a medical infection that can threaten the health of a congregation. He outlines characteristics of false teachers, such as distorters of the gospel, whose teachings can lead to spiritual decay and unhealthy families. He highlights that true purity comes from Christ, not...

Pastor McKinney emphasizes the importance of men stepping up and raising up other men as spiritual leaders, based on teachings from Titus 1:5-9 . He discusses the qualifications for elders / pastors, highlighting the need for integrity in their relationships with family, themselves, and the Word of God. Pastor Mike calls for men to courageously take on responsibilities and to be examples of godly...

From Titus 1:4-5, Pastor McKinney emphasizes the importance of godly masculinity and the role of men in the church, referencing Paul's letters to Titus and Timothy. He encourages men to "man up" by stepping into chaotic situations in their lives to bring order, highlighting the necessity of grace, peace, and reliance on God the Father and Jesus as a Savior. Pastor Mike acknowledges...

Pastor McKinney shares a personal story from his high school football days to illustrate the importance of future hope in shaping present discipline and actions. He connects this to the Gospel, emphasizing that the hope found in Jesus Christ is not dependent on our discipline but rather on the grace of God, which instructs us toward godliness and self-control in a world increasingly resistant to C...

Pastor McKinney emphasizes the importance of prayer and outlined key characteristics of what it means to be a "salty Christian"—a disciple of Jesus. He referenced a powerful parable from Luke 18 about a widow who persistently sought justice from a godless and indifferent judge. Despite her vulnerability as a woman and a widow in a male-dominated society, her relentlessness led to her bei...

In this sermon series "Salty Church," Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of being "salty" Christians—followers of Jesus who bring out His desirability in their lives and communities. He highlights that before Jesus calls us to fish for men, He calls us to fellowship with Him, stressing that discipleship is more about relationship than task. The natural overflow of this relat...

Pastor McKinney discusses the concept of a "salty church," where Christians embody the flavor and love of Christ in their lives, making it harder for people to ignore Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of serving others, drawing from Jesus’ example of humility and sacrifice, highlighting that true greatness in the kingdom of God comes from serving, not dominating. By referencing the req...