Kern Talks

Pastor Will reflects on generosity through a personal story of Miss Barbara, who inspired him with her kindness. This sermon explores Jesus’ teaching on generosity from Matthew 25, emphasizing that generosity isn’t about the amount you give but about faithfulness with what you have. Pastor Will challenges the common "when this, then I will" mindset, urging listeners to stop waiting for the perfect...

In "Finding the Financial Freedom Jesus Promises," Pastor Will challenges cultural views on wealth, emphasizing Jesus' call to prioritize spiritual over material treasures. He teaches that our heart follows our money, urging us to give first, save second, and live on the rest. By creating financial margin and aligning spending with God’s mission, we can live with purpose, even during holiday spend...

In the first message of this new series, Pastor Will dives into the discomfort many of us feel around money—whether it’s about debt, budgeting, or conversations we've been avoiding. Reflecting on Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler, Pastor Will challenges us to consider if we truly trust God with our finances. He encourages us to break through fear and shame, reminding us that money is as...

In this final message of the "Under God?" series, Pastor Will explores how Christians can stay united in a divided world. Reflecting on Jesus' prayer for unity, he reminds us that true faith isn’t about political alignment but love. Pastor Will challenges believers to reject division, focus on common values, and build bridges by loving unconditionally. In a time of polarization, the church must co...

In this sermon of the "Under God?" series, Pastor Will explores how Christians can live faithfully under God in a culture often at odds with biblical values. Drawing from Daniel’s story, he challenges listeners to reflect on whether they’re more influenced by culture or by God. Through practical examples about money, time, relationships, and opinions, Pastor Will encourages pre-deciding to follow...

Pastor Will’s sermon “Under God? One Nation” addresses the division during election season, reminding believers that their primary allegiance is to God’s kingdom. He emphasizes that Christians are ambassadors of Christ, called to represent His love beyond political differences. Regardless of election outcomes, God remains sovereign, and believers are united as a heavenly nation, tasked with embody...

Pastor Will shares his experience with Positive Intelligence, where he learned to manage anxiety from hyper-achievement and hypervigilance. He connects this to Exodus 17, where the Israelites doubted God’s provision in the desert, yet God faithfully provided water. Pastor Will encourages trusting God’s provision, especially in moments of doubt and uncertainty. He reminds the congregation that just...

In this sermon, Pastor Will celebrates faith growth at Kern Church through baptisms and new members, emphasizing the importance of belonging in a world filled with loneliness. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4, he compares the strength of community to a three-ply cord that isn’t easily broken. He encourages the congregation to join Belong Groups, finding support and purpose together. This sermon kicks o...

Pastor Will shares a powerful message about navigating life's unexpected challenges through faith and prayer. Using the story of Jairus from Mark 5:21-43, he illustrates how even in the face of illness and uncertainty, incremental prayer can lead to small but meaningful miracles. Drawing on both biblical teachings and real-life experiences, Pastor Will encourages listeners to trust in God, pray st...

In this sermon, Pastor Will shares the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar to explore the challenges of family life. Drawing parallels to his own experience of parenting children of different ages, he highlights the difficulties and missteps that can arise in families. Despite the mistakes made, God’s faithfulness remains constant, offering hope and redemption. Pastor Will encourages listeners to r...

In this sermon, Pastor Will reflects on the pressure to appear perfect while sharing his family's story in a local magazine. Using the story of Adam and Eve, he explores the challenges all families face and introduces the concept of a "redo"—a chance to start over after mistakes. Pastor Will emphasizes that while no family is perfect, God offers grace and second chances. Tune in for an honest and...

Discover how Kern Church addresses the challenges in our community of 81,000 people, including health issues, depression, and loneliness. Reflecting on summer activities and neighborhood connections, this sermon explores why people need Jesus and the church. Learn about Kern Church's vision to help people belong, grow in faith, and make a difference through new "belong groups." Whether you're cons...

Join us in our current message series, "3 Big Questions." This week's sermon dives into the vital topic, "Why Do People Need the Church?" Building on last week's exploration of why people need Jesus, we delve into the church's role in our lives and society. Amidst a backdrop of declining church attendance and spiritual dissatisfaction, we discuss how the church is essential for spiritual growth, c...

In his latest sermon, Pastor Will delves into the first of three pivotal questions in his new series: "Why do people need Jesus?" Drawing from personal anecdotes and biblical stories, Pastor Will explores the pervasive struggles of modern life—loneliness, addiction, and financial pressures—and traces their origins back to the fall of humanity in Genesis. He explains how Jesus is the divine solutio...

The Power of Expectation

Join Pastor Will as he explores the importance of neighborly connections. Sharing personal stories and insights from the early church in Acts, Pastor Will emphasizes how building genuine relationships with neighbors can combat loneliness and enrich our lives. Discover practical steps to move beyond casual greetings and form supportive, meaningful connections in your community. Tune in to learn how...

In today's Father's Day sermon, Pastor Will reflects on the joys and challenges of parenthood, sharing personal stories and insights from his own journey as a father. Drawing from Ephesians 6:1-4, he explores the biblical principles of parenting and highlights the importance of love, discipline, and teaching children about God's ways. Pastor Will also acknowledges the diverse forms of families and...

In this sermon, Pastor Will delves into the complexities of love and marriage, using a viral story about a bride's outrageous wedding demands as a starting point. He discusses the difference between society's fleeting notion of "falling in love" and the deeper, biblical concept of marriage as a lifelong commitment to serve and care for one's partner. Highlighting Genesis 2, Pastor Will explains ho...

This week Pastor Will explores summer vacation challenges, using "National Lampoon’s Vacation" as a metaphor for family chaos. He introduces a five-week series, "Family Vacation," offering Biblical strategies to strengthen family bonds and grow in faith. Families come in many forms, and the sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing to serve the Lord together. The acrostic "FAMILY" outlines key...

This week, Pastor Will reflects on the challenges of social anxiety and isolation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He gives personal experiences of going shopping during the early pandemic days and the eerie silence in stores. Drawing from the biblical story of Thomas, Will emphasizes Jesus's message of peace and belonging in community. He encourages listeners to reach out to others and exten...

From Pastor Will's new sermon series "Where Everybody Knows Your Name". Pastor Will delves into his personal experience with social media and its impact on feelings of belonging and loneliness. He reflects on the curated nature of online content, which often portrays only the highlights of people's lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy and exclusion. Drawing parallels to the loneliness epidemic...

Pastor Will explores the significance of Palm Sunday in the Christian tradition and reflects on Jesus' final entry into Jerusalem. He encourages listeners to focus on their walk with God and explores the fifth essential practice of the Christian life: sharing. Drawing from biblical teachings, Pastor Will emphasizes the importance of sharing one's faith and the transformative power of Jesus' life a...

This sermon delves into the topic of money and its relationship with spiritual growth. Using personal anecdotes from tax season, Pastor Will reflects on the significance of money in their life and spiritual journey. Drawing from biblical examples, such as King Solomon and Jesus' teachings, the sermon explores how money can either hinder or enhance spiritual growth. Emphasizing the joy and fulfillm...

Pastor Will uses the metaphor of a toddler learning to walk to explore the concept of spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of listening to God, drawing parallels between recognizing a parent's voice and recognizing God's voice. He discusses general revelation through nature and specific revelation through the Bible, highlighting the importance of studying scripture to understand God's char...

Join us in listening to this message from Steve Pawel. From Kern Church's service on February 25, 2024.