Dutilh Sermons Podcast

What is the key to living a good life? The Bible is clear that the best life is the life of praise. It is when we praise God that we are most authentic to who God created us to be. In this message, we will gain an understanding of what praise is and how it shapes our relationship with God and the world. We’ll also discuss some practical ways that we can make praise and thanksgiving a part of our d...

In this message, Heather talks about the prevenient, justifying, sanctifying, and perfecting grace of God and how Christmas is really all about grace. Based on Ephesians 2:1-10

Merry Christmas! If you’ve ever witnessed the birth of a child, it feels like you are witnessing a miracle. And yet, when you think about it, nothing is more ordinary than the birth of a child. 117 Billion babies have been born in the history of the world. And yet, among all those births, there is one birth that we hold above the others. What makes the birth of Jesus so significant. In the message...

We love to sing, O little Town of Bethlehem, but do we understand why Jesus was born there. Jesus’ birthplace wasn’t a random location but was pre-determined from ancient times. In this message, we talk about the significance of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus, and see how his birth demonstrates God’s ability to bring great things from humble beginnings. Based on Micah 5:2-5a Foretold, Part 3...

Imagine spending your entire life in the dark, with no light at all. Over time you learn how to stumble around in the dark. The one day, light dawns. The sunshine begins to breakthrough. Suddenly you see a whole new world. Isaiah says that is what the birth of Jesus is like. A world that’s been stumbling around in the darkness of sin is suddenly able to see. In this message, we see how the coming...

Have you ever experienced a season of darkness? If so, you are not alone. Many of us go through seasons when life feels difficult, and we wonder if our best days are behind us. That was the situation the Israelites faced in the days of the prophet Jeremiah. Suffering the consequences of failures by their leaders, everything looks bad for them. Yet, as the prophet Jeremiah reminded them, no matter...

Jesus predicted it three times. He would go to Jerusalem, be arrested, be killed, and on the third day rise again. But that doesn’t mean anyone thought it would actually happen. Our year-long series on Mark comes to a crescendo as we celebrate the story of Easter – Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Based on Mark 16:1-8 Passion, Part 11: Discussion Guide

Funerals are meant to provide closure. The burial of the dead shows respect for the deceased, while also allowing loved ones to confront the immense grief that has befallen them. The death of Jesus brought as terrible grief to the hearts of those who loved him most. In this message, we talk about the burial Jesus and discuss how we can be honor and respect Jesus’ life and ministry. Based on Mark 1...

The death of Jesus marks the lowest moment of human history. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he is completed isolated from his family and friends, and he even feels isolated by God the Father. Yet, his death changes history. In this message, we discuss how the death of Jesus brings new meaning and hope to our own deaths, which we will all experience someday. Based on Mark 15:33-41 Passion, Part 9: Di...

The cross has become a sacred symbol visible all over the world. It adorns buildings, is a favorite piece of jewelry, and is seen by many as a sign of hope. But 2,000 years ago, the cross was little more than a symbol of torture and death. In this sermon, we talk about the history of crucifixion, and enter into the darkness of what Jesus experienced for us and our salvation. Based on Mark 15:16-32...

The accusations levied against Jesus were an internal Jewish squabble. Pilate, the Roman governor, was reticent to get involved in a strictly Jewish matter. Still yet, he chose to have Jesus crucified. Why? Because he wanted to satisfy the demands of the crowds. In this message, we uncover how Pilate’s story cautions us against trying to please the crowds, and in so doing surrendering our integrit...

Peter is infamous for his three-fold denial of Jesus. Yet, who of us in the same situation would have had the courage to stand beside Jesus when it appeared all hope was lost? In this message, we talk about the great shame Peter felt and how Jesus’ helped people move past his shame into a redeemed life. For any of us who live with the weight of shame of regret, this is a message we need. Base on M...

The great irony of the passion of Jesus is that it was instigated by the Jewish religious leaders. The very people who were trained in God’s Word, and tasked with recognizing God’s Messiah, were incapable of seeing the truth of who he is. What did Jesus do that so deeply upset the religious leaders, and what can we learn from their mistakes? Based on Mark 14:53-65 Passion, Part 5: Discussion Guide

The greatest injustice in human history begins as Judas (one of Jesus’ closest friends) betrays him. As Jesus is about to be detained, the disciples are ready to fight. But Jesus calls them off. He will not resist his arrest. He knows that this is the very reason that he came. In this message, we focus on the courage of Jesus, who chose to do God’s will, resisting all temptations to flee. Based on...

Jesus was human. Just like any human being, he felt grief and distress when he considered the immense suffering he was about to go. Gethsemane is the sacred place he went to pray and seek the strength to submit to God’s will. All of us have distressing moments, when we struggle to accept God’s will. In this message, we see how Jesus models for us honest prayer combined with devoted surrender as th...

For 2,000 years Christians have celebrated the Lord’s Supper. While traditions vary, the practice is always connected to the special meal Jesus shared with his disciples in the Upper Room. In the message we explore the last supper, what happened, what it means, and how it shaped 2,000 years of tradition.  Based on Mark 14:12-26 Passion, Part 2: Discussion Guide

With the plot to kill Jesus now in full motion, an unnamed woman comes to anoint Jesus with expensive perfume. The disciples object at the woman’s extravagant gesture, but Jesus doesn’t stop here. His time has come. He is ready to go to the cross and die, and the disciples have precious few hours left with Jesus. Life is fragile. None of us knows when our last moment will be. Jesus teaches us to e...

For centuries, human beings have been fascinated by the return of Jesus. When is he coming again? How will we know when he is coming? What will it be like on that day? In this sermon, we unpack Jesus’ most comprehensive teaching about the last days, focusing on what he did (and didn’t) say. Based on Mark 13:1-36

The old saying is that everything you need to know can be learned in kindergarten. Jesus would validate this truth. As Jesus was teaching in the temple courts he was asked to summarize the most important of God’s commands. His answer was simple: love God, and love your neighbor. In this sermon, we will see how these commands are easy to say, but much more difficult to do. Based on Mark 12:28-34

We typically think of Palm Sunday as happy parade in which Jesus is celebrated as king. Yet, as the gospel tells it, it was much more than a little parade. It was a statement about all that Jesus came to do and the kind of king he would be. In this message, we take a fresh look at the events of palm Sunday. Based on Mark 11:1-22 Journeys with Jesus, Part 7: A Tale of Two Parades

We live in a culture that tells us to strive to be first. We are always looking to move up, become better, and get more. Yet, as Jesus teaches his disciples, the best way to live is to seek to be last, not first. In this message, we explore the servant heart of Jesus and discover how we can posture our hearts to serve the world. Based on Mark 10:35-45 Journeys with Jesus, Part 6: Learning to be La...

We cannot survive the journey of life without materials possessions. Food, water, clothing, housing – there are many basic things we need to survive. Yet, if we are not careful, the material comforts of the world can become a major stumbling block in our faith. In this sermon, we explore Jesus’ encounter with a rich young man who was too attached to his worldly possessions. Based on Mark 10:17-31...

The death of Jesus wasn’t a surprise. Jesus predicted it was going to happen three times. The disciples couldn’t believe…or perhaps we should say they wouldn’t believe it. In this message, we see that the cross was God’s plan all along and that Jesus knew there was no way to save the world apart from giving himself on the cross. Based on Mark 9:30-37 Journeys with Jesus, Part 4: Calling His Shot

In life’s twisting journey, there are moments when God gives us mountain top experiences – moments when it feels like we taste heaven. While those moments never last long, they can give us the energy and strength to face the valleys of adversity. In this message, we unpack the powerful experience Peter, James, and John had on a mountain top with Jesus. Based on Mark 9:2-12 Journeys with Jesus, Par...

When the disciples realized that Jesus is the Messiah, they hoped that he would bring about the full salvation and restoration of Israel immediately. They weren’t prepared for the truth that the true Messiah must first suffer the cross. And yet, as Jesus would teach them, the only way to experience a life fully redeemed is through the cross. In this message, we talk about the importance of self-de...