Expository Insights with Pastor Lyle Wahl

The Privilege of Ministry, #9 in a series on Ephesians Theme: Every believer has the privilege of ministry. Ministry—the basic concepts. Stewardship. (2; see also 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Colossians 1:25; 1 Peter 4:10) Ministry. (7; see also Acts 20:22-24, 26:16; Romans 15:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:5; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Colossians 1:23, 25-27, 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:5) Ministry—the essential foundation. A gi...

Peace . . . Real Peace Ephesians 2:11-22 Theme: Jesus Christ is our peace. Our pervasive lack of peace. Alienated from God. (12-13, 19) Alienated from each other. (11-12, 14) God’s provision of perfect peace. Peace between God and us. (13, 15-18) Peace between each other. (13, 15-22)

Ephesians 2:1-10 It Takes A Miracle! (Part 3) Receiving God’s Miracle. 1. God’s motive—His love. (4; see also 5:1-2; John 3:16; Romans 5:6-10; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:8-10, 16) 2. God’s love in action. (4-5, 7-9) a. God’s kindness. (7) b. God’s mercy. (4; see also Titus 3:4-5) c. God’s grace. (7-9; see also Acts 20:24; Romans 3:24, 6:23; Galatians 1:15; Titus 3:7) 3. Receiving God’s miracle—throu...

Father's Day 2026 Wisdom For Fathers Proverbs 3:1-12 Obey the truth you have been taught. Don’t forget the commands. (1-2) Don’t lose kindness and truth. (3-4) The benefits. (2, 4) Trust, fear and honor God. Trust God, not yourself. (5) Fear God and turn away from evil. (7) Honor God, not yourself. (9) The benefits. (8, 10) Don’t reject, but accept God’s discipline. God’s command. (11) God’s m...

It Takes A Miracle! (Part 2) Ephesians 2:1-10 God’s Miracle. 1. Its transformation. a. From being dead in sin to being alive in Christ. (5; see also 1) b. From being slaves to sin and Satan to being raised up with Christ. (6; see also 2) c. From being condemned before God to being seated in the heavenly places in Christ. (6; see also 3) 2. Its privileges. a. Transformed for good works. (10) b. Tra...

It Takes A Miracle! (Part 1) Why do we need a miracle? Because we are dead in sin. (1) Because we are dominated by Satan and his forces. (2) Because we are slaves to our sinfulness and sins. (2-3) Because we are condemned in our sin. (3)

What Does God Want For You? Ephesians 1:15-23 Who is included? Every child of God—based on truth true faith in Jesus Christ. (15) Every child of God—demonstrated by true love for other believers. (15) What is included? A rich personal knowledge of God. (17) A rich certain knowledge of God. (18-23) How is this possible? The means: God’s grace. (17-18) The guarantee: God’s all-powerful strength. (19...

Praise God! (Part 3) Ephesians 1:11-14 Theme: Praise God for your spiritual blessings. God values you. The believer’s value is seen in the “inheritance.” (11-12, 14) The basis, certainty and goal of the inheritance. (11-13) God keeps you. The Holy Spirit has sealed you for God. (13-14) The Holy Spirit is the pledge of your inheritance. (13-14)

Praise God (Part 2) Ephesians 1:6-10 Theme: Praise God for your spiritual blessings. God has showered you with His grace. God’s grace. (6-8) God’s shower of grace. (6-8) God’s grace redeemed you. The picture of redemption. (7-8) The grace of redemption. (7) God’s grace revealed the mystery of His will. The mystery of His will. (8-10) The grace of God’s revelation. (6-10)

Mother's Day Mothers To Be Praised Theme: Praise women who fear the Lord! What does it mean to fear the Lord? Clarifying the phrase. (Proverbs 31:30; cf. Genesis 3:8-10; Job 28:28; Psalm 110:10; Proverbs 1:7; 8:3; 9:10; 14:27; Ecclesiastes 3:14; 12:13; Habakkuk 3:2, 3-16) Clarifying the picture. (Proverbs 31:10-29) How do we respond to women who fear the Lord? Praise them! (Proverbs 31:30) Pra...

The first sermon in a series on the book of Ephesians Praise God! (Part 1) Theme: Praise God for your spiritual blessings. Setting the scene. The city of Ephesus. The church at Ephesus. This letter to the church. God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing. “Who, Me?” (1, 3) God’s spiritual blessings are in Christ. (3) God’s spiritual blessings are complete for each believer. (3) God has cho...

Sermon #8, and final sermon, in this series on the book of Esther. You Can Be Confident Theme: God’s providence enables you to be confident. The conclusion to faithful service. Celebrating deliverance. (9:20–10:3) Remembering Deliverance. (9:20–10:3) The lessons to remember. God’s providence directs human events. (chapters 1–10) Failure is always serious but does not exclude forgiveness, future op...

Sermon # 7 in a series in the book of Esther. Theme: God brings deliverance through trusting people. God’s places His people where He can use them. The example of Esther and Mordecai. (8:1-2) The exceptions — No One! (cf. John 15:5, 16; Ephesians 2:10) God uses His people when they trust Him. When they trust Him continually. (8:3 ff.) When they trust Him courageously. (8:3 ff., 9:13) God rewards H...

Sermon # 6 in a series on Esther The Gavel Comes Down Theme: God's providence restrains evil. God’s actions to end Haman’s evil. Insomnia is used to protect Mordecai. (6:1-3) The early bird is gotten by the worm. (6:4-11) Haman’s evil is exposed. (6:14 - 7:8) Haman is “hanged.” (7:9-10) God’s reasons for ending Haman’s evil. The character of God. ( cf. Isaiah 6:3; Deuteronomy 7:9; Lamentations...

Easter 2026 ~ The Life Changer Theme: Jesus changes people forever through His death and resurrection. Why did Christ come? Because we were separated from God. (Leviticus 11:45; Isaiah 43:15; 59:2; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:12, 15, 16, 19; Colossians 1:21; 2:14) Because only He could save us. What did Christ’s death and resurrection accomplish? The agony and atonement of the cross....

Palm Sunday 2026 Jesus the King Various mistaken views of what Jesus meant when He said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” The Jews on the original Palm Sunday. (Matthew 21:1-10) Some others down through church history. Clarification of what Jesus meant when He said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus is the King. (John 18:36-37; 2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 1:31-33; Ph...

It's Still In His Hands Sermon #5 in a series in the book of Esther. Theme: God’s providence directs human events. The King: Moving the immovable object. Making the impossible look easy. (1-2) Breaking down the calloused heart. (3-5) Haman: Giving the fool enough rope to hang himself. Allowing honor to feed his pride. (4-5, 9, 11-12) Opening his eyes to incite his anger. (9, 13) Esther: Guidin...

Sermon #4 in a series on the book of Esther Learning to Lean Theme: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. The role crises play in faith. Lack of faith in God in normal day to day situations leaves you ill-prepared for a crisis. (11) In a crisis a choice of faith must be made. (1, 14-16) The route to living by faith. Get things straight with God. (1, 3, 16...

# 3 in a series in the book of Esther Theme: Small personal conflicts can cause big public problems. Mordecai’s personal conflict with Haman. Haman’s background. (1) Haman’s position. (1-2) Mordecai’s problem with Haman. (2-4) Haman’s public campaign against Mordecai. He generalized and exaggerated the issue. (5-6, 10) He plotted the destruction of all the Jews. (7-15) The lessons to remember. Per...

Sermon #2 in a series on the book of Esther, 2:1-23 A summary of the events. The beauty contest is arranged. (1-4) Enter Mordecai and Esther. (5-7) Esther enters and wins the beauty contest. (8-18) Mordecai saves the king. (19-23) An examination of the events. The challenging questions and difficult answers. (8-18) The lessons to remember.

First sermon in a series on the Book of Esther Setting the Scene Main Lesson From The Book: God Is faithful and active to fulfill His purposes and keep His promises. Setting The Scene For The Book. The times. The style, issues and plot. The main lesson. Setting The Scene For Act 1. The main characters, in order of appearance. Feasting and defiance. (1:1-12) Consultation and action. (1:13-22) Lesso...

Four Final Imperatives James 5:12-20 Theme: A living faith transforms the way you live. Simple Honesty. The simple, uncomplicated truth. (12; see also Leviticus 19:12; Deuteronomy 6:13; Matthew 5:33-37; 23:16-22; 26:63-64; Romans 1:9; Hebrews 6:13-14) The simple, loving truth. (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:6) Effective Prayer. The overall Biblical framework. (15-18; 1:5-8; 4:3; Psalm 37:4; 66:18;...

Sermon #10 in a series on the book of James Be Patient Theme: A living faith demonstrates patience. The Picture of Patience. What it is not. What it is. (7, 8, 10, 11; see also Genesis 8:22; Isaiah 7:13; Matthew 24:27; John 13:34-35; Acts 26:3; Romans 2:4; 9:22; 1 Corinthians 13:4; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; 1 Peter 2:19-23) The Priority of Patience. Commanded by God. (7, 8; see also Psalm 37:7-9; James 4...

Sermon #9 in a series on the book of James. Theme: A living faith replaces self-sufficiency with submission and service. A living faith moves from independent to submissive planning. The problem of independent planning. (4:13-14, 16; see also Proverbs 27:1; Luke 14:25-33; John 4:34; 6:38; 8:28; 12:26; 1 Corinthians 4:1; James 1:1) The attitude and practice of submissive planning. (4:15, 17; see al...

Church Fights Sermon #8 in a series in the book of James Theme: A living faith defeats conflict. Describing the problem. The nature and source. (1; see also 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:3-4, 14; Colossians 3:12) The dynamics. (2-3; see also Matthew 5:21-22; 6:11; John 16:24; James 1:5-7; 1 John 3:15; 5:14) Rebuking the problem. It is a form of spiritual adultery. (4; see also Isaiah 57:3; Je...