Liferoads Sermons

Daily engagement with Scripture is a core practice of abiding in Christ. We should be able to see the Bible not as an obligation or academic exercise, but as a living, life-giving means of growing in our relationship with Jesus. As God’s Word dwells richly in us, we are shaped, taught, and directed in our everyday faith. Liferoads Church Spokane

In the spirit of New Year's resolutions, today we ask, how might we grow spiritually this year? How do we worry less and pray more? The "Gospel Hardware" is Jesus. He stated that He is the true vine; you are clean because of the words He has spoken. Apart from Him you can do nothing. "Abide in me," Christ said. ( John 15:1-11 ). Abide is a verb relating to where you live. W...

The prophet Jeremiah was the messenger that told Judah they were going to be in exile for generations Jeremiah 29:4-14 . Though this seems like defeat, it is under God's design and under His direction. In Ezekiel 10 is a description of God abandoning the temple and he goes into exile with His people. That is sacrifice, that is love. In Jeremiah's letter of Lament he states that God's Love never ce...

God gave King David a promise. God would establish a kingdom and on the throne will be a David's son ( 1 Chronicles 17:1-15 ). David waited. He waited many years. In his humble poem ( Psalm 27 ), from experience David states, "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let our heart take courage; wait for the Lord." He wanted to honor God and build a temple, but God said no, that will be the...

If you have never been able to make it through the book of Numbers, you're not alone. Reading it can feel like sitting in the DMV, "take a number." Yes, the book is full of numbers and can get very repetitive, but there are also some very interesting stories in there. One of those stories ( Numbers 22-24 ) has to do with a selfish prophet named Balaam. Though he clearly hears God (ev...

How do we be patient in our waiting periods? How do we recognize that it is not a waste of time? The fall broke our relationship with God, others, creation, and ourselves. However, in the same verses of Genesis that describe the fall, God presents the protoevangelium; the first good news of the redeemer. Jesus is that redeemer. He brought Himself down to a position such that Satan could strike His...

Prayer is an act of humility, a declaration of our dependence on God, that invites Him into our fears and worries. As we bring our requests with thanksgiving for all God has already provided, He meets us with His promised peace ( Philippians 4:4-9 ).Liferoads Church Spokane

Humility isn't entirely about introspection and self. Humility brings unity. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church about being unified, being of the mind of Christ. Then he described Christ in a way that flipped the cultural expression of glory and honor on its head ( Philippians 2 ). He wrote out a hymn about the glory of Jesus being His surrender of His power and becoming a slave t...

Our culture has this strange pattern of the 'humble brag,' where we act as if we are humble—all the while we are boasting. Paul warned of such pride. C.S. Lewis called pride "the great sin." It is sin curved inward on ourselves. God opposes the proud ( James 4:6 ), Paul presents this plainly in 1 Corinthians . He surrenders any self-judgment. Only God is the judge. Paul stated in...

What does true humility look like? In John 13:1–17 , we see true humility. Jesus, fully aware of His identity and authority, took a posture of a servant and washed His disciples' feet. His example challenges our ideas about strength, success, and status. Pride can quietly shape the way we see ourselves and others. Humility begins with security in who we are in Christ! Jesus invites us to lay aside...

This message looks at the birth of the church in Acts 2 , beginning with Peter’s sermon at Pentecost and moving to a snapshot of the early Christian community. We explore what life looked like in that community — how believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Their devotion led to unity, generosity, and joy that made their faith attractive to...

You probably didn't feel a cultural pressure to attend church this morning. Most likely you wanted to come. Why is that? Why come to church? Hebrews 10:19-25 provides us some answers to these questions. It states three "let us" statements about being together in church. First, let us draw near with hearts full of faith and cleansed by Jesus' blood. The curtain was torn, and we ha...

The Great Commission: these words are not actually used in the Bible. But Jesus gave his disciples (and us) a task, a mission; and He gave us the authority to spread the great news of His coming - and His resurrection. This is the fundamental event of history ( 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 ). Central to Christianity. Jesus showed His authority in teaching. He showed His authority over disease, nature, s...

All history points to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection ( Matthew 27:27-54 ). The cross is a scandal ( 1 Cor 1:18 ); it makes no sense to invent such a thing - to use a device of torture as a symbol of grace. This idea of sacrifice is alarming (especially the sacrifice of Jesus); could there be another way? Even Jesus asked this question. The night of His death, He prayed; "Father,...

The night of Jesus' imminent betrayal and arrest, He shared Passover with His disciples ( ⁠Matthew 26:17-35⁠ ). During this meal, Jesus aligned the historical reminder of Israel's deliverance from Egypt with a new covenant, one of His blood and His body instead of the sacrificial Passover lamb. Some people may see this exercise as an empty ritual. But it is a deeply meaningful tradition. C...

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24:42-25:13 , regarding the end times, is a challenging section of scripture. It is more about how we should live in light of His promised return, not so much what the world tends to be fascinated with. It is not about apocalyptic predictions - whether through movies, media, or date-setting. Jesus calls His followers to something different: faithful, expectant waiting. I...

Jesus confronted the religious leaders of Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion. He criticized them for hypocrisy and contrasts the outward show of righteousness with inner corruption, like tombs that appear white on the outside but are full of dead bones inside ( Matthew 23 ). This reflects a larger theme of rebellion against God’s ways and the rejection of the Messiah. Jesus’ words echo his e...

Throughout the Gospel of Matthew a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven is being presented. ( ⁠⁠Matthew 19:16 - 20:28⁠⁠ ) Jesus describes an upside-down kingdom that reflects the character of its King—marked by generosity, grace, and servanthood rather than power, wealth, or status. It begins now, overlapping with this world as Jesus rules in the hearts of His followers, calling them to humility, forg...

Jesus holds up humility as an essential character of the kingdom of heaven ( Matthew 18:1-4 ). Note the humility of a child: sincere, sensitive, and simple. The humblest child has the ability to influence many souls. Forgiveness is a characteristic of the kingdom as well ( Matthew 18:21-35 ). You can't even count the importance and value of forgiveness. God's forgiveness is extreme, forgiv...

God reveals. The question is: what does God show us, and what should our response be? In Matthew 16:13-20 . Jesus asks Peter, "Who do you say I am?" He responded, "You are the Christ." But Peter's expectation of what that meant was a bit inaccurate. Jesus teaches that He was to suffer and die. We need to take up our cross and die to ourselves ( Matthew 16:21-28 ). Then, Jes...

Jesus described how people receive the word of God like soil receiving a seed. Our hearts respond to Christ's message by being — hard, shallow, crowded, or receptive. The Parable of the Sower is a well-known story found in Matthew 13:1-23 that is asking us how we hear God's word. Do we have a tinge of resistance, or are we distracted? What does it look like to be receptive to the message o...

When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he truly was the Messiah ( Matt 11:1-11 ). Jesus honored John and pointed to the signs that were prophesied in Isaiah. Jesus has grace for those who wrestle with doubt. He knows that there will be a day where faith becomes sight, hope is fulfilled and love is eternal ( 1 Cor 13:12-13 ). Then there will be no doubt....

Jesus called His disciples and sent them into a world full of need. Matthew 10:1–20 reminds us that ministry is not just for a few; it’s for all of us. Wherever we are at—work, home, or in our neighborhoods—we are in ministry. We walk through Jesus’ instructions for the mission: for who (the lost sheep of Israel), the method (preaching and healing), and the mindset (traveling light, trusting God’s...

What comes to your mind when you think of authority? Today, in our reading from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9 , we are introduced to a level of authority that only God possesses. Jesus is clear: He has the authority to forgive sin. But He also has the authority to heal and to transform your identity to be a child of God. Allow Jesus to be your good shepherd; He has the authority to do that too....

This message challenges us to honestly evaluate the substance of our faith: Are we Jesus flavored or Jesus filled? Drawing from Matthew 7 , we look at three essential tests Jesus gives: the Fruit Test, the Obedience Test, and the Foundation Test. Popularity, appearances, and good intentions aren't enough — what matters is a life rooted in knowing Jesus, doing God's will, and building on th...