New Life Church Kalamazoo with Pastor Dan Smith

In this special Names of God message, four New Life speakers share powerful seven-minute messages on who God is: Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness; Jehovah Mekoddishkem, the Lord who sanctifies and makes us holy; Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our peace; and Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. Through Scripture and personal testimony, this message reminds us that God does not just call us t...

In this special Names of God message, four New Life students share powerful mini-messages on who God is: Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals; Jehovah Raah, the Lord our Shepherd; Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our Banner of Victory; and Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there. Through Scripture, testimony, and bold faith, this message reminds us that God is not distant from our pain, confusion, battles, or...

In this message, Pastor Dan continues the Names of God series by teaching on YHWH / Yahweh, the personal covenant name of God — the great I AM. Yahweh is the God who always was, always is, and always will be. He is not dependent on us, defined by us, or limited by us. He is the Creator of all things, and He made humanity in His image on purpose and for a purpose. Through Exodus 3, Genesis 2, and D...

In this message, Pastor Dan continues the Names of God series by teaching on El Qanna, meaning Jealous God or Zealous God. God’s jealousy is not insecurity — it is covenant love. He loves His people so deeply that He will not stand by while idols, rivals, or divided worship destroy what belongs to Him. Through Exodus 20, Exodus 34, and Deuteronomy 5, we are reminded that good things can become ido...

In this message, Pastor Dan continues the Names of God series by teaching on El Olam, meaning The Everlasting God. Through Abraham digging a well, planting a tamarisk tree, and calling on the name of the eternal God, we are reminded that faith is not just about what God does in our lifetime — it is about what God carries through generations. When we trust El Olam, we can plant seeds we may never s...

In this message, Pastor Dan continues the Names of God series by teaching on El Elyon, meaning God Most High. El Elyon is above all, over all, and yet near enough to cover those who draw close to Him. Through Psalm 91, the story of Jesus calming the storm, David crying out from the cave, Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek, and the lordship of Jesus, this sermon challenges us to ask a simple but li...

In this message, Chris Rand continues the Names of God series by teaching on Adonai, meaning Lord, Master, Owner, and Ruler. Through the lives of Abram and Moses, we are reminded that God is sovereign over our story, His call does not depend on our credentials, and following Jesus means surrendering every part of our lives under His lordship. When Abram had questions, Adonai met him with patience...

What do you do when the dream God gave you feels too big, your strength feels too small, and the promise seems impossible? In this message, Pastor Dan teaches on the name El Shaddai, which means God Almighty — the all-sufficient, all-powerful God who meets us in our weakness and reminds us that He is more than enough. Through the story of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob, we see that God is faithf...

In this Mothers Day message and the start of our Names of God series, Pastor Kelsey teaches on Elohim, the Creator God revealed in Genesis 1:1. Through creation, identity, worship, and community, we see that God is not distantHe is powerful, personal, and purposeful. This message reminds us that God brings order out of chaos, that we are made in His image, and that our lives are meant to become a...

What does real faith actually look like? In this powerful conclusion to the Confident Faith series through 1 John, we walk through how genuine faith moves beyond belief into a transformed life. From knowing God personally to finding freedom, discovering your purpose, and making an eternal differencethis message is a clear call to stop sitting on the sidelines and step fully into what God created y...

How do you know your faith is real? In this message from our Confident Faith series through 1 John, Pastor Dan unpacks what it means to abide in Jesus, test the voices shaping your life, and live with confidence in a confusing and deceptive culture. Real faith is more than believing the right thingsit produces real fruit, real obedience, real love, and real surrender. Main themes include abiding i...

What does it really mean to walk in truth? In week two of the Confident Faith series, we continue through the book of 1 John and look at what real faith actually produces in the life of a believer. This message unpacks the tension between grace and obedience, reminding us that Jesus is our advocatenot our excuse. When we truly know God, our lives begin to reflect Him. Obedience becomes evidence. L...

What does real faith actually look like? In this message, Pastor Dan kicks off the new Confident Faith series in 1 John by challenging us to move beyond just saying we believe in Jesus and start living lives that actually reflect Him. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. So the question is not just whether we believe in the light, but whether we are actually willing to live expose...

Happy Easter! In this powerful Easter message, Pastor Dan shares the hope of the resurrection and what it means for every one of us. Because of Jesus, Easter brought anew dawn, a new day, and a new life. So many people have gotten comfortable living in spiritual darkness, carrying shame, sin, brokenness, and old identity. But the resurrection of Jesus changed everything. The light came on. The pri...

How can you actually live in victory as a Christian when life feels like defeat? In this message, we walk through Romans 8 to showhow to live in victoryand why God truly wants you to win in Christ. If youve felt stuck on a spiritual treadmillfighting the same sin, the same mindset, the same discouragementthis sermon is for you. Pastor John unpacks four powerful meditations from Romans 8 that move...

This powerful message confronts us with a fundamental truth about marriage: we cannot fix what God designed using our own strength alone. Just as a pilot must understand the laws of aerodynamics to fly a plane successfully, we must understand God's design and laws for marriage to experience the fulfillment He intended. The central revelation here is that knowing biblical principles isn't enough���...

The Law of Planning reveals a profound truth about marriage that many of us overlook: knowing what to do isn't enough���������we must actually do it. Drawing from the book of Proverbs, we're called to consider the ant, a creature that works diligently without constant supervision, storing provisions and planning ahead. This wisdom challenges us to examine our own marriages. We plan meticulously fo...

What does the Bible say about sex in marriage? In this powerful message, we look at Gods design for sexual intimacy through the lens of1 Corinthians 7:15and discover that sex within marriage is not shameful, selfish, or cultural: it is sacred, powerful, and created by God. This teaching confronts one of the most misunderstood gifts God has given humanity: sexual intimacy in the covenant of marriag...

How should a Christian wife treat her husband? This message unpacks what the Bible says about a wifes power in marriage, and how respect, wise help, and inner strength can build a strong, godly home. If youve felt confused by cultural messages about marriage, submission, feminism, or power, this teaching brings clarity from Scripture with practical steps you can apply immediately. In Week 5 of the...

This message explains Christian marriage roles and what the Bible says about a husband���������s calling in marriage. If you���������ve ever wondered what biblical headship really means���������or struggled with cultural confusion about masculinity and leadership���������this teaching brings clarity straight from Scripture. In this sermon, we walk through God���������s design from Genesis to Ephes...

What happens when your spouse gets leftovers instead of priority? In this message, we unpack the biblical Law of Priority from Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19, and Ephesians 5 ��������� and why marriage must become your primary human relationship above parents, kids, work, hobbies, and friends. If your parents get a vote and your spouse only gets a notification��������� priority is already broken. You���...

What if the struggles we face in marriage aren't because the institution itself is broken, but because we never truly understood what it was designed to be? This powerful exploration challenges us to reconsider marriage not as a human contract or romantic fantasy, but as God's first and most sacred institution���������a covenant relationship that mirrors the very nature of the Trinity. Drawing fro...

At the heart of this teaching lies a profound truth that challenges our deepest assumptions about love, marriage, and fulfillment. We encounter the powerful story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at a well, a narrative that transcends cultural barriers and speaks directly to our spiritual thirst. This woman came daily to draw water, engaging in a repetitive cycle that sustained her physical life...

This powerful message confronts us with a question we often avoid: how close is too close to temptation? Drawing from James 1:13-15, we're challenged to examine the four-stage progression that leads to destructive patterns in our lives���������desire, deception, disobedience, and death. The sermon doesn't shy away from naming specific struggles: sexual immorality, lustful pleasures, idolatry, addi...

This message confronts one of the most stress-inducing areas of our lives: finances. But here's the liberating truth���������our money struggles aren't really about math; they're about lordship. Drawing from Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus, we're challenged to examine where we've taken control instead of surrendering to God's wisdom. The sermon explores three transformative decisions: running...