MEFC Sermon Audio - Midland, MI

The book of Ecclesiastes is like a science experiment. In chapter 2 we see the author testing to see if anything in the world or “under the sun” can bring fulfillment. Things like pleasure (v 1), achievement (v 4), possessions (v 7), sex (v 8), self-indulgence (v 10), wisdom (v 12-16) or despair (v 17-20). Instead of sinking into nihilism or hedonism like the author of Ecclesiastes, where should w...

Everywhere we look in our culture, people chase after things that will not last. Vanity. Fame. Social Media Influence. Money. Work. Pleasure. Control. Power. Where do we find meaning and Truth? What is this life all about and what will come in the end? The book of Ecclesiastes points us in that direction through a very intense and diligent search. Listen as Pastor Jeremy begins our new fall sermon...

Why is sin so bad? Why would a loving God get angry about sin? If God is so loving, why does he have to punish sin? If you’ve thought about these questions, or had someone ask you these questions, it’s important to know the Truth! Listen as Elder Dave Shumaker answers these questions as he teaches us from the books of Romans and Exodus. Before we can understand the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel of Jesus...

In 1 Corinthians 4:1 we are described as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Later in 1 Corinthians 12, we also learn that each member of the body of Christ has an important role, function, and gift given by God so we can serve Him and others. That includes YOU! You have a God-given gift and you are ESSENTIAL to the body of Christ! We are asking you to re-engage and use your s...

There’s no doubt that the past year has fractured our culture, fractured relationships, and even fractured our church. People are hurting and it’s HARD. That’s exactly why it’s important to come back together as one loving community of Christ followers here at Midland Free! Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from Romans 12: 4-21 about why we want to RE-UNITE as one church family this fall: 1. Formati...

What matters most to Jesus? What impresses Him? Listen as Pastor Jeremy preaches from Mark 13:1-13 about three things that impressed Jesus as he taught about the signs at the end of the age with his disciples: 1. Discernment not distractions (v5) 2. Focus on a person not a place (v1) 3. Faith not fear (v11-13) The presence of the Holy Spirit means the defeat of the power of sin. Jesus wins! He cam...

We're getting ready to RE-UNITE to RE-ENGAGE so we can REACH OUT to others in Jesus' name! Listen as Pastor Gib teaches about the four basics for the Church from Acts 2:42-47 that we want to incorporate into our lives as Christ followers here at Midland Free. These four basics also reflect the Mission of Midland Free: 1. Apostles’ Teaching (EMBRACE God’s Word) 2. Fellowship (ENGAGE) 3. Breaking of...

When Jesus walked the earth, the cultural and political environment was even more contentious than what we experience today. The people were looking for a Messiah to conquer and crush their political enemies. However, Jesus came to be both our Lord and our Savior in the Kingdom of God. What does is mean to have Jesus as our LORD and King? Are you ready to have Jesus tell you what to do? Are you re...

Where is your devotion? Where do you place your love, loyalty, and enthusiasm? These are important questions to ponder as we study Mark 12:41-44. Listen as Mike Ladenburger leads us through this passage and the example Jesus gave us while He observed the widow’s offering. What does Jesus do: • Jesus observed, and He’s still observing • Jesus called, and He’s still calling • Jesus taught, and He’s...

As a church, we're gearing up for an exciting fall where we RE-UNITE and RE-ENGAGE, to REACH OUT. With that goal in mind, what does God say about His church? Listen as Elder Dave Shumaker preaches a message to energize our hearts for God's purpose, "The Church Isn't a Building" based on Matthew 16:17-18, Ephesians 4 & 5, Colossians 3:16-17, and Hebrews 10:25. Application from Matthew 16:18 1. Are...

In Mark 12, we read about a scribe who asks Jesus about the most important commandment. As Jesus answered the scribe, He emphasized the greatest commandment in Mark 12:29-31. Listen as Pastor Jeremy unpacks this passage: 1. The Theology – Our One God 2. The Implication – We love God by loving others How do we love others well? 1. Honor others with your words. Use your tongue and your thumbs (onlin...

Pastor Jeremy leads us through Mark 12:18-27 in his sermon, SAME POWER.

In the book of Mark we see Jesus’ enemies trying to trap him with a question about paying taxes. In his reply, Jesus reveals three important lessons about God’s priorities and the created order He established. Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from Mark 12:13-17 in the message: Ownership, Direction and Belonging: OWNERSHIP – God owns us. We belong to Him and are made in His image. DIRECTION – God’s...

We want to move one step closer to Jesus everyday. One way we do that is by studying what Jesus teaches us in the Gospels. Listen as Pastor Jeremy begins our new summer sermon series in Mark 12:1-12 in the message, "Marvelous In Our Eyes." God shows us three things about redemption in the book of Mark: - God has a plan. - People reject God's plan. - God redeems rejection and it is marvelous in our...

What motivates you to obey God? Are you following Jesus for the rewards and blessings He promises? What happens when suffering, trouble, and pain come along in our lives and it is more difficult to obey God? Christians should follow God not because we get temporal blessings in this life, but because following God is the right thing to do, because God’s greatness demands it, because we love Him, an...

In John 17, Jesus prays for His followers – that they would remain IN the world but not be OF the world. How do we know what the right balance is to be IN but not OF the world? Listen as Pastor Chuck teaches from John 17:14-21 in his sermon, “In, But Not of the World.” • We are sent into the world – Don’t ISOLATE • We are not to be of the world – Don’t IMITATE • We need God’s help to stay safe fro...

Like sheep that wander, we are on our way to destruction unless someone guides us differently. We need the provision, direction, and protection of our good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. What can we learn about our Shepherd and Host as we study Psalm 23? 1. A Shepherd (Provide, Protect, Direct) 2. A Host (Relax, Refresh, and Renew)

We want to live with joyful and bountiful hearts as conduits of God’s generosity to others with our time, resources, and skills instead of living with closed hands and sparing hearts. We want to be contented people who trust God to supply both what is needed today and what is needed in the future. Listen as Elder Jeff Koehlinger us leads us through 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 in his message about how to...

Our hearts need to trust HIS heart. How much? Much more! Listen as Pastor Jeremy leads us through Matthew 6:19-34 as we explore what our hearts should treasure: • Heart DIRECTION • Heart DESIRE • Heart DISTRACTION ***** SCRIPTURES: Matthew 6:19-34 1 Timothy 6:10 Luke 21:34-36

We want to treasure and value God above all else. We want to love Jesus and not money. We want to be content in Christ and not in what we have. As a result, we as Christ followers want to give generously from a thankful heart. Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from 1 Timothy 6: 1. Love of Money 2. Contentment 3. A Theology of Giving Contentment is the love of Christ!

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 is framed by the Great Commissioner. Christ’s Authority (Power) and his Presence are on full display in the Gospel of Matthew, and He calls us to engage the world to help point people to Jesus. Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches about what drives our purpose in global missions from Matthew 28:16-20: • Christ’s Authority (Power) • Christ’s Presence SCRIPTURES:...

When you read the Bible and allow God’s Word to saturate your mind, you get cleaner in your spirit and soul! When the Holy Spirit begins to work through the Word, it purifies you, changes you, and draws you closer to Jesus. We want to EMBRACE God’s Word because it is God’s infallible truth and as we read in John 17:3, “…this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ...

What is the purpose of life and why are we here? As Psalm 63 exclaims, we believe our purpose is to worship God and enjoy Him forever, because His steadfast love is better than life (v.3). Even in our worst moments we can still have joy, because nothing can take God away from us! So how do we value, treasure, and delight ourselves in God and the infinite worth of the person of Jesus Christ? Listen...

Many skeptics have questioned the reality of Jesus’ resurrection over the centuries. Listen as Pastor Chuck defends the historical fact of the resurrection by exposing five flawed arguments that skeptics use to attack the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. What are the difficult facts you would have to accept in order to NOT believe in the historicity of the resurrection: • You would have to believe th...

Everything changes with Jesus calls your name. Do you hear Jesus calling to you today? After Jesus rose from the grave, Mary Magdalene was the first person to encounter the risen Christ but she did not recognize him at first. Everything changed when He called her name! Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from the book of John about Jesus’ victory over sin and death and how He moves us from our old ori...